The .380

[mawguy]

I had all but decided that a Bersa .380 was going to be my first carry piece. When I compared that to the 9mm offerings I decided to get a SW9VE, but when it came right down to it, I ended up with a 40VE. Carried that for quite a while and when the Ruger SR9c came out, that became my carry piece. The .380 ammo is just starting to appear in these parts, so scarcity was a factor. When it came down to it, I just figured that 10 rounds in a 9mm would be hard to beat in a good shooting pistol that was a compact.

 

[jpwhel]

380 ammo is starting to become plentiful again. I stocked up a few years ago so didn't have a problem with the shortage.

I purchased the LCP when it came out. It is small and a handful to shoot, I use it as a pocket cc pistol most of the time. Also bought the Sig 238 when it came out, it is heavier than the LCP, is easier to handle and has much better sights. It is now my wife's carry firearm.

With the rush in the past few years for many to get cc licenses, a lot of people want to carry a small concealable firearm, these small pocket pistols serve a purpose. Also, as we are experiencing now with 90+ degree temps in most of the country, these little firearms can be concealed even with very light clothing.

 

[gunlovingirl]

I haven't had that much of a problem getting ammo for mine. I decided last year to keep an eye on the online sources. When they got some in, I'd order a couple boxes. Shipping costs were no more than the price of gas looking for it at the local shops. I have a pretty good supply. When I picked up my BG380 the other day, the dealer had ammo of every size, color and flavor. Plenty of .380 ammo too. Personally, I like the caliber. Not much pain on my arthritic hands and fingers, and easy to put in a pocket or purse.

 

[arrowhd]

It's all about supply and demand. Seems like most every major firearm manufacturer has a "new" .380 on the market. It does seem like just in the past month, I'm seeing more .380ammo available. Finally.

I have a Bersa .380 and LCP. Both serve the intended purpose very well. Tend to carry the LCP much more frequently. Put it in a pocket holster and go. Forget about it. I am able to shoot the LCP at 7 yards very accurately. Bersa .380 almost never gets carried now days. S&W 642 took its place in the line up.

 

[HCD]

as for the OP's question, why now? all i can say is that even though i live in a stste that allows open carry, mostly i dont. and it is hotter than hammered he##, and i am tired of wearing 2 shirts. so last week i had to go to the city and after doing my business sweating like a banshee, on the drive home i spotted a small gun shop. i went in and asked to see pocket/mouse guns i got myself a .380 and a pocket holster. so that may be some of the upswing dont know, but that was my reason. and the shop only had 1 box of the stuff it was Win. Supreme Elite and it was 17.95 for a box of 20.

 

[Capt Steve]

and the shop only had 1 box of the stuff it was Win. Supreme Elite and it was 17.95 for a box of 20.

This illustrates my point perfectly: a dollar a round for .380??? You can buy quality .44 magnums for that. Somebody is getting rich by artificially screwing with the market for fun and mostly PROFIT! Anything over $12 to $15 a box, of 50, for .380 is highway robbery. )o;

 

[gregintenn]

380's ain't exactly something new.

 

[amd6547]

No, 380's aren't exactly new. I occaisionally carry this Browning 1910/55, designed by the master himself...

...But, most of the time, when I want to carry a small auto, I carry this Polish P64 in 9mm makarov. The walther-copy P64 only cost me $139, the 9mm Makarov round is slightly more powerful than the 380, and even during the height of the ammo crunch, I could buy all the ammo I wanted for $10/box of 50.

 

[4011]

Bought two of the LCP's. I sold one already after both had to go back to the factory for repairs. I carry a Colt 1908 most of the time. Smooth as glass. Since getting on this forum I dug out the Mod. 37 put the wooden grips back on it . Beautiful carry gun. I have an Under Armour T shirt that someone sewed an elastic band into. It is good to carry most any weapon in. Hope to rid myself of the LCP in the future. My brother offered me his Browing 380 the other day. I took his Victory model instead.

 

[Rule3]

I took my LCP with me to the range yesterday. I shot 5 different brands of JHP ammo plus my reloads. Over 50 rds, gun was hot and dirty , never missed a beat. Accurate at 10 yds to keep all shots in a 8" Shoot and See/Show and Tell Target.

 

[Ranger98]

My "Texas" LCP

Has about 500 rounds through it...no problems so far ..

 

[Mod10]

I also bought a Ruger LCP last month. Is it true that hollow points don't expand with the velocities of a .380?

I was told only ball ammo is good for a .380 as hollow points wouldn't expand, and if they did, it would be too soon to allow adequate penetration.

 

[Rule3]

I also bought a Ruger LCP last month. Is it true that hollow points don't expand with the velocities of a .380?

I was told only ball ammo is good for a .380 as hollow points wouldn't expand, and if they did, it would be too soon to allow adequate penetration.

No it is not true. Todays modern JHP bullets will expand. There are lots of ballistic tests on the web which show this.

I have done the milk jug filled with water test (for whatever that's worth) and they do expand. I have shot Hornady CD, Gold Dots, and Rem Golden Sabers. The 380 is 2 mm smaller than a 9mm. With a little smaller bullet 90-102 it does just fine. The 380 has been used for many years in Europe as a Police, Military round.
I plan on testing the new Winchester PDX1 this week. I'll try to post a pic of it and some others.

Here is one of the better ones. It's on the web as a PDF for all to see so I do think it is a problem posting it here. It is the work of the individual who did the test and I do not claim any credit for it.
http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP ammunition performance in ballistic gelatin.pdf

 

[Kanewpadle]

It seemed to be the caliber of choice for the non-gun owning crowd that decided they'd better buy a gun after Nov. '08, before they were gone. Then they sucked up all the ammo for them causing a domino effect with every other caliber.

Now all the gun writers are writing about them because they are what's "hot" in the marketplace, which is typical wether they are worth a darn or not, due to the increased sales in guns and ammunition in that caliber.

What he said.

I was working part time at a gun shop then. We couldn't keep anything 380 in stock. We had a mile long waiting list for Kel Tec's and LCP when they came out. Every gun shop in the area was the same. We also had to ration 380 ammo so we would have some available to those that bought 380 guns.

But it has slowed way down around here. 380 guns are sitting on shelves and ammo can be found if you know where to look.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'm just happy everyone is nuts about the .380, as now I can get .32 ACP brass and bullets for my Savage.

 

[woodsltc]

I also bought a Ruger LCP last month. Is it true that hollow points don't expand with the velocities of a .380?

I was told only ball ammo is good for a .380 as hollow points wouldn't expand, and if they did, it would be too soon to allow adequate penetration.

Below is a link to a thread about .380 and penetration. I think Erich makes some very good points and I tend to agree with his findings.


http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/98508-380-load-calling-erich.html

Don

 

[writerinmo]

Looking over the Cabela's website, I see that they have .380 on sale right now, Sellier and Bellot, box of 50 for $13.99

Can you get hollowpoints for the Makarov?

 

[Rule3]

Below is a link to a thread about .380 and penetration. I think Erich makes some very good points and I tend to agree with his findings.


http://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/98508-380-load-calling-erich.html

Don

That's what's so great about ballistic discussions. Kinda like Politics and Religion for every study there is a equal and opposite opinion or result.

I can show you a study of one stop, stopping power that shows a .380 has a higher percentage of one shot stops than a 38 spl. Most will say that's crazy, but none the less it is out there with statistics by published authors.

So who really knows??? My thought on it is that it really does not matter. You get hit with either/or and your gonna stop, unless of the BG is drug crazed 300 lb zombie.

My milk jug test(no it's not a body with bones) went through 4 jugs and expanded completely. At 5 feet I shot it through a 3/4 inch exterior plywood. That's thicker than my sternum.

 

[woodsltc]

That's what's so great about ballistic discussions. Kinda like Politics and Religion for every study there is a equal and opposite opinion or result.

I can show you a study of one stop, stopping power that shows a .380 has a higher percentage of one shot stops than a 38 spl. Most will say that's crazy, but none the less it is out there with statistics by published authors.

So who really knows??? My thought on it is that it really does not matter. You get hit with either/or and your gonna stop, unless of the BG is drug crazed 300 lb zombie.

My milk jug test(no it's not a body with bones) went through 4 jugs and expanded completely. At 5 feet I shot it through a 3/4 inch exterior plywood. That's thicker than my sternum.

No arguments from me ..... But when my safety is on the line, I simply feel better relying on real life accounts of when flesh and bone are part of the equation. It seems from those accounts that "hardball" is more reliable.

Don

 

[amd6547]

You can get JHP for the makarov.
However, in both the 380 and 9mm mak, I prefer hardball...Not for any reason of reliability, as my Browning 1910/55 handles JHP just fine, as does both my Polish P64 and CZ82 9mm mak's. For my use, I want the most penetration these calibers can give.