Firing 380 Auto in 9mm Mak?

S

SG12

New member
When I first bought a Mak about 4 years ago, I read in one of the mainstream gun magazines that one could safely fire 380 Auto cartridges in a 9x18 Makarov in case of an emergency. As a result, I tried the 380s and found that they fed, fired, and ejected with no problems whatsoever. I had expected the smaller 380 bullet to keyhole, but at 15 yards, the target holes were perfectly round. Accuracy was only slightly worse than 9x18 rounds.

Has anyone else shot their 9mm Mak this way? If so, how did it perform?

SG



------------------
The people's good is the highest law -- Cicero
 
Just a few notes here:

1. I would only try what you just did in an *life threating* emergency. This is because it is not a smart thing to do and may harm you and/or the gun

2. The 9mm Makarov bullet is .365 inches in diameter and the .380 is .355. This means that the bullet is not making a good seal on the rifling and hot gases are zipping by the bullet. This makes a complete mess (especially with lead bullets) and makes accuracy very poor, although it may be suitable in an emergency for very-close-range emergency shooting.

3. Automatic cartridges of this type headspace on the case mouth, but are also held in place somewhat by the extractor sitting in the case's rim. When you cram a 17mm case into a 18mm chamber, you are leaving a 1mm portion exposed to chamber gases and the effects they create.

In summary - this is dangerous and should only be done in an emergency. If you want to shoot .380, get a new barrel and a barrel press and swap barrels.
 
I believe I should clarify the experiment I performed with the 9x18, Chad. Without going into the long details, I performed this test after consultation with several very knowledgeable Mak and reloading experts. I agree that it should only be done in an emergency. Safety was maintained throughout the test. First round was fired remotely.

With that said, I agree that I should not have fired a cartridge in a gun not chambered for it, even though a prominent gunwriter suggested it was OK.

I stand corrected.

SG
 
would work, but not accurately. Don't shoot 9*18(mak)in a 380 barrel. The mak round is .365 while 9mm/380 are .355. there are tons of surplus mak rounds out there that are cheaper than most .380 offerings. Well now Wolf offers the 380 at the same price as the mak round.
 
SG12,

Ok, I feel better. I am glad to hear you did this little experiment safely. I have heard too many people's tales of cramming .243 shells into a .308, etc., and getting hurt. I am a little surprised that the bullet did not slip off the extractor and advance into the chamber, but I would wager that the over-engineered Makarov's extractor was too strong to permit this. In a pinch, though, it is good to know this can be done!

My apologies if I gave offense.
 
Hey, Chad, no offense taken. You were absolutely correct in voicing your concerns. I am thankful for this forum and the concern that is evident in the posts of the members. I don't know everything, and it is good to have someone like yourself that feels comfortable enough to give the good info that you did. :)

Thanks!

SG
 
I've never done it, but I don't think a 9x18 would even fit in a .380 chamber. For one, the case is longer. Second, the case on a .380 is tapered, isn't it? Third, the bullet is .01" larger in diameter. So that solves the problem od trying a 9x18 in a .380 gun. As for the .380 in the 9x18, the people who say it is ok are morons. Just because you can shove a round in the chamber doesn't mean it's ok to shoot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top