You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
So you want to carry a .380?
- Thread starter Aguila Blanca
- Start date
Something that isn't adversely effected by getting clogged up by lotsa clothing, then being like a FMJ or needing high velocity, long barrel to create a decent wound channel...Technology similar to what?
Call it "standard" or "protocol," the FBI wants penetration of 12" to 18" and, historically, .380 ACP JHP ammunition couldn't meet the minimum 12" penetration reliably. To achieve penetration with .380 ACP, you had to use FMJ ammo and sacrifice expansion.
G9 or Lehigh, in 'testing(I know, 'testing')achieves this, decent wound channel and decent penetration(in the 12-18 inch range)...
I'd like to see one of these ammo manufacturers try something different like a 105gr FMJ for the .380. Somebody (Rem?) makes a 102gr HP, so a 105 gr FMJ should be easy enough. I doubt if anyone will do that because the money is in the gimmick-tip bullets, but a heavier FMJ might improve ballistics without the high $ price tag and unreliable feeding and expansion of the lighter HP's.
TruthTellers
New member
It's a welcome addition, one .380 desperately needed, but I'd rather stick with non-expanding defense ammo like Lehigh or Inceptor for the .380.
UnderDawgAl
New member
I carry a nice Beretta 85 in satin nickel occasionally. I have thought about using some lead hardcast bullets for loads, although i normally have JHPs loaded.
Thanks for posting about the new Hydra-Shok Deep bullets. I'm going to check them out.
Thanks for posting about the new Hydra-Shok Deep bullets. I'm going to check them out.
VERY true 'carry it', but to be any good with that, ya gotta shoot it and often. Not only to get better with it but also to make sure it's reliable. Like it or don't, 'some' of us CAN'T regularly shoot something like a 357 snubbie..I've had a S&W 642 and shot my son's S&W 686, with 357..and that hurts this old fart with a gimpy RH wrist and thumb, to the point of not really having a 'functional right hand the next day...If you can carry a .380 you can carry a J frame 357 mag. Aside from fantasy, you are not fighting back to anything. The fight will be won or lost with what you have on you at the time of the fight.
giggitygiggity
Inactive
I use Remington Golden Sabers in my LCPs.
VERY true 'carry it', but to be any good with that, ya gotta shoot it and often. Not only to get better with it but also to make sure it's reliable. Like it or don't, 'some' of us CAN'T regularly shoot something like a 357 snubbie..I've had a S&W 642 and shot my son's S&W 686, with 357..and that hurts this old fart with a gimpy RH wrist and thumb, to the point of not really having a 'functional right hand the next day...
Sorry to hear that. I have been a competitive shooter since I was a kid. For the first 20 years in LE all I ever shot was 357 magnum. So for me a new gun just requires familiarization.
Fun fact: most of not all .380 pistols are blowback. They recoil quite a bit as well.
I go back and forth between carrying a Charter Bulldog Classic .44 and my Browning BDA .380. Both get loaded with premium ammo. With 14 rounds of good ammo in the Browning, and my ability to shoot it pretty well, I am fairly well armed in my humble opinion. Have been looking for the new Federal .380 HydaShok Deep rounds, but can’t find any yet.
Fun fact: most of not all .380 pistols are blowback. They recoil quite a bit as well.
Yes they do. A surprising amount for such a small round. My bud has one of the FEG PA-63 pistols in 9x18, a round slightly more powerful than a 380 and its a beast to shoot with its fixed barrel. About two mags from it and I'm done. The funny thing is is that I had a Makorav in 9x18 and I don't remember it being too bad to shoot.
I had a Davis/Lorcin 380 and it was pretty brutal to shoot and the slide would cut the top of my shooting hand. It got sold pretty quick. A Titan 380 the one with the open top slide like a Beretta was a kitty cat to shoot. And it was a fixed barreled gun.
I think gun design has a lot to do with it. My tiny 10oz Taurus TCP is a tilting barrel lock up and while it recoils some that PA-63 has it beat all to heck for recoil.
The 380EZ produces very little recoil.Fun fact: most of not all .380 pistols are blowback. They recoil quite a bit as well.
I would estimate the felt recoil difference between a 22lr and 22wmr in a revolver...
Is of similar scale to the felt difference between a 22wmr revolver and the 380EZ.
Fun fact: most of not all .380 pistols are blowback. They recoil quite a bit as well.
Many if not most are not blowback. They are locked breech designs but sometimes referred to as delayed blowback. I have two and they both operate and have the same parts as my much larger 9mm pistols (S&W, Taurus and SCCY). Their recoil is because they are in little bitty lightweight guns. Both of my 380s (Spectrum and TCP) weight 10 ounces or a little more. My 9mm SCCY weighs 15 ounces and it has a lot of recoil because of the light weight. It has more recoil than either of my 380s.
My 9mm SCCY weighs 15 ounces and it has a lot of recoil because of the light weight. It has more recoil than either of my 380s.
Weight makes a great deal of difference. A friend got his CC license and wanted one of the lightweight Taurus model 85 revolvers in 38 special. He had a stainless steel model 85 and I bought it from him so he had money to go toward the 38 lightweight.
After he got the new gun we went shooting. I took the new to me stainless model and he shot his lightweight. I provided the ammo. You should have seen the look on his face when he shot some of my hot 38s in that lightweight gun. Shooting those two guns side by gave a clear idea of how too light of a gun can be a bad thing. He sold that new gun not to long after that.
Looks like an interesting option. I usually carry more than a 380 but I do have a 380 for when a pocket option is the only option, or if I’m being lazy. I carry XTP’s in mine and I think it’s a good load. I’ll consider these in the future if they pan out, although the results quoted in the link are about equal to most of the tests I’ve seen on the XTP loads.
My G42 is not blowback..the LCP I had wasn't either(pretty sure)..BUT yup, a blowback 380 can sting. The Glock 25 and 28, not sold in US, G19 and G26 size but .380 and blowback..cuz if NOT BB, no cycle. Pretty sure the G44(22LR) is blowback.Sorry to hear that. I have been a competitive shooter since I was a kid. For the first 20 years in LE all I ever shot was 357 magnum. So for me a new gun just requires familiarization.
Fun fact: most if not all .380 pistols are blowback. They recoil quite a bit as well.
My G42 very gentle..GREAT gun. When clothes says I can't carry my G26(with 19r G19 magazine), I carry the G42..with a +1 or +2 magazine.
Shot yesterday with sons..I have a Beretta/Uberti 38/357..other son a S&W 686..fun to alternate 38 and 357 in each.
38-nice, 357-ouch..for ME..
I'm a big fan of shooting what I own a LOT..so it's gotta be FTS*
*Fun TO Shoot
Last edited:
My 9mm SCCY weighs 15 ounces and it has a lot of recoil because of the light weight. It has more recoil than either of my 380s
Logical.
Many if not most are not blowback.
You mention 2 made by Taurus. 2 is not many, or most.
Shot yesterday with sons..I have a Beretta/Uberti 38/357..other son a S&W 686..fun to alternate 38 and 357 in each.
38-nice, 357-ouch..for ME..
I'm a big fan of shooting what I own a LOT..so it's gotta be FTS*
*Fun TO Shoot
Like the man said; " A man has got to know his limitations".
For me @ 58 and decades of shooting magnums a 44 magnum snubby is still fun to shoot, but a 6lb 30-06 is not.
Bill DeShivs
New member
SIG P238, Kimber Micro, Star DK, Star S series, Keltec P3AT, Ruger LCP are ALL locked breech guns. I'm pretty sure the latest Berettas are too.
SIG P238, Kimber Micro, Star DK, Star S series, Keltec P3AT, Ruger LCP are ALL locked breech guns. I'm pretty sure the latest Berettas are too.
Fair enough.