Underwood's New 380 "+p" Gold Dot Ammo Review/Test

[Mrgunsngear]

Like a lot of you, I carry a 380 pocket gun sometimes because it's convient and conceals well in most outfits. And like many of you, I view the 380ACP round as relatively underpowered but still much better than nothing. So, the search for a 380 round with relatively good performance has led me to the 90gr Speer Gold Dot rounds and I've trusted them for many years now.

Well, theres a new round out from Underwood Ammo that uses the tested bonded Gold Dot bullet but loads it to a higher pressure (22,900 cup) producing a 43% increase in energy out of my test gun (Bodyguard 380) and that's nothing to sneeze at.

Here's a video and some disscussion documenting the performance mentioned above:

Video Test & Review Link

I realize there's no SAMMI spec for "+p" 380ACP but this is certainly a hot round. With that said, be sure you have a firearm that can handle the chamber pressures caused by using this round––-if not, you may damage your firearm (and hand).

Underwood uses a 3.5'' PPK barrel for their advertised velocity but since most people who carry 380s use a pocket gun, I tested it in a 2.75'' barrel. Here are the results:

Speer Gold Dot 90gr JHPs: 964fps, 186 ft/lbs energy
Underwood Gold Dot 90gr JHPs: 1154fps, 266 ft/lbs energy

Just throwing this word of caution out---I probably wouldn't use this ammo in a blowback gun.

 

[481]

I realize there's no SAMMI spec for "+p" 380ACP but this is certainly a hot round. With that said, be sure you have a firearm that can handle the chamber pressures caused by using this round––-if not, you may damage your firearm (and hand).

Man, that is some hot stuff.

I'd be kinda nervous running this stuff through any gun since there is no SAAMI standard for what constitutes a "safe +P" load. The folks at SAAMI know what they are doing and I suspect that there may be a very good reason for there being no acceptable +P standard in .380. The pressures in that load could be very slightly over a standard pressure load or the numbers could be high enough to bring on a nose-bleed if the number was uttered aloud. Without any standard it is hard to say. I sure hope that Underwood has dome their research on this one.

I'd approach this one with caution.

 

[5R milspec]

just what barrel did you test with.the only 2.75 barrel I can think of is in a P238 or colt mustang.did I read that right about the fps you ended up with from such a short barrel.


just watched a test for their 115gn SGD +p+.well over 1400 fps and went 9 inches through gel giving a .800 or better mushroom.

 

[Mrgunsngear]

Your words are wise brother.

 

[Cheapshooter]

That's an over load of more than 6% of SAAMI standards. I don't agree with the use of over pressure loads for advertising hype using the +P designation for a round that there is no +p standards for. Why don't they just print on the box "These cartridges are loaded over the Sporting Arms Ammunition Manufactures's Institute standards for this caliber" "Use at your own risk"
Well, I guess they wouldn't sell much. It sells better to make people think they are going to turn their 380ACP into a 9MM with the magical +P

 

[carguychris]

Underwood uses a 3.5'' PPK barrel for their advertised velocity but since most people who carry 380s use a pocket gun... Just throwing this word of caution out---I probably wouldn't use this ammo in a blowback gun.

The PPK is a blowback gun, as are probably 98% of historic .380 pistols! (The only exceptions that spring to mind are the SIG P238, Colt Mustang, Walther PK380, Kel-Tec P3AT, and Star Model S.)

 

[Mrgunsngear]

I'm aware the PPK's a blowback gun but I stand by what I said there. There's a reason blowback guns aren't availible in calibers larger than 9x18 (generally, I know there are exceptions). I personally wouldn't put it in a blowback gun and pull the trigger but if Kevin at Underwood wants to---I have no problem with that

 

[481]

pdaddy,

Yeah, I am kind of attached to my hands.

 

[Stressfire]

I would never do that to my Bersa 380 - Hornady has helped it kill many a pumpkin just fine

 

[drail]

You could (1) buy a bigger gun or you could (2) blow up the one you have. I'll go with Door No 1.

 

[Cheapshooter]

You could (1) buy a bigger gun or you could (2) blow up the one you have. I'll go with Door No 1.

 

[orionengnr]

Thank you for posting this. I had looked at Underwood ammo once before...may have to buy some and give them a try.

They are assembling what appears to be some quality ammunition using Gold Dot bullets in some powerful loadings.

Wish they would build some ammo using the Barnes X-bullet (DPX all-copper).

 

[Kreyzhorse]

Very interesting but I wouldn't run them through my Ruger LCP. Way too hot for a small gun like that.

 

[Cheapshooter]

Very interesting but I wouldn't run them through my Ruger LCP. Way too hot for a small gun like that.

I think they would only be considered safe and appropriate by the gun manufacturer in firearms marked 380ACP+P. Oh wait a minute, There aren't any!!!

 

[Sparks1957]

I just don't get why anyone would feel compelled to use this ammo... if you want more oomph get a 9mm. Why risk damaging your .380s?

 

[Mrgunsngear]

I just don't get why anyone would feel compelled to use this ammo... if you want more oomph get a 9mm. Why risk damaging your .380s?

I absolutely understand this line of thought and can't argue with it. That said, until modern manufacturing technology advances, 380s are just smaller than 9mm guns and a lot of people want to get as much power out of their pocket guns as they can. But, all concealed carry guns are an exercise in compromise one way or the other.

 

[orionengnr]

Yep, many of us use the most potent ammo available for our carry pistols.

I own an LCP and (under normal ciscumstances) do not carry it more than three or four days per year. Same for my Kahr PM9.

During the last three-four weeks, my back has been playing Hell with me, so I cannot carry my Commander-sized 1911.

I have been carrying the LCP for that time frame, and whle I am under-gunned, I am not un-armed.

I am looking at the Underwood rounds, and will likely be placing an order within the next week or so...

 

[Sparks1957]

380s are just smaller than 9mm guns

There are some pretty small 9mm guns out there that are making that argument less persuasive than it used to be.

Yep, many of us use the most potent ammo available for our carry pistols

Understood, I do the same. Keep us informed how your experiment goes.

 

[wayneinFL]

The only way I'd use these in a 3AT or LCP is if I had two guns. Load the first with +P. Load the second with standard pressure loads.

Strategy for gun grab: Let attacker take +P gun. When it blows up in his face, you can take out what's left of him with standard pressure gun. Plug the barrel of +P gun for good measure.

How's that for a plan?

 

[Cheapshooter]

One round isn't going to blow up an LCP or P3AT. But enough to "proof" the ammo in the gun to convince me it is reliable wil most likely take it's toll. Again, I don't understand why people want to take the chance with overloaded ammo when there so many legitimate, proficient choices available.
I would not buy ammo from any company that blatantly uses false advertising such as putting the +P moniker on a caliber that has no such SAAMI standard. The only SAAMI +P ammunition standard is for 9MM Luger, 38 Special, 38 Super, and 45 ACP. Anything else is advertising hype, and miss information for ammunition loaded over the industry standards. These companies must have marketing people right off the used car lots, or time share kiosks. Don't worry about the possible harm, just sell the product to a sucker willing to bite!