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380 ammunition

dchristiandchristian Member Posts: 309 ✭✭✭
edited May 2002 in Ask the Experts
I realize 380 caliber is no man stopper, but I have a small semi-auto in that caliber and would like the most potent ammo available. I have used Federal Hydro-Shok 90 grain. Does anyone have a suggestion for a more potent self defense load in 380?
Thanks,
dchristian
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Comments

  • NOTPARSNOTPARS Member Posts: 2,081 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For DChristian:
    First off, I am not the best to ask about this. There are several, I think Nunn, who really know their stuff when it comes to this caliber. But, I carried one off duty for years. I liked the same grain you mentioned in hollow point. I still carry it when its hot and concealement is a big question. But, a well placed .380 I think can still be a potent round. Again, I am no authority. In fact, I thinking about getting a small 9mm (micro-Kahr) in addition to the .380 to experiment with. Having said that, many would say anything less than a .40 is useless...Opinions....
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  • gunpaqgunpaq Member Posts: 4,607 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Carried a .380 for some time before replacing it with a DA 9mm. I used the Federal Hydr-Shok. I certainly would not want to be hit a close range with the .380 as it will probably drop anyone with a center mass hit. The .380 is a 9mm short and I have found the two to be about the same performance targeting old phone books, water jugs, and old boards at around 5 yards thereafter the 9mm prevailed. Replaced my .380 because it was a single action and wanted a modern double action. Still use my .380 for carry on occasion and in the nightstand, etc.

    Pack slow, fall stable, pull high, hit dead center.
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  • BRWBRW Member Posts: 3 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Try the Winchester .380 Silvertips. They work about the same as the Hydrashocks, and might have a bit more effect than the Hydrashock. I carry both in my .380 alternating in the magazine. I have Browning BDA 380 as one of my concealed carry guns...
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A 380 is roughly in the same ballpark as a 38 Special with +P ammo. Considering that the 38 endured for many decades as a trustworthy police sidearm, one wonders why the 380 is considered anemic.

    Consider some basic parameters. In effect a 380, 9mm, 38 Special, 357 mag. and 357 SIG start off as the same diameter out of the gun. If the bullet strikes the vitals at typical CQB fighting distances where penetration is pretty much a mute question, is there really going to be a difference in practice? Of course not.

    That said, when your shots don't hit accurately or must go through a limb or heavy clothing on the way to making an attitude adjustment and for those perps who are too big or too stoned to take a bullet and submit, you might have reason to want something more potent.

    Most of the "stops" we reference are one-shots. How often is that normal? In reality you will probably want to put two or three rounds in the SOB that wants your hide on a slab before you can safely assess if there is a stop.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • interstatepawnllcinterstatepawnllc Member Posts: 9,390
    edited November -1
    Three words:

    Corbon
    Corbon
    Corbon
    Hope this helps!!
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've bought some Corbon, but I've heard that their quality control isn't quite there. Inconsistent in performance. Anyone else care to comment? I do think their +P is the way to go designwise.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    IN some parts of Europe the .380acp is still carried as a police round. Im not really a big fan of the .380 but shot placement is everything. In a Popular gun magazine I subscribe to they rated the federal HyDra Skok bullet as best. How ever I have some friends that choose to carry the .380 off duty. I have seen the magsafe ammo feed very reliably and assuming your carring for self defense at close range those darn things are devastating.

    Rugster

    Edited by - rugster on 05/24/2002 23:24:28
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One other thought comes to mind. In other parts of the world, a .380 or 9mm is considered plenty. Here in the USA, we like things big--where I live, guys chow down a pound or more Porterhouse steak and wouldn't even consider one of those tasty but puny veal cutlets. And real men shoot a big .45 ACP. And if you don't, well you darn well better have a big hi-cap 9mm to show you ain't no wimp.

    Sure there are some darn good physics for a big bore to take down the bad guys. And I prefer a .45. But, let's admit that a lot of it has to do with our preference in big as always better.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • fergusonmorse392fergusonmorse392 Member Posts: 432 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    THERE ARE SO MANY CHEAP 380'S OUT THERE, AND SOME (FEW) GOOD ONES, 1. MAKE SURE IT SHOOTS EVERY TIME WITH THE AMMO YOU USE! 2. FOR THE 380 TRY GLASHER SAFETY SLUGS.
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  • Der GebirgsjagerDer Gebirgsjager Member Posts: 1,673 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    This question comes up every now and then. If you go back through the archives on this forum you will find a thread where it was discussed extensively, and one of the members posted an excellent link that discussed most of the currently available .380 H.P. options. I was surprised to find that my choice, the PMC ElDorado Starfire was at or near the bottom; but also observed that it did not seem to have been tested very thoroughly. A close Sheriff's Deputy friend swears by the Federal Hydra-Shok ammo. I'll stick with my choice, because bullet performance in gelatin, wet newspapers, and pine boards just isn't the same as a body. Anyway, you can't go very wrong with any of the above recommendations. I would recommend searching the archives and reading the previous thread.
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Anybody have the URL to the thread just mentioned. Couldn't seem to find it.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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