In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

380 recoil

victorj19victorj19 Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭
edited November 2010 in Ask the Experts
In a small pistol like Ruger's LCP, with a heavier defensive round what's it comparable to? I shoot the 9x18 makarov in a CZ 82 which is more powerful in a heavier gun. Also shoot 38s in a Colt Detective. Mostly factory rounds.

Comments

  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 380 in a small pistol like the Ruger feels like a 38 in a snubby, to me at least.
  • ruger41ruger41 Member Posts: 14,665 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have an LCP and a .38 Snubby Taurus 850. With standard Hornady Critical Defense loads at least to me the LCP feels like it has a snappier recoil-plus there isn't as much grip surface to hold onto. Now if I put some of the Buffalo Bore +p .38 Specials in the Taurus there is no contest that the revolvers recoil is much heavier. BTW per the Ruger owners manual the LCP isn't rated for +p ammo. I'm sure there are folks who disregard that because they feel if the Kel Tec can handle it the Ruger should too--but I follow what the manual says--besides in the .380 I like the Hornady load..it's accurate and more than powerful enough. As far as ft lbs of energy comparison in standard Hornady Critical Defense loads the .380 has about 200 ft lbs where the standard .38 special runs around 249 ft lbs and the +p .38 Special runs around 290 ft lbs.

    Hornady makes 1 9mm Makarov load and it runs 211 ftlbs. So with that in mind you can see they are all somewhat comparable--none are death rays but they are decent rounds and if you hit a man in the right spot with any of them they should produce at least 10"-12" of penetration.


    If you want to really hit 'em harder then Buffalo Bore is the way to go.
    Their Heavy .38 Special +p 158 grain load at 1000fps/351 ft lbs(this load is NOT fun for a day at the range out of a ultralight snubby-it stings the heck out of your hand but it is powerful)

    Their Standard .38 Special goes out at 850 fps/ 253 ft lbs

    Standard .380 (they have 3 different loads) the one with the highest ftlbs is their 100 grain hard cast at 975fps/211ft lbs

    +p .380(they have 4 different loads) highest ftlbs is the 100 grain hard cast at 1150fps/294 ftlbs

    9mm Makarov +p 115 grain hard cast 1000fps/255ft lbs


    so as you see at least in the Buffalo Bore +p load the .380 can beat the Makarov but not by much and with a lot more felt recoil I would bet. In standard loadings at least of Hornday the 9mm Makarov and the .380 are virtually neck & neck in the energy dept.
    Hope this helps your query.
  • allechalleyallechalley Member Posts: 888 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In my Kel Tec, most ammo is fairly docile, except the Spanish surplus ammo, which I found out later was for machine guns. That made your hand sting and a friend has used Corbon which was also toasty. AS said, the biggest issue is that you really don't have a lot of surface area recoiling into the web of your hand,ie it's concentrated in a smaller area.
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with the others. Its sort of hard to compare it to anything, mostly because of the small grip.

    Its not a "light" recoil, but its not punishing. .38 from a snubnose is probably the best comparison, but its not quite the same. If you an experienced shooter you really should not have any problem controlling the gun or even putting out rounds pretty fast.

    I've found that two things REALLY help here:

    a. The finger extension magazine. I still can't get my pinky finger on there, but at least with the finger extension I can get a decent grip using TWO fingers.

    b. A little Hogue grip sleeve (requires trimming to fit, also works better if fitted upside down). The finger grooves here don't do much, but the built in palm-swells let you get a better grip.

    EDIT:
    I've shot a number of these (including the Kel-tec and Ruger side by side at the same time. . .they're more or less the same), and never really been impressed with any of them. Slide is hard to rack, grip is hard to hang onto when shooting, and many of them are unreliable.

    I see two big plusses to this gun:

    a. .380 really isn't much ballistically, but its a lot better than any .22, .25, or .32, and these guns are small and light enough that you can get away with carrying them pretty much anywhere no matter what the weather or how you are dressed. In my opinion its pretty much ONLY this factor that makes these guns worth consideration.

    b. Low cost.
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    Been wondering about this too, as I am thinking about buying a Ruger LCP, and it weighs just 9.4 ounces. I compare that to the 20 ounce stainless steel Accu-Tek AT-380 I have owned for years. It's for sale here:
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=198153403

    Both guns are roughly palm-sized. With less than half the mass I would expect the LCP to be a good deal more difficult to hold onto.

    I'm going to have to look for one at the local gun shops with indoor ranges, try shooting it. I'm sure there's a weekend coming along here any day now :)
  • William81William81 Member Posts: 25,267 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My Kahr P380 seems on par with a snubbie .38...recoil wise
  • mbsamsmbsams Member Posts: 1,076 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a Taurus 9.5oz 738 in .380 - recoil is mild - I have a Bersa thunder .380 and recoil is very mild - no shooter, no matter how timid, should be concerned about recoil from any .380 - even the 9.5oz gun is easy to hold, control, and shoot. Dive in, the waters fine!
  • victorj19victorj19 Member Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you all. A good discussion. I didn't realize how light the LCP is. When carried it should hardly be noticable.

    Jim
  • 5mmgunguy5mmgunguy Member Posts: 3,092 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would get a Kahr PM9. I don't use +P and its very controlable.
  • Carolina Cast BulletsCarolina Cast Bullets Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have just purchased a Taurus M 278, 380ACP. It weights just over 10 oz empty. My wife carries and shoots it. She is somewhat "recoil sensitive" but can totally ruin a man size target at 15 feet with it using factory range handloads with 100 grn cast bullets.
Sign In or Register to comment.