Defensive ammo for 380

[mikey1003]

My wife just started carrying a Sig P238. I went in to a local gun shop for some defensive ammo. The owner said the 380 is the only gun that you shouldn't is home defensive ammo because of low velocity. He went on to say that defrnsive ammo lile Speer Gold Dots wont penetrate coats or heavy shirts. He said to use FMJ

I've never heard of this. I carry either a Glock 19 or 22. And use Gold Dots for home protection because I dont want to see a round end up goijn through my walls into my neighbors house (and beyond)

I posted it here because I felt I wouldget a quick answer from women and guns

 

[TexChap]

BS ... There are many recorded incidents of kills with one shot of .22 ammo, and many of .380. If that's what you have, and/or that is what fits you best , go for it. I carry a .380 when minimal clothing, etc dictates and have no doubt it would repel an attacker if need be. It certainly would be more effective than nothing!

 

[Chrisdrummer]

From a cop buddy: "The .380 you carry is far more effective than the .45 you left at home because it was too heavy".

 

[gtfinchy]

Read the many posts at Shooting The Bull | We Bullieve in dispelling Bulloney.

He is currently testing .380 ammo using a Taurus TCP-738. As someone else said, people have successfully defended themselves with .22's. My wife has a Ruger LCP & a Walther PK380 loaded w/Hornady Critical Defense. FMJ's for target plinking.

 

[indymichaelb]

google "380 ammo penetration <BarrelLength>"
substituting your barrel length.

you will find studies of actual penetration of various ammo
it's generally accepted you want 12-15 inches of penetration
most of the tests first go through several layers of denim (but you should read the study carefully)

 

[Nick Burkhardt]

A .380 round with the Hornady XTP bullet will give you at least 12" of penetration out of most barrels.

 

[JDM]

It's fairly common advice, but whatever you decide, make sure to buy a few boxes of it to shoot at the range to make sure it feeds and cycles. The best round, to me, is the one that functions reliably in my firearm. I say this because I bought a few boxes of a popular ammo that I love in my .40-cal Beretta, and they were crap in my .380.

 

[farsidefan1]

Speer gold dots will do an excellent job. Just ask the guy after you shoot him :dance3: JUST KIDDING! They are perfect for the job. barnes, corbon, hornady, you really can't miss (well, not literally with any of the premier SD rounds. .380's will get the job done.

 

[gtfinchy]

The "final" results are in from Shooting the Bull: Final Results of the .380 ACP Ammo Quest | Shooting The Bull

Summary? Many good choices are available, a few surprises (Corbon completely choked on the denim test & over penetrated), but... it shows that your original question from the gun shop guy's assertion about FMJ is BULL!

- Every Day Carry... No Days Off

 

[cassellracing24]

whatever you decide, make sure to buy a few boxes of it to shoot at the range to make sure it feeds and cycles. The best round, to me, is the one that functions reliably in my firearm.

I second what JDM said. I prefere the Winchester PDX1 ammo myself.....http://www.winchester.com/products/handgun-ammunition/Innovative/PDX1-Defender/Pages/default.aspx

 

[jhodge83]

for my TCP, i have one mag of PMC Starfire and one mag of the CorBon. something should take them out if i ever have to shoot.

 

[GlassWolf]

watch this. It will answer your concerns.

 

[Happypuppy]

The "final" results are in from Shooting the Bull: Final Results of the .380 ACP Ammo Quest | Shooting The Bull

Summary? Many good choices are available, a few surprises (Corbon completely choked on the denim test & over penetrated), but... it shows that your original question from the gun shop guy's assertion about FMJ is BULL!

- Every Day Carry... No Days Off

No this can't be.... ammo in the .380 that meets the FBI standards ? How can this be !


Go Seahawks!

 

[targetfield10]

Although the .380 ACP isn't the best round for defense, there is still good options to go with... The best round, by far, is Hornaday's Critical Defense round. You won't go wrong with it!

 

[tcfiero]

I carried PDX1 in my 238.

Sent from my ME172V using Tapatalk

 

[snatale42]

I carried PDX1 in my 238.

Sent from my ME172V using Tapatalk

I'll second the PDX-1

 

[father-of-three]

Read the many posts at Shooting The Bull | We Bullieve in dispelling Bulloney.

He is currently testing .380 ammo using a Taurus TCP-738. As someone else said, people have successfully defended themselves with .22's. My wife has a Ruger LCP & a Walther PK380 loaded w/Hornady Critical Defense. FMJ's for target plinking.

Nice link. I see his point in trying to find the best bullet for the most sitations.