This is important because spending $20 on a box of .380 ammo each time you want to go to the range and run some rounds is expensive. The reason why this can occur is due to the ballistics of this cartridge. FMJ is reserved for the range only. Many manufacturers produce models in both calibers. Even the writer of this article said it herself: “As for 9mm itself, well, this article isn’t about what handgun calibers out-do 9mm. Some ammo types rank higher than others for many reasons. My point is, old nuggets survive because they remain true. Trigger . The following ammunition cartridge ballistics information and chart can be used to approximately compare 9mm Luger (Parabellum) vs .32 Auto (7.65mm Browning) ammo rounds. The basic construction of these to concealable weapons are comparable. The new Lehigh rounds are also very good. 8 +1 (9mm Luger) *Buying ammo from LuckyGunner.com helps support HandgunHero. ; OAL refers to the overall length of the loaded round. The 380 Auto vs 9mm are both excellent calibers. Do you have a favored preference between the .380 ACP and 9mm? 5.7x28mm VS 9mm Magazine Capacity. The 9mm round is the world’s most popular military cartridge and 9mm pistols are readily available all over the world both new and used. These are $500 guns and will get the job done. For example, the 380 vs 9mm. With the full range of sizes of guns in both calibers, either caliber can be concealed. For example, if you are facing a home intruder, either weapon will serve you well. The 9mm has a much pointier profile. Depending on load and bullet mass, the 9mm penetration is between 8 to 24.5 inches. They were all shot with a 9mm or smaller caliber. Seeing which is the 'better' pocket gun caliber, the .380 ACP, the .38 Special or the 9mm. Details. It is easy to forget that we were all at one time “newbies”. The answer to the question about which self-defense round is better is, at best, complicated. I am not saying that you cannot stop the bad guy with your new purchase. 9mm PA Blank Ammunition – Also known as 9mm PAK, this is a blank cartridge designed to chamber in many of the blank-firing semi automatic replica pistols offered by Western Stage … Good for small game hunting. Gun Scopes And Sights You Should Invest In, Gear Review: NightForce SHV 4-14X56 Riflescope. 911 380ACP. Now I’m training kids and remembering that I did not come forth from the womb knowing all this information. Using the Ruger LCP .380 ACP, the S&W 342PD .38 Special and the Diamondback DB9 9mm. Here are a few final thoughts when deciding which caliber would be best for you. Both of these are pistol caliber carbines, that being a rifle sized weapon that shoots pistol bullets. Over-penetration is not something a standard .380 fmj round can accomplish, at least not in my experience or study. Cal, doesn’t matter if you can’t hit our target, right……. However, the 9X19 round isn’t that much better. Email Us: [email protected] Call Us: (855) 588-8918 (Toll-Free) Write Us: 113 Glenn Place Unit #301, Lexington, KY 40505. Both rounds are more than adequate for concealed carry – a Glock 42 in .380 or Glock 43 in 9mm will both deliver rounds on target to good effect in properly trained hands. If you’re looking for a powerful caliber that’s easy to handle, the .380 delivers in every way. Even the lowly .22LR round can travel a mile after leaving your rifle. I am not trying to be belligerent, so if you know of one, please inform me). The two calibers differ in other ways. Read and decide which caliber fascinates you more as a gun carrier. .22 caliber, 9mm & .40 caliber / Photo by Silvester. 380 VS 9mm: Ammo Comparisons. It doesn’t mention the type of bullet used: Full Metal Jacket, Lead/Lead point copper jacket/Hollow point. Shoot them both at the same velocity at a block of gelatin. We hope you find the information helpful. jacketed hollow points (JHPs) and jacketed soft points (JSPs) both can be … That’s why we tithe at least 10% of our profits to Christian-based, 2A-supporting non-profits. And if you can’t handle a gun under stress don’t carry one! This is about .380 ACP vs. 9mm.” Handgun Caliber Showdown Round 5: 9mm vs. .380 ACP For a firearms enthusiast, life is never easy when trying to decide which handgun to buy next. Well said. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Why does .380 ACP cost more than 9mm ammo? The .380mm has since been widely used in smaller handguns. Good for new shooters. Pros: Cheap! 9mm vs 380 Published on 2020 2020 by AmSJ Staff This isn't about which Caliber is the better but how they play a role for the Private Citizen and Law Enforcement. The higher priced guns are generally tighter tolerance and highly accurate range competition guns. Law enforcement agencies and militaries choose the 9mm as their primary handgun and choose the 380 as a backup weapon. I was trained at an extremely young age, so I succumb to the trap very easily. 380 revolver the other day cheap, have it in my pocket as a backup. The biggest downside to choosing the 32 ACP is that it’s simply less equipped to overwhelm and neutralize its target. Instead of rehashing semiautomatic pistol caliber wars (380 vs 9mm, 9mm vs 45), how about some more interesting caliber wars that include revolver calibers or pistol-caliber carbine calibers? You have many models to choose from. .45 ACP is better (for me anyway). .380 vs 9mm. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Is it double action? I prefer the largest, but now carry a compact 9mm, for a backup, because my wife preferred a smaller framed .380! Click Here To See The Comments Gun folks have debated about the 380 ACP vs 9mm for ages. Well, we argue that the .38 Special is still a super relevant caliber today. https://twitter.com/Angel72Vega/status/1029681618615717888. The penetration of the target, according to the FBI, is the most effective judgment of stopping an attacker in a self-defense situation. At its most basic, it’s reasonable to conclude that the .40… The FMJ rarely (yes, RARELY) even makes it to the line. Plus, you might not have made your mind up about whether to get a pistol or revolver. Josh Wayner for TTAG. 9mm is certainly more powerful than .380 ACP, but that doesn’t mean that 380 isn’t powerful enough, especially if you can shoot better with a .380. Gunsmithing | How to Build an AR-15 Upper Receiver, Ammo Lingo Part II: Understanding +P Ammunition. Here are two. So, to explain that, .380 ACP leaves the barrel at a slower velocity. The type of firearm and the distance to the target. Kinda like any gun-related site should have newbie posts about choosing a self-defense shotgun or any other “obvious” stuff. How To Choose The Best Rifle For Wide Open Space Hunting? The strength of the person wielding the pistol may be a deciding factor in the purchase of the handgun. No matter what caliber pistol you purchase or the ammunition you use, the 9mm will have a more significant recoil than the 380. Using load and bullet mass, the penetration of the 380 is between 6.5 and 17 inches. However, larger caliber rounds require more powder — measured in grains or weight — to produce adequate force to propel the bullet. In either case, it was not a 9k (.380) Walther. When analyzing the 380 ammo cost vs 9mm, 9mm ammo will be cheaper to purchase than a similar type of 380 ammo. The Bodyguard’s short, lightweight structure makes it handily concealable and easy to carry all day. When comparing 380 ammo vs 9mm ammo, you would think the cheaper choice would be the 380, since there are lower costs in raw materials. Therefore, firing a .380 produces less recoil than the 9mm. Depending on what 380 ammunition you decide to utilize, the velocity of the 380 is about 945 to about 1045 feet per second according to Ballistics 101. It uses a polymer tip to help expansion and prevent debris from clogging the hollow-point. Now move to the Hornady self defense rounds (Hollow Point) in either .380 or 9mm in HP hardly ever over penetrate do to fragmentation of the round. A markedly heavier bullet, fired at a higher velocity, will produce substantially more recoil and will more … End of discussion. Unless, of course, you are a confident shooter, who spends plenty of time at the range. At this point in the game, both rounds are almost dead equal. Offering up that an age old question is solved and then printing tired acorns isn’t worth the energy it takes to click exit. .380 vs 9mm. We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze our traffic. Production History The … This article lists firearm cartridges that have a bullet in the 9 millimeters (0.35 in) to 9.99 millimeters (0.393 in) caliber range.. Case length refers to the round case length. .380 vs. 9mm, ugh caliber wars, well not exactly. Top 3 Reasons To Try the .338 Federal on Your Next Hunt, Frangible Ammo For Defense Against Intruders Of All Kinds, Ammo Lingo: Decoding What’s On The Store Shelf, 6 Best Budget-Friendly Long Range Hunting Rifles, 3 Places To Buy Guns Online, And A Few Tips To Help, Custom Hunting Rifles Part 1 – Magpul Hunter 700 Remington SPS AAC Precision Rifle, American Hunting Rifles In Action | The Ruger American Rifle, Modern Shooter: An In Depth Look At 38 Special, The 10 Coolest Guns You’ve Never Heard Of. Manufacturer: ... M&P 380 Shield EZ . Let’s talk about the Hi-Point Carbine 45 vs 9mm. After I finish typing……LOL. This story leave out many facts, and I am a Certified NRA Handgun Expert. Glock is another manufacturer that produces great handguns for self-defense in both 9mm and 380 models. The 380 would be just as effective in this situation as your 9mm. 9mm vs .40 S&W. Using the FBI guideline of 12-inch minimum penetration, you have no problem choosing either caliber and feel good about your choice. Stopping Power. 130 gr VS 230 gr HPs at 1000 fps. I’ve recently set my eyes on the Zenith Tisas Fatih 13 , a shameless copy of the Beretta 84FS Cheetah , itself a 13-round semi-auto pistol chambered in .380 ACP. A great number of you reading this might be considering a conceal and carry weapon. These people think the 9mm shoots magic bullets and the 45 is just slow and heavy. I mean, when you think about it, when was the last time you saw anyone advertising that they want to get shot in the chest with a .380 or a 9mm? The higher pressure from the 9mm helps balance both better. Dirty & unreliable ammo. It is impossible to take physics out of the equation. 9mm vs .38 Special – Conceal and Carry. Tons of guns on the market. The .380 ACP grew in popularity as a self-defense cartridge for many smaller handguns around the world. The typical .380 ACP load is a 90-grain projectile, with muzzle velocity somewhere between 900 to 1000 feet per second, and around 180 to 230 foot-pounds of energy. The 380 handgun is smaller and more comfortable to maneuver in close range situations. My carry gun is a Bersa Ultra Compact .45. I have seen several people who should have succumbed to their wounds perform amazing tasks before they died. The 9mm is better for long-range targets, whereas the 380 ACP excels at short-range targets. As far as handgun ammunition is concerned, it doesn’t get any cheaper than the 9mm. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. When you train more, you gain more accuracy. of energy from a 2.75-inch barrel. It is impossible to take physics out of the equation. You can also make the argument for the 380 as another logical choice for self-defense. And be able to place a round where you want , most self defense is 7ft,to 10 max, so practice is very good to do and placement very important and cal, doesn’t matter if you can’t place your shot where it needs to be. In my experience, they are both woefully inadequate to provide the energy needed to truly deter a miscreant who is intent on doing you harm. Of course some are better than others, but a “guarantee” doesn’t keep you from going bankrupt in court or going to jail. 380ACP IS THE BEST OVERALL CARRY CARTRIDGE Very nice…. And with the 380 I will choose the best carry round possible. The real world tells a different story. The reason why … That’s key, so keep that in mind when choosing your personal defense forearm. Which Gun Caliber Is ... the topic of .38 Special vs. 9mm, ... load data that even something as weak as a .380 ACP can be as good of an … Dirty & unreliable ammo. The best concealed carry gun holds plenty of ammo and shoots … Official Url . The German Navy was the first to adopt the new cartridge in 1904, followed by the German Army in 1908. P238 Micro-Compact 380 Auto is another Sig choice for a concealable weapon. This can be difficult, as .380 pistols tend to be chambered in smaller guns compared to 9mm. The correct answer is a broad one that may differ from one shooter to the next. The following ammunition cartridge ballistics information and chart can be used to approximately compare .380 Auto ACP vs .40 S&W ammo rounds. Read and decide which caliber fascinates you more as a gun carrier. I can settle this with EITHER caliber.. G2 Research R.I.P. Once a 9mm hp fails to expand, it WILL over-penetrate unless it hits something like a big bone or the target has a lot of mass. Obvious stuff is only obvious because we learned it along the way….obviously. The 3.6-inch barrel and 15+1 round capacity make this a great concealable weapon. The 9mm vs. The stronger the individual, the better control they will retain over the recoil. Working I have to carry a Glock 23, off work FNP .45acp 15 rounds. Clothing and other material can jam into the hollow point, reducing expansion. The age-old debate about which caliber handgun is better to carry is about to be settled. For example, the 380 vs 9mm. We are often asked why 380 ammo costs more than other ammo such as 9mm. However, there are a few calibers that are equally popular and suitable for their individual purpose. P320 XCompact 9mm was ergonomically designed with performance in mind. The 380 hollow-point ammo beats regular 9mm ammo in performance. As a result, it doesn't require the same spring rate to send the slide back into battery. They come in +p and regular, but only a few pistols can handle the +p. Most pistols chambered in .380 ACP are small, subcompact to micro size. Depending on the style of concealed carry, you may want to choose the more nimble 380 over, the more substantial, bulkier 9mm. Share your thoughts in the comments section below! For example, if you are facing a home intruder, either weapon will serve you well. We can argue about caliber and stopping power till the cows come home, but that doesn’t help the person the article title says it is directed toward, the new concealed carry gun purchaser. The mere fact that the victim pulls a gun on an assailant may have the intended effect and prevent the aggressor in carrying out whatever scheme they may have. I am a retired ER nurse who got started in healthcare more than 45 years ago as an Army medic doing search and rescue as well as recon in a field unit somewhere overseas. Its primary use remains that of self defense for civilians, as its small size allows for easy concealment and it can hold a relatively high amount of rounds. Indeed, the 9mm does have a lot to offer in terms of power and control, making it one of the most well-rounded handgun cartridges in my opinion. More than one exacted lethal revenge before they died. As a result, it doesn't require the same spring rate to send the slide back into battery. My wife carries a 9 mm because that is HER preferred round. (Radically Invasive Projectile) Ammo… Enuff said!!! The 380’s smaller, lighter frame allows for easier concealability. And, this is mainly due to the type of guns that chamber it. Gun enthusiasts are constantly comparing popular ammunition to find the best bang for their buck. A typical load carries roughly 3 grains of powder that propels a 95-grain bullet at 845 fps to produce 151 ft.-lbs. The introduction of the Ruger 57 sparked renewed interest in the 5.7x28mm round. More people are beginning to turn to the 380 for a conceal carry weapon. The decision is yours to make. The 380 hollow-point ammo beats regular 9mm ammo in performance. In some defensive situations, the 9mm may be the better choice, but other defensive positions, the 380 cal may be the best option. Up Next: The .22 Rifle: Myths And Truths Exposed, 5 Pistol Modifications You Need To Avoid | Gun Carrier. Glock 26 Gen5 Subcompact 9mm is ideal for concealability. The .38 Special is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge by Smith & Wesson. I know that people talk about shot placement and think that they can always make the good hit. The time of day, the weather, and temperature also play a role in the ballistics of the shots fired. I carry a .45 ACP because that is my preferred round. Editor’s Note: This post was first published in April 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy. The 9mm projectile is more likely to travel completely through someone than the .380 ACP ammo (or any of the other more popular self-defense rounds). My particular .380 carries 7 in the magazine, plus 1 “in the pipe,” i.e., a round already in the chamber. I find with that caliber, the target just doesn’t want to play much after being hit. The 9mm ammo is more affordable, allowing you ample practice time to improve control and accuracy. Gun enthusiasts are constantly comparing popular ammunition to find the best bang for their buck. My particular .380 carries 7 in the magazine, plus 1 … However, the 9X19 round isn’t that much better. If you take a 380 handgun that weighs the same as a comparable 9mm handgun, the 380 will have much less recoil allowing for more accurate multiple shots downrange. The answer may surprise you because I don’t take the same approach in comparing them as many others do. Hornady’s 90-grain critical defense round is an excellent example of a well-designed hollow point. Smith and Wesson have been delivering quality self-defense weapons for over 164 years. The choices include: People can get creative when coming up with ways to conceal carry their weapon safely, but this list is the most common. Both make excellent conceal carry weapons. More misinformation about the 9mm vs 45. 380 Auto compared to 9mm is worth considering when purchasing a handgun. It’s much harder to find information online that include revolver calibers, so how about: a) .357 Magnum vs. .45 Colt in pistols? 9mm vs .40 S&W. Calibers: 9mm Luger . The .380 Auto features the same diameter bullet as the 9mm and the same diameter case, yet it is shorter at 17mm in case length. I carry a .45 or .40 as primary CCW was carrying a S&W 36 but +P ammo tends to destroy them, since I picked up a. Hope this helps, good luck and may God Bless. VS. Springfield . Always exercise due diligence before purchasing any product or service. The .380 vs 9mm ballistics is not the only comparison to consider. My wife has a Browning M1910 in .380 that uses hollow point rounds for self defense while the primary home defense gun is a Remington 12 gauge with turkey shot because there’s not really much chance of blowing through a wall (or person) if your house is close by as many are in today’s sub-divisions. Instead, it has to do with the guns that chamber it. The hollow point on the 380 helps give you better expansion. Believe it or not, the cost per round is almost directly related to the above statement. Origins of .38 Super vs. 9mm Colt introduced the .38 Super cartridge (left) 27 years after the 9mm (right) first made its appearance. Getting ready to go to 9mm @work due to cost, still 50 rounds a year qualifications, woefully innacurate qualification amount for law enforcement annually. In this article, we will compare two of the most popular calibers available today - the 9mm to the .40 S&W. FN created 5.7mm to be a defensive round for the military, primarily for pistols and smaller personal defensive weapons. Manufactures make concealed carry holsters for both calibers.