About .380 ACP
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about
.380 ACP today. This handgun cartridge has persisted in common use for over a century. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of the
.380 ACP cartridge while delving into features, history, use cases and more. Without further ado, let’s talk about
.380 ACP.
Is .380 ACP the Same as 9x17mm?
9x17mm is a common designation found on some firearms and
ammunition. This designation is the metric nomenclature for
.380 ACP. If one encounters
ammunition marked
9x17mm, they will be able to use it in their
.380 ACP handgun. Additionally, if one has a pistol marked
9x17mm, they will be able to utilize
.380 ACP ammo. The
.380 ACP cartridge goes by many names, including
9mm Corto,
9mm Browning,
9mm Kurz,
9mm Short, and
.380 Auto to name a few.
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What is .380 ACP?
The
.380 ACP, or
.380 Automatic Colt Pistol, was designed by John Moses Browning in 1908. Production of the cartridge began in the same year and saw immediate use in Colt’s Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless handgun. The
.380 ACP was derived from the .38 ACP, or .38 Auto cartridge which was introduced in 1900 by Browning. The cartridge features a recessed rim, a design trait conducive to use in autoloaders and a departure from established norms. Many cartridges of the era and earlier featured distinct, pronounced rims which aided in achieving proper headspacing and ensuring rounds indexed properly in cylinders.
.380 ACP notably headspaces off of the case mouth as opposed to a rim in order to promote accuracy.
Boasting low pressures, with a maximum pressure of 21,500 psi, the
.380 ACP was intended for and well-suited for use with blowback type firearms. These types of firearms notably feature heavy bolts and slides which are intended to absorb recoil and inertia during the firing process. Blowback operated pistols notably utilize fixed barrels, a feature conducive to accuracy and adequate for low pressure rounds. Essentially, everything with higher pressures than
.380 ACP and
9mm Makarov are best-suited for use in locking barrel type handguns.
Is .380 ACP Good for Self Defense?
The cartridge was initially designed with self-defense in mind. The cartridge still sees use today in this capacity and is employed by concealed carriers of all types. But how do the round and compatible handguns stack up today?
The
.380 ACP cartridge is certainly capable of getting the job done when it comes to self-defense. The cartridge will generally feature shorter casings and lighter weight projectiles than the 9mm Luger. This is to say that
.380 ACP loadings feature lighter loadings and have less mass, meaning that they will generally impart less kinetic energy on impact. This is not to say that
.380 ACP is not viable for self-defense. The modern defensive loadings on the market from companies such as
Hornady,
Corbon, and Federal elevate the lethality and efficacy of the
.380 ACP to modern standards. Specifically, these loadings achieve velocities consistent with achieving both optimal penetration and consistent expansion.
As far as handgun offerings go, there are many compact and micro compact
9mm Luger handguns on the market which rival the size and form factor of
.380 ACP handguns. In addition to being very compact, these compacts and micro compacts often feature superior capacities and allow for the use of lights and optics. Many of the
.380 ACP offerings on the market will be of a traditional style and are lacking in terms of capacity and features when compared to these modern
9mm Luger offerings. At the end of the day, the choice to utilize a
.380 ACP handgun becomes harder when considering the versatility and capability of similarly sized
9mm handguns.
All in all, the
.380 ACP cartridge will certainly work in self-defense applications. The cartridge is viable and is capable of protecting one’s life and stopping a threat, especially with modern, optimal loadings. Regardless of what one chooses to carry, they should ensure they have time and
ammo set aside for training to ensure that they are proficient with their chosen firearm.
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How Available is .380 ACP Ammunition?
At this point in time,
.380 ACP ammo is common and prevalent. These loadings are produced by a number of companies across the globe for commercial purposes and professional use. Standard full metal jacket (FMJ)
.380 ammunition is produced by a number of companies such as
PMC,
Sellier & Bellot,
Aguila, and
Winchester to name a few.
Specialty loadings for defensive use are produced by companies such as
Federal,
Hornady,
Black Hills Ammunition,
Underwood, and
Corbon. These defensive loadings will include traditional jacketed hollow point (JHP) offerings and specialty offerings from companies like
Barnes.
One will have no issue finding
.380 ammo at places where one can
purchase ammunition. Additionally, the range of
ammunition available increases exponentially if one were to
shop for ammo online. Simply put, one will have zero issue finding
.380 ACP ammunition if that is what they are looking to stock up on.
How Available are Firearms in .380 ACP?
Presently, one will be able to find a wide range of firearms in
.380 ACP on the market. These firearms are available in the form of modern production offerings and in the form of vintage, old production offerings. An overwhelming majority of the firearms chambered in
.380 ACP on the market will be found in the form of handguns.
Modern production offerings can be had from companies such as Beretta, Glock, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, and Sig Sauer to name a few. Vintage and old production offerings can be had in the form of Colt, Browning, Savage, Walther, and Mauser firearms. Simply put, one will be able to find a firearm chambered in
.380 ACP if they truly want to get ahold of one.
Conclusion
All in all, the
.380 ACP cartridge has persisted in use for over a century and is still employed by shooters of all types in the modern era. Everyone from recreational shooters, collectors, and concealed carriers employ the cartridge for a variety of uses. If you are looking to buy
.380 ammo, we here at True Shot Ammo have got you covered. We carry everything from defensive loadings to offerings for practice and training purposes as far as
.380 ACP ammo goes. Additionally, we also offer a wide range of
ammunition for sale which encompasses
pistol,
rifle,
shotgun,
rimfire ammunition. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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