Who Makes .380 ACP Ammo?

Who Makes .380 ACP Ammo?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over who makes .380 ACP ammo today. The cartridge is over a century old and continues to see use even today. Throughout history, the cartridge has been employed in a number of roles ranging from martial use to concealed carry. Today we are going to delve into the round’s background, explore types of .380 ACP, ammo manufacturers, and more. Without further ado, let’s talk about who makes .380 ACP ammo.

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. .380 ACP cartridges feature recessed rims, 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.

What Firearms Use .380 ACP?

Currently, the market has many options available in .380 ACP. Firearm offerings of this type are commonly available at most places where firearms are sold. Firearms of this type are most commonly found in the form of small semi-automatic pistols. These types of pistols are typically optimized for concealed carry and tend to feature single stack magazines. While single stack offerings tend to be most common, there are also multiple double stack .380 ACP offerings as well. .380 ACP chambered pistols can be had in single action, double action, or striker fired form. Shooters today can browse a wide range of vintage and historic .380 ACP chambered firearms. Vintage offerings encompass old commercial offerings as well as old law enforcement and military service weapons. Of course, there are also a wide range of modern production .380 ACP chambered firearms in various forms and styles. Sig Sauer, Ruger, Beretta, Glock, and Walther are among the producers of firearms chambered in .380 ACP. Put plainly, one can easily find and purchase a firearm capable of accommodating .380 ACP ammo. Purchase .380 ACP Ammo

What is .380 ACP Used For?

Like nearly every caliber, .380 ACP ammo can effectively be utilized for recreational shooting. This is to say that one can find great enjoyment in plinking and casually shooting a .380 ACP chambered firearm. Of course, the wide range of general purpose .380 ACP ammo offerings are optimal for this use case. While not as prolific as 9mm or .22 LR, general purpose .380 ACP ammunition is great for recreational purposes. Shooters can effectively employ various forms of .380 ACP for recreation and purpose driven training. The presence of .380 ACP ammo of this type allows concealed carriers to train effectively. Many shooters employ the cartridge for defensive purposes. The .380 ACP has been used in law enforcement and military capacities across the globe. In addition to historic martial use, the round has also been utilized for concealed carry. Today, the cartridge is further optimized for carry and self-defense by modern defensive loadings. These loadings aid in making the .380 ACP more viable for self-defense purposes, remedying some of the round’s ballistic shortcomings. Additionally, shooters will encounter a wide range of .357 Magnum firearms optimized for defense or concealed carry.

Who Makes General Purpose .380 ACP Ammo?

There are many companies who make general purpose .380 ACP ammo. These loadings commonly feature full metal jacket (FMJ) or hollow point projectiles. Grain weights typically range from 95 to 100 grains. These projectiles are suitable for various uses such as plinking and training use cases. Loadings of this type are common and are generally the most affordable .380 ACP ammunition offerings on the market. Additionally, these loadings tend to be the most common and accessible .380 ACP offerings on the market. PMC, Winchester, Aguila, and Federal produce ammunition of this type.

Who Makes Defensive .380 ACP Ammo?

Many companies currently produce defensive .380 ACP ammo. These loadings generally feature hollow point projectiles or other specialty bullets optimized for defensive use. Loadings of this type are optimized to achieve adequate levels of penetration and expansion conducive to stopping a threat. Additionally, loadings of this type are designed with precision in mind and are often designed to not overpenetrate targets. Put plainly, these loadings achieve optimal penetration and expansion on target. Speer, Sellier & Bellot, Corbon, Black Hills, and Federal produce .380 ACP ammunition of this type.

Who Makes Specialty .380 ACP Ammo?

Specialty .380 ACP ammo is produced by several companies for various purposes. Shooters primarily utilize specialty .380 ACP ammunition for use cases such as hunting purposes. As a whole, these loadings are available in various grain weights and with purpose-built projectiles suitable for specialized tasks. Norma is among the producers of specialty .380 ACP ammo with their many frangible ammunition offerings in the caliber. Purchase .380 ACP Ammo

Is .380 ACP Ammo Expensive?

Like most calibers and ammo offerings, price depends upon the specifics of a given loading. Additionally, the cost of materials and labor come into play when it comes to ammunition pricing. This is why general-purpose loadings tend to be cheap and affordable while more specialized offerings tend to demand higher prices. For example, a 95 grain FMJ loading will be cheaper than a 80 grain Corbon DPX offering. Of course, one can save on ammo when purchasing bulk quantities as there is usually a price break at the case level. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that prices are often subject to change and fluctuation factors such as supply and demand come into play. All in all, some .380 ACP ammo is going to be affordable and economically priced while others are more costly. This is especially true if they are specialty loadings.

Is .380 ACP Ammo Easy to Find?

At this point in time, .380 ACP ammo comes in many forms. The cartridge continues to be a popular choice among handgun shooters, albeit overshadowed by 9mm and .45 ACP. That being said, most .380 ACP ammunition can be found in general-purpose or defensive form. Specialty loadings and alternative offerings can be found but are ultimately overshadowed by general purpose loadings. Additionally, one can purchase .380 ACP ammo in various quantities. Quantities range from individual box offerings to bulk ammo offerings. Bulk .380 ACP ammo offerings can be found in the form of case quantities and ammo cans. These bulk ammunition offerings allow users to quickly build up their stock of .380 ACP ammo in various increments. Additionally, companies like PMC also offer bulk .380 ACP in the form of their battle pack products. Loadings for .380 ACP are commonly found at most places where ammunition is sold. Additionally, if one elects to shop for .380 ACP ammo online, their options become even broader. Simply put, one will have no issue finding .380 ACP ammunition.

Conclusion

All in all, .380 ACP ammo and firearms remain common on the American market. With loadings tailored for a wide range of use cases, shooters can find .380 ACP ammunition optimal for their purposes. From hunting to self-defense and recreation, there are plenty of optimal loadings on the market. We here at True Shot Ammo carry .380 ACP in addition to our range of ammo for sale. Our inventory of ammunition for sale covers popular calibers like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Put plainly, we carry a wide range of pistol, rifle, rimfire, and shotgun ammunition optimal for shooters of all types. Whether you want to buy .380 ACP ammo or purchase bulk ammo of a different type, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.