Instead, what we should be asking is “which caliber is better for you?”. For this reason, load capacity (the number of rounds you can carry in one magazine) is a significant concern for many people choosing the 9mm Luger or .380 ACP. Again, that depends a lot on the needs and expectations you have of your pistol. .380 vs 9mm: Backup Gun While the 9mm has encroached on the .380’s turf as a primary carry option, the smaller ‘nine’ still cuts the more dominant figure as a backup gun. The 9mm and .380 both have the same diameter bullet, but the 9mm casing and overall length is longer. I put a couple rounds through 4 layers of denim and gallon jugs of water and I was very surprised at the results. The 380 with lower muzzle velocity actually has greater knock down than the 9. Keeping that in mind, it’s unfair to place the .380 up against the 9mm … Generally speaking, one of the biggest advantages to the 9mm is that it’s an easy-to-handle cartridge – at least when compared to the bigger calibers out there. A .38 Special fires bullets with velocity between 679-980 feet per second. They are both affordable rounds that are readily available in most well-stocked ammunition stores. As you’ll see, it’s mostly a 9mm fest for the reasons I’ve mentioned above (versatility and power). (For my own safety and others.) I didn't know about that gun. I carry a 380 every day everywhere I go, the reason? That is 11% shorter which means only 11% less powder => 11% less energy / stopping power. Replying in one place so it's easier to find - Yes, ft-lb is more accurate. The other side of the equation for energy is the weight of the bullet, .380 ACP normally tops out at about 100gr bullets while 9mm normally doesn't start until at least 115gr. I wanted a 9mm pistol but bought a 380 today instead. Depending on the powder used and the round used having more or less case fill is not uncommon. Even if that dozen take down an attacker completely, six HPs is going to slow him down enough that I can run away faster than he can catch me. The length of the bullet is also important, this is generally impacted by weight since fitting more mass in the same diameter requires either a heavier material or making it longer. So, it’s logical that you’ll have an easier time finding guns that can loan more 9mm ammo. No problems using FMJ ammo of any brand.. That popularity leads to a lot of debate in the gun community. This is not such a big reduction in firepower, especially considering the reduction in recoil, as is so often implied. Great pistol. Debo de precisar que éstos conceptos son erróneos. Looking at handloading numbers, both .380 and 9mm data using Hornady 90gr HP XTP using the same powders the 9th Ed Hornady manual calls for almost 25% more powder for minimum loads on 9mm compared to the minimum loads in .380 ACP. The 9mm ammo is outlined with the red box. According to it, the .380 is “just as good” as the 9mm by the numbers. As we all know, shot placement is king. The reality is, too, that the .380 is no 9mm in terms of terminal ballistics, but it was not meant to be. The ballistic data tells a similar tale in both the .380s and the 9mms. You can see the results in our best self-defense ammo study. Brandon has spent the majority of his life hunting in the woods in Georgia and Alabama. One's a beauty, the other's a beast. .380 cartridges are better if concealment is a top priority. The 380 is considerably shorter than 9mm and you can easily tell them apart at first glance. It is for home defence because getting a CC in Maryland is tough to say the least. If you want to get a pulse of how other ammo performs in each, we conducted dozens of gel tests like this with both 9mm and 380 ammo. The 380 handgun is smaller and more comfortable to maneuver in close range situations. At the same time though, its not just about penetration but energy, and I use 147gr for my 9mm defense rounds, and 147gr vs 90gr .380 is really a big difference. Terms of Service apply. Change your pistol’s barrel size and you could see different results. With such a wide range, I thought it best to take the median muzzle velocity. Also, for all of you doomsday preppers looking for the best survival round, the 9mm clearly wins that one as well due to the fact that you’re more likely to come across 9mm ammo than other cartridges. I will also point out that your comment on bullet weight is not correct. If you’re looking for a powerful caliber that’s easy to handle, the .380 delivers in every way. Get proficient on YOUR time. The 380 was easy for me in comparison. 1) EL cartucho .380 es mucho más adecuado para ser usado para defensa en la ciudad. .380 ammo is expensive, so shooting it a lot for practice is pricey. At 10 yards with a modified Weaver stance, it'll keep 3" groups all day. I am very comfortable on range with 9mm. Higher PSI means more force acting against the bullet to accelerate it out of the gun. I've never had a jam w/ my Bersa Thunder but don't carry it because I will only carry a double action, regardless of brand or caliber. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Of course, the .380 cartridge weighs a little less than the 9mm. Almost all major manufacturers produce both calibers. The two are distinguishable from each other due to different shell length and structure. A 9mmx19 cartridge features a bullet that is 9mm, or.355 inches in diameter. There is some overlap, but in general the 9mm Luger has heavier projectiles than the .380 ACP. Militaries all over the world use 9mm so bulk production is common. The .380mm has since been widely used in smaller handguns. Our testing protocol followed similar procedures to how the Federal Bureau of Investigation tests ammunition. My wife has the same but we've worked her up to 9mm. Even looking at the extremes, a very weak 9mm is around 335ft/lb while +P .380 ACP that is very hot maxes out at 295ft/lb. No doubt, due to its advantage in velocity and energy, the 9mm Luger is the clear winner in terminal performance. My primary draw to a 380, and something not mentioned in the article is the ease of racking the slide. Are you a big-gun slinger, a compact 9mm shooter, or do you prefer the .380 pocket pistols? Las razones de cual de los dos calibres se deben usar, están acordes a los objetivos a cubrir. When we’re looking at power, the 9mm unanimously beats the .380 every time. purchase helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles. And I think the reason is that they are pretty much all .380 and up. The standard 9mm load is a 115-grain to 147-grain projectile, which usually achieves something like 1150 to 950 feet per second of muzzle velocity and around 350 ft-lbs of muzzle energy from a full-size gun, and more like 875 to 1100 fps (and about 315ish ft-lbs) from a subcompact. Here are the quick stats: As you can tell, there isn’t a lot of physical difference between the two. Yes, the two cartridges have the same bullet diameter. To get an idea of which round is better equipped for self-defense, we took some Federal HST ammo to the range (99 grain 380 ACP rounds and 124 grain 9mm rounds.) Thank you, I prefer t6he 380 to the 9 mm for many reasons. Cases are rarely filled to capacity. Excellent page. Hence, my initial argument that .380 only has 11% less energy than 9mm is now corrected to 15% less energy. I'm getting my wife into the gun world (slowly) and while doing so discovered due to the low recoil of a .380 it's easier to rack than a 9mm. In fact, from your comment, one would have to doubt you are an instructor at all anyway, as an instructor would know that there are not pocket sized 9 mm pistols that are ported. Another vital consideration for choosing between 9mm vs.380ACP pistols is one’s ability to manage recoil. But if you’ve already got a 9mm or another. 9mm vs..380 ACP Muzzle Velocity Depending on the type of ammunition you load up, the muzzle velocity for 9mm was between 940 – 1280 according to ballistics 101. Hello! It's fine for you to like .380s, but please don't spread non-factual claims about cartridge effectiveness. But stopping threats 50-yards away isn’t what the .380 is designed for. Of course, the more expansion the better when it comes to neutralizing a threat or “stopping power.” In this Federal HST testing, most shooters may find this difference between 380 Auto and 9mm negligible. I have long been well aware of their considerable differences, relative advantages and relative disadvantages. The 380 ACP is a 9 x 17mm round, so they call it the 9mm short or the Kurz in Europe. The velocity varies according to barrel length and type of gun.A comparison of velocity of .38 Special bullets with different weight and type:A 9mm fires bullets with velocity ranging between 1200 and 1430 feet per second depending on the model.A comparison of velocity of 9mm bullets with different weight and type: That's simply absurd, and would ignore basic laws of physics. The 380 ACP did well and actually falls within the FBI’s penetration guideline of 12-18 inches (12.4″). Winner: 9mm Luger. That is why the 380 is also commonly known as the “9mm short”. Needless to say, the .380 doesn’t outdo the 9mm on any of those strengths, with the exception of being easier to control. Firearms chambered for the 9mm Luger are more readily available. The 1911 had a safety because its original design was intended to be carried cocked & locked, hammer cocked back ready to fire & the safety on. And it isn't too reliable. That way I am still ready to fire once I have my pistol in position.. Lots of good information. , there’s no reasons why you’d have to make the .380 your primary concealed carry gun unless you really wanted to. Shotguns, rifles, pistols...he's been collecting them all for over a decade. If I was shopping around for my very first handgun, I’d go with the 9mm every day of the week simply because you can get more out of it. Ultimately, you can’t go wrong in the 380 vs 9mm debate. If you’re seeking tremendous energy, the .375 Magnum, 10mm Auto, and .45 ACP (to name a few) are usually the better choice. Both the 9mm and.380 ACP versions of the S&W EZ Shield are very close in specs, but the.380 is smaller… slightly. Generally, the bullet is simply made longer. She has small hands and is inexperienced with firearms. My personal feeling is that a well placed small caliber round is far more effective than a larger caliber round not well placed. I really like them and feel they are a great feature and it makes me feel more comfortable carrying my pistol with it inn my gun !!! Most of the .380 ACP handguns found in display cases pack about 7 to 9 rounds total, while you can easily find 9mm Luger handguns that pack 15 to 20 rounds at a time. 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. He went down for the count. You can see from the stats above (and you perhaps already assumed from the case-length differences), the 9mm Luger is clearly the faster round. .380 ammo is no joke when it comes to a great self defense round! Stick around a gun shop or an online gun forum long enough and you’re bound to get tangled up in a 380 vs 9mm discussion as shooters weigh the merits of each caliber. Different powders have different energy concentrations, so 11% less space does not just mean 11% less power. The 9mm Luger is 9mm x 19mm. Because the 380 has 94 percent less recoil (if fired from an equal-weight gun), it’s easier to shoot. We’ve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. It was too big and I hated it, so I sold that one and now I have no Derringer's. I was surprised, since I thought that there was a big difference between the two. Even though the .380 never lived up to the expectations that John Browning may have hoped for, it did become a popular backup pistol due to its relatively small size. People always cite the Bersa Thunder or Ruger LCP, but NO ONE mentions the Bersa BP380CC, which is a single stack (8 + 1) pistol created by Bersa specifically for concealed carry. Let your fellow shooters know – share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. that Federal load on the chart above using a 115-grain bullet that can go as fast as 1,180 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel) have as much as ~81.63% higher muzzle energy compared to standard pressure.380 ACP loads. Instead, what we should be asking is “which caliber is better, Various 9mm Glocks of difference sizes, courtesy of, If power is your primary focus and you’re thinking of going with a .380, you’re barking up the wrong tree. As an instructor I think your comment is very short sighted.. It just doesn’t outperform the 9mm in any way except for weight and size. Most shooters don’t consider the 9mm Luger a “high powered” cartridge. If you go to the store and pick up two random boxes; one a 9mm Luger and one a .380 Auto, you’re all but guaranteed to see that the 9mm packs a heavier bullet. If I am not carrying a 1911 my safety is not on because no other gun has a grip safety, therefore my hammer is not cocked back.. And if I am carrying a 1911 w/o a grip safety then my safety is still off because my hammer is up.. I like shooting them all. I hope your not putting the 9mm into the "big boy" category like you stated above I have a "Big boy" gun .357 mag Trooper III , I also have the National match .45acp, 44mag Anaconda. While the.380 ACP casing is.680 inches, the 9mm casing measures.754 inches. The .380 has less recoil so is popular with concealable handguns while the 9mm is more powerful and has more recoil. Good article well written describing the 380 as a close contact self-protection option when compared to other small calibers that are available. Being the shorter, less powerful round, the .380 generally has less recoil than the 9mm cartridge, although this varies with the characteristics of the gun used. My kids, ages 12 and 15 absolutely LOVE shooting the .380 because it fits them perfectly and they could do it all day. The .380 ACP is not to be confused with the .38 ACP 9mm Makarov, 9mm Parabelleum, or the 9mm Ultra. , which has a long history of success in the field, most other cartridges in production are going to have a hard time squaring off with the 9mm – and for good reason. The .380ACP does make a fantastic backup carry gun. If you go to the store and pick up two random boxes; one a 9mm Luger and one a .380 Auto, you’re all but guaranteed to see that the 9mm packs a heavier bullet. I am 61 and somewhat inexperienced shooter. Good info even though a bit redundant. If you are curious how the .380 carbine stacks up against the 9mm Luger carbine, follow this link to see that ballistic test. This allows them to handle much higher pressure than .380 ACP. Last 3 days of 95+ temps the .380 was the perfect gun for my pocket. In our comparisons, all three 9mm Luger rounds were well above 300 foot-pounds (ft-lbs), with the 115-grain Gold Dot reaching 374 ft-lbs and maintaining almost 300 ft-lbs after 50 yards. Guarantee 124grain 9mm HSTs would have greater tissue disruption and penetration depth. Remember, the .380 isn’t an effective round by stretch of the imagination., I have seen gang bangers walk away after taking headshots from a .380.that never penetrated the skull. Everyone who's carrying IS practicing, right? The 380 Auto vs 9mm are both excellent calibers. Personally, I believe that the 9mm is an all-around great round that’s useful in damn near every type of scenario, whereas the .380 is limited to close-range protection. Make that a PPK/S and a P365. If you stand the 9mm x 17mm up next to the 9mm x 19mm you will see that there is only about a .5mm difference in casing size. It . Bullet weights range from 80 to 147 grains with 115- and 124-grain bullets being the most popular. The.380 vs 9mm ballistics is not the only comparison to consider. The most recognizable difference between the 9mm and the 380 is the length of their shells. And since. I can't always rack the slide on my 9mm. The polymer tip in the HP cavity gave the round a profile closer to that of ball ammo. The day you are called upon to put your tool of choice to task is not the day that you should be learning how to maintain composure. I like the grip safety. This is literally people's lives we're talking about. When it comes to well-balanced, affordable ammunition that is useful for even novice handgun owners, the 9mm Luger and .380 ACP (also known as the .380 Auto, among other nicknames) are two of the most popular. Love the hand feel of 380 but I would never use mine as personal defense...can’t get through a magazine without a jam....like the size, feel, and accuracy..don’t like ... my Bersa...would like another...more reliable...sleep with my CZ...it works all the time Shooters use them both primarily in semiautomatic handguns. My wife has had carpal tunnel surgery and as a result weak wrists. It is narrow enough with the right amount of firepower behind it to cause over penetration. There is no substitution for time spent on the range practicing placing each shot where you want it and learning to function calmly and collectively with what ever your using. It is only a .25, though. Also, it seems that the 14.4" gel penetration is ~11% less than equivalently loaded 9mm. Get Our Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ($47 value - but FREE for a limited time). While that low recoil will probably do you little good if you’re trying to protect yourself from someone on the other side of the parking lot, it would make a difference if you’re stopping an armed assailant who’s entering your bedroom – especially if you’re an inexperienced shooter. Regarding concealability of the .380 pistol, versus the 9mm., the Sig 365 and others have pretty much leveled that playing field. If I assume that .380 has these same constraints, then it has 11mm of casing available for powder. We attempted to pick incredibly similar firearms so we could attempt to isolate the caliber as the primary variable. The truth is that .380 ACP is as accurate as the person shooting it. These rounds have a lot in common. And thanks to the gun’s low recoil, it has been marketed as a great self-defense cartridge for inexperienced shooters. Thanks again for the reply. The correct unit is foot pounds (i.e., energy = force * distance), ft-lbs, not ft/lb. All the "small" guns now are chunky looking. Knew a gunsmith that’s had a 32 discharged in his gut. When tested at a range, the comments were WTF was that! The 9mm is better for long-range targets, whereas the 380 ACP excels at short-range targets. But power isn’t what the .380 is made for. Hey James, we actually have an article on best .380 defensive ammo here. Yes, HSTs are one of the better .380 loads, but compared to high end 9mm loads, it's still going to fall short. This makes them great for use as a primary or backup concealed carry weapon, but not so great as a service pistol for police officers and military personnel. Maybe they will do better with the Lehigh Defense rounds but they are hard to find. It also has a maximum range of 1,800 meters, but good luck at hitting a target that far away unless you’re shooting legend, Jerry Miculek. I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. It may not have the same expansion or penetration as the 9mm, but it does have lower recoil. My sister has trouble with her hands and the .380 is a much better choice for her as a 9 mm in the same size and weight pistol would over power her.. I had to take a course and it included Shooting a handgun. One other point is that your muzzle energy units are incorrect. Thank you for posting this. Granted, there are some bigger guns that either are or have been made in this caliber (the CZ 83 is/was a good example; it's a compact service pistol) and are capable of doing everything a 9mm pistol of the same size is doing in terms of accuracy. Our test results for this article were quite similar to what we saw from these loads when fired with other concealed carry pistols. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. 9mm Vs. .380 ACP. Sorry to be nit-picky, but such things are critical for correct communication / understanding. The 380 handgun is smaller and more comfortable to maneuver in close range situations. My girlfriend handles cash deposits through ATMs after hours, and I am encouraging her to carry. La clave de su éxito está en sus 35.000 psi, frente a las 22.000 psi de los mejores cartuchos .380 browning. My main carry is a compact Springfield XDS 9mm 3.3", but it is quite a bit larger and heavier than my .380. as always great informative article ,i have several handguns i carry but often end up with my little ruger, it has never failed to feed or had any issues at all and i have fed it many types of ammo., so i feel as confident with it as i do my glock. ;) The more we all know, the better organized and stronger the shooting and hunting community will be. So, what you end up getting with the .380 is a lightweight gun that’s not much different in size to pocket pistols like the .22 LR, .25 ACP, and the .32 S&W, but is far more powerful. I've got to really screw up in picking out clothes to wear, to profile the gun. Much forethought should be invested in scenarios and preparation or even a howitzer will be of no use! The.380 is not as powerful as 9mm, but is still quite popular because it is smaller and still packs enough of a punch to get the job done in a self-defense situation. I used to have a .32 auto Derringer. I have carried different types of firearms but I have come to the realization that, in my current situation and lifestyle, there is no need for me to carry anything larger than a G42 loaded with Hornady Custom. As for 9mm itself, well, this article isn’t about what handgun calibers out-do 9mm. Selecting the right cartridge for target shooting and personal protection can be difficult, especially with two ammo choice that, while different, have numerous similarities. I would agree that .380 is acceptable as a defensive cartridge, but I wouldn't put faith in that video. Learn all the important stuff about handguns...with none of the attitude. The 9mm has a little more punch than the 380. It is not bullet weight alone that matters, but rather mass * velocity * velocity. With the exception of the train-stopping .45 ACP, which has a long history of success in the field, most other cartridges in production are going to have a hard time squaring off with the 9mm – and for good reason. The best concealed carry gun holds plenty of ammo and shoots bullets that expand rapidly and penetrate deep The .380 has less recoil so is popular with concealable handguns while the 9mm is more powerful and has more recoil. Keep up the good work. I could carry other “cooler” handguns but considering size, weight, and the possibility I may actually come across a platoon of NKPA taking over the local mall? The .380 costs about 30-50% more per round and can occasionally be difficult to find (unless ordering online). When it comes to expansion, our 9mm came in with about .62 inches of expansion. So, the elephant in the room is .380 vs 9mm ballistics. It has less weight and easier to conceal. I chose the 9mm. Now for home defense, I have other options, AR15, full size 9mm, 12 gauge with #4 buckshot. I have both and respect them both. When I need to draw, instead of flipping the safety off I Cock the hammer back. You do not pay anything extra and your I love the EZ .380 for this reason. On YouTube Honest Outlaw just put up a review on this. As always, be sure to let us know what you think about the .380 vs the 9mm. While the case is only two mms shorter, the projectiles are often lighter and require less power to operate. The .380 doesn’t get as much recognition as some of the other big name handgun calibers, mostly because it doesn’t have that hard-hitting reputation that the 9mm, 10mm, and .45 ACPs. And to be honest, I hope I never have to pull it out, but if I do, I doubt the person on the other end is going to notice the caliber, because my shot placement will be on target! Interesting idea... EDC AR-10 pistol hahaha. Smith&Wesson, Glock, and Sig Sauer are just a few of the companies producing ported pistols. I followed the link in your claim of the 380 having 94 percent less recoil than 9 mm. Ballistics are important, but then again, so is recoil, confidence, ability, price, and penetration. Its case is.380 inches in diameter, 19mm long and can hold a maximum of 10 … The other 1.5mm difference is the size of the slug itself. .380 ACP isn't designed to accept a long heavy bullet like some of the longer heavier 9mm are. Remember, the .380 isn’t an ineffective round by stretch of the imagination. Penetration>expansion. We fired rounds through a 4-layer cloth barrier into Clear Ballistics gelatin. My carry gun is small and it is only for self defense, not war. Seriously ??? My Glock 42 jams with some hollow point ammo. This small round is considerably less powerful than the standard 9mm. Love the quality of it and that it is so thin. Check it out! Just saying. I am a 65 year old female, 5’1” and 123 pounds. It was first used in a hammerless, semi-automatic Colt Model 1908. There really is not much difference anymore in the size of the pistols themselves.
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