Best .380 ACP to Date? Another .380 ACP Round that Cuts the Mustard! Plus FMJ VS JHP Myths Busted 

I want to share my opinion on FMJ/ball and overpenetration. I typically get a lot of comments from two sides, with one side saying that over-penetration is not a thing because there's few documented cases of a person behind the 'bad guy' struck by a bullet. Then the other side is adamant that over-penetration is likely to happen and will kill an innocent party and put you in jail. My opinion from what I do and have seen over the years is completely different. Although I don't have evidence of this, I personally believe that the 'over-penetration' standard of no more than 18" in organic gel (clear gel is similar but off by a couple inches) is there for an entirely different reason. With all of my ballistic testing, the thing that I have seen time and time again is that bullets that penetrate to near 18" but not over that, tend to 'dump' damage. Either by hollow point expansion or by tumbling. Rounds that can easily penetrate way beyond this standard, typically leave a tiny hole with very little damage. And of course, it makes sense that a larger frontal or side bullet area tearing through, will slow down faster, not penetrate as far and cause more damage. So to me, the no more than 18" penetration (about 20" in clear gel) is still an excellent standard to judge ammo by, as if they are of decent power (not .22 LR) and have expanded or yawed and came to a stop close to 18" penetration, this is just a secondary confirmation that the test did well.

I removed a troll comment that was rude and YELLING about why I would stretch a spring, and not replace it with a Wolff spring. This is why I get irritated sometimes, as I will on some days get like 35 different people trolling me with similar stupidity. It's rather funny though, as his advice would have entailed....stopping video production, going home. Ordering a new spring, waiting a week for it. Then installing new spring....and then going back out and resuming filming the video where I left off. I know some people have good intentions, but if you have advice - have more sense than that with your advice.

your speed and accuracy with the .380 was pure devastation on the steel

My 1974 real world experience was with my issued revolver, a Colt DS thirty-eight. It was fired on a dark parking lot so all I saw was the suspect’s muzzle flash directed at me across the hoods of our cars. My gun had to be reloaded w/a speed loader under fire and I managed four center mass hits. The other 8 rounds went into the car close to the suspect as he moved around inside his car trying to get at me. This event is why I trust a J Frame revolver over a small .380 for personal protection. Good video Sam. Really cannot recall if I shot one handed or used both hands to grip the weapon, but your mag dump represents how I fired under the stress of a real world gunfight.

Great test, Sam! Your observation that even a non-expanded HP beats FMJ takes me back to the 1970’s, when we didn’t have good low velocity pistol HP ammo, and Col. Cooper recommended a good hard cast SWC over FMJ.

My first handgun was a Sig Sauer 380 back in 1994. I trained with it, shot bullseye with it, carried it and reloaded for it. That 380 was my companion for a decade before I moved on to other more powerful things. Now that I'm getting older and have some arthritis in my hands, 380 sounds pretty good once again.

For decades I thought that at 30' it was ok to shoot the bad guy. I'd go to the range and use the smallest target and just do a semi fast mag drop. No warming up first. This was with a 180 gr .40. My goal back then was to hit the paper. At 70 years old I now practice one handed. I suck but still do it.I use the large targets that have the good spots outlined. At the moment I carry an all steel .380. I don't have confidence that 1 or 2 shots is enough so I mag drop. Thank you Edward B for the ammo and Mr Sam for the tests.

Point shooting (instinctual shooting) is much more important, imo. Too many people practice with too much emphasis on pinpoint accuracy, when its much more important to hone your instinctual ability. I agree “aim small, miss small”, but you dont “aim” in an emergency situation, you instinctually react. As impressive as the fiocchi was here, i cant help but remember how varied the results have been with the brand overall. Thank you for another great video. It really does help me get to thinking about what it is that I prioritize when choosing ammo/calibers.

Those Fiocchi defense dynamics performed well. Definitely good to practice shooting from different positions! Me and some friends found out years ago 380 is easier to shoot and control. We shot 45,40, 9 mm and 380. Draw and shoot the 380 definitely stood out. I kinda like the ARX for quick follow ups. They also penetrate well. Great test!

with my age and other things, the 380 EZ I shoot makes all the difference in my accuracy compared to the larger calibers in the past. up to 20 yards, I have become very confident I am not going to miss target with rapid fire. I was impressed with the Fiocchi ammo as I had trouble with the FMJ Fiocchi always messing up on the range so didn't even try the JHP since other brands seemed much more reliable. Now I may need to get a box and run it through my EZ to see if it will work. thanks as always for a great perspective on ammo and guns.

I like .380 and carry because it is easier to conceal and control. Maybe also because it was my 1st pistol caliber. I typically load fnfmj because no worry against larger targets or barrier penetration. Thank you Sam! Stay safe.

That’s right my man can’t always choose the situation were in!!!

Yes, Thank You Sam! I just bought my 1st 380 this year, for a number of the reasons you have said. Yes I have 9mm & 45 too, but my 380 can be shot so fast and kept on target, its really something to think about in high stress situations. I know I am more accurate, and more comfortable. I shoot my 9mm pretty well but I know I can the 380 without even thinking. I Did Not buy a micro pocket pistol LCP, but chose a larger G19 size ,15+1 Ruger Security, also for because it shoots soo much better for my large size hands, The wider doublestack grip is much more comfortable too. You should check out some Atomic Ammo with Hornady's 90gr XTP's loaded in nickel plated cases, at 1100fps, if you can. I just bought a bunch because of another channels tests. Its 100FPS faster than Hornady's loading of it, and it always expanded in his testing. It comes in nice reloadeable, nickel plated cases unlike Hornady and Federal these days. Great tests and commentary, as always Gun Sam.

Wife’s 380 EZ performance center is among the most fun guns to shoot at night with their hi viz sights. Shooting Fiocchi It does well compared to my twice the price Kimber K6. As always great vid and nice shooting, Sammy.Semper Fi🇺🇸

Not too long ago 9mm couldn't keep up with .45. Not too long ago .380 wouldn't have been trusted at all. Now, with modern loads, they are ALL much more on par. Another GREAT video Sam~!

Thank you Sam. I sometimes carry a 380 due to what I'm wearing. I'm going to watch for some of the Fiocchi to have on hand.

Now that most of the country is living in the temperatures sent to us from Hades..I have been carrying my Spectrum .380acp. It's lighter than my Walther PPK . I do not feel "undergunned" with my .380.. great video..

Very good information, details, demo & perspective. Thanks a bundle.

Yet again, another informative, no-nonsense video with great walk away information for me. Thanks.

Being fast and accurate is exactly why .380 is my choice of calibers for carry. I'm only satisfied with my 9mm performance if I'm using a larger handgun. The problem with that is I found a gun of that size and weight sort of cumbersome to carry at times, especially in my line of work. On the other hand, a pocket .380 like the LCP Max is a nice size to carry, but way too snappy for me to shoot well. I finally found the perfect in between size with the P365-380, and I carry it more or less every day.

as always good presentation i can tell you put a lot of work in to your videos and i thank you for it!

Good theories & good tests of theories!

Thank you Sam for this highly informative post on advantages of 380 ACP with spontaneous shooting and use of muscle memory. Also, appreciate the test of various types of ammos.

I love the 380. Thanks for the review/demo.

Love the 4 or 5 shot dump exercise.

To me it looked like the ARX did as well as the JHP in most of the tests performed, while having less recoil than the JHP. Seems like a winner to me. Price to me would be the determining factor! Great test, and always interesting.

GS. Good video. Another look at some interesting ammo. Thanks for sharing and take care.

You have touched on one of the factors that almost no one considers!!!! I started shooting timed defensive drills 2 years ago. I had a 365 9mm that I just loved but in those drills it became apparent that I couldn’t shoot the gun worth a damn in those drills. I found that with a bigger gun I was much better. Due to the cost of ammo I would occasionally mix in my Taurus TX 22 and I went from bottom of the barrel horrible to rock star!!!! In talking to the range officers that told me I needed a bigger gun. I tried a Glock 26 with a pinky attachment and was able to run those drills satisfactorily but still no where near what I could do with my 22. Last January I rented a 365-380 and was completely astounded!!! I’m so close to matching the same performance that I achieved with the 22 in my timed drills. Just last week I stepped up to running a similar drill that you demonstrated with your mag dump. No problem with the 365-380 and sorta ok with the Glock. There is something to be said for being able to dump copious amounts of lead down range with a decent degree of accuracy, thank you for saying it!!!

Great evaluations. Glad I found your channel. Good common sense approach. I had to go to the .380 for carry due to hand issues and I couldn't believe, as you pointed out, just how much better my hit ratio is. Keep up the good work.

I really like the different aspects of defensive shooting that you test. I recently had to go to the 380 due to issues with my hands. Further, I also own the Shield EZ 380 and appreciate your use of it in your evaluations of 380 ammo. Thanks for the great videos and tests of the 380.

Very impressive tests. I might re-consider the .380 ammo. Well done Sam!!

I love the 380 for just that reason. Easy to shoot and make hits. I quit carrying my 9mm for the 380 EZ (love that gun). Making hits is what's necessary to defeat the bad guy(s). AND I'm getting older and can handle the 380 with ease. I really like your videos!

Very interesting! Thanks Sam!

★ ABSOLUTELY great test. It spoke! Will be looking for some of that ammo. I've got some of fiocci's fmj I've never ran (yet), but that hp round looks like a winner. Much appreciated, G.S., ...Thank you.

Thanks Sam! Never thought I'd think so, but the EZ sounds pretty good to me, finely!

Several years ago I bought a large supply of the old Fiocchi nickel plated Extrema's, which are loaded with the XTP 90 grain due to the old Shooting the Bull RU-vid test of .380 ammo. It has never once malfunctioned in either of my LCP's. Hopefully they wil count if the chips are down.

Another great video, thanks

Another awesome review and video Sam!

We have a winner! NorthwoodsTesting has done multiple shots through 4 layer Organic Gel & 4 layer clear ballistics from lcp and 42...the 42 seems to get expansion Organic gel...the lcp probably 50/50...no expansion in the less dense Clear Gel...but good penetration numbers all around. If they feed in ur gun reliably...which 50 rounds gives u enough to test and load one or two for carry I'd use these Fiocchi

I have a RIA .380, but I have a Star BM too. Both are secondary to my Smith M10.

This is an interesting and practical test. I have shot one handed while holding my 25lbs. range bag in my weak-hand to simulate holding back or protecting another person. The Fiocchi Training Dynamics 95 grn JHP did pretty good! Impressive.

Really helps me to better know what ammo to use in my 380's thanks.

great video Sam

I enjoyed this test.

I have a Taurus .380 mini revolver that I can't wait to shoot. I EDC a Glock 42 and also have a P365 in .380, a baby RIA 1911 in .380, my EZ Performance Center and the Hi-Point 3895 carbine in .380. All smooth like butter, fun to shoot and train with.

You make a great point in a real world situation you dont rhink about sights or any thing else

Another great video... Thank you for posting it. When I am in a situation whereas I believe I will only have one had to shoot with; I usually carry a Ruger LCP2 "in .22LR". Yes I know .22LR is not an ideal caliber for self defense. However with 10+1 rounds of CCI Stingers; I shoot the LCP2 fast and accurate. My LCP2 is very well broken in; and functions as reliably with CCI... As any .380 pistol that I have ever shot. 22Lr recoils so lightly, it's very easy to shoot fast and accurate. Another point that I would like to add... I have a reoccurring issue with my right shoulder; and I am right handed. .22LR is the only caliber that I seem to shoot well with "off the hip", without using the sights. When my shoulder is NOT bothering me; and I feel that I will be in a situation where I can shoot with both hands... I carry Either a Bodyguard 380, a S&W 442 .38, or a Shield Plus 9mm. Most "non law enforcement" self defense shootings are usually under 4 yards; and often less than 2 yards!

Excellent testing Sam! Thanks to Edward B for his contributions to the channel testing with ammo types. Well done both if you and thank you both for all you! Bravo! ♠️🎩🎯🇺🇸🏹

Your videos are very good real world good info. Thanks

Great video. Thanks

This really rekindles my thoughts on how much i wonder about flat point bullets over fmj.

I agree that in a situation where time is important, you dont have time too get a perfect sight picture but too go with the muscle memory and fire in the direction of the threat before the threat can fire at you. Great video and I do carry a 380EZ or a 9mm EZ.

Good test. I carry on my 380 Barnes.

As always, intelligent considerations & realistic & honest testing! So; I saw a vid where Hornady American Gunner XTP performed excellently in some testing. Was done on Northwoods Testing channel. Now, you've really got me thinking (always a dangerous endeavor)...do I maybe see a Beretta Cheetah in my future...? Lol

Ol’ John Browning knew what he was doing, when he designed the 380.

👍😊🎯 it’s manageable.

The whole point of these medium size 380's like the shield is for people that have low hand strength and recoil sensitivity so that ARX round looks like it could be the ideal balance for a lot of people. Great test.

Gun Sam and the Real World!!!!!!!!!

I’m 76 and shoot At targets printed on standard paper even my misses hit the paper 10 rounds in 10 seconds 10 yards love the 380 EZ

Yes, good stuff! -Gunny T sends

Filed 7/7/23

Why I got the Ruger Security 380. Fast quick shooting nice to see

Love the results! But man, you're killing me on my choice of what weapon to buy. Been debating on buying a .380 weapon for my CCW or going with traditional 9mm micro or a .38 snubby/3 incher. Your data on the .380 and .38 special really makes me consider this caliber for self defense.

I think that it is a shame that a Keith Style wad cutter in 100g is not made for the 380 ACp as the Keith Style of Wad cutter creates a lot of hydraulic shock. Buffalo Bore ammo rules in the 380 and with my rugers, I exchanged the factory spring for the 14 lb recoil spring so I would not tear the pistol up with the Buffalo bore ammo. Never forget that you may have to shoot through heavy clothing in the Winter. Love your video's Gun Sam!

I have .45, 9mm, 380 ACP, .22 Mag and .22LR semi-auto pistols. The most accurate is the .22LR in fast fire situations so the best compromise for me has always been 380 ACP (to get self-defense ballistics). Actually, my .45 caliber (Sig P220) with RDO is pretty good too but takes longer to get back on target.

I carry 68gr xtreme defenders in my G42, they will usually cause more damage than an fmj and the damage ismt possibly blunted by any clothes vs. a hollowpoint in this round. Just my personal choice, especially in Michigan where half the gear people have a lot of layers on and id rather know the round will do what its supposed to more reliably. I only usually carry 380 in the summer though, but you get my point darnit.

I've been watching you and your latest love affair with the 380 EZ. I've been shooting my 380EZ for a couple years , people tell me it doesn't have any penetration my comment is , shoot FMJ. You have to get the rounds on target first . Your shooting ability shows that 100% Hot rounds in my pistol like +p I have issues with feeding ,its also mentioned in the owners manual. I load my 95 grain bullets to about 900 FPS , 90 grain to about 950-1000. It feeds a lot better. My Browning Black Lable doesn't care it shoots everything.

I carry Underwood Extreme Defender or Black Hills Honey Badgers (Bullets made by Lehigh) in my 380. They are barrier blind when shot through denim etc. Best ammo out there…..for me anyway 👍

My edc is a ppks .380. Loaded with fmjs. Nuff said 😊

Debate for me ended after shooting the Glock 43X....the perfect carry gun...no snap.... great GRIP.

Something like a Smith & Wesson easy shield 380 may also be better for people who can't handle the recoil of 9 mm.. and believe me there are some

Another excellent video as always... My only issue is it would be nice to see more tests with the LCP which I think more people and myself included are more inclined to be carrying if they decide to carry a 380. If I'm going to carry something as large as the EZ pistol then I will be carrying a similar size 9mm.

Great performance from a Fiocci JHP?! I note that the FMJ didn't jam with either mag but the JHP did. I suspect few of us would carry a 380 of that size given all the micro 9s available. But the mousegun is easily carried in denied areas. I've been keeping a JHP in the LCP's chamber followed by FMJ although the phillips screwdriver bullets also seem to perform well and haven't jammed yet. I'd like to fire a few hundred of them before trusting their reliability. Thank you for the great testing!

Interesting results on that fiocci, im going to pick a few boxes up myself now. Side note it kinda looks like s&w has you a little spoiled on rapid fire lol. I recently discovered I need to use my equinox if I try shooting 9mm fast as possible if I'm trying to get anything remotely close to matching my m&ps.

The Shield EZ is almost identical to the 9mm Glock 43X in size. I have the G48 which has a longer barrel. The 9mm Norma NXD 65 grain which is very similar to the 9mm ARX lowers the recoil considerably and is my carry ammo when I have a semi auto.. The Glocks come with a 10 round mag and PSA has a flush 15 round mag that fits the 43X and 48. The 380 mouse guns with their under 3" barrels had too many ammo problems. The ARX might be the cure. I have been trying to find some 38 spl ARX locally to try but no luck.

WOW!! You've just given me a whole lot to think (re-think??) about!! My current EDC is a Taurus G3C (which I really-really like!) loaded with 124 grain Federal HSTs. Love this round, love the way it shoots, however...now, thinking about real-world scenarios (and, truthfully, we all should), and the possibility of needing multiple rounds downrange quickly, I'm starting to think that 10 hits with a good .380 would probably be better than, say, 2 hits with my 9mm. I own both a LCP Max, and a Ruger Security .380, and have put MANY rounds through each with zero issues (yes, I've heard the stories of problems with both, but personally I've experienced none with either). I just got my new Alien Gear Cloak-Tuck 3.5 for my Taurus, but I wonder how my Security .380 will fit(??) Probably not even close!!🤔😄

Almost talking myself into getting rid of my 9mm edc and moving to .380

Underwood extreme defender+p in 380 paired with my bersa thunder edc. Perfect match.

Well done! I appreciated your thinking and approach. The .380 ACP round may be the most well rounded cartridge for personal defense.

I have the 380 EZ too and of 4 mags I got one that will stove pipe pretty much every time

A strange thing with critical defense is it usually doesn’t expand in clothing through gel but did in 2 of Paul Harrels videos through the meat target, every round, heard testimonies it expanded in a real home invader, but like what you said at the beginning about non expanding hp’s, is everytime Ive seen a non expanding critical defense in the gel, it always did insane damage. Like it tumbled its butt off, but still kept straight line penetration. They seemed to always do wound channels and penetration similar to 9mm hst. Everyone still called it a fail since it didn’t expand, but Ive seen it do the exact same thing everytime, in at least 10 different videos, that I wouldn’t be to afraid to carry it if I had to.

The military went to flat nose Fmj , but I have never seen them for civilian use.

Hi, my friend.❤❤ I shoot the plate 2 weeks ago by Hornedy's critical defense halo point, Wasn't effective, So I love bigger caliber.

I know its been said before, but i totally agree you your practice in different weird positions, as well as firing without trying to get a perfect soght picture. In the real world, you probably wont have time for that, let alone will you even be thinking about it. Thats actually why I particularly like 380; the recoil is so manageable that its so much easier to throw rounds on target in a real world scenario. And like you said, the confidence i have in myself knowing i can do that is HUGE compared to my confidence with 9mm.

Now Fiocci vs Hornady Critical Defense. Good vídeo!!

Discovered your channel a couple years ago and have been a fan ever since. Thanks for your time and effort showing how guns and ammo work in real life. Regarding the over penetration producing fatal results on a second person issue - can you do a test with FMJ ammo and then move the second gel block back 12" and repeat the test to see if the "air gap" changes the depth of penetration ? Thanks for your good work.

I would like to see if the 90 grain JHP would expand in the 2.5-inch barrel.

So, just an update: I mentioned before that i saw a vid in which the hornady american gunner .380 90 gr xtp did well; as it were, just viewed another in which both that round & the crit def ftx failed to expand through 4 layers of heavy denim into gel, fired from an lcp. Seems like .380 can be a wild card. Based on your testing , which i think includes the most realistic variables, though, if (when?) I get a .380, i'd go with that fiocchi.

Precision One makes a .380 using XTP bullets that aces the FBI protocols.

👍 would like to see a flat nose 380 tested. Winchester white box.

I will always take fmj over hollow point the more penetration the better

Often wondered where to keep my gun handy when in the suv.

My wife has a Ruger security lite 380 and the fiochi jammed like crazy. Same thing with Hornady self defense rounds. It’s been frustrating trying to find reliable ammo.

Probably need to bend the feed lips on the mag a bit. I've had to do that with half of the 380 magazines I've ever owned, they need to be precise. I started where you did, stretching the mag springs. Didn't do it. I just held a good mag up to problem mag and scrutinized the angles and whatnot until I saw the differences, adjusted accordingly. Maybe I just got lucky, but it worked.

Wolff gunsprings makes extra power magazine springs for the EZ now

My max-9 and lcp both jammed on the first magazine but hundreds of rounds later through both they never jammed again after the first mag, not one time

Is there a reason that you opt for a 380 handgun instead of just light loaded 9mm ammo? A light loaded 9mm handgun makes more sense to me for a reduced recoil application. Curious what you think.

So the discontinued Underwood item 152 and now the +p xtp seem to be the best .380 hollowpoints. And obviously extreme defenders for barriers. But one thing I find strange is the critical defense seems to hardly, if at all, expand in gel through clothing, but it always expands for Paul Harrels meat target in at least two different videos, and Ive heard testimonies from people that they sent it through a home invaders collar bone and other areas, and they came out looking like golf balls, and he took the room temp challenge. But another strange thing with critical defense, like what you said at the beginning about non expanding hp’s, is everytime Ive seen a non expanding critical defense in the gel, it always did insane damage. Like it tumbled its butt off, but still kept straight line penetration. They seemed to always do wound channels and penetration similar to 9mm hst. Everyone still called it a fail since it didn’t expand, but Ive seen it do the exact same thing everytime, in at least 10 different videos, that I wouldn’t be to afraid to carry it if I had to.

👍👍

Have you tried the Hornady "Critical Defense" .380 with the ballistic tip? Paul Harrell tried and liked it on the 'meat target'. The HP didn't clog up with cloth and expanded nicely with decent penetration, etc. However, it ain't cheap...