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What .380 ammo are you carrying?

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  • AKM

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    Well I'm a little ashamed, but I got a glock 42 to carry some and can't decide what round to go with. I don't think I want any of the low recoil stuff, big as I am recoil won't be an issue really.

    I've never owned a .380 and my confidence isn't high, but a sub compact seemed like a good option.

    Anyway what are you carrying?
     

    Ranger550

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    Well I'm a little ashamed, but I got a glock 42 to carry some and can't decide what round to go with. I don't think I want any of the low recoil stuff, big as I am recoil won't be an issue really.

    I've never owned a .380 and my confidence isn't high, but a sub compact seemed like a good option.

    Anyway what are you carrying?

    I pack a .45 ACP. The .380 is much too light for me. However its a good round for
    a deep undercover weapon. SWIK, has a Bersa in .380 and loves it.
     

    AKM

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    I pack a .45 ACP. The .380 is much too light for me. However its a good round for
    a deep undercover weapon. SWIK, has a Bersa in .380 and loves it.

    So what you're saying is you have no clue what a good 380 round is, thanks.
     
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    MTA

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    Hey, no shame in carrying a Glock 42. That is my hot as balls carry here in Texas. Currently I carry Federal 90 grain Hydra-Shok JHPs. I have found these to be the most accurate out of the 42 and most reviews I have seen have been very positive when it comes to expansion

    These ones since they look like the HST box:
    federal.jpg


    I have also tried out Barnes TAC XPD 80 grain and it was very accurate as well. I will admit I hadn't even looked online or youtube for a review on this ammo, I had a passing recommendation from a guy at a gun store so you may want to research it before you look into it. My wife carries it in her PK380 and Sig P238 and it is extremely accurate out of both of those guns. I will be trying out Federal HSTs as soon as I can find them. They are always sold out whenever I get into a store. Supposedly they are an outstanding round in the realm of expansion + accuracy.

    Look for this box:
    barnes.jpg


    Since you have a G42, I thought I would mention something else, I have tested out and now carry the Strike Industries +2 mag plate extension. It is inexpensive and gives you another two rounds:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Strike-Ind...451460&hash=item41d86e4ab7:g:g8IAAOSw241YmBxK

    I have put 5-600 rounds through my gun with these extensions and have had zero issues so if you are looking for a little more capacity, they are good to go imo. I carry a flush mag and have an extended mag I keep in my pocket. Extremely lightweight and I get 15 rounds between both mags
     

    DwnRange

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    Precision One +P has the best penetration and expansion of any 380 round out there, except FMJ and the +P version is recommended for your G42 (runs or rather "ran" 100% in mine, which got appropriated by my daughter-n-law while my son snagged my G43........, kids, what can ya say - at least she's got the best round for SD loaded in it)

    ps - recommend viewing "ShootingtheBull410's" videos on youtube and all my 42 & 43 mags are running TaranTactical's +1, +2 & +3 extensions and like all my Glocks a 3.5# trigger
     
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    Kar98

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    JMhVdn6.jpg


    Both in the wife's Glock 42 and my PPK/S. Sometimes you really need to conceal.
     

    AKM

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    Cool I'll check that video out, I think I read his write up but I can't remember.

    Definitely getting some aluminum +2 base plates for it. I really wanted a 43, but sometimes you can't pass on a good deal. I know .380 is still deadly but it's just mental I guess since I'm used to seeing higher numbers for penetration and energy.
     

    ZX9RCAM

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    Buffalo Bore +P FMJ, for penetration, like Moonpie says.
    I'm not too recoil sensitive, but after shooting 2 mags through my TCP I've had enough.

    Just be sure your gun is +P rated.
     

    DwnRange

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    Buffalo Bore +P FMJ, for penetration, like Moonpie says.
    I'm not too recoil sensitive, but after shooting 2 mags through my TCP I've had enough.

    Just be sure your gun is +P rated.

    Your TCP ain't +P rated and as shown below, w/ almost 4 FOOT of penetration are NOT something one should even consider using for a 380 self-defense round.


    ps - you'll also note there, he used a 9mm pistol to test these rounds due to the concerns he had using this ammunition in his own TCP
     

    ZX9RCAM

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    Your TCP ain't +P rated and as shown below, w/ almost 4 FOOT of penetration are NOT something one should even consider using for a 380 self-defense round.


    ps - you'll also note there, he used a 9mm pistol to test these rounds due to the concerns he had using this ammunition in his own TCP

    Manual which came with mine states it is.

    ETA: Just checked the manual, and can't find it mentioned. I did read somewhere that they were ok.
     
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    studenygreg

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    Regular ole ball ammo for me. I pocket carry a colt mustang pocketlite while at work in scrubs because I haven't figured out how to make a 5" 1911 work in scrubs yet.

    Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk
     

    DwnRange

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    Here is something to check out. At least it will give a good idea where to start.

    https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP

    Very good information there which I knew about, as I buy ammo from LG. They have excellent tech resource articles there and are worth checking out if one is so inclined, all of them, very interest one on 223 vs 5.56 and 5.56 use in 223 chambers, also 7.62 in 308 chambers - just a couple things note here though in their 380 test info......

    The XTP bullet performed essentially the same for LG as it did for ShootingtheBull410 and you''ll notice there's no Precision One XTP or Fiocchi XTP in their test. (I have no doubt had they include P1 and the Fiocchi both would have passed as StB410 knows his stuff and has tested both the standard and +P versions of the P1 ammo)

    They use several different "consistency" layers of clothing vs StB410's 4 layers of heavy denim, he was looking for a "worse" case senario.

    And they used pistols with a slightly longer barrel lengths than say the TCP, LWS "Seecamp", Ruger LCP or the venerable "all metal" Colt Mustang.
     
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