Performance
The .380 ACP is compact and light, but has a relatively short range and less stopping power than other modern pistol cartridges. According to gun author Massad Ayoob, "Some experts will say it's barely adequate, and others will say it's barely inadequate." Even so, it remains a popular self-defense cartridge for shooters who want a lightweight pistol with manageable recoil. It is slightly less powerful than a standard-pressure .38 Special and uses 9 mm (.355 in) diameter bullets. The heaviest bullet that can be safely loaded into the .380 ACP is 115 grains (7.5 g), though the standard has long been 85, 90 or 95 grains (5.5, 5.8 or 6.2 g). The .380 has had something of a recent upsurge in popularity with the increase of concealed carry laws, as have the compact and inexpensive pistols that make use of it. Popular pistols chambered in .380 ACP include the SIG Sauer P238, Beretta .380, Walther PPK/S, Bersa Thunder 380, SIG Sauer P230/P232, Kel-Tec P-3AT, Smith & Wesson BODYGUARD 380, Diamondback DB380, Kahr P380, Ruger LCP and Taurus TCP 738. Glock also produces models in .380, though they are not available to the U.S. market because they do not earn enough "points" for importation under Federal law.
The wounding potential of bullets is often characterized in terms of a bullet's expanded diameter, penetration depth, and energy. Bullet energy for .380 ACP loads varies from roughly 190 to 220 ft·lbf. The table below shows common performance parameters for several .380 ACP loads. Bullet weights ranging from 85 to 95 grains are common. Penetration depths from 6.5 inches to 17 inches are available for various applications and risk assessments.
| Manufacturer | Load | Mass (grains) | Velocity (ft/s) | Energy (ft•lbf) | Expansion (inches) | Penetration (inches) | PC (in3) | TSC (in3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATOMIC Ammo | Bonded JHP | 90 | 1100 | 241 | 0.64 | 12.0 | NA | NA |
| Cor-Bon | JHP +P | 90 | 1050 | 220 | 0.58 | 9.0 | 2.38 | 15.7 |
| Federal | HydraShok JHP | 90 | 1000 | 200 | 0.58 | 10.5 | 2.77 | 21.0 |
| Winchester | Silvertip JHP | 85 | 1000 | 189 | 0.63 | 6.5 | 2.03 | 10.6 |
| CCI/Speer | JHP | 88 | 1000 | 196 | 0.36 | 17.0 | 1.73 | 9.1 |
| Hornady | XTP | 90 | 1000 | 200 | 0.44 | 11.8 | 1.73 | 9.1 |
| Federal | FMJ | 95 | 955 | 193 | 0.36 | 17 | 1.73 | 8.7 |
Key:
- Expansion – expanded bullet diameter (ballistic gelatin).
- Penetration – penetration depth (ballistic gelatin).
- PC – permanent cavity volume (ballistic gelatin, FBI method).
- TSC – temporary stretch cavity volume (ballistic gelatin).
Read more about this topic: .380 ACP
Famous quotes containing the word performance:
“The way to go to the circus, however, is with someone who has seen perhaps one theatrical performance before in his life and that in the High School hall.... The scales of sophistication are struck from your eyes and you see in the circus a gathering of men and women who are able to do things as a matter of course which you couldn’t do if your life depended on it.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)
“O world, world! thus is the poor agent despised. O traitors and bawds, how earnestly are you set a-work, and how ill requited! Why should our endeavour be so loved, and the performance so loathed?”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“The honor my country shall never be stained by an apology from me for the statement of truth and the performance of duty; nor can I give any explanation of my official acts except such as is due to integrity and justice and consistent with the principles on which our institutions have been framed.”
—Andrew Jackson (1767–1845)