Is The Spice Worth The Price?...Buffalo Barnes .380 acp Self-Defense Ammo Ballistic Gel Test!
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- Checking out some copper expanding defensive ammo from Buffalo Bore. Does the performance justify the high cost? Heavy clothing ballistic gel test using a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 and M&P EZ!
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Even after the powerful, wrist crushing 25 acp test, you sacrifice yourself to suffer thru another test. You da man. Lol
😂I could hardly lift these hand cannons after the powerful .25 battered me so bad!🤭
I love the 380 as a summer carry option for work. I appreciate all your 380 tests. Thanks for your time and effort putting out great videos and information.
Appreciate that.😎👊
Buffalo Bore makes a 100gr HCFP+P It's the only way to fly in my opinion and they are snappy 🇺🇸👍🏼
I can carry at work but 100% concealment is required in 'office casual' attire (which, for me, usually means Dockers type pants and polo shirts). For that reason an LCP is my most often carried firearm. I would prefer a larger wheel gun but it is what it is. For that reason I also really appreciate that you test so much .380 even though it isn't exactly your 'favorite' round.
My concern about '+P' .380 is that, unless something has changed in the last, few years, there is officially no, such thing as in there are no SAAMI specs or standards for what would constitute .380 +P - again, unless something has changed. So, with .380 the +P could be anything from simple marketing to some super-hot, barnstormer round that is possibly going to grenade a small, carry gun. When there are standard pressure .380 rounds that give some expansion (not as impressive as these) and better penetration it would be hard for me to choose a +P round for my EDC. But different folks is why there are different strokes and, again, I appreciate seeing the results of your tests.
@@JAB671 Buffalo Bore offers a 100gr HCFP in standard and +P for .380 and they are spicy..
I have two Glock 25s and two Glock 42s. You can say I like the 380 round quite a bit I'll tell you though my favorite round is those G2 RIP rounds for self-defense and that's the only thing that gun is good for in my mind. Or that caliber I should say. They are expensive but if you're going to carry a 380 there is nothing that's going to touch those. They dump all their energy within 7 in with exception of the main projectile which keeps going about another five in ballistic gel I'm telling you if you want to carry a 380 for self-defense brother you need to check out those G2 rip rounds They are unreal. They make them for the 9 mm at the 10 mm and the 12 gauge but because the limited power of the 380 I think they make the most difference there. I do carry them also in my 9 mm and sometimes depending on what I'm doing in my 10 mm. Mainly I have about 500 rounds for each caliber so far of that particular type as my s h t f plan. The rest of them will be hollow point plus P's more than likely. I'm new at this so you probably already know everything I'm talking about and have already tried them but just trying to help. I was really really impressed with the gel test zombie head tests and even when they were wearing armor the amount of stopping power with these rounds had. And with a 380 especially in my Glock 25 you can throw enough rounds at them where it doesn't matter if one bullet doesn't have enough stopping power cuz you got 15 and that's if you don't have extended mags or another pistol which I always carry too.
Thank you for continuing to test 380 ammo Tools!
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Thanks for throwing us a 380 bone from time to time!
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Thanks for the 380 videos. I pocket carry. 380, 32 hr magnum and .327 magnum. These videos have saved me a lot of time a money👍
@@thomastune776 I've been thinking about 32 hr magnum for my daughter
@@isaaccutlip5815 , Smith and wesson 632UC or Ruger LCR IN 327. both will shoot 32 H&R magnum. Both will easily fit in your pocket. Both hold 6 rounds and do not have external hammers. Point and shoot. No complications. Recoil is VERY low. My daughter is tiny and can easily manage 1 handed shooting.
I pocket carry a snubbie most times
It blows my mind that you don’t have more followers. I’ll pray you get a million, by far the best ammunition testing RUclips channel, God bless, peace and blessings.
Well. Now that Paul harrel is no longer with us rip Paul.
Some folks just can't admit they like the "funny talking guy in the goofy hat."😉
You talk like your from where I’m from and that hat is sweet.
@@ryanupchurch9683 Appreciate ya.😎👊
@@ToolsandTargetsappreciate you. If I have your ear may I suggest some m1 carbine ammo testing. Maybe gold dot and dpx or any m1 carbine content
I have a shield 45acp, a 9mm sig p365, a smith n wesson 642, but 90% of the time i find myself carrying a Kimber micro 380, after finding good performing rounds, i feel comfortable carrying a 380 year round. I run hornady critical defense, but ive also ran hornady american gunner and it performs well too, thabks for abother 380 consideration!
380 is usually my summer carry but with some of your recent tests it might just turn into my year round carry. Thanks for putting out a lot of 380 content, I love it along with all your other stuff!
I am still using Critical Defense for this caliber. Good test I will stick with it.
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Need do a few updated ones with the bodyguard 2.0.
Just the available testing you’ve done, thanks.
The older I get the more often I find myself throwing a 380 in my pocket instead of messing with a larger piece. While the defiants still did better these was one of the better performing options I’ve seen.
When it comes to .380 my recommendations for most any gun is Hornady Critical Defense or Wilson Combat XTP. Buffalo Bore is an excellent brand for niche use though.
I have the Walther PK380 and I simply don't waste my time with hollow point ammo.
I really like the pk380 and loaded with ball ammo will do the job, it puts holes in the target, easy to shoot and love the single/double action hammer fired gun.
I almost forgot I have a .380 PPK. I just bought mine to have in the collection mainly. Very nice looking guns.
Very nice classic T&T 👍 @@ToolsandTargets
Just to be clear :
Are you telling us , that it is your personal preference to carry .380 FMJ , because you place emphasis on Penetration ? ( A somewhat common position , and not without some validity )
Or are you telling us that your Pistol doesn't function reliably with JHP ?
Agree!
Both the Underwood 90gr XTP +P and Defiant Muntions' 80gr TCX had a lot more penetration out of the EZ (14.25", 16.5"), even out of the LCP Max (12.5"), and produced larger wound channels.
Considering that the UW is $1pr, ($0.75pr on sale), these BB at $2pr are definitely not delivering 2x more performance!
Thanks for this test, the Bodyguard 2.0 is on my list for next purchase.
Tools - it was good to see the copper open up as expected.
I'm still convinced prioritizing penetration via the old hardcast is still the way to go w/ the 380 pocket action...
Thank you for the test, Sir. Lots of rounds being scrutinized that I've been wondering about!!
I'm with ya on that one.😎👊
Yes or fmj flat nose
Underwood's 'Cherry Bomb' Hard Cast 100gr +P says "Hold my beer!" "Full Pull"!😃
@@MeMadeIt 💪💪💪😂
Thank you for the great video. You are easily one of the RUclipsrs I trust the most. I’d love to see you test the Buffalo Bore 27E 380 standard pressure hardcast. I just bought a Bodyguard 2.0 and S&W doesn’t recommend +P ammo.
Another good one tools ! nice flowers on those ! I carry 380 alot and would run these but im stocked up on some that perform better you have already tested so im good !
Thank you sir.😎👊
Punch?
38 has come a long way, the best 380 I have seen.. this gives me more faith in ol 380..
I got my wife the S&W PC EZ 380, I got her some of the copper and it does some really good damage to watermelon and pumpkins with cotton and jean material. She's in her upper 60's with arthritis and loves the S&W PC EZ 380.
These EZ's are some of the nicest shooting guns I have. Between me and my wife, we have four of them in a few different calibers.
@@ToolsandTargetssame here, just wish they had a higher capacity magazine
I really like 380 test. I carry 380 HST in summer shorts in my Glock 42. The price of the Buffalo Barns is the turn-off for me. Great test , thanks! 🤠
Agreed. It's not that it did bad, just nowhere near good enough for the huge cost.
@@ToolsandTargets underwood is the king of 380 lol
I enjoy 380 testing the most. 9mm or greater we expect performance, but 380 testing is a true requirement.
Nice expansion and disruption, not enough penetration. Ball’s looking better in 380 with every test. Thanks for the jelly test Tools!
Nothing wrong with ball ammo. Underwood defender is another great choice.
If you listen carefully, you can hear Tool’s LCP Max crying out from the garbage can.
🤣🤣🤣
It's checking with HR to see of it can draw unemployment
In some countries, they only allow 380 acp, not 9mm. Loads like this can help the citizens self defense situations.
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Thanks for the 380 and bodyguard testing Tools!
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Ball ammo for me. 380 ACP. (PMC). Thanks for the share!!
I Summer carry a first gen LCP and Buffalo Bore or Corbon ammo is my load of choice.
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I recently got one of the new bodyguards, I'm subscribing for more 380 tests! It can be a bit picky about ammo geometry due to the split feed ramp, I'm glad to see these ones feed without issue
The Mrs. is carrying that Underwood xtp plus now Tools. Thanks for testing these for us.
That's the way to go in my opinion. Better performance and much less cost.😎👊
Due to 380 ACP's low energy, expanding rounds come at the cost of effective penetration. Underwood +p XP still seems to be the most effective round for both disruption and penetration in this caliber. Add to that they are barrier blind and perform with a 100% reliability rate.
I just bought the Bodyguard 2.0 the other day and will be picking it up soon, and am eager to find out what will be effective while being functional. Thanks for these tests, brother!
Thank you for your thorough tests and how you do it a lot of people crap on the 380 but hey for the money and size as you can see time and time again it's worth it.
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I carry a tiny 380 everyday. Ive watched all your tests and fmj is what use. If i was going to use a hollow point id probably go with the punch.
Smart choice if you ask me. 😎👊
That 99 grain punch is fierce
These videos have really helped me eliminate a lot of guess work and waste of money as far as my ammo and weapon choices. I have 2G 42s and 2G 25s which are 380 autos. I absolutely love those guns. Depending on what I do I carry the 25s as my primaries and the 42s one on each ankle. Now obviously this is strictly for anti-personnel. But with tests like this with the plus P ammunition and other channels I've seen do tests on specialty ammo like the G2 rip rounds I just fell in love with the caliber. I think I'll subscribe after this video I really appreciate everything you do for us. Any money I get to save that I get to put down towards more ammunition or guns I am very very grateful for
Comparing this round with sig v-crown for performance and cost as I carry a LCP Max which has the same barrel length as the bodyguard 2.0 and my wife and youngest daughter carry the shield ez. And after your testing, I’m not going to change.
Also, I don’t understand why someone would have to run copper only rounds? Afraid of giving someone lead poisoning? 😂
Sending you some .308 to test this week as you need more videos for that as we get close to deer season. Love your content man! Stay safe and stay strapped!
Appreciate ya, brother! I don't know if there are any states with copper handgun restrictions, but it wouldn't surprise me.😆
Tools&Targets is definitely one of the best GunTubers! I love the information we gain. #2A🔫
Appreciate that, my firend!😎👊
Yep with T&T's ammo testing videos, what you see is what you get results, just honest testing
Thanks for the test! Hopefully we can see some fiocchi defense dynamics 9mm and 40
They’re everywhere and good price for 50 round boxes. They would make a good stockpile option if they’re good 👍🏼🇺🇸 you tested some 10mm awhile back
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👍👍Thanks Tools, appreciate the test.
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I run buffalo bore in my 460 rowland for hunting mainly the hardcast but the hollow points are pretty wicked as well.
Tool's is a ammo testin prophet! this guy never disappoints. 🇺🇲💪🇺🇲💪🇺🇲
Appreciate that, brother!😎👊
He's the new 'ammo boss' of YT.
Thanks!
Thank you sir. Appreciate that.😎👊
Nice. But sticking with my Underwood Xtreme Defenders +P for now
Thanks you Mr Tools. Your effective, honest reviews makes all the choices much easier.
Tools, don't forget that in Brazil they are limited to 380. So, you should translate all your 380 tests to Portuguese and they might appreciate it 🎉
Great test. Appreciate you considering your fan base requests. We love you for it ❤
RUclips has been providing Auto-Translate for videos since 2021. Portuguese speakers should just need to activate it under the Closed Caption (CC).
And off the top of my head , Mexico ( it least it was a couple years ago ) . Definitely, .380 tests would have an International audience .
Thank you sir. I thought all that stuff was done automatically.🤷♂️
For years, when I carry the LCP (not as often these days) I use a single Buffalo Bore’s regular +P HP followed by a bunch of XTPs. Tim Sundles recommendation at the time was solids, but it seems the XTPs are basically solids most of the time anyway. I’m almost always packing a 9 these days anyway, making this a non issue.
Yeah I've come to realize that if I'm carrying anyway, there isn't a whole lot of difference in carrying something a little bigger.😎👊
@@ToolsandTargets Exactly. These days I’m back to my original carry gun from 2003. Kahr P9. I’ve been tempted to buy a modern micro, but this just works. 😊 LCP still has its place, but it’s a trade off for sure.
I've been very impressed with the Barnes Tac-XP it seems the more velocity you throw at it the better it performs. I carry Underwood's +p+ in my 9mm and my wife carries the factory Barnes load in her 10mm 1911. Awesome test Tools! When I do get the bodyguard 2.0 this will be the load I carry with it
Yeah, you can tell these would take a lot more and stay together.
Was just looking at ordering these. Thanks for getting the info for us
Super expensive.
Thank you for doing .380 tests from time to time. I’m confident in the performance of my other calibers but .380 can be trash.
I would like to see T and T get a Ruger security 380 and do test with since it's a pretty popular tool.
Interesting. Buffalo must have these loaded hot. I have the regular Barnes TAC xpd in my Sig P238. I’ll seek your vids on that load
very impressive. for factory ammunition buffalo bore is hard to beat . Papa wishing you well 😊
As with any test. It might not be the best, but I wouldn't want to be hit with it. Carry what you are going to keep on you at all times.
Below 9mm 124gr performance are usually inadquate
9mm 124gr +P and 147gr JHP are iffy with regards to a😅ll FBI Ammo Test Protocol Standards.
.40S&W 165gr and heavier is 👍🏼.
Great test! Beautiful petals but completely agree it lacks penetration. Thanks again for all your diligence and hard work!
Thank you sir.😎👊
Nice test Tools! I didn't even Know Barnes made such a high power 380 round. I am gonna go watch you Underwood +P 380 video. I don't need copper and the cost of it. I still like the Fed HST Premium and Atomic Ammos 380. I am always happy to see a new 380 Round I did not know about Tools. Thanks. I imagine in another 10 yrs copper may be all that is sold at some point, But for now we have better options.
The way things are going, we may not be able to buy any ammo in another 10 yrs.😆
Good test, Brian and I agree with you 100%... simply not enough penetration. My .380 gets 1200 fps from the Underwood with the 68 gr. Lehigh Extreme Defenders, which is really high for my AMT Backup. This is probably the best ammo anyone can get in .380. It also gets pretty good penetration for a .380 and is very consistent. It's the only ammo I carry in .380 (actually in all of my carry calibers) and I highly recommend it, especially to those who carry FMJ in their .380! The Lehigh bullet works where we know that an FMJ does not unless it hits something vital, assuming it actually penetrates far enough to do the damage. You just never know with FMJ! No matter if you think the XD bullet is a gimmick, it just might not be and to forsake a bullet that might work (it will!) for one you know won't is downright cheap and foolishly hardheaded! Whatever... you can lead a horse to water but a pencil has to be lead!
Cheers,
jc
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Nice expansion out of the short barrel!
I wish you would do 380 jelly testing with just one or two layers of cotton t-shirt instead of the heavy clothing barrier. 380 is a summer carry for a majority of folks, and t-shirts and shorts are basically what we're going up against. Pretty sure the little 380 will perform differently. Probably not as big of a deal when stepping up to 9mm or larger, but the anemic 380??? Just trying to pick the best 380 carry ammo for summer carry for my wife and myself. Right now carrying Hornady American Gunner XTP 90 grain in our Bodyguard 2.0's.
Bob, don’t stress it. Here’s why. My deer blind is an old falling down horse barn on the family property. It overlooks the feeding area. I’ll always bring a pistol with me when hunting, typically my Kimber Micro .380 or S&W original Bodyguard .380. Thing is, both the deer and hogs walk right past the barn, so I’ll just take the pistol shot. So far, two deer and a handful of hogs, and none ran very far before dropping. I’ve used Rem Golden Sabres, some Hornady defense stuff, and a few reloads with Berry’s hollow points. They all worked about the same.
Great test, Tools! I have seen the "requests" for this test a few times :) Them Barnes TAC-XP open up good... maybe TOO good for max penetration... If I was carrying a .380 and had to carry these, I would alternate these with hardball... Expansion in one round, penetration in the next.......
I have tested Barnes VOR-TX with 110 grain TAC-XP in standard pressure 9mm and the Buffalo Barnes with 110 TAC-XP standard pressure .38 Special, and the Buffalo Barnes.38's peeled back more. The petals on the regular Barnes VOR-TX9 rounds with the TAC-XP rounds out of a 3.1" barrel were at a 90 degree angle, so as wide as the bullet could get, and the 38 were folded back to about a 45 degree angle and penetrated deeper in my water jug tests out of a 2" barrel.... I just dug both rounds out of the safe and it's clear that Barnes doesn't cheap out and load a .355 into both the 9mm and .38 rounds, since even though they are both 110 grain bullets, the ogives are different and the 9mm round has a considerably bigger hollowpoint than the .38 Special bullets do. I don't have a chrono, but even though both are loaded to standard pressure, my guess is that the .38 Special Buffalo Barnes are loaded faster than the Barnes 9mm. Long, long story short, a Barnes copper bullet expands very well, but they need that speed to get the penetration you need. Almost the opposite of a regular lead core bullet that penetrates deeper and expands less with lower velocity
Thank you sir. I have Barnes in quite a few calibers that I still need to do some tests with.
Well….. the shallow penetration .380 gremlin strikes again lol. Those copper rounds always look so good but I prize penetration much more. Definitely too light to punch deep enough especially if bone is hit first. Pass for me. Great test as always of course 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
They are purty.
That thing will easily reach some aggressors heart. Good job testing it!
I've subscribed to your channel not too long ago and was wondering if you ever do any testing on hunting rounds, handgun, rifle and shotgun. Keep up the great work.
Virginia Jelly Contraption!
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Man, thanks for making the investment on these! Very educational. Expanding copper just does not penetrate the way lead does. I'm a fan of copper, but it needs work. And it needs economies of scale. Future competition should make it more affordable, and hopefully, the ammo engineers will trade a little of that expansion for better penetration. Eventually.
decent results for sure but I agree for that price better off going with Underwood or something else.
Very powerful ammo. A steady diet of those would be hard on any 380. Soft recoil spring rates and high slide velocity equals problems down the road.
Even tho I'm too cheap to buy it. Nice testing of this .380 ammo Brand. Thank you.
And the answer is "No!". It's just a 380 ACP, can't make a 9 mm out of it by souping up the pressure. Also considering the additional wear and tear on the guns. The BB rounds look pretty snappy so I would not want to shoot them out of my Ruger LCP. The penetration was a bit shallow but it did expand. Thanks for the video.
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It is what it is
I really like the idea of these tiny .380 pocket pistols, BUT I like the idea of an airlight .38 snubby w/some Underwood .38+ a lot more and those are siginificantly cheaper.
10:27 yes push harder if your tool can take it. 🙄
I’m sorry I couldn’t resist. 😞
Decent penetration for 380 and great expansion tho. 👍🇺🇸👊
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Can you please do a buffalo bore 32acp + p hard cast ? Thank you for another great video
Not a 380 fan here, but still a good test. Keep rocking it brother
Very helpful video. Thanks!
👍🏻😎I run Buffalo Bore 185 grain +P in my EDC Para Expert Commander .45 ACP. I really like that ammo for it.
Yeah, I bet that's good stuff.
Thank's Brother-B Stay Safe.👍🇺🇸
If you want some cheap Copper, try the Sinter Fire/ 1776 70-75gr copper flat points they have the penetration you want. They go on sale occasionally for $15 per box.
I actually have some of those in .380 and 10mm.
I wonder if those fluted rounds would be better for short barrel 380, so you can get the penetration?
Thanks for another great vid Tools.............
Great expansion & a little short on penetration is common in 380. All things considered it's probably still ok if this is what you have available
Yeah, I wouldn't throw it away.
See that's where it shines is the size I have seen 10 mm test from you that are not as big
Tools! Oh thank Goodness, I was so worried you'd never shoot again after that BRUTAL .25 ACP test! Are you alright? Can you feel your hands yet!?
Nice test. I’m surprised that the EZ didn’t penetrate further.
You're looking at this with the wrong perspective .
The very Noteworthy aspect is the Consistency of performance across that much velocity spread in a .380 .
@@BlakeHouse-j3u my perspective is fine. The difference is in expansion. The greater expansion equals energy transfer. There is only an inch difference. I expected two or three.
Thank you, EXCELLENT REVIEW!
That 100gr HCFP+P is a winner in my opinion, made me put my snubby down now all I carry is my LCP..🇺🇸👍🏼
That will do the job.
@@ToolsandTargets From 7 to 15 yards with and extra mag, I feel plenty safe with it🇺🇸👍🏼
It's always give and take with the 380... 😩
...but damn impressive compared to that last 25acp vid! 😂
Great test!
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Although the one bullet has a smaller diameter, at some point in the wound channel, it was at it's maximum diameter before being further pushed back into the final smaller result. If it hadn't, the petals would be facing more foward and not pointing to the back
Wow, I thought this was in you like time but boy was I wrong, in the field it packs the biggest punch out of every 380 round of tested and I have tested everyone The thing is what is that punch giving you over let's say an HST? Looks to be about the same penetration and damage but the energy level of these is just so much higher I don't understand that that any rain should make it move through that gel like a knife through butter but it don't
Great channel as always.❤
Thank you sir.😎👊
Excellent test! Everybody's friend the .380 ACP.
Thank you for pointing out the porting on the pistol. It seems like ported/comped barrels are this years new hotness. But nobody wants to talk about the reduced velocity that must be taking place in order to reduce recoil & muzzle rise. Would it be worth your while to do comped vs. non-compensated?
Yeah, the porting is out of control on everything now.
I'd be very interested to see what those rounds would hit going thru my Grand Power P380 with the 4.2" bbl ...
I'd like to see performance from an 84 or 80X Cheetah, or an old school SIG P230.
Good test Tools.👍
Thank you sir.😎👊
Thx for the vid, you just saved me some money. Thx TT
My man God bless you brother🎉
Alright, I've got a few .380's for back up guns, /ankle guns. Never knew if they're any good.
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Barnes bullets are a close 2nd to Federal HST. Any Ammo manufacturer that loads Barnes bullets I am carrying with HST. Barnes and Federal HST are the best two hollow points that are consistent
If nothing else, they sure are a good looking projectile!
If I'm stuck with a Bodyguard 2.0 and this load to defend myself, I wouldn't feel _completely_ screwed, but definitely can do better than that.