I did a similar test with my Bodyguard 380 (10-11 yrs ago) using Lehigh XP and XD; and with ARX rounds. Real world terminal performance on several ham blocks was impressive and sometimes explosive. Don’t underestimate the 380, it’ll get the job done.
I carry the bersa thunder 380 for my edc. Paired with underwood extreme defender ammunition. Accurate, reliable, 3.5 inch barrel higher muzzle velocity than most pocket pistols, hits harder penetrates farther. Complete faith in it's defensive capabilities.
That's what I carry too. Accurate, reliable, safe, comfortable, inexpensive... it's the perfect carry pistol. And it's nice and simple, so if you do have to use it, you're not going to get scrutinized like you're a gun "enthusiast". It's just good basic protection. And yes, .380 is plenty for self-defense.
Count me in guys. I have a Bursa Thunder 380 as well. I've had it for many years now. I feel now as I did when I got it that it is an exalent choice for edc. I have the old Exstream Shock as it was called back in the day. I have never had a misfire with it an love the safety features like the built in lock. A gun lock is useless if you don't have it handy. Keep the kids safe.
I don't own the Thunder but I do own its twin brother, the Firestorm. I've had it for over 6 years now and it hasn't failed me. It helps that I clean and lubricate the firearm after each range session. My EDC, especially when walking my Frenchie at night when we might encounter coyotes and/or foxes.
Holy smoke! The .380 is much more effective than I thought it would be, on both the gel and the ham. I admit to being kinda snobbish about the round, but you opened my eyes. Thank you!
100% right on. Great pocket pistol. Effective for what is designed for. If I am looking for tight groups at long ranges I will grab something else out of the safe.
If someone is shooting at you from a car which is maybe the most common type of attempted murder/murder shooting to take place in the US, it is definitely self defense to shoot them inside their car. Of course some jurisdictions do not see legal self defense in any scenario. As far as expansion with the 380, you do not want it to expand anymore than those 2 bullets. Hornady has it perfect. If they expand anymore than that they will not penetrate far enough. That said, those rounds are excellent and the one shot stopping percentage of a 380 is not that far below a 9mm believe it or not. And a good 380 round like those 2 will probably work ok through a car door or windshield if need be...there is tons of this data on youtube... Excellent video, this was very good data as well, and much appreciated. Thanks!
Just an fyi, not everyone lives in cities, so I’m gonna disagree because I DO live just outside of a big city (Philly) and outside of there, drive by…don’t happen.
I know of one SD incident in which 2 rounds of .380 from a P3AT saved the day. The bad guy with the knife got to go to the hospital and the good guy got to go home to his family (shook up but not physically harmed).
Those who poo poo the 380 as a defensive round need to stand on the receiving end of it and THEN give their review lol. I live in South Texas and multiple layers of clothing is rare. I daily carry 380 in an LCP with the FTX and I'm confident based on my current environment. Nicely done!
Now I'm not going to pretend that I know north from south Texas anymore than I know RuPaul from basketball. That said, didn't Texas have such a cold snap a while back that it shut down the power grid and the Governor had to declare a state of emergency or some such thing?
OK, your response is that of a smart ass. In my comment, I exactly said "I live in South Texas and multiple layers of clothing is rare." One week in a hundred years is rare, heavier clothes equal heavier carry... simple. 99.9% of the time my statement holds here in South Texas. Now, please go troll someone with less than a first grade education, you'll be right at home.@@robwilson3749
That whole "go stand in front of it" is a tired old argument. I don't want to get shot with a pellet rifle either but none of us are going to pack around air guns. 380s are perfectly adequate for civillian self defense but they do have their limitations and if you're going to carry one you need to recognize that. You need to have the skills to employ your tools in that moment when it matters.
About 20 years ago, a kid got killed with a pellet gun in a small town near Birmingham Alabama. I believe it was Springville, but I’m not sure. The pellet went between two ribs and cut an aorta. If it had hit a button, the boy would probably have been okay. Draw your own conclusions, but I will not depend on an underpowered cartridge to protect myself or my loved ones. My goal is not to make that thug uncomfortable. Figure it out.
Great informative video. I carry an LCP 380 for occasional off duty back up and as a primary for dog walking,Mtn biking in non sketchy areas. Picked up a box of XTP this evening. Will test it out tomorrow for function.
I've carried a 380 as my EDC for the past 24 years. Knowing its strengths and limitations, I know what I can and cannot do in a self-defense situation. So many believe in preparing for a gun fight. I, on the other hand, prepare for saving my ass. Philosophy makes a difference!
Exactly, well said brother. We all love to "think" about the zombie appocolyps, etc. but thats just not reality based. A "gun fight" is about as likely as winning the lottery. Protecting yourself, much more likely, still, statistically very low. I don't need my 10mm unless in bear country.
Well said and seemingly convincing, but words no matter how presented do not always convey the truth. In defence of the under powered .380, many say they have carried one for many years. How is that convincing. No handgun will answer all self defense scenarios. The .380, least of all. Imagined scenarios we have to justify our carry gun are simply not realistic. When confronted with an actual need to fire on another human, no one ever said they were glad they had a .380 and not something with more energy. We carry the puniest of self defense weapons for one reason: convenience. And having made that choice we strive to justify it with words. I often carry a little .380 for the convenience, but when circumstances require shooting, you know but won't admit you will have wanted a more powerful weapon. We fool ourselves to actually believe such a weak cartridge is sufficient. It may be for the particular trouble you encounter, but it probably won't be. The unexpected need to shoot a person will NOT be the scenario you earlier played in your mind. I say all that in hopes that your choice of weapon/cartridge for the unlikely chance you will be confronted with the real chance that you will die, is not the weakest weapon choice you might have made. Stay safe, all you good men who carry.
I've never carried a 380 but I know that it will be good for any defensive situation someone might find themselves in. People like to come up with all sorts of scenarios but the reality of the situation is we don't live in Mogadishu or any other place that is hostile where people are gunning each other down with fully automatic rifles. Even in a really bad situation where someone might want to kill you for your atm withdrawal, the .380 will definitely make the criminal think about what they're doing.
I don't carry a .380, but I would not feel undergunned if I did. There is no doubt it can be highly deadly. Plus, there are quite a few affordable choices for firearms chambered in it.
To me the LCP Max is great for pocket carry, 12+1 with Critical Defense. A little hard to shoot accurately, but training has me reasonably accurate within about 7 yards, which is where I expect it would be needed. CCW a P365 otherwise - much more accurate and more power, but a little bulky for pocket carry. Only other CCW right now is a Keltec P32 I pocket when jogging. The P32 is more of a real up close gun, but training is getting me more accurate with it as well. Hopefully none of them ever have to be used.
German officers in WWII often carried a PPK in 380 or 32 ACP. I wouldn't want to face a Grizzly Bear with a 380 but I think any human would back down with a 380 hole in their chest or gut.
I agree and self-defense is not always to instantly KILL, simply STOP and halt the aggression/attack. Holes of any kind tend to do just that. We would all prefer to have a 12ga with buckshot always on hand or something large with lots of PUNCH but its just not always possible.
I have both of these guns (LCP MAX, GX4) along with an LCP II in 380 and an LCP II in 22lr. To me, the perceived recoil of the 380 variants is slightly higher than the GX4. I think this is because the GX4 has enough extra mass to negate some of the higher power inherent in the 9mm. The LCP II in particular seems to 'squirm around' more on firing and is kind of unpleasant to shoot more than a dozen rounds or so at the range. As for carrying, when I'm wearing heavier, looser pants I pocket carry the GX4. For lighter, tighter pants I will slip the LCP II or LCP MAX in my pocket. The LCP II in particular is very skinny and doesn't 'print' very much when carried in your pocket.
I have all these guns also and I agree with your comments. I'm a big guy, but I do NOT enjoy shooting the LCP II in 380. But it does carry easily in a pocket. The GX4 works great for a pocket carry as you said if you have bigger pockets.
I carry a pimped out LCP max with 13rds of XTP+P ammo. It's easy to score hits at 25yds vs an 8x12 A Zone silhouette, and is super small and lightweight. @Beyond Seclusion Somehow I've never seen your channel before. Have a subscriber from a fellow gun tuber.
My every day carry is a Glock 42 with Trijicon HD XR Night Sights and a 9 round ETS magazine fitted with an XGRIP for a full three-finger grip. I load the magazine with 8 rounds maximum, plus one in the chamber, to ensure 100% reliability. Ammo of choice is Underwood Extreme Penetrator 380+P. This combination has very little recoil, is very controllable and EXTREMELY accurate! I carry it 24/7 in a DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster and honestly it's so light and compact that I forget it's there. The best self-defense pistol is the one you never leave home without!
Great vid, and it confirms .380 results from some other vids I've seen. You didn't test Underwood's Extreme Defender, but that has shown to also be a great .380 round...it's really wild the wound channel it creates considering the bullet doesn't expand at all. I carry that in my lcp max. Out of a small gun with a 3" barrel, for self defense, let alone in the hands of a typical CCL holder...no brainer .380 is a great choice.
This is great info…I carry critical duty in my P10 generally…but I’m getting older and have spine issues…very happy with these results…thank you for the post…
The ourpose of the 380 is that its small and light enough where it takes the excuse of "i dont feel like carrying a gun with me just to check the mail or walk the dog" off the table and gives you the option if having SOMETHING vs nothing bc you didnt want to carry a 9mm
Exactly. I recently got a Ruger LCP in 380 because I go for jogs at night and I often make trips to the store or gas station and twice a week I go pick up my niece and nephew for swimming lessons. I have a bellyband holster and a Smith and Wesson SD-9. I'd trust my life with it, but it's cumbersome. When I'm running, it rubs me and pokes me. I only carried it 2-3 times a week and made countless outings unarmed. My wife and I go out every Sunday and if I wear my SD-9 I have to have baggy shorts, and an XL tee-shirt untucked to hide it, which means on special occasions when I dress up, I go unarmed. But now I can be armed when going to the gas station at the last minute, on runs, and when wearing slacks that fit, and a tight elastic polo shirt tucked in.
I have a Ruger LCP that I have carried for 5 years or so. I bought a Bersa Thunder CC about two years ago. The Bersa is a much better pistol, but a inside the pants holster pistol. Depends on what I am wearing.
Thanks for your in depth, common sense approach. A .380 has always been a ‘short’ 9mm when comparing the bullet diameters a used to be around the specs of a 38 special. I use the American Gunner in my 9mm 3.2” barrel a the 4” barrel. Always great penetration around 14” an very good expansion with good fps an ft lbs. The XTP bullet has a smaller hollow point that doesn’t load up thru the denim a such.. The .380 is perfect for the common scenario of a shoot altercation of; 3 shots fired, lasting 3 seconds, less than 3yds. Thanks
Excellent Video! You have gotten my subscription. Being an older guy, I carry a .45 cal G30s as my primary winter carry. Summer carry will range from a Beretta 21a bobcat in .25 cal ( 9 rounds, better than nothing) to .38 special - .327 Federal Magnum - 9mm - and when clothing permits the 30s. When I was younger it was always 10mm, G29 summer and G20 winter. Never got into the caliber or capacity wars because as you said, "You make your own decision".
JMB designed the .45 ACP for the battlefield and the .380 ACP for personal defense within a civilian and police context. As usual, he knew what he was doing. As is well known, it was nonetheless adopted by a number of militaries, and is even used today as a standard issue sidearm for aircrew in the Argentine Air Force. For the garden variety civilian defensive gun use scenario - within ten yards, attacker not wearing body armor, no obstacles between the defender and the attacker so that the only things between the defender’s bullet and the attacker’s body are air and the street clothes of the attacker - .380 ACP will work just as well as any other commonly used centerfire handgun cartridge. The main drawback of .380 is lack of versatility. It’s good for up close and personal defense, but if you have to engage at distance or shoot through some kind of obstacle - windows, doors, etc. - then it’s limitations relative to more powerful chamberings becomes more apparent.
I now carry a bodyguard 2.0 12rd mag w/ critical defense 90gr. It’s all about shot placement anyway. If you can’t get the rounds where you need them it doesn’t matter what you are shooting. I also daily carry a Glock 17 gen 2 during the winter
You should try the LCP Max with some of Underwood's 90 gr. Xtreme Penetrator ammo. It's perfect for very short barreled .380s, and rivals what you'd get in short barreled 9mms with JHPs. They also come in 68 gr. and +Ps, neither of which I've seen adequately tested, and would love it if you could.
While you are correct about the rating and the manual, limited usage has been tested and shows no noticeable issues. Again, that's limited use, as in oops, I'm being robbed, what shall I do with mu LCP Max since it's only got +P loads. And then there's the std. pressure XP 90 gr. and 68 gr. (better than the XCDs for just the .380), both hot loads well within factory specs.@@drivenbullet260
@@Valorius ya that just shows you how much a fool you are . The gun maker says don't run it because the gun is not rated for it , so you don't care about your own life , wow
My LCP II loves the Hornaday American Gunner. It was great to see what the possibilities are with that round as I have only shot paper. No feeding jams from that hollow point 😊
It's perfectly fine for self-defense, I personally carry a Ruger LCP. But I'd recommend carrying FMJ ball ammo over Hollow-Points, as the Hollow-Point .380 has been known to not have great penetration.
Your comment about the 380 not being made to shoot through car doors and barriers is true. That's why I don't know why everyone always talks about the FBI standard. The FBI standard was never meant to be a standard for self defense. It's a standard for law enforcement who sometimes have to go on the offense. I've never heard of a single instance of an individual who was unable to successfully defend themselves because the round they were using didn't expand a certain amount or penetrate far enough. I have a Ruger LCP (the original) in my pocket every where I go loaded with Hornady American Gunner XTP's.
For any of you that don’t have the bodyguard 2.0 let me tell you. It is awesome and it has become my edc pistol….absolutely love it….S&W knocked this pistol out of the park…
Thank you for the video. Here in hot sunny Florida when I wear basketball shorts LCP Max in a pocket holster. Pants or shorts with a belt it’s a 9mm. When I lived in the NW running to the grocery store 8 round revolver in 22LR I don’t even know why 😂 but never a semi-auto in 22LR.
The wife and I like are .380's the Ruger LCP&Bersa thunder! and yes I said bersa! Both guns have never gave us any trouble and make are needs as CCW's the .380 ammo we can buy now has come along way.Of course they are not are range gun's but they will do fine for what we need.
Thanks Drew. This video came at the perfect time as I am looking to purchase the LCP MAX. I have an LCP 2 .22LR that I've sent back to Ruger twice now for misfire and fail to eject issues. It hasn't returned to me yet but even when it does come back, I'm not feeling real confident in it for EDC. I've grown very fond of pocket carry and the next obvious step is to get the LCP MAX. The two brands of ammo you showcased were impressive in my book!
Great test. Love the .380. XTPs are good. I've seen great tests from federal in the Punch and Hydrashok lines also. Underwood has some powerful (for a pocket gun) options. And Defiant Munitions has an all copper bullet that is very consistent in meeting the FBI standards for penetration and expansion through gel with the heavy clothing protocol. What gets really interesting is the .380 from a 4" barrel. Some loads are right on the heels of the 9mm. Of course, that's with less recoil, too. I'm not saying it is as good in every way, but it would do the job.
Despite the evidence, people still think that the 380 is a bad cartridge. It’s easy to handle, my m&p is accurate, it will go through a door, penetrate, and cause damage to a living person. Of the very serious kind. Proper placement and man, I would hope I NEVER get hit by one. Most important thing, is I don’t feel I need to impress anyone with something bigger. It will work and let’s hope that it is never needed.
Ammo quest did extensive testing of 380 self-defense ammo through a tiny Taurus TCP 380 (I own and carry daily that same Taurus TCP).. using genuine FBI gel blocks .. both three layers of denim covered and bare gel .. the best rounds for expansion and penetration where the xtp rounds.. Hornady xtp fiocci xtp .. and precision one xtp with the best although COBON DPX All copper hollow point did fairly well also
The only things that matter are shot placement and platform reliability. That being said I prefer my iwi 45(magnum research baby eagle, which is basically a 9mm Jericho in 45 acp). I've carried for 17 or 18 years. Sure I have others but I'm most comfortable with that.
I’m not carrying any rimfire round for self defense, however 25 acp from short barrel pistols and 22 long rifle from short barrel pistols have remarkably similar ballistics. So carry the 25 auto due to center fire reliability if you have to go small. 380 is very effective with the right loads (xtp from any manufacturer or federal hydra shok deep).
Might have been said before but….I use Lehigh in my 380’s . They make the bullets for the Underwood Extreme Defender also. These bullets are barrier blind and are good rounds.
Great video! I have the GX4 and an LCP Custom I’ve had for many years when I need a pocket carry. I’d say the DB9 Gen II which I own is a good comparison for size. So similar in size.
For me 380 is relegated to my LCP anytime anywhere pocket gun. Any platform larger than the LCP is 9mm or 38 158 gr +p at the least. Sometimes the LCP is primary, any other time it’s in my pocket as backup or a NY reload.
My every day carry is a Glock 42 with Trijicon HD XR Night Sights and a 9 round ETS magazine fitted with an XGRIP for a full three-finger grip. I load the magazine with 8 rounds maximum, plus one in the chamber, to ensure 100% reliability. Ammo of choice is Underwood Extreme Penetrator 380+P. This combination has very little recoil, is very controllable and EXTREMELY accurate! I carry it 24/7 in a DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster and honestly it's so light and compact that I forget it's there. The best self-defense pistol is the one you never leave home without!
Even a smaller caliber gun, in the vast majority of cases, is likely to make most threats “disengage” and beat a hasty retreat, which should be the preferred outcome in most situations. Of course, if you want something that is going to stop all drugged out, crazy attackers than you should be carrying a shotgun every where you go ?
The thing that gets me about the .380 not being enough argument is people base it not being enough on one shot, but who in a life threatening situation is only pulling the trigger once? Unless you are carrying a .44 or a .50 or some other big magnum, you should be pulling the trigger 3 to 4 times at least when it comes to pistols no matter what the caliber. And I doubt anyone is going to want to continue what they are doing after getting 3 rounds of .380 in their chest. Sure there may be scenarios where there is more than one attacker but is 10 rounds of 9mm going to some how fight off 5 armed guys way better than 10 rounds of .380? Carry what you can and what you feel comfortable with and train with it.
I’m a big fan of the LCP Max, it’s my go to. I’ve been debating rounds, currently have Federal Hydrashocks. I like the critical defense too. I am curious of your thoughts on the Underwood Extreme Defender rounds. Thanks
I have a security 380 and love it. Its lots more bang for the buck than my old CC S&W Bodyguard. 15 +1 compared to 6 and it's a lot beefier and feels like a XD on the hand. The light rack slide is awesome.
Even if for whatever reason your only choice of carry is 22LR > that's better than a sharp stick. If your faced with an attacker > whatever you have on hand (45, 9mm, 380 or 22LR) if shot one or more times > it's likely they will change their mind & stop them. They probably wouldn't know what caliber they were shot with & just know they were shot and IT HURTS
First of all the 380’is not a duty round, so so much for police input. What the 380 is , is a whole lot better than the old 25 or 32 pistols . A 380 in your pocket will be there to save your life, and if you carry a quality pistol it will do the job.I carried a stainless Ppk 380 for years. Accurate and reliable and enough power for ccw use. Eventually retired it for a Colt Mustang Pocketlite that is around 7 ounces lighter and with its locked breech mechanism , more pleasant to shoot, and just as accurate. Ask people who actually used one in a self defense shooting and they will tell you it did the job.
As a retired LEO that went through three on duty shootings w/my issued .38, I carry my LCP w/o reservation. It’s a get-off-me tool and adequate for a retired senior citizen who’s daily orbits are pretty tame. Most LE agencies authorize a .380 for off-duty/back up as long as the officer can qualify w/it.
Not in America but they do use it in other countries for law enforcement. I prefer 9mm but I do carry a 380 or even a 22lr sometimes when I need something for deep concealment.
The earliest printed example of the proverb that I can find is in William Camden’s Remaines of a Greater Worke Concerning Britaine, 1605: “All the proof of a pudding is in the eating.”
9mm is my usual EDC however living in Texas sometimes its rather hot and I'd rather wear athletic shorts, in those cases I have to pocket carry and the G42 is my pocket gun. Run XTP's loaded hot. If I had to use it I think they would do ok, of course I'd be wishing I had something bigger with more rounds.
A person assumes a lot of they've never been in that situation. I had to pull my weapon 1 time and thankfully I didn't have to fire though I fully intended to. We came home one night from eating out and when we pulled in the driveway two guys ran from behind my shed towards the street. The one guy kept running, the other guy stopped and acted like he wanted to start a fight after I started chasing them. When he stopped I immediately pulled my gun and he all but tripped on himself trying to turn around and run, and he was screaming don't shoot I don't have anything. I called 911 and the deputies showed up pretty quickly. They said they have had a rash of thefts in our area, we live rural, and he was guessing they were on drugs.
I take issue with you not adding the denim when you shot the FMJ flat nose round. Add the denim and THEN see if it penetration is all the way through...
Peeps tend to think that bigger is better and sometimes that is true. But for EDC the .380 is a fine round. I've been using a Browning 1911 in .380 and I shoot it really well so if a self defense event should ever occur, and God, I pray it will not, I will not feel under gunned, regardless of what someone else might be using. Shot placement is key in every situation and in the real world peeps should focus on that. Go to the range and shoot at least 1x a month.
+1 They conceal great and have enormous capacity for a gun that small. But I will say they are hard to shoot. They're so small that almost everyone shoots them 3 inches low. It's possible they're anticipating recoil or something else. But almost everyone has that problem with them. And that's at 10 yards. Anything further, you'll be very slow trying to make a hit.
@iamtheoffenderofall that's what I'm saying. The guns are as accurate as any full size. BUT, and it's a big but, the tiny size of the LCP lends it to being very difficult to shoot well. That's just a fact. You may be able to hit accurately with them with enough training. But you'd be 10 times faster and more accurate with a larger gun. Just how it is.
@@TeddyBear-lb9ho broad assumptions about who can shoot what and accurately comes down to a bias. There are people who cannot shot larger guns accurately where they can shoot smaller guns more accurately. And this isn't about training. This is about anatomy. Smaller people may not be able to handle large guns. This is just how it is. Just cause you suck at shooting small guns doesn't mean everyone does.
@@TeddyBear-lb9ho use the 12 rd mag, much easier to shoot well. I shoot mine vs 8x12 steel at 25 yds with little problem. I have made hits at 100yds, but at that range the "group" is the size of a small car, so it's pretty much random luck.
Will a defensive round do the job? I carry with fmj's with my 380 because I'm worried a defensive round won't have the penetration power. If someone has a thick coat or leather on wouldn't you rather have a 380 fmj opposed to an HP
The majority of negativity towards 380 is by and large nothing but urban folklore IMHO. Caliber wars are stupid….pick a caliber that you can conceal, shoot well, and has ammo readily available.
Interesting the difference in pumpkin damage between the 380 and the 22 mag (your own tests). 22 mag blew the pumpkin apart. Velocity is the biggest determinant of energy.
The lcp max is a very snappy little cuss but mine is good and broken in. People tend to get too analytical when it comes to ammo comparisons and capabilities. The only thing that matters is shot placement. A pellet gun will stop a threat. 99.99999% of self defense situations are point blank range. Caliber doesn’t matter.
I have the Ruger Max and I'm trying to like it but every other time I take it to the range I have failures to load. Ruger sent me a new top half of the gun but still having issues. Using full metal jacket.
I've been loading for my Bersa Thunder 380, 4.3gr CFE Pistol with a WSP primer and 90gr Hornady XTP (max load for a 90gr bullet in 380 with CFE powder is 4.2, but I'm using .355" caliber instead of .356" caliber and my pistol is +P rated, I take no responsibility for your actions if you decide to load like I do), clocking in at 1020fps muzzle velocity with a 3.4" barrel. It definitely has a lot more recoil and much louder report than a Taurus G2S 9mm, and in ballistic gel outperforms the G2S (using 115gr FMJ Blazer factory loaded ammo). I load for accuracy and lethal performance. Again, don't over-charge cartridges when reloading, my load data is not to be used, but if you decide to use it you should use it at your own risk and I would highly recommend not to reload unless you know what you're doing and are willing to take the risk. I am not responsible for any personal injuries or damages to your equipment.
Anyone who has fire a 380 round out of a pocket sized pistol like a TCP or LCP will attest that the recoil is not small when there isn't much gun to grip.
I cannot tell how far I’ve gone down the rabbit hole on the 380! 1st, the 365-380 is clearly the best 380 out there. 2nd, the best, most reliable 380 defensive round, is the ARX Interceptor and the Underwood Extreme defender. Test after test has shown this. And the Ruger, it’s little and that’s its most redeeming quality.
I did a similar test with my Bodyguard 380 (10-11 yrs ago) using Lehigh XP and XD; and with ARX rounds. Real world terminal performance on several ham blocks was impressive and sometimes explosive. Don’t underestimate the 380, it’ll get the job done.
I carry the bersa thunder 380 for my edc. Paired with underwood extreme defender ammunition. Accurate, reliable, 3.5 inch barrel higher muzzle velocity than most pocket pistols, hits harder penetrates farther. Complete faith in it's defensive capabilities.
That's what I carry too. Accurate, reliable, safe, comfortable, inexpensive... it's the perfect carry pistol. And it's nice and simple, so if you do have to use it, you're not going to get scrutinized like you're a gun "enthusiast". It's just good basic protection. And yes, .380 is plenty for self-defense.
Count me in guys. I have a Bursa Thunder 380 as well. I've had it for many years now. I feel now as I did when I got it that it is an exalent choice for edc. I have the old Exstream Shock as it was called back in the day. I have never had a misfire with it an love the safety features like the built in lock. A gun lock is useless if you don't have it handy. Keep the kids safe.
I don't own the Thunder but I do own its twin brother, the Firestorm. I've had it for over 6 years now and it hasn't failed me. It helps that I clean and lubricate the firearm after each range session. My EDC, especially when walking my Frenchie at night when we might encounter coyotes and/or foxes.
Holy smoke! The .380 is much more effective than I thought it would be, on both the gel and the ham. I admit to being kinda snobbish about the round, but you opened my eyes. Thank you!
100% right on. Great pocket pistol. Effective for what is designed for. If I am looking for tight groups at long ranges I will grab something else out of the safe.
I have a ruger security 380 and love it 😀
I have one as well & it’s my edc and it shoots great I carry Speer gold dots in it
Fantastic little gun. Shoots like a dream.
I almost got one of those, but got the LCP Max instead. I kinda wish that I went the security 380 tbh.
My LCP max is my daily carry. Not worried at all about .380
Me too my friend.😊
If someone is shooting at you from a car which is maybe the most common type of attempted murder/murder shooting to take place in the US, it is definitely self defense to shoot them inside their car. Of course some jurisdictions do not see legal self defense in any scenario.
As far as expansion with the 380, you do not want it to expand anymore than those 2 bullets. Hornady has it perfect. If they expand anymore than that they will not penetrate far enough. That said, those rounds are excellent and the one shot stopping percentage of a 380 is not that far below a 9mm believe it or not. And a good 380 round like those 2 will probably work ok through a car door or windshield if need be...there is tons of this data on youtube...
Excellent video, this was very good data as well, and much appreciated. Thanks!
I agree, XTP is the perfect hollowpoint design in 380
Just an fyi, not everyone lives in cities, so I’m gonna disagree because I DO live just outside of a big city (Philly) and outside of there, drive by…don’t happen.
I know of one SD incident in which 2 rounds of .380 from a P3AT saved the day. The bad guy with the knife got to go to the hospital and the good guy got to go home to his family (shook up but not physically harmed).
Those who poo poo the 380 as a defensive round need to stand on the receiving end of it and THEN give their review lol. I live in South Texas and multiple layers of clothing is rare. I daily carry 380 in an LCP with the FTX and I'm confident based on my current environment. Nicely done!
Now I'm not going to pretend that I know north from south Texas anymore than I know RuPaul from basketball. That said, didn't Texas have such a cold snap a while back that it shut down the power grid and the Governor had to declare a state of emergency or some such thing?
OK, your response is that of a smart ass. In my comment, I exactly said "I live in South Texas and multiple layers of clothing is rare." One week in a hundred years is rare, heavier clothes equal heavier carry... simple. 99.9% of the time my statement holds here in South Texas. Now, please go troll someone with less than a first grade education, you'll be right at home.@@robwilson3749
@@robwilson3749yes, and then we were back to wearing shorts a week later 😂
That whole "go stand in front of it" is a tired old argument. I don't want to get shot with a pellet rifle either but none of us are going to pack around air guns. 380s are perfectly adequate for civillian self defense but they do have their limitations and if you're going to carry one you need to recognize that. You need to have the skills to employ your tools in that moment when it matters.
About 20 years ago, a kid got killed with a pellet gun in a small town near Birmingham Alabama. I believe it was Springville, but I’m not sure.
The pellet went between two ribs and cut an aorta.
If it had hit a button, the boy would probably have been okay.
Draw your own conclusions, but I will not depend on an underpowered cartridge to protect myself or my loved ones.
My goal is not to make that thug uncomfortable. Figure it out.
Great informative video. I carry an LCP 380 for occasional off duty back up and as a primary for dog walking,Mtn biking in non sketchy areas.
Picked up a box of XTP this evening. Will test it out tomorrow for function.
I've carried a 380 as my EDC for the past 24 years. Knowing its strengths and limitations, I know what I can and cannot do in a self-defense situation. So many believe in preparing for a gun fight. I, on the other hand, prepare for saving my ass. Philosophy makes a difference!
Exactly, well said brother. We all love to "think" about the zombie appocolyps, etc. but thats just not reality based. A "gun fight" is about as likely as winning the lottery. Protecting yourself, much more likely, still, statistically very low. I don't need my 10mm unless in bear country.
Well said and seemingly convincing, but words no matter how presented do not always convey the truth. In defence of the under powered .380, many say they have carried one for many years. How is that convincing. No handgun will answer all self defense scenarios. The .380, least of all. Imagined scenarios we have to justify our carry gun are simply not realistic. When confronted with an actual need to fire on another human, no one ever said they were glad they had a .380 and not something with more energy. We carry the puniest of self defense weapons for one reason: convenience. And having made that choice we strive to justify it with words. I often carry a little .380 for the convenience, but when circumstances require shooting, you know but won't admit you will have wanted a more powerful weapon. We fool ourselves to actually believe such a weak cartridge is sufficient. It may be for the particular trouble you encounter, but it probably won't be. The unexpected need to shoot a person will NOT be the scenario you earlier played in your mind. I say all that in hopes that your choice of weapon/cartridge for the unlikely chance you will be confronted with the real chance that you will die, is not the weakest weapon choice you might have made. Stay safe, all you good men who carry.
Good luck with that "philosophy" if you have to engage more than one attacker, which is happening more often these days.
@@michaelgibbs3011 I got my lcp max because it was the best pistol I could afford...
@@Fctsdntcarebouturfeelings 10 rounds and an extra mag seems like enough for a group of 5 or less.
Great advice.
Love the video. I think .380 is highly underrated.
Perfect for most civilian applications.
Love my P365 in 380. 12+1 rds of self defense and self confidence. Super accurate and very low recoil.
I've never carried a 380 but I know that it will be good for any defensive situation someone might find themselves in. People like to come up with all sorts of scenarios but the reality of the situation is we don't live in Mogadishu or any other place that is hostile where people are gunning each other down with fully automatic rifles. Even in a really bad situation where someone might want to kill you for your atm withdrawal, the .380 will definitely make the criminal think about what they're doing.
I don't carry a .380, but I would not feel undergunned if I did. There is no doubt it can be highly deadly. Plus, there are quite a few affordable choices for firearms chambered in it.
To me the LCP Max is great for pocket carry, 12+1 with Critical Defense. A little hard to shoot accurately, but training has me reasonably accurate within about 7 yards, which is where I expect it would be needed. CCW a P365 otherwise - much more accurate and more power, but a little bulky for pocket carry. Only other CCW right now is a Keltec P32 I pocket when jogging. The P32 is more of a real up close gun, but training is getting me more accurate with it as well. Hopefully none of them ever have to be used.
My EXACT 3 gun CCW rotation!
@@mattlittell5876 Great minds… 🧠
German officers in WWII often carried a PPK in 380 or 32 ACP. I wouldn't want to face a Grizzly Bear with a 380 but I think any human would back down with a 380 hole in their chest or gut.
I agree and self-defense is not always to instantly KILL, simply STOP and halt the aggression/attack. Holes of any kind tend to do just that. We would all prefer to have a 12ga with buckshot always on hand or something large with lots of PUNCH but its just not always possible.
40 years ago the writers were saying a 380 was on a par with a regular 38 special but the advantage was more rounds in the guns available at the time
I have both of these guns (LCP MAX, GX4) along with an LCP II in 380 and an LCP II in 22lr. To me, the perceived recoil of the 380 variants is slightly higher than the GX4. I think this is because the GX4 has enough extra mass to negate some of the higher power inherent in the 9mm. The LCP II in particular seems to 'squirm around' more on firing and is kind of unpleasant to shoot more than a dozen rounds or so at the range.
As for carrying, when I'm wearing heavier, looser pants I pocket carry the GX4. For lighter, tighter pants I will slip the LCP II or LCP MAX in my pocket. The LCP II in particular is very skinny and doesn't 'print' very much when carried in your pocket.
I have all these guns also and I agree with your comments. I'm a big guy, but I do NOT enjoy shooting the LCP II in 380. But it does carry easily in a pocket. The GX4 works great for a pocket carry as you said if you have bigger pockets.
I carry a pimped out LCP max with 13rds of XTP+P ammo. It's easy to score hits at 25yds vs an 8x12 A Zone silhouette, and is super small and lightweight. @Beyond Seclusion Somehow I've never seen your channel before. Have a subscriber from a fellow gun tuber.
My every day carry is a Glock 42 with Trijicon HD XR Night Sights and a 9 round ETS magazine fitted with an XGRIP for a full three-finger grip. I load the magazine with 8 rounds maximum, plus one in the chamber, to ensure 100% reliability. Ammo of choice is Underwood Extreme Penetrator 380+P. This combination has very little recoil, is very controllable and EXTREMELY accurate! I carry it 24/7 in a DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster and honestly it's so light and compact that I forget it's there. The best self-defense pistol is the one you never leave home without!
nothing is 100% with a ets magazine, OEM or nothing!
Hmm i did not expect expansion. Very nice.
Great vid, and it confirms .380 results from some other vids I've seen. You didn't test Underwood's Extreme Defender, but that has shown to also be a great .380 round...it's really wild the wound channel it creates considering the bullet doesn't expand at all. I carry that in my lcp max. Out of a small gun with a 3" barrel, for self defense, let alone in the hands of a typical CCL holder...no brainer .380 is a great choice.
This is great info…I carry critical duty in my P10 generally…but I’m getting older and have spine issues…very happy with these results…thank you for the post…
Para Ordnance P10?
The ourpose of the 380 is that its small and light enough where it takes the excuse of "i dont feel like carrying a gun with me just to check the mail or walk the dog" off the table and gives you the option if having SOMETHING vs nothing bc you didnt want to carry a 9mm
Exactly. I recently got a Ruger LCP in 380 because I go for jogs at night and I often make trips to the store or gas station and twice a week I go pick up my niece and nephew for swimming lessons. I have a bellyband holster and a Smith and Wesson SD-9. I'd trust my life with it, but it's cumbersome. When I'm running, it rubs me and pokes me. I only carried it 2-3 times a week and made countless outings unarmed. My wife and I go out every Sunday and if I wear my SD-9 I have to have baggy shorts, and an XL tee-shirt untucked to hide it, which means on special occasions when I dress up, I go unarmed. But now I can be armed when going to the gas station at the last minute, on runs, and when wearing slacks that fit, and a tight elastic polo shirt tucked in.
Enjoyed your video. Thanks for posting! God bless you.
I have a Ruger LCP that I have carried for 5 years or so. I bought a Bersa Thunder CC about two years ago. The Bersa is a much better pistol, but a inside the pants holster pistol. Depends on what I am wearing.
Thanks for your in depth, common sense approach. A .380 has always been a ‘short’ 9mm when comparing the bullet diameters a used to be around the specs of a 38 special. I use the American Gunner in my 9mm 3.2” barrel a the 4” barrel. Always great penetration around 14” an very good expansion with good fps an ft lbs. The XTP bullet has a smaller hollow point that doesn’t load up thru the denim a such.. The .380 is perfect for the common scenario of a shoot altercation of; 3 shots fired, lasting 3 seconds, less than 3yds.
Thanks
Excellent Video! You have gotten my subscription. Being an older guy, I carry a .45 cal G30s as my primary winter carry. Summer carry will range from a Beretta 21a bobcat in .25 cal ( 9 rounds, better than nothing) to .38 special - .327 Federal Magnum - 9mm - and when clothing permits the 30s. When I was younger it was always 10mm, G29 summer and G20 winter. Never got into the caliber or capacity wars because as you said, "You make your own decision".
Thank you for the tests. Some really good info.
JMB designed the .45 ACP for the battlefield and the .380 ACP for personal defense within a civilian and police context. As usual, he knew what he was doing. As is well known, it was nonetheless adopted by a number of militaries, and is even used today as a standard issue sidearm for aircrew in the Argentine Air Force.
For the garden variety civilian defensive gun use scenario - within ten yards, attacker not wearing body armor, no obstacles between the defender and the attacker so that the only things between the defender’s bullet and the attacker’s body are air and the street clothes of the attacker - .380 ACP will work just as well as any other commonly used centerfire handgun cartridge.
The main drawback of .380 is lack of versatility. It’s good for up close and personal defense, but if you have to engage at distance or shoot through some kind of obstacle - windows, doors, etc. - then it’s limitations relative to more powerful chamberings becomes more apparent.
I now carry a bodyguard 2.0 12rd mag w/ critical defense 90gr. It’s all about shot placement anyway. If you can’t get the rounds where you need them it doesn’t matter what you are shooting. I also daily carry a Glock 17 gen 2 during the winter
EXACTLY
You should try the LCP Max with some of Underwood's 90 gr. Xtreme Penetrator ammo. It's perfect for very short barreled .380s, and rivals what you'd get in short barreled 9mms with JHPs. They also come in 68 gr. and +Ps, neither of which I've seen adequately tested, and would love it if you could.
While you are correct about the rating and the manual, limited usage has been tested and shows no noticeable issues. Again, that's limited use, as in oops, I'm being robbed, what shall I do with mu LCP Max since it's only got +P loads. And then there's the std. pressure XP 90 gr. and 68 gr. (better than the XCDs for just the .380), both hot loads well within factory specs.@@drivenbullet260
You can't put +p amo in it
Never say never. Occasional usage of +P has been tested and confirmed as non-problematic. I just wouldn't make a steady diet of it.@@Tomminer78
@@Tomminer78 I have been shooting +P in 4 different LCP's for 14 years.
@@Valorius ya that just shows you how much a fool you are . The gun maker says don't run it because the gun is not rated for it , so you don't care about your own life , wow
My LCP II loves the Hornaday American Gunner. It was great to see what the possibilities are with that round as I have only shot paper. No feeding jams from that hollow point 😊
I carry Underwood 95gr +p HP in my Kahr Ct380 and love it!
It's perfectly fine for self-defense, I personally carry a Ruger LCP. But I'd recommend carrying FMJ ball ammo over Hollow-Points, as the Hollow-Point .380 has been known to not have great penetration.
Your comment about the 380 not being made to shoot through car doors and barriers is true. That's why I don't know why everyone always talks about the FBI standard. The FBI standard was never meant to be a standard for self defense. It's a standard for law enforcement who sometimes have to go on the offense. I've never heard of a single instance of an individual who was unable to successfully defend themselves because the round they were using didn't expand a certain amount or penetrate far enough. I have a Ruger LCP (the original) in my pocket every where I go loaded with Hornady American Gunner XTP's.
GOOD point!
For any of you that don’t have the bodyguard 2.0 let me tell you. It is awesome and it has become my edc pistol….absolutely love it….S&W knocked this pistol out of the park…
As an owner myself I'd have to agree with you
I'm in north Texas so heavy clothing isn't much of a concern. For me, this .380 Auto fits my needs.
Thank you for the video. Here in hot sunny Florida when I wear basketball shorts LCP Max in a pocket holster. Pants or shorts with a belt it’s a 9mm. When I lived in the NW running to the grocery store 8 round revolver in 22LR I don’t even know why 😂 but never a semi-auto in 22LR.
The wife and I like are .380's the Ruger LCP&Bersa thunder! and yes I said bersa! Both guns have never gave us any trouble and make are needs as CCW's the .380 ammo we can buy now has come along way.Of course they are not are range gun's but they will do fine for what we need.
Carried a Bersa Thunder 380 for years. Still do on occasion
I’m a new fan of your page thanks for the cool info I’m a .380 person happy new year to you all
I have three 380’s as a pocket carry pistol. I have the most respect for them. The ammo is the key.
Fav ammo for the LCP Max???
Thanks Drew. This video came at the perfect time as I am looking to purchase the LCP MAX. I have an LCP 2 .22LR that I've sent back to Ruger twice now for misfire and fail to eject issues. It hasn't returned to me yet but even when it does come back, I'm not feeling real confident in it for EDC. I've grown very fond of pocket carry and the next obvious step is to get the LCP MAX. The two brands of ammo you showcased were impressive in my book!
Great test. Love the .380. XTPs are good. I've seen great tests from federal in the Punch and Hydrashok lines also. Underwood has some powerful (for a pocket gun) options. And Defiant Munitions has an all copper bullet that is very consistent in meeting the FBI standards for penetration and expansion through gel with the heavy clothing protocol.
What gets really interesting is the .380 from a 4" barrel. Some loads are right on the heels of the 9mm. Of course, that's with less recoil, too. I'm not saying it is as good in every way, but it would do the job.
It tore that ham up buddy hope does as well mine has Mcarbo trigger and springs and a houge slip on grip I like it
Placement is key.. practice and stay safe people.
Despite the evidence, people still think that the 380 is a bad cartridge. It’s easy to handle, my m&p is accurate, it will go through a door, penetrate, and cause damage to a living person. Of the very serious kind. Proper placement and man, I would hope I NEVER get hit by one. Most important thing, is I don’t feel I need to impress anyone with something bigger. It will work and let’s hope that it is never needed.
Ammo quest did extensive testing of 380 self-defense ammo through a tiny Taurus TCP 380 (I own and carry daily that same Taurus TCP).. using genuine FBI gel blocks .. both three layers of denim covered and bare gel .. the best rounds for expansion and penetration where the xtp rounds.. Hornady xtp fiocci xtp .. and precision one xtp with the best although COBON DPX All copper hollow point did fairly well also
Thank you.... that helped!
Took some get getting used to but I shoot the LCP Max very well now whereas initially it was frustrating
The only things that matter are shot placement and platform reliability. That being said I prefer my iwi 45(magnum research baby eagle, which is basically a 9mm Jericho in 45 acp). I've carried for 17 or 18 years. Sure I have others but I'm most comfortable with that.
I’m not carrying any rimfire round for self defense, however 25 acp from short barrel pistols and 22 long rifle from short barrel pistols have remarkably similar ballistics. So carry the 25 auto due to center fire reliability if you have to go small. 380 is very effective with the right loads (xtp from any manufacturer or federal hydra shok deep).
Just got the new bodyguard 2.0 best pocket 380 on the market.
Might have been said before but….I use Lehigh in my 380’s . They make the bullets for the Underwood Extreme Defender also. These bullets are barrier blind and are good rounds.
Great video! I have the GX4 and an LCP Custom I’ve had for many years when I need a pocket carry. I’d say the DB9 Gen II which I own is a good comparison for size. So similar in size.
For me 380 is relegated to my LCP anytime anywhere pocket gun. Any platform larger than the LCP is 9mm or 38 158 gr +p at the least. Sometimes the LCP is primary, any other time it’s in my pocket as backup or a NY reload.
Thank you for the test, would love to see you test the 380 V-Crown, those seem to perform well in the limited amount of tests I've seen
I don’t go into bad areas of town,and I find my 380 more convenient to carry. If I was going to or through a bad area I would go bigger.
Ty for this vid! Just got a 42 with the American Gunner rounds you tested for it. Your vid gave me more confidence I chose correctly!
My every day carry is a Glock 42 with Trijicon HD XR Night Sights and a 9 round ETS magazine fitted with an XGRIP for a full three-finger grip. I load the magazine with 8 rounds maximum, plus one in the chamber, to ensure 100% reliability. Ammo of choice is Underwood Extreme Penetrator 380+P. This combination has very little recoil, is very controllable and EXTREMELY accurate! I carry it 24/7 in a DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster and honestly it's so light and compact that I forget it's there. The best self-defense pistol is the one you never leave home without!
Even a smaller caliber gun, in the vast majority of cases, is likely to make most threats “disengage” and beat a hasty retreat, which should be the preferred outcome in most situations. Of course, if you want something that is going to stop all drugged out, crazy attackers than you should be carrying a shotgun every where you go ?
LOL....EXACTLY!
Exactly. 99.99% of 'stops' are psychological, not physiological.
The thing that gets me about the .380 not being enough argument is people base it not being enough on one shot, but who in a life threatening situation is only pulling the trigger once? Unless you are carrying a .44 or a .50 or some other big magnum, you should be pulling the trigger 3 to 4 times at least when it comes to pistols no matter what the caliber. And I doubt anyone is going to want to continue what they are doing after getting 3 rounds of .380 in their chest. Sure there may be scenarios where there is more than one attacker but is 10 rounds of 9mm going to some how fight off 5 armed guys way better than 10 rounds of .380? Carry what you can and what you feel comfortable with and train with it.
Bravo.Thenks go ahead
Very nice video bud. Been carrying my m&p bodyguard .380 since 2016. Also go m&p 40 s&w 1.0 full size pistol.
Thank you for using gel & ham.
My Bersa Combat just got excited.
Excellent video Drew. I've taken a liking to the LCP Max and may consider carrying 2 ( a NY reload so to speak, lol).
XTP isn't the latest or greatest but seems to be a good performer in 380. Try the Sig V-Crown.
I’m a big fan of the LCP Max, it’s my go to. I’ve been debating rounds, currently have Federal Hydrashocks. I like the critical defense too. I am curious of your thoughts on the Underwood Extreme Defender rounds. Thanks
The fact that i can get 25 rounds in my coat pocket with an extra mag is enough reason to carry an LCP max.
I have a security 380 and love it. Its lots more bang for the buck than my old CC S&W Bodyguard. 15 +1 compared to 6 and it's a lot beefier and feels like a XD on the hand. The light rack slide is awesome.
Even if for whatever reason your only choice of carry is 22LR > that's better than a sharp stick.
If your faced with an attacker > whatever you have on hand (45, 9mm, 380 or 22LR) if shot one or more times > it's likely they will change their mind & stop them.
They probably wouldn't know what caliber they were shot with & just know they were shot and IT HURTS
Thanks,, interesting video.
First of all the 380’is not a duty round, so so much for police input. What the 380 is , is a whole lot better than the old 25 or 32 pistols . A 380 in your pocket will be there to save your life, and if you carry a quality pistol it will do the job.I carried a stainless Ppk 380 for years. Accurate and reliable and enough power for ccw use. Eventually retired it for a Colt Mustang Pocketlite that is around 7 ounces lighter and with its locked breech mechanism , more pleasant to shoot, and just as accurate. Ask people who actually used one in a self defense shooting and they will tell you it did the job.
As a retired LEO that went through three on duty shootings w/my issued .38, I carry my LCP w/o reservation. It’s a get-off-me tool and adequate for a retired senior citizen who’s daily orbits are pretty tame. Most LE agencies authorize a .380 for off-duty/back up as long as the officer can qualify w/it.
380 has been a duty round on the global market for almost 100 years. A very successful one.
Not in America but they do use it in other countries for law enforcement. I prefer 9mm but I do carry a 380 or even a 22lr sometimes when I need something for deep concealment.
It is a duty round in some countries in europe
Haha duty 😂
My brothers best friend died from a single shot of .380. He was riding his bike and got shot when he was 16 in 2001.
The earliest printed example of the proverb that I can find is in William Camden’s Remaines of a Greater Worke Concerning Britaine, 1605:
“All the proof of a pudding is in the eating.”
Great video man thanks
But federal removed the lack of punch in the 22lr cartridge…… ill see myself out now😂
Great video!
I actually have both guns! Great review
If you load HPs 380 is really affective.
9mm is my usual EDC however living in Texas sometimes its rather hot and I'd rather wear athletic shorts, in those cases I have to pocket carry and the G42 is my pocket gun. Run XTP's loaded hot. If I had to use it I think they would do ok, of course I'd be wishing I had something bigger with more rounds.
A person assumes a lot of they've never been in that situation. I had to pull my weapon 1 time and thankfully I didn't have to fire though I fully intended to. We came home one night from eating out and when we pulled in the driveway two guys ran from behind my shed towards the street. The one guy kept running, the other guy stopped and acted like he wanted to start a fight after I started chasing them. When he stopped I immediately pulled my gun and he all but tripped on himself trying to turn around and run, and he was screaming don't shoot I don't have anything. I called 911 and the deputies showed up pretty quickly. They said they have had a rash of thefts in our area, we live rural, and he was guessing they were on drugs.
Wow I'm surprised by the American gunner but the critical defense done it's job pretty darn well to.
I take issue with you not adding the denim when you shot the FMJ flat nose round. Add the denim and THEN see if it penetration is all the way through...
the best
Some .380 pistols are so small you feel the kick on your finger. Alternate placement helps
Peeps tend to think that bigger is better and sometimes that is true. But for EDC the .380 is a fine round. I've been using a Browning 1911 in .380 and I shoot it really well so if a self defense event should ever occur, and God, I pray it will not, I will not feel under gunned, regardless of what someone else might be using. Shot placement is key in every situation and in the real world peeps should focus on that. Go to the range and shoot at least 1x a month.
I own a Lcp max and it is unpleasant to shoot. That being said. It melts away in your front pocket with a VEDDER holster and it has a purpose.
+1
They conceal great and have enormous capacity for a gun that small. But I will say they are hard to shoot. They're so small that almost everyone shoots them 3 inches low. It's possible they're anticipating recoil or something else. But almost everyone has that problem with them. And that's at 10 yards. Anything further, you'll be very slow trying to make a hit.
@@TeddyBear-lb9hoI have the LCP2 in 380. Dead nuts accurate. Those shooting low....operator error.
@iamtheoffenderofall that's what I'm saying. The guns are as accurate as any full size. BUT, and it's a big but, the tiny size of the LCP lends it to being very difficult to shoot well. That's just a fact. You may be able to hit accurately with them with enough training. But you'd be 10 times faster and more accurate with a larger gun. Just how it is.
@@TeddyBear-lb9ho broad assumptions about who can shoot what and accurately comes down to a bias. There are people who cannot shot larger guns accurately where they can shoot smaller guns more accurately. And this isn't about training. This is about anatomy. Smaller people may not be able to handle large guns. This is just how it is. Just cause you suck at shooting small guns doesn't mean everyone does.
@@TeddyBear-lb9ho use the 12 rd mag, much easier to shoot well. I shoot mine vs 8x12 steel at 25 yds with little problem. I have made hits at 100yds, but at that range the "group" is the size of a small car, so it's pretty much random luck.
Will a defensive round do the job? I carry with fmj's with my 380 because I'm worried a defensive round won't have the penetration power. If someone has a thick coat or leather on wouldn't you rather have a 380 fmj opposed to an HP
A 380 hp will cut through a thick leather coat like a hot 🔥 knife 🔪 through butter 🧈!
Great video
The majority of negativity towards 380 is by and large nothing but urban folklore IMHO. Caliber wars are stupid….pick a caliber that you can conceal, shoot well, and has ammo readily available.
RIGHT ON! 👍
No matter what the caliber, if people starts putting holes in you you' probably stop doing what you're doing😀
Interesting the difference in pumpkin damage between the 380 and the 22 mag (your own tests). 22 mag blew the pumpkin apart. Velocity is the biggest determinant of energy.
im concerned about total gun weight. thanks for the video
Sig P365 .380 with extended mag has 13 rounds with one in the pipe. An extra mag puts me at 25 rounds EDC and it is so comfy I don’t know it is there.
Glock 25, stock 15+1 rounds, extended mag. 17+1 and others 20+1 and 30+1
I thought about the 380 for a minute….then pulled the trigger on a S&W 30sc. No regrets.
The lcp max is a very snappy little cuss but mine is good and broken in. People tend to get too analytical when it comes to ammo comparisons and capabilities. The only thing that matters is shot placement. A pellet gun will stop a threat. 99.99999% of self defense situations are point blank range. Caliber doesn’t matter.
I have the Ruger Max and I'm trying to like it but every other time I take it to the range I have failures to load. Ruger sent me a new top half of the gun but still having issues. Using full metal jacket.
Ya, that sucks, not sure what to tell you.
Thanks
I've been loading for my Bersa Thunder 380, 4.3gr CFE Pistol with a WSP primer and 90gr Hornady XTP (max load for a 90gr bullet in 380 with CFE powder is 4.2, but I'm using .355" caliber instead of .356" caliber and my pistol is +P rated, I take no responsibility for your actions if you decide to load like I do), clocking in at 1020fps muzzle velocity with a 3.4" barrel.
It definitely has a lot more recoil and much louder report than a Taurus G2S 9mm, and in ballistic gel outperforms the G2S (using 115gr FMJ Blazer factory loaded ammo).
I load for accuracy and lethal performance.
Again, don't over-charge cartridges when reloading, my load data is not to be used, but if you decide to use it you should use it at your own risk and I would highly recommend not to reload unless you know what you're doing and are willing to take the risk. I am not responsible for any personal injuries or damages to your equipment.
Anyone who has fire a 380 round out of a pocket sized pistol like a TCP or LCP will attest that the recoil is not small when there isn't much gun to grip.
I cannot tell how far I’ve gone down the rabbit hole on the 380! 1st, the 365-380 is clearly the best 380 out there. 2nd, the best, most reliable 380 defensive round, is the ARX Interceptor and the Underwood Extreme defender. Test after test has shown this. And the Ruger, it’s little and that’s its most redeeming quality.