The .380 ACP has sparked debate among firearms enthusiasts for years, with some dismissing it as underpowered and others championing its compact, easy-to-handle nature.
For those seeking a self-defense caliber that’s both concealable and effective, the .380 remains a viable option.
But how good is it, really?
Key Takeaway
The .380 ACP can be effective for self-defense, but it’s generally considered less powerful than the 9mm. While it offers lower recoil and may be easier to control for some shooters, the 9mm provides better penetration and wound channels, making it more reliable for stopping a threat. If you can manage a 9mm, it’s recommended; however, for those who struggle with 9mm recoil or prefer a smaller firearm, the .380 ACP is a viable option as long as you understand its limitations in terms of stopping power.
Why .380 ACP is Considered for Self-Defense
The .380 ACP, or Automatic Colt Pistol, was designed by John Browning in 1908, and since then, it has become a popular choice for concealed carry. Although some consider it less powerful than larger calibers like the 9mm or .45 ACP, advancements in ammunition technology have greatly improved its effectiveness. The .380 is often chosen for self-defense because of its lower recoil and smaller firearm sizes, which make it easier to handle, especially for those with less shooting experience or limited hand strength.
One key benefit of the .380 ACP is its reduced recoil, which allows for quicker follow-up shots and greater control. This can be a significant advantage in self-defense situations where accuracy and speed are critical. Additionally, the smaller size of .380 pistols makes them easier to conceal, making them ideal for everyday carry.
The Effectiveness of .380 ACP in Stopping Threats
Stopping power is often a primary concern in self-defense. Many critics of the .380 ACP argue that it lacks the stopping power of larger calibers like the 9mm or .45 ACP. While larger calibers generally provide more penetration and energy, modern ballistic advancements have significantly improved the performance of the .380 ACP, making it a viable option for self-defense.
Today, high-quality defensive ammunition, such as jacketed hollow points (JHP), can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the .380 ACP. These rounds are designed to expand upon impact, creating a wider wound channel and delivering the necessary energy to neutralize a threat. Moreover, the .380 ACP is less prone to over-penetration, which reduces the risk of injuring bystanders in a defensive situation.
While the .380 may not have the raw power of larger calibers, its accuracy, manageable recoil and improved ammunition technology make it an effective self-defense caliber for many individuals.
5 Advantages of Choosing .380 ACP for Concealed Carry
One of the reasons the .380 ACP is a popular choice for self-defense, especially for concealed carry, is its numerous advantages over larger calibers. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Easier to Conceal: The .380 ACP is commonly chambered in smaller, more compact firearms, making it an excellent option for concealed carry. The smaller size of the gun allows for easier concealment under clothing, providing more discretion in day-to-day situations.
- Manageable Recoil: Compared to larger calibers, the .380 ACP produces less recoil, which makes it easier to control during rapid fire. This feature is particularly beneficial for shooters with limited hand strength or those new to firearms, allowing them to maintain better accuracy.
- Increased Ammunition Capacity: Many .380 ACP pistols offer a relatively high ammunition capacity in a small package, giving you more rounds for self-defense without carrying a bulky firearm.
- Availability of Ammunition: The widespread popularity of .380 ACP ensures that ammunition is readily available. From full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds for practice to hollow points for self-defense, you can easily find the appropriate ammunition for your needs.
- Reduced Over-Penetration: In self-defense scenarios, especially in urban environments, over-penetration (where a bullet passes through the target and poses a risk to bystanders) is a concern. The .380 ACP’s lower velocity helps reduce the risk of over-penetration, making it a safer choice in crowded environments.
Choosing the Right .380 ACP Ammunition for Self-Defense
The effectiveness of the .380 ACP in a self-defense scenario largely depends on the type of ammunition used. Choosing the right ammunition can make all the difference between stopping a threat and simply wounding an attacker. For self-defense purposes, selecting high-quality, controlled expansion rounds like jacketed hollow points (JHP) is critical.
- Jacketed Hollow Points (JHP): These are the preferred rounds for self-defense because they are designed to expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel and delivering more stopping power. This expansion also helps reduce the risk of over-penetration, which is especially important in populated areas or enclosed spaces.
- Reliable Feeding: One of the most important factors when selecting .380 ACP ammunition is ensuring that it feeds reliably in your firearm. Not all ammo types will function smoothly in every gun, so it’s essential to test different loads to ensure that your chosen ammunition operates flawlessly in your carry pistol.
- Testing Different Loads: To ensure your firearm functions correctly under stress, practice with a variety of defensive loads. Fire multiple rounds of your chosen JHP to verify reliability and accuracy. This will give you confidence that your gun will perform as expected in a self-defense situation.
Investing in high-quality JHP rounds and confirming their reliability in your firearm can maximize the .380 ACP’s potential for self-defense.
So, Is The .380 Good for Self-Defense?
The .380 ACP has often been overlooked in the debate over self-defense calibers due to its smaller size and lower power than rounds like the 9mm or .45 ACP. However, advancements in ammunition technology have reshaped how we view the .380 ACP. When paired with the right self-defense ammunition, such as jacketed hollow points, the .380 ACP can effectively neutralize a threat while minimizing the risk of over-penetration.
Its advantages—such as reduced recoil, improved accuracy and ease of concealment—make the .380 ACP a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and manageable caliber for self-defense. Whether you’re a new shooter or an experienced gun owner seeking a compact and effective concealed carry option, the .380 ACP can deliver the stopping power you need when it matters most.
Ultimately, while it may not be the most powerful round on the market, the .380 ACP’s balance of size, recoil and modern ammunition makes it a legitimate contender for self-defense.
I can control my 9mms much better than my 380s. Just a thought but the 380s “lack of recoil” is a bit of a misconception
That ‘blowback’ design makes it seem like a lot of recoil. On the plus side, most of those blowback pistols have fixed barrels. Makes them more accurate than their size would suggest.
I bought a youth model 20 ga. to teach my grandkids shotguns. It was so light that any loads above light birdshot were brutal to shoot. I would rather shoot buck loads through a 12 than this little beast.
Years ago, ack, decades ago, an old timer RSO at a trap range told me he’d rather teach youngsters with a short LOP 12 and light loads, than use a smaller gauge. He was especially down on starting kids on a 410 because of pattern stringing, and he finalized it with a stream of ‘baccy juice. May be something to it, because I generally shot Gpa’s JC Higgins Model 20 better than the 410 and 20 we also had, even as a preteen. That’s a full size, heavy gun.
I’m a large man with a ton of shotgun experience. That youth model 20 was brutal with anything but light loads. I tried it with 3 inch buck loads. Only shotgun I’ve ever fired that I lost my grip on the forearm. 3-4 shots was all I wanted.
I’ve shot a .458 win mag in the day. That was not as brutal as that light 20.
Pull the buttplate, filll the hole with lead shot – it will be butt-heavy, but it will tame it.
Hope I didn’t confuse anybody—the JC Higgins Model 20 is a 12 gauge pump.
The 20 gauge we had was a light break action single. I could shoot that Higgins all day wingshooting starlings at the mulberry tree, but that 20 gauge, well, brutal is the right word. I can’t think of a single time it burned through a full box of shells in a day, even being handed around. Mom cleaned houses for a couple older widows a road or two over, for coffee can cash, and one of them sold it and a few boxes of shells to her for 5 bucks one day “so your boys could get some use out of it.” The forend was held in place with friction tape, and it was pretty dirty and stiff. I took it apart, cleaned & oiled the guts, stripped & oiled the wood, polished the brass bead, and repaired the forend latch. She cleaned up nice, but I swear I heard chuckling come from the cemetery the first time we touched it off.
My other Gpa had a break action 12 that also was known for kicking like a mule, but by the time I was old enough to learn shotgun, it had been retired because it loosened up and would hit the shooter in the forehead with the empty after firing.
All things being equal (same gun weight distributed the same across the gun, same strength recoil spring, same overall weight of ammo in the box mag) then 380 has less recoil due to a typically smaller powder charge and lighter projectile. However, 380 pistols are generally smaller. Add that to the differences in blowback action and you end up with what often feels like more recoil Some of the smaller 380s carry as nearly invisible, but they are punishing on the hand by the time you get to the third or more training magazine on the range.
And……if your choice is 380 or nothing, it beats nothing.
I confess that I have often been intrigued by various .380 pistols. I still lust for a Walther PPK. However; none are significantly more compact than my S&W 3913. My S&W CS45 isn’t much larger either.
My wife and I both have Glock Mod 30’s, small, easy to conceal and withreplaced KKM threaded barrels are extremely accurate. They kick, some, but are pretty easy to handle overall, plus they have decent stopping power with Glod Dot Short Barrel ammo. We have magazines with 10, 13, or 18 rounds (won’t be hiding the 18 rounders) but prtactice with these small guns and you get very used to them. No problems, rarely jam with good ammo and right grip so we don’t really understand the 380 as a dependable stopper?
I too lusted for a Walther PPK. I finally bought one and it was the worst handgun I’ve ever owned and I’ve had many. It would jam about every third round. Took it to gunsmiths and they were not able to correct the problem. Finally traded it for an Sig Sauer 360 in 9mm. Excellent gun for EDC.
I too lusted for a Walther PPK. I finally bought one and it was the worst handgun I’ve ever owned and I’ve had many. It would jam about every third round. Took it to gunsmiths and they were not able to correct the problem. Finally traded it for an Sig Sauer 360 in 9mm. Excellent gun for EDC. Good luck!
Had a 380. Decided 12 years ago it was too underpowered. That’s that🙄
Me too. My 365X with Magguts modded magazine gives me 14+1 of 9mm.
A .380 is just a 9mm short, after all.
I rented one of the Ruger pocket guns, in 380. Not a great experience. They are terrible for follow up shots. Maybe in a heavier gun would be better.
The 380 is not a good caliber for small guns. Get a 32acp for the smaller guns.
Great idea – go from not much power to very little/less power
And substantially more penetration. Always viewed the two as an even tradeoff ballistically for better than 22lr/25acp but not as good as 9×19. The semi rim does take away from 32 vs 380 for other considerations.
I have carried a Ruger LCP in 380 for about 10 years, first the original single stack, now the LCP Max with a double stack magazine. I carry in a Recluse pocket holster. In this time, I have NEVER been detected, despite carrying everywhere (except post office, etc.), every day.
They are not fun to shoot, but I am able to keep all rounds on target during practice. I try to fire my defensive ammo about every six months by just taking the pistol from my pocket, and emptying it as if in a SD scenario. I have never had a failure of either the gun or ammo, although the springs in the original magazines failed (fractured!) after a few years. All springs have been replaced with Wolf springs.
I figure that the small 380 that I always have with me is better than my preferred 1911 45 that I didn’t bring because it is not easily concealed.
380 is a fine round, however, 380s tend to end up in smaller micro compact guns which make them snappy and with a small grip, hard to control the gun. A larger gun in the compact range or larger is fine for control. Also, 9mm is not larger caliber than a 380, they are exactly the same caliber. 380 just has a shorter case, that does not determine caliber.
Is the 380 good for self-defense? Yes. When a person is shot, be it a .22 or a .50ae, they’re not going to look down and say, ouch, I’ve been shot by a 380; thank God it wasn’t a .45. Defensive is about getting out of trouble, not getting into it or staying in it. I sell thousands of 380s because any firearm is better than no gun in a life-threatening situation.
I was thinking the same thing about the caliber issue (9mm vs .380). Glad you mentioned it. You beat me to it. Well played.
In fact, 380 is also known as 9mm Kurz (9mm short). The article keeps saying “some consider” 380 to be less powerful than 9mm, but this isn’t a matter of opinion. It IS less powerful. Doesn’t mean its a bad round, or that the recoil can’t feel snappy in a small gun. But it’s definitely less powerful than 9mm (WAY less than .45 acp), and the article should simply say so.
ChatGPT doesn’t know anything, so it weasel-words everything.
Yes, it’s less powerful. NO, it’s not “overlooked” as a self-defense caliber. And so forth. Very little meat in these weekly “Is X good for self defense?” “articles”.
At least I hope they’re “AI” generated.
I had that suspicion myself….
Of the two pistols in the picture I prefer the Sig.
TTAG, these articles are getting dumber and dumber. I did not get past the opening paragraph.
Muh stopping power. The Fudd lore is strong here.
Didn’t miss anything. Someone needs to include “avoid repeating the same points 3 times” in their prompts to the AI writer.
Three times? I could have sworn it was four.
I have a small Ruger .380 That fits in my jeans front pocket. I see it as my last resort gun. It’s not great but it is easy to conceal and carry and better than nothing. I practice weekly at my local range and it’s OK for a 15 foot gun.
LCP is the only gun I ever disposed of (in 40+ years). I just decided was to close to worthless to bother with – round too anemic, pistol too light w/too small a grip. Only thing that recommends it is was designed by the godfather, JMB.
I have several 9mm Parabellum, (starting in the “wonder nine” days) in the name of easy to find common ammo. But still not much convinced that a NATO DEI (for the girl wannabe soldiers) round that “with the right ammo is almost as good as” is a great recommendation.
My LCP Plus holds 12 1 of Critical Defense. Yeah…I know it’s not a 9 but it’s so small and concealable (10.6 oz.). When I venture outside of corn country, where I reside, I carry a Ruger Max 9 stoked with Federal 150 gr. HST Micro on strong side and Ruger LCR in .38 stoked with Federal HST 130 gr. P Micro on weak side. Unfortunately Federal has discontinued both of these loadings.
You seem to be a Ruger fan. 😉
I also sometimes carry a .380. In my case it is sadly just a basic 6+1 Ruger LCP. I also carry a Ruger Max-9 and a snub nosed .38sp, but mine is a S&W 642 instead of an LCR.
AI sure likes to use nonsensical phrases…like. “stopping power”.
A WW2/Korea vet told me a long time ago – “I’ve shot a lot of people with a lot of calibers. I am here to tell you that if you have to shoot somebody that is trying to kill you, you want the biggest thing you can get.”
I served with guys that were in ww2, Korea and Viet Nam.
They all preferred a radio connection to the artillery.
Real nice if you have the time.
OR, a radio.
and a 155
105 rounds leave the muzzle quickly when you have a “contact” mission. From Nam experience as a Marine F.O.
It’s a workable compromise.
All armchair nitpicking aside…Most any size ammo is good for semi auto self defense as long the handgun runs the ammo reliably and the ammo runs the handgun reliably…it’s yin and yang grasshopper.
I guess I’ll have to start using “plus” instead of the symbol.
Well, I guess it’s better than a sharp stick.
Age and health issues have taken their tolls. I pocket carry the Ruger LCP MAX .380 that I have upgraded with a M*Carbo trigger & spring kit and Talon grip. It is ammo picky and doesn’t load Winchester Silvertip JHP reliably if it is the first round in the magazine. So I load the mag with 9 JHPs and top it with a regular round. This combination seems to work good. The LCP MAX is easy enough for me to rack and I see it as a better than carrying nothing option.
Try a Smith 9mm EZ. VERY easy to run and has an almost real round.
I am sick and tired of the stopping power argument! The only thing that matters is you have a weapon when you need one. Wither it’s a 22CB cap or a 50 BMG. When I was in Vietnam in 1962 my weapon was M-2 Carbine. Now these experts say I was under guned. I’ll carry an M-2 carbine any day as long as it works..
Carried one in 1969 in country. Preferred it to the crappy M-16s we Marines had.
Is a 9mm Lugers power effective for defense at 100yards?
define what you mean by “effective”.
Out of a 16″ carbine? Geneslly Yes 👍
i guess i agree with nam62—my understanding .380, .38, .357, 9mm are just about the smaill diameter…sure some hold more powder and hopefully more gun….a tiny .380 or .38 light weight using the most powerful round for it will hurt and be hard to follow up……a large caliber firearm in a light firearm, well for one i had to change the grip….asked the company for a recommended self defense round, they replied use fmj, due to the short barrel….i sure there is much more that i do not understand yet, but articles like this are questionable
I have a lightweight .380. It’s easy to conceal and easy to shoot. I’ve never noticed it being that snappy. It’ll punch 9mm holes into you.
“The 9mm can be effective for self-defense, but it’s generally considered less powerful than the .357 Magnum. While it offers lower recoil and may be easier to control for some shooters, the .357 Magnum provides better penetration and wound channels, making it more reliable for stopping a threat. If you can manage a .357 Magnum, it’s recommended; however, for those who struggle with .357 Magnum recoil or prefer a smaller firearm, the 9mm is a viable option as long as you understand its limitations in terms of stopping power.”
Point being, it’s all relative. Carry what you want, it’s your life that depends on it.
Hollowpoints are not a good choice for .380. Inconsistent expansion and when it does expand it tends to under-penetrate. FMJ is best at under the 9x18mm dropoff point.
Copper solids seem to do fine for all around 380 and 32acp types.
Underwood copper monolithic Xtreme Defender and Xtreme Penetrator do an excellent job but are a bit on the Xtreme Pricey side IMO. FMJ isn’t the best but if it hits heart or nearby valves it doesn’t matter the size of the hole the target is going to drop to zero blood pressure pretty darn quickly.
Probably wouldn’t practice with underwood beyond confirming it functions reliably as both expense and potential barrel wear could become factors (much less likely for the second but compared to fmj it is a concern at +p). With that said 380 is probably about as viable an option as 9mm was 30-40 years ago at this point.
Nikita Tesla,
I came here to echo half of your comment: I also don’t like hollowpoints for .380 ACP because they either fail to expand, or they expand and do not penetrate deep enough to reliably do major damage.
Instead of full metal jacket or ball ammunition, I recommend Buffalo Bore hardcast or, even better, Underwood Xtreme Penetrator. The advantage of both of those particular cartridges is that they are not supposed to expand and yet they provide a similar diameter wound channel as a quality hollowpoint bullet–except with superior penetration.
I am almost as confident in the ability of a micro .380 ACP semi-auto pistol (loaded with Buffalo Bore hardcast or Underwood Xtreme Penetrator) to physically incapacitate someone as a similar pistol chambered in 9mm Luger with quality hollowpoint ammunition.
Bullshit
Actually… truncated cone, or flat-front round nose are the best. FMJ causes much less tissue damage, and doesn’t penetrate as deeply, or straight. Counterintuitively, but true. In all calibers.
The nice thing about Makarov 9x18mm is that the round nose is much flatter than the more-pointed .380 or 9mm FMJ rounds
Readers should know the following which applies to virtually all handgun configurations:
Gunshot wounds rarely produce enough trauma to quickly incapacitate an attacker. Rather, the psychological horror of sustaining a gunshot would is what usually stops an attacker quickly. (We call them psychological stops.)
If the most common mechanism of stopping an attacker with a handgun is a psychological stop, then .380 ACP is as good as any caliber.
The second sentence of my second paragraph above should read, “… the psychological horror of sustaining a gunshot WOUND is what usually stops …”.
A huge aspect of life is managing trade-offs. While gunshot wounds from handguns typically fail to quickly incapacitate an attacker physically, they usually succeed in quickly “incapacitating” an attacker psychologically. My own estimate is that a defender with a handgun will succeed in quickly stopping an attacker via psychological mechanism at least 90% of the time. And since the stop is psychological in nature rather than dependent on wound trauma, caliber is irrelevant in those stops.
So, if you want something like a 98% probability of quickly stopping an attacker, you will have to carry some version of a “hand cannon” such as a huge revolver chambered in .44 Magnum with hot loads and 180 grain hollowpoint bullets, which is obviously very bulky and difficult (if not effectively impossible) to lug around. Or, you can carry a much smaller handgun which degrades your probability of quickly stopping an attacker (to around 90%) while greatly enhancing your ease/comfort of carrying, at which point .380 ACP is a fine choice.
Where things get dicey is when someone wants greater than 90% probability of stopping their attacker without carrying some form of “hand cannon”. In that regard .380 ACP does not do the job.
You decide which trade-off is right for you.
I’m not comfortable trying to conceal a 9mm or larger weapon. I’m far more likely to carry a gun that is easily concealed which makes the 380 a top choice. I know upfront that its stopping power is on the low side of acceptable which makes shot placement a bigger priority. That said I need some range time.
Everything is a trade-off.
I carry an LCP Max because it’s easy to pocket carry all the time.
I often carry something larger in addition, but the LCP Max is always there.
Don’t get the recoil comments, my finer gets raw shooting a couple hundred rounds through the max. But that’s because it has a flat bottom trigger guard.
Revolvers have recoil. I’ve never had a sore palm or wrist from an automatic’s recoil.
We should also remember that pocket or vest pistols in .25 or .32 were very popular back when JMB designed the .380. The 1849 Colt revolver was a .31. I guess people back then believed that they were sufficiently powerful belly guns. Past about six feet, effectiveness is likely greatly diminished.
Mark N.,
Looking back 100 years ago compared to today, almost everyone was a LOT smaller. That means a .25 caliber or .32 caliber handgun was much more likely to penetrate adequately to stop an attacker. Perhaps even more relevant, there was basically zero emergency medical care available so any gunshot wound was potentially fatal, either immediately from blood loss or days later from infection. Due to the above factors, even “small” calibers must have been far more effective than we think of them today.
As for handgun bullets losing velocity due to distance, the amount of lost velocity beyond 6 feet does not become significant until we are looking at something like 100 feet and beyond. Thus, I do not expect any difference in effectiveness at typical self-defense distances of zero to 30 feet.
In my mind the absolutely dominant factors are quite simple:
1) Having a firearm in any caliber for self-defense
2) Being able to place shots into critical locations
Everything else beyond those two factors is far less important.
Before modern medical knowledge and procedures, a body cavity hit would often lead to death through sepsis. Not quickly but painfully over a week or so. Unlike TV and movies, that was a real threat. Made one give thought to being involved in a gunfight, no matter the caliber. Your 38-40 might kill your opponent quickly, but his .32 in your gun might well do you in also. Availability of cheap liquor tended to reduce those concerns, however.
Lest we forget, “The war to end all wars” was begun with a FN 1910 .380. Archduke Franz Ferdinand shot dead with a .380. Bobby Kennedy shot down with a Harrington Richardson 8 shot .22 revolver.
I don’t argue that JHPs are recognized as superior to FMJs for defense IF, I repeat IF you are assured of adequate penetration! I am not with heavy clothing. Also at the reduced velocity will it will reliably expand which sometimes they don’t. With a FMJ I know I’ll have a .355 caliber wound track to the vitals.
I recognize that JHPs are much preferred for defense IF, and I repeat IF they penetrate to the vitals. A big if with the 380!
At least with a FMJ I have a .355 cal. Wound track into where it needs to go.
With a .380, IMO, the location of a hit counts more than with other, larger calibers. Practice your aim at specific areas of the body! I have 2 .380s, a Shield and a CZ 82. Shield is my usual everyday pocket carry, small and lightweight. However, I live in a very low crime crate area.
My Ruger govt 380 works best with Federal 99grn HST Law Enforcement, a very serious round with 12 inches of penetration with a ½ inch bullet spread.
Having any firearm when confronted by a criminal is much better than having no firearm at all. This can apply all the way down to a .22 caliber.
I own a .380 and carry it in a Sneaky Pete holster. No one pays any attention to that hanging on my belt, even in my local bank.
.380 Auto is a 9mm round. It’s 9x17mm.
You are supposed to be a gun writer on a gun website. Get your shit together or find another profession.
Very good article!!. I have been leaning towards carrying a 380 for awhile and this article helped convince me to try carrying a 380 because it will be more easy to conceal and I will use best 380 self defense ammunition I can afford to purchase. Most 9 mm are difficult to conceal unless to wear IWB , which I can’t it’s to uncomfortable, I prefer OWN and will try Sneaky Pete Holsters. I am tired of wasting money on all theses holsters that over promises concealment and comfort!!!! Wayne A.
There are a number of 1″ (or less) micro 9 mm pistols that are easy to conceal. I have a Springfield 9mm EMP which, weighing in at 27 oz, handles recoil and muzzle flip extremely well, even with it puny 3″ barrel. Being slender, it is easily concealed and carried IWB or OWB. (Also available in .40 cal.)
Kahr double action only pistols run less than an inch thick but take more practice in order to get used to the long heavy trigger pull. The tiny Rugers can be had in 9 mm as well as 380.
The only issue with these minis is capacity.
Might be the worst written article I’ve ever seen on this site. Repetitive, full of errors.
Almost painful to read