.380 ACP Ammo

Ballistics Overview

The .380 ACP typically fires a 90–100 grain bullet at 900–1,050 fps from a 2.75–3.75 inch barrel, producing 160–220 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. This is meaningfully less than standard 9mm, which produces 330–400 ft-lbs from a comparable barrel. The .380’s shorter case and lower pressure make it controllable in very small pistols where 9mm recoil would be difficult to manage. Modern hollow point designs have improved to the point where quality .380 defensive loads meet the FBI’s minimum 12-inch penetration standard from most platforms.

Defensive Hollow Points

Federal HST 99gr Micro is specifically engineered for short-barrel .380 pistols and is among the most recommended defensive .380 loads. Hornady Critical Defense 90gr FTX and Speer Gold Dot 90gr are both proven performers with published test data. Avoid generic or bargain hollow points in .380—expansion reliability at .380 velocities from short barrels varies significantly between designs, and this is a caliber where load selection matters more than in higher-velocity cartridges. Stick to purpose-designed, tested loads from major manufacturers.

FMJ Practice Loads

For range practice, FMJ loads from Federal, Winchester, Remington, and Magtech are the standard choice. The 95-grain FMJ is the most common .380 practice load and cycles reliably in virtually every .380 platform. Buy in bulk to minimize per-round cost; .380 ACP FMJ typically runs $0.30–$0.50 per round. Some shooters practice with FMJ and confirm their defensive hollow point functions reliably in their specific pistol before carrying it—short-barrel .380 pistols can occasionally be finicky with certain hollow point profiles.

.380 ACP vs. 9mm

The 9mm is a more capable defensive cartridge than .380 ACP in every measurable way—more energy, better expansion, and deeper penetration. However, the smallest 9mm pistols are still larger and heavier than the best .380 pocket guns. If you can comfortably carry a compact 9mm like the Sig P365 or Ruger MAX-9, it’s the better choice. The .380 earns its place when platform size is the overriding constraint—a .380 in your pocket is more useful than a 9mm left at home. See our 9mm ammo page for comparison.

Pricing and Availability

The .380 ACP is priced slightly higher than 9mm per round due to lower production volume. FMJ practice loads typically run $0.30–$0.50 per round; quality defensive hollow points run $0.80–$1.20. Availability is generally good from all major manufacturers year-round. Buying defensive loads in small quantities (2–3 boxes) is sufficient given the limited round count carried in most .380 platforms—most .380 pocket pistols hold 6–10 rounds, making a box of 20 hollow points adequate for loading and carrying for an extended period.

Related Pages

Browse our handguns page for .380 ACP compact pistol options, or see our 9mm ammo page to compare calibers. Visit our handgun ammo overview for all pistol calibers.