That’s because handguns are mostly used within a range of 100 yards, even more commonly under 50 yards. 380 vs 9mm: BallisticsĬomparing the ballistics of handgun cartridges can seem a bit less useful to some people. Due to the smaller base diameter, 9mm bullets can be used easily in double-stack magazines, allowing the user to carry more in a similar space. Since it is widely used by military forces across the world, you can find almost 12 different types of bullet options to choose from. On the other hand, the 9mm is a heavier bullet with a ton of options for ammo to choose from. Along with more space for extra rounds in a handgun of comparable size. This translates to lower recoil, lesser noise, and better controllability. Plus, the highest bullet weights reach only close to 100 grains. 380 ACP is loaded at almost half the pressure of 9mm (not taking into consideration +p loads). 380 ACP but that doesn’t create much of a difference.Īs you can see in the table, the. This means a microsecond of faster cycling time for the.

380 ACP is close to an inch in overall length, whereas the 9mm is just a tad longer. 380 is a less powerful cartridge than the 9mm, which is already evident from the measurements and visual inspection. 380 and 9mm share the same bullet diameter and technically both are 9mm bullets. Let’s compare the cartridge dimensions and specs for both these cartridges. Being widely popular also means there is a lot of bullet options and data available out there.

The first transitions were seen among U.S police departments during the 1980s when many officers switched their revolvers for the quick reloading and high mag capacity handguns chambered in the 9mm.Īs far as the military is concerned, again the controllability and ammo carrying capacity gave it more preference over heavier rounds like the. Being a flat autoloader cartridge, the 9mm rounds can be easily stacked in flat magazines which eliminates the problem of carrying extra ammo with concealment.ĭue to its power, high magazine capacities, and ample stopping power, the 9mm popularized the use of semi-automatic handguns. However some CCW permit holders want the power that 9mm offers, and there's nothing wrong with that either.The cartridge is also known by other names such as 9mm Parabellum, 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, and 9x19mm. 380 pistols are also extremely lightweight and easy to conceal. So, the key factor in picking revolves around which one you shoot best.Īre you a surgeon with your 380? If so then this might be the right choice. All bullets and handgun calibers are deadly if used appropriately. Although the 380 ACP is a somewhat underpowered round, it isn't any less deadly than a 22LR, which is just as lethal as any other round. Marksmanship is the key deciding factor in selecting any EDC cartridge for you CCW handgun.

Lots of people tell you that you shouldn't carry anything smaller than a 9mm, but if you can't handle that cartridge then what good is it for you? When selecting an EDC handgun cartridge, it's important to understand what you shoot best. No matter how you slice it, the 9mm is clearly the more powerful cartridge however, does this mean that you should completely disregard the. 380 ACP has less recoil and enhanced handling capabilities as reasons for picking the cartridge. Some Internet pundits will proclaim that the 380 ACP does not have enough stopping power for self-defense and the 9mm round is clearly the better choice. 380 ACP has a shorter overall case length and is, therefore, the more anemic round. Both cartridges fire the same 9mm (0.355”) diameter bullet, but the. 380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) and the 9mm Luger (9x19mm NATO, 9mm Parabellum). When it comes to picking your next semi-automatic everyday carry (EDC) handgun, two calibers that you should consider are the. For $20 off your next ammo purchase, go to (a special deal for our viewers)!