.380 P+ Ammo

[Skid_McCoy]

I just got back from the store where bought a box .380 ammo. I looked at the box and darn if it isn't +P. They're 85 grain JHP for self defense. I looked at the Ruger LCP manual and they say not to use +P ammo. I think lots of ammo designed for self defense if going to be +P. I'm not going take a chance and I'll return it. What does everyone with a .380 typically use if you carry it?

 

[glove]

Hello
I did not know they were making .380 +P ammo. What brand of ammo did you buy? Can you post a pic. of the box where is says +P? I have some Buffalo Bore .380 ammo it is hot but not +P.
Dave

 

[MachIVshooter]

I use handloaded 102 gr. Golden sabres in my P3AT that would definitely qualify as +P. While these little guns can't handle a steady diet of it, a few for function test and then carry is OK.

 

[dogtown tom]

There is no SAAMI standard for .380+P.

Anyone claiming their .380 ammunition as +P is engaging in marketing hyperbole. While it MAY be a higher pressure round than SAAMI specs, that does not make it +P as there is no SAAMI spec for .380+P.

SAAMI http://www.saami.org/

 

[BurgDog]

With official +P we know that there is a standard and that that standard is not exceeded. With the unofficial .380 +P all that means is that the pressure is something over SAAMI specs but we can't know HOW MUCH it is over. It could be a little or it could be a lot.

 

[w_houle]

Ruger recognizes a +P standard, even if SAAMI does not. I would suspect that +P ammunition to be 10% above standard maximum loading. That being said: I would not want to load anything I can't at least run some of it through to function test.

 

[Skid_McCoy]

It's Magtech Guardian Gold, .380 Auto+P 85gr JHP, muzzle velocity = 1082 fps, muzzle energy = 221

 

[MachIVshooter]

85gr JHP, muzzle velocity = 1082 fps

That's not +P. I'm getting 1025* with the 102's.

*may be slightly higher or lower, as I don't have my load book in front of me.

 

[Skid_McCoy]

Here's a link to the manufacturers site
http://www.magtechammunition.com/si...tails&templateId=14&pageId=103&search=details

 

[NMGonzo]

Why do you want extra pressure in a straight blowback anyhow.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Why do you want extra pressure in a straight blowback anyhow.

LCP's, like the P3AT they copied, employ standard short recoil systems

 

[MICHAEL T]

It's Magtech Guardian Gold, .380 Auto+P 85gr JHP, muzzle velocity = 1082 fps, muzzle energy = 221

I saw a test on that ammo it was fired from KelTec and was just a little over 900 FPS they use a test barrel and I belive its 5" I tried on milk jugs of water passed clean thru no expansion Corbon DPX is in my 380 KelTec, Mustang , Bersa . PPK/s

Don't worry about it in you Ruger

 

[usp9]

SAAMI may need to catch up with the real world. There is no doubt that +P ammo, (higher than standard pressure), is being produced whether it's officially recognised as such or not.

 

[Jonah71]

It's Magtech Guardian Gold, .380 Auto+P 85gr JHP, muzzle velocity = 1082 fps, muzzle energy = 221

Somehow I ended up with 3 boxes of these. They are what I carry in my little Bersa Thunder .380 Del. because (and I do not understand why) I haven't had a single jam with them as opposed to the less expensive Lawman 95 gr fn or rn. My gun dealer told me +P's were OK for carry in this gun but he wouldn't use them for practice. No problem there....I couldn't afford it. I've ordered another magazine as I think that's why I'm having ftf's.

 

[harmon rabb]

SAAMI may need to catch up with the real world. There is no doubt that +P ammo, (higher than standard pressure), is being produced whether it's officially recognised as such or not.

hornady powerball in .380 is so much hotter than other loads out there, it's got to be the equivalent to +p

 

[ants]

With Colt Mustang, LCP, P3AT as notable exceptions, the vast majority of 380 pistols are blowback designs where the breech is not locked. If you have a blowback pistol, you may wish to educate yourself on the unlocked breech design.

With that knowledge, you can make an educated choice to use +P or not. You should not use +P ammo just because you like it. Use it only if the pistol and its manufacturer have designed the handgun to safely handle it.

 

[GlockFan]

CORBON has a few loads with similar specs as to what some are saying. Right around 1050 fps and 220 ftlbs. I shot atleast 50 rounds of Corbon through my P3AT. Boy that makes a large flame.