.380Popularity and general ammo woes

[MartyG]

My favorite, the .380 auto, has enjoyed a lot of popularity lately. Concealed Carry laws bring the "not too little" pistol into the limelight. Jumping on the bandwagon, Ruger introduced the LCP, and in today's Gun World I see the Micro Desert Eagle from Magnum Research. In the same issue there is a comparison story about four popular models. We .380 owners ought to be happy that our little guy is finally getting the recognition that it deserves.

EXCEPT that buying .380 ACP has proven to be impossible! After many nights of checking with Wal-Mart after their trucks arrive, only to find that no ammo is on board, or that there was some, but "some guy came in and bought it all," I got frustrated and went to the internet.

NOBODY that I could find had .380 FMJ in stock. The best I could do was place a back-order with Midway. (500 rds/$180)

BTW, 9mm is just as hard to find. I was able to place an order for 1000 rds on line, as Wal-Mart has the same story there, too.

I have been able to find .38 spcl locally.

I am beginning to think that the gold / silver buyers who expect US currency to fail are also buying ammo, even if they don't own a gun, as a hedge.

Get what you can while you can! This could get much worse!

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I got out of .380ACP last year, after years of carrying one. Too little.

 

[cliffy]

So long as it has a cockable hammer . . .

Double-action only SUCKS! The new Ruger FAILS in this aspect. Single-action MUST be an essential aspect of accuracy. Hammerless firearms S-U-C-K. Sorry to bust anyone's balloon. Why is the 1911 clone action so popular? It's superior, that's why. cliffy

 

[MartyG]

I carry the Walther PPK/S. SA and DA, cockable hammer, safety/decocker, depending on how you use it. The best of all the combinations.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

So long as it has a cockable hammer . . .

Sig just introduced the Sig 238, a single-action .380 micropistol. Basically just like the Colt Mustang. Should be interesting to see that hit the shelves.



It'll be cool if the increased popularity bring the price of .380 down once the market sorts itself out. I've got a MAC-11 that burns up a 32rd mag in under a second, so I could use every price-break I can get.

About two years ago I started seeing WWB .380 in 100rd packs, so that's a good step. I just picked up a pack last week, and my local WalMart had plenty of .380, though they were short on quite a few other rounds.

 

[Prince Yamato]

You know, I've never shot a .380. I've shot .32acp and 9x18 makarov. I assume .380 is somewhere between the two and closer to the 9x18 round. I think there's a definite case for this round. I'd like to see more pocket pistols. I'd also like a Glock 28 as well. Sadly, that gun is a "no no" for the US market.

 

[Landric]

Cliffy said:

So long as it has a cockable hammer . . .
Double-action only SUCKS! The new Ruger FAILS in this aspect. Single-action MUST be an essential aspect of accuracy. Hammerless firearms S-U-C-K. Sorry to bust anyone's balloon. Why is the 1911 clone action so popular? It's superior, that's why. cliffy

That is quite a broad statement. Perhaps you are not able to shoot DAO firearms well, but that doesn't mean that others of us are not. I don't notice much difference shooting a SA vs. a DAO, but then again I dry fire quite a lot. I'd suggest more practice and fewer broad, sweeping (and incorrect) statements.

To the OP: Start reloading. Components are hard to find right now, but not nearly as hard as some loaded ammo. Plus, you will have a good time and maybe even save some money.

 

[Rezin]

.380 hard to find?????

I have a good but here for my .380's but haven't noticed it in short supply. I'll have to double check next time I am out, and grab some if it's available............

 

[rhoggman]

Double-action only SUCKS! The new Ruger FAILS in this aspect. Single-action MUST be an essential aspect of accuracy. Hammerless firearms S-U-C-K. Sorry to bust anyone's balloon. Why is the 1911 clone action so popular? It's superior, that's why. cliffy

Sounds like somebody needs to learn how to shoot more than one type of firearm.

 

[MCgunner]

Double-action only SUCKS! The new Ruger FAILS in this aspect. Single-action MUST be an essential aspect of accuracy.

Just because YOU can't shoot DA doesn't mean I can't out shoot your SA using my DA. Practice and skill are worth a lot more than platform of the gun and DAO had advantages in pocket carry.

Ever see a PPC match? Go watch one and tell me shooting DA accurately can't be done. Of course, I'm assuming PPC is still done with a DA revolver. Hell, I haven't seen one in a while. Those guys are impressive, though, off hand DA. I bet YOU can't shoot as good with your SA 1911. I'm quite accurate with my P11 which has a longer, stiffer trigger than the P3AT or Ruger LCP and that's what I carry 24/7 in a pocket, although I have a DA revolver on me today.

I don't worry about ammo availability. That's why I own presses, dies, and molds. I can load it cheaper, anyway.

 

[hemiram]

I have to admit, due to many problems with past guns, that I won't buy any gun that's hammerless at this point. Every striker fired gun I had was problem plauged.

I don't care about DAO at all.

 

[MCgunner]

My DAO is NOT striker fired. The Glocks and XDs aren't true DAO, anyway, "safe action". The striker is partially cocked and the trigger is lighter and with much less travel.

 

[searcher451]

+1 on the Walther PPK/S. It's a solid, reliable, classic gun. And the .380ACP, while by no means overwhelming, is enough to get the job done with good shot placement. The ammo is sure pricey these days, however -- when you can even find it. WallyWorld sells the Winchester White Box variety for $31 and change in my area, though its spot on the shelf is empty more often than not.

 

[MCgunner]

Cripes, there's a round that you can pay for your press with in short order. Didn't know it'd gotten that ridiculous. I don't buy a lot of factory ammo, just primers and powder. Shotgun shells and .22 ammo is about it.

 

[bonedust]

.380 is in fact in VERY short supply right now. none of the 4 major distributors i buy from have a single box in stock...none. We have been sold out for almost 5 weeks and there isnt really any in the very near future coming either.

 

[JR47]

My DAO is NOT striker fired. The Glocks and XDs aren't true DAO, anyway, "safe action". The striker is partially cocked and the trigger is lighter and with much less travel.

Uhhhhhhhh....... your first and last sentences seem to be a bit at odds with each other, unless you are referring to a third gun.

 

[Dr. Fresh]

Sig just introduced the Sig 238, a single-action .380 micropistol. Basically just like the Colt Mustang. Should be interesting to see that hit the shelves.



It'll be cool if the increased popularity bring the price of .380 down once the market sorts itself out. I've got a MAC-11 that burns up a 32rd mag in under a second, so I could use every price-break I can get.

About two years ago I started seeing WWB .380 in 100rd packs, so that's a good step. I just picked up a pack last week, and my local WalMart had plenty of .380, though they were short on quite a few other rounds.

I'm seriously considering picking up one of these. I'm not a big fan of polymer striker-fired pistols or DAO. My tastes are more old school. My carry piece was made in the 70s, haha..

 

[Ben86]

Walmart has not been able to keep good ammo stock lately. This is because wally world takes their time getting stock and everyone goes there to pick up ammo for the cheapest prices. I also believe that maybe certain district buyers have a certain leftist political leaning, but that's just a hunch.

Onlines sites are also very popular sources of ammo. Again they are pretty bare of late. I find the most reliable source of ammo is my local gun shops. They absolutely try their hardest to restock their shelves because that contributes to a large portion of their income. They may not have the best prices, but at least they have it.

Darn you selfish panic buyers!

That aside I plan to buy an LCP soon because I want a true pocket gun, not just a small gun.

 

[Kleanbore]

Double-action only SUCKS! The new Ruger FAILS in this aspect. Single-action MUST be an essential aspect of accuracy. Hammerless firearms S-U-C-K.

The popularity of DAO handguns is due mostly to the fact that they are easier to draw quickly from concealment (no snag), which is essential for concealed carry. Add to that the that the fact that the vast majority of justifiable civilian self defense situations involve shooting at a charging assailant at a distance of less than 21 feet--no need for accuracy, much less for a sight picture. Finally, in almost all PD training, it is emphasized that if the gun does have a hammer, it should never be cocked before firing due to the risk of negligent discharge when the shooter is under high stress.

Self defense shooting is not the same as range shooting--at all.

 

[mbt2001]

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=282664

WX2-80738 Magtech® Clean Range .380 Auto 95 Gr. FEB 50 rds.

Those are available, price isn't great, but at least you will have some rounds...

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

ditto #4. carry a hot-loaded HP chambered on safe and FMJ's in the mag.

 

[1KPerDay]

How much does the Sig P238 weigh?

 

[MCgunner]

Uhhhhhhhh....... your first and last sentences seem to be a bit at odds with each other, unless you are referring to a third gun.

I don't own a Glock or XD. I have a couple of true DAO hammer fired guns, however. A bonus is they have second strike capability, though I never really thought that was a big deal. But, TRUE DAO means it draws usually a hammer from completely uncocked to full cock and releases it. It could do that with a striker, too, but the common striker fired guns are Glock and XD and they are not DAOs. As I understand the P3AT and LCP (don't own one), they're partially set hammers with no second strike capability, though. But, they have 7 lb triggers and fairly long DAO triggers. Fine line in definition, there, I guess, but the Glock guys are proud of the fact they have near single action feel and weight with no external safeties. Guess that's fine if your first name ain't Plaxico....

 

[SwampWolf]

than 21 feet--no need for accuracy, much less for a sight picture. Finally, in almost all PD training, it is emphasized that if the gun does have a hammer, it should never be cocked before firing due to the risk of negligent discharge when the shooter is under high stress.

I understand your point but, in real terms, there's always a need for accuracy (or at least some semblance thereof) and always a need for a sight picture (even if the "sight" is mostly the target). I never carried a 1911-style pistol myself but several of my le colleages would take issue with your blanket statement that a pistol with a hammer "should never be cocked before firing" as they were big proponents of cocked and locked carry.

 

[MCgunner]

Given a smooth DA, accurate shooting to 50 yards is not a problem with a DA gun. You just have to learn HOW and practice. The benefits of a pocket gun in modern society are worth it to me as I can always have a gun at the ready well concealed. I won't carry a single action condition one in a pocket, and there have been single action pocket guns, colt mustang for one. If you always wear a cover garment, never take it off, are fine with IWB, and carry a single action, then there's no need to learn anything else, I reckon. But, don't be ignorant of the capabilities of DA just because YOU never learned to shoot DA adequately.