LCP owners, what's your favorite defensive ammo?

[Skribs]

When I first bought my LCP, it ate hollowpoints with the enthusiasm of a toddler eating vegetables. It would eat them (at least mostly), but I could feel the bullet catch on the feed ramp. There was a discernable 2-step process to the felt recoil that I did not experience with much-faster-feeding FMJs.

Combine the fact that most hollowpoint rounds in .380 ACP are a bit shy on penetration numbers, and I decided to just keep FMJs in my LCP.

For those specifically with LCPs, have you also noticed this issue? What kind of self-defense ammo do you run?

 

[Tinman357]

Underwood extreme defenders or Golden sabers. No trouble with either. The underwoods do more damage to living tissue. Quite a bit more.

 

[Skribs]

Underwood extreme defenders or Golden sabers. No trouble with either. The underwoods do more damage to living tissue. Quite a bit more.

I was looking at ones similar to the extreme defender (the Black Hills Honey Badger). I was curious to test this style of bullet in my LCP. And if it works, it might be nice to homogenize all my handguns to this type of round.

 

[Ethan Verity]

Hornady 90gr XTP factory loads, sold as 'American Gunner' and Hornady 'Custom'.

 

[1KPerDay]

Hornady 90gr XTP factory loads, sold as 'American Gunner' and Hornady 'Custom'.

This, or gold dots, or critical defense

 

[Riomouse911]

I was issued Win PDX and have found them to be reliable in my LCP and LCP II over the years.

Stay safe.

 

[The Last Outlaw]

I have a LCP 2, I carry with Norma 85gr Monolithic Hollow Points, they run well in mine.

 

[CDW4ME]

I don't like betting my life on 380 but wearing gym shorts a LCP 380 holstered in pocket is "better than nothing*" ... BUT
I've also got a Glock 26 in a Smartcarry to go along with the LCP so I'm not just rolling with a 380.
*"Better than nothing" should not be treated like it is a goal.
Clear Gel test (Lucky Gunner) don't always yield the same result as other gel.
I'm not content betting my life on 380 and the discontentment would increase if I was stuck with FMJ, fortunately I'm not.
Test result for Hydra-Shok Deep from a LCP - this is acceptable performance in the "better than nothing" category.
Link to test doesn't work now, but I got screenshot when it did.
https://general-cartridge.com/2020/...-99gr-hydra-shok-deep-in-vyse-ballistics-gel/

 

[WisBorn]

I have carried a few different loads do to availability. When ammo was in short supply during covid I was running low. I was carrying Sig 100gr hp then switched to Persision One 95gr hp. Recently I have carried Federal Punch.
I am considering switching to FMJS, but haven't made the jump yet.

I need to start shooting my LCPII....
Summer and short season will be here soon.

 

[jmorris]

The one I have always has one of my shot loads in the pipe, the only round I have ever used from it for anything other than practice or play.



Made from .223 brass and they cycle so if I need a solid, they are only <.2 sec away.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have posted my experience with my favorite ammo failure to penetrate a whitetail deer skull. That was a disappointment.
After that I carried FMJs for a while...then I found that my LGS was stocking CorBon .380. That is what my LGS owner carries in his .380. I bought two boxes and tried them in both my own and mrs' LCPs.
That's what we carry now...CorBon.

They are super-hot. 1050fps. They're getting up near 9mm velocity, but still fall short on energy. 220ft/lbs vs 350+ft/lbs.

 

[Speedo66]

Buffalo Bore HP.

90g, 1200fps, 288 ft. lbs. according to their site.

 

[1KPerDay]

If you shoot super hot ammo in your LCP keep an eye on the frame around the rear pin. Mine broke after about 12 rounds of Buffalo Bore total and a few hundred rounds of standard ball. Ruger replaced it.

 

[unclenunzie]

I've stuck with Precision One XTP and Hornady Critical Defense in my LCPs. Recently I read some convincing statements regarding the 380 gold dot, and since it was available at a decent price I bought some. I like the round in other calibers anyway.

 

[defjon]

Hornady 90gr XTP factory loads, sold as 'American Gunner' and Hornady 'Custom'.

I use this or Winchester fmj flat point.

I do have some underwood and bb hardcast but I am not convinced they do much beyond the cheap flat point winchesters...

 

[defjon]

...cheap being a relative term these days.

My first gun was a bersa 380 and magtech was 7.99 a box.

 

[Shipwreck]

Underwood extreme defenders or Golden sabers. No trouble with either. The underwoods do more damage to living tissue. Quite a bit more.

Golden sabers have never worked in my LCP. Only ammo that doesn't work.

I use Federal hydrashok in mine. I have had mine since 2013.

 

[Tallball]

44 special

For my 380's, warm FMJ.

 

[Skribs]

44 special

Sigh of annoyance and discontent.

 

[Skribs]

I received the Underwood ammo and plan to take it to the range this weekend.

 

[WisBorn]

I received the Underwood ammo and plan to take it to the range this weekend.

Just ordered some of their standard hollow points

 

[WheelGunMan]

I've settled on ARX 56 grain for my LCP's. Feeds well.. subdues the recoil and shoots accurately.

 

[Ranger99]

I'm not exactly thrilled with a 380, but
there's times you have to bite your lip
and plow ahead
I consider it a beatdown preventer
moreso than something to use for
trading shots with some pinhead
gangbangers. That, and an LCP
fits the pocket whereas the 12ga
does not. The 380 was what was
available after the break-in and
theft, so. . . .

Good Luck

 

[Skribs]

I am happy with the Underwood Extreme Defense rounds. Previously, I had made decisions for each gun what round I wanted. I have PDX1 for some, gold dots for others, "short barrel" versions for more. I've decided to consolidate all my handguns into the Extreme Defense rounds. Just makes things easier.

 

[Ranger99]

HaHa- blankety blanking thing ran
out of electricity before I could put
this with the post
Both of these ^ ^ shoot pretty straight
for a pop gun. I haven't had to test 'em
out on anybody yet, so I can't make a
report on that angle. I hope to continue
the streak