Self-Defense Ammo for Glock 42

[Barmcd]

I bought a Glock 42 to be my pocket carry gun. Its small enough to fit unobtrusively in the cargo shorts I wear in the summer yet large enough for me to shoot accurately. I took it to the range for the first time today and shot 100 rounds of FMJ with one failure to fire. The firing pin put a dent in the primer, but the bullet didn't fire. I put the round back in the magazine and it fired the second time around. The other 99 rounds cycled and fired without incident.

Then I tried the 380 version of my 9 mm self-defense round, Sig V-Crown 380 ACP in 90 gr. JHP.





I only shot 40 rounds because they wouldn't feed reliably into the chamber. Each six round magazine had at least one round jam between the ramp and slide. More often than not, it was the first round after loading the magazine into the gun and releasing the slide. The gun also jammed a few of the founds further down in the magazine. Obviously, the large hollow point is getting hung up on the ramp. The slide strips the top round off the mag and jams it hard up against the short ramp on the barrel.





I've been considering Underwood 380 ACP in 90 gr. JHP +P. What are some other defensive loads that might cycle better in the Glock?

 

[unclenunzie]

Is it new in box with -3 magazines? Those mags should be very reliable. Mine likes speer gold dots. One other thing to mention - (no experience with the Sig ammo line) the 42 has a very strong RSA. It will generally want full power ammo.

 

[Barmcd]

Is it new in box with -3 magazines? Those mags should be very reliable. Mine likes speer gold dots. One other thing to mention - (no experience with the Sig ammo line) the 42 has a very strong RSA. It will generally want full power ammo.

Yeah, they are Nr. 3 mags. I don't think they are the issue, I think the hollow point is just too big for the steep ramp into the barrel. The Underwood JHP looks like it has a narrower hollow point.

 

[TTv2]

This is my preferred .380 defense ammo because it doesn't use hollow points and will be consistent in penetration and performance for each shot. I would imagine it feeds better too.

380 AUTO 56 GR - INCEPTOR ARX 25rnd bx | Inceptor Ammunition

The Inceptor Ammunition 380 Auto ARX® is a revolutionary bullet in every sense of the word. From the way it’s manufactured, to its shape, to the way it transfers energy to the target.

inceptorammo.com

 

[Gun-Reck]

Very happy with the Winchester Elite PDX1 Defender from a 3.5" Bersa.

​

 

[JERRY]

FMJ

 

[WYO]

Then I tried the 380 version of my 9 mm self-defense round, Sig V-Crown 380 ACP in 90 gr. JHP.

I chronographed some .380 Sig V-Crown through my Sig P-365-380, and it was the slowest 90 grain ammo I ever fired from it. It never made it to round 2 of my testing.

This is my preferred .380 defense ammo because it doesn't use hollow points and will be consistent in penetration and performance for each shot. I would imagine it feeds better too.

380 AUTO 56 GR - INCEPTOR ARX 25rnd bx | Inceptor Ammunition

The Inceptor Ammunition 380 Auto ARX® is a revolutionary bullet in every sense of the word. From the way it’s manufactured, to its shape, to the way it transfers energy to the target.

inceptorammo.com

i wouldn't get to too reliant on that ammo. This is similar:

This is what I carry in a Glock 42 and a Sig P365-380:

 

[Riomouse911]

The Hornady Critical Defense rounds are shaped with a pretty gun-friendly profile that has fed well in a few of my .380 pistols.

Best thing about them is the consistent performance/expansion I witnessed at two separate ammunition demos Hornady put on with both their Critical Duty and Critical Defense ammo for several So Cal agencies a few years back. I was impressed enough to make Critical Defense my CCW ammo of choice for .38 Spl and .380.

Stay safe.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

The best .380 loads use Hornady's XTP bullet.

Standard pressure or +P, it really doesn't make a difference with XTP.

 

[tarosean]

With light strikes and FTF's Id send it back to Glock.

 

[SDGlock23]

V-Crown is good I also liked the Winchester Defender JHP, they seem to expand and penetrate. The Critical Defense isn't bad either and I don't typically care for them, but in 380 they do pretty good.

Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data

Lucky Gunner tests more than 110 different 9mm, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and 380 ACP handgun self-defense ammunition loads in ballistic gel with analysis and video.

www.luckygunner.com

 

[GooseGestapo]

FWIW, the Underwood ammo uses the Hornady XTP bullet.
It’s what I use in my .380. Mostly the Hornady “American Gunner” as it’s the cheapest…
I practice with the XTP loaded over 3.8gr of #231/HP38. Either get 900fps from my S&W Bodyguard or 980fps from my Beretta M81.
I haven’t really found anything that they won’t feed. Even a cast Lee 95gr RFN or Lee 105gr SWC feed flawlessly.

 

[wnycollector]

Another vote for any ammo with the XTP bullet. My LCP 2 and Beretta 84 are loaded with the Fiocchi 380XTP25.

 

[psp7304]

I have had no problems with Hornady Critical Defense in my G42.

 

[Balrog]

The problem with 380 hollow points is that if they expand, they usually don't penetrate enough.

I prefer penetration to expansion.

I agree with other that the XTP is one of the better hollow point designs for 380. It doesn't expand much though.

I generally carry FMJ in 380. I want plenty of penetration, and I dont have to worry about jams as much. If I do not carry FMJ, its usually a cartridge with an XTP.

 

[Barmcd]

Thanks for your thoughts and recommendations. I ordered a box of Underwood 90 gr +P JHP, Federal American Eagle 95 gr. FMJ, Hornady Critical Defense 90 gr. and Winchester Silvertip 85 gr. HP. I'll chronograph and test them next week. One of them is bound to work and be suitable for self-defense. @tarosean, I'll be watching the gun closely and may end up sending it back if it continues to malfunction with hollow point ammo.

 

[LiveLife]

Glock 42 ... Sig V-Crown 380 ACP in 90 gr. JHP ... wouldn't feed reliably into the chamber.

What are some other defensive loads that might cycle better in the Glock?

Very happy with the Winchester Elite PDX1 Defender from a 3.5" Bersa.

+1. For wife's Taurus 738 TCP, Winchester PDX-1 Defender fed reliably.

And I believe it's similar thick plated construction as Speer Gold Dot HP so no concern for jacket separation (I like Gold Dot/Golden Saber for 9mm/40S&W).

The problem with 380 hollow points is that if they expand, they usually don't penetrate enough.

I prefer penetration to expansion.

Lucky Gunner 380 JHP penetration test - https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP

 

[EMC45]

FMJ or RN hard cast.

 

[zaitcev]

Then I tried the 380 version of my 9 mm self-defense round, Sig V-Crown 380 ACP in 90 gr. JHP.
. . .
More often than not, it was the first round after loading the magazine into the gun and releasing the slide. The gun also jammed a few of the founds further down in the magazine.

I shot SIG V-crown with no issue in G42.

The first thing to try is to get new magazine springs from Wolff.

To answer your direct question, I use Hornady XTP, primarily for the consistent performance they were showing in tests.

 

[WYO]

The problem with 380 hollow points is that if they expand, they usually don't penetrate enough.

I prefer penetration to expansion.

I agree with other that the XTP is one of the better hollow point designs for 380. It doesn't expand much though.

I generally carry FMJ in 380. I want plenty of penetration, and I dont have to worry about jams as much. If I do not carry FMJ, its usually a cartridge with an XTP.

I agree that you have to pick either penetration or expansion with a .380, and that penetration is more important than expansion. Also, the penetration has to be deep enough to hit and break important stuff. The big ammo manufacturers don't test their JHP .380 ammo against barriers because they know they will do poorly. I shot a lot of factory .380 ammo at a piece of pine 2"X6" board backed by two pieces of 22 gauge sheet metal (see the Novx test above), backed by water jugs, and no hollowpoint or JRN ball could get through the sheet metal. Rounds tested included Hornady Critical Defense 90 grain, Hornady Custom 90 grain XTP, Federal Hydra Shok Deep 99 grain, Hydra Shok Low Recoil 90 grain, Remington 102 grain BJHP, Blazer 95 grain JRN, Speer Gold Dot 90 grain and Federal Punch 85 grain. (If anyone wants to see video, let me know.) The Critical Defense had total jacket separation. Only Underwood 68 grain XD, Underwood 90 grain XP, Lehigh 90 grain XP (old stock prior to Wilson acquisition), and Buffalo Bore 100 grain hard cast flat point, all in standard pressure, could get through the sheet metal into water jugs. Now, before everyone starts saying that they do not need or want ammo that can do that, consider that standard pressure 124 grain 9mm Gold Dots and a 180 grain .40 S&W Gold Dot sailed through the same setup and penetrated 2-4+ water jugs. If you can get similar penetration from a .380, why shouldn't you want that? Note that most of my .380 tests were shot with a Sig P365-380, but the Critical Defense and Hornady Custom ammo actually chronographed slightly higher out of the Sig than out of a Glock 42.

Thanks for your thoughts and recommendations. I ordered a box of Underwood 90 gr +P JHP, Federal American Eagle 95 gr. FMJ, Hornady Critical Defense 90 gr. and Winchester Silvertip 85 gr. HP. I'll chronograph and test them next week.

I would be curious to learn the muzzle velocity of the Underwood 90 grain +P XTP ammo, and whether it could get through the wood and sheet metal and compete with the XD/XP/hard cast ammo. I might risk a shot of +P out of a Sig or Glock if the velocity is not way over the top. If you could post your chrono results, I would appreciate it.

 

[Balrog]

+1. For wife's Taurus 738 TCP, Winchester PDX-1 Defender fed reliably.


Lucky Gunner 380 JHP penetration test - https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP

The majority of the rounds in the test that penetrate enough don't hardly expand. In my mind, its not worth the risk of getting a jam.

 

[Balrog]

I agree that you have to pick either penetration or expansion with a .380, and that penetration is more important than expansion. Also, the penetration has to be deep enough to hit and break important stuff. The big ammo manufacturers don't test their JHP .380 ammo against barriers because they know they will do poorly. I shot a lot of factory .380 ammo at a piece of pine 2"X6" board backed by two pieces of 22 gauge sheet metal (see the Novx test above), backed by water jugs, and no hollowpoint or JRN ball could get through the sheet metal. Rounds tested included Hornady Critical Defense 90 grain, Hornady Custom 90 grain XTP, Federal Hydra Shok Deep 99 grain, Hydra Shok Low Recoil 90 grain, Remington 102 grain BJHP, Blazer 95 grain JRN, Speer Gold Dot 90 grain and Federal Punch 85 grain. (If anyone wants to see video, let me know.) The Critical Defense had total jacket separation. Only Underwood 68 grain XD, Underwood 90 grain XP, Lehigh 90 grain XP (old stock prior to Wilson acquisition), and Buffalo Bore 100 grain hard cast flat point, all in standard pressure, could get through the sheet metal into water jugs. Now, before everyone starts saying that they do not need or want ammo that can do that, consider that standard pressure 124 grain 9mm Gold Dots and a 180 grain .40 S&W Gold Dot sailed through the same setup and penetrated 2-4+ water jugs. If you can get similar penetration from a .380, why shouldn't you want that? Note that most of my .380 tests were shot with a Sig P365-380, but the Critical Defense and Hornady Custom ammo actually chronographed slightly higher out of the Sig than out of a Glock 42.


I would be curious to learn the muzzle velocity of the Underwood 90 grain +P XTP ammo, and whether it could get through the wood and sheet metal and compete with the XD/XP/hard cast ammo. I might risk a shot of +P out of a Sig or Glock if the velocity is not way over the top. If you could post your chrono results, I would appreciate it.

No opposition to the rounds that could defeat your barrier test. I generally am going to want to should a couple hundred rounds of a particular ammo through a gun before I decide if its reliable. That could get costly with the ammo you mention, I would think, and that ammo can be hard to reliably find. How do those rounds expand?

 

[defjon]

I wonder if flat point fmj like winchester would make it through

 

[TTv2]

I chronographed some .380 Sig V-Crown through my Sig P-365-380, and it was the slowest 90 grain ammo I ever fired from it. It never made it to round 2 of my testing.



i wouldn't get to too reliant on that ammo. This is similar:

This is what I carry in a Glock 42 and a Sig P365-380:

I think wood and sheet metal is a stupid test regardless of the bullet or caliber being used.

 

[WYO]

No opposition to the rounds that could defeat your barrier test. I generally am going to want to should a couple hundred rounds of a particular ammo through a gun before I decide if its reliable. That could get costly with the ammo you mention, I would think, and that ammo can be hard to reliably find. How do those rounds expand?

I handload, so I can order bullets directly from Lehigh Defense and work up loads. Rim Rock sells the hard cast flat point bullets used by Buffalo Bore for something like $45 per 500. As far as Underwood is concerned, you can order them directly. They have sales frequently (like, every holiday at a minimum), and the prices are no higher than going into a store and buying boxes of Critical Defense or Hornady Custom. https://underwoodammo.com/380-acp-68gr.-xtreme-defender-solid-monolithic-hunting-self-defense-ammo/ BTW, I found the Lehigh Defense version of the loaded ammo to be too weak to reliably cycle my Glock 42, so I stick with Underwood or my handloads. I also have determined that my G42 has a preference for the XD rounds over the XP rounds.

The Buffalo Bore hard cast will flatten a bit when it hit the barrier. The mono-metal did a little bit, but not much. The far left is Buffalo Bore and second from the left is a Lehigh Xtreme Penetrator. I do not have a picture of an Xtreme Defender. I would not count on any expansion if a barrier is not hit. (The other two are, L-R, Hydra Shok Deep and Hydra Shok Low Recoil.)

I think wood and sheet metal is a stupid test regardless of the bullet or caliber being used.

The FBI uses wallboard, plywood, sheet metal and windshield glass in its testing, in addition to the bare ballistic gel and cloth covered ballistic gel. So, I just tried to come up with something rather rigorous. Bad guys frequently hold weapons with their hands and arms extended in front of their chest, so a bullet may have to break through bones before it even gets to a their torso. The .380 is a sub-optimal caliber, and it needs all the help it can get. I would not feel comfortable carrying one if not for specialty ammo.

What test do you use?