Lindcott Armory Pistol · SAAMI
.380 ACP
Popular concealed carry cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.355″ · 9.017 mm
- Introduced
- 1908
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .38 ACP
- Primary use
- Self Defense
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1908
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- John Moses Browning
- Manufacturer
- Colt / FN
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Case capacity
- 9.6 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:10
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 21,500 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Recoil
- 4–6.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Federal Hydra-Shok Deep 99 gr, 1,000 fps, BC 0.113 G1 · 25 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 1000 | 220 | -0.9″ | — |
| 25 yd | 957 | 201 | 0.0″ | -0.2 |
| 50 yd | 920 | 186 | -1.6″ | -3.0 |
| 75 yd | 888 | 173 | -5.7″ | -7.2 |
| 100 yd | 858 | 162 | -12.5″ | -11.9 |
| 125 yd | 831 | 152 | -22.3″ | -17.0 |
| 150 yd | 805 | 143 | -35.2″ | -22.4 |
| 175 yd | 781 | 134 | -51.5″ | -28.1 |
| 200 yd | 759 | 127 | -71.4″ | -34.1 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open .380 ACP ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Terminal ballistics
196 FBI-protocol gel tests on record (Bare Gelatin, Heavy Clothing, Denim, Wallboard, Plywood, Auto Glass) — 100 passed the 12–18″ penetration window.
- Median penetration
- 13.9″ (bare gel)
- Median expansion
- 0.610″
- Protocol pass rate
- 100/196
Published FBI-protocol results (bare gel + barriers), not Lindcott testing. Pass = 12–18″ penetration with reliable expansion.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.02 | 0.355 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.47 | 0.373 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.50 | 0.374 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.50 | 0.374 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.14 | 0.045 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 17.27 | 0.680 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 24.99 | 0.984 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .380 ACP is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 401 active loads across 71 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 402 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magtech | SJHP | 85 | SJHP | 1,082 | 221 | 0.098 G1 |
| Magtech | Magtech | 85 | JHP | 1,082 | 221 | 0.098 G1 |
| Hornady | Custom XTP | 90 | XTP JHP | 1,000 | 200 | 0.100 G1 |
| Hornady | American Gunner XTP HP | 90 | XTP JHP | 1,000 | 200 | 0.100 G1 |
| Federal | Hydra-Shok JHP | 90 | Hydra-Shok JHP | 1,000 | 200 | 0.100 G1 |
| Federal | Punch JHP 85gr | 85 | Punch JHP | 1,000 | 189 | 0.098 G1 |
| Federal | Hydra-Shok Deep | 99 | Hydra-Shok Deep HP | 1,000 | 220 | 0.113 G1 |
| Federal | Hydra-Shok Deep Micro | 99 | JHP | 1,000 | 220 | 0.113 G1 |
| Federal | Personal Defense Punch JHP | 85 | Punch JHP | 1,000 | 189 | 0.098 G1 |
| Aguila | JHP | 90 | JHP | 1,000 | 200 | 0.100 G1 |
| Hornady | Critical Defense FTX | 90 | FTX | 1,000 | 200 | 0.100 G1 |
| Hornady | Custom | 90 | XTP HP | 1,000 | 200 | 0.100 G1 |
| CBC | FMJ | 95 | FMJ | 985 | 205 | 0.100 G1 |
| Magtech | Magtech | 95 | FMJ | 951 | 191 | 0.100 G1 |
| Magtech | Sport Shooting FMJ | 95 | FMJ | 951 | 191 | 0.100 G1 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
6 reloading powders listed for .380 ACP, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .380 ACP
12 models in the database chamber .380 ACP. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Designed by John Browning in 1908. Called 9mm Kurz (short) in Europe. Gained massive popularity with modern micro compact pistols.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .380 ACP use?
- .380 ACP typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .380 ACP?
- .380 ACP uses a 0.355″ (9.017 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .380 ACP still in production?
- .380 ACP is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is .380 ACP used for?
- .380 ACP is primarily used for self defense.
- What is .380 ACP based on?
- .380 ACP is derived from the .38 ACP case.
- What are the best powders for .380 ACP?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .380 ACP include No. 2, N310, Bull's-Eye, Zip, among 6 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 401 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured; terminal-ballistics figures are published FBI-protocol results. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →