Opening soon. Call us (774) 625-1252

Skip to content
Lindcott Armory Lindcott Armory
Sell Sell

Pistol · SAAMI

.380 ACP

Also known as .380 Auto · 9mm Kurz · 9x17mm

Popular concealed carry cartridge.

Caliber
0.355″ · 9.017 mm
Introduced
1908
Case
Rimless
Parent
.38 ACP
Primary use
Self Defense
Status
Active

Buy this cartridge

Buy at Rivertown

Buying from Rivertown

Partner link
VelocityBeing verified
EnergyBeing verified
Typical grains85 · 90 · 95 gr
Identity
Introduced
1908
Type
Pistol
Origin
United States
Inventor
John Moses Browning
Manufacturer
Colt / FN
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Abundant
Build
Case capacity
11.8 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:16
Primer
Small Pistol
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
21,500 psi, SAAMI transducer
Eff. range
25 yd
Max range
1400 yd
Recoil
3.5–4 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .380 ACP. Parent case: .38 ACP.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified
Best for Withheld until verified
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
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 9.020.355 ✓
Neck ⌀ 9.470.373 ✓
Shoulder ⌀ n/a
Shoulder angle n/a
Base ⌀ 9.500.374 ✓
Rim ⌀ 9.500.374 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.140.045 ~
Neck length n/a
Case length 17.270.680 ✓
Overall length 24.990.984 ✓

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

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

Suitable powders

8 reloading powders listed for .380 ACP, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

No. 2N310Bull's-EyeVihtavuori N320ZipN330Winchester 231HP-38
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

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 .380 ACP 2.75-inchSmith & Wesson M&P 380 Shield PlusSmith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0Smith & Wesson CSX .380 ACP 3.1-inchBeretta 80X Cheetah .380 ACPRuger MAX-9 .380 ACP 3.2-inchGlock G42 MOSRuger Security-380Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro .380 ACP 3-inchSmith & Wesson M&P 380 Shield EZ OR Manual SafetySpringfield Armory Hellcat Micro-CompactBeretta 80X Cheetah

Lineage

Immediate parent
.38 ACP
Direct descendants (1)
.32 NAA
Family TreeOpen .380 ACP in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

Reloading8 suitable powders — cross-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 1:16 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, Vihtavuori N320, among 8 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 229 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →

Selling a gun

Selling a gun or a collection?

Start here