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380 ACP Ammo

Small Gun. Serious Responsibility.

The .380 ACP has one job: make compact carry pistols practical. That usually means lighter recoil, easier concealment, and faster follow-up shots, at the cost of less margin for error than larger service calibers. .380 ACP ammo rewards shooters who value control, consistency, and smart bullet selection over internet mythology.

At Steinel Ammo, we talk terminal effectiveness, penetration, expansion, and predictability. Because when you pick a small defensive caliber, the details matter.

Why Choose 380 ACP Ammo from Steinel?

If you’re buying .380 ACP ammunition, you’re probably doing one of two things: carrying a compact pistol or putting in the practice to run it well. Either way, you want ammo that’s consistent, reliable, and built with purpose.

Here’s what we care about:

  • Feed reliability in small pistols: Micro and compact guns can be pickier than full-size pistols.
  • Repeatable performance: Consistent velocities and function help you confirm your zero and your confidence.
  • Practical load choices: You shouldn’t have to guess whether you’re buying training ammo or carry ammo.

Need help choosing what makes sense for your pistol? Call (330) 840-7086 

380 ACP: Ballistics, Velocity & Performance Overview

.380 isn’t trying to be a 9mm. It’s trying to be shootable in small guns and still provide acceptable defensive performance when paired with the right bullet and realistic expectations.

What to know about .380 ACP ballistics:

  • Short barrels change everything. Many .380 pistols are short-barrel guns, and that can affect velocity and how a hollow point behaves.
  • Bullet design matters more than marketing. Some projectiles are built to expand at lower velocities; others are built for penetration and feeding.
  • Shot placement is king in small calibers. That’s not a slogan, it’s physics.

If you’re shopping 380 ACP ammo for sale, decide what you’re solving for first: practice volume, function testing, or carry.

Shop 380 ACP Ammo for Sale 

Choosing the Right 380 ACP Load: Self-Defense vs Practice

When you’re picking 380 ACP ammo at Steinel Ammo, the choice isn’t about buzzwords, it’s about what you want the ammo to do in your gun.

Here at Steinel Ammo, we currently offer one carefully chosen defensive 380 Auto load that stands apart from generic practice stuff: the 80 gr Solid Copper Hollow Point designed to run reliably through compact and micro carry pistols.

Defensive / Carry Choice

380 Auto 80 gr Solid Copper Hollow Point
This is our purpose-built defensive 380 ACP ammo not a generic FMJ repackaged. It uses a solid copper hollow point designed to expand reliably and feed even in the more stubborn micro carry pistols that struggle with some defensive loads.

  • Bullet: 80 gr Solid Copper Hollow Point
  • Velocity: ~1,050 fps from typical short barrels
  • Performance: Controlled expansion and deep penetration that’s appropriate for a defensive pocket or compact carry gun.

This is the load you want when you’re buying 380 ACP self defense ammo with the intention of carrying your pistol daily after you’ve run it in practice and confirmed it functions 100% in your specific firearm.

If you want help choosing what makes sense for your 380 ACP pistol, give us a call.

380 ACP vs 9mm: What’s the Difference?

This isn’t a “which is better” argument. It’s a “what problem are you solving” decision.

  • 9mm generally offers more velocity/energy headroom, broader load performance, and more margin with bullet design.
  • .380 ACP is often carried in smaller, lighter pistols, meaning it can be easier to conceal and more comfortable to carry daily.

.380 asks for better discipline, smart ammo choice, realistic distances, and consistent practice.

FAQs: 380 ACP Ammo

Q. What is 380 ACP ammo commonly used for?

A. .380 ACP ammo is mostly used for compact and subcompact concealed-carry pistols, plus practice and training for those platforms.

Q. Does 380 ACP have manageable recoil for new shooters?

A. Often, yes, but the gun matters. A tiny, ultra-light pistol can still feel snappy. In a slightly larger .380, recoil is usually very manageable.

Q.What bullet weights are most common in 380 ACP ammunition?

A. Common factory weights are typically in the 90–100 grain range, though you’ll see variations depending on bullet design and purpose.

Q. What is the difference between FMJ and JHP 380 ACP ammo?

A.

  • FMJ is typically chosen for practice and reliable feeding.
  • JHP is typically chosen for defensive use where controlled expansion is desired, assuming it performs well from your barrel length.

Q. What’s the difference between 380 ACP and .380 Auto, are they the same?

A. Yes. “380 ACP” and “.380 Auto” refer to the same cartridge.