OK, What’s it to be, the .380 or 9mm cartridge?
This is a debate that continues to rumble, and it certainly won’t stop here. But, the intention of this .380 vs the 9mm comparison is to see how they stack up against each other.
Both are popular self defense rounds, and yet there are still some shooters who dismiss the .380 out of hand. That really should not be the case. As will be seen, both calibers have their advantages and disadvantages, which I will cover in detail. I will also confirm that well-placed shots using either caliber have the ability to stop an assailant in their tracks.
Before getting into comparison categories, let’s kick things off with a look at the history of each…
Contents
The Iconic 9mm – A Round that Continues to Shake the World
The highly renowned Austrian firearms inventor Georg Johann Luger is best known for inventing the Luger pistol and iconic 9mm round. Introduced in 1901, Luger could not have imagined just how successful his cartridge design would become. It is now the most popular round for pistols and submachine guns in the world.
Its original name was the 9x19mm Parabellum, but other descriptions are now also commonly used. When looking to buy 9mm rounds for your weapon, this can cause confusion. Shooters will often see listed names such as the 9mm, 9mm Luger, 9x19mm, 9×19, or 9mm Parabellum. Rest assured, this is the same designated round, and any of these named cartridges are compatible for 9mm use.
Parabellum…
The reason for mentioning “Parabellum” is that it has an interesting origin. It was the German DWM company that originally manufactured the 9mm round. During the early part of the 1900s, they were one of the world’s largest arms and munitions manufacturers. To state their intention, the company used the following Latin phrase as their motto:
“Si vis pacem, para bellum” In English, this translates to: “If you seek peace, prepare for war.”
From here on in, this highly effective round will simply be termed as the 9mm. That is, once it has been explained why the .380 also comes with a 9mm designation. It will also be made clear that this round cannot be used with your 9mm weapon!
A “young” Upstart, The .380 Caliber Round
“Young” is a relative term when comparing the .380 round against the 9mm. It refers to the cartridge invented in 1908 by the legendary U.S. firearms inventor John Moses Browning. This is commonly known by American shooters as the .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) or the .380 Auto.
However, in Europe and to a far lesser extent in the U.S., it is also called the 9mm Browning. Its official name was given by the CIP, which is an international organization. Their responsibilities include setting firearms safety standards and providing official ammunition naming conventions in Europe and some other parts of the world. Their counterparts in the USA are SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute).
In this article. I will not get into the differences between the CIP and SAAMI structure, roles, and responsibilities. Suffice to say that they have similar responsibilities, and both adhere to stringent firearms industry standards. While that is all well and good, it is in the naming of rounds where confusion can (and does!) occur.
Officially…
The official CIP name for the .380 is the 9mm Browning Court – (Court) being the French for “Short.” Other names (mainly used by European shooters) are the 9mm Short, 9mm Corto, and 9mm Kurz. Again, Corto and Kurz are the respective words in Italian and German for “Short.”
Before moving on to the .380 versus the 9mm comparisons, there is one important thing to point out. Those new to the .380 ACP round will come across another cartridge called the .38 ACP. While they may have similar names, they are very different cartridges and are not interchangeable.
Let’s Compare The .380 vs The 9mm
Here are some key comparisons between the .380 and 9mm cartridges. Understanding the differences should help you understand which one best suits your use and shooting style.
Dimensions Differ
The 9mm round has a rimless, straight case design, the .380 cartridge is also rimless but is tapered. In terms of bullet diameter, they are both classed as 9mm (.355 inches). The rim diameter of the 9mm is .392-inches, the .380 comes in at .374-inches.
There are also differences in the neck and base diameter. While the .380 comes in at 0.373-inches in both, the 9mm has a neck diameter of 0.380-inches and a base diameter of 0.391-inches. Base thickness also differs, with the 9mm coming in at 0.50-inches and the .380 at 0.45-inches.
Bullet weight is classed as being between 100-150 grains for the 9mm, and 90-100 grains for the .380. Velocity is seen as 950-1400 fps (feet per second) for the 9mm, while the .380 offers 1050 fps.
Deeper penetration…
A moot point relating to the actual penetration ability of the .380 is often misunderstood. This is because it depends upon a whole host of factors. These include the actual weapon used, the type of round and load fired as well as the distance and conditions you are shooting in.
Having said that, when comparing penetration tests in the .380 vs 9mm discussion, there is a noticeable difference. The 9mm has a deeper penetration ability.
However, using .380 rounds with the right loads can also penetrate beyond the FBI’s penetration test minimum criteria of 12-inches. The FBI actually state that to pass their penetration test, a round must penetrate between 12 and 18-inches.
Who Uses Each?
There are certainly no set rules in this category. It is clear that the U.S. Military and Law Enforcement officers favor the 9mm. This is generally in the form of acceptably compact pistols with a large magazine capacity. It is also common for LE officers to carry .380 handguns as backup weapons.
As for civilian use, the 9mm is a very popular self defense cartridge in States that allow use. While not as hard hitting as the 9mm, .380 pistols also rate highly with civilians. This is due to their compact nature and ease of everyday concealed carry. Other factors for and against both cartridges do come into play. Starting with….
Capacity
When looking at .380 vs the 9mm magazine capacity, this will vary depending upon the model of gun chosen. It is not set in stone, but those considering .380 ACP pistols will generally find capacities of 7-9 rounds. As for commonly available 9mm handgun models, these can hold double that amount with capacities of 15-20 rounds.
Of course, there is nothing to prevent owners of either weapon from carrying a spare fully loaded magazine. In particular, the compact nature of the .380 lends itself to this. Shooters who carry either weapon will find various (concealed) carry holsters offering a pouch to do just that.
How Many Shots Do You Need to Stop an Assailant?
The honest response would be to answer this with a question such as “How long is a piece of string?” This is because those faced with an emergency self defense situation have many variables to contend with.
Yes, it is possible to put an intruder down with a very well-placed single shot. But, the reality is often very different. Any self defense trainer will tell you that multiple, well-placed shots are generally required to effectively stop an assailant in their tracks.
While on this topic, here’s an interesting snippet relating to self defense shooting distances. It is widely stated that around 85% of all civilian self defense shootings take place at distances of 7 yards (21 feet) or less.
In the case of LE officers, it is usually much closer. Indeed, officers use the rule of 3’s – In a gunfight situation, they work on the premise of it lasting 3 seconds with 3 shots fired at 3 yards (9 feet) or less.
Of course, these officers are well-trained in firearms use. They also have far more backup resources than you or I will ever have!
How Power, Performance, and Accuracy Stacks Up?
Let’s take a look at each of these factors in turn. The reason I have grouped them together is because there are some interesting differences.
There is no argument in terms of 9mm weapons having more power and the ability to penetrate a target more deeply. Because 9mm handgun models have a longer barrel than .380 pistols, this means precision shot placement is, in theory, better.
Use of decent quality 9mm ‘factory’ ammo should see efficient target strikes at distances between 10 and 25 yards. Having said that, this will depend on a shooter’s ability and how they react when faced with an emergency self defense situation.
On the other hand, the vast majority of .380 pistols have a snug, compact build. This makes them ideal for comfortable, concealed EDC (Every Day Carry). As mentioned, the downside is that the smaller weapon size and shorter barrel equates to less accuracy. But that does not tell the whole story.
Again, it depends upon how those who use .380 pistols react in a self defense situation. But, they do have two significant advantages on their side. This comes from easier weapon control and rapid-fire ability. Both are linked to….
Recoil
This is a factor that must not be underestimated. Because the .380 round is noticeably shorter than the 9mm, it has a far gentler recoil. Comparing two guns of the same weight chambered in each caliber will mean that the 380 pistol offers up to 90+% less recoil.
This means 9mm owners must be capable of handling the harsh expected recoil of their weapon. Without this ability in any self defense situation, they will struggle to place their first and subsequent shots with accuracy. An inability to consistently control such recoil negates the powerful impact a 9mm weapon can have. It should also tell all 9mm owners that regular practice is a must in order to handle their weapon in an effective manner.
On the other hand, the much lower .380 recoil means users will find their weapon far easier to control. This means first, and subsequent follow-up shots can be more accurately placed. Of course, this will not come overnight, and once again, practice means acceptable proficiency.
The takeaway fact from this is that controlled weapon handling, and accurate shot placement from either a 9mm or .380 will certainly hit the mark.
Ammo Cost Comparison
As with all things in the firearm world, costs have to be a consideration. This is particularly the case regarding ammo purchase. As is well known, this is a never-ending and recurring cost that all shooters have to bear.
In the .380 vs. the 9mm ammo comparison, there is a stark difference. Many would expect .380 ammo to be cheaper because of its size and the amount of raw material used in construction.
That is not the case, and the reason is purely down to demand. The 9mm is right up there with the most popular ammo in the world. This means mass-production, which also means lower manufacturing costs and lower purchasing costs for the end-user (You!)
Quite a difference…
Due to recent and ongoing ammo shortages, there has been a significant rise in ammo costs. Things do appear to be settling down from a cost point of view (not back to what prices were, of course!) However, there is still a noticeable difference between the cost of these two rounds.
Broad brush examples in two categories are – for target practice purposes, 9mm owners can purchase a box of rounds starting from around 35 cents per round. .380 owners will pay from 55 cents per round for target practice pleasure. In terms of self defense rounds, 9mm owners can expect prices to start around the 77 cents mark. For .380 owners, this rises to about 90 cents per round.
As mentioned, these are general examples and are based on low end per round costs. Rest assured, you can (and quite likely will!) pay much more for different brands of 9mm or .380 ammo.
With such price fluctuations, it really does pay owners of either handgun to shop around. Look out for special offers and bulk purchase deals. Even so, it is clear that 9mm ammo is the cheaper option. It is also highly unlikely that these differentials will change at any time in the future.
Practice is a Perishable Skill!
Being familiar with any gun you own is key to responsible firearms use. This means drills and firing practice exercises must be carried out as regularly as possible.
It is also worth making the point that regular practice with either can have very different effects on an individual. Any 9mm owner who finds that recoil makes their practice sessions uncomfortable or painful is less likely to practice.
This should not be the case for those who own a .380. Because since felt recoil is vastly reduced, your practice shooting sessions should be far more enjoyable. Obviously, shooting when feeling comfortable and enjoying the experience will surely make you more proficient.
With that in mind, before jumping in and buying either a 9mm or .380 handgun, here’s a recommendation. Pay a visit to your local range, gun shop, or certified training center to feel as well as fire different models under professional supervision. This will help you to decide which type of gun best meets your needs.
Need to Know Even More about Your Favorite Ammo?
Well, to start with, in these troubled ammunition supply times, check out my informative Beginners Guide to Reloading Ammo. You’ll probably also enjoy my in-depth look at 7mm Remington Magnum, and the different Bullet Sizes, Calibers, and Types, as well as my comparisons of 6.5 Creedmore vs 308 Winchester, Rimfire vs Centerfire, 5.56 vs .223, and Brass vs Steel Ammo.
Or take a look at reviews of the Best AR-15 Ammo; Range Home Defence, the Best 9mm Self Defense Ammo for Concealed Carry, the Best 38 Special & 357 Magnum Ammo, the Best 300 Blackout Ammo, the Best 22LR Rimfire Ammo, plus for all your storage needs, the Best Ammo Storage Containers that you can buy in 2024.
Plus, find the Best Places to Buy Ammo Online or the Best Places to Find Ammo during the current shortage.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line on whether the .380 or the 9mm is best for you really does come down to knowing your own limits. Don’t listen to others who try to talk you out of a cartridge that is best for you.
Some will take to a 9mm like a duck to water, and that is absolutely fine. Others will be far more comfortable knowing that they have the ability to effectively and confidently use the .380.
If comfortable EDC (Every Day Carry) is a priority, then the .380 certainly fits that. As for those who can confidently handle the heavy recoil of the 9mm, there is no reason not to opt for it.
One thing is for sure, well-placed shots using either the 9mm or the .380 round have the ability to stop any would-be attackers in their tracks.
As always, happy and safe shooting.
