The landscape of firearms is ever-changing. Each year, the SHOT Show in Las Vegas provides an industry pulse. For 2020, all eyes were firmly planted on handguns and, more specifically, those designed for self-defense and concealed carry. Of these, one of the surprising resurgences noticed was with pistols chambered in .380 ACP, a cartridge once believed to be standing on the edge of irrelevance.
The .380 ACP was a caliber Colt introduced in 1908 for its Model 1908 pocket hammerless semi-automatic pistol. The caliber had extensive military and police use in most European countries in the early 20th century. This cartridge is also known under several other aliases like 9mm Kurz, .380 Auto, and 9mm Browning. In the likes of such film classics, James Bond equipped with a Walther PPK chambered in .380 made it a caliber of pop culture.
However, the rising popularity of the 9mm, with its heavier bullet and higher velocity, eclipsed the .380 ACP and gave it a niche market at best. Still, some manufacturers persisted in their production of .380 ACP pistols to supply those enthusiasts who like the smaller carry footprint and higher round capacity that a .380 offers over similarly sized 9mm pistols.
Recent advances in ammunition technology have given the .380 ACP new life. Modern loads, such as Federal’s Hydra-Shok Deep and Hornady’s Critical Defense, make the cartridge much more viable. Federal’s Hydra-Shok Deep, for example, uses a 99-grain bullet traveling to nearly 1,000 fps from a 3.75-inch barrel; this penetrates 13 inches in bare gel and expands to 0.496 inches. Hornady’s Critical Defense load uses a 90-grain bullet that travels to about 910 fps and penetrates ballistic gel to around 13 inches.
These developments refreshed the .380 ACP to meet today’s self-defense needs. Admittedly, it does lack the ballistics of modern 9mm loads; however, many now feel the .380 ACP is an acceptable defensive caliber, especially for those who enjoy its reduced recoil in similarly sized firearms.
At the show this year, several manufacturers came out with new .380 ACP pistols, each offering a little something different:
Beretta 80X Cheetah: Slimmed-down grip, extended beavertail, Picatinny rail, optics readiness, these are the new features brought to this refreshed version of the classic Cheetah. It has an increased capacity of 13+1 at an MSRP of $799; modern features, and a great dose of nostalgia.
Browning 1911-380 Black Label Crushed Orchid: This compact carry features a beavertail grip safety, skeletonized hammer, and vibrant crushed orchid Cerakote finish, all in a lightweight 18-ounce package with an 8-round capacity, for $950.
Sig Sauer P365 Rose Kit: This kit, in collaboration with top shooter Lena Miculek, includes a custom P365-380 ROSE, Vaultek Lifepod Pistol Safe, and training materials. The 3.1-inch barrel pistol weighs 15.7 ounces and is made specifically for female shooters.
Rock Island Armory LI380: A single-stack, double-action .380 for concealed carry, touting an LI-comfort grip and a fixed barrel. At 8+1 capacity and 3.5 pounds, it’s priced to sell at $299.
Ruger Security-380: In this lightweight semi-auto, the flush-fitting magazine holds 10 rounds; the extended carries 15. With its 3.42-inch barrel and weighing but a scant 19.7 ounces, MSRP is $369.
EAA/Girsan MC14T Tip-Up: This pistol has a Tip-Up barrel for easy loading. It comes with either 13+1 or 10+1 mag capacity and weighs less than 1.5 pounds, starting at $498.
The resurgence of the .380 ACP to center stage in the self-defense arena once again proves it is always about new technology in ammunition and firearm design. These new products bring a whole menu of diverse options for those seeking dependable, compact, and easily concealed self-defense pistols. Unless innovation in this industry stops, there is no reason the .380 ACP cannot continue to be effective and serviceable for personal protection.