CW380 Break-in 150 down 50 to go

[SaltyNC]

I took the opportunity of a cold morning yesterday to run through another 50 rounds to see how I could handle the small CW380 with numb fingers. It is just an easy pistol to shoot and accuracy didn't suffer at all whether I used my finger pad or the bend in my finger. I did have one failure to feed using American Eagle round nose FMJ. Unlike my initial outing where I rode the slide a couple of times, I don't believe that happened this time. So, I'm going to have to say 1 FTF out of 150 rounds during break-in. I can live with that. ;) I hope to put another hundred or so rounds through it this weekend.

Also, I know there is debate on .380 ammo's effectiveness, though some modern rounds are making that debate less controversial. My house is isolated, and for a backstop we had simply stacked some pine logs with cinder blocks behind them out in the woods. While it isn't 4 layers of denim and gel, the .380 penetrated the 6 inch pine logs and shattered the front face of the cinder block on the other side. And this is just range ammo, not the hot stuff. Coupled with the actual shooting statistics that one gentleman compiled, it appears to be a viable option for those who simply cannot carry something larger.

SaltyNC

[dirtkicker]

The FMJ should and probably will penetrate more than whatever defensive rounds you decide to use. Defensive rounds are made to expand and not over penetrate. Regarding your self defense ammo, make sure you give it a good test run in your pistol before you carry it.


As far as the eternal debate of 380 ammo's effectiveness for personal defense? Think shot placement within 7 yards or less. Shot placement rules no matter what caliber you choose.

[ammodave]

Read this http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/ for a review of .380 ammo for defensive purposes.

[drewski115]

Read this http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/ for a review of .380 ammo for defensive purposes.


Yes read that! Very informative....somewhat surprising too.

[SaltyNC]

The FMJ should and probably will penetrate more than whatever defensive rounds you decide to use. Defensive rounds are made to expand and not over penetrate. Regarding your self defense ammo, make sure you give it a good test run in your pistol before you carry it.


As far as the eternal debate of 380 ammo's effectiveness for personal defense? Think shot placement within 7 yards or less. Shot placement rules no matter what caliber you choose.

DirtKicker, I always test at least 100 rounds of whatever defensive ammo I decide to use for each pistol for feeding, accuracy, recoil, etc. It is a lot more expensive than it used to be. I decided to go through a full 200 rounds of round nose ammo for the break-in, since that seems to be what the CW380 likes, and then switch to the defensive ammo testing.

I agree about shot placement and close quarters shooting. I'll occasionally go longer than 7 yards just for fun, but fully expect that the CW380 would almost certainly come into play in a defensive situation at 7 yards or less. I have my laser sighted for 20 feet instead of the factory set 50 feet, even though the difference between the two is minor. If a threat is less than 7 yards and closing fast, I imagine most of us will instinctively go into a point and shoot mode with the laser dot bouncing all over the place.

SaltyNC

[SaltyNC]

Read this http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/ for a review of .380 ammo for defensive purposes.

I had read those reports. It's interesting that with the .380, most of the XTP bullets did the best regardless of the brand.

Have you seen these stats? I thought they were very interesting.
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7866

SaltyNC

[dirtkicker]

DirtKicker, I always test at least 100 rounds of whatever defensive ammo I decide to use for each pistol for feeding, accuracy, recoil, etc. It is a lot more expensive than it used to be. I decided to go through a full 200 rounds of round nose ammo for the break-in, since that seems to be what the CW380 likes, and then switch to the defensive ammo testing.

I agree about shot placement and close quarters shooting. I'll occasionally go longer than 7 yards just for fun, but fully expect that the CW380 would almost certainly come into play in a defensive situation at 7 yards or less. I have my laser sighted for 20 feet instead of the factory set 50 feet, even though the difference between the two is minor. If a threat is less than 7 yards and closing fast, I imagine most of us will instinctively go into a point and shoot mode with the laser dot bouncing all over the place.

SaltyNC


That about how I broke in my CM9 and it's worked out well. I have the CT on it also.


It sounds like you're little 380 is a winner. I have one of the newer LCP's and it is a fine little shooter. I pocket carry it when I can't carry larger. Happy shooting. Carry on.

[SaltyNC]

I agree, DirtKicker. It looks like this one is a keeper. I finished the final 50 rounds of the 200 round break-in, and didn't have a single problem. Everything worked great, today.

Thanks.

SaltyNC