Defense Ammo for my CW380

[whitlow]

So I need to get some defense ammo for my cw380 I have had no problems with my pistol but don't want to but ammo that is known to have problems. Can you all past what you use with no problems and what to stay away from.
Thanks

[Gringo Pistolero]

I'm carrying Underwood's 90gr XTP loading, but unfortunately it looks like it is out of stock again. I picked up a pretty good supply when they had it, and it has functioned perfectly in my CW380.

http://www.underwoodammo.com/380acp90grainxtpjacketedhollowpointboxof50-1.aspx

Chuck

[SlowBurn]

If you're asking about reliability, I carry Horandy Critical Defense, and zero problems in either of my pocket guns (currently I carry a p380) Most will agree that far.

As far as effectiveness, there's as many opinions as gun owners, a LOT of competing video test results. I'm comfortable because its such a high end company, but at least one guy's results have it penetrating less than some other SD rounds.
Here's a test specifically with a Kahr P380 where it did great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8hr8X7RLTI
here's one using a different pocket gun where the tester didn't like it;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H9M6cZGd18
here's one with another gun;
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/11/daniel-zimmerman/shootingthebull410-concludes-quest-ultimate-380-round/

So, you probably want to try different rounds and see what you like. Can get expensive.

[whitlow]

Thanks for the post good to see with the kahr 380

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[Jollyrogers]

Interesting. I had seen where CD didn't stack up. But what I can say about it is it has been 100% reliable in every firearm I have used it in, and it is readily available. I had switched to hydrashocks, but they are hard to find. Since seeing that first video, and knowing he reliability I have had with CD, I think I may revisit my SD ammo choice.

[berettabone]

Fed HST'S..................

[bob98366]

If you're asking about reliability, I carry Horandy Critical Defense, and zero problems in either of my pocket guns (currently I carry a p380) Most will agree that far.
...
So, you probably want to try different rounds and see what you like. Can get expensive.

+1 on Hornady, although I carry Critical Duty. I've never (knock on wood) had a problem with about 500 rounds of Hornady CD in two CW40s, S&W M&P 40 Pro, S&W Shield 9, and a HiPoint 40S&W carbine. But since what is reliable in your pistol is what matters to you, try other brands also.

I'm not a ballistics expert nor do I have a 380, so won't go into the "which is the best" discussion. My thought is that all of the mainstream LE rounds will do the job IF your pistol feeds it, fires it and ejects it so the next round feeds. Then the shooter's job is to ensure ordnance is put on target.

So to me, reliability plus accuracy are the bottom line, not the last inch of gelatin penetration performance.

[SlowBurn]

+1 on Hornady, although I carry Critical Duty.
...
So to me, reliability plus accuracy are the bottom line, not the last inch of gelatin penetration performance.

Agree 100% with all that. I'm also sold on Critical Duty (+p in my 9mm.) An impressive round, but they don't make it in .380.

[Purple Mountain Outdoors]

Fed HST'S..................


No HST in 380


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[Purple Mountain Outdoors]

The XTP is where it's at for 380.


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[FCastle88]

+1 on Hornady, although I carry Critical Duty. I've never (knock on wood) had a problem with about 500 rounds of Hornady CD in two CW40s, S&W M&P 40 Pro, S&W Shield 9, and a HiPoint 40S&W carbine. But since what is reliable in your pistol is what matters to you, try other brands also.

I'm not a ballistics expert nor do I have a 380, so won't go into the "which is the best" discussion. My thought is that all of the mainstream LE rounds will do the job IF your pistol feeds it, fires it and ejects it so the next round feeds. Then the shooter's job is to ensure ordnance is put on target.

So to me, reliability plus accuracy are the bottom line, not the last inch of gelatin penetration performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA7FTjmLiQQ&src_vid=0s8I353H4mo&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_2016506371
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s8I353H4mo

Critical Duty is designed for full-size duty guns, in shorter barrels it doesn't expand much and tends to over-penetrate. Critical defense is designed for shorter barreled carry guns. Most if not all decent defensive loads will function reliably in most modern handguns, and I've never noticed much difference in accuracy.

[FCastle88]

If you're asking about reliability, I carry Horandy Critical Defense, and zero problems in either of my pocket guns (currently I carry a p380) Most will agree that far.

As far as effectiveness, there's as many opinions as gun owners, a LOT of competing video test results. I'm comfortable because its such a high end company, but at least one guy's results have it penetrating less than some other SD rounds.
Here's a test specifically with a Kahr P380 where it did great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8hr8X7RLTI
here's one using a different pocket gun where the tester didn't like it;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H9M6cZGd18
here's one with another gun;
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/11/daniel-zimmerman/shootingthebull410-concludes-quest-ultimate-380-round/

So, you probably want to try different rounds and see what you like. Can get expensive.
It didn't do "great" in the first link. It pretty much just met the minimum. In most other tests it doesn't even do that. The problem with many youtube ammo tests is they only fire 1 or 2 rounds. A sample size that small is useless. ShootingTheBull410's tests are more scientific than most, and he at least fires 5 rounds per test. In his test of .380 Critical Defense a couple rounds of it did fairly well, but 2 rounds out of 10 meeting the minimum penetration requirements(because they failed to expand properly) is still pretty bad. The XTP and Hydra-Shok bullets did well because of their small, controlled expansion. .380 just doesn't have enough energy and bullet weight for bullets with large expansion to penetrate well.

I use Precision One XTP in my CW380. If the XTP and Hydra-Shok loads all didn't work in my gun for some reason, or if you really want to stick with the 'big name" rounds, I'd go with Gold Dot. At least most of them in the Ammo Quest tests were within an inch of meeting the minimum for penetration, and they had pretty good expansion.

[kwh]

Agree with Fcastle88