.380 ACP from Buffalo Bore -- 1200 fps, 288 ft-lbs

[Paymeister]

OK, so if Ruger says "no hot rounds" and KelTec says "some hot rounds", it would seem prudent to buy a P3AT if one felt compelled to get a less-expensive 380. I do not like a 380 compared to larger calibers, but feel my concerns would be addressed somewhat by Buffalo Bore.

Yes, yes, 'save and get a Kahr PM9' - that's Plan A. But if concealability REQUIRES a P3AT / LCP, which should I get?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[cavnamvet]

I have a Kahr pm9 and have loaded it with all the hot 9mm at one time or another ( including ranger 127 +P+) and it is a fine carry pistol.

But make no mistake, the pm9 is somewhat heavier to carry than the p380, which I also own and carry when I feel lazy or in shorts or whatever. Actually the p380 fits nicely into the desantis belt slide holster for the pm9.. a little loose but not bad.

When I do carry the p380, I often load with the Buffalo Bore HP and/or FMJ.
The recoil, at least from the Kahr, is noticably more but not uncomfortable
to shoot and follow up shots are no problem either.

I wouldn't try the BB with the LCP or the Keltec, may not hurt it but
who knows? I think I heard BB recommends fully supported chambers.

[Ronny]

A while ago on glocktalk or TFL I read about a kaboom in an LCP using the buffalo bore rounds. It had to do with the unsupported chamber. The pressures were way above SAAMI standards. I also read about an email reply from kahr and they said the buffalo bore loads were fine in their pistol. That's why I've had my eye on a good price for a kahr or sig 380 instead of an lcp. I think in a couple years when a good secondary market (used) developes the prices will come down on all those models.

[Ronny]

According to members of another forum the Buffalo Bore load is 25,000 psi.
+P, Buffalo Bore and what we've learned so far - thanks MountainGator

[Majorlk]

According to members of another forum the Buffalo Bore load is 25,000 psi.
+P, Buffalo Bore and what we've learned so far - thanks MountainGator

That's 3,500 psi over SAAMI max for .380.

[medicrod]

- Ruger's manual states not to use +P ammunition in their LCP. Reason enough to stay away from it.

The P3AT Kel is the ONLY "mouse gun" I have found that says +P is ok and then not to only use them.

[sixgun]

Has anybody used this load in a Bersa thunder 380. Im interested in this load especially with 288 ft lbs of energy. Sounds like a good carry load for the 380.

[481]

That's 3,500 psi over SAAMI max for .380.

Since I like all of my fingers right where they are, I am not sure that I'd be comfortable firing that in any .380.

[Ljutic]

Regardless if you care to roll the dice on what +P means to Buffalo Bore, Underwood, or Magtech you have to consider that Buffalo Bore and Underwood are buying bullets from companies that designed them for optimal expansions and penetration at velocities much lower than 1200 fps.

Case in point, my Underwood 380 +P test. Pocket Guns and Gear: Underwood Ammo 380 Auto +P GDHP Clear Gel Test It shows what happens to a good bullet pushed too fast.

Not trying to talk anyone into or out of buying what they want to buy. Just wanted to show another side effect of the increased velocity and energy.

[zeke4351]

Buffalo Bore is my carry round no matter which gun I am packing. I have .380, .40, and 9mm that I carry from time to time. I use the +P or +P+ in all of them. I read somewhere in a ballistic test where a+P .380 100 gr FMJ penetrated 23" in gel.