Where's all the Ammo? (Vanity)

1/25/09 | Self

[CholeraJoe]

Sportman’s Guide or Midway USA online. Also don’t sell yourself short on stopping power. Smith and Wesson M&P and Taurus Millenium Pro are compact semi-auto pistols available in .40 or .45 cal. I have one of each.

Never take a gun to a gun fight unless the caliber begins with a 4. And always take more ammo than you think you’ll need.

[Atlas Sneezed]

.380 ACP ammo seems scarce now because ammo manufacturers are just catching up with the demand and .380 ACP is an unusual cartridge. Even when it’s available, it’s expensive. This is the hallmark of a cartridge that is slowly being obsoleted.

Modern/recently-produced firearms that are chambered to use .380 ACP are rare. When you do find a .380 handgun, it’s usually a relic from the middle half of last century. Anyone looking at a handgun in this caliber would be better off with the 9mm Luger cartridge that’s only 1mm greater in length but significantly higher in power.

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You make a couple factual errors:

First, 380 is a VERY popular cartridge, made in great quantity. The shortage is all about demand.

Second, there are several very popular recent 380 pistols on the market (Kel-Tec, Ruger, S&W) and these are flying off the shelves, explaining my first point.

I can also add that if you aren’t looking to protect your life on the cheap, you should consider Rohrbaugh’s 9mm, which is comparable in price to a Kimber, with superior craftsmanship. It is by far the best pocket gun on the market.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I stand by my statement: .380 is a relic. It’s rare and expensive.

Stop getting your product news from NRA’s American Rifleman, by the way.

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So because the NRA says all those companies have 380s means it isn’t true?

I know many people have bought those guns.

You are canoeing without a paddle.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Wonder who shoots .357 Sig.
This has to be the rarest of the rare...

[P8riot]

I carry a P45. Sweet gun, accurate, reliable, smooth trigger, thin and lightweight with 7 rds of .45ACP on tap. Never had a hiccup. I also have a documented battlefield pick-up P-08 made by the Nazis; not to mention both, a soviet and a chicom ak-47 (both full auto). But, I guess since I got them all used, it ain’t no big deal.

[P8riot]

Our local PD uses .357Sig

[melkor]

used or new does not matter. you dont seem to be getting the point..

look at the free market.

they will make a product that meets demands of buyers.

if people want .380s then they will make .380s

im not saying that the .380 is the end all be all in a handgun round. I am saying they are popular enough that the manufacturers felt it was a wise business decision to invest time and money to develop products that will sell and make money. Kel-tec was making a KILLING with their tiny .380. Then came ruger with the LCP - basicaly a “higher” quality clone and people were waiting for MONTHS on backorder lists, the others companies saw that and then the flood gates for new models opened and now we have 9 new models.

for instance, I carry a 10mm. There are not a lot of 10mm guns on the market. It will SPANK a .45 ACP silly, but there is very little demand in the market so there are very few models and only 1 new one in the last few years.

as far as your p45, if you like supporting cults that like to rape little children, then its your money.

[melkor]

a lot of law enforcement use it including the secret service. many .357 sig loadings are considered special threat rounds - will penetrate most IIIA body armor on the older 2008 NIJ standard. the newer IIIA on the 2009 standard or the older 2008s with an upgrade plate will stop them.

[deoetdoctrinae]

Hey 70th Division.. I too have one of the Bersa Thunder .380, and like it very much.

I recently added a Kel-Tec P3AT pocket gun, and have a question about it for you (or anyone who knows and wants to chime in). What would be a reasonable amount to pay a gunsmith to do a “fluff-and-buff” on the Kel-Tec? Thanks.

[melkor]

1 hour labor

or do it yourself - takes about 15 minutes with a razor blade and a dremel with a polishing wheel. There are tons of REALLY good guides with pictures on the net.

[scottdeus12]

“Between the two, I’d pick the 9mm for availability of ammo.”

I hear you all on this....BUT.....the difference between the size and weight of a 9mm leads me towards the .380....it’s so small I know I’d always carry. If there was a sub compact 9mm that had the footprint of, say, the Kahr .380 - I’d probably get the 9mm...unless any of you know of one like that?

Thanks,

Scott

[Andonius_99]

Try Here (Taurus)

[Cuttnhorse]

I shoot .357SIG in my Sig P229...I have both barrels....40S&W and .357. The .357SIG is a fun round...very hot. Ammo is a little expensive and harder to find than 9mm and .40, but I have plenty.

[melkor]

The taurus that was linked is an option, here are some more in that same size catagory. These are all only 1 inch longer than the .380. You will find that the grip length and gun thickness are more important than the overall length. The length of the slide is the easiest part to conceal since it goes downward along your body with your hip/leg. The thickness will effect the buldge, and grip length will effect what part of the body it will ride against and how much of a print it will make on you.

http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=58

http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=7

http://www.glock.com/english/glock26.htm

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/pf9.htm

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?version=59

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?version=110

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=13152&storeId=10002&productId=60492&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=44304&isFirearm=Y

[mikelets456]

How about this:

http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?PID=59376&w=PQ%2BJDyOLrQE%3D

[vetvetdoug]

Ammo is always plentiful when there is absolute confidence in the President and the government. I carry a .45Auto and use a converter to practice with the .22....that is the only two calibers I have except for a plethora of black powder weapons and bullet molds.

[melkor]

forgot about sig

they have a 9mm in that class size as well as a new .380

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=9&productid=71

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=67&productid=266

[scottdeus12]

thanks for the options guys, I’ll have to check the links when I get home (work firewall).

Regards,

Scott

[islander-11]

My department recently switched over to the .357 Sig as well.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My concern would be with availability. The Sig is relatively new (I know it dates me.)
I was surprised that the .40 was as broadly accepted as it has been.
‘swhy I bought the Glock Mod 22 in .40 S&W. It’s a banger.