Author Topic: LCP and +p?  (Read 966 times)

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Offline simplicity

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LCP and +p?
« on: March 02, 2011, 02:29:43 AM »
I have a LCp and was wondering if anyone knows if or how it would handle the buffalo bore 380 +P loads? All the rugers I've owned have always been rugged guns without a doubt but was just wondering on the issue since the +P loads is quite a gain for the little round.

Offline Mike in Virginia

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Re: LCP and +p?
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2011, 02:42:01 AM »
Mine's loaded with Buffalo Bore +P 100 grain hardcast.  Shoots fine.  I don't know what Ruger says about +P, but I don't think you'd ever get enough powder in that little case to make +P harmful.  Besides, a .380 ain't much; you need all you can get out of it.     

Offline cheapshooter

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Re: LCP and +p?
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2011, 05:56:25 PM »
The owners manual with my LCP states very clearly, and in bold red print,
DO NOT USE +P AMMUNITION
That good enough for me. Might not hurt for a few rounds, but why take the chance. For one thing, I shoot way more than a few rounds of my carry ammo through anything I will carry to insure it functions reliably.  If you want 9MM performance, get a 9MM. Even 380+P isn't going to equal a 9MM.
For one thing, there is no such thing as +P 380. The only SAAMI +P standards are for 9MM, 38 Spcl., and 45 ACP. Anything advertised as 380 +P is either over loaded higher than standard pressure, or advertising BS.
Mine shoots Hornady Critical Defense without a glitch, and is perfectly accurate.
I feel it has enough power for personal defense.

Offline Redhawk1

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Re: LCP and +p?
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2011, 01:14:23 AM »
The owners manual with my LCP states very clearly, and in bold red print,
DO NOT USE +P AMMUNITION
That good enough for me. Might not hurt for a few rounds, but why take the chance. For one thing, I shoot way more than a few rounds of my carry ammo through anything I will carry to insure it functions reliably.  If you want 9MM performance, get a 9MM. Even 380+P isn't going to equal a 9MM.
For one thing, there is no such thing as +P 380. The only SAAMI +P standards are for 9MM, 38 Spcl., and 45 ACP. Anything advertised as 380 +P is either over loaded higher than standard pressure, or advertising BS.
Mine shoots Hornady Critical Defense without a glitch, and is perfectly accurate.
I feel it has enough power for personal defense.

plus1 I use Hornady Critical Defense as well.
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Offline simplicity

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Re: LCP and +p?
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2011, 02:12:39 AM »
LOL I wasn't looking for 9mm performance in a 380. I bought a box of remington golden sabers and it won't cycle them reliably.  I have some old silver tips that run fine and all the other cheap ammo to practice with runs just fine. I saw the Buffalo bore ammo and thought I'd ask from folks that have either tryed it or know the answer I was looking for. I was just trying to decide on what the next type of defense ammo I was going to try it was most likely going to be the winchester pdx.  Also as far as defensive situation goes with a 380 I was kinda looking at it like loading a 44 for bear aka heavy bullet that penatrates. That's why I was also looking at the 100 grain cast load that buffalo bore puts out. I guess I'll grab a box of the hornadys and the winchesters to see which the gun prefers.

Offline cheapshooter

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Re: LCP and +p?
« Reply #5 on: March 10, 2011, 06:18:09 AM »
LOL I wasn't looking for 9mm performance in a 380. I bought a box of remington golden sabers and it won't cycle them reliably.  I have some old silver tips that run fine and all the other cheap ammo to practice with runs just fine. I saw the Buffalo bore ammo and thought I'd ask from folks that have either tryed it or know the answer I was looking for. I was just trying to decide on what the next type of defense ammo I was going to try it was most likely going to be the winchester pdx.  Also as far as defensive situation goes with a 380 I was kinda looking at it like loading a 44 for bear aka heavy bullet that penatrates. That's why I was also looking at the 100 grain cast load that buffalo bore puts out. I guess I'll grab a box of the hornadys and the winchesters to see which the gun prefers.
How old is your Elsie? New, or early model? I asked because I bought my LCP a little over a year ago, and it functions perfectly with the golden Sabers, and everything else I've tried in it.
I settled on the CD strictly on ballistic comparisons I have seen. I don't know of any real world
information on modern 380ACP performance, so the tests are all I can go on. The Hornady CD showed somewhat better penetration, but still some expansion VS more expansion but less penetration of other HPs. Or the deeper penetration without any expansion of the FMJ  bullets.