The 380 ACP (aka 380 Auto, 380 Automatic, 9x17mm, or 9mm Kurz, 9x17mm Browning Short, or 9mm Browning Short) is a legitimate and popular self-defense choice, mainly because of the guns it makes possible rather than the raw power of the cartridge.
Strengths
- Small, light pistols. It’s the standard cartridge for pocket-size and deep-concealment guns, so people actually carry them, which matters more than having a more powerful gun left at home.
- Mild recoil. Easier for people with small hands, arthritis, or limited grip strength, and easier to shoot accurately and quickly. Many are also easy to rack the slide on.
- Widely available ammo. Common, though usually a bit pricier than 9mm Luger.
- Modern ammo has improved. Quality jacketed hollow points (Hornady Critical Defense, Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, etc.) have narrowed the gap with older, weaker loads.
Weaknesses
- Lower energy. It sits below 9mm, roughly 200 ft-lbs versus 350+. Penetration is the main concern: FBI-style gelatin testing standards (12-18 inches) are harder for 380 ACP to meet while also expanding. Many people choose full-metal-jacket or non-expanding loads for guaranteed penetration, accepting less expansion.
- Smaller capacity in the tiniest guns, though newer models hold 10-15 rounds.
- Tiny guns are harder to shoot well (snappy for their size, short sight radius), despite the mild cartridge.
Popular pistols
- Ruger LCP II / LCP Max: very small pocket guns, the latter with higher capacity
- Glock 42: slightly larger, easier to shoot, very reliable
- Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 / M&P Shield EZ 380: the EZ is known for easy slide operation
- SIG Sauer P365 380 / Springfield Hellcat-class alternatives: note many of these are 9mm, so compare sizes
- Walther PPK/S and Beretta 85 series: classic designs, more pleasant to shoot
Bottom Line
Most experts rank 9mm ahead as a defensive cartridge, but a 380 you’ll reliably carry and shoot well beats a larger gun that stays home. Modern micro-9mm pistols (like the SIG P365 or Hellcat) have also shrunk the size advantage, so it’s worth handling both. Whatever you pick, choose a reliable gun, test your carry ammo for feeding, and get proper training and practice time.
Our Team Said:
Check out the Gun Tests team’s recent reviews of 380 ACP ammunition and handguns and try them at your local range.
Lehigh Defense 65-grain Xtreme Defense 09380065S 380 ACP
Gun Tests Grade: A
Fiocchi 90-grain JHP 380APHP 380 ACP
Gun Tests Grade: A (BEST BUY)
Remington Ultimate Defense 102-grain BJHP CHD380BN 380 ACP
Gun Tests Grade: A (OUR PICK)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+ (February 2025)
Overall Length, 6.5 in. Overall Height, 4.1 in. Weight Loaded, 24.1 oz. Barrel, 3.4 in. Capacity (Double Stack, Flush Fit), 10+1. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 6.5 lbs. Magazines, 2; polymer body; 10-rnd.
Ruger LCP Max 75th Anniversary Stainless 13775 380 Auto, $299
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+ (March 2025)
Overall Length, 5.2 in. Overall Height, 4.2 in. Weight Loaded, 11.8 oz. Barrel Length, 2.8 in. Capacity, 10 or 12 rounds. Slide Retraction Effort, 10.5 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.15 lbs. Magazines, (1) 10. Magazine Cost, $28, 12 round.
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 13926 380 Auto, $440
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (March 2025)
Overall Length, 5.5 in. Overall Height, 4.0 in. Weight Loaded, 11.2 oz. Barrel Length, 2.75 in. Capacity, 10 or 12 rounds. Slide Retraction Effort, 12.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight, 3.6 lbs. Magazines, (1) 10, (1) 12. Magazine Cost, $38, 12 round.
Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P 380 Shield EZ M2.0 13225 380 ACP, $515
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (June-July 2025)
Overall Length, 6.75 in. Overall Height, 5.0 in. Weight Loaded, 18.9 oz. Barrel Length, 3.675 in. Magazine, 8-round detachable box. Magazine Price, $28. Slide Retraction Effort, 11.1 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Single Action, 4.6 lbs.
Bersa Thunder 380 Combat T380MC 380 ACP, $288
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (October-November 2025)
Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 4.7 in. Weight Loaded, 24.1 oz. Barrel Length, 3.5 in. Magazine, 8-rd detachable box. Magazine Price, $23. Slide Retraction Effort, 14.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Single Action, 5.5 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Double Action, 10.0 lbs.
Smith & Wesson M&P 380 Shield EZ 180023 380 ACP, $384
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (May 2024)
Overall Length, 6.75 in. Overall Height, 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.17 in. Weight Loaded, 1.35 lbs. Slide Retraction Effort, 11.0 lbs. Barrel Length, 3.675 in. Magazines, Two 8-round. Trigger Pull Weight, 4.4 lbs. Trigger Span, 2.75 in.
Bersa Thunder 380 Combat Plus T380PMC 380 AUTO, $357
GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (February 2025)
Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 4.9 in. Maximum Width, 1.3 in. Weight Unloaded, 20.0 oz. Weight Loaded, 24.9 oz. Barrel, 3.5 in. Capacity (Double Stack, Flush Fit), 15+1. Slide Retraction Effort, 17.5 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Double Action, 9.5 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Single Action, 5.0 lbs.
EAA Girsan MC 14T 380 AUTO, $387
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (February 2025)
Overall Length, 7.6 in. Overall Height, 5.0 in. Weight Unloaded, 22.4 oz. Weight Loaded, 26.6 oz. Barrel, 4.5 in. Capacity (Double Stack, Flush Fit), 13+1. Slide, Black steel. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.0 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Double Action, 7.5 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Single Action, 6.0 lbs. Magazine, 1, steel body, 13-rnd., finger rest.
Glock 42 U14250201 380 ACP, $360
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (June-July 2025)
Overall Length, 5.94 in. Overall Height, 4.13 in. Weight Loaded, 13.8 oz. Barrel Length, 3.25 in. Magazine, 6-round detachable box. Magazine Price, $30. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.4 lbs. Trigger Pull Weight Double Action, 6.0 lbs.
SIG SAUER P365-380 365-380-BSS-MS 380 ACP, $500
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (Oct-Nov 2026)
Overall Length, 5.8 in. Overall Height, 4.1 in. Weight Loaded, 19.5 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 14.0 lbs. Barrel Length, 3.1 in. Magazines, (2) 10-round steel. Magazine Price, $40. Trigger Pull Weight, 5.8 lbs.
