The .380 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) and the 9mm Luger (aka 9x19mm Parabellum, or simply “9mm”) are two of the most popular pistol cartridges. Although both share the same 9mm (0.355”) diameter bullet, the .380 ACP has a shorter case, and is therefore the more anemic round.
I prefer the 9mm for most applications, but my wife loves her 380 Auto. Either cartridge has benefits and drawbacks, so let’s dive into why you might choose one over the other.
380 vs. 9mm: Cost
When we compare 380 ACP and 9mm prices, we might assume the 380 will be less expensive because it’s the smaller round. However, that’s not the case. The 9mm is more popular and abundant, which helps lower its price compared to 380 ammo.
The Differences Between .380 and 9mm
The primary differences between the 380 ACP and 9mm are case length and power. The 380 has the shorter case. It contains less propellant, and has less power and recoil as a result. I don’t consider either cartridge to have heavy recoil, although the 380 definitely has less: a major reason why my wife prefers it.
380 vs. 9mm: Size
The 380 and 9mm both fire bullets of the same diameter, but the 9mm cartridge is bigger and fires heavier bullets than the 380 Auto cartridge. The overall length of the 380 ACP is just under 1 inch (0.984 inches), whereas the overall length of the 9mm is 1.169 inches. This is largely due to the 380’s shorter case.
The 380 Auto’s base diameter (0.374 inches) is slightly narrower than the 9mm’s (0.391 inches). The 380 is not bigger than the 9mm in any way.
.380 vs 9mm: Recoil
This is one of the few categories where the .380 ACP is superior. Recoil from a .380 ACP is approximately half that of 9mm Luger. That’s a huge difference, to say the least!
Lower recoil is why my wife wanted to switch to the 380 Auto from her 9mm. It allowed her to be more accurate and flinch less, so she was more comfortable firing her pistol.
Being comfortable with your firearm is one of the most important aspects of self-defense and shooting in general. If you’re uncomfortable while shooting in a defensive situation, you’ll miss the mark more often and put innocent bystanders’ lives at greater risk.
For those like my wife who need a low-recoil cartridge, go with the 380.
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