Underwood Ammo 380 +P Ballistics Gel Test & Review

plouffedaddy · November 11, 2012, 03:35 PM

Like a lot of you, I carry a 380 pocket gun sometimes because it's convient and conceals well in most outfits. And like many of you, I view the 380ACP round as relatively underpowered but still much better than nothing. So, the search for a 380 round with relatively good performance has led me to the 90gr Speer Gold Dot rounds and I've trusted them for many years now.

Well, theres a new round out from Underwood Ammo that uses the tested bonded Gold Dot bullet but loads it to a higher pressure (22,900 cup) producing a pretty good increase in energy out of my test gun (Bodyguard 380) and that's nothing to sneeze at. In the calibrated ballistics gel (with 4 layers of denim) used in the video below it got 11'' of penetration, expanded to .48 inches, and had a retained weight of 89.5 grains (5.8g=89.5 grains).

I realize there's no SAMMI spec for "+p" 380ACP but this is certainly a hot round. With that said, be sure you have a firearm that can handle the chamber pressures caused by using this round––-if not, you may damage your firearm (and hand).

Underwood uses a 3.5'' PPK barrel for their advertised velocity but since most people who carry 380s use a pocket gun, I tested it in a 2.75'' barrel. Here's the chrono numbers:

Speer Gold Dot 90gr JHPs: 964fps, 186 ft/lbs energy
Underwood Gold Dot 90gr JHPs: 1086fps, 236 ft/lbs energy

Test video:

Underwood Ballistics Gel Test Video Link

jmortimer · November 11, 2012, 04:25 PM

The .380 is coming along. Underwood is at the top along with Buffalo Bore in my book. I can't picture you with a .380 ACP. Thanks for the info.

plouffedaddy · November 12, 2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

I can't picture you with a .380 ACP.

I occasionally carried a 25acp for a a few years as well

but with the improvements in 380 pocket guns I've sold off all the smaller caliber guns. I generally carry a 9mm or 40S&W but I'm a believer in the 'the 380 in your pocket is better than the 45 in your glove box' mentality.

wnycollector · November 12, 2012, 11:13 AM

Nice test and write-up. Underwood makes high quality ammo and very fair prices.

North Bender · November 13, 2012, 04:16 PM

Hello,

Do you know if Underwood owns CUP testing gear and performs their own tests, and if so, was their 9x18 test pressure data that you quoted earlier obtained by CUP testing?

plouffedaddy · November 13, 2012, 07:42 PM

Sorry I do not know that. The owner, Kevin Underwood, is very user-friendly though. If you shoot him an email he usually responds with 24 hours.

North Bender · November 13, 2012, 10:36 PM

plouffedaddy I sent you a PM.

plouffedaddy · November 13, 2012, 11:26 PM

I did not get it.

November 11, 2012, 03:35 PM	#1
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,960	Underwood Ammo 380 +P Ballistics Gel Test & Review Like a lot of you, I carry a 380 pocket gun sometimes because it's convient and conceals well in most outfits. And like many of you, I view the 380ACP round as relatively underpowered but still much better than nothing. So, the search for a 380 round with relatively good performance has led me to the 90gr Speer Gold Dot rounds and I've trusted them for many years now. Well, theres a new round out from Underwood Ammo that uses the tested bonded Gold Dot bullet but loads it to a higher pressure (22,900 cup) producing a pretty good increase in energy out of my test gun (Bodyguard 380) and that's nothing to sneeze at. In the calibrated ballistics gel (with 4 layers of denim) used in the video below it got 11'' of penetration, expanded to .48 inches, and had a retained weight of 89.5 grains (5.8g=89.5 grains). I realize there's no SAMMI spec for "+p" 380ACP but this is certainly a hot round. With that said, be sure you have a firearm that can handle the chamber pressures caused by using this round––-if not, you may damage your firearm (and hand). Underwood uses a 3.5'' PPK barrel for their advertised velocity but since most people who carry 380s use a pocket gun, I tested it in a 2.75'' barrel. Here's the chrono numbers: Speer Gold Dot 90gr JHPs: 964fps, 186 ft/lbs energy Underwood Gold Dot 90gr JHPs: 1086fps, 236 ft/lbs energy Test video: Underwood Ballistics Gel Test Video Link __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

November 13, 2012, 07:42 PM	#6
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,960	Sorry I do not know that. The owner, Kevin Underwood, is very user-friendly though. If you shoot him an email he usually responds with 24 hours. __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

November 13, 2012, 11:26 PM	#8
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,960	I did not get it. __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

November 11, 2012, 04:25 PM	#2
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,765	The .380 is coming along. Underwood is at the top along with Buffalo Bore in my book. I can't picture you with a .380 ACP. Thanks for the info.

November 12, 2012, 11:13 AM	#4
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,739	Nice test and write-up. Underwood makes high quality ammo and very fair prices.

November 13, 2012, 04:16 PM	#5
North Bender Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 138	Hello, Do you know if Underwood owns CUP testing gear and performs their own tests, and if so, was their 9x18 test pressure data that you quoted earlier obtained by CUP testing?

November 13, 2012, 10:36 PM	#7
North Bender Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 138	plouffedaddy I sent you a PM.