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Webleymkv · November 12, 2024, 05:25 PM

The primary advantage to .380 Auto over .32 Auto, and also the reason that I think .380 has become more popular in the U.S. as opposed to Europe, is that .380 can perform significantly better with expanding bullets than .32 can. .32 Auto simply doesn't have enough power to get both reliable expansion and adequate penetration with a JHP bullet. Also, because of its semi-rimmed design, .32 Auto pistols have been known to have issues with rim-lock when loaded with JHP ammunition which is typically loaded to a shorter OAL than typical FMJ (though I've shot a good amount of both JHP and Lehigh XTreme Defender through various .32's and have never had an instance of rim-lock).

That being said, JHP's are really only a good idea in a .380 with very careful ammo selection and, ideally, a longer barrel. There are a very few .380 JHP loadings which seem to perform "ok" the best of which is probably Hornady's 90 gr Critical Defense as it's the only one that seems to be able to expand reliably and penetrate acceptably, though not ideally, from the short barrels found in most of the popular "micro" .380's like Ruger's LCP, Kel-Tec's P3AT, S&W's Bodyguard and the like. Others like Federal Hydra-Shok and Speer Gold Dot seem to do ok if shot from longer barrels and/or if heavy clothing isn't a factor. Still more, however, suffer from the same problems that .32 Auto JHP loadings do. It isn't uncommon advice to load a .380 with FMJ, Hardcast, or other non-expanding bullets to ensure adequate penetration and that advice isn't necessarily without merit.

If JHP or other expanding bullets are taken out of the equation, then I think there's probably a much stronger case for .32 Auto. Non-expanding bullets will give more than adequate penetration in both calibers but the .32 can be had in slightly smaller and lighter guns, can have slightly greater magazine capacity in similarly sized guns, and has significantly less recoil in similarly sized guns.

I currently own a Kel-Tec P3AT which I bought used for a very, very reasonable price. While the gun is certainly very easy to conceal and is also surprisingly reliable and accurate, it's a vicious little gun to shoot even with run-of-the-mill 95 gr FMJ (I think the last time I shot it I used Remington-UMC). That little pocket .380 is easily the most unpleasant to shoot gun that I own and that is even when compared to small-frame revolvers in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum revolvers, 10mm semi-autos, .357 Sig semi-autos and subcompact .40 S&W's. I sometimes regret not paying the $50 more it would have cost me to buy the Kel-Tec P32 that was next to it in the case.

November 12, 2024, 05:25 PM	#49
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,610	The primary advantage to .380 Auto over .32 Auto, and also the reason that I think .380 has become more popular in the U.S. as opposed to Europe, is that .380 can perform significantly better with expanding bullets than .32 can. .32 Auto simply doesn't have enough power to get both reliable expansion and adequate penetration with a JHP bullet. Also, because of its semi-rimmed design, .32 Auto pistols have been known to have issues with rim-lock when loaded with JHP ammunition which is typically loaded to a shorter OAL than typical FMJ (though I've shot a good amount of both JHP and Lehigh XTreme Defender through various .32's and have never had an instance of rim-lock). That being said, JHP's are really only a good idea in a .380 with very careful ammo selection and, ideally, a longer barrel. There are a very few .380 JHP loadings which seem to perform "ok" the best of which is probably Hornady's 90 gr Critical Defense as it's the only one that seems to be able to expand reliably and penetrate acceptably, though not ideally, from the short barrels found in most of the popular "micro" .380's like Ruger's LCP, Kel-Tec's P3AT, S&W's Bodyguard and the like. Others like Federal Hydra-Shok and Speer Gold Dot seem to do ok if shot from longer barrels and/or if heavy clothing isn't a factor. Still more, however, suffer from the same problems that .32 Auto JHP loadings do. It isn't uncommon advice to load a .380 with FMJ, Hardcast, or other non-expanding bullets to ensure adequate penetration and that advice isn't necessarily without merit. If JHP or other expanding bullets are taken out of the equation, then I think there's probably a much stronger case for .32 Auto. Non-expanding bullets will give more than adequate penetration in both calibers but the .32 can be had in slightly smaller and lighter guns, can have slightly greater magazine capacity in similarly sized guns, and has significantly less recoil in similarly sized guns. I currently own a Kel-Tec P3AT which I bought used for a very, very reasonable price. While the gun is certainly very easy to conceal and is also surprisingly reliable and accurate, it's a vicious little gun to shoot even with run-of-the-mill 95 gr FMJ (I think the last time I shot it I used Remington-UMC). That little pocket .380 is easily the most unpleasant to shoot gun that I own and that is even when compared to small-frame revolvers in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum revolvers, 10mm semi-autos, .357 Sig semi-autos and subcompact .40 S&W's. I sometimes regret not paying the $50 more it would have cost me to buy the Kel-Tec P32 that was next to it in the case.