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Old August 11, 2008, 02:27 PM   #1
surfzombie
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Can you trim 9mm down to .380 auto?

Hi everyone,

I am new here and I am thinking about buying a 380 auto pistol but don't like the price of the ammo. I currently load 9mm and 9mm Makarov. I know you can trim the 9mm down for the 9x18 makarov but can you do the same for the 380 auto 9x17mm? As you all know ther is a ton of 9mm brass around and it's cheaper than the 380 brass. I guess i'm a penny pincher! Will it work or is there a lot of difference, know of course that I would resize with a 380 die set.
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Old August 11, 2008, 02:43 PM   #2
Jim Watson
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There is a lot of difference, it would not work with ordinary reloading bench and shop tools and maybe not with industrial gear.
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Old August 11, 2008, 02:45 PM   #3
jmorris
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could you? With enough force a square peg will fit a round hole.

The answer to your question is, no. They are different in more ways than length. The rim is larger on the 9mm, the base of the case is also larger.
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Old August 11, 2008, 02:54 PM   #4
Loader9
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Let's see here, a 380 case has a rim diameter of .374, 9mm is .394. rim thickness for 380 is .045, 9mm is .050. 380 head diameter is .374, 9mm is .391. While it might be possible, it certainly wouldn't be worth the effort.
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Old August 11, 2008, 03:06 PM   #5
surfzombie
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Thanks for the quick replies. I should have looked at the dimensions and I could have answered my own question. I just remembered that the 9mm luger was 9x19mm the Mak is 9x18mm and the 380 is 9x17mm. I didn't even look at the rim size. Sorry for wasting your time.
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Old August 11, 2008, 03:24 PM   #6
hodaka
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Asking questions is never a waste of time.

BTW- Lots of us have trimmed 9mm down to 9x18 Makarov. I don't know the differences in dimensions off of the top of my head, but the two rounds are close enough for the trimming to work.
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Old August 12, 2008, 12:30 PM   #7
Scope Bite
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As mentioned, the rim thickness is different. So, if you did feel like taking on the task, the primer pockets would have to be deepened by 0.005" to compensate for the rim trim.
The case walls are also thinner at the mouth of the .380 ACP, forming a 'step' where the thickness increases. Trimming down 9x19 cases would require inside-reaming to finish the job off. Way too much work, not worth it.
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Old August 20, 2008, 10:01 PM   #8
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Asking questions makes everyone smarter who looks! It's a public service to ask the question!
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Old August 21, 2008, 08:07 PM   #9
1911_freak
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nope(i've tried it!)
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My loads are 45. acp, 9mm, 38., 357., 7.62x39,
223., 308., 16 and 12 gauge
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