Is .380 and 9mm the same thing?

[Guest Satt]

I heard the other day that .380 and 9mm were pretty much the same round. I am a very good shot, but don't know much about the ammo. I would appreciate some clarification on this. Thanks in advance.

Jason

[Smith]

Same bullet but not the same round by any stretch. Kinda like the difference between 9mm and .357 sig.

[Guest Satt]

Same bullet but not the same round by any stretch. Kinda like the difference between 9mm and .357 sig.

I'm sorry, I don't understand that either.

[Smith]

Here is a good article about it.

http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aast9mmv380a.htm

"SAAMI industry-standard catalog specifications for the two cartridges rate the .380 at approximately 950 fps velocity and 200 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) energy for JHP bullets in the 90- to 100-grain weight range while the 9mm (which is offered in a much wider range of bullet weights and styles) is specced at 1150 fps and 340 ft-lbs energy with a 115-grain JHP bullet and 990 fps and 320 ft-lbs energy with heavier 147-grain JHP subsonic loads. In raw energy terms alone, then, the 9mm has about a 65 percent advantage. (Standard four-inch ballistic test barrels are employed for the SAAMI ratings for both cartridges.)"

[Im Neero]

So put simply, the two cartridges use the same projectile, but it travels much faster out of a 9mm, making it more powerful.

[Guest canynracer]

So put simply, the two cartridges use the same projectile, but it travels much faster out of a 9mm, making it more powerful.

NICE!!! direct to the point, thank you for dumbing that down..I need that kinda talk when it comes to ammo...its all very confusing to me...

[Guest Satt]

Thanks all. That helps a lot. In that article, they guy compares the Taurus Mel Pros in .32 and 9mm. If I were to buy a Mel Pro, I would just get the .45 since it's the exact same size gun as the .32 and 9mm.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

If I were to buy a Mel Pro, I would just get the .45 since it's the exact same size gun as the .32 and 9mm.

Just keep in mind that the recoil might be considerably harsher, compared to a .32 and 9mm in the same size handgun. There's always trade-offs, when increasing the caliber while keeping the same dimensions of the platform. Not saying you won't be able to handle it, by any means, but it may not prove to be a comfortable/fun gun for any extended period of shooting (which would be a moot point, if just used for self defense, anyway). Something to consider when trying them out and purchasing one.

[Marswolf]

I want to again recommend that you all download Federal's Interactive Ballistics Catalog. There is a lot of information in this application. It has a permanent place on my desktop for quick and dirty round comparisons.

http://www.federalpremium.com/Download/SETUP.EXE

[Smith]

Here is the 9mm or .355 bullet breakdown It has a great chart:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9mm

[strickj]

380 is also called 9short and 9browning

like stated above same bullet size just shorter

[molonlabetn]

They are very similar, the 9mm has more powder behind it, which is why the case is 2mm longer, and slightly larger at the base because of a slight taper.