P3AT Defense Round

KW Gary M · 11-19-2008, 11:39 PM

I just picked up my P3AT and am going to shoot it this weekend. I want to try a few different hollow point protection rounds as well as as many target rounds as my hand can take. What does everyone who carrys a P3AT use? Any you are more happy with? Any you are unhappy with?

Todd Bayliss · 11-20-2008, 12:05 PM

I don't own a .380, but it seems you can't go wrong with Gold Dots in one form or another. I've heard good things about Hornady XTP too, and they're a bit cheaper.

SwedeSteve · 11-20-2008, 12:30 PM

I shot silvertips out of one and they did fine. I would also try the XTP's, I haven't shot any but everyone seems to like them.

thunderjohn · 11-20-2008, 01:54 PM

The only thing I've read about .380's is to use FMJ, because of the lower
velocity, the HP's won't penetrate far enough after expansion.

dmwphoto · 11-20-2008, 01:56 PM

I use and am very happy with the Hornaday XTPs in my LCP. I expect they would feed and have good terminal performance for you as well in the P3at

deputy125 · 11-20-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderjohn

The only thing I've read about .380's is to use FMJ, because of the lower
velocity, the HP's won't penetrate far enough after expansion.

+1,
i want penetration with that light (weight wise) round

HEMI · 11-21-2008, 03:46 PM

Stick with hollow points,corbon,hydra shoks,gold dots etc...fmjs have the worst stopping power of the bunch.

thunderjohn · 11-21-2008, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEMI

Stick with hollow points,corbon,hydra shoks,gold dots etc...fmjs have the worst stopping power of the bunch.

Don't want to start an argument, but the experts in ballistics recommend
the FMJ in light rounds ( 25, 32, 380 ) I'm just passing on their
advice, not mine. HP won't do enough damage if they don't get in far
enough.

HEMI · 11-22-2008, 09:14 AM

Thats why light rounds are not recommended for self defence.
No arguement here.

ironhead7544 · 11-23-2008, 09:11 AM

The Hydrashok has the best reputation of the hollowpoints. Make sure it feeds OK.

sisco50 · 11-24-2008, 08:21 AM

Mine feed all the popular SD rounds but I used mostly Gold Dots because of availability. Ran about 800 rounds thru it before I gave up target shooting as I figured it will probably do fine now with no hiccups in that many rounds.

HEMI · 11-24-2008, 08:23 AM

Wise choice

KW Gary M · 11-25-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sisco50

Mine feed all the popular SD rounds but I used mostly Gold Dots because of availability. Ran about 800 rounds thru it before I gave up target shooting as I figured it will probably do fine now with no hiccups in that many rounds.

That's what I plan to do too. I have 250 rounds through it now. I was thinking 1,000 before it is a carry gun.

KW Gary M · 12-11-2008, 02:51 PM

I'm at 600 rounds through my P3AT now without a single jam or FTF. For hollow points I have used XTP, Gold Dot and Hydrashok. I liked the XTP and Gold Dot but not crazy about Hydrashok. I never really cared for them in any caliber. The more I am learning about bullistics I am starting to lean more towards the FMJ rout though.

Hey Dave · 12-20-2008, 09:24 AM

I use EXTREME SHOCK Ammo in my p3at. I also have used the Hornady and the Hydra-shock.

Extreme shock shows a 550# boar being taken with a .380

Extreme Shock - The World's Most Advanced Ammunition

Check them out.....

david

Vincent · 12-28-2008, 04:31 PM

I have carried my P3AT every day for 3 years. It seems to shoot everything. One jam in 500 rounds when a novice shooter "limp wristed" it.

I have been using PMC Spit Fire H.P. They seem to be pretty strong.

KW Gary M · 01-16-2009, 09:23 PM

The more data I read on .380's the more I like the idea of FMJ. Also, the more I shoot my P3AT the more I like it.

blat · 01-28-2009, 07:24 PM

I was thinking of getting a Keltec 32 or 380, or a Ruger 380 for the ease of carry; a little easier to carry than my S&W 36. I've heard hollowpoints vs fmj, also. But I think Buffalo Bore makes 2 or 3 good defense loads for the 380. Anyone heard good, bad or ugly about these loads?

KW Gary M · 03-02-2009, 10:26 PM

Anyone tried Hornady Critical Defense in their P3AT?

big boomer · 07-13-2009, 08:23 PM

Well I have been to 3 of the biggest gun stores in the state and none had any 380 ammo. Finally found some blasers at another place and bought them. I am still looking for hollow point 380's. The blasers are FMJ's

11-19-2008, 11:39 PM	#1
KW Gary M Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Key West Florida Posts: 4,609 Blog Entries: 1	P3AT Defense Round I just picked up my P3AT and am going to shoot it this weekend. I want to try a few different hollow point protection rounds as well as as many target rounds as my hand can take. What does everyone who carrys a P3AT use? Any you are more happy with? Any you are unhappy with? __________________ To Say Guns Kill People Is To Say Automobiles Drive Drunk and Matches Commit Arson.

11-20-2008, 12:05 PM	#2
Todd Bayliss Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 591 Blog Entries: 1	I don't own a .380, but it seems you can't go wrong with Gold Dots in one form or another. I've heard good things about Hornady XTP too, and they're a bit cheaper. __________________ "Victim Selection Error"- Available at Amazon.com http://www.mtoddbayliss.com

11-20-2008, 12:30 PM	#3
SwedeSteve Suspected Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Anchortown, Alaska Posts: 23,549 Images: 1	I shot silvertips out of one and they did fine. I would also try the XTP's, I haven't shot any but everyone seems to like them. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

11-20-2008, 01:54 PM	#4
thunderjohn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MN Posts: 431	The only thing I've read about .380's is to use FMJ, because of the lower velocity, the HP's won't penetrate far enough after expansion. __________________ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

12-11-2008, 02:51 PM	#14
KW Gary M Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Key West Florida Posts: 4,609 Blog Entries: 1	I'm at 600 rounds through my P3AT now without a single jam or FTF. For hollow points I have used XTP, Gold Dot and Hydrashok. I liked the XTP and Gold Dot but not crazy about Hydrashok. I never really cared for them in any caliber. The more I am learning about bullistics I am starting to lean more towards the FMJ rout though. __________________ To Say Guns Kill People Is To Say Automobiles Drive Drunk and Matches Commit Arson.

11-20-2008, 01:56 PM	#5
dmwphoto Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 551	I use and am very happy with the Hornaday XTPs in my LCP. I expect they would feed and have good terminal performance for you as well in the P3at

11-21-2008, 03:46 PM	#7
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,180	Stick with hollow points,corbon,hydra shoks,gold dots etc...fmjs have the worst stopping power of the bunch.

11-22-2008, 09:14 AM	#9
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,180	Thats why light rounds are not recommended for self defence. No arguement here.

11-23-2008, 09:11 AM	#10
ironhead7544 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 252	The Hydrashok has the best reputation of the hollowpoints. Make sure it feeds OK.

11-24-2008, 08:21 AM	#11
sisco50 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Spring, Texas Posts: 176	Mine feed all the popular SD rounds but I used mostly Gold Dots because of availability. Ran about 800 rounds thru it before I gave up target shooting as I figured it will probably do fine now with no hiccups in that many rounds.

11-24-2008, 08:23 AM	#12
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,180	Wise choice

12-20-2008, 09:24 AM	#15
Hey Dave Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 12	I use EXTREME SHOCK Ammo in my p3at. I also have used the Hornady and the Hydra-shock. Extreme shock shows a 550# boar being taken with a .380 Extreme Shock - The World's Most Advanced Ammunition Check them out..... david

12-28-2008, 04:31 PM	#16
Vincent Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Inglewood, TN Posts: 8	I have carried my P3AT every day for 3 years. It seems to shoot everything. One jam in 500 rounds when a novice shooter "limp wristed" it. I have been using PMC Spit Fire H.P. They seem to be pretty strong.

01-16-2009, 09:23 PM	#17
KW Gary M Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Key West Florida Posts: 4,609 Blog Entries: 1	The more data I read on .380's the more I like the idea of FMJ. Also, the more I shoot my P3AT the more I like it. __________________ To Say Guns Kill People Is To Say Automobiles Drive Drunk and Matches Commit Arson.

01-28-2009, 07:24 PM	#18
blat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Western NC Posts: 385	I was thinking of getting a Keltec 32 or 380, or a Ruger 380 for the ease of carry; a little easier to carry than my S&W 36. I've heard hollowpoints vs fmj, also. But I think Buffalo Bore makes 2 or 3 good defense loads for the 380. Anyone heard good, bad or ugly about these loads?

03-02-2009, 10:26 PM	#19
KW Gary M Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Key West Florida Posts: 4,609 Blog Entries: 1	Anyone tried Hornady Critical Defense in their P3AT? __________________ To Say Guns Kill People Is To Say Automobiles Drive Drunk and Matches Commit Arson.

07-13-2009, 08:23 PM	#20
big boomer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Minn. Posts: 2,307	Well I have been to 3 of the biggest gun stores in the state and none had any 380 ammo. Finally found some blasers at another place and bought them. I am still looking for hollow point 380's. The blasers are FMJ's