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LCP - What defense ammo are you using?
11/16/2010 11:40:29 AM
I just purchased a LCP yesterday. I bought some range ammo to break her in, but I was wondering what carry ammo to buy. I was looking at maybe the Federal Premium Personal Defense 90 grain. Good choice or not?
11/16/2010 11:50:13 AM
I'd say its a good choice. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it.
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
11/16/2010 3:10:11 PM
Speer Gold Dots here. I run them in about everything and they function fine.
11/16/2010 3:44:32 PM
I'm having trouble finding any thing in .380 right now. 
11/16/2010 7:11:00 PM
Hornady Critical Defense here as well....
11/16/2010 7:54:04 PM
Originally Posted By bcauz3y:
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
+1
11/16/2010 8:23:03 PM
Originally Posted By AR_Shorty:
I'm having trouble finding any thing in .380 right now.
I'm having trouble finding any thing in .380 right now.
It is pretty plentiful online. If you are looking locally, it is a little harder sometimes. Seems to come and go like the seasons.
11/17/2010 1:16:40 PM
Originally Posted By bcauz3y:
I'd say its a good choice. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it.
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
I'd say its a good choice. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it.
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
I carry Hornady CD. If I couldn't get that, my next choice would be the Federal Hydra-shok. They both seem to penetrate well for a .380.
11/18/2010 8:00:38 AM
I use what ever FMJ is cheapest and available.
11/18/2010 11:19:39 AM
I'll be picking up an LCP in a couple of weeks and have been asking this same question a lot. Most of the replies have been to carry fmj due to it's better penetration.
11/19/2010 2:05:41 AM
Currently loaded mine with Winchester Ranger T's but I have Corbon DPX, Gold Dots, and FMJ on hand as well. Local Wal-Mart is loaded to the gills with WWB.
11/19/2010 3:08:23 AM
Originally Posted By MSC182:
I'll be picking up an LCP in a couple of weeks and have been asking this same question a lot. Most of the replies have been to carry fmj due to it's better penetration.
I'll be picking up an LCP in a couple of weeks and have been asking this same question a lot. Most of the replies have been to carry fmj due to it's better penetration.
This^
I carry FMJ in my LCP.
11/19/2010 4:02:25 AM
Originally Posted By sandboxmedic:
Speer Gold Dots here. I run them in about everything and they function fine.
Speer Gold Dots here. I run them in about everything and they function fine.
yup in both my guns.
11/21/2010 11:57:24 AM
I have Hornady in it now from when I first got the gun, but will prob switch to Gold Dots soon.
11/23/2010 3:49:22 PM
Well my LCP is hard on the old arthritic hands..so I traded it on an LCR. Now that gun is great...using Speer Gold Dot +P.
11/25/2010 1:17:52 PM
S&B FMJ. A litttle faster than most of the others. I don't trust Hollow Points to penetrate deep enough. I only carry HP in 38 +P and above.
11/25/2010 1:37:32 PM
Originally Posted By bcauz3y:
I'd say its a good choice. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it.
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
I'd say its a good choice. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it.
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
I picked up a box last week. 
11/25/2010 5:19:37 PM
Whatever you decide to use, remember the LCP is not designed to run with hot ammo.
11/25/2010 6:44:34 PM
Originally Posted By sandboxmedic:
Whatever you decide to use, remember the LCP is not designed to run with hot ammo.
Whatever you decide to use, remember the LCP is not designed to run with hot ammo.
Was it ruger that admitted that it wouldn't last under +P ammo?
I can't recall, but I do remember a manufacturer admitting this about their pocket rocket.
11/26/2010 3:39:12 PM
Originally Posted By sandboxmedic:
Speer Gold Dots here. I run them in about everything and they function fine.
Speer Gold Dots here. I run them in about everything and they function fine.
I use the same in my LCP
11/26/2010 5:05:41 PM
Originally Posted By bcauz3y:
Was it ruger that admitted that it wouldn't last under +P ammo?
I can't recall, but I do remember a manufacturer admitting this about their pocket rocket.
Originally Posted By sandboxmedic:
Whatever you decide to use, remember the LCP is not designed to run with hot ammo.
Whatever you decide to use, remember the LCP is not designed to run with hot ammo.
Was it ruger that admitted that it wouldn't last under +P ammo?
I can't recall, but I do remember a manufacturer admitting this about their pocket rocket.
Yes- Copied directly from Ruger's website since it's an important safety notice (available on Ruger's website in PDF- given they have pages of warnings in the manual I doubt they'd mind it being posted again)
The RUGER® LCPTM pistols are chambered for the .380 Auto cartridge. Do
not attempt to load any other cartridges into the magazine or chamber of the
pistol. Do not use “+P” ammunition.
The RUGER® LCPTM pistols are compatible with standard factory ammunition
loaded to U.S. Industry Standards, including hollow-point loads loaded in brass
or aluminum cases. No .380 Auto ammunition manufactured in accordance with
NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or
known not to function in these pistols. Do not use “+P” ammunition.
not attempt to load any other cartridges into the magazine or chamber of the
pistol. Do not use “+P” ammunition.
The RUGER® LCPTM pistols are compatible with standard factory ammunition
loaded to U.S. Industry Standards, including hollow-point loads loaded in brass
or aluminum cases. No .380 Auto ammunition manufactured in accordance with
NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or
known not to function in these pistols. Do not use “+P” ammunition.
Link
11/26/2010 8:57:11 PM
************ 380 Auto / ACP ************
Buffalo Bore:
100-gr. Hardcast Flatnose Wadcutter Standard Pressure (27E) Deep (Cutting) Penetrator. Use FMJ if you have feeding problems.
Note: A hardcast wadcutter is preferred in this (9mm Short) mouse load because it permanently cuts through flesh and bone, rather than temporarily just pushing it aside as FMJ does. Most 380 ACP HP’s are not good penetrators! unless they’re heavily bonded. Be sure to test any and all loads in your weapon for reliable functionality.
Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian version of bonded Ranger T
95-gr. Bonded PDX1 (S380PDB) @1,000 fps Use FMJ if you have feeding problems.
Winchester White Box USA Brand: Low-Budget Load at Walmart – When That’s All You Can Find!
95-gr. FMJ (Q4206) @ 955 fps
Buffalo Bore:
100-gr. Hardcast Flatnose Wadcutter Standard Pressure (27E) Deep (Cutting) Penetrator. Use FMJ if you have feeding problems.
Note: A hardcast wadcutter is preferred in this (9mm Short) mouse load because it permanently cuts through flesh and bone, rather than temporarily just pushing it aside as FMJ does. Most 380 ACP HP’s are not good penetrators! unless they’re heavily bonded. Be sure to test any and all loads in your weapon for reliable functionality.
Winchester Supreme Elite: Civilian version of bonded Ranger T
95-gr. Bonded PDX1 (S380PDB) @1,000 fps Use FMJ if you have feeding problems.
Winchester White Box USA Brand: Low-Budget Load at Walmart – When That’s All You Can Find!
95-gr. FMJ (Q4206) @ 955 fps
11/26/2010 10:46:19 PM
Originally Posted By sandboxmedic:
Yes- Copied directly from Ruger's website since it's an important safety notice (available on Ruger's website in PDF- given they have pages of warnings in the manual I doubt they'd mind it being posted again)
Link
Originally Posted By bcauz3y:
Was it ruger that admitted that it wouldn't last under +P ammo?
I can't recall, but I do remember a manufacturer admitting this about their pocket rocket.
Originally Posted By sandboxmedic:
Whatever you decide to use, remember the LCP is not designed to run with hot ammo.
Whatever you decide to use, remember the LCP is not designed to run with hot ammo.
Was it ruger that admitted that it wouldn't last under +P ammo?
I can't recall, but I do remember a manufacturer admitting this about their pocket rocket.
Yes- Copied directly from Ruger's website since it's an important safety notice (available on Ruger's website in PDF- given they have pages of warnings in the manual I doubt they'd mind it being posted again)
The RUGER® LCPTM pistols are chambered for the .380 Auto cartridge. Do
not attempt to load any other cartridges into the magazine or chamber of the
pistol. Do not use "+P” ammunition.
The RUGER® LCPTM pistols are compatible with standard factory ammunition
loaded to U.S. Industry Standards, including hollow-point loads loaded in brass
or aluminum cases. No .380 Auto ammunition manufactured in accordance with
NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or
known not to function in these pistols. Do not use "+P” ammunition.
not attempt to load any other cartridges into the magazine or chamber of the
pistol. Do not use "+P” ammunition.
The RUGER® LCPTM pistols are compatible with standard factory ammunition
loaded to U.S. Industry Standards, including hollow-point loads loaded in brass
or aluminum cases. No .380 Auto ammunition manufactured in accordance with
NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or
known not to function in these pistols. Do not use "+P” ammunition.
Link
Good man. Thanks for confirming this for me.
12/10/2010 10:37:07 AM
Speer GD HP
good stuff, Maynard.
good stuff, Maynard.
12/10/2010 2:20:27 PM
Corbon DPX
12/18/2010 9:39:49 PM
golden sabre
12/20/2010 12:43:16 PM
95 gr. Winchester FMJ
12/20/2010 1:57:07 PM
I finally was able to pick up some .380 ammo at a recent gun show. I purchased some of each of the following to test out in my LCP:
Winchester Supreme Elite - Bonded
Federal Personal Defense Hydrashok
Hornady Critical Defense
Winchester Supreme Elite - Bonded
Federal Personal Defense Hydrashok
Hornady Critical Defense
2/10/2011 8:54:39 AM
Originally Posted By MiG-21:
Corbon DPX
Corbon DPX
best ammo ever!
2/12/2011 3:30:57 PM
Ive run 60 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense through mine and thats what I carry.
2/12/2011 3:42:10 PM
Hornady FXT
2/27/2011 2:04:06 PM
2/28/2011 12:40:22 PM
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=352263
Hornady C/D seems to be good stuff, functions flawlessly - sale Ended$16.99 sale ends today
Hornady C/D seems to be good stuff, functions flawlessly - sale Ended$16.99 sale ends today
2/28/2011 12:55:30 PM
Originally Posted By Greenamphibious:
best ammo ever!
Originally Posted By MiG-21:
Corbon DPX
Corbon DPX
best ammo ever!
It's a pretty shallow penetrator in .380. Pretty good round in the larger calibers, but not so much in .380.
3/1/2011 1:10:13 PM
Another Speer Gold Dot guy here.
3/1/2011 8:14:50 PM
speer Gold DOT and just recently Pow R Ball
3/3/2011 8:48:05 PM
Originally Posted By bcauz3y:
I'd say its a good choice. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it.
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
I'd say its a good choice. I wouldn't hesitate to carry it.
I'm running Hornady critical defense. 90gr
This...
3/5/2011 8:36:48 PM
Federal Personal Defender Hydra shock 90gr.
3/8/2011 7:53:42 PM
LAPD just approved the LCP and S&W Bodyguard .380 for off-duty and backup use. The approved ammo is Hornady Critical Defense 90 gr. JHP.
3/14/2011 12:14:16 AM
I just got back from the range for the first time with my new LCP. I brought
Georgia arms Canned heat
Magtec solid copper (cheaper version of DPX)
speer gold dots
remmington golden sabers
winchester silvertip
winchester white box
and Pow R pall.
My opinions were
The Ga. Arms stuff was too hot to shoot comfortably. ( I still have most of the box left over)
The magtec 77gr solids were awesome; the most accurate of the bunch
The gold dots were excellent, just like gold dots always are every time I test them in a different caliber.
The gold Sabers were on the edge of being too hot to handle, and I had feeding problems.
Winchester silvertip. - excellent - same situation as Gold Dots
WWB performed as expected. middle of the pack in pretty much every category you can measure.
Pow R ball. were nice for me, but I've heard second-hand stories of LCP's having issues with them. ( but for me, 20 attempts, 20 successes... YMMV)
So the Canned Heat was ruled out, and my particular gun didn't like the sabers, but other than that, it's down to personal preference. Of the rest, my PPK/S likes silvertips the best, so I'll be buying some of those anyway. I'll probably use that as a tie-breaker and go with them.
Whenever I have read reviews, the silvertips never seem to be declared the winner, but they are always scored in the top 2 or 3. I use them in my Officer's 45 ( pretty much the only JHP that will feed every time) in my PPK/S, and now in my LCP. For my others I either use Gold Dots, or just WWB target rounds. So looking at it, I use GD's, unless I'm using a short barrel auto, when I use the ST's ...
.
Georgia arms Canned heat
Magtec solid copper (cheaper version of DPX)
speer gold dots
remmington golden sabers
winchester silvertip
winchester white box
and Pow R pall.
My opinions were
The Ga. Arms stuff was too hot to shoot comfortably. ( I still have most of the box left over)
The magtec 77gr solids were awesome; the most accurate of the bunch
The gold dots were excellent, just like gold dots always are every time I test them in a different caliber.
The gold Sabers were on the edge of being too hot to handle, and I had feeding problems.
Winchester silvertip. - excellent - same situation as Gold Dots
WWB performed as expected. middle of the pack in pretty much every category you can measure.
Pow R ball. were nice for me, but I've heard second-hand stories of LCP's having issues with them. ( but for me, 20 attempts, 20 successes... YMMV)
So the Canned Heat was ruled out, and my particular gun didn't like the sabers, but other than that, it's down to personal preference. Of the rest, my PPK/S likes silvertips the best, so I'll be buying some of those anyway. I'll probably use that as a tie-breaker and go with them.
Whenever I have read reviews, the silvertips never seem to be declared the winner, but they are always scored in the top 2 or 3. I use them in my Officer's 45 ( pretty much the only JHP that will feed every time) in my PPK/S, and now in my LCP. For my others I either use Gold Dots, or just WWB target rounds. So looking at it, I use GD's, unless I'm using a short barrel auto, when I use the ST's ...
.
