Best carry ammo for current gen p3AT

Just got the little P3AT for Christmas, have a box of 90 gr Gold Dot, and ordered some Hornady critical defense from midway. Still, not having shot any of it yet, looking for input on best reliable round for this gun with good performance.

I'd say you're fine with Gold Dot and/or the Hornady. Really, any ammo from a reputable company that you can actually get your hands on (in .380) should be good to go. I'm not aware of any real life scenario testing that has been done to distinguish between the different .380 that are available. My P3AT shoots everything I feed it just fine and that's all I want.

I carry Gold Dots in mine as well though.

i carry the p3at also (it is a small gun you cant capitalize the name...), ive got a mix of gold dots and federal FMJ, winter penetration is an issue up here,(8 layers of denim or more equivilent id guess). but usually im a .357 mag guy...

I carry the Hornady Critical Defense, though I am sure the Gold Dot is GTG as well. Whatever it is, make sure you test for compatibility with your gun! I'd put at least 200 rounds of practice ammo through it first after polishing the feedramp. Then run a few mags of carry ammo through it. If it runs good, then you are GTG. Congrats on your new gun! They are great for what they are designed for.

Thanks all. still waiting on the ammo to show up from midway to get out to the range and actually shoot this thing.

Gold Dots work well in my early issue Kel-Tec 380. It takes a higher end round to make these little autos fuction.

another vote for critical defense. The test they have showed 12-13" gel test with heavy clothing and good expansion.

Ya'll must have missed the reports of bad primers w/ critical defense. All the HP's have inconsistent results, read several tests and you will see how the results vary. Gold Dots, Golden Sabers, Hydra Shocks are ok, can vary from 6" to 11", FMJ = 16".

DPX

First I have heard of this do you have a link? I my self have not had problems.
thanks

Magtech Gaudian Gold. My ex and I ran these in ours and they were awesome. They chronographed a little slower than advertised since the test barrel is 3.75 inches, but they were still really close at 1000fps on average. The box shows 1082fps and 220lb/ft energy. Neither of us had any failures of any kind, and my wife, not me, could put all of her rounds into one of those 5 inch shoot and c targets at 25yds. I could get about three of mine. She was small and I guess it fit her hands better, but then again she was better with her Desert Eagle as well, which she carried in her purse.

I use Winchester Rangers. They are the best.

The best in what way, and according to whom??

I love Winchester Rangers. I carry 165gr Ranger T's in my .40 cal pistols, and 127gr +P+ Ranger T's in my 9mm pistols, but I would never carry .380 Rangers in my P3AT. Have you ever seen, or done any ballistic testing on the Rangers out of a P3AT? Compared to the CorBon DPX .380, the Ranger's expansion and penetration leaves something to be desired. I only carry DPX's in my P3AT.

I just carry 95 gr Remington FMJs. Work perfectly and Im comfortable with my shot placement.

That must have been one big heavy purse.

My P3AT after a feed ramp polish and a decent break in has run anything I've thrown at it. I'm partial to Golddot HPs... but in the .380acp cal, as we all well know, you have limited choice of "whats available".
.380acp dies for a reloading press were a great investment... now if only my P3AT didn't throw brass up and right at 900+FPS / 1000+ FPF I'd be golden.

does the hornady critical defense cartridge use an XTP bullet, or is it something else?

Sorry, no links. Do a search in the ammunition section or google. ETA - page 5 handguns/ammunition.

no, it has a polymer filled cavity.

King of the hill for bone smashing penetration.

+1 i carry rangers in mine also

edit, after my good success with double tap in my 10mm im thinking about switching over to that for the P3AT

SAMMI pressure hand load:
90 gr GD, 5.68 gr Power Pistol, .968", OAL, no crimp, 21.5 kpsi, 1032 fps, 213fp, max SAAMI pressure, max OAL that feeds

My hand LOAD FOR CARRY:
90 gr GD, 6.1 gr Power Pistol, .968", OAL, no crimp, 25.9 kpsi, 1115 fps quickload prediction, 1100 fps chronograph, 248fp, max load with no bulge, max OAL that feeds, 7.3 % extra powder [ 9.1% medium bulge,11.1% extra makes very bad bulge]

There are handguns I have carried that had 100% extra powder, and yet the most power I can get from a P3AT is with 7% extra powder.
That is because of the poor case support.

Still, and 10 ounces loaded, and clipped into my shirt pocket, it is one hell of a carry gun.

Hornady Critical Defense - Expansion and Penetration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhXSTqV0CT4

Mine seems to like the Buffalo Bore flat nose +p

FMJ

FMJ

Buffalo Bore 100gr hard cast. 1,033fps average in my p3at, and as reliable as can be. It does fire with a lot more authority than Wal Mart specials, but I can draw and empty a mag with my weaker hand with no problems.

Use whatever works reliably. My P3AT was very finicky with ammo.....

This.

Mine has eaten Remington UMC, Lapua, and the OLD 3D remanufactured 115gr lead RN. I carry Speer Gold Dot in it. It eats them like I can't afford to feed them to it!

FMJ

...along with why:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot26_2.htm

Gold Dot HP.

Buffalo Bore +P, 90 gr, smooth as butter....

+1

Copyright © 1996 - 2013 :: AR15.Com LLC :: All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.