.380 ACP
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The .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) pistol cartridge was designed by firearms designer John Browning.
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Design
It was designed for early blowback pistols, that lacked a barrel locking mechanism.
It was the favored pistol cartridge for police use in Europe for many years, but has since been replaced by the much more potent 9 mm Luger.
Performance
The .380 ACP is compact and light, but short ranged and lacks stopping power. Even so it remains a viable self defense cartridge for use in compact pistols. Many consider the .380 ACP to be the minimum cartridge suitable for self defense, while others draw the line at .38 Special.
Muzzle velocity
- 6.2 g (96 gr) full metal jacket: 290 m/s (950 ft/s) from a 10.16 cm (4 inch) barrel
Notes
The .380 ACP should not be confused with the semi-rimmed .38 Auto (.38 ACP) round which was later developed into the potent .38 Super
Synonyms
- 9 x 17 mm
- 9 mm Kurz
- 9 mm Corto
- 9 mm Short
- 9 mm Browning Short