Welcome to the forum. I have also heard both arguments about ammo. I usually carry holly points in the medium frame autos like the bersa Thunder. Never had one of the small poly frame .380, but I would probably go with FMJs due to the short barrel. I have had a couple of the tiny .32s in poly frame, KelTec P32s and just got a Taurus TP-732 in .32. Will be using FMJs in that gun. That is just my opinion.
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I always use hollow points for EDC & home defense. I just feel better about the blossom. 
Mike Parker
Mike Parker
Couple of choices. Normally I'd use ONLY HP ammo. +P HP ammo at that. But in the smaller 380, I sometimes go back and forth with a good HP like the Remington GoldenSaber or even the Buffalo Bore hard cast lead 100gr +P round. I've seen penetration figures in a magazine for those babies at 24 inches!!! Even if that is a bit exaggerated, it's pretty darn good.
Even if that is a bit exaggerated, it's pretty darn good.
For me, I carry the Bersa 380 loaded with Hornady Critical Defense 95 grain hollow points. Decent penetration within 15-20 yards. I had a S&W 40 cal and loved it with one major drawback. Too large!
ALL handguns are minimal at best....
I use Remington Golden Saber in both the 9mm SIG and the Bersa Thunder .380. Remember, you are just shooting a low powered 9mm when you shoot .380 caliber... same bullet diameter, just lighter weight.
I have done a LOT of test firing of bullets in years past, and I would seriously consider carrying FMJ for a self defense/duty round. Even out of a 9mm it has shown to not create permanent wound cavity with massive blood loss. It will penetrate more, since the sides don't "wing" out and help to slow it down. I like the bullet to come apart and expand and do what it's was designed to do, create a larger wound cavity, and perhaps release all it's energy where you need it and not over penetrate and exit.
This picture is of a Remington Golden Saber shot out of my 9mm SIG Sauer at a target 21 feet away, and the result of a test shooting for expansion :
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It does very similar out of a .380 caliber Bersa Thunder I own.
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I practice with FMJ and they do very well for accuracy in practice:
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Last picture is of 4 bullets, 2 on left are .45 ACP rounds and 2 on left were shot out of my Bersa Thunder .380. Second from left was Cor-Bon all copper .380 and far right is the Remington Golden Saber that it currently has in it. I would not like to be shot with any of them from my pistols, and neither will any attacker that you may encounter.
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Remember, they see you with a gun in hand and assume "they" will get shot and hurt bad or die. Even a single shot from a .22 will often times put their mind in "flight" mode to live.
Lastly, I refer you to my website where there are links (for general interest... I know, it's a lot on Taurus) but down on the list, in BLUE is a link to a PDF file about "Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness" that is a very informative read.
http://www.taurus45acp.com/information_links/links.htm
Shooting a variety of pistols since 1972, I read and research a lot, and yet I am not the know-it-all, but I like to pass on what I have come across and what my opinion is. It is all opinion, and what makes you feel good to carry is what, ultimately, you should choose to carry.
I use Remington Golden Saber in both the 9mm SIG and the Bersa Thunder .380. Remember, you are just shooting a low powered 9mm when you shoot .380 caliber... same bullet diameter, just lighter weight.
I have done a LOT of test firing of bullets in years past, and I would seriously consider carrying FMJ for a self defense/duty round. Even out of a 9mm it has shown to not create permanent wound cavity with massive blood loss. It will penetrate more, since the sides don't "wing" out and help to slow it down. I like the bullet to come apart and expand and do what it's was designed to do, create a larger wound cavity, and perhaps release all it's energy where you need it and not over penetrate and exit.
This picture is of a Remington Golden Saber shot out of my 9mm SIG Sauer at a target 21 feet away, and the result of a test shooting for expansion :
It does very similar out of a .380 caliber Bersa Thunder I own.
.JPG)
I practice with FMJ and they do very well for accuracy in practice:
Last picture is of 4 bullets, 2 on left are .45 ACP rounds and 2 on left were shot out of my Bersa Thunder .380. Second from left was Cor-Bon all copper .380 and far right is the Remington Golden Saber that it currently has in it. I would not like to be shot with any of them from my pistols, and neither will any attacker that you may encounter.
Remember, they see you with a gun in hand and assume "they" will get shot and hurt bad or die. Even a single shot from a .22 will often times put their mind in "flight" mode to live.
Lastly, I refer you to my website where there are links (for general interest... I know, it's a lot on Taurus) but down on the list, in BLUE is a link to a PDF file about "Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness" that is a very informative read.
http://www.taurus45acp.com/information_links/links.htm
Shooting a variety of pistols since 1972, I read and research a lot, and yet I am not the know-it-all, but I like to pass on what I have come across and what my opinion is. It is all opinion, and what makes you feel good to carry is what, ultimately, you should choose to carry.
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