Given the penetration capability of something like S&B FMJ in .380, I'm sure a minimally expanding .380 can consistently hit 12-14" without a bone strike. It doesn't strike me as terribly unbelievable. I note that they reference auto glass, etc. but then say their larger calibers are tested to those standards and then drop the matter for the .380. I suspect this is done so a casual reading makes it looks like it passes the entirety of the FBI testing protocols.
Last edited by BehindBlueI's; 01-16-2020 at 09:20 AM.
Sorta around sometimes for some of your shitty mod needs.
Regional Government Sales Manager for Aimpoint, Inc. USA
Co-owner Hardwired Tactical Shooting (HiTS)
Not me! I'll just sit in my corner awaiting some actual DocGKR testing of this. My prediction is that it expands well in bare calibrated 10% gel but underpenetrates and is a fail in 4LD. Auto glass will be a hilarious failure. Let's see what it does in valid testing, because right now you're being romanced by ad copy that doesn't even have the terms spelled correctly.
Regional Government Sales Manager for Aimpoint, Inc. USA
Co-owner Hardwired Tactical Shooting (HiTS)
To work within the pressure curve that allows pistols up to 100 years old function it likely has controlled (less) but more consistent expansion than current offerings. So likely not service caliber performance.
It's still a .380.
The cost of testing the ammo will likely exceed the cost of the firearm.
But, if it works I can see a 42 in my future possibly.
Agreed, but having gone from the police world to the gun industry world, I recognize ad writing that the typical customer, not as dialed in as are most in this group, would form the impression that this popgun ammo will pass the FBI ammo testing protocol.
I've learned from watching the ammo testing that really came to light about 1987 and morphed into what we see today, that if a load does well in 4LD and auto glass, you have a winner. If it doesn't, you're playing craps with your life and the lives of those whom you may have to defend. Do some circumstances require such risk? I guess so, but hopefully, Doc will come along and tell you about the repeat customer he saw with .380 torso wounds...three times in two years.
Last edited by Wayne Dobbs; 01-16-2020 at 11:49 AM.
Regional Government Sales Manager for Aimpoint, Inc. USA
Co-owner Hardwired Tactical Shooting (HiTS)
Agreed, which is why I previously posted: "I note that they reference auto glass, etc. but then say their larger calibers are tested to those standards and then drop the matter for the .380. I suspect this is done so a casual reading makes it looks like it passes the entirety of the FBI testing protocols."
That's the fluffiest way possible to say it won't pass auto glass. I suspect .38 wadcutters won't either, but we're not expecting them to. Ad fluff aside, this isn't a stand in for a duty cartridge and I suspect that people aren't cross shopping this with the 147gr 9mm offerings any more than they are the wadcutters. It's a compromise cartridge, not a duty cartridge. If it's an improvement over existing .380, great for .380 guys.
Sorta around sometimes for some of your shitty mod needs.
You just revived a curiosity on wadcutters vs auto glass. I'm guessing the factory swaged target loads would fail miserably on laminated glass, but would a relatively hard cast WC loaded to full power (say 800 fps or more) possibly make it? That's a test that should be done.
Last edited by Wayne Dobbs; 01-16-2020 at 12:05 PM.
Regional Government Sales Manager for Aimpoint, Inc. USA
Co-owner Hardwired Tactical Shooting (HiTS)
Taking the safe bet, eh? I'll say that this ends up being very similar to their .380 HST. Federal will have at least three .380 defense JHPs, each designed to capture a certain segment of the market. Whether you like your hamburgers round or square, it's still just a hamburger.
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