380 auto and 9mm ammunition are all the same caliber. (Caliber is the size of the projectile, or bullet.) The different names are for marketing reasons or because of where the cartridge was developed. 380 auto is called the 9mm Kurz (short).
Which is better 9mm or 380 ACP?
No doubt, due to its advantage in velocity and energy, the 9mm Luger is the clear winner in terminal performance. But for the same reasons, the . 380 wins in shootability, with one caveat. Because the 380 has 94 percent less recoil (if fired from an equal-weight gun), it's easier to shoot.
Is a 380 a powerful gun?
380 have a 2.5-inch barrel, meaning the bullet is even slower and has even less energy. 380 is a smaller, weaker bullet to begin with. From a short barrel, it's about half as powerful as 9mm or less…and 9mm is the standard personal protection caliber for more or less the entire world.
Is a 380 OK for self defense?
380 Auto is perfectly fine for self-defense, so long as you've selected a quality bullet and can put it where it needs to go.
Would a 380 stop an attacker?
380 round is more than capable of stopping an attacker. While the muzzle velocity isn't equivalent to a 9mm round, the . 380 is more than capable of penetrating soft tissue and putting down an assailant.
Can a 38 Special shoot 380 ACP?
No because one round, the . 380 ACP cartridge, is designed for a semi-automatic pistol. The other round, the . 38 Special, is designed for a revolver and has a different diameter to its size.