What Are the Current .380 ACP Ammo Prices?
| Product Line | Type | Grain | Use Case | Typical CPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blazer Brass .380 | FMJ | 95gr | Range / Training | $0.22—0.32 |
| Federal American Eagle .380 | FMJ | 95gr | Range / Training | $0.24—0.34 |
| Magtech .380 | FMJ | 95gr | Range / Training | $0.22—0.30 |
| Federal HST Micro .380 | JHP | 99gr | Self-Defense | $0.55—0.80 |
| Hornady Critical Defense .380 | FTX | 90gr | Self-Defense | $0.55—0.85 |
| Sig Sauer V-Crown .380 | JHP | 90gr | Self-Defense | $0.50—0.70 |
| Federal Punch .380 | JHP | 85gr | Self-Defense | $0.45—0.65 |
What .380 ACP Ammo Types Are Available?
- .380 ACP FMJ / Range ammo — Full metal jacket training and practice loads
- .380 ACP Hollow Point / JHP — Expanding defense loads designed for short barrels
How Much Does .380 ACP Ammo Cost Per Round in 2026?
The .380 ACP exists in a pricing paradox: it uses less material than 9mm but costs more per round due to lower production volume. FMJ range ammo runs $0.22—0.34 per round — noticeably more than 9mm FMJ despite being a smaller, less powerful cartridge. This is entirely a volume economics issue: 9mm production dwarfs .380 ACP, driving 9mm prices lower.
Premium JHP defense loads run $0.50—1.00 per round, comparable to 9mm JHP pricing. The critical difference is that .380 ACP operates at lower velocities from shorter barrels, which makes reliable bullet expansion more challenging. Federal HST Micro and Hornady Critical Defense FTX are specifically engineered for .380 velocities and short-barreled pocket pistols — they expand more reliably than standard JHP designs at .380 velocities.
The .380 vs 9mm debate: Modern micro-compact 9mm pistols (Sig P365, Springfield Hellcat, S&W Shield Plus) have largely eroded the .380's traditional advantage of smaller gun size. Today's .380 pocket pistols are only marginally smaller than micro-9mm options while costing more to feed and delivering less terminal performance. The .380 remains relevant for shooters who are recoil-sensitive or who prefer the smallest possible carry guns — the Ruger LCP and similar true pocket pistols have no 9mm equivalent at that size.
.380 ACP Market Trends
The .380 ACP market is stable but not growing. New gun sales in .380 have declined as micro-compact 9mm pistols have captured most of the concealed carry market. Pricing is steady, and all major manufacturers maintain full product lines.
.380 ACP Ammo Brands — Federal, Hornady, CCI & More
- Federal — HST Micro .380 and Punch .380. Designed specifically for short-barrel pocket pistols.
- Hornady — Critical Defense FTX. Engineered for reliable expansion at .380 velocities.
- CCI — Blazer Brass .380. Budget range ammo option.
- Magtech — Affordable .380 FMJ range ammo.
- Speer — Gold Dot .380. Short-barrel optimized defense load.
Where to Buy .380 ACP Ammo Online
- Lucky Gunner — Fast shipping, real-time inventory
- Target Sports USA — Free shipping on case quantities for members
- Palmetto State Armory — Frequent sales on handgun ammo
- MidwayUSA — Wide selection across all brands
- Sportsman's Warehouse — Online and in-store pickup options
.380 ACP Guides & Buying Advice
- Best .380 ACP self defense ammo for pocket pistols — Top picks with methodology and alternatives
- FMJ vs hollow point — when to use each — Why JHP matters even more in .380's low-velocity window
- How to buy ammo online — Beginner's guide to finding deals and avoiding pitfalls
Caliber Comparisons
- 9mm vs .380 ACP — The micro-compact revolution and why the size gap is shrinking
Related Calibers — 9mm, .45 ACP, .22 LR
- 9mm — More powerful, cheaper to shoot, dominant concealed carry caliber
- .45 ACP — Opposite end of the handgun spectrum — big, slow, and heavy
- .22 LR — Budget training alternative with minimal recoil
- .38 Special — Revolver alternative for carry. More powerful with snub-nose optimized loads.
- .32 ACP — Smaller bore, lower recoil. Primarily vintage and pocket pistol platforms.