The short answer
9mm Luger is the more capable round and usually the cheaper one to shoot. .380 ACP is shorter and milder, which lets it run in very small pistols. If your pistol and your hands handle 9mm well, it's the default choice; pick .380 when the smallest possible gun is what you'll actually carry.
Same bullet width, different cartridges
Both rounds fire a bullet about .355 inches across, which is why .380 ACP is sometimes called "9mm Short" or 9x17mm. The 9mm Luger (9x19mm, 9mm Parabellum) has a longer case that holds more powder.
They are not interchangeable. Never fire .380 ACP in a 9mm pistol or 9mm in a .380 pistol. Shoot only the cartridge stamped on your barrel or slide.
Power and recoil
A typical 9mm load sends a 115 to 147 grain bullet at roughly 1,000 to 1,200 feet per second. A typical .380 load sends an 85 to 100 grain bullet at roughly 900 to 1,000 feet per second, with about half the muzzle energy of 9mm.
In a pistol of the same weight, .380 kicks less. In practice .380 guns are often much lighter, so the felt recoil can be closer than the numbers suggest. Shoot both if you can before you decide.
Pistols and capacity
9mm runs in everything from micro-compacts to full-size duty pistols, and most hold 10 to 17 rounds or more. .380 lives mostly in pocket pistols that hold 6 to 10 rounds.
The smallest .380 pistols are easier to carry every day in a pocket or a light holster. A gun you leave at home doesn't help anyone, so carry comfort is a fair reason to choose .380.
Cost per round
9mm is the most produced handgun round in the US, so practice ammo is usually cheaper per round than .380, even though the .380 cartridge is smaller. Compare prices on the 9mm Luger and .380 ACP pages, which open sorted by price per round, or see today's lowest prices on Ammo deals.
Which one to buy
- Concealed carry with a compact or subcompact pistol: 9mm.
- Deep concealment where only a pocket pistol will do: .380 ACP.
- Home defense and the range: 9mm, for capacity, cost and the choice of guns.
- New or recoil-sensitive shooters: try both. A heavier 9mm can be softer to shoot than a tiny .380.
Whichever you choose, carry a defensive load and practice with cheaper range ammo. Our guide to range ammo vs. defense ammo covers the difference.
Common questions
- Can I shoot .380 ACP in a 9mm pistol?
- No. The cartridges have different case lengths and pressures. Fire only the cartridge marked on your pistol's barrel or slide.
- Is .380 ACP enough for self-defense?
- Many people carry .380 ACP for self-defense, usually in pocket pistols. It has less energy and penetration than 9mm, so a quality hollow point load and good shot placement matter more.
- Why is .380 ammo often more expensive than 9mm?
- Far more 9mm is made and sold, so it costs less to produce per round. Smaller cartridges don't always cost less.
- Do you ship 9mm and .380 ammo to my state?
- Checkout checks every item against our distributor's state, county and city restrictions. We don't ship ammunition to Alaska, Hawaii, P.O. boxes or APO/FPO/DPO addresses, and you must be 21 or older to order ammunition.
General information, not professional or legal advice. Always follow your firearm maker's ammunition guidance and your local laws.