AMMO ISSUES . . . Updated 11 June 2011

MY ADVICE FOR PK380 AMMO
-- FACTORY 380acp (low-flash) (sometimes +p ; never +p+)
-- FULL JACKET or TOTAL JACKET (ROUND-NOSE ONLY)
Might need to fire through a door window, or at a heavy goon with a
leather jacket and a rib cage; or a pit bulldog or wild boar (in 44 States).
-- IF NOT FMJ, then JACKETED NARROW SOFT-POINTS (lead/polymer-filled)
(most unfilled 380 hollow points are for "summertime belly shots")

BUT...TWO 380 JHP ROUNDS ARE OPTIONS IF JHP IS CHOSEN
(These are JHP, so they need testing in your 380.)
(They are expensive, but a 380 needs an edge with a JHP.)

Best: WINCHESTER PDX1(JHP)...near $1 each (design is new FBI service 40sw)
...380 penetrates light barriers, then expands consistently.
OR: HORNADY CRITICAL DEFENSE FTX ...near $1 each; fairly good in FBI tests.
...380 penetrates light barriers(but jacket tends to shed), then expands reliably.
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The PK uses 380acp (9x17, 9mm kurtz/corto/short)(can use +p; not +p+)
This is a weak cartridge; under 200 ftlb; while 9x19 is over 300 ftlb.
The 380's was designed to allow blowback systems with no locking barrel.
But with most expanding bullets, adequate penetration is in doubt,
particularly from a barrel under 3.5".

I use fmj for the weak 380 to enable me to reliably cause a serious,
if not mortal, wound with any good shot, even with some common barrier.
With a 9x19, I want fmj or jacketed softpoint, not hollow points with
erratic expansion. If not fmj/tmj, then tested Winchester PDX1.

- - - Ballpark energy from common small handguns - - -
25acp: 70 ftlb - - - - - 22lr: 100fp - - - - - 32acp: 140fp
22mag: 160fp - - - - - 380(9x17): 190fp - - - - 9x18mak: 220fp
38spl: 240fp - - - - - - - 9x19: 340fp - - - - - 357: 490fp

"Any bullet which will not penetrate through vital organs from less than
optimal angles is not acceptable." . . . "Handgun Wounding", FBI, 1989.
Penetration depth is mandatory. For torso hits, penetration past the ribs
must be at least 8"; or at least 12" if below the ribs.

Barriers might include leather, a sternum, an arm, or a window.
380 fmj/tmj round-nose feeds reliably and penetrates barriers,
then normally penetrates the additional 8" into soft tissues.
380 is the right choice for many, as long as the barrel is at least 3".
Leo needs 300 ftlb; fmj not necessary; PDX1 for laminated glass.

Few tests include real barriers, but recent FBI tests emphasize barriers.
A 380 test into gel, wetpaks, or water jugs means little without some
real simulation of common barriers, where some expanding bullets expand
too soon or fragment too soon.

Even a flat-nose full-jacket has substantially less penetration into poplar
wood and wetpaks than a round-nose fmj (the flat nose becomes concave).
I use poplar for simulation since my setup must be small, safe, and cheap;
and must have under 115 dBcs noise) at 3ft, which is roughly the sound
from a suppressed 380. (typically 150 dBcs unsuppressed)

The huge 35dB drop means sound pressure is reduced roughly 95 percent, and
"perceived loudness" by roughly 85 pct. [Basic Acoustics,Hall,1993,p.23]

Someday I might use thin leather over 1/2" dry plywood, then several inches of
oil-clay or mirocrystal wax, all angled 15 degrees. But for now, I'm getting
a rough idea of barrier penetration, and comparison of ammo brands and types.

The rig is mainly 2" steel piping, with branches through reversing lines
and mower mufflers, with the gun fired through a 2" recessed port, 10" from
the test sample. I was able to get a sound level of 110dBc at 3 ft in the
worst direction, with acceptable blowback. (all in a ventilated area)

For 32 acp full-jacket(S&B) fired from my Kel-Tec p32 (2.7" barrel), typical
penetration was 2.7" with no yaw/keyholing (no bulging or cracks in the
wood allowed). .This seems adequate, but mainly it's useful in comparisons.

I did the same with 380 fmj(Fed Eagle) from my hated SW380 (3" barrel).
The typical 380 penetration was 3". .Low twist good for penetration; but
bad for stability. Using a PK(3.7 barrel), penetration is 2.8"(FedEgl fmj-rn).

There is no yaw/keyholing from the PK indicated in cardstock, even at 50ft.
A point-first hit is important for penetration, particularly if the
bullet arrives at a slanted target surface.

I only use fmj-rn when firing 22mag, 32acp, and 380 in defense (or 380 PDX1).
Good penetration/expansion are uncertain with expanding, possibly tumbling,
bullets. (Seecamp has special problem with tumble with its very short barrel.)
.