Why do most .380 pistols have less magazine capacity than 9mm?

Question

Hey guys, I was just wondering why almost every .380 semi-auto pistols I looked at have mag capacities < 10. While most 9mm pistols have a mag cap of > 10, sometimes > 15. The .380 ammo is marginally smaller than 9mm, so reasoning would tell me that you could for more bullets in a .380 than a 9mm.

I really like this sig p232 ss, but the mag.cap is holding me back just a bit.

http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=10&productid=69

Am I not looking hard enough?

Thanks,

- Nick

Answer 1

The .380 acp is a defensive caliber intended for a concealed-carry pistol and so the pistol itself must be smaller and lighter.  It is an abbreviated 9x19mm cartridge.  The cartridge itself is reduced to 9x17mm to work better in a smaller pistol.

If you want hi cap in a .380 acp consider the Beretta 84 13+1 capacity pistol or the Browning copy also a 13+1 capacity .380 acp.  These are nice pistols but are nearly as big as say the Glock Model 19 9mm.  

H

Answer 2

the .380 and .380 auto&#039;s are meant for complete and total concealment. they utilize a single stack magazine, which is why they have less ammo capacity.

Answer 3

I&#039;m a believer that a person should get the gun they like, but WOW!!!  $800 (over when you add tax) for a .380?  Sounds like a lot of coin to me.  You can have a full size gun for that price.  If you like though, get it.  I carry a simply keltec .380.  I like it cause it fits easily in my front pocket with a cheap pocket holster and cost only about $280.  Personally I&#039;d have buyers remorse about spending so much for a .380.  But if you like it....get it.

Answer 4

Most .380s are designed for concealment so they have single stack mags to keep them slim and light.  

Answer 5

I&#039;m not sure if this is an answer but a Walther PP takes a 9mm Kerrs (german i guess for 9mm short) which is actually a .380 and the mag holds almost 15. So i guess in one instance it sort of has the same...   But I like the question I&#039;m not totaly sure why!

Answer 6

You go with a .380 over a 9mm because its compact. To keep them small you have to have single stack mags.

I have a Bersa .380 that holds 17 in a double stack clip and its larger and more heavy than my other 9mm&#039;s. Good gun.. but why go .380 when its the same size and weight as the more powerful 9mm.

Answer 7

The .380 ACP, aka 9 mm Corto, 9mm Kurz, 9 mm Browning Short, uses the same bullet diameter as the 9 mm Parabellum, aka 9x19 mm, 9mm NATO, and 9mm Luger.

The only difference is that the .380 has a case 2 millimeters shorter than the 9 mmP.

The reason that most .380&#039;s have a lower ammo capacity is the purpose the pistols are made to fullfil.  9mm P pistols are generally full-sized service pistols, or compact versions of the service pistol.  They are intended for the use of uniformed police and military personnel.  

The .380&#039;s are mainly intended for concealment use and range from pocket sized to vest pocket sized pistols.  True, there were a few service sized .280&#039;s made, such as the Walther PP, but most .380&#039;s are much smaller.  Hence the smaller ammo capacity.

Doc

Answer 8

Small concealable back up guns use single stack magazines. The .380 caliber was specifically designed just for this application back in the early 1900&#039;s. Most maker&#039;s followed Browning&#039;s reasoning.

Modern 9MM are based on military/LEO requirements. Double stack magazines and belt holster carry are part of the specifications for use. Hi-capacity magazines are contrary to the point of concealed carry, because of the extra width. It&#039;s why some don&#039;t carry revolvers, either. The extra 3/4&quot; width can be noticeable.

Lot&#039;s of suit and jacket wearers can and will use hi-cap pistols and revolvers, but single stack is preferred when it&#039;s just a shirt and shorts. Modern single stack .380&#039;s are thinner than cell phones and are easily unnoticed. As for ammo capacity, good shooting at the close range of expected use can make up the difference. If conditions are serious, some carry two - 2 - of them. It&#039;s called a New York reload.

Sine the introduction of hi cap LEO pistols, rounds fired per hit have gone up significantly. More ammo doesn&#039;t guarantee more hits.  

Answer 9

Beretta  and CZ make .380 pistols that are high cap (over 10).  The rest are low cap because they are smaller framed and why make a high-cap small frame when the 9mm can be had in the same size?  The .380 is quickly becoming like the .32ACP.  

Answer 10

.380ACP pistols are considered compact, or concealment pistols. It&#039;s not that they couldn&#039;t make larger magazines, it&#039;s just that doing so would necesitate making the pistol either wider, in the case of double-stack magazines, or taller, in the case of single stack magazines. Either option would make the .380 less concealable, thus defeating the purpose of the caliber. There IS a large capacity option avalible in a 380 pistol. The Bersa Thunder .380 can be fitted with a 32 round drum magazine made by ProMag and avalible from :

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com

Answer 11

I don&#039;t know too many people who want a high cap .380. Beretta and Browning had a 13 shot .380, but most people want light recoiling small .380s.

As far as size is concerned, the .380 is shorter than the 9mm, but it is a 9mm. It is the 9mmx17mm, or 9mm corto, or 9mm Kurz, or 9mm short. The diameter is the same, therefore, a high cap double stack magazine would produce the same size handle. So if I am going to have the same thick handle, I might as well get the heavier faster bullet(IE the 9mmx19, also called the 9mm luger, or 9mm parabellum).

I guess its a matter of sales. No sense building a gun that does not fill a demand.

As far as the Sig is concerned, I own a p230SL. This is the father of the 232. The only difference is that the 232 has some improvements due to better manufacturing technology.

I bought my gun new in 1987, and have at least 10000 rounds through it. It has remained with loaded mag since I bought it, and have only replaced the mag springs in 1997. I shoot it regularly on a police firing line as that it is an off duty gun(yep you guessed it, Im a cop).

It is the best pistol for the money that I own. I have 4 other sigs, and love every one.

If high cap is what your looking for, then the 232 is not for you. If a reliable small, accurate pistol is what you desire, buy it!! What do you need more than 5 rounds anyway? Most civilians dont need more than a few rounds to defend themselves.

Remember that a gun you have in hand is better than the cannon you left at home cause it did not carry well.

Good luck.