CaliberAtlas › Compare › .380 ACP vs 9mm Luger

.380 ACP vs 9mm Luger — Ballistics Compared

The representative loads shown for .380 ACP and 9mm Luger do not produce a large separation in the shared trajectory, energy, or wind rows below.

Representative loads use different bullet constructions (Full Metal Jacket vs Gold Dot Hollow Point (bonded)) — this is a ballistic comparison, not a terminal-performance comparison.

Figures use each cartridge's representative load, computed with our validated G1 model at standard conditions. Full tables and every load are on the cartridge pages: .380 ACP ballistics · 9mm Luger ballistics.

Pick .380 ACP if…

you prefer the 95gr representative load shown here (147gr for the other cartridge)

Pick 9mm Luger if…

you want the heavier representative load shown in this pairing (147gr vs 95gr)
your focus is target, which is listed for this cartridge but not the other profile
your focus is tactical, which is listed for this cartridge but not the other profile

Side-by-Side Specifications

	.380 ACP	9mm Luger
Representative load	95gr Norma Range & Training FMJ	147gr Speer Gold Dot 9mm Luger GDHP
Muzzle velocity	984 fps	985 fps
Muzzle energy	204 ft-lb	317 ft-lb
G1 BC	0.118	0.164
Case length	17.3 mm	19.15 mm
Overall length	25 mm	29.69 mm
SAAMI max pressure	21,500 PSI	35,000 PSI
Common twist	1:16"	1:10"

Drop Comparison (inches)

	.380 ACP	9mm Luger
50 yd	-0.9"	-0.9"
100 yd	-10.8"	-10.3"
150 yd	-32.7"	-30.8"

Retained Energy (ft-lb)

	.380 ACP	9mm Luger
50 yd	175 ft-lb	283 ft-lb
100 yd	154 ft-lb	256 ft-lb
150 yd	136 ft-lb	233 ft-lb

Wind Drift — 10 mph Full-Value (inches)

	.380 ACP	9mm Luger
50 yd	1.2"	0.8"
100 yd	4.3"	3.2"
150 yd	9.4"	6.9"

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