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What has been your experience? I am considering faster, flatter shooting than micro 9mm using the Underwood Extreme Defender .380
The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly Re: Security .380?
- Thread starter bowzette
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I've always preferred double-stack .380s to the micro-sized single-stacks, so when I came across a new Security-380 at a local shop, I took it home. I like the size (just a bit larger than a Kel-Tec P11), and it fits my hand very well, with the mag release & safety right where I like 'em. The sights and trigger also work well for me. The slide racks easily, and the mags (one 10-rd & one 15-rd) are pretty easy to load.
I sold almost all of my .380 ammo to a friend back during the China virus, so I have to start from scratch in that regard. I had one box of Fiocchi FMJ range ammo and a partial box of Winchester hollow points along for my first trip to the range, and the only malfunction was a single failure to completely chamber, for the second FMJ round out of a full 15-rd magazine. Everything else fed, fired, extracted & ejected like clockwork, including every single JHP.
I'm part way into loading some 95 & 115 gr plated bullets, plus some 105 gr coated cast bullets, for my next range trip - I'll also pick up some more factory ammo when I have a chance. Based on my limited experience the first time out, I'm not really expecting any problems, but time will tell!
As always IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc.
Those same extreme defender/ penetrators come out of my 9mm going 16-1800fps and my 357 Sig at 21-2500fps.
One potentially useful thing about the Security-380 (if you're a reloader) is that the mag well will also accept Security-9 mags. There's published reloading data available for .380 using 115 gr (& heavier) bullets, but overall cartridge length is limited to 0.984" - seat bullets out much longer than that, and the rounds will bind in the magazine. I've got some 115 gr truncated cone bullets I picked up for loading 9x19mm that are too long to use for .380; I can't seat them deep enough to get the cartridge length below 1.010", and they bind up in the Security-380 mag at that length. But I put together a few dummy .380 rounds with the same bullets seated even farther out (at 1.100" COAL), and they chamber just fine & also seem to feed without issues from a Security-9 mag!
As always IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc., etc.
As always IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc., etc.
dweis
Blackhawk
I switched from 9mm (Security 9 Compact) to a Security 380 when the arthritis in my hands forced the issue. Now I find that I m more accurate with the 380, and faster too. I load Extereme Defender 68 Gr. That bullet travel fast. The recoil is barely more than a 22 LR. I ove the 380. Sorry I did not switch spooner. I can more reliably put a hit on the Sternum with my 380 tan I could with my 9mm. If I hit a perp in the sternum with a 380 68gr Extreme Defender, the likely minimaln outcome is I will slow him down to get ahead shot in.
MHtractorguy
Single-Sixer
Different firearm. I have a 9 but I never load it. I have an Interarms/ FEG AP MK2....or AP9S (380) however you want to name it, it as a 3.9 inch all steel double action Walther look alike. I love it and I carry it in a leather basket weave holster. Blah Blah Blah....my point is, I only load it with Buffalo Bore ammo.
FMJ, hollow point, FMJ, hollow point until they are all full.
FMJ, hollow point, FMJ, hollow point until they are all full.
Dave Schwaab
Single-Sixer
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My calibers of choice are .22 LR and .45 Colt. Before the Bruen decision, I had always thought I would use my SR22 if concealed carry ever became possible in New Jersey. After the Bruen decision, New Jersey opened up concealed carry, with a great many restrictions, including specifying a minimum caliber of .380 ACP.
My .45s are big single-actions, so I needed to get something else for CCW. I wasn't really a fan of the LCPs and Micro-9s, but then Ruger introduced the Security-380. I like the locked breach, the 10 round magazine capacity (New Jersey, remember) and the addition of a rail. It's a bit thicker than the SR22, but I'm almost as fast and accurate with it as with my SR22.
With Hornady Critical Defense rounds, this is my CCW. I do like the Underwood Extreme Defender rounds, but there is some question about their use in New Jersey, where bullets with a "solid metal core" can be considered as "armor-piercing"! I have NO intention of becoming the poster child for that legal battle.
My .45s are big single-actions, so I needed to get something else for CCW. I wasn't really a fan of the LCPs and Micro-9s, but then Ruger introduced the Security-380. I like the locked breach, the 10 round magazine capacity (New Jersey, remember) and the addition of a rail. It's a bit thicker than the SR22, but I'm almost as fast and accurate with it as with my SR22.
With Hornady Critical Defense rounds, this is my CCW. I do like the Underwood Extreme Defender rounds, but there is some question about their use in New Jersey, where bullets with a "solid metal core" can be considered as "armor-piercing"! I have NO intention of becoming the poster child for that legal battle.
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I have about 300 rounds through my Security 380. Feeds perfectly with CCI ammo but I ran into FTF issues with Norma 380 ammo. I contacted Norma and they are working with the vendor I made the purchase from, and they are going to allow a return. I purchased this Norma ammo on a great price of 27 cents a round. Too good to be true, I guess. Anyone having issues with any other type of ammo brands in your Security 380?
MHtractorguy
Single-Sixer
Surely, you are not firing 380 ammo from these???!!
T.A. WORKMAN
Hunter
I have been on the fence on buying a Security .380. This thread just pushed me off that fence.
Thanks for the straight skinny on the pistol ! You guy's are shameless enablers, you should be ashamed off yourselves !
Terry
Thanks for the straight skinny on the pistol ! You guy's are shameless enablers, you should be ashamed off yourselves !
Terry
What all ammo's have you tried and been successful with?
T.A. WORKMAN
Hunter
Just bought the one out of the classifieds here on the forum.
Terry
Terry
CCI. Winchester. Federal and the problem Norma. All 95 grain and FMJ Brass. What have you been using in your Security 380 and your results please.
CCI Brass is never an issue in my Security 380
Norma and Fiocchi JHPs
Armscor FMJ
Paul B
Hunter
Normal CCW carry is a Colt Combat Commander .45 ACP with an S&W M60 as back up. The .45 uses an 8 round mag with one up the spout for 9 shoots. Back up magazines are 10 round Wilsons.
With that said, sometimes a more discreet carry is necessary. Gun is a Walther PPK/s .380 with a couple of spare magazines. Back up is a Walther PP .32ACP again with a couple of spare magazines. Truth be told the Walthers are rarely carried preferring my normal carry procedure.
Paul B.
With that said, sometimes a more discreet carry is necessary. Gun is a Walther PPK/s .380 with a couple of spare magazines. Back up is a Walther PP .32ACP again with a couple of spare magazines. Truth be told the Walthers are rarely carried preferring my normal carry procedure.
Paul B.
Recently purchased one. I plan on a range run this week and will post my thoughts on it then. Even before I fire it I like the way it fits my hand better than the LCP II. I did notice that the mags are a bear to load even with the included loader.
adrockzx10
Bearcat
I have had quite a few failure to feed issues. The pistol seems to be very picky about being exceptionally clean to the point where by the end of a longer range session she starts to fail to feed quite a bit.
I have not had good luck with fiocchi ammo, nor have I had good luck with any defense ammo that has a sharp angle where the case meets the bullet. I have the best luck with razor and Federal target rounds, and Federal defense, I believe because the federal defense has more of a round bullet. Even those have a ftf every 3 mags or so.
I'm on the fence about whether to talk to Ruger about it to see if it should go back, or if I should have my smith polish the feed ramp and bolt face.
I have not had good luck with fiocchi ammo, nor have I had good luck with any defense ammo that has a sharp angle where the case meets the bullet. I have the best luck with razor and Federal target rounds, and Federal defense, I believe because the federal defense has more of a round bullet. Even those have a ftf every 3 mags or so.
I'm on the fence about whether to talk to Ruger about it to see if it should go back, or if I should have my smith polish the feed ramp and bolt face.
I too have had feed issues with my Security 380. A buddy of mine has one and he has had no issues at all. I did call Ruger and we decided to see how mine does over the next couple of range visits. I will say that with CCI FMJ round nose ammo my gun never has feeding and firing issues. I did pick up some Winchester and initially had a few feed issues. The Winchester ammo has a sharp ridge at the shell casing. Now my last range visit, last week, I had no FTF issues with the Winchester ammo. Maybe my 380 is starting to break in?
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