The discussion opens with light banter about the sound and feel of a SIG P365 chambered in .380 ACP compared to a 9mm pistol. One shooter emphasizes that shot placement and controllability matter, noting that the .380 version feels softer and easier to manage. The other shooter counters that 9mm hits harder and is likely the superior choice for concealed carry. This sets up the central question of the video: when choosing a concealed carry handgun, is .380 ACP or 9mm the better option, and what practical advantages does each caliber offer in real use?
The hosts lay out 9mm and .380 ACP cartridges side by side and note how similar they appear in diameter while differing in overall size and power. They describe .380 as essentially a more compact, underpowered version of 9mm. Despite the smaller case, they point out that capacity is often the same in comparable pistols. Using the SIG P365 as an example, both the 9mm and .380 models shown have 10‑round magazines, so there is no real capacity advantage. In some designs a .380 magazine might hold an extra round or two, but generally the two calibers are very close in size and capacity.
The conversation shifts to recoil and ease of operation. The .380 ACP is expected to shoot softer than 9mm, which the hosts identify as its main advantage. On the SIG P365 .380, the slide is noticeably easier to rack because the cartridge generates less pressure and recoil. By comparison, the 9mm P365 slide feels tighter and requires more effort. They mention that this reduced slide resistance is a key reason for .380‑chambered pistols and for designs like the Smith & Wesson M&P EZ line, which are intended for shooters with limited hand strength, elderly users, younger shooters, or those with disabilities who need an easier‑racking slide. Even so, both hosts state a personal preference for 9mm for general concealed carry.
Ballistic performance is compared using typical velocity figures. A .380 ACP load with a 95‑grain projectile is described as traveling around 900 to 1,000 feet per second, likely closer to 900 from a short barrel. A common 9mm load with a 115‑grain bullet is said to run roughly 1,100 to 1,200 feet per second. One host initially doubts that .380 will penetrate a 2x4, while the other argues that a 95‑grain .380 at about 900 feet per second should easily pass through one board and possibly lodge in a second, whereas 9mm would likely go through both. They set up 2x4 lumber and conduct a live‑fire test in a controlled range environment to see how each caliber actually performs against the boards.
After confirming that 9mm ball ammunition will penetrate two 2x4s, the hosts test 147‑grain 9mm hollow points against the same type of lumber. They explain that hollow points are designed to expand in soft tissue, not on hard materials like wood, and therefore should behave similarly to full metal jacket when striking boards. Firing a single 147‑grain hollow point through the stacked 2x4s, they observe that it passes through both boards without visible expansion. This reinforces the point that hollow points may not open up on hard barriers and can still penetrate significantly, acting much like solid bullets when encountering materials such as dimensional lumber.
The test is expanded to three 2x4s to further compare penetration. The hosts reiterate that 9mm is ballistically superior to .380 ACP, with a heavier projectile, higher velocity, and more development and research behind modern 9mm loads. They note that 9mm has become the dominant law enforcement caliber, with many agencies moving away from .40 S&W back to 9mm. Shooting 9mm through three boards, they find that the round exits all three, even though one of the boards is somewhat weaker wood. They then repeat the test with .380 ACP, expecting less penetration. The .380 shot feels noticeably softer, and inspection shows that the .380 round passes fully through the first 2x4, enters the second, and stops inside it rather than exiting the third board.
The hosts carefully dig into the second 2x4 and recover the intact .380 ACP projectile, noting the small size of the 95‑grain bullet compared to a typical 9mm round. The .380 slug is lodged just inside the exit side of the second board, confirming that it penetrated two 2x4s but did not exit the second. They point out that this demonstrates .380 ACP is more capable than some might assume, especially when considering that common home construction materials like sheetrock are much thinner than dimensional lumber. However, they still favor 9mm for concealed carry and home defense because of its greater mass, higher velocity, and stronger ballistic performance, while acknowledging that .380 remains a viable option for shooters who need lower recoil and easier slide manipulation.
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