Why does .380 ACP cost more than 9mm ammo?
We are often asked why 380 ammo costs more than other ammo such as 9mm.
9mm is extremely popular and has been shot for over 100 years. The 9mm round is the world’s most popular military cartridge and 9mm pistols are readily available all over the world both new and used. The plentiful ammo fuels the sale of the guns and the popularity of the guns fuels the sale of the ammo. Manufacturers can mass produce large volumes of 9mm ammo.
The raw material of the .380 ACP ammo is cheaper, however it costs more than 9mm ammo because is not nearly in as much demand as 9mm is. The larger the run of ammo a manufacturer can produce the cheaper their costs become.
The .380 is gaining in popularity though; commonly used for concealed carry are the Bersa Thunder 380, the Glock 42, Ruger’s LCP 380 & S&W’s Bodyguard 380. Finding it in stock can be difficult; we have brought to you a selection of high grain hollow points & FMJ’s from DRT, Hornaday, Federal, Remington and others over on our 380 ACP auto ammo page.
If you are purchasing your first concealed carry weapon and want more power than either of these rounds, consider something that shoots handgun ammo such as .40 S&W.