Testing Ammo Inc. .380 and Federal Punch in my Colt Government .380 and S&W M&P Bodyguard .380

Published on March 24, 2022
Duration: 7:52

This video from Cranky Gun Reviews details the testing of Ammo Inc. .380 ACP and Federal Punch .380 ACP ammunition in a Colt Government .380 and a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380. The reviewer emphasizes the critical importance of testing ammunition in a specific firearm before relying on it for self-defense. While the Ammo Inc. performed better overall, neither ammunition consistently ran 100% in both firearms, with the Colt Government .380 proving particularly ammo-sensitive.

Quick Summary

It is crucial to test ammunition in your specific firearm before carrying it for self-defense, as even high-quality factory ammunition may not function reliably in every gun. The Colt Government .380 proved highly ammo-sensitive, experiencing failures to extract and chambering issues, while the S&W M&P Bodyguard .380 demonstrated better overall reliability with Ammo Inc. and Federal Punch .380 ACP, though it also had occasional hiccups.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Importance of Ammo Testing
  2. 00:55Range Day Setup
  3. 01:32Colt Government .380 - Ammo Inc. Testing
  4. 02:02Colt Government .380 - Ammo Inc. Continued
  5. 03:22S&W M&P Bodyguard .380 - Ammo Inc. Testing
  6. 04:06Switching to Federal Punch .380 ACP
  7. 04:22Colt Government .380 - Federal Punch Testing
  8. 04:51S&W M&P Bodyguard .380 - Federal Punch Testing
  9. 05:26Federal Punch Testing in Bodyguard - Continued
  10. 05:39Testing Summary & Conclusions
  11. 05:49Colt Government .380 Ammo Sensitivity
  12. 06:15Ammunition Recommendations & Final Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it crucial to test ammunition in your firearm before using it for self-defense?

Testing ammunition in your specific firearm before carrying it for self-defense is critical because even high-quality factory ammunition may not function reliably in every gun. Malfunctions during a self-defense situation can have severe consequences, making thorough testing an essential step for ensuring your firearm will perform when you need it most.

What were the main reliability issues encountered with the Colt Government .380 during ammunition testing?

The Colt Government .380 exhibited significant ammo sensitivity. It experienced failures to extract with Ammo Inc. ammunition and had issues with Federal Punch .380 ACP failing to chamber properly. The reviewer suggests it may only reliably function with very high-end hollow points or specific ammunition like Winchester White Box.

How did the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 perform with the tested .380 ACP ammunition?

The Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 generally performed better than the Colt Government .380. While it also experienced an occasional hiccup, such as failing to fully chamber a round with Federal Punch, it ran the Ammo Inc. ammunition more consistently and is considered a more reliable platform for a wider range of .380 ACP loads.

What are the key takeaways regarding Ammo Inc. and Federal Punch .380 ACP ammunition based on this test?

Ammo Inc. 100-grain Total Metal Jacket .380 ACP performed reasonably well in the S&W Bodyguard and is considered a good value. Federal Punch .380 ACP showed potential but had notable chambering issues in the Colt and a feeding issue in the S&W, indicating it might not be a universally reliable choice for all .380 ACP firearms.

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