I have done many reviews since starting this blog, but I was so excited when Bulk Ammo contacted me. Any chance I have to get to the range is great, but testing ammo is so much fun!
The fine fellas at BulkAmmo.com sent me out this box of Magtech 95 gr. .380 ammunition. I was pleased when I opened the box. The box of ammo was packed securely in a sturdy box and the invoice had three sets of initials on it. You can rest assured that these guys make sure you get what you ordered.
We headed out to the range with this Magtech and some other brands that you can pick up on clearance at the local gun shop. This picture here is two shots, both .380, shot one at a time. The top shot is the less expensive ammo from the local gun/sporting goods store. Both similar in grainage and caliber.
Then, I broke out the camera and grabbed some footage of our time at the range:
As you can see in the video, the MagTech totally out-shot the bargain priced ammo that I had in my range bag. This ammo shot clean, had no problems with misfeeds or misfires, and performed as promised. The price is competitve, especially when you're like me and have to drive an hour to purchase ammo from a store...AND the order was TRIPLE checked. I will be ordering from BulkAmmo.com in the future and I hope that you will at least take the time to check them out!
Thanks guys! I look forward to talking to you again soon!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ammunition
free from the BulkAmmo.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The
opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with
the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of
Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I get emails and calls almost every day asking me "Which gun is right for me?" That would be like you asking me what foundation you should wear, or which brand of shoes will fit you best, it's all personal preference. Do you have big hands or small hands? Do you prefer stainless or matte black? Perhaps you want duracoated pink or baby blue grips? Do you want something full sized with less recoil or something easier to conceal regardless of the recoil? All valid questions, all just PART of the process of picking out your personal concealed carry firearm.
When I, personally, decided to carry a Ruger LCP for my CC, many factors played into that choice. I have small hands, I wanted something easy to conceal, and the price fit into my budget at the time. My Cowboy; however, wasn't exactly pleased with my decision. He did NOT want me to carry a .380 for self-defense. He argued, "That pea shooter isn't going to do anything but piss someone off."
I did my research, I studied videos and ballistics tests and I decided that a hole like the one in the picture above should be more than plenty to stop someone and allow me to get away. I got that picture from this video testing Hornady Critical Defense .380 ACP 90 Gr:
This is the ammunition that I carry for self-defense...BUT, you cannot depend on good ammunition alone when factoring in the ability to be reliable in a self-defense situation. There are several factors to include:
First and foremost - TRAINING: Would you allow your un-trained friend to perform life-saving surgery on you for no reason other than they just happened to have a scalpel in their hand? I don't think so.
In the same way, just because you own a firearm, doesn't mean you know how to use it, especially in a self-defense situation. Take classes, take as many classes as you can, as often as you can. Get to the range - and often - and shoot the firearm that you will carry with the same weight ammo you will carry.
Many of you have heard me say that the LCP is not a plinking gun. It is not "fun" to shoot. I don't take it to the range just to throw lead down range. If I am going just to shoot, I take a full sized gun with me simply because I enjoy shooting and a full sized gun is more fun with easier grip and less recoil. My CC gun, my LCP, is always there with me and I will shoot a few rounds, just to make sure it is firing correctly and to remind my body what it feels like to shoot it.
Next, CLEANING: Is your firearm clean and in proper working order? A dirty gun is an unsafe gun. And don't depend on someone else to clean it for you. This is another place where training comes in. Attend a gun cleaning clinic, visit a local gun smith, and most importantly, check your owner's manual for instructions on the take-down,re-assembly, cleaning schedule and recommended lubrication of your firearm, so that you can responsibly and knowingly care for your own firearm.
Also, POSSESSION: Legally and consistently carrying. If you don't have your firearm with you, it cannot help you to protect yourself. If you are not carrying legally and you do use it, you will likely go to jail...that's not really protecting yourself is it? Sure, you're alive, but you're not much good to your kids and your loved ones incarcerated, are you?
Know the laws of your city and state, as well as federal laws regarding your ability to carry, be it open or concealed, wherever you will be. Know whether you have a Castle Doctrine or not, if there is a Motorist Protection Act in your state, where it is legal and illegal to carry, and whether or not you must be licensed to be in compliance with local and federal ordinances. In order to keep our precious Second Amendment rights, unfortunately, we have to jump through some hoops to make sure that the anti-2A/anti-firearm activists don't obtain the upper hand. Please, don't be the one to feed them their own "ammunition".
Finally, PRACTICE: Yes, I covered this under training, but it bears repeating. Practice with all of the tools you have available. Practice with the shoes that you normally wear. Practice with and without a coat and gloves. Practice drawing from concealed if you have a range that will allow it (check with your range, some don't allow holster draw). Practice with any assisted devices you may have, including a laser sight or speed loader. Oh, and, just my humble little opinion here, not expert advice but I would suggest this: A Crimson Trace Laser Grip is an amazing tool and will shave precious seconds off of your draw and aim time, seconds that are valuable if you are in a self defense situation. Get one, sight it in, learn how to use it, keep the batteries fresh...BUT, with that being said, KNOW HOW TO AIM AND SHOOT WITHOUT IT FIRST! The CT is a device, run on batteries and man-made. It can MALFUNCTION....and if it does, we know, it will most likely be in that one instance when it is most crucial. So practice with it. Practice without it. With any of your tools. Know how to use them, but also know how to live, function, and fire without them.
So, all this said, can my .380 protect me? I absolutely believe so. It might not make the hole shown in the ballistics gel above every time I place a bullet, but if I can depend on my aim and I know where to aim for, I think I have a pretty good shot at protecting myself and those I love.
What caliber, what gun, what ammo should you use? That's personal preference friends. My suggestion, find a group like A Girl and A Gun with functions like Girl's Night Out, where you can go and try out a few different types of firearms: Semi-Automatics, Revolvers, different calibers, compact and full sized. Then decide for yourself what the right choice is for YOU.
Have a beautiful day and a wonderful weekend friends!
I have done many reviews since starting this blog, but I was so excited when Bulk Ammo contacted me. Any chance I have to get to the range is great, but testing ammo is so much fun!
