Ammo recommendation M11 380

[Nome Nomad]

I bought a transferable SWD large magwell M11 380 a few months back and I need to start stocking up on ammo for it. I have some PMC 380 in my ammo collection already, but I've heard mixed reviews on this stuff (I don't currently own any 380 guns). People seem to like magtech or S&B. what do y'all recommend? Thank you

 

[KickStand]

Honestly, I’ve had good luck with pretty much everything I’ve tried. I’ve got the original small frame / small grip guns though.
S&B and Blazer are both good and found at most places. They both are on the hotter side too.

 

[CKxx]

Agree with above. I also like fiocchi.

 

[SecondAmend]

I'll throw in American Eagle 90 gr. as another .380 round that has worked well in the small mag M11-380 that I have had for about eight years. That includes shooting with the standard (high ROF) and the tungsten (low ROF) bolts. Along the way I also bought a now discontinued 9mm upper and shot it a total of four times before putting it out to pasture four or five years ago. And in my case, I bought (for what I then considered an expensive price) a Fleming .22LR upper a couple years ago, and haven't shot the gun with anything else since.

Enjoy many safe times shooting your M11-380!

 

[Nome Nomad]

I'll throw in American Eagle 90 gr. as another .380 round that has worked well in the small mag M11-380 that I have had for about eight years. That includes shooting with the standard (high ROF) and the tungsten (low ROF) bolts. Along the way I also bought a now discontinued 9mm upper and shot it a total of four times before putting it out to pasture four or five years ago. And in my case, I bought (for what I then considered an expensive price) a Fleming .22LR upper a couple years ago, and haven't shot the gun with anything else since.

Enjoy many safe times shooting your M11-380!

Thank you for the suggestion. Hopefully I'll get a fast approval and can start dumping magazines!

 

[SecondAmend]

Thank you for the suggestion. Hopefully I'll get a fast approval and can start dumping magazines!

With any luck, a barrel insert and bolt/recoil assembly for the new Glock mag VERSA uppers that will provide the ability to use Advantage Arms Glock 19 .22 conversion magazines will be developed shortly.

 

[Nome Nomad]

With any luck, a barrel insert and bolt/recoil assembly for the new Glock mag VERSA uppers that will provide the ability to use Advantage Arms Glock 19 .22 conversion magazines will be developed shortly.

A AM180 drum upper would be sweet. I've seen ones for a M11/9 but not the 380 M11. I'm waiting on getting a VERSA upper till a version that takes MP5 or UZI mags come out.

 

[KickStand]

Here’s some testing I did back in the day for Vegas smg. There should be videos with the factory bolt in the compilation vs the CFW-A. If you can find one, get one. The CFW bolt in 380 is a dream to shoot.

Experimental bolt courtesy of StroBro32:

Production bolt:

 

[strobro32]

Werd.

I like the hotter factory stuff but I reload light. Armscor, S&B, Winchester White box, Blazzer Brass, Fiocchi.

I had some ammo that was so hot it would leave the OEM bolt back with a live round in the chamber. I'm not sure how it happened but I had it on video. Unfortunately the video was shot in a dark indoor range and I could not see how it was happening. My guess is the malfunction was a combination of loose feed lips and recoil so strong that rounds would pop out of the mag and into the chamber as the bolt locked back. The gurus told me it was impossible but it happened about 20 times.

 

[Dozer13]

fiocchi and win white box.

 

[ccosby]

I use the 90gr pmc battle packs for mine. WWB worked mostly, my gun hated the sig 380 ammo. Mine gets run pretty hard at club mg shoots and I want to say others were bringing american eagle 380 to shoot through it. Not many other guns shoot as fast as the m11 380 so it draws attention. Mine is also tiffany blue which usually gets some laughs.

 

[Nome Nomad]

Here’s some testing I did back in the day for Vegas smg. There should be videos with the factory bolt in the compilation vs the CFW-A. If you can find one, get one. The CFW bolt in 380 is a dream to shoot.

Experimental bolt courtesy of StroBro32:

Production bolt:

I've been thinking about getting one of those bolts, but I just worry I won't like it. Bought a heavy bolt for my uzi mini and I never use it. Works great but I've only probably shot it twice.

 

[Jack007]

Here’s some testing I did back in the day for Vegas smg.

I can tell you that watching these vids that you posted back in the day, is what convinced me to buy the complete set up. So glad I did, so thank you for taking the time you did to test and record all that hard work back in the day! .380 is def an oddball caliber in a subgun.

Winchester White box

I bought a case back in the day. Afterwards I realized they were flat tips. I was pretty bummed. I spent a couple of years trying to unload it or trade it for some ball. Never did. So, one day I bought a box to see just how bad they'd jam. I was shocked to not have a single jam. BTW, my gun is an old PS with the adjustable front sight so nothing tricked out. I actually took it down to OFASTS one year and let the guys shoot it inside one of my operational briefcases without a jam. So, I concur with Winchester White Box. I also have had great luck with S&B and PMC.

I've been thinking about getting one of those bolts, but I just worry I won't like it. Bought a heavy bolt for my uzi mini and I never use it. Works great but I've only probably shot it twice.

Same here! I bought one of the CF-W bolts and ran it ONCE. Worked like a champ. Never shot it again. But, I don't regret buying it! Here's the deal. These aren't that homogeneous. Even if someone makes another run, they'll sell out. Midway or PSA ain't gonna be selling them in their catalog anytime soon. But more than anything, is RESALE value. A total package gun will ALWAYS get more attention. You'll get your money back at the very least. Oh, I also bought a heavy bolt for my Mini... but haven't been able to shoot it cuz of this horrible winter weather. I suspect I'll use it a lot being a mag dump kinda guy. I'm not impressed with one second 32rd dumps. I have a TEC9 for those! LOL

To the OP: Once you get it and try the different .380 ammo suggestions, PLEASE get back in here and report back what YOU find happens with YOUR gun!

 

[KickStand]

I can tell you that watching these vids that you posted back in the day, is what convinced me to buy the complete set up. So glad I did, so thank you for taking the time you did to test and record all that hard work back in the day! .380 is def an oddball caliber in a subgun.

Thanks man!

 

[SecondAmend]

I can tell you that watching these vids that you posted back in the day, is what convinced me to buy the complete set up. So glad I did, so thank you for taking the time you did to test and record all that hard work back in the day! .380 is def an oddball caliber in a subgun.


I bought a case back in the day. Afterwards I realized they were flat tips. I was pretty bummed. I spent a couple of years trying to unload it or trade it for some ball. Never did. So, one day I bought a box to see just how bad they'd jam. I was shocked to not have a single jam. BTW, my gun is an old PS with the adjustable front sight so nothing tricked out. I actually took it down to OFASTS one year and let the guys shoot it inside one of my operational briefcases without a jam. So, I concur with Winchester White Box. I also have had great luck with S&B and PMC.


Same here! I bought one of the CF-W bolts and ran it ONCE. Worked like a champ. Never shot it again. But, I don't regret buying it! Here's the deal. These aren't that homogeneous. Even if someone makes another run, they'll sell out. Midway or PSA ain't gonna be selling them in their catalog anytime soon. But more than anything, is RESALE value. A total package gun will ALWAYS get more attention. You'll get your money back at the very least. Oh, I also bought a heavy bolt for my Mini... but haven't been able to shoot it cuz of this horrible winter weather. I suspect I'll use it a lot being a mag dump kinda guy. I'm not impressed with one second 32rd dumps. I have a TEC9 for those! LOL

To the OP: Once you get it and try the different .380 ammo suggestions, PLEASE get back in here and report back what YOU find happens with YOUR gun!

FWIW, the M11-380 and tungsten bolt with .380 AE 90 gr. ammo clocked at 735 RPM when I tested it.

 

[Jack007]

clocked at 735 RPM

That's absolutely amazing! Wouldn't Gordon and Mitch be amazed?

 

[Gaujo]

FWIW, the M11-380 and tungsten bolt with .380 AE 90 gr. ammo clocked at 735 RPM when I tested it.

Are you running this in a small grip M11?

 

[Nome Nomad]

I can tell you that watching these vids that you posted back in the day, is what convinced me to buy the complete set up. So glad I did, so thank you for taking the time you did to test and record all that hard work back in the day! .380 is def an oddball caliber in a subgun.


I bought a case back in the day. Afterwards I realized they were flat tips. I was pretty bummed. I spent a couple of years trying to unload it or trade it for some ball. Never did. So, one day I bought a box to see just how bad they'd jam. I was shocked to not have a single jam. BTW, my gun is an old PS with the adjustable front sight so nothing tricked out. I actually took it down to OFASTS one year and let the guys shoot it inside one of my operational briefcases without a jam. So, I concur with Winchester White Box. I also have had great luck with S&B and PMC.


Same here! I bought one of the CF-W bolts and ran it ONCE. Worked like a champ. Never shot it again. But, I don't regret buying it! Here's the deal. These aren't that homogeneous. Even if someone makes another run, they'll sell out. Midway or PSA ain't gonna be selling them in their catalog anytime soon. But more than anything, is RESALE value. A total package gun will ALWAYS get more attention. You'll get your money back at the very least. Oh, I also bought a heavy bolt for my Mini... but haven't been able to shoot it cuz of this horrible winter weather. I suspect I'll use it a lot being a mag dump kinda guy. I'm not impressed with one second 32rd dumps. I have a TEC9 for those! LOL

To the OP: Once you get it and try the different .380 ammo suggestions, PLEASE get back in here and report back what YOU find happens with YOUR gun!

I'll keep y'all posted on what works. Picking up some S&B when I'm in the city for work next week

 

[SecondAmend]

Are you running this in a small grip M11?

Yes, it's a small grip, "double stamped" RPB gun.

 

[hkg3k]

I bought a transferable SWD large magwell M11 380 a few months back and I need to start stocking up on ammo for it. I have some PMC 380 in my ammo collection already, but I've heard mixed reviews on this stuff (I don't currently own any 380 guns). People seem to like magtech or S&B. what do y'all recommend? Thank you

Since you've got a large magwell gun, I'd also consider a MAX11a1 9mm upper...which uses the lower's magwell. 9mm is more plentiful, cheaper and probably more reliable in the large mag. Not sure if Lage still makes the upper, but GB might be the place to look.