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Astra 9mm / .380 Will a 9mm x 18mm work?

DGordon
I know that the bullet for my gun is a 9mm x 17mm. My question to anyone is: Can I use a 9mm x 18mm round in this gun? The magazine shows that it has about a 2mm play in the inside length. The full length of the round is 22mm and the inside measurement is 24mm.
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    No!, The .380 uses a .356 diameter bullet. The Makarov cartridge, .366 diameter. Doubt if it will even chamber, in a .380. Very bad things will happen to you and the pistol, if you try to fire a 9 X 18 in a .380 pistol.
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  • DGordon
    Thanks for the information. I have been looking everywhare for the correct .380 ammunition with no luck. Any suggestions?
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  • NRA1
    .380 acp should be the same as 9x17.

    NEVER NEVER NEVER try to shoot 9x18.

    I have no problem finding dirt cheap 9x17 at the local gun shows.
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  • DGordon
    Thanks NRA1. Gun shows it is ...
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  • Bill DeShivs
    9X18 will not even chamber in a .380.
    Your Astra is caliber .380 ACP, 9mm Kurz, 9 X 17, 9mm Corto.
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  • DGordon
    Thanks Bill. I'll keep looking for the .380 ammunition.
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  • Wehrmacht_45
    380 is hard to get, as are a plethora of other calibers.

    Just hit the local gun stores. The big chain stores are cheaper, but almost always sold out right now.
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  • 5mmgunguy
    It is for sale on gunbroker...lots of it.
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  • beantownshootah
    No, you can't safely fire the 9x18 Makarov round in the 9x17/.380 ACP guns.

    While it might be possible to convert a .380ACP gun to take the Makarov round, doing so isn't trivial, nor would it likely be cost-effective.

    .380ACP (aka 9x17mm short/kurz/corto) is *incredibly* scarce right now, with prices going as high as $40 per box of 50 rounds.

    Of course its available. . .the question is how much are you willing to pay for it?

    As to gunshows. . .have you been to one LATELY?

    I was at my local gunshow about 2-3 weeks ago, and the only vendor with any .380 left was asking $35 per box for ordinary ball .380ACP *and actually getting it*. The other vendors that had any sold out of all .380 within minutes of the show opening.

    If you want to use 9x18mm ammo, buy a 9x18mm gun. The Makarovs and Makarov-like clones aren't particularly hard to find.

    Further, with some of the guns running under $250, if you shoot a lot, the gun will pay for itself with ammo savings over the cost of .380ACP.
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