Can .380 +P Ammunition Be Used In Ruger LCP,
Taurus 738 and Keltec P3AT?

.380 +P Ammunition For Ruger LCP, Taurus 738 & Keltec P3AT

The following is a brief analysis and references for determining whether .380 caliber plus P (+P) ammunition can safely be used in the Ruger LCP, the Taurus TCP 738 and the Keltec P3AT.

Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 ACP with +P Ammunition?	Ruger LCP .380 ACP with +P Ammunition?	Taurus 738 TCP .380 ACP with +P Ammunition?
YES - BUT Not with continuous use	NO Per the Manual	NO (unofficial)

SUPPORTING DATA

Ruger LCP
Can Plus P (+P) .380 Ammunition Be Used In Ruger LCP?

NO PER THE RUGER WEBSITE.

FROM THE RUGER WEBSITE - CAN I USE +P AMMUNITION IN MY RUGER LCP?
No. The Ruger LCP was not designed for use with +P ammunition. Given the LCP's light weight and compact design, the use of +P ammunition in this particular model may result in damage to the firearm or personal injury.
http://www.ruger.com/service/FAQs.html#Q109

RUGER LCP WITH +P AMMO
Not sure about the LCP, but the manual for the kel-tec p3at (about 95% the same design of the LCP) says that the gun WILL cycle +p but not with continuous use. from manual: SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS - AMMUNITION: The P-3AT Pistol is designed and chambered for the .380 Auto cartridge. Do not use any other ammunition. The P-3AT will accept +P ammunition, however not with continuous use.
http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/35896-ruger-lcp-p-ammo.html

Taurus TCP 738
Can Plus P (+P) .380 Ammunition Be Used In Taurus TCP 738?

NO PER UNSUBSTANTIATED PHONE CALL TO THE TAURUS COMPANY.

TAURUS TCP 738 AND +P AMMUNITION
Shooting the 738 TCP was a pleasure. Even when using Plus P high performance ammunition, the pistol is very controllable and hits on a human silhouette target at twenty-five yards were easy during rapid fire. Head shots at seven and fifteen yards were also relatively easy, shooting offhand from a standing position.
http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus-PT738.htm

TAURUS TCP MANUAL
No reference to +P ammunition.
http://www.taurususa.com/pdf/manual_738_tcp.pdf

TAURUS PT738 TCP WITH +P AMMO
I'd be tempted to get one of these if they got rid of the shiny slide & made a pocket-clip availale, since these are +P rated. I have the P3AT & really need the belt-clip to keep the thing from being upside-down in my pocket [don't like pocket holsters or IWBs], but the P3AT is not +P rated.
http://www.handgunforum.net/taurus/23527-taurus-pt738-tcp.html

I did call Taurus before we decide and they said it is NOT rated for +P ammo. The manual not real clear to me on that but they only show specs on standard 380.
http://www.handgunforum.net/taurus/23527-taurus-pt738-tcp.html

KELTEC P-3AT PISTOL
Can Plus P (+P) .380 Ammunition Be Used In the KELTEC P-3AT PISTOL?

YES PER THE KELTEC MANUAL, BUT NOT WITH CONTINUAL USE.

KELTEC P-3AT PISTOL AND +P AMMUNITION

FROM THE KELTEC P-3AT MANUAL - AMMUNITION - The P-3AT is designed and chambered for the .380 Auto cartridge. Do not use any other ammunition. The P-3AT will accept +P ammunition, however not with continuous use.
http://www.keltecweapons.com/uploaded_files/resources/
f_ba8132b8f3bf000087607ee4a84036c7P-3atmanual.pdf

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Sent: August 19, 2011
Subject: Taurus 738 Not Designed For Plus Ps Or Hollowpoint

The Taurus 738 TCP pistol is designed to shoot round ball ammo and not Hollow points, and 95 gr 1000 fps. I have shot a dozen boxes of shells through mine and have not had one single jam. If you buy a handgun, shoot the right ammo and their probably won't be a problem. The Taurus 380 TCP 738 is a great handgun. If you want to shoot Plus Ps then or hotter ammo then what's recommended then buy a heaver frame gun.
Teddy

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How To Shoot	Accessories
Ruger LCP	Taurus TCP
Glocks	Walther P22
S&W 22A	Ruger Mark III
Laser Bullet	Reloading

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