When it comes to compact handguns most shooters are concerned with its defensive application rather than fun time at the range. While shooting compact pistols can be fun quality defensive ammunition should really be your focus. Whether you have chosen 380 Auto, 9mm Luger, 38 Special or even 357 Magnum your choice in defensive ammunition needs to be a good one.
For shorter barreled handguns lighter weight bullets tend to be the preferred projectile. Since the length of the barrel helps determine the velocity by directing propellant gasses for a longer period of time down a longer barrel bullet weight is not as critical of a factor in achieving high velocities. Shorter barrels do not have that luxury so as a general rule lighter bullets can achieve higher velocities out of a shorter barrel than heavier bullets. In most encounters bullet construction and velocity take a back seat to shot placement. Placing your shots where they need to go gives you the best chance of surviving a violent encounter and any quality defensive round should hopefully take care of the rest.
With all other factor being equal heavier bullets tend to retail their energy longer and penetrate deeper than lighter bullets. While this may be good in some situations the same cannot be said for all.
Sometimes, where over-penetration can be an issue, lighter less penetrative bullets may be desired. Defensive rounds like Glaser Safety Slugs are designed to reduce the chance of penetrating through walls yet still offer excellent terminal performance. The Glaser rounds achieve this result by using multiple projectiles in the form of birdshot encapsulated in a single bullet. Upon impact the outer shell breaks apart releasing its cargo of small BB’s into the assailant. The end result is a large wound with minimal risk of over-penetration reducing the risk of a “shoot through.” These bullets tend to weigh considerably less than the typical bull weight for their caliber in order to boost velocity and achieve optimal expansion.