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Speer

Speer Gold Dot 380 Auto 90gr JHP

Best bonded-core .380 ACP defensive load. Uni-Cor electrochemical bonding prevents jacket separation through auto glass and intermediate barriers, with 12.8 inches of penetration and 0.536 inches of expansion.

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Quick Specs

Price
Contact for price
Weight
N/A
Brand
Speer
Category
ammunition

Features

  • 90 grain JHP
  • .380 ACP / 380 Auto
  • 990 fps muzzle velocity
  • ~196 ft-lbs energy
  • Nickel-plated case

Compatibility Tags

caliber: 380acpfamily: handgun

Overview

Speer Gold Dot 380 Auto 90gr is the premier bonded-core defensive .380 load. Speer's Uni-Cor technology electrochemically bonds the jacket to the lead core during manufacturing, creating a single unified structure that resists separation through hard intermediate barriers like auto glass, sheet metal, and wallboard. In gel testing through 4-layer denim, Gold Dot produces 12.8 inches of penetration and 0.536 inches of expansion, placing it inside the FBI's 12 to 18 inch window.

The Uni-Cor bonded construction gives Gold Dot a specific advantage over non-bonded loads in scenarios involving barrier penetration. Where Federal HST may exhibit some jacket separation through auto glass, Gold Dot retains near 100% of its original weight. This is the primary reason law enforcement agencies that test through vehicle glass favor Gold Dot over HST. For civilian carry, HST's larger expansion makes it the default choice, but Gold Dot is the pick when barrier penetration is a priority.

Speer loads Gold Dot in nickel-plated cases at 990 fps, producing approximately 196 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. The bullet feeds reliably through virtually all .380 ACP pistols due to its rounded ogive profile, and Speer's lot-to-lot consistency is among the best in the industry.

Key Features

  • Uni-Cor electrochemical bonding prevents jacket/core separation through barriers
  • 12.8" penetration through 4-layer denim (inside FBI 12-18" window)
  • 0.536" expansion, 1.5x original .355" diameter
  • Near 100% weight retention through auto glass and intermediate barriers
  • Law enforcement contract ammo proven in barrier penetration testing
  • Nickel-plated case for reliable feeding and corrosion resistance

Pros

  • +Bonded Uni-Cor construction prevents jacket separation through barriers
  • +Inside FBI 12-18" penetration window through heavy clothing
  • +Proven LE contract ammo with extensive testing background
  • +Excellent lot-to-lot consistency for reliable carry ammo sourcing

Cons

  • Slightly less expansion than Federal HST 99gr in bare gel
  • Premium price comparable to Federal HST
  • Bonded construction less critical for civilian carry than LE scenarios

Detailed Specifications

grainWeight
90gr
velocity
990 fps
energy
~196 ft-lbs
penetration
12.8" (denim barrier)
expansion
0.536"
pressure
Standard

Compatible Platforms

+71 more

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