true or false??

[splitshot]

  am currently reading a novel which states that a 380 auto can be shot in a 9 mm.  true or false?  mike w

[Bob33]

Sort of, but not in the way you think.

The .380ACP is 9x17 and is also called a 9mm Kurtz or 9mm Short. The much more common 9mm Luger is 9x19 and is not interchangeable with a 380.

[Bofire]

I bet it would "fire" depending on the chamber fit.

[splitshot]

  so people who are crying about not having 9 ammo to shoot could buy the less popular 380, right  mike w

[Mike450r]

  so people who are crying about not having 9 ammo to shoot could buy the less popular 380, right  mike w

No

[splitshot]

  if you reload, are the bullets interchangeable?  mike w

[Bob33]

A firearm is designed to fire a specific caliber. It has exact dimensions measured in thousandths of an inch, and being off by 1/1000 of an inch can have disastrous consequences. Different cartidges headspace differently. Pressures are different and may rupture a barrel or lodge a projectile. The chamber is designed to hold that specific ammunition and no other, with rare exceptions. If you wish to mix and match you are, simply put, a fool.

[jackelope]

A firearm is designed to fire a specific caliber. It has exact dimensions measured in thousandths of an inch, and being off by 1/1000 of an inch can have disastrous consequences. Different cartidges headspace differently. Pressures are different and may rupture a barrel or lodge a projectile. The chamber is designed to hold that specific ammunition and no other, with rare exceptions. If you wish to mix and match you are, simply put, a fool.

But aside from all that, even though they're completely different, is it still ok?

[splitshot]

  you can shoot a 38 sp. in a 357 even though t  38 is shorter.  the same application i s here.  the 380 is shorter than the 9 and has less powder.  mike w

[Bob33]

A firearm is designed to fire a specific caliber. It has exact dimensions measured in thousandths of an inch, and being off by 1/1000 of an inch can have disastrous consequences. Different cartidges headspace differently. Pressures are different and may rupture a barrel or lodge a projectile. The chamber is designed to hold that specific ammunition and no other, with rare exceptions. If you wish to mix and match you are, simply put, a fool.

But aside from all that, even though they're completely different, is it still ok?

[Wazukie]

.380 will fire in a 9mm, yes, just like a 9mm will fire in a Makarov.  But the Makarov will not fir in the 9mm and the 9mm will not fire in the .380  I wouldn't advise doing it though.  Like Bob said, It'd be follish to do. 

[splitshot]

  i totally agree,  got lots of ammo and just learned some stuff tonite, thank you.  mike w

[BigGoonTuna]

  you can shoot a 38 sp. in a 357 even though t  38 is shorter.  the same application i s here.  the 380 is shorter than the 9 and has less powder.  mike w

the 38spl and 357 are rimmed, 380 and 9mm are rimless.  bad idea trying to shoot 380 out of a 9mm.

it would probably be like chambering a 308 shell in a 30-06 rifle.

[lee]

  you can shoot a 38 sp. in a 357 even though t  38 is shorter.  the same application i s here.  the 380 is shorter than the 9 and has less powder.  mike w

the 38spl and 357 are rimmed, 380 and 9mm are rimless.  bad idea trying to shoot 380 out of a 9mm.

it would probably be like chambering a 308 shell in a 30-06 rifle.

I agree wid' Tuna.

Since both the 9mm and 380 head space off of the case "mouth" it would be possible fer the 380 to fall the extra 2mm  inta the chamber when loaded. The firing pin may not set it off.

Me

[Fisherdave10]

  you can shoot a 38 sp. in a 357 even though t  38 is shorter.  the same application i s here.  the 380 is shorter than the 9 and has less powder.  mike w

No.  Straight (ish) walled semi-auto casings like .380, 9mm, .40 and .45 all headspace off of the case mouth.
Rimmed cartridges in a revolver do not.  They headspace on the rim, so the area in front of the case mouth is fairly unimportant.

A .380 in a 9mm might fire if the extractor in the extractor groove holds the case head against the breach with enough pressure but it isn't meant to be.  Just no.