Lone Wolf Distributors now offers 9x18mm Makarov barrels for Ruger LC380 pistols. The new barrel is one of their Alpha Wolf series of barrels. It is a drop-in part and doesn’t require any modifications to the Ruger LC380 pistol.

Ruger LC380

The overall length of the 9x18mm Makarov cartridge is identical to that of the .380 Auto which the Ruger LC380 is originally chambered in. The Makarov cartridge is a bit (.018″) thicker than the .380 Auto however that is probably an insufficient difference and it should be possible to load the 9x18mm cartridges into Ruger LC380 magazines and other parts of the pistol (extractor, recoil spring etc.) should also work with the 9x18mm cartridge. Otherwise, Lone Wolf would have warned about the need to replace other parts too.

L-R: .380 Auto, 9x18mm Makarov, 9x19mm Luger

Here are the tech specs of these barrels (from Lone Wolf’s website):

Barrel Features:

• PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA!
• Fits Ruger LC380
• Designed for lead, plated, or jacketed ammunition
• Certified, stress relieved 416 stainless steel
• Button rifled, three stage honed bore
• Industry recognized SBN premium coating (SBN is Salt Bath Nitride, similar to Tennifer)
• Heat treated to RC 40-42, then SBN coating increases surface hardness to RC 60
• Exacting tolerances allow for drop in installation
• Fluting creates path for heat and debris to escape

Due to SBN coating we are unable to custom chamber or custom crown Alpha Wolf barrels.

The Lone Wolf Ruger LC380 9x18mm barrels are listed on the manufacturer’s website at an MSRP of $139.95.

Why would anyone need to convert the .380 pistol into 9x18mm one? There can be several reasons. Some people say 9x18mm has a perfect balance of power and recoil, others may have access to cheap military surplus ammunition and so on. At any rate, there must be some demand. And the reason I think so is that this is not the first 9x18mm conversion barrel made by Lone Wolf. Earlier they had introduced 9x18mm Makarov barrels for Glock 42 pistols.

Images from: www.ruger.com, www.lonewolfdist.com, www.gunblast.com