If you’ve seen boxes of .30 Super Carry pop up in the handgun aisle and wondered what the deal is, here’s the straight take. Launched as a modern defensive cartridge for compact pistols, .30 Super Carry was designed to live between .380 ACP and 9mm—offering more capacity than 9mm in the same-size magazine while promising near-9mm performance with manageable recoil. On paper, that sounds like a slam dunk for concealed carry. In practice, adoption has been slow. Let’s break it down.

What is .30 Super Carry?

• Caliber & concept: A .312" diameter bullet (roughly “.30”) engineered for defensive handguns, especially micro-compact and single-stack pistols.

• The pitch: Because the cartridge is slimmer than 9mm, magazines can often hold 1–2 extra rounds in the same gun footprint.

• Ballistics (typical ranges): Think ~100–115 grain bullets around 1,150–1,250 fps from carry-length barrels, with energy figures creeping into mid-9mm territory.

• Intended result: 9mm-like penetration and expansion in premium defensive loads, with slightly softer recoil and extra capacity.

Why hasn’t it taken off?

1) The 9mm is a juggernaut.
Training infrastructure, law enforcement adoption, global manufacturing capacity, cheap practice ammo, and endless gun options all favor 9mm. Breaking that inertia is tough for any newcomer.

2) Limited gun selection.
At launch, only a handful of pistols were available. Fewer models means fewer holsters, fewer mags on shelves, and less word-of-mouth from instructors and everyday carriers. Without broad manufacturer support, a new caliber struggles to snowball.

3) Ammo availability and price.
Even if you find defensive loads, practice ammo can be scarcer and pricier than 9mm. Most shooters rightly practice more than they carry; if feeding range sessions is a hassle, they’ll default to 9mm.

4) “Marginal gain” perception.
For many, an extra round or two doesn’t outweigh the benefits of staying with 9mm’s ubiquity, pricing, and proven track record. When the upgrade is incremental rather than transformational, adoption lags.

5) Ecosystem friction.
Magazines, spare parts, dedicated classes, rental guns, range availability—when the ecosystem is thin, it’s harder for shooters (and ranges) to commit.

Should you try it?

Yes—if these apply to you:

• You want more rounds in the same size gun. In a micro-compact, gaining +1 or +2 without a grip extension is meaningful.

• You’re recoil-sensitive but want better performance than .380. With quality defensive loads, .30 SC can offer a nice balance of control, capacity, and terminal performance.

• You’re willing to plan for ammo. If you don’t mind ordering in bulk and keeping a small stash, the supply/price issue becomes manageable.

• You already like a pistol offered in .30 SC. If a model’s ergonomics, trigger, and reliability check your boxes—and it simply happens to be .30 SC—go for it.

Probably stick to 9mm—if these fit:

• You shoot a lot and want the cheapest, easiest practice regimen.

• You value maximum choice in guns, holsters, mags, and gunsmith support.

• You train with instructors/ranges that standardize on 9mm and want ammo you can buy anywhere, anytime.

• You’re not convinced the capacity gain is worth switching calibers.

Practical buying advice (if you’re in)

1. Pick duty-proven defensive ammo and test a couple of boxes for reliability and point of impact.

2. Buy in bulk when you see a decent price—both practice and carry loads—so your zero and recoil feel remain consistent.

3. Stock spare mags while they’re easy to find; magazines are the lifeblood of any carry platform.

4. Train smart: Confirm function with your carry ammo, track times on baseline drills (draw to first shot, 1–5 drills, slide-lock reloads), and make sure the theoretical advantages—capacity and control—show up in your actual performance.

The bottom line

.30 Super Carry is a well-thought-out answer to a real carry question: “Can I get more rounds without making the gun bigger or the recoil harsher?” Technically, yes—it delivers extra capacity with respectable defensive ballistics. But the market hasn’t embraced it widely because 9mm is deeply entrenched, the gun/ammo selection is limited, and the practical benefits feel incremental for many shooters.

If you’re capacity-curious, recoil-averse, or just like exploring modern defensive solutions—and you’re willing to plan your ammo—.30 Super Carry is absolutely worth a try. If you want maximum choice, minimal hassle, and rock-bottom cost, 9mm remains the most practical path.