My new 380 range report

[gm412]

Sunday I took out my new p380 to test shoot it. Did the prep listed on this site. The first 50 rounds went OK. 3 light strikes which I put back in the clip and they fired the second time. First 3 clips went through without a hitch. That was with PMC 90 grs. FMJ.
Now the next 100 rounds with American Eagle 95 gr FMJ. First clip OK then the trouble started. 2 stove pipes, 2 jams with a bullet in the chamber and another one trying to load and 10 - 12 light strikes. The last 50 rounds a strange pattern set in. The next to last round in the clip failed to fire. They loaded but did not go off. Put them back in the clip and bang. This happened consistently with both magazines (the one that came with it and one bought directly from Kahr – I have the California model). Not sure why it was the second to last, but that was it almost every time.
Pros – fun gun to shoot. Even after 150 rounds my hand was not the least bit sore. I would have put another 100 rounds through it but had to leave. I did not worry about accuracy since I was just trying to break it in.
Cons- the problems listed above.
I hope with a couple hundred more rounds these problems will go away. It’s cleaned and ready to go again.

[jocko]

I would give it a 100 more no more than that if it doesn't straighten itself out, call kahr and have them pickthe gun up. U have IMO put enough roundsthrough the gun that it sholdnot be gertting worse but better. I think u have an internal problem with the gun,possable a trigger bar out of spec. I am assuming u cleanedthe strikerchannel well before thisrangeshoot. If there is crude in that channel it could effect reliability big time. For a round the chamber and not fire to me indicates striker related issues. check your striker channel if u can take that slide apart or at leat use that clean out hole and just spry the hell out of that striker channel.

documentto kahr like u did for us if the gun has to go back so that they have a starting point..

[teammazza]

The only advice I can give you is sell it as fast as you can. They still get good value in a trade or sale. My .380 had nothing but issues, I also dropped one of the full magazines and the bottom plate went flying, I had bullets everywhere. If that happened in a life or death situation I would have been done. Until Kahr finds out what the problems are with these .380s I wouldn't take one for free. My CW9 has been perfect and the K9 is a classic. For the price these cost it in no way should give you as much trouble as they do. If you want a project gun buy a Kel-tec. Upgrade to a CM9/PM9 which isn't much bigger and is a much better gun.

[Cokeman]

My advice, keep it and break it in. P380s are awesome. Try different ammos. Your gun might like some better than others.

[gm412]

Second day at the range

Second day at the range., Fired 100 rounds of PMZ. 7+ light strikes, 2 stove pipes and 1 failure to load. I was hopeful as the first 4 clips went off without a hitch. Not sure if I will try again Saturday or send it back. Serial Number RC*****.

Not giving up on this gun. Excellent shooter. And even this gun prints in my pocket. Any bigger will not work.

[Tinman507]

Contact Kahr CS and include photos if possible. Be as detailed as you can.
They'll make it right. Don't give up on it yet.

[jocko]

the light strikes are not good. I think ur wasinting good ammo now, call kahr and ask them to send a prepaid pick up on the gun, Let them get it right.

[Cokeman]

Read through the old P380 threads for lots of good advice. That will show you that lots of P380s do this at first, but get better. I wouldn't send it back until I had shot at least 400 rounds. When you get light strikes, is the slide not completely forward? Look at the back of the slide each time you shoot to make sure it's completely closed. If not, push it shut until broken in. Mine did that at first. I polished the inside of the chamber because I couldn't easily drop a round in. The round would almost fall all the way in but not all the way. After polishing, they dropped in freely. The first four mags always work great. After that, the non-broken in gun gets dirty and things don't slide as easily.

[kerby9mm]

I disagree with putting 400 rounds through a gun that malfunctions. 380 ammo around here is about $20 a box so that would be $160+ possibly wasted. When I got my first p238 I had problems with premature slide lock. Called Sig right away and they sent a different recoil spring. The gun has never failed since. With all the posts on the p380 in my opinion it is best to send it to Kahr on their dime so they can make the gun right for you.

[Cokeman]

Explain to me how ammo is wasted by shooting it. I see people saying this all the time and just don't get it.

[jocko]

there has to be a time for everyone when enough is enough 400 rounds IMO is more than enpough. Would be IMO far different if the P380 was basically not a gun that gave issues, but we know that is just not true "yet". I guess maybe calling it wasting ammo is not the best word for it, but IMO it is wasting time on an issue that more thna likely i snot going to go away with more rounds. Just sayin..

There is no disgrace in sending a gun back for an issue..

[kerby9mm]

You might as well practice with an empty gun if the gun are practicing with malfunctions. Either way there is no lead coming out of the barrel.

[Cokeman]

Kahr and everyone here says that there is a break in period of at least 200 rounds. So, if your gun has any problems during that break in period, you should send it in? Some take longer than 200 rounds and are fine. The OP has shot 250 rounds and may or may not be out of a break in period. He can do what ever he wants, but I would give it a little more time. His does seem to be getting better.

Kerby, read posts 1 and 5, do some math and then tell me that "no lead" was coming out of that barrel.

[kerby9mm]

I don't see how jams,stovepipes and light strikes make lead come out when they happen. All I was saying if it was my gun it goes back to Kahr with recurring malfunctions after breakin. If I had to sell off my guns the last ones to go would be my mk's.

[rogerthedodger]

I have a Cali version of th P380. It has been a long journey to get to where I can now trust it as a carry weapon, which is the only reason to have one (my opinion).
Here is the my journal:
Purchase gun, first 200 rounds, lite strikes. Clean and oil religeously, 3-4 sessions.
200 more rounds, 3-4-sessions, more cleaning and lubing still lite strikes.
Kahr sends new recoil spring set, another 250 rounds, clean and oil religeously, still lite strikes.
Send gun to Kahr, six weeks later it returns, new frame and striker assembly & extracter.
Start new break-in with new frame. 200 rounds, 3-4 sessions, lite strikes every 75+ rounds. I now notice it does not always go into battery, especially if I let slide go slowly unloaded.
Kahr sends new recoil springs. another 150-200 rounds, cleaned and oiled religeously, no failures, last 2 sessions I have shot Hornady CD, which is my preferred carry ammo.
I have also polished barrell hood, replaced mag springs with Keltek +10% which has cured failure to lock back on last round.
My point is, are you willing to go thru this? If yes, go for it. If not, sell it and move on. I was willing to work with it, because I like mechanical challenges, and am retired with lots of time on my hands. Now, it is 100% and one of my fav handguns. I new, from reading on this site, there were problems with the P380, so no regrets.
Roger