Buying a new P380. Can I trust my life with it?

[JFootin]

Albin, that is an excellent post. It needs to be read by every new P380 owner.

[jocko]

albinlee: wanna sell thatfine gun???/ Just sayin

beats a 45 any day. more powerful for sureand the bullet gets there TODAY and not tomorrow. Just sayin

[gasem]

The p380 is accurate, has good sights, light recoil, and will shoot any of the loads with highest muzzle energy without damage. The lcp has crappy sights and will not tolerate full bore loads. I have a TCP a p3at and a p380. Presently the p380 is in MA. The TCP is totally unreliable after being back to Taurus twice. The p3at is 100℅ and presently resides in my pocket. I expect the p380 to be repaired to spec and then I will replace the p3at with that gun and underwood 90gr jhp or buffalo bore 95gr fmjfn. I have a pm9 that is 100℅ and a SIG p290 but both are slightly too big and mostly too heavy for true pocket carry. They work great IWB but I prefer pocket carry. I can shoot a ragged hole at 20 ft with the p380 so I don't feel under-armed with the heavy loads.

[bm303]

BM303,

I just bought a brand new P380 with the black DLC finish. I was very hesitant at first because the 380 is generally known for being finicky. I have been carrying a CW9 for the past year, and have found that I am tired of IWB. Pocket carry would be most ideal, and more comfortable when seated/driving for me (instead of constantly adjusting holster angle and position). I spent alot of time doing research, clearly this little pistol is not cheap. There seemed to be issues with the first couple design iterations, but at this point, it seems like Kahr has nearly perfected it. They updated the recoil spring specs, and a few other minor changes, and I felt confident enough to make the dive.

I was pretty nervous to break it in, which I just did last weekend. Well, I am pleased to say that there were absolutely no malfunctions of any kind, through 325 rounds. I was blown away. I trust my life with the P380 one hundred percent, and it is my new EDC. I shot 100 rounds WWB, 200 rounds of Remington UMC, and 25 Hornady Zombie Max. I carry the Hornady Critical Defense Rounds.

Although my thumb/pointer finger web was left a little sore, this pistol is very controllable to fire. The trigger is identical to my CW9, so it felt very familiar. In order to assure that the pistol had the best chance to run from the start, I disassembled it and cleaned the factory grease using Isopropyl alcohol, so that it was completely dry. Then, I lubed it up with Ballistol, generously on the rails and barrel, but avoiding the firing pin area.

The week before my day at the range, I racked the slide about 500 times, to smooth out the contact surfaces and break it in. Then, it was up to the P380 and myself to test it. The only malfunction occurred as a result of operator error: the slide failed to lock back a couple times on the last round. After adjusting my grip and focusing on keeping my right thumb from resting on the slide lock, there was no issue. I also was sure to make a solid platform by having a firm grip.

So I felt like there was a small gamble, being that micro 380's can be picky about ammo and technique. Also, there is such a small tolerance for error in a semi-auto action so short, that the pistol design has a huge obstacle to overcome. I am an engineering student in my final year of study, so I love to analyze mechanical stuff. I personally think the Kahr design is genius, and many of their patents lend themselves to the P380 function. The P380 is like the culmination of their design expertise, the best and most difficult to perfect semi-auto they have produced. All of the progress they have made from the K9, to polymer P9, and then ranging to more compact designs like the PM9, they have maximized the potential of their design with the P380, IMO. And now that they have worked the kinks out, I think there is no question in my mind that this is the best polymer, semi-auto, micro 380 on the market.

As a side note, there is an interesting point I would like to make about the P380. Both the P380 and CW9 user manual states that, in order to properly chamber the first round, you must lock the slide back, insert mag, then drop the slide. In my experience with the CW9, I was able to slingshot the first round without issue (even during the initial break in). I found that with the P380, this is not the case. The P380 is very unique, with the action being so short. In order to chamber the first round of a magazine, you must rack the slide one time, causing the striker to preset, then lock the slide back, insert mag, and chamber round. If you do not preset the striker first, the round will not chamber. Let me give you an example: If you rack the slide, safely dry fire, then lock the slide back, you will notice the firing pin protruding from the breech face. If you try to insert the loaded mag, and drop the slide, the round will not chamber! It will hang up on the protruding firing pin. This does not happen with the CW9, and the reason it occurs with the P380 is because the action is so short, that the striker is not engaged by the trigger system (in the frame) soon enough, as the slide travels forward, to pull the firing pin from the breech face. So the edge of the round will catch that protruding firing pin, and prevent the first round from continuing into battery.

The moral of this extremely long winded story is this: In order to chamber the first round in the P380, you must do the following:
1. Rack the slide to preset the striker, allowing it to return completely closed
2. Do not dry fire
3. Lock the slide back
4. Insert a loaded magazine
5. Drop the slide, allowing the first round to chamber

As long as you remember this minor nuance of the P380, along with the fact that you must keep your thumb from riding the slide release while firing, you should have no problems.

-Albin

Great post Albin. I really appreciate it.

The good news is that I won't be purchasing my gun for about 12 months from now. I will be getting my CCW around December of next year so I will be purchasing around then.

It is good to know the P380 is getting better and I assume in a years time it will be even better than it is currently.

I did watch Hickock45's video on the P380 and he said he cleaned it with alcohol and Ballistol and that he had zero problems himself. This is definitely something I will do if I purchase this gun.

Thanks again Albi.

[chut]

I'm about ready to buy a p380 with an RA serial number for $450 delivered. Does Kahr issue general recalls for known defects, or just wait until you gripe to update/upgrade your weapon? Should I look for a later S/N?

[Wlfman13]

Albin, that is an excellent post. It needs to be read by every new P380 owner.

AGREED. As a new owner of a P380, I had not yet discovered the cause of the "hanging round", but I am much more educated, now.

Thank You, Albin!

[jocko]

RA

I'm about ready to buy a p380 with an RA serial number for $450 delivered. Does Kahr issue general recalls for known defects, or just wait until you gripe to update/upgrade your weapon? Should I look for a later S/N?

number is the early models.and they did give issues. Most did not, Kahr does not issue recalls unless it is definitely a saftey thing, like drop safe issues etc. I know some might say whell if the gun doesn't go bang, that is a safety issue. Yes and NO.

My RA went back and today is very reliable. I would suggest u look for the later serial umber versions, tey do seem to be 99% trouble free. Not saying kahr will not make ur RA version right but I guess I would say erroron the side of caution to..

Guns are not lkike autos. NO MAKERS of guns have to issue a recall due to an unsafe gun, although could get involved real easy in a legal liability thing if they donj't so most do. Ruger recalled 50K of the lcp due to drop safety issues, with no harm to any owners, but it was a safety issue,.

Kahr will make any new gun right if u get a lemon, just u have to endure some lost time over it. So again I say look for the later serial numbers and I think the P380 is already into the RC numbers which is the newest models even.

[TominCA]

I have an older one which gave me fits - It has finally settled down. The new one I have is much better. One thing I discovered was they like "Botique" ammo with a lot of power. If anyone is still having issues get some Buffalo Bore (either +p or std) or Grizzily. I have also found that they like the 80 grain Barnes bullet or the old "Extreme Shock" ammo. I used to have good luck with Cor-Bon but about a year ago they did a bullet change in a lot I bought and the rough edge of the hollow points would hang up on the feed ramp. Rather than sandpaer each bullet I switched brands. This probalel may be fixed by now.

Try some Buffalo Bore or Grizzily and you may find your finnicky P380 turns into a 100% functioning pistol.

[xdjosh1980]

I actually have a like new one I am getting ready to sell. 200 flawless rounds thru it. Two tone with NS....comes with Sticky Holster, 2 mags, and 2 mags with if Critical Defense Ammo, and original factory plastic box and paperwork. I purchased new a few months back.

Email me if interested at joshellison@verizon.net


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[muggsy]

I have the cm9 and the p380 on paper they are about the same size .But side by side the p380 is small. And for me the p380 just carries better in the pocket .

Which is more important to you? How well it fits in your pocket, or how well it stops the BG? Take Jocko's advice get the CM9.

[jocko]

I do like my P380, been back onece but after thanI went a100 rounds perfect which it has never does. That being said, In my heart I just do not trust the gun like I do my PM9 which has proven itslef to me. SDure that little bastard is small. No 380 would sell for jack sh!t if it was the same size as the cm or pm9. I think that is one of it great selling points, other than IMO when u get a good P380, there is no 380 out there that comapres to it in ergo's, looks, sights, accuracy and quality. It is smaller than the cm9 but so is the round to, Its probalby gonna print damn near as much as a cm9 would to, but I have saide this many times, NO ONE IS LOOKING.

Today was a good day for me to test out my theory. I went into my daily Panera bread for coffee with the group and got there a half hour early, anyways two guys and a gal were at a table next tome andI noticed one had a G17 on his belt and his badge. both officers were Indiand State detectives and very very young lookings to. But their guns was in full few to. I set down within 3 feet of them with my PM9 in my left pocket of my jeans. It prints, or at least to me if ur eyeballs are glued there ur gonna think he has sumpin big in his pocket. It is in a desantis. For 30 minutes the detective and I split views at each other. I had my Harley gear on so that might have even drawed more attention. My point here is that he ever noticed my pocket of if he did paid zero attention to what it mght be even. I was legal so I felt no problems. People just arent looking, so get this print sh!t out of ur mind and carry what u feel good with. The P380 prints, not like my PM9 but it prints. Live with it, no one cares. If a BG was gonna come in and shoot up the place, thoise two cops might have been his first targets,. Just sayin

[cloud]

Which is more important to you? How well it fits in your pocket, or how well it stops the BG? Take Jocko's advice get the CM9.

I have a cm9 .I use to carry a star 45pd and I have the xds.For me I would rather carry the p380 in my front pocket.I don't care about printing I just like the way the 380 fits in my pocket.I agree with Jocko the cm9 is probably the better bargain and the 9mm trumps the 380.I was just talking what I think is right for me.

[josp]

I shot an action shoot the other night with the P380 from an ankle holster and reloading from the other ankle. 8 targets, 16 shots, averaging 23 seconds (with movement). My time, according to the range master, was on par with the others there shooting much bigger size and caliber guns. Now I'm a nut and practice a LOT with what I want to carry. That being said, when at work, the P380 is backup to the P45 covert which I shoot just as well.
Oh, and I never pay Panera prices for coffee, but then I'm a bit more old school than Jocko.......just sayin

[gm412]

I carry a pm9 in my front pocket a lot. I feel like it prints but no one has every noticed. So I think Jocko is right. No one even looks. I also have a p380 but it is not on my license so I do not carry it. The 380 never has performed well enough to carry. I feel much safer with a pm9. It does not print much more than my 380.

[el_presidente]

The only reason I carry a .380 LCP is when I can't carry anything else. Now that I have a CM9 (just got it today and played dress up to see if I can conceal it in everything but my fiancé's skivvies), the LCP is mostly retired.

If the thought of printing is really rolling around in your head, just remember: However much time you spend in public trying to figure out what's in other people's pockets (I'm guessing not that much), they spend a lot less.