P380 Serial Numbers

[Tap]

PLEASE, those of you that have had problems with your P380's, let us know the serial numbers.
For example if you sent it back and the Number was RA3xxx and you got a new one back and the number was RC4xxx, that would help some of us that might make a mistake and buy a RA3 series gun.
I have been following most of the threads and very little is stated about the numbers.
PLEASE SHARE THAT INFO.
Also anyone with a good gun let us know the number and the opposite applies--bad one, the number.
Thanks. Tap

[DJK11]

My P380 is RA90xx. Born on date is 5-2010 and purchased 6-2010. It went back after 540 rnds. for a change of the extractor and recoil assembly. It's been perfect now for over 3500 rnds.

[mser]

Serial # RB6XXX purchased late March '11. Returned to Kahr where frame was replaced, striker block and extractor updated. New serial # RC4XXX.

[K.C.]

My P380 that needed frame replacement was bought on June 18, 2011, Serial # was RB5xxx. It was replaced with RC4xxx on Sept.22 2011.

[rogerthedodger]

My P380 frame RC0xxxx has been replaced with RC1xxx on 9-20-11. Note it is the California version.
Roger

[Great Lakes Shooters]

Replaced Frame:
P380
RC4XXX
09-24-11

[LMT42]

Interesting thread - I haven't been lurking long, but isn't the frame replacement a new phenomenon?

Odd that DJK had an RA and the frame wasn't replaced, but the RBs, and an early RC, were replaced. I hate to speculate from such a small sampling, but it seems like Kahr might have had a bad batch of frames in the RB and early RC runs. Anyone have any thoughts/insight on this?

Greatlakes - do you remember the original serial number of your gun?

[DJK11]

My P380 was returned after 540 rnds. after replacing the recoil springs a couple of times within 30 days. Of the 540 rnds. about 120 rnds. were various hollow point SD rounds with ZERO malfunctions. All problems were with FMJ.

A few months back I experimented with the older and new P380 recoil springs. Older springs measure:
Inner= 4.7 lb
Outer= 6.8 lb

New springs measure:
Inner= 8 lb
Outer= 7 lb

The new heavier spring helps the return to battery by overcoming the pre-set of the striker spring.

I like the feel of the recoil with the heavier spring BUT the last 1/4" of rear slide travel felt hard and gritty and low power rounds ejected straight up.

I mic. the springs, two sets of each.

Older:
Inner wire= .028, coil dia .300
Outer wire= = .035, coil dia .374

New:
Inner wire= .033, coil dia .300
Outer wire= .035, coil dia .371

So, I used the older outer and new inner springs and that combination removed the hard, gritty feel and feels very smooth. The slide cycle is very smooth and all rounds eject consistently.

[HadEmAll]

Good post Tap - good analysis LMT42

Mine is RB1XXX

It's been sent back twice for poor/irregular ejection. It has over 1000 round through it between me and Kahr. They have replaced everything in the ejection/extraction area. It still beans me in the face over 50% of the time. And has ejected a round 90% to the LEFT when in my right hand. No way in hell that is right. I have had stovepipe jams with every FMJ and JHP load I've tried except Speer Gold Dot 90 grain JHP and the Corbon 90 Grain JHP I've just started trying.

I'm going to call Kahr right after this and see if my frame is up for replacement.

[HadEmAll]

Well, I'm (at least temporarily) on cloud 9.

I just got a call back from Kahr. I left the message yesterday. After a pleasant (you have to keep it cool) discussion of serial numbers, and the past 2 times the pistol was returned, I am being issued a RA, and am slated for frame replacement.

The person I spoke to did initially dismiss the notion that there was a range of P380 serial #'s with bad frames, but when he went back to talk to the gunsmith, he was quickly told mine would be eligible. They had my letters from the previous returns on file, and so we were able to quickly get past the "Are you holding it right? - What ammo are you using? - Do you know what the hell you're talking about?" stage.

I didn't really want to, and hadn't planned on it, but was forced into mentioning that my LCP and BG380 had very consistent and excellent ejection patterns. This was due to a "Do you have big hands?" and "These little pistols.............." conversation early on before they looked up my letters.

I am optimistic that with this 3rd trip back, the pistol might be fixable after all. I probably wouldn't have even tried if it weren't for this post.

Good to have fresh information and ideas posted.

The gentleman I spoke to, Rick, couldn't have been more congenial and receptive. One thing worth mentioning though, is that he indicated that he had not shot a P380. Keep that in mind when you're on the phone with them. You aren't talking to the gunsmith.

All I've ever wanted was for my P380 to eject like Hickock's on YouTube.

[Jackalope33b]

RC frame here. Just a few issues within the first 100 rounds or so. After that, and now 400+ rounds later she is flawless..

[HadEmAll]

For no other reason than info to interested P380 parties:

At the monthly gun show this weekend, I saw 2 tables with P380's. I wasn't keying on them, so there might have been more at the show, but I checked at the dealer I bought mine at, and another who I have bought many from............

One high volume dealer had one RCXXXX laying on display. He may or may not have had others off the table. Forgot the 1st digit. I was interested in the "C"

A competitor, not quite as high a volume, had 2 on the table, one black, one silver, both serial numbers RB6XXX.

The volume statements are based on the number of people sitting there filling out 4473's at this and previous shows.

So IF any or all of the RBs are the problem range, they're still out there for sale.

Time will tell.

I know if I was buying one today, and knew what I know now, I'd seek one outside of the RBXXXX range just because.

I'm shipping my RB1XXX off with FedEx to the factory today. Hope third time is the charm.

[Tap]

Thanks to all

Thanks to all who posted . I wish we had more info, but seems that if I am to buy a P 380, it should be a serial number of RC4+++ or newer.
Thanks again, and good shooting.
Tap

[LMT42]

FWIW, I picked mine up on Saturday and it just came off the line - serial number is RC8. I doubt you'll have trouble finding an RC4 or higher.

Note that an earlier poster had his RC0 frame replaced with an RC1. I'm guessing the bad batch was RBs and very early RCs.

[JodyH]

Original #RA2152, trigger would not reset.
Replaced with #RA4339, light primer strikes and feed malfunctions.
Replaced with #RC52xx... report pending.

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