P380 trigger feel

[wannabe9]

You guys tell me if I put this on the wrong page, please.
In the meantime....
Just got back from my local range, where I rented a P380, with a view to perhaps getting one as a BUG. (I won't buy a gun without trying one first.)
Though it shot a little low, I know how to fix that. No malfunctions. Nice & small, little recoil with factory ammo.
BUT, I don't like the trigger on the rental. It felt like it was "dragging" during the long stroke. As if it was in severe need of lubrication. It would start kinda OK, then "catch" and drag, then let go, then catch again, and so forth, until the sear let go.
What I need to know: Is this normal? Is it a definite sign of being underlubed?
Thanks in advance.

[getsome]

Hello wannabe9 and welcome to Kahrtalk!...This post might fit better in the P and CW series forum but it doesn't really matter if it's there or here, either is fine...To try and answer your question, no thats not normal for a Kahr pistol which should have a trigger pull like butta...

It could have a bent trigger draw bar rubbing against the frame causing the dragging feel...Lube or lack of shouldn't cause that unless the thing if totally filthy inside....

The first run of P380's had some issues and most everybody that bought one had to return them to Kahr to get them to feed properly but the later serial number guns seem to be ok and the problems solved...

I'm not sure if you are dead set on a .380 but if not try out a CM9 and compare it with the P380...You get more gun and firepower for less money and a CM9 can be pocket carried easily...There is a big difference between .380 and 9mm but pick whichever works best for you...Again welcome and post away any questions you may have, lots of real nice knowledgeable folks here more than willing to answer any and all questions...:yo:

[wannabe9]

getsome:
Actually I prefer 9mm, but I haven't been able to find a PM9 or CM9 to fire, anywhere. The range doesn't have one, and I don't know any friends who do. If the 9mm o/a size is close to the .380 (and I think it is) I would choose the 9mm.
I've tried both the Ruger LC9 and the Shield. The Ruger has a trigger guard which pinches my trigger finger (the guard actually reduces in size!), which completely disqualifies it. The Shield is pretty nice overall, but it doesn't qualify as a "pocket rocket" (too bulky all around). Ditto for the Nano. Both the last two would benefit from some sculpting.
Guess I might need to find another P380, eh?

[DKD]

Although i do agree with the previous posts regarding the fire power of the 9mm over the .380 acp keep this one thought in mind....even though th CM9 or PM9 are more powerful and fairly small as far a any 9mm can be they are about 20% larger and heavier than the P-380. You did also say this was to be a backup gun to you main carry piece.
I have shot just about avery model and caliber in the kahr line up so I am speaking from first hand experience...owned several as well over the years.
The P-380 is in a league of its own in that size and caliber period. The CM9 is a great little 9mm for the money. I do love the PM-9 for the finer finish (2) mags and dove tailed sights though. I would like to see a PM-9 with a standard barrel so that one can shoot lead bullets, but thats just me.
As for the trigger they should be smooth as silk with little or no preceivable stacking...just a long smooth 3/8" pull through the trigger stroke. So don't let that stop you from that purchase if a good back up gun is what you are looking for.

[getsome]

I have a PM40 which is the same size as a CM9/PM9 and I can carry in jeans pocket with no problems at all...The CM/PM guns are slightly larger than the P380 but to me still the perfect size and power range for a CCW...

I looked at a Shield last weekend and agree it isn't a pocket pistol and more like the size of a CW9 but it did feel nice in the hand...I find the Nano butt ugly and clunky feeling...the LC9 ruger feels good to me but still is larger than a CM/PM and has nowhere near the trigger pull of a Kahr...

See if you can find a CM9 in a gunshop in your area and ask to dry fire it and get the feel for the trigger...Many new users have come to Kahrtalk lately after the CM pistols hit the market and they seem to be a real hit with everything you want, price, power, quality and size...

There are several members here who have both the P380 and CM/PM pistols and most say they hardly ever carry the .380 anymore so IMHO I think you would be happy with a CM9 even if you can't find one to fire before you buy...They work and many many folks here love them and we even gave them a special club membership sign which is a :D

[gm412]

I have both a p380 and a pm9. First no that is not normal for the trigger. Mine is a very smooth pull. I know some people here pocket carry the PM9 but I cannot do it comfortably. I use an IWB holster for the PM9. The p380 is what I use for pocket carry. Fits great. These are the only 2 that I carry.

The strange thing is I am naturally more accurate with the P380. It took some practice and modifying my grip and trigger pull to get the PM9 to be accurate. For some reason I was accurate with the P380 right out of the box.

[muggsy]

Although i do agree with the previous posts regarding the fire power of the 9mm over the .380 acp keep this one thought in mind....even though th CM9 or PM9 are more powerful and fairly small as far a any 9mm can be they are about 20% larger and heavier than the P-380. You did also say this was to be a backup gun to you main carry piece.
I have shot just about avery model and caliber in the kahr line up so I am speaking from first hand experience...owned several as well over the years.
The P-380 is in a league of its own in that size and caliber period. The CM9 is a great little 9mm for the money. I do love the PM-9 for the finer finish (2) mags and dove tailed sights though. I would like to see a PM-9 with a standard barrel so that one can shoot lead bullets, but thats just me.
As for the trigger they should be smooth as silk with little or no preceivable stacking...just a long smooth 3/8" pull through the trigger stroke. So don't let that stop you from that purchase if a good back up gun is what you are looking for.

I don't think that you would have any trouble replacing the PM9 barrel with a CM9 barrel if you wanted the gun to digest some cast lead bullets.

[muggsy]

You guys tell me if I put this on the wrong page, please.
In the meantime....
Just got back from my local range, where I rented a P380, with a view to perhaps getting one as a BUG. (I won't buy a gun without trying one first.)
Though it shot a little low, I know how to fix that. No malfunctions. Nice & small, little recoil with factory ammo.
BUT, I don't like the trigger on the rental. It felt like it was "dragging" during the long stroke. As if it was in severe need of lubrication. It would start kinda OK, then "catch" and drag, then let go, then catch again, and so forth, until the sear let go.
What I need to know: Is this normal? Is it a definite sign of being underlubed?
Thanks in advance.

The trigger on my P380 is very smooth. Ditto my CM9. I carry the CM9 AIWB and the P380 as a back-up in my RF pocket. Both ride in a PJ holster.

[Cokeman]

My trigger is buttercity.

[wannabe9]

Thank you Cokeman, and muggsy (your last post) for staying on subject.
Where I live, most people are going the 1911-style route, and can't show me a good-working P380.
Going to visit my extremely gracious LGS for a (hopeful) dry-fire demo.

[degg]

I just ordered my p380 yesterday.
I wanted a BUG and I really wanted to go with a .40 because my EDC is a K40.
I checked out an MK,way too heavy IMO,and the CMs,CWs PMs.
But had to keep myself on task.
I want my BUG to fit in my front pocket and disappear.
I have carried a Keltec P3AT and it did just that.
And the P380 looked slightly smaller when I held them together at the gun shop.

[DKD]

I really don't want to offend anyone as the Keltec is a good gun for the money, just not for me. The trigger is gritty and rough on all of the ones I have handled and uncomfortable to shoot...not so with the P-380.

The P-380 is in a whole other category, hense the price difference. The pistol exudes quality throughout. The trigger is like night and day when compared to the Keltec.

The P-380 is comfortable to shoot and is quite accurate with good sights to boot for such a small pistol. I hope you can get to fondle one and better yet shoot one and you'll be sold. It will disappear in your pocket.