P380 - Serial number range to avoid?

[mickeyfinn]

Hey,

I'm new here. I joined to read up on the P380 because I was thinking about buying one.

I own a PM9 and it's been great for quite a few years. Very accurate.

Anyway, the opinions on the P380 sure run the gamut. I have no doubt the P380s have had their more than fair share of problems. But I have also read the problems have been worked out.

So I have only two questions:

1. Have the problems truly been worked out?

2. If they have been worked out, can someone provide with the serial number range to avoid and the serial number range in which things seem OK.

PS. I did do a search trying to find an answer concerning P380 serial numbers but couldn't find an answer. There didn't seem to be a consnensus. From what I read, the RC series seems to be best, but where in the RC series do they become reliable?


Thanks,

Mick

[mickeyfinn]

Nobody?

[Firewire]

Try this thread: http://kahrtalk.com//showthread.php?t=8708

[michpatriot]

I bought a RC2xxx...It wouldnt chamber a single round...not by itself...I had to completley rework the ramp to the chamber with a Dremel tool and a grinding stone took off .050 or.060 and changed the ramp angle 3 or 4 degrees and polish it back to a mirrior. Now it works perfect. No serial# has immunity. These are kit guns...you finish them at home.:):popcorn:

[michpatriot]

P.S. and they dont come with the distructions on how to finish them ...just a return address..on where to send them back..for more

[mickeyfinn]

I bought a RC2xxx...It wouldnt chamber a single round...not by itself...I had to completley rework the ramp to the chamber with a Dremel tool and a grinding stone took off .050 or.060 and changed the ramp angle 3 or 4 degrees and polish it back to a mirrior. Now it works perfect. No serial# has immunity. These are kit guns...you finish them at home.:):popcorn:

Holy crap! How disappointing. I don't like buying handguns where the manufacturer sugests a 200 round "break-in" period. But I've always followed the suggestion.

Years ago I bought a sub-compact Springfield Armory .45. It was still malfunctioning after 250 rds (FTFs, FTEs etc).

I called SA to see about sending it in to be worked on and the the guy on the phone tells me, "Better make that a 500 rd. break-in and call us back if it doesn't improve." I hit the roof. 500 rds of even the cheapest .45 ammo is at least $200. So SA wants me to add $200 the price of the pistol to "break-it in." Sorry. No way, SA.



I went back to the dealer, where I was a very regular customer and spent a lot of cash in the store. I raised hell and got a complete refund. That little experience STILL galls me.

But if I spent $600 or so on a pistol, a .380 no less, and had to rework it they way you did, michpatriot, I'd be pretty angry about that one too.

Do you think Kahr would have done what you did to make it right if you sent it back?

For you guys who have gotten unreliable P380s and sent them back, did Kahr do the right thing and make the pistol right?

I don't think I'd attmpt to do what michpatriot did to his for two reasons, the primary one b eing I don't think I have the necessary skills.

The other reason is, lacking those skills, I'd end up voiding the warranty.

I do want an easily concealable .380 however. Any suggestions?

I've already handled the little Ruger LCP and the Taurus TCP. I liked the Taurus, two mags, much better trigger and locks back after last round. Pretty good. And less than half the price of a P380.

Maybe I'll take a second look at at the Taurus, but as I say, I am open to sugestions.

I'm all ears.

Thanks.

[duracraft99]

I bought P380 with s/n RC6*** last weekend for my wife. We've put 200 rounds through it with only one lite strike. I reloaded it and it fired the next time through. Maybe a hard primer, not real sure. Guess I'm lucky (doubt it) but I've never had any problems with any of the Kahrs I've purchased - knock on wood!

[Cokeman]

Polishing the ramp probably would have done the same. Just because his did that doesn't mean that they all do like he is trying to lead you to believe.

[yqtszhj]

I don't have a P380 but from what I remember the RC2**** were some of the ones that tended to have more problems and are not the newest ones made. I believe the RC3**** and up had many issues corrected. There was a frame issue on a batch at one time. Most of what has been posted lately on the newer SN's have been OK.

Either way, if you get one and have some problem Kahr will fix it at no cost to you. Ask kindly for a pre-paid label and they will send you one.

[mickeyfinn]

I don't have a P380 but from what I remember the RC2**** were some of the ones that tended to have more problems and are not the newest ones made. I believe the RC3**** and up had many issues corrected. There was a frame issue on a batch at one time. Most of what has been posted lately on the newer SN's have been OK.

Either way, if you get one and have some problem Kahr will fix it at no cost to you. Ask kindly for a pre-paid label and they will send you one.

Can some of you fine folks give me a clue as to what the new(er) serial numbers are and maybe how the pistol is working for you?

Thank you.

[Jeff00042]

My RC40XX is working well.

[mickeyfinn]

Anybody else have a newer P380 that worked well with no problems? What was the serial number?

thanks

[Cokeman]

My RB is working well.