New P380 problem

[MattO.]

Hi all, new user here.

I just got my new P380 which I have not even shot yet.

Ive taken it apart a few times now according to the manual (this is a CA model and has the orange magazine tool for take down) to clean, lube and learn how to disassemble / reassemble the pistol. I had no problems until now.

Im not sure what I did if but after racking the slide it will now no longer close all the way. Its stuck open half an inch maybe a little less. It seems to be hanging on something and I cant take it apart now. I dont want to force anything either. The pistol is not cocked either so pulling the trigger does nothing.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[yqtszhj]

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about your troubles. I don't have the P380 but I do have the CM9 and CW45.

When you put it back together the last time, did the slide go all the way forward after reassembly at least once and then your problem arose after racking the slide later? Or did the slide never go all the way forward after reassembly?

Can you still pull the slide rearward?

I'm sure some others will be here later also that can offer some advice on your problems. Just hang tight for a bit.

[MattO.]

Yes the slide still goes all the way back but when closing it just stops short of being closed all the way.

[MattO.]

The pistol works just fine lol. I dropped the slide and it slid shut with the force...

I just shot over 200 rnds through it. 50 rounds of ppu 95gr target, 50 rnds pmc bronze 95gr, 100 rnds of cci blazer 95gr. I had only one light strike with the blazer. I tried to shoot buffalo bore jhp 90gr and 100 gr flat nose fmj and it would barely feed either which made me a little sad because this weapon is for self defense and the rounds I wanted to use for that purpose would barely feed. A guy at the range gave me a Remington Golden Saber jhp and said he uses those rounds in his p380 with no issue. It was very rounded compared to both buffalo bore bullets i used and it fed and shot. Its not +p though. Is this bullet any good?

PS my accuracy wasn't to great, this is my first pocket pistol and the pistol range was set at 15 yards. I was at least hitting paper though lol.

[SlowBurn]

I've read more than once that the P380 doesn't feed flat nosed ammo reliably because the feed ramp is necessarily very steep. Haven't tried any in mine, but so far it feeds everything else well. I like Hornady CD, but there's lots of choices for .380 SD rounds.

[jocko]

The pistol works just fine lol. I dropped the slide and it slid shut with the force...

I just shot over 200 rnds through it. 50 rounds of ppu 95gr target, 50 rnds pmc bronze 95gr, 100 rnds of cci blazer 95gr. I had only one light strike with the blazer. I tried to shoot buffalo bore jhp 90gr and 100 gr flat nose fmj and it would barely feed either which made me a little sad because this weapon is for self defense and the rounds I wanted to use for that purpose would barely feed. A guy at the range gave me a Remington Golden Saber jhp and said he uses those rounds in his p380 with no issue. It was very rounded compared to both buffalo bore bullets i used and it fed and shot. Its not +p though. Is this bullet any good?

PS my accuracy wasn't to great, this is my first pocket pistol and the pistol range was set at 15 yards. I was at least hitting paper though lol.

its a fokking 380, not a 40 cal,find the defense round that works perfect and just stick with it. Any defense round will work just fine, ur chances of using it in harms way is probably 99.995% not gonna happen, so get the gun reliable and just forget about buffalo ammo. If it doesn't feed good for u, then just move on till u find what does and LIVE with it. IMO be damn glad the gun is reliable. Because it is not +P IMO really means nadda, if it won't work....

We make way to much to do with this +P stuff IMO

My P380 would not feed 102 grain golden sabre at all, so I found the corbon powerball works just fine and that is when I ended my search. I don't feel under powered by corbon powerball, I do feel under powered by the 380 though when I can carry my PMJ9 in the same pocket..

[MarkB1]

Matt, if you haven't read this post by jocko. It tells you what to do with a new Kahr. It's very good info.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1521

[AFDoc]

I use the Golden Saber in my PM9 and it works just fine. The round has been around awhile so some will knock it but the reviews I've seen indicate it's good enough.

[muggsy]

Golden Saber ammo doesn't expand reliably. This link will take you to a website created by a Kahr Talk member who does ballistic testing of SD rounds. It's an excellent resource for SD ammo information.

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/p/ammo-tests.html

[MattO.]

Thanks for the input, tips and links everyone.

[yqtszhj]

The pistol works just fine lol. I dropped the slide and it slid shut with the force...

I just shot over 200 rnds through it. 50 rounds of ppu 95gr target, 50 rnds pmc bronze 95gr, 100 rnds of cci blazer 95gr. I had only one light strike with the blazer. I tried to shoot buffalo bore jhp 90gr and 100 gr flat nose fmj and it would barely feed either which made me a little sad because this weapon is for self defense and the rounds I wanted to use for that purpose would barely feed. A guy at the range gave me a Remington Golden Saber jhp and said he uses those rounds in his p380 with no issue. It was very rounded compared to both buffalo bore bullets i used and it fed and shot. Its not +p though. Is this bullet any good?

PS my accuracy wasn't to great, this is my first pocket pistol and the pistol range was set at 15 yards. I was at least hitting paper though lol.

Glad it's working for you now. Shoot the crap out of it and enjoy it. It's runs and gets better as it's broke in and smooth's out. I also have another .380 that won't reliably feed buffalo bore but it feeds most everything else.

Like Jocko said just find you a round that works well and stick with it. I've gone to FMJ in my pocket .380 but have used Gold Dots. These pistols are up close, I'm in trouble, pistols so I think what ever it will feed reliably will work OK if the worst happens.

[CJB]

original problem - likely that the recoil spring assy wasn't seated fully... you can usually manipulate the assy and reseat it to restore proper operation

[dbp67]

Matt, if you haven't read this post by jocko. It tells you what to do with a new Kahr. It's very good info.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1521

Matt -- I agree that you will benefit by Jocko's post. I know I did. I had some problems with my P380 when new, but they were pretty much all solved by using quality ammo and just putting about 300 rounds through it. Oh, and cleaning and lubing meticulously.

I can now tear the 10 ring up at 7 yards which is a more realistic distance for this size gun.