new p380 report / question

[083p]

After getting a new p380, I cleaned it thoroughly and took it out for a spin.

ammo: Rem UMC yellow box val. pack.

So far, I've put a total of 221 rounds through it and had 6 FTEs [stovepipes].
I had about 10 premature locks intermittently happen (even when shooting
with left hand as the dominant hand).

1st session: 149 rounds, 4 FTE, about 5 premature slide lock
34, FTE, 76, FTE, 11, FTE, 20, FTE, 14




Came home cleaned it.

2nd session: 72 rounds, 2 FTE, 4 premature slide lock
I kept track of the premature slide locks this time, and tried
left handed (still two handed) and it still did this.

2, FTE, 53, FTE, 17

What do you think of this?

It is such a nice shooting piece when it's not doing the FTE...
very easy recoil, accurate... etc.

[kahrseye]

Sorry you're having some problems. We (the girlfriend and I) took the P380 out last weekend and shot a hundred rounds of Remington green box through it without a hitch. I was very impressed with it and the better half really likes it. She shot it very well. Remember not to limp wrist it...these little guns will react with a stovepipe if you do. If you're sure your not doing that maybe its' a hardware problem. I would tend to doubt that it's the ammo.

[JoeMB]

You know these little gems (the P380s) seem to be hit or miss. My first 300 rounds or so went the same way. As I want to use it as a BUG and couldn't get it to fire the good stuff (hollow point rounds) I sent my back to Kahr. Should get it back tomorrow let you know what they say. I hope you can get your's to run as they are fun and if they run right the best little 380 out there.

[nd1979]

I had the same premature slide lock and I was very careful in my grip. I called Kahr and they sent me out a new slide lock spring and it solved the problem. After replacing it, I had zero problems with WWW, PMC, S&B, and about a dozen Win PDX. About 200 rounds in total.

[083p]

nd1979, You weren't getting the stovepipes though, right?

[JoeMB]

Got mine back yesterday, Kahr's CS was great, they had it for less then a week, and then overnighted it right back. They said they test fired it found the same issues, polished the feed ramp, lubed it up, test fired again and had no issues. I have yet to take it to the range yet to try it myself, hopefully I will get there Monday. Kahr did shoot the 12 rounds of HPs I sent with it, 6 PDX and 6 CorBons, said no issues so we will see. Hope you can get your's to run.

[083p]

Got mine back yesterday, Kahr's CS was great, they had it for less then a week, and then overnighted it right back. They said they test fired it found the same issues, polished the feed ramp, lubed it up, test fired again and had no issues. I have yet to take it to the range yet to try it myself, hopefully I will get there Monday. Kahr did shoot the 12 rounds of HPs I sent with it, 6 PDX and 6 CorBons, said no issues so we will see. Hope you can get your's to run.

If you had the same issues (FTE/stovepipe), I don't know how the feed ramp
polishing had anything to do with it. When they test fire, I bet you they are
test firing something like a mag or two. Given how mine ran, the chances of
getting a stovepipe during 1~2 mags is not that high. They will catch the really
bad ones, but the more intricate problems are going to be harder to detect...

Please let me know how well it does. I hope yours is 100% now. I really would like
mine to work as this is such a perfect sized, low-recoiling gun. I can see this
being the absolute best out there when it is reliable.

[nd1979]

083p, Sorry for the late reply...no I was not getting stovepipes, just the premature lock during the 200 round break in. I was shooting all kinds of ammo so it was not linked to a particular brand.

[083p]

It got worse on the 3rd outing, so it's been sent back to Kahr.
I will report what happens so that those who are interested can see.
I hope that it comes back 100%.

[2ndAmVA2]

I've been been thinking seriously about getting a P380. It sounds like it still has reliability problems.

[RRP]

I've been been thinking seriously about getting a P380. It sounds like it still has reliability problems.

Note that this thread is nearly 3 years old. Most of the recent reports have been very positive, especially when owners follow the prep instructions in the tech forum.

[Flincher]

I've been been thinking seriously about getting a P380. It sounds like it still has reliability problems.

My P380 is about 4 months old, going on 450 rounds hardball without a single issue. I followed all the good tips on this forum and the owners manual regarding clean, prep, lube. This is my first pocket .380, and I chose it over the Sig238 ( which IMO along with the Kahr are the top of the heap) because of the DAO vs SA. This is also my first Kahr and won't be my last. My next is a PM9.:)