P380 On The Way

[boscobarbell]

Call me a sucker, call me addicted, but I took another bite at the hook...grabbed a P380, new with night sights, on gunbroker last night for $350.

Yup. Is there even a phrase for this? I know "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." But what about someone who goes back a third time?

I'm hoping a few things break my way:

1) I got a P380, not CW380. Maybe this will change my luck? 2) There are some rumors circulating that Kahr has listened and is adjusting the extractor 3) If they don't, there is some good info here on how to fix it.

I'm gonna be smarter this time. I'll burn through 200 rounds of cheap ammo, and then start fiddling with changes, if need be. Magguts, Lakeline striker, maybe a SS guide rod...we'll do those one at a time, IF things seem promising.

Quick question...what is the company that does the extractor work? I know it's listed somewhere on these forums, but I sure can't find it!

[Ed M]

How about "third time's the charm"?

That was a good price. I bought a DLC P380 for $387 from Bud's back when there were crazy good prices on the premium series.

It was more finicky than my CW380s out of the box on Perfecta ammo. Wouldn't even chamber it.

Fifteen minutes worth of work on the extractor and it now eats anything and everything. Plus it's a perfect baby brother for my older blunt nose PM9.

15639

[boscobarbell]

Very nice!

I'd be happy to just find a single .380 SD ammo the my pistol will feed. This won't be a range gun for me, and won't be required to digest hundreds of rounds of range ammo after the break-in period. If I can get it to cycle Underwood, Hornady XTP, Critical Defense, ARX, Silver Tips, or any of the other proven SD ammos, I'll be over the moon happy. Fingers crossed.

[RustyIron]

I'm gonna be smarter this time. I'll burn through 200 rounds of cheap ammo, and then start fiddling with changes, if need be. Magguts, Lakeline striker, maybe a SS guide rod...we'll do those one at a time, IF things seem promising.

I've had my P380 for a year or two. Before I even shot it, my plan was to polish up any crude workmanship. However, the pistol was actually very nice right out of the box. I still threw in a Lakeline striker and Maggots kit. The extractor seemed stupidly tight, but it's still run all ammo perfectly except for Fiocchi. I carry it almost daily, and could leave it just like it is and never shoot Fiocchi. But I'll probably end up tuning it up a little nicer one of these days.

[gale155]

Congrats, Bosco! I'm just a Kahr noob, as you know, but that sounds like a really good price to me. My CW380 has digested everything I've fed it so far without complaint, including Inceptor (Ruger) ARX, Hornady XTP and American Eagle FMJ. I haven't done a thing to it yet, but am thinking about the Lakeline striker upgrade and SS guide rod.

[boscobarbell]

Congrats, Bosco! I'm just a Kahr noob, as you know, but that sounds like a really good price to me. My CW380 has digested everything I've fed it so far without complaint, including Inceptor (Ruger) ARX, Hornady XTP and American Eagle FMJ. I haven't done a thing to it yet, but am thinking about the Lakeline striker upgrade and SS guide rod.

Thanks. And, btw, I blame you--just a bit--for me taking this plunge back into Plastic Kahr World. Your success with your new 380 gave me the little push I needed. Let's hope my journey is a similar one!

[mpgo4th]

I’m one of the guys that got one that needed extra work to function properly. I’m is a CW. Even when it was new and acting like a single shot it would fire critical defense perfectly. Mine needed the extractor pin sanded to be 100%. Now it will fire anything and only needed very minor hand sanding. Even if it’s not perfect out of the box they are very fixable with little to no firearms knowledge. BTW that is a great deal. Wish I had that deal when I got mine


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[DavidR]

Congratulations.

After being burned by a dud CW380 a few years I took a chance on a CT380 this year. I’m really glad I did as it has been great right out of the box.

https://i.imgur.com/oVXNs8c.jpg

[gale155]

Thanks. And, btw, I blame you--just a bit--for me taking this plunge back into Plastic Kahr World. Your success with your new 380 gave me the little push I needed. Let's hope my journey is a similar one!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. So far, mine may be the perfect pocket .380 I've been searching for. The Pico came close, and if it had had the same grip as the Kahr my search likely would have stopped with it.

Good luck, sir!

[SlowBurn]

Congrats. I predict you'll be happy
I've owned one p380 and 3 cw380s (currently still have 2 of the 4) and haven't regretted any. One of the CWs had to be sent in to have the extractor upgraded, and its been fine since. On the other hand I've owned a LOT of other micro 380 pocket pistols and none of them have been keepers. Most recently the Taurus Spectrum for which I had high hopes, turns out to have the same "smiley" issue that caused me to give up on my LCP and switch to Kahr in the first place.The PICO is slimmer in the pocket, but it has such a high bore axis I found it almost unshootable, and the trigger bar kept failing despite several trips back to Beretta, so I sold it.
Having more than one means I can always send my CW380 in if necessary and not get impatient waiting for it to come back. But honestly I haven't had that much need. Difficult to rack, a pleasure to shoot, the most reliable of guns this size imo, its my EDC unless/until something better comes along.

[linksrds]

Congratulations. I have a P380 and it feeds reliably everything, including Win white box. I trust it completely.
For SD ammo, i have the Hornady Critical Defense. I like the bullet shape and can slingshot the pistol if i have to and experience no malfunctions.

[markman]

I always check the extractor tension and adjust it on any Kahr pistol I get before I shoot it. The last 3 definitely were way to high. This included a CM9, CT380 & a CW380.


I’m one of the guys that got one that needed extra work to function properly. I’m is a CW. Even when it was new and acting like a single shot it would fire critical defense perfectly. Mine needed the extractor pin sanded to be 100%. Now it will fire anything and only needed very minor hand sanding. Even if it’s not perfect out of the box they are very fixable with little to no firearms knowledge. BTW that is a great deal. Wish I had that deal when I got mine

[markman]

I'm sure there are probably more, but the two I'm familiar with are "Cylinder and Slide" and "Michiguns LTD".




Quick question...what is the company that does the extractor work? I know it's listed somewhere on these forums, but I sure can't find it!

[markman]

I certainly can agree 100% with that. Once you get them dialed in, they are in my opinion the best small pocket pistols out there.


I’m one of the guys that got one that needed extra work to function properly. I’m is a CW. Even when it was new and acting like a single shot it would fire critical defense perfectly. Mine needed the extractor pin sanded to be 100%. Now it will fire anything and only needed very minor hand sanding. Even if it’s not perfect out of the box they are very fixable with little to no firearms knowledge. BTW that is a great deal. Wish I had that deal when I got mine

[boscobarbell]

I'm sure there are probably more, but the two I'm familiar with are "Cylinder and Slide" and "Michiguns LTD".

Thank you! Just looked up C&S, and the quotes seem quite reasonable.

[linksrds]

Congrats. My P380 is 8 years old and my constant companion, no matter what else I may be carrying. I have only changed the firing pin spring and that is all. It shoots everything including WW white box. I have never tried Fiocchi but that is not a concern for me. I carry the Hornady CD because of the bullet shape, i know there will be a reliable feed.

[boscobarbell]

Congrats. My P380 is 8 years old and my constant companion, no matter what else I may be carrying. I have only changed the firing pin spring and that is all. It shoots everything including WW white box. I have never tried Fiocchi but that is not a concern for me. I carry the Hornady CD because of the bullet shape, i know there will be a reliable feed.

Thanks. I've accumulated enough Hornady CD to ride out a zombie apocalypse, so I'm hopeful my P380 likes it.

I went to my LGS to do my FBI paperwork for the Kahr and...because I live in RI...my retired LE credentials mean absolutely nothing. Which means that I have to wait a full 7 days to take delivery. Sigh....

But I did get a chance to handle the pistol, check out the night sights, and drop a magazine or two. I'm more eager than ever to get it to the range. Fingers crossed.....

p.s. My Lakeline striker just showed up today, so I plan to do the standard Kahr prep AND include the striker replacement once I take this beauty home. I hope to give this pistol every chance to succeed.

[CPTKILLER]

It is a good pistol. Enjoy it.

[boscobarbell]

I was FINALLY able to pick up my P380 from my LGS today...as expected, it's a pretty little thing!

I'm curious about the serial number. It was sold as new, but the serial number is a bit odd: A000xxx. Does this sound right for a new P380??

[gale155]

You take that little fella to the range yet? My hand is starting to ache from keeping my fingers crossed. :p

I'm just a dumb newbie, but I've not been able to make sense out of Kahr serial numbers.

[dustnchips]

I was FINALLY able to pick up my P380 from my LGS today...as expected, it's a pretty little thing!

I'm curious about the serial number. It was sold as new, but the serial number is a bit odd: A000xxx. Does this sound right for a new P380??


Contac Kahr by e-mail. They will give you a born on date.

[boscobarbell]

Not yet. Got her properly cleaned and lubed up last night, hand-cycled it a hundred times or so, and I'm currently letting her sit with the slide locked open to get those springs to set a bit.

My plan is to get her out next week, most likely along with my KT P3AT (which is also breaking in!).

p.s. Upon close inspection with it broken down, it looks like the ejector may be the "updated" version. So keep those fingers crossed! (I owe you a tube of Ben Gay!!)

[boscobarbell]

Contac Kahr by e-mail. They will give you a born on date.

Will do. Thanks!

[gale155]

Not yet. Got her properly cleaned and lubed up last night, hand-cycled it a hundred times or so, and I'm currently letting her sit with the slide locked open to get those springs to set a bit.

My plan is to get her out next week, most likely along with my KT P3AT (which is also breaking in!).

p.s. Upon close inspection with it broken down, it looks like the ejector may be the "updated" version. So keep those fingers crossed! (I owe you a tube of Ben Gay!!)

You owe me a case of Michelob...my hand will still ache, but I won't care.

[boscobarbell]

You owe me a case of Michelob...my hand will still ache, but I won't care.

Hahahaha!

[boscobarbell]

I just got an email back from Kahr. Looks like my pistol was manufactured in January of this year. That should mean it has the updated extractor, yes??

[Bawanna]

Most likely.

[boscobarbell]

THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD!

Just got back from my first range trip with the P380. I shot about 50 rounds with Geco FMJ to start things off, and things weren't pretty...probably one failure to go into battery with every magazine. I light tap was enough to get it back in the fight, so I soldiered on with the intent of just getting some rounds downrange and breaking her in a bit. (FWIW, my Kel Tec was occasionally choking on the same ammo, and that pistol has been issue-free since I bought it.)

Next I moved on to Hornady Critical Defense, ARX rounds, and finally some Black Hills version of the XTP round. In total, I ended up shooting about 50 rounds of those ammos, all without a single hitch.

Then back to the Geco, for another 20 rounds of hiccups.

As a finale, I grabbed a plastic bag of loose rounds that'd been banging around in my range bag for months...a mix of various JHP self-defense ammos. I loaded those randomly in all three magazines, and again the Kahr ate them up without a hitch.

It's pretty clear to me that this pistol doesn't like the brand of FMJ I was using, which gives me no great concern. I'll probably try out a box of some Blazer I have lying around, but even if that is a failure I'm still not concerned. This isn't a range gun but a potential EDC, and so far it seems to like the hotter JHP.

One more range visit like this one, and I'll get the Lakeline striker installed...and then maybe a couple of Magguts upgrades. Fingers crossed, I may have a keeper here.....

[Bawanna]

I'm sure you do. I always question ammo brands with funny names. Never heard of Geco and I know nothing about it at all but it's one that I would not even look at passing it on the shelf.
I've had very good luck with the Blazer, both aluminum and brass case.
Stick with the good stuff and you'll always have a more harmonious outcome I think.

I'm glad things are looking good and promising for you.

[DavidR]

That’s good news. Definitely try some Blazer if you can.

[skiflydive]

My P380 and CW 380 both love Blazer brass and Hornady Critical Defense.

[markman]

Years ago (1980-90s?) Dynamit Nobel (Geco) had a round called the "Ballistic Action Trauma" (BAT). If I remember correctly, it was very expensive. I believe it was similar to all the polymer filled hollow points we have today, but it was an all copper hollow point. I believe Dynamit Nobel makes Geco, Norma, Hirtenberger and RWS.

Terminal ballistics of the 9mm with Action Safety bullet or Blitz-Action-Trauma (BAT) ammunition.

Specialty ammunition creating atypical gunshot wounds of entrance can create confusion and may be misinterpreted by pathologists unfamiliar with the terminal ballistics of these projectiles. The previously unreported wound ballistics caused by the 9mm with Action Safety bullet described in a homicide highlights the atypical entrance wound(s) and wounding capacity of this novel ammunition. Manufactured by Geco division of Dynamit Nobel, the bullet consists of a nonjacketed solid copper alloy bullet body without a conventional lead core. The large deformation well and part of the smaller central channel is filled with a hard plastic core and post that creates a round nose bullet. The internal ballistics and unique design allow the plastic nose cap and post to separate from the copper alloy base while still in the barrel. The radiolucent nose cap leaves the bullet's path but can still penetrate tissue giving the appearance of a separate but smaller entrance wound. The sharp leading edge of the deformation well and relative high velocity of the bullet body creates a punched out entrance wound with minimal marginal abrasion. When the plastic nose cap or fragments of the plastic post impact the subject, test firings may allow an inference to the muzzle-target distance even in the absence of soot deposition or stippling.

[gale155]

Good to hear, Bosco...I can finally uncross my fingers. ;) FWIW, I will never again waste money on aluminum-cased Blazer...had a bad experience with it in .44 special several years ago, and ended up giving away most of the box. As far as I'm concerned it's pure, unadulterated junk.

Like The Colonel, I've never heard of Geco, and I wouldn't worry too much about how the P380 performs with it.

[lantern]

I think the springs in Kahrs are pretty stiff and cause more of the "break-in" problems than ejectors and mags, although there are a decent amount of those. It may be why I've never had any problems with my 9mms and 45s from Kahr because I run hotter loads even in my range ammo. When my tungsten 380 gets here this week it'll be fed fairly hot ammo from day one. That way I can(almost) eliminate one reason for failure if one arises. I'm glad to hear your 380 is doing its thing!

[Bawanna]

Never used it in anything but 9 or 45 but I never had an issue with it myself.
Broke my PM45 in with 350 rounds of it right out of the box with zero failures.

My son was shooting too so I didn't shoot all 350 myself but I probably could have.

Being a reloader I of course prefer brass anytime I can get it, but occasionally go the aluminum out of convenience.

Department actually used the aluminum for training ammo for a bit during the ammo crunch when we had a hard time getting anything.

[gale155]

Never used it in anything but 9 or 45 but I never had an issue with it myself.
Broke my PM45 in with 350 rounds of it right out of the box with zero failures.

My son was shooting too so I didn't shoot all 350 myself but I probably could have.

Being a reloader I of course prefer brass anytime I can get it, but occasionally go the aluminum out of convenience.

Department actually used the aluminum for training ammo for a bit during the ammo crunch when we had a hard time getting anything.

My only problem was with a .44 revolver...the recoil was causing the bullets in the unfired rounds to move outward from the cases, causing the cylinder to jam. This happened at an inopportune and embarrassing time. If Blazer aluminum rounds are that lightly crimped (if crimped at all), I want nothing more to do with them.

[Bawanna]

I wasn't aware they even made stuff that big but I could see that happening with aluminum cases. Just don't seem like aluminum would hold a crimp like brass.
9 and 45 being a tapered crimp, I would think I'd see more bullet jump with them but I never have. Either the crimp is good enough for those calibers or maybe my theory is completely off.

I know that was one of the early issues with Trapdoor Springfield Carbines and rumored to be part of the reason for Custers sad end. They used copper for cases and it apparently was too soft. Officers walked around with sticks to clear jammed barrels. Carbines didn't come with a cleaning rod.
Don't recall the exact details, I'll have to look again and refresh.

Memory is a horrible thing to lose.

[boscobarbell]

I'm sure you do. I always question ammo brands with funny names. Never heard of Geco and I know nothing about it at all but it's one that I would not even look at passing it on the shelf.
.

I'd never heard of it, either. But I was determined to spend as little $$$ as possible getting through my 200-round break-in, especially given how expensive .380 is.

Ammoseek listed the Geco as the cheapest in less-than-bulk quantities at the time, so I jumped at it.

[boscobarbell]

That’s good news. Definitely try some Blazer if you can.


Thanks. Will do...

[boscobarbell]

Good to hear, Bosco...I can finally uncross my fingers. ;)
Like The Colonel, I've never heard of Geco, and I wouldn't worry too much about how the P380 performs with it.

Thanks for the assist...I needed all the luck I could get!

And I agree about the ammo...I will never carry FMJ in this pistol with all the great offerings in SD .380 ammo these days. My next trip out I may bring out some Hornady and Underwood XTP rounds, which are a little hotter than the Black Hills. I'd be delighted with either of those, but Critical Defense is fine with me, too.

Has anyone had any luck with the Extreme Defender or Extreme Penetrator rounds with the Kahrs?

[Ed M]

Has anyone had any luck with the Extreme Defender or Extreme Penetrator rounds with the Kahrs?

Glad things are looking good, bosco.

My carry ammo for my Kahr 380s is Underwood Xtreme Defender 65 gr +P.

Never had any problems out of my CW380s or P380. Feeds smooth as silk with those Starline nickle plated cases.

[DavidR]

Has anyone had any luck with the Extreme Defender or Extreme Penetrator rounds with the Kahrs?

Both cycle perfectly in my CT380.

[boscobarbell]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'll bring out some XD rounds next time I get her out to the range.

My pistol, at present, is with my local gunsmith to get the Lakeline striker installed. With any luck I'll get some more rounds downrange by late next week.

[boscobarbell]

Just got back from the range with my P380, and it continues to run great with the new Lakeline striker. About 50 rounds of Blazer range ammo with only one FTF. Good enough for range work.

It also ran 100% with magazines of Hornady XTP, Underwood XTP +P, and once again with the ARX rounds.

However, it DID NOT like the Underwood Extreme Defender. Nope, not one little bit.

All and all, though, this pistol is a success. I'm nearly through the break-in period and ready for EDC use!!

Next up are some Magguts additions, just because.

[gale155]

Whew! Good news, Bosco. :D

[DavidR]

Is the Xtreme Defense jamming on the feed ramp?

[boscobarbell]

Is the Xtreme Defense jamming on the feed ramp?

Yes. Maybe the Magguts will rectify it...I'll give it a go once installed. But I'm not optimistic.

[lantern]

Yes. Maybe the Magguts will rectify it...I'll give it a go once installed. But I'm not optimistic.

After my first range visit went so well with the MagGuts and no experience with the factory mags I switched one back to see if the angle of the round was different. It was. Not a gigantic amount, but we all know that fractions of inches make all the difference in firearms. I have a feeling that the MagGuts will get it running with the xtreme defenders.

However, I'd feel better running ARX rounds(or whatever you decide) that STILL run even better than rounds that I JUST GOT to run with a parts change. Especially with the springs being brand new and still pretty dang stiff.

[DavidR]

Yes. Maybe the Magguts will rectify it...I'll give it a go once installed. But I'm not optimistic.

It’s ironic - my CT380 cycles Xtreme Defense fine so I bought some Underwood 9mm 90 grain standard pressure Xtreme Defense to try in my 9mm pistols. While my Shield cycled them fine, 2 out of 10 rounds fired in my CM9 jammed on the feed ramp.

[boscobarbell]

However, I'd feel better running ARX rounds(or whatever you decide) that STILL run even better than rounds that I JUST GOT to run with a parts change. Especially with the springs being brand new and still pretty dang stiff.

I agree. And I'm completely satisfied with the XTP rounds, anyway, both in terms of reliability and what I've seen of gel testing.

[DavidR]

It’s ironic - my CT380 cycles Xtreme Defense fine so I bought some Underwood 9mm 90 grain standard pressure Xtreme Defense to try in my 9mm pistols. While my Shield cycled them fine, 2 out of 10 rounds fired in my CM9 jammed on the feed ramp.

I ran 10 rounds of the Underwood Xtreme Defense through my P9 and one round jammed on the feed ramp. Definitely a no go with my Kahr 9mms.

[poko2121]

Yes. Maybe the Magguts will rectify it...I'll give it a go once installed. But I'm not optimistic.my p380 feeds Underwood Xtreme defender fine but I did have a jam on the second round when loading 6+1. as long as I load 6 rounds only though it feeds it fine. might want to try that.

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[mpgo4th]

What does a round look like that has jumped the feed ramp. I tried xtreme defenders today in my cw380 for the the first time. I fired two mags of them flawlessly. I am going to switch from underwood xtp to the XD now. My 380 with fire anything now but the +P loading of Underwood XTP made the slide lock back after every shot.


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