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View Full Version : New P380 - Good First Range Session



xzhync
09-05-2010, 07:45 PM
I picked up a new P380 last Friday. I got one with the Black DLC coated slide. Anyway, I followed all of Jocko's prep steps and took it to the range today. I shot 200 (fmj) flawless rounds throught it. The only issue I had was some "failure to go into battery" when charging the first round using the slide lock lever. I would have to give the slide a nudge with some of the first round charging. I had absolutely no problem with going into battery when firing the pistol only when charging the first round. After 100 rounds or so, I started to suspect that the problem was ususally occurring with 1 of the mags, but not the other. I didn't mark them so I wasn't sure, but for the last 20 or 30 rounds I started to pay attention and I believe the problem was with one of the mags. I had followed the prep steps including the part about rolling up some sandpaper and sanding/polishing the inside of the feed lips, but one of the mags was still giving me some problems. Again, when firing the pistol it always returned to battery.

I came home and cleaned the gun thoroughly. With the mag feed lips, this time, I found a wood dowel just a hair smaller than the diameter of the .380 bullet and attached some 500 grit and 1000 grit sandpaper on opposite ends with double-sided tape. Then I sanded polised the feed lips again very thoroughly. After I was done I felt for burrs and there weren't any. I reassembled the pistol then tried to charge the first round again. This time, at home, there was no failure to go into battery. I tried both mags several times using FMJ and some defense ammo. Hopefully, the work I did on the feed-lips really did the trick. I'll try and get back to the range later in the week to make sure. Since I have already shot 200 rounds of fmj, next time, I'll also bring some good defensive ammo to try.

I am pretty encouraged by this pistol so far. I have a PM9 that I have been very happy with. About 1 month ago, I traded my LCP for a new S&W Bodyguard 380. Suffice it to say, I have had several very significant problems with it. It is currently back at S&W for the 2nd repair trip. I found a store that had the Kahr P380 with black slide so I jumped at it. Once my Bodyguard 380 comes back I'll probably work on selling it off. I should have just bought the P380 to begin with.

Mits3kgt88
09-05-2010, 08:02 PM
I'm glad you figured it out and thanks for sharing the info. I want to get either a PM9 or P380 for a more concealable summer carry weapon after I pay most or all of my debt off. My current P40 is very concealable but the butt still sticks out under a somewhat tight t-shirt. I know, I shouldn't expect any gun to disappear under a tight shirt.

Bawanna
09-05-2010, 08:06 PM
Outstanding report xzhync! A little attention to detail and your rewarded with a happy ending. We don't get enough of these good ones. Hope it continued to serve you well.

jocko
09-05-2010, 08:24 PM
excellent report. One "thinks" the magazine feed lips are smooth by feel but what xzhync did was to give that one magazine some better TLC and maybe he has now another good working magazine. .

Excellent report indeed and nice to know that this "tip" has done some good for this particular shooter..

jocko
09-05-2010, 08:31 PM
xzhync: PM sent.

xzhync
09-05-2010, 08:32 PM
excellent report. One "thinks" the magazine feed lips are smooth by feel but what xzhync did was to give that one magazine some better TLC and maybe he has now another good working magazine. .

Excellent report indeed and nice to know that this "tip" has done some good for this particular shooter..

Thanks for your help and support Jocko. You helped me before with some PM9 questions/issues. That gun is now running perfectly. I really trust my PM9.

By the way, do you know if Wolff plans on making and stronger recoil springs for the P380? I polished the mag feed lips, but I wonder if (in theory) stronger springs would help, too?

Bawanna
09-05-2010, 09:10 PM
I'm having flash backs of KelTec stronger springs working perfectly in a P380. Don't quote me on that but isn't that what Jocko and Wynn did? We even talked about Wolfe relabeling them so they would be available for Kahrs.