Purchased new P380 but...

[joeb]

Hello all!

New in box but the serial number is RD 2xxx. Kind of odd for a gun sitting that long. Like 6 years, no? Something doesn't seem right.

Any issues know with this serial number range? I haven't fired it yet and won't until Tuesday.

[topgun1953]

I have a RD9xxx that I bought in 2015. It went through multiple broken strikers before Lakeline came out with their's. If anything, the extractor chain has been improved by some contouring of the bottom edge of the extractor and tension reduced by reducing the length of the rear pin. If you have feeding problems, I'd get an RMA and send it off the Kahr. You can easily reduce the length of the rear pin with a file/stone.

[joeb]

Thanks, topgun.
This is what I was afraid of.
I'll try to put 150-200 rounds through it Tuesday and see how it goes. I know of the break in period of 200 rounds.

[Linthead]

Hello all!

New in box but the serial number is RD 2xxx. Kind of odd for a gun sitting that long. Like 6 years, no? Something doesn't seem right.

Any issues know with this serial number range? I haven't fired it yet and won't until Tuesday.




I purchased RD02xx in March of 2013, so 2014 seems reasonable for RD2xxx. Old NIB pistols show up all the time; I would not worry about it other than the striker.

The original striker in my P380 broke at about 250-300 rounds. The second striker (installed by Kahr) broke at about 150-200 rounds. The third Kahr striker (purchased from Kahr and installed by me) only had about 100 rounds before I replaced it with a Lakeline part in 2018. I only have about 200 rounds on the Lakeline striker in the last two years, but I have never heard of a Lakeline striker failing.

[berettabone]

Hello all!

New in box but the serial number is RD 2xxx. Kind of odd for a gun sitting that long. Like 6 years, no? Something doesn't seem right.

Any issues know with this serial number range? I haven't fired it yet and won't until Tuesday. There's a reason why it sat...……………………………….when I go firearm shopping, I usually have a particular firearm in mind. I usually write down serial number progressions in case I come across something, I can get an idea of it's age.

[Bawanna]

I'm not sure it's uncommon for a new gun to sit for that long, one reason we usually get them dripping in oil. They can sit at a distributor or a dealer back room.
I very local local shop that closed a few years ago had thousands of guns, several buildings, didn't look all that large but they had everything and had been in business over 50 years.

They found Single Action Colts (new in box) in the basement they didn't even know they had.

They did everything on paper, inventory didn't really get to the computer age which was good but lost track of stuff.

[Armybrat]

The Ruger SR9 I bought in November was produced in 2017 according to the serial number, so it may not be just a Kahr thing.

[joeb]

Well, the dealer took the the P380 back. I bought a Glock 42 from him.
I still want the P380 but no new one around except for a couple at $699 which is too much.
Anybody know of a new one anywhere, please let me know.

[DJK11]

That P380 is a new one. It’s called new old stock. If there is such a thing. You could end up with one of those $300 DLC that some here complain and complain about before the first round goes through the pipe.

[DavidR]

That P380 is a new one. It’s called new old stock. If there is such a thing. You could end up with one of those $300 DLC that some here complain and complain about before the first round goes through the pipe.

You mean the ones with the magazine base plates welded on and slide stop pins that won’t go through the hole in the frame? [emoji4]

[Funflyer]

How do you decipher the serial#/build date? The P380 I recently bought is S/N RE18XX.

[topgun1953]

Well, the dealer took the the P380 back. I bought a Glock 42 from him.
I still want the P380 but no new one around except for a couple at $699 which is too much.
Anybody know of a new one anywhere, please let me know.

Sorry to hear you got rid of it.. however, several of us recently purchased one from: https://shoot-straight.com/product/kahr-arms-p380-61rd-380-acp-2-53/
They TWO in stock... and the price....ready for it... $299.
PS.. my RE08xx was manufactured 1/28/2020 according to Kahr. It runs great.

[topgun1953]

How do you decipher the serial#/build date? The P380 I recently bought is S/N RE18XX.
I just emailed Kahr. My RE08xx was a Jan 28, 2020 production.

[Funflyer]

I just emailed Kahr. My RE08xx was a Jan 28, 2020 production.

Thanks. Kahr should make it easier and have a S/N lookup on their site like Beretta and some others do.

[joeb]

Sorry to hear you got rid of it.. however, several of us recently purchased one from: https://shoot-straight.com/product/kahr-arms-p380-61rd-380-acp-2-53/
They TWO in stock... and the price....ready for it... $299.
PS.. my RE08xx was manufactured 1/28/2020 according to Kahr. It runs great.

Are these new?

[dustnchips]

Yes, they are new. I am still waiting to get mine to the range. Unfortunately the range I use is controlled by the police so they observe the governors shutdown orders.

[joeb]

I tried to buy one but my FFL isn't listed. So I have to email them my FFL shop and they want a copy of my license.

[topgun1953]

I tried to buy one but my FFL isn't listed. So I have to email them my FFL shop and they want a copy of my license.

Yes, and then they'll contact the FFl to get their information. I had to do that but I can't remember if I had to sent a copy of my license.

[joeb]

Yes, and then they'll contact the FFl to get their information. I had to do that but I can't remember if I had to sent a copy of my license.

Thanks.
I sent the email with a copy of my license and FFL.. We'll see what happens

[Bawanna]

Never heard of a dealer requiring to see a persons license. All he needs is your FFL's license and address to ship it to. It's up to your FFL to do the transfer and he'll want to see the license if it helps. Here in Wa, it don't matter anymore, they still like to see it if you have one but you still gotta wait for the blessing. Never had to do that before.

[joeb]

Never heard of a dealer requiring to see a persons license. All he needs is your FFL's license and address to ship it to. It's up to your FFL to do the transfer and he'll want to see the license if it helps. Here in Wa, it don't matter anymore, they still like to see it if you have one but you still gotta wait for the blessing. Never had to do that before.

You are correct. The license is for ammo.

WARNING:
For all ammunition purchases, you must be 21 or older and must submit a Proof of Identification (i.e. driver’s license) to our email at sales@shoot-straight.com (https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=sales@shoot-straight.com).

[joeb]

Approximate Manufacturer ID: KAHR ARMS KP3833NU build date?

[topgun1953]

Approximate Manufacturer ID: KAHR ARMS KP3833NU build date?

Thats a product number NOT a serial number. The serial will enable you to get the date from Kahr. I looked around a found a couple sites that had these. Since "Demo" is in the title of the product description, I wonder if the U is from used? There was a listing somewhere that indicated what each letter meant in Kahr's product number, but I can't seem to find it now. Perhaps another member will come through! Edit: FRom Kahr FAQs.. U designates factory refurbished. 1 year warranty. https://www.kahr.com/faq/

[joeb]

Thats a product number NOT a serial number. The serial will enable you to get the date from Kahr. I looked around a found a couple sites that had these. Since "Demo" is in the title of the product description, I wonder if the U is from used? There was a listing somewhere that indicated what each letter meant in Kahr's product number, but I can't seem to find it now. Perhaps another member will come through!
Saw this one, topgun.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/867077545

I bought this MK9 at Gunbroker and delivery will be tomorrow. Looking for the P380 smaller brother.


**FACTORY NEW/UNFIRED**Kahr Model: M9098N MK9 9MM 3IN ELITE

***FACTORY NEW/UNFIRED*** Kahr Model: M9098N MK9 9MM 3IN ELITE With Custom Wood Grips. Original Kahr factory case, all paperwork, and all factory included accessories. (Will ship to your FFL $35) SPECIFICATIONS: Finish Stainless Type Semi-Automatic Action Double Action Only Caliber 9mm Barrel Length 3" Capacity 6+1/7+1 Safety No Manual Safety Grips Black Sights Night Sights

[topgun1953]

Yeah that's the product I saw. Tombstone tactical has it for 372+ . Note that they come only with 2- 7 rnd extended mags. The $299 P380s at shootstraight come with 2-6s and 1-7 rounder. The do not have night sights and the slide is black...its a personal choice, but I'd prefer the $299... which I did purchase several weeks ago. Never had a MK9 but I love the K9 I have! I know you'll enjoy it.

[joeb]

Yeah that's the product I saw. Tombstone tactical has it for 372+ . Note that they come only with 2- 7 rnd extended mags. The $299 P380s at shootstraight come with 2-6s and 1-7 rounder. The do not have night sights and the slide is black...its a personal choice, but I'd prefer the $299... which I did purchase several weeks ago. Never had a MK9 but I love the K9 I have! I know you'll enjoy it.

What exactly is a demo? Fired other than factory fired?

I haven't fired a MK9 but held one and it felt very nice and solid. I figure it will shoot sort of like my P365.
I called Straight Shooter today but the online sales person was off.

[Bawanna]

It's a gun that sales reps might carry around, or maybe shot at SHOT that kind of thing. Most aren't shot much but handled some. I thought they were usually marked with a "U" in front of the trigger guard, not sure where they are marked on the tupperware models. The also a "B" mark or used to be which indicated a Blem of some sort, doesn't effect function and usually one really has to look for whatever the blem is.

[joeb]

Thanks B, I'd be interested if I can get a serial number on one of those pistols to make sure it's much newer than the 2014 one I bought and sent back.

[joeb]

Tried to get info on demos from Tombstone and another dealer on Gunbroker. Both didn't have much info on the guns and couldn't give me at least the first two letters of the S/N. Both said the P380 wasn't in their shops.

[joeb]

What approx build date is a P380 with the first two on the S/N RExxxx?

[topgun1953]

What approx build date is a P380 with the first two on the S/N RExxxx?
The P380 I recent bought from shoot straight is RE08xx and was manufactured this past January 28th per Kahr.

[joeb]

The P380 I recent bought from shoot straight is RE08xx and was manufactured this past January 28th per Kahr.

Thanks, topgun.

[Linthead]

From RD02xx in early 2013 to RE08xx in early 2020 is about 16,000 P380's in 7 years or only about 200 per month. Pretty low production numbers, but the P380 was expensive and the less expensive CW380 probably took a good sized chunk of the Kahr 380 sales.

[joeb]

From what I've been reading online and it seems the P 380 is hit or miss with reliability. I would think the newer made one have more of a chance to be reliable. I just bought two Glocks. A 42 and 26 and have absolutely no fear of them being unreliable. I want a P380 but I'm a bit nervous from what I've read and it's not an inexpensive handgun.
My new gorgeous wood grip MK9 Elite 03 is in and I'll pick that up Friday. I haven't read much about any issues with that model but there's not that much out there on it. Especially lately.

[joeb]

Just bought it! ;)
S/N RE 0XXX

https://p1.gunbroker.com/pics/868921000/868921038/thumb.jpg (https://www.gunbroker.com/item/868921038)
With Night Sights

[getsome]

Hello Joeb and welcome to Kahrtalk....Your MK9 Elite will be a joy to own and shoot, they are just a jewel of a pistol and I would love to own an all steel Kahr someday...They have no issues with reliability at all and like all the steel frame Kahrs, they are simply amazing handguns....I hope you enjoy yours....As for the new P380 you should have no issues but if you do there are lots of nice folks here to help out...Go to the new member forum and read the sticky thread "Prep of a new Kahr" and if you follow what info is there and if you lube it as directed you shouldn't have any problems....There were some issues with the earlier P380 and CW380 pistols but the later models seem to be much better with less problems so prep it up and shoot it a couple hundred times and you should be good to go...Again welcome aboard!

[joeb]

Thanks a lot, getsome.
Will do!

[getsome]

:yo:

[topgun1953]

Congrats. Do not buy Fiocchi FMJ to use. The P380 usually has feed problems although who knows, maybe it will work in current production. :)

[joeb]

Congrats. Do not buy Fiocchi FMJ to use. The P380 usually has feed problems although who knows, maybe it will work in current production. :)

Thanks top for your info on S/N's and other things too.

I won't try Fiocchi. I read the case is slightly bigger or something.

[Funflyer]

Thanks top for your info on S/N's and other things too.

I won't try Fiocchi. I read the case is slightly bigger or something.

The rim is thicker so it takes up more space between the breech face and extractor hook. I have a collection of 380s and only about half will feed Fiocchi and Perfecta(same manufacturer) reliably. As a reloader I've learned to toss that brass when I find it.

[berettabone]

If you put Fiocchi side by side with another manufacturers ammo, you'll find that they are also longer than many others. I had issues with Fiocchi 9mm catching on the feed ramp of a firearm I had. Never had that issue with any other ammo. I believe that the extra bit of length was enough to cause issues working in the small spaces of small firearms.