Chambering a round.

[Halfmoonclip]

In my past use of a P380, which I really did like, there were two problems.

-Chambering a round had to be done from slidelock. This was a no-fooling admonition; any effort to slingshot a round led to a failure to feed.
In combination with that, the P380 had a fierce recoil spring and a somewhat slippery slide.
My P380 had never malfed, but the concern was clearing a jam under stress.

-The spare mag, in my pocket, tended to shed its top round. I made a thin, leather sheath to avoid losing that round, and to keep pocket lint out of the magazine.

So, what's the current situation? Has anything changed, for the better?

I want to replace an LCP as my really concealable pocket gun. The LCP always works, but it is a rappy bugger to shoot, and has lousy sights. And they just feel cheap.

Thanks, gang.
Moon

[FreeMe]

As far as I know, Kahr still says to chamber the first round by releasing the slide stop. It has always worked best that way in all my Kahrs. But if you vigorously rack the slide (from the released position) using the opposing overhand grip method rather than pinching the back of the slide, that has been completely reliable for me.

I don't know if they've done anything to keep rounds from popping out in the pocket with the 380, but all my 9mm mags will do that. My answer is to always have the mag in some kind of carrier. I had a custom holster maker make a version of their pocket pistol holster to hold my spare mag, and that cures it.

[Bawanna]

Many folks have just tweaked the feed lips in a tiny bit and it solves the top round dropping issue. The was a picture of a simple little tool that made it pretty easy. Just a little notch in a piece of steel. Doesn't take much.

[Halfmoonclip]

Kinda what I was afraid of. Really hoped SIG would make a smaller gun than their new .380; might as well just carry the 9.
Probably time to go shopping for a P380. It is my understanding that the P series includes 3 magazines, plus dovetail sights, in contrast to the CS versions?
Other suggestions on the chambering issue? I hesitate to modify OEM magazines, FreeMe, but a poster on The High Road mentioned an aftermarket follower that eases chambering of 9mms. Is there something similar available for the .380?
Moon

[BirdsThaWord]

I think you are speaking of the Lakeline follower. They only make them for the 9mm and 40 mags though. They do make some cool Kahr stuff, but their striker is the only thing they make for a 380. https://lakelinellc.com/shop-by-model/kahr/
I had a little pocket voice recorder that came with a small stretchable “sock” to keep it in. I use that to carry a spare mag, follower end down into it. Secures the top round and keeps dust out.

[Halfmoonclip]

Thanks, BirdsThaWord. I salvage old, thin leather wallets, to cut and paste a mag cover. There are poly magazine covers for other brands; there may now be one for the Kahr.
I've fond memories of the size and feel of the P380.
Moon

[BirdsThaWord]

Thanks, BirdsThaWord. I salvage old, thin leather wallets, to cut and paste a mag cover. There are poly magazine covers for other brands; there may now be one for the Kahr.
I've fond memories of the size and feel of the P380.
Moon
Certainly! I've a few old, kept for no reason, leather wallets. You've given me some ideas! Thanks!

[dao]

Thanks, BirdsThaWord. I salvage old, thin leather wallets, to cut and paste a mag cover. There are poly magazine covers for other brands; there may now be one for the Kahr.
I've fond memories of the size and feel of the P380.
Moon

Hey, we need some pics!

Welcome to the board!!

[Armybrat]

Don’t forget the CT380.
Easy to shoot and fits the hand well.

[Halfmoonclip]

Refresh my memory; the CT is the slightly down market version; the P has the dovetail sights and some other improvements?
I believe I had the CT version of their 9; it jettisoned its front sight, which was irritating.
Moon

[Armybrat]

Yes, the CT380 is the slightly larger 7+1 budget version of the P380.
Never had a problem with mine except the slide was hard to rack.