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View Full Version : New P380 -- Smiling So Far



Cap'n
04-15-2011, 05:48 PM
After a first-time cleaning, took the little beauty to the range with three factory loads:
Monarch 94-gn FMJ
Magtech 95-gn FMC
Speer Lawman 95-gn TMJ

130 rounds total were fired without a problem. Well, there was on click on shot #41 which dimpled the primer -- looked like a normal primer strike -- but no boom. Afterwards, that round did fire on a second attempt. I'm chalking it up to an ammo vs gun problem since the first 40 and next 90 rounds were flawless. Still, I'll want to do more break-in shooting before graduating to SD ammo and my CCW / BUG rotation.

You weren't kidding when you said this puppy was fun to shoot and accurate! Of seven 5-round groups fired from the bench at seven yards, the Monarch load averaged 1.16 inches (max 1.38; min 1.00).

Now that I know my old eyes can depend on the small sights, next range visit will include 25-yard shooting for the fun of it.

I did do some 10-yard offhand shooting, and I wish I could do as well with my big bore pistols.

Have already worked up reloads in three different powders for testing. Going to use Berry's plated 100-gn RN bullets @ 900 - 950 fps -- yes, I understand the polygonal rifling issues.

FOR OTHER PROSPECTIVE P380 OWNERS:
Yeah, like others I agonized for weeks over .380 vs 9mm, big dollars for a small pistol, and the seemingly high number of user complaints. Very tempted to try the Kahr CM9 at less money when I held both. However, I already had a good CW9 and couldn't see enough benefit to go for the CM9. Besides, my overall interest was to obtain a really small pistol for BUG or times when nothing else would conceal. Thus far I'm glad I stuck to my original "need specifications."

jocko
04-15-2011, 05:52 PM
great report: U won't shoot a more accurate 380, and when the P380 performs as it is designed, u can't not love it either.

my buddy who is a moderator over on the elsie pea forum just bought a cm9. kinda tells u where his loyalty is at IMO.

kpm9
04-15-2011, 06:17 PM
I've had similar experience with mine through 600 rounds. I've had only a handful of failures and everyone, minus n, can be attributed to ammo.

here's to your new 380 and continued success with it.