Range Report & Questions

[dmevis]

I had about 300-400 rounds through my P380 before today's shoot.

Today, I shot about 150 rounds of various ammunition. The first 50 rounds or so were without problem. Then, I started having Failure to Feed issues. Every time I had the problem, the round was pretty much parallel to the slide and just jammed straight into the feed ramp. I found that if I concentrated and held the gun very tight, I did not have the FTF problem.

The only uncomfortable part of shooting my P380 is that my trigger finger seems to work its way lower as I pull through the shot. The side of my trigger finger then rubs on the trigger guard. After about a box of ammo, the side of my trigger finger is kinda raw. This is even worse because of the Crimson Trace laser on my gun. I believe this is why I start to grip differently and have problems after about a box of ammo. To test this, I removed the Crimson Trace sight, and ... no more FTF's. By removing the Crimson Trace sight, there is more room between the trigger and trigger guard, and the trigger guard surface is smoother.

Any suggestions on what I can do to eliminate this?

Can the trigger profile be modified to create more of a hook so that my finger stays centered on the trigger rather than moving down the trigger?

Can anything else be modified to prevent the FTF's even if I do not grip it quite as tight?

I suppose that as a backup weapon, I can just leave the Crimson Trace on, and know that I will never fire it enough to be a problem. I could just remove the Crimson Trace for longer range sessions. However, I really don't like how my finger moves down the trigger, and rubs on the trigger guard. Could I put Grip Tape on the trigger?

[wyntrout]

I don't know about the CT, but I just tried the trigger on my P380... had to un-holster and unload it. My finger rides down, too, and it seems that I'll have the same problem with the rubbing. The only way I can keep that from happening is to just barely use the end of my fingertip... barely any protruding past the trigger. I guess it's because of the small trigger and as you squeeze or pull the trigger the finger just slides down until it drags on the trigger guard, which isn't a good feeling, and will lead to a blister or raw spot.

I think that I remember this being the case. It was never a great problem with me, though.

I don't know if the tape would help... might cause too much rubbing of the finger in contact with the trigger.

Sorry I can't be more help. Maybe someone else can step up.

By the way, welcome to the forum. Someone should be able to help you with those problems.

Wynn:)

[hoghunter]

dmevis,
I do not own a P380 but am just about to pull the trigger on a P380 or PM9. Your situation above is EXACTLY the problem I had with my LCP. I was shooting fine until I put a CT on it. Immediately my finger started to rub or slap the guard and I couldn't even go 10 rounds with it without my finger throbbing. I did not have the FTF issues you describe, but it is the very reason I am a little hesitant on the P380. I have no plan to put a CT on the P380 it if I get it. I ended up selling the LCP w/CT the next day. I don't really have a solution for you other than not to use the CT. Again- just to be clear- I do not own a P380. I am told they shoot much better than the LCP so I would not expect similar results if I do pick one up.

[Bawanna]

I suspect that after the first 50 rounds you were getting tired and maybe a bit sloppy. Certainly to be expected. Not a lot of gun to hold onto and no shame in that.
I think you nailed it when you stated as a backup in the real world you wont be shooting it that much. So if your solid for the first 50 rounds your probably fine. Certainly no harm in trying a little grip tape or something on the trigger that can easily be removed if it doesn't work. I don't hole much hope that it would help but it certainly could.

I'd shorten up the range sessions with that gun to 50 or so at a time, and play with something else. Stay proficient but once you get beyond that your just holding your own, not improving and maybe even going down hill.