P380 ammo question

[skippy]

Just ordered a P380. I understand it'll need a break in for maximum reliability. What are some of the most reliable feeding and ejecting loads?

I also have a supply of Federal Hydra-Shok Low Recoil 380 Auto 90 Grain that I use in my CZ. Any experience with this load?

Thanks for any advice.

[ceNex]

I have been carrying a CW380 since 2017. It was very picky with the ball ammo - did not like Winchester White Box and Blazer. Other ammo seemed to work well.

For carry I have been using the Ruger ARX ammo. The felt recoil is tame and is very accurate to boot. YMMW.

[getsome]

Hello skippy and welcome to the forum! After you get it home and do a thorough clean and lube then rack the slide several hundred times then you should be good to start the break in……As ceNex said the .380 Kahrs might not run well with range ammo or Winchester White box at first and definitely not Fiocchi ammo as their over all length and rim thickness can cause problems in Kahr .380’s……..The best way to break it in is to use good quality, full power carry ammo, yes expensive but better to use the ammo you will use later to see where it prints and the little pistol will function much better at first with full power ammo…..Hornady Critical Defense seems to work well in smaller .380’s but try whatever you intend to carry later but stay away from cheap range ammo during the break in and avoid the frustration until it’s fully broken in then it should be fine with range stuff…….Again welcome and let us know how it goes, lots of nice knowledgeable folks here……Good Luck!

[medezyner]

Ran a few hundred Blazer TMJ and American Eagle with no no malfunctions. Ran a box of the Sig V-crown and FMJ, no issues. Buying some of the Federal Hydra-Shok Low Recoil was on my radar, but didn't buy, so I cant comment on its reliability. I've run the hotter Underwood Xtreme Penetrator and Defender without issues and carried it a while. If your looking for lower recoil, I ran what ceNex carries: Ruger ARX. Since its either discontinued or just rare as hen's teeth, I've switched to Liberty 50 gr Civil Defense. At 1500 fps, that **** be smok'in! Not that the .380 is heavy, but you can definitely feel how light a mag-full of this ammo is. The P380 loaded with a mag of the Liberty and an extra mag full in the other pocket is VERY light. I found both the ARX and Liberty to be accurate, reliable and low recoil. Give your new P380 a good break-in per getsome suggestions and enjoy. Been very happy with mine.

[Whiskeyhorse]

My first 380, I cursed when new. Did not break it in at home and used the fiocchi ammo (Linear red box). However now runs like a charm. Next one was the P380 below. I did my homework. I racked the slide and kept it locked for 48 hours to take a spring "SET". Then racked the slide about 50-100 times while watching TV. I also loaded my new mags to full capacity and let the springs take a set as well. Then took a wooden dowel and "exercised" the springs up and down.
First day out ran perfectly for 200 rounds of mixed ammo until the last two rounds when the gun became dirty. I have many 380's and have found that they are good for 200 rds before they need cleaning. 200 rds is my standard range time with them and I shoot them often.
Both run like a top. They are fantastic little guns Crazy mild shooting
My favorite defense ammo is PrecisionONE plus P. big fan boy Hard to believe it has been 4 years since the day I took this picture on her first day out. Seems like yesterday.
CW380 with my beloved Pico (I own three of the Pico's)

[SlowBurn]

...If your looking for lower recoil, I ran what ceNex carries: Ruger ARX. Since its either discontinued or just rare as hen's teeth

Tip: Norma ammo is now making the ARX, slightly different shaped bullet, under the trade name NXD. Not as cheap as I used to get in bulk, but way less than Liberty CD.
https://normausa.com/product/380-auto-nxd-56-gr-20-qty/

[berettabone]

My first 380, I cursed when new. Did not break it in at home and used the fiocchi ammo (Linear red box). However now runs like a charm. Next one was the P380 below. I did my homework. I racked the slide and kept it locked for 48 hours to take a spring "SET". Then racked the slide about 50-100 times while watching TV. I also loaded my new mags to full capacity and let the springs take a set as well. Then took a wooden dowel and "exercised" the springs up and down.
First day out ran perfectly for 200 rounds of mixed ammo until the last two rounds when the gun became dirty. I have many 380's and have found that they are good for 200 rds before they need cleaning. 200 rds is my standard range time with them and I shoot them often.
Both run like a top. They are fantastic little guns Crazy mild shooting
My favorite defense ammo is PrecisionONE plus P. big fan boy Hard to believe it has been 4 years since the day I took this picture on her first day out. Seems like yesterday.
CW380 with my beloved Pico (I own three of the Pico's)

Nicely built little firearms, those Pico's. I've been keeping an eye open for one. The local store has one in the case, but he wants more than what I want to pay. It's been there a while, so we'll see. For the wife.

[medezyner]

Tip: Norma ammo is now making the ARX, slightly different shaped bullet, under the trade name NXD. Not as cheap as I used to get in bulk, but way less than Liberty CD.
https://normausa.com/product/380-auto-nxd-56-gr-20-qty/

Ah, I can see the subtle difference in the shape…maybe b/c of a patent? Thanks for the link. I’ll place some back orders and see what happens.

[getsome]

My first 380, I cursed when new. Did not break it in at home and used the fiocchi ammo (Linear red box). However now runs like a charm. Next one was the P380 below. I did my homework. I racked the slide and kept it locked for 48 hours to take a spring "SET". Then racked the slide about 50-100 times while watching TV. I also loaded my new mags to full capacity and let the springs take a set as well. Then took a wooden dowel and "exercised" the springs up and down.
First day out ran perfectly for 200 rounds of mixed ammo until the last two rounds when the gun became dirty. I have many 380's and have found that they are good for 200 rds before they need cleaning. 200 rds is my standard range time with them and I shoot them often.
Both run like a top. They are fantastic little guns Crazy mild shooting
My favorite defense ammo is PrecisionONE plus P. big fan boy Hard to believe it has been 4 years since the day I took this picture on her first day out. Seems like yesterday.
CW380 with my beloved Pico (I own three of the Pico's)

+1 on the Precision One ammo, I bought 4 boxes of their 90 grain with the Hornady XTP bullet……I still have 3 boxes, I used one in my Pico, love that little gun, I don’t carry it much, only when I have to wear a wedding or funeral suit and it just disappears in a pocket…..I’ve never had a Kahr .380 but had two Rugers which were ok but not great in the feeding department……The little Pico has never had a hiccup with any ammo I’ve ever tried and is pretty accurate for what it is…..I heard Beretta discontinued the Pico which is a shame so if you ever see a used one grab it, you’ll like it…….

[Whiskeyhorse]

+1 on the Precision One ammo, I bought 4 boxes of their 90 grain with the Hornady XTP bullet……I still have 3 boxes, I used one in my Pico, love that little gun, I don’t carry it much, only when I have to wear a wedding or funeral suit and it just disappears in a pocket…..I’ve never had a Kahr .380 but had two Rugers which were ok but not great in the feeding department……The little Pico has never had a hiccup with any ammo I’ve ever tried and is pretty accurate for what it is…..I heard Beretta discontinued the Pico which is a shame so if you ever see a used one grab it, you’ll like it…….

All three of my Pico's have been insanely reliable. Immensely under rated. Extremely well built and easy to work on. I knew it would be discontinued so bought every part for them just in case. As far as APX ammo, Especially love in in my LCR9mm, Significant recoil reduction and great ballistics.