Had the P380 for Awhile....Now What?

Optimus · #1 08-15-2011, 11:33 PM

Well I was one of the unlucky ones who got a P380 that just did not want to run. It had to go back to Kahr 4 times. Yeah FOUR.

The only reason I kept it is because I personally think all the other 380s are not worth it, and I want/need a pocket capable gun. So here I am.

Anyway, it seems to work now (knock on wood), and I have finally started pocket carrying it. I use a Desantis holster.

I am looking to make it as reliable as possible, and I haven't been on these forums for about 6-8 months, so I have been out of the loop since I bought it.

Anything new and cool out for these? When are you guys changing out the recoil springs and are you using OEM Kahr springs or something else?

I was looking at these new extended 7 round mags, are they any good?

Any other parts I should be looking to upgrade or replace, guide rod, etc.?

Hoping to keep this thing runnin and in use.

Thanks.

TheTman · #2 08-15-2011, 11:42 PM

If I was having that much trouble with a pistol, I sure wouldn't go messing around with extra capacity magazines for it. Just my thoughts. I've had trouble with Kahr brand extra capacity magazines for my CW45. I've been told by more experienced shooters than me that for self defense, you should always use the magazine(s) that came with your pistol. It sounded logical to me, and have pretty much adhered to it, except in the case of my Beretta Cougar .40, which came with the then mandated 10 round mags, and I've been using Beretta 11 and 12 round mags instead with no issues.

jocko · #3 08-16-2011, 04:35 AM

what thetmanski said is for me correct. you bought a copact gun keepit that way, buy another spare if u need it but keep it flush fit. recoil springs are only made by kahr so you hae togetum there, change as needed, buy 3or 4 pair at a time. I have to agree with you the P380 is the best gun out there but damn 4 times back would make me gun shy. mine has been back once. I donm't hardly carryt it as my PM9 just does about the same and I trust it 100%. still though, u got a dandy and glad it is right now to.

Optimus · #4 08-16-2011, 10:32 AM

Yeah I wasn't too happy with having to send it back 4 times. I was going to replace it with a S&W Bodyguard 380, but those are POS right now.....so I stuck with it. The sad part is Kahr was not the most polite people to deal with through all of it.

I am not too worried about using 7 round mags, if I try and and they don't work, then I wont use them. I would like the extra purchase on the Gun/Mag to get a better grip.

What's the recommended replacement intervals for the recoil springs?

JFootin · #5 08-16-2011, 11:59 AM

Get a Butler Creek Universal LULA Mag Loader to reload those 6 round mags really fast and stick with the short ones. IMHO.

DriveMyKahr · #6 08-16-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFootin

Get a Butler Creek Universal LULA Mag Loader to reload those 6 round mags really fast and stick with the short ones. IMHO.

Great advice... the LULA mag loader is a thumb saver. I can load three magazines for my PM-9 with it in the time it takes to load one with sore fingers.

.

jocko · #7 08-16-2011, 01:08 PM

it is a greatloader, I just neveruse mine kanymore. I just load 5 rounds in my pM9 mag when at the range and shoot away. I( just ain't gonna fight it for one more round at the range. Same thing formy G`19 which is what I really bought my uplula for , I just load 8 or 9 rounds in the 15 round mag and shoot away. I tend after 7 or 8 rounds at a time to get tired/bored or what ever at the target .

Can't fault the loader, it will even work on my P380 mag if needed.

targetshooter · #8 08-18-2011, 05:10 AM

I am sorry to hear about your problms with the P380. I have one on the way to my LGS. I will say I have a PM9, never a problem out of the box, with ~700 round thru it. I recenetly bought a MK9, because I wanted a steel, small frame 9mm. No problems with it up to now. I have a KT P3AT that has been carried almost every day for several years, sometimes as a back up to another unit. It has never failed but I decided to go the P380 route.

I am also of the opinion that you should avoid the extended length magazines. Unless the extended mag is tight, front to rear, the rearward pressure of your hand on the bottom tips the top round nose down. This is easy to see with the slide off and the mag loaded. I beleive Kahr's are already top round position sensitive.

TominCA · #9 08-18-2011, 03:04 PM

Don't give up on the P380 - I had a lot of trouble and now I have two and love them. There is no small pocket gun nearly as well made and once they work they work great. - They seem to have figured out what was wrong and the reapairs seem to be going much better.

jocko · #10 08-18-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by targetshooter

I am sorry to hear about your problms with the P380. I have one on the way to my LGS. I will say I have a PM9, never a problem out of the box, with ~700 round thru it. I recenetly bought a MK9, because I wanted a steel, small frame 9mm. No problems with it up to now. I have a KT P3AT that has been carried almost every day for several years, sometimes as a back up to another unit. It has never failed but I decided to go the P380 route.

I am also of the opinion that you should avoid the extended length magazines. Unless the extended mag is tight, front to rear, the rearward pressure of your hand on the bottom tips the top round nose down. This is easy to see with the slide off and the mag loaded. I beleive Kahr's are already top round position sensitive.

as I love my P380, I just don't trust it