Lots of P380 owners on Kahrtalk. I'd be curious if you post this there to see what kind of answers they come up with.

 

I guess my question would apply to any most any small pocket pistol.

 

The biggest issue with the small Kahr pistols is the poor RSA with two springs. My P380 had all kinds of issues until I modded it with a flat spring from a Micro 9. Only thing I had to do was make a slightly thinner guide rod to get it to fit. It's like a new, reliable pistol with that spring now. As for your question, yes I'd trust it enough to carry it as long you increase the periodic clean/lube schedule. Especially if carried in a pocket. My pocket carry, Bodyguard 380, seems to get a ton of lint inside in no time so I make it a point to blow it out with compressed air then relube a couple times a month.

 

That’s a great idea modding the recoil spring. Did you have to cut any length off of it?

 

Keep the small guns very clean; keep carry guns immaculate. They aren't range-worthy Glocks. You're attitude has to see the difference.
Old phrase: "Shoot a little, carry a lot."

 

Keep the small guns very clean; keep carry guns immaculate. They aren't range-worthy Glocks. You're attitude has to see the difference.
Old phrase: "Shoot a little, carry a lot."

Thanks rayzer! Your response really got me thinking...
Other small pocket pistols (I think the Seecamp is one of them) require recoil springs to be replaced every few hundred rounds.

It sounds like I just have to manage my expectations for this perfect sized little pocket pistol. I guess I really only need my P-380 to be reliable for 13 rounds (one in the chamber, a six round mag, and a spare)

 

It's 100% reliable for the first hundred shots after cleaning?
As long as you clean it after shooting, it will be fine for carrying.

 

As long as you clean it before carrying it , you should be fine. If you find yourself in a shootout where you need to fire more than 100 rounds through your pocket .380, things are already going pretty badly anyway.

 

No

I don’t care for Kahrs, mainly the polymer models

 

Nope, I too don't care for Kahrs in general, whether clean or dirty

 

I think you’d be fine carrying it, but I have a question.

How do you lubricate the pistol? Could/would it perform better with a different lubricant once it got dirty? Grease the polymer rear rails and run a very thin (Lucas etc.) oil on the front rails in the frame?

Edit: I have been known to take a .380 mop brush coated in 6k+ knife stroping compound and run it around the chamber extremely slowly with a drill….fixed a headache of an lcp this way. Don’t recommend unless you’re confident.

 

I carry a cleaning kit and a small can of hornady one shot in my range bag. My carry gun gets a quick cleaning and loaded with fresh ammo before I leave the range. The other guns get cleaned when I get home, maybe, depending on how much I shot them. No reason to carry a dirty SD gun.

 

Dunno but I'd be leery myself personally. If the rails are running a good lube and the ammo is not dirty burning, I'd want to see it go well beyond 100 before malfunctioning. Or maybe a case it just needs to be shot a bunch.

 

If you keep it clean, it should be fine. It’s just a high maintenance gun.

 

Do you plan to being in many gun fights that you will be firing over 100 rounds?

 

I'm kinda disappointed with your response Jonesee...especially given your long tenure here.

I hope and pray I'll be in zero gun fights. If God forbid I ever have to be in one, I'll likely have only 7-16 rounds to work with. I want my pistol to perform when I need it to, hence the reason for my questions:

My P380 is finally 100% reliable until it gets filthy dirty; which is usually after 100 rounds. My other carry guns are 100% reliable 100% all of the time- even when they get filthy. Is this type of performance even possible with the P380? Would you feel comfortable carrying it at this point, or should I continue with my quest of making it 100% reliable 100% all of the time? My OCD would like to hear your thoughts.

FWIW... I'd carry my G19 24/7, with zero doubt it will perform when needed- clean or dirty. But, I don't live in a world when I can pull off carrying a G19 sized pistol, sometimes not even a P365.

Cheers

 

The P380 is kinda an odd Kahr beast for some reason. It took 600 rounds for mine to settle and not stovepipe. Now its perfect, though it is the classic “carry a lot, shoot little” pistol. Not a range toy, but perfect for its intended purpose. Yes, they like to be clean and lubed. Accept that going in or find something else.

 

Silly question.

Your car needs oil changes every 3,000 miles. Do you still drive it knowing that?

If you are ever in a gunfight that lasts 100 rounds, please start a thread on it.

If you want to cure your OCD trying tuning a guitar perfectly. It will be cured one way or the other.

 

Silly question.

Your car needs oil changes every 3,000 miles. Do you still drive it knowing that?

If you are ever in a gunfight that lasts 100 rounds, please start a thread on it.

If you want to cure your OCD trying tuning a guitar perfectly. It will be cured one way or the other.

Anybody daily carry 100 rounds or more ?

 

No, I would sell it and buy a better gun that doesn't need to be worked on or have custom parts made by the end user to function and carry that.

 

I have had good luck with my PM9 - since 2006. I use to carry it almost everyday - now it is more of couple times a week as a pocket pistol.

Don't shoot more than a mag or two at a typical range outing anymore.

I recall back when I was just starting to shoot handguns - I bought an M&P40 and for some reason I thought you had to get through 200 rounds without a failure before you should trust its reliability.

Would get up to 170 or close and would have a failure to feed.

I tried all sorts or things - different lube - even played with a few different weight recoil springs.

What I finally realized it was ME causing the problem. After shooting that many rounds and just wanting to "make it to 200" I was getting sloppy and lazy and my grip was very poor.

So I shot a few mags - then switched over to my .22 rifle - then a few more mags and switched over to a shotgun.

I took my time and paid attention and the gun did not have another failure up to the point I sold it.

The P380 is a small gun - do you think maybe after 100 rounds it may be you that is losing focus and causing the issue?

 

I have had good luck with my PM9 - since 2006.

Good luck here with a pm9 too - since 2009.

When I read "After doing some work" at the beginning of the OP, didn't really concern myself with much after. But the 380 is on another order of small, beyond the pm9 even which most people already take for a 380, so I wouldn't be surprised if there are more problems. But if someone undertakes their own gunsmithin', then maybe they get it right or maybe they get it wrong, but the function of the gun is on them from that point, not the manufacturer.

 

Me ?? I wouldn't carry it.

There are so many other options out there and seeing that you've been a member of the forum as long as you have, I'm sure those options are sitting in your safe.

I would however, keep it and keep running rounds through it, it looks like a pretty interesting pistol. If this "breaking in" changes for things for the better regarding reliability.... issue resolved.

 

The tight tolerances in the Kahr can be an Achilles heel. I have considered getting one but problems do occur with them. Its creator carries a P9 at 3:00 and believes in cleaning regularly. I literally spoke to him a week ago.
He also is quite comfortable with fewer rounds in a single stack because of potential feeding issues and girth. I’d probably be ok with a 9mm Kahr but a G42 is a better and more reliable.380 imo.

 

Why would anyone carry a filthy pocket pistol? Shoot it, clean it, carry it, repeat as appropriate.

 

Why would anyone carry a filthy pocket pistol?

1. That's beside the point. This pistol doesn't work like it should.
2. It's sometimes unavoidable

When most of us bring a pistol to the range, it's in a pristine state of maintenance. The Op described a pistol that, under ideal conditions at a shooting range, essentially has a life span of 100 rounds before it's "redlined" for maintenance (sounds more like a Lorcin pistol).

For those who work and spend most of their days/nights exposed to the elements, rain, dirt and dust residue will all find its way into a carry pistol. You may start your day with a glean gun, but that may not be the case when you get home.

Would the OP's pistol last 100 rounds under adverse conditions? Who knows, I don't have my crystal ball.

A "break in" period may resolve the issue.

 

Yes, clean after a range session and you will be good to go.

My experience with my P380 is similar. May get just one stovepipe after 75-100 rounds. I can clean it, carry it for an unlimited amount of time. After pocket carrying for months it is still reliable at next range session until > 75 rounds fired.

 

Thank you!

 

No, I would not trust that gun.

Polymer Kahrs have a touchy track record. Had two P40s from myself and family that were ****, frame rails shattered during a short range visit with low round count, and they were a failure to feed or extract nearly every round kinda deal. Bought a cheap CT40 as new but the slide stop would lock back on a full mag. Kahr customer service is very poor, makes you pay shipping, and as experience with both P40s, wont fix the guns despite two trips back to the factory. On the new CW40 that failed out of the box, Kahr wanted me to pay for service, and I said to hell with that.

No experience with poly kahr 380/9mm. Only Kahr I have left is the CW45 that will run like a raped ape despite the dirt/high round count, as well as Metal kahr 9/40 which have been solid.

My 10+ y/o LCP has always functioned even ran dirty, dry and full of lint over thousands of rounds. If I want to carry 380 acp, I grab that or the LCP Max which has also been mint for reliability.

 

No, I would not trust that gun.

Polymer Kahrs have a touchy track record. Had two P40s from myself and family that were ****, frame rails shattered during a short range visit with low round count, and they were a failure to feed or extract nearly every round kinda deal. Bought a cheap CT40 as new but the slide stop would lock back on a full mag. Kahr customer service is very poor, makes you pay shipping, and as experience with both P40s, wont fix the guns despite two trips back to the factory. On the new CW40 that failed out of the box, Kahr wanted me to pay for service, and I said to hell with that.

No experience with poly kahr 380/9mm. Only Kahr I have left is the CW45 that will run like a raped ape despite the dirt/high round count, as well as Metal kahr 9/40 which have been solid.

My 10+ y/o LCP has always functioned even ran dirty, dry and full of lint over thousands of rounds. If I want to carry 380 acp, I grab that or the LCP Max which has also been mint for reliability.

There are a few threads on Ruger Forum where others who carry a LCP have the same issue as the OP. Some 0f them with less than 100 rounds.

That said, I have a MK 9mm and 40s&w, and K 9mm and two 40s&w. All are flawless, and I carry the K40.

 

Thanks rayzer! Your response really got me thinking...
Other small pocket pistols (I think the Seecamp is one of them) require recoil springs to be replaced every few hundred rounds.

It sounds like I just have to manage my expectations for this perfect sized little pocket pistol. I guess I really only need my P-380 to be reliable for 13 rounds (one in the chamber, a six round mag, and a spare)

I shot 200 rounds through my LCP to verify functionality. This gives me confidence that 201 - 220 will probably be reliable; whereas 1,000 - 1020 may not be, with something breaking or wearing out at that point.
These guns are designed for carrying ease, more than excessive range work.

 

I have a Kahr P380 that has been flawless. Usually backup to a bigger gun. I do clean it regularly because pocket carry collects crap. And certainly after every range session. Carried a P-9 for years until switching to guns with higher capacity.

 

Yes, if you said it works 100% till you hit 10 rounds thats different.. but 100 rounds and its literally 100% till it gets that dirty.. sure... Now I can tell you this... I know my new Ruger LCP Max will go at least 200 without a cleaning and be 100% reliable.. but had a i put a flawless box of 100 through it then it started acting up..id still be fine.

Because as many have said if you get in a 100+ round firefight with a .380 let me know id LOVE to hear the details..or youre doing something wrong..for me .380's are something unless youre getting a larger one for recoil reduction based on age/disability or arthritis or something is a small pocket gun that I am 100% willing to accept a few drawbacks with as its 1. NOT meant for long range prolonged(over 100 rounds) engagements 2. its normally small enough you cant get a full grip on it either.. so its probably not gonna be as accurate or pleasant to shoot as a larger pistol.. I very seldom put past 100 rounds through mine.. my first time out was a test though to test it for functionality and reliability with different loads and HP's and SD/CC type ammo(s) so I did put more through it and then when I got it home and before cleaning it..

my kid got a call saying he won the gun drawing and needed to come pick u[p his pistol..so literally the next day I went back down with him to pick up his gun and shot it again uncleaned for another 50 rounds.. every shot from start to finish was 100%... but lets say after putting almost 150-200(a few rounds left in the box of 200 loose rounds didnt count but id guess between 25-30) but lets say it started hiccuping after 150 or even 100 rounds.... If oi cleaned it and repeated it and it was 100% good till 100-150 rds EVERY time.. id be 100% perfectly fine with that/// as I only ever carry the gun and 1 reload anyways(23 rounds total 12+1 and 10) im not too worried what it does after 100+

just what it does between 0-25 (or for a safety margin double that lets say 50) and if thats repeatable multiple times..im good with that... now that I know mine is reliable... I will probably neve shoot over 50(1 box) at a time anyways.. its just not that pleasant to shoot to be honest.. but no true pocket (anything the Ruger LCP size is a true pocket .380 anything larger isnt).380 is that ive ever seen/shot.

Only ones of this type ive found better to shoot is the OVERsize .380's like the Glock 42 and stuff that size. and then when you get into the more "full" size ones they are actually not bad at all to shoot and certainly a good choice for someone say suffering from older age arthritis..maybe a nice full size metal framed one would probably be sweet

 

Yes, if you said it works 100% till you hit 10 rounds that's different.. but 100 rounds and its literally 100% till it gets that dirty.. sure... Now I can tell you this... I know my new Ruger LCP Max will go at least 200 without a cleaning and be 100% reliable.. but had a i put a flawless box of 100 through it then it started acting up..id still be fine

just what it does between 0-25 (or for a safety margin double that lets say 50) and if that's repeatable multiple times..im good with that... now that I know mine is reliable... I will probably neve shoot over 50(1 box) at a time anyways.. its just not that pleasant to shoot to be honest.. but no true pocket (anything the Ruger LCP size is a true pocket .380 anything larger isn't).380 is that I've ever seen/shot.

Everything you wrote makes perfect sense to me CBennett. Thank you for the thoughtful response. I know lots of folks claim to be OCD, but I've been clinically diagnosed with it and it can really. really suck some times.

For me, the little P380 is the perfect sized pocket pistol. It has a stainless steel slide, it's got a great trigger, it's a very simple design, its got great night sights, and it fits my hand amazing for such a small pistol. It's as accurate as any small pistol I've ever fired.

I've been spoiled with pistols that can go hard and just work, regardless of how clean or dirty they are. My mind told me this... after Kahr's recommended break in, my P380 should be 100% good to go. Now I understand how silly that sounds. You helped me realize that all pistols fail when they get dirty enough. Because the P380 is so small with very tight tolerances, it will fail sooner. I guess 100 rounds isn't too bad after all; that's the compromise for being the perfect size pocket pistol I guess.

Thanks again brother!