My new Remington RM380

T

Trooper Joe

New member
Funny thing happened to me the other night. I couldn't sleep so I started browsing the gun forums and came across posts on the Remington RM380.

Stopped by my dealer the next afternoon and lo and behold he just got one in still in the shipping box After he took it out of the box and I had a chance to look at it. I bought it ($369 which I thought was a good price). I had read some field tests of this gun the night before and was impressed although a little skeptical.

Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but am really impressed with the quality of construction and ease of field stripping.

The gun seems to feed (manually) all kinds of ammo so I am expecting good results at the range next week.

It sure field strips and goes back together a lot easier than my R9 Rohrbaugh. I no longer have my R9 so I can't compare them side by side but the grips and several other features seem very similar.

The magazines are interesting in that they use a sort of shim at the rear. Looks like they had some left over 9mm magazines that they wanted to use up. Again, don't expect any problems with them.

I really like how the slide lock back on an empty magazine. The slide release will not be able to be used as a "release". The "sling shot" method to load the first round off of a full magazine will have to be used. That certainly is OK with me.

Will let you know how it shoots.

Trooper Joe
 
I'll follow your range report with interest. I've bought one online and should get it toward the end of this week. There are several new YouTube video reviews out with these production guns; one is an hour-long unedited video of the initial 500 round test firing. Using a variety of ammo, there were zero failures (IIRC, I skipped to the end for the wrap up).

There are copies of the Tokarev TT33 chambered in 9mm with mags that have a similar spacer built in to go from 7.62x25mm ammo length to the 9x19mm. Remington either just kept the same tooling/design from the Rorbaugh 9mm, or -- warning. just wild speculation here -- could release the handgun in 9x19 in the future. ( I suspect that's unlikely since a commonality of .380acp & 9x19mm magazines could lead to dangerous mix ups.)
 
Range report and other thoughts.

Just got back from the range. I do think that Remington has a winner. I could not make the gun malfunction. It fed and fired anything I put through it.

I took a bunch of photo's (I hope there are not too many to post).

Here are some shots of the gun:







The magazines look like they could be used for 9mm (without the spacer) HMM? what are their plans :).






To be continued,

Trooper Joe
 
Just got back from the range. (CONTINUED)

Here are some shots of the gun dissembled. Very good workmanship. Absolutely no burrs or gouges.














To be continued

Trooper Joe
 
Just got back from the range (SOME FINAL SHOTS)

Found a Galco pocket holster that works great:






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I could not find any type of ammo that would not feed. 4 different kinds of JHP and defense Ammo, WW flat nose (usually a deal breaker), and 3 to 4 different kinds of FMJ/Ball ammo. Went through about 80 rounds all together.

[URL=http://s269.photobucket.com/user/bmwjoey/media/Feeds%20anything.jpg.html]





I have some serious retina problems and did not use the sights. Sort of piointed it toward the target at 7 yards and even then could cover the group with my hand.

I believe that this gun is truly a keeper.

Just some thoughts,

Trooper Joe
 
I have to confess that, when I first saw the press releases, I mentally wrote off this gun as yet another P3AT knockoff.

Then I handled one at the LGS and I think I've changed my tune – I'm strongly thinking of buying one now!

Random thoughts, in no particular order:
  • Workmanship seemed impeccable (+1)
  • Trigger was very nice, perhaps not Kahr smooth, but a LOT smoother and not at all "stacky" like the LCP, P3AT, Pico, and S&W BG/M&P 380 trigger's I've tried
  • Last-shot slide-lock feature is nice (+1)
  • I like the absence of external controls, as it makes the gun sleeker, and I tend to train for slingshot or overhand reloads with CCW pistols anyway
  • Slide is REALLY easy to operate
  • Second-strike capability
  • Sights are "just right" IMHO for pocket carry – not too small to see (LCP, P3AT) or large enough to get caught on stuff (BG/M&P, Pico); my only criticism is that the rear sight is still a bit too slanted to reliably use to retract the slide
  • The mag release is totally ambidextrous out-of-the-box, so there's no trick to dropping the mag if shooting left-handed, and it can also be dropped with the right-hand middle finger in a pinch
  • I've seen criticisms of the fact that the slide must be partially retracted to access the takedown pin, but I actually really like this feature, as the takedown pin absolutely cannot work loose or be accidentally pushed partway out when the slide is in battery
 
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Pistol weights 12.2 oz (just like the specs say)

Did not use sights due to a bad retina. Sort of pointed it at 20 feet (like shooting a seecamp) and got a group you could cover with your hand. Has a beautiful release that can be achieved by "stacking" the trigger like a double action revolver. Once my retina is fixed, I expect great groups.

Really like this gun. A little heavier than my LCP but feels comforting in my pocket.

Trooper Joe
 
I went to pick up the very small R9 9mm and passed. My problem was it is "really" wide compared to 380s. True with the RM380 compared to P3AT/LCP?
 
wild cat mccane said:
[The R9 is] is "really" wide compared to 380s. True with the RM380 compared to P3AT/LCP?
Click to expand...
I have not examined the specs or compared them side-by-side, but my impression is that the RM380 is marginally wider through the grip and also a little heavier than the P3AT or LCP, but the difference is minor.

FWIW I have a Beretta 950 Jetfire and I'm certain that the RM380 is slimmer than it is.
 
Size comparison: RM380 vs KT P3AT

Picked up my RM380 today. I'll post a few photos of it behnd my P3AT; the RM380 is about 0.2" taller in the grip, less than 0.1" longer, and about 0.2" thicker in the grips - slide is about 0.05" thicker (not in photos ). From my smart phone I can only upload one pic per post, so I'll make several posts.
 

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Size comparison: RM380 vs KT P3AT

Pic #4

RM380 fits snugly into the same DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster as the P3AT.
 

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Size comparison: RM380 vs KT P3AT

Finally, I haven't been to the range yet but I do like the front strap checkering. My fingers (about 1&1/2 fingers) get a good bite on it - I added stippling to my P3AT there to help grip.
 

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