RM380 finish flaking?

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GarandTd

New member
1st off, this is not a Remington bashing thread or a major complaint about my pistol. I love this RM380.

Those of you that have an RM380, have you experienced any issues with the finish on the aluminum frame? I noticed some finish flaking off around the mag release button on both sides of the pistol frame. They are small spots and don't affect the operation of the pistol. Having said that, I have an eye for detail and the spots catch my eye every time. I have exactly 90 rounds through the pistol so far and I have not started carrying it yet. When I'm not shooting it, it rests within the box it came in.

I haven't looked into warranty repair, but I'm not sure it's worth sending out for that anyway. My next question would be what to touch up the flat black frame finish with.

Appreciate the feedback.
 
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Almost forgot the pictures.:rolleyes:
 

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Hey Garand, I had a small flake come off of the trigger guard. I didn't notice it until my wife said,"Hey, did you chip my baby!!". Lol, nope, now I can tell her it might not have been me. I will check my mag release and see if it is flaking there as well. I would be a little more bent out of shape about it if it wasn't a $160 gun.
 
Yeah I'm not loosing sleep over it, really, but was wondering if anyone else was having a similar experience. I may touch it up if it really bugs me. Doubt I'll seek repair work.
 
I may do that, crazy Charlie. As a classic American company, I would like to see Remington succeed. I have a 1945 Remington Gamemaster 141 that was my grandfather's and also bagged my 1st buck.
 
My RM380 is back at the repair place in Huntsville, AL for the second time regarding finish issues on the slide.

The new gun, bought online, arrived with a slide that was buggered up on top in front of the rear sight. This wasn't some tiny little mark, and I just put it on a shelf without shooting it. After a week or two I called Rem CS and they mailed me a shipping bag, and UPS delivered it to a 3rd party repair place in Huntsville, AL where the slide was replaced and the pistol was test fired.

They replaced the slide with one that was MORE buggered up than the first one. It looked like it had been stored in a tool box. I called Rem CS and told the guy, and the pistol is back in AL for the second time. They've had it since Jan 17.
 
Holy cra¶, Carmady!!! The blemish I speak of developed after I fired it and it is subtle. I don't want to be separated from my pistol for a year. That's crazy!!! I'm sorry your experience has been so negative. It really puts mine in perspective.
 
2018, going on three weeks. I just had a thought...maybe they buggered up the replacement slide when they installed the pieces from the original slide. Just guessing.
 
GarandTd said:
1st off, this is not a Remington bashing thread or a major complaint about my pistol. I love this RM380.

Those of you that have an RM380, have you experienced any issues with the finish on the aluminum frame? I noticed some finish flaking off around the mag release button on both sides of the pistol frame. They are small spots and don't affect the operation of the pistol. Having said that, I have an eye for detail and the spots catch my eye every time. I have exactly 90 rounds through the pistol so far and I have not started carrying it yet. When I'm not shooting it, it rests within the box it came in.

I haven't looked into warranty repair, but I'm not sure it's worth sending out for that anyway. My next question would be what to touch up the flat black frame finish with.

Appreciate the feedback.
Click to expand...
Mine has a blemish now too. It's not quite as large as the one on your gun. Oh well.
 
Remington once a great company is now owned by Cerebus a private equity company only concerned with bottom line. they are actively trying to sell the company to no avail. I would not own a Remington. It is sad to say but they are producing guns of RG quality, garbage, you old guys will remember RG.
 
Groundhog34 said:
Remington once a great company is now owned by Cerebus a private equity company only concerned with bottom line. they are actively trying to sell the company to no avail. I would not own a Remington. It is sad to say but they are producing guns of RG quality, garbage, you old guys will remember RG.
Click to expand...
Well you should see the finish on my LCP custom from carrying it. Also I have exactly $139 in invested in my RM380 and it runs like a top. I'm good with the finish.
 
I'm probably gonna try to ignore it. Like most of you, I got this thing dirt cheap(after rebate, not that it was expensive before) and it runs great. I just hadn't given the finish any reason to wear....yet. Round count is up to 114 with 2 clean/lube sessions and no carry time. Interestingly, my tightest 6 round group, 3" at 10 yards, was a mixed bag of Aguila, Tula, and Remington UMC.
 
Mine came back today and looks fine, just like a new gun should. I hope to enjoy shooting it as much as everyone else.
 
Speaking of finish only (no Remington hatred, just observation):
My local LGS has had three of the RM380s sitting in the semi-auto cabinet for over a year.
All have flaking and finish problems, and it only gets worse with each person that wants to look at one (or all).

Last week I was in my local Class III SOT fun store to handle some business, and, somehow, the conversation took an incredible detour and veered into a rant from the owner about the RM380 in his display being berated by customers because it also has flaking around contact areas on the frame.


So, as for your original question... I'd say you're far from alone.
Every sample that I have seen is having problems.

Remington may never figure out that people really hate cheap finishes. This reminds me of when they bought H&R 1871 (along with Marlin), and changed from a poly finish on the H&R Handi-Rifle stocks to a WATER-BASED finish. Get it wet, and the stain and 'sealer' washes off!
 
Part of my problem is a little vanity. I like the way my guns look. That leads me to not just shoot and clean them, but check em' out. I can't escape my keen eye for detail though. I see good and I see bad and I can't ignore either one. This one, I'll probably live with unless it gets much worse.
 
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