Does anyone own the Remington RM380?

5-SHOTS said:

This probably means the RM380 is a little built-like-a-tank pistol for the caliber. Right?

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That seems to be the case, but I'm not a firearms engineer.

The RM380 is not REALLY all that large, and I liked the fact that it used the Browning Short-Recoil Locked Breech mechanism, and had a metal frame. I bought mine based on those factors and have been pleasantly surprised with how it feels and works in my hands. I use a leather pocket holster and its nearly invisible in my pocket.

5-SHOTS said:

This probably means the RM380 is a little built-like-a-tank pistol for the caliber. Right?

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Like Walt, I am not a firearms engineer, but the RM380 seems well-built and tough.

Your comment also reminded me that all three of my 380 pistols were designed for 9mm and simply rechambered for 380.

5-SHOTS said:

This probably means the RM380 is a little built-like-a-tank pistol for the caliber. Right?

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The Rohrbaugh R9 had a problem with slides cracking. I've read lots of threads on rohrbaugh.com about these cracks. I haven't read anything about the R380 having the same issues. I understand the only differences between the two are the barrel, recoil spring and magazine spacer so the design may have been too much for 9mm. This could be why Remington decided to just produce the 380.

SteadyD said:

I had the RM380 and really wanted to like it. Comfortable to shoot, reliable, and a very smooth trigger. For me, the trigger pull was just too long, and I was a terrible shot with it, even by my low standards. Others here really like them and shoot them well. For me, the DAO Bodyguard ended up being the right choice. For some, it will be the Pico. These little 380s are not a one size fits all proposition.

I hope you can find something that fits you, and that it takes you fewer tries than it took me!

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Actually, I think this is the case with everyone. People say that they can shoot it well, but I’d like to see their groupings on paper. I am betting that not all of their shots would even hit the paper. Hopefully they can shoot it well enough to hit the person that is attacking them. I hope somebody here can prove me wrong.

Cokeman said:

Actually, I think this is the case with everyone. People say that they can shoot it well, but I’d like to see their groupings on paper. I am betting that not all of their shots would even hit the paper. Hopefully they can shoot it well enough to hit the person that is attacking them. I hope somebody here can prove me wrong.

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People who think the RM380's trigger pull is too long probably do have accuracy problems. A trigger pull that works for the shooter is absolutely critical for any pistol.

I don't have trouble grouping with the RM380 or my four other pistols with long DAO triggers, nor were long trigger pulls a problem with the revolvers I shot for decades. The RM380 is a bit more sensitive to grip area; fast groups are better with the pinky extension than with the much shorter flat base plate. Nevertheless, the only time I remember any shots going off the paper were using a sheet crammed with nine targets.

I don't routinely save my targets, but I will try to remember to do so just for you the next time I take my RM380 to the range.

Please do. I would like to find out that mine is not working properly.

Cokeman said:

Please do. I would like to find out that mine is not working properly.

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At what distance are you shooting?

10-15 feet?

Cokeman said:

10-15 feet?

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At 3-5 yards I cannot imagine not having all shots within the 9 ring of a standard 5 dot target. With either hand or even either hand singularly.

Jeb Stuart said:

I want another Kahr, just do not know which one. I am thing of getting one in the S series.

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T9 or nothing

Walt Sherrill said:

The RM380 is not REALLY all that large, and I liked the fact that it used the Browning Short-Recoil Locked Breech mechanism, and had a metal frame.

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These considerations appealed to me too. But when I went to the store to try RM380, I pulled the slide back and the gun jammed solid. Well, not quite solid, it was possible to move the slide just a fraction back and forth, but it was completely locked. The clerk took over, but could do nothing. He passed it into the back room, where I heard their armorer whacking the poor Remmy with a mallet several times -- and he succeeded. They assured me that the gun would be fine with a little break-in, but I bought a Browning 1911-380 instead. Another plastic frame, but oh well!

Jeb Stuart said:

I love Kahr, Not only the quality b


Very interesting. I want another Kahr, just do not know which one. I am thing of getting one in the S series.

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MK9, K9, or T9 FTW. T9s are hard to find used, and expensive to buy new. The others can be had pretty cheap used. The MK9 is about the same size as the tiny CM9. It's only 24 oz with the mag installed which is pretty like for an all stainless pistol. On the the belt, weight is a non issue for me....

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I just picked up another RM380. Had been looking for a couple of extra mags for the first one that I gifted to my son in ‘18, but ran across this good deal at CDNN. $199.99 plus tax (am a Texas resident) & shipping..... with FIVE (5) magazines - 1 flush, 4 with finger extensions. Probably will gift it to my granddaughter.

Armybrat said:

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I just picked up another RM380. Had been looking for a couple of extra mags for the first one that I gifted to my son in ‘18, but ran across this good deal at CDNN. $199.99 plus tax (am a Texas resident) & shipping..... with FIVE (5) magazines - 1 flush, 4 with finger extensions. Probably will gift it to my granddaughter.

View attachment 884491

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It's really an underrated little mouse gun... If Kimber, CZ, Sig, or another manufacturer with more prestigious name recognition would have purchased the rights to the design, it would probably get the credit it deserves.

Since my earlier posts, I've gotten a Galloway performance kit, which includes a new trigger, springs, and trigger bar, as well as some other things I've not decided to use, yet. Some don't like the trigger, but the trigger bar shortens the trigger pull a bit, and I like the trigger. The spring kit lightens includdes lighter trigger and hammer springs.

I found that I didn't like the STOCK trigger -- as others here have noted -- but the Galloway trigger kit makes the gun more shootable and easier to shoot well rapidly.
Before the change I could get 4" groups at 30' if I worked at it, and really took my time. Now I'm getting 3" groups shooting more rapidly, and suspect that will tighten up as I shoot it more often. The only problem is that the kit can be pricey. But I've seen RM380 on sale for under $200, and the kit will keep your total outlay well befow $400. I use a still leather pocket holster, but also have an inside the waist band holster, too. I think I like the pocket holster better, and it really doesn't "print."

It's the ONLY small pocket or near pocket gun size I've owned that was pleasant to shoot. I've owned a Kel-tec P11, P3AT, PF9, Ruger LCP, and a Kahr CMP9, and have shot several others, including a Seecamp .32 and .380 -- the .380 was brutal

I will PRACTICE with the RM380. I just shot the other ones I owned to remember what it was like.

Styx said:

It's really an underrated little mouse gun... If Kimber, CZ, Sig, or another manufacturer with more prestigious name recognition would have purchased the rights to the design, it would probably get the credit it deserves.

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I don't think it would. No matter who makes it, RM380 has an extremely limited magazine capacity, excessively long DAO trigger pull (longer than LCP), and is fat. And, has milled sights. For sure, Glock 42 also comes with 6-round magazines, but the aftermarket supplied extended magazines for it. That makes all the difference.

I bought one, based on what I've read in this thread, and it has replaced my LCP as my constant pocket carry. I particularly wanted the second-strike capability and, in terms of weight and size, I find it no less pocketable than the LCP. The long trigger is a plus for pocket carry and I can keep all my shots on a standard target at 7 yards. It isn't a target pistol. I never thought for a second it would be.

zaitcev said:

I don't think it would. No matter who makes it, RM380 has an extremely limited magazine capacity, excessively long DAO trigger pull (longer than LCP), and is fat. And, has milled sights. For sure, Glock 42 also comes with 6-round magazines, but the aftermarket supplied extended magazines for it. That makes all the difference.

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We'll have to agree to disagree. I'm comparing it to other hammer fired mouse guns that are extremely popular even though the striker fired G42 exist. The RM380 has a metal frame, changeable grip panels, is ambitious, extremely easy to rack, is second strick capable, has and last round hold open (some mouse guns do not), and comes with pinky extensions. All of that and it's not noticably more heavy or wide than it's "comparable" competition.

As far as the milled in sights are concerned, my example is still very accurate out to seven yards. Plus these are point and shoot back up or deep concealment mouse guns, and not target, competition, or long range session pistols.

When it comes to capacity, like I said it's meant to be a back up gun or a lightweight deep concealment gun. It has similar capacity to its competition, and IMHO, having an extended mag defeats the purpose of the role mouse guns are supposed to fill.

IMHO, if another company offered this same gun, it would probably be just as if not more popular than the Ruger LCP.

I had an RM380. I sold it because a guy wanted it in a deal I was working with him to purchase another gun. I somewhat regret letting it go. I was trying to sell my R51 and the guy wanted the RM380 and the R51 both together or not at all. If you know anything about the R51 you would understand why he wanted at least one reliable pistol in the deal.

Anyway, the RM380 I had was the most reliable semiautomatic .380 pistol I have tried. It shot every type and manufacture of .380 ammo I could find and NEVER malfunctioned. I could shoot it accurately (for a mouse gun) to 10 yards and keep all shots in the boiler room of a standard man sized silhouette target. The sights were not great but we’re adequate for close in shooting.
Here are some photos I took right after I bought my RM380 in October of 2017. They aren’t going to win a marksmanship award but at 10 yards firing <1 second per shot I would say the little gun does just fine for what it is.

My RM380 is finally showing some appreciable holster wear. It's a bit wide for a pocket gun, but it is my favorite pocket gun.

It's soft shooting, easy to operate the slide, shoots as well or better than any other pocket gun I've tried. I guess I'm used to double action triggers as the RM380 trigger doesn't seem out of the ordinary to me. I love the revolver like hammer fired true double action in this gun.

I really liked the RM380 until I tried the trigger. The break was so far back I had to shift my grip to fire it. If you can get the trigger to break comfortably for you it might be for you. Sadly not all pistols work well for everybody.

^ This was mine too until I got the Galloway springs. It’s much better now. I still like my Kahr P380 better.