POSSIBLE COLT .380 FUNCTION PROBLEM - The Firearms Forum

Charles Christensen · 12-22-2011, 10:43 AM

I have a Colt gov. .380 stainless that I acquired a few weeks ago and took it to the range yesterday. I used new Remington UMC TARGET ammo and fired it with the 7rnd mag it came with and two stainless U.S.A. magazines 10rnd mags that I just bought. It functioned correctly with the 7rnd mag and one of the 10's. The other 10 backed out of the gun twice and had a couple of feed errors.

Is this just a mag problem or is there something about the gun I should look at?

I love the gun and it really barks for such a small thing.

StoneChimney · 12-22-2011, 10:45 AM

Magazine problem. Is it difficult to load past the second round?

Charles Christensen · 12-22-2011, 10:55 AM

I used a magazine loader at the range without any problems so I just tried it by hand now on both mags without noticing anything odd.

StoneChimney · 12-22-2011, 11:10 AM

Sounds like the faulty magazine is not fitting into the gun correctly.

Alpo · 12-22-2011, 12:22 PM

USA magazines are generally regarded as, let me see now, what's that technical term - oh yeah. GARBAGE.

If you've got a USA mag that works, be happy, 'cause that don't happen that often. They are cheap enough that lots of people buy them, so they stay in business, but they are not good magazines.

Jim Hauff · 12-22-2011, 02:00 PM

Compare the locking slot on the two mags that work with the one that doesn't. 75% chance that the slots don't line up - good vs. bad. You may be able to do a little bit of fine file work on the bad slot to make it reliable. I've seen this in a couple of the USA magazines - if that is the problem, it's a fairly easy fix.

StoneChimney · 12-22-2011, 03:39 PM

It will then probably start failing to feed the last round or some other issue.

Charles Christensen · 12-22-2011, 07:26 PM

I put the two 10'ers together and I believe I detect a slight difference in the locking slot. I will be sending the one back to U.S.A. Mags.

12-22-2011, 10:43 AM	#1
Charles Christensen V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 208	POSSIBLE COLT .380 FUNCTION PROBLEM I have a Colt gov. .380 stainless that I acquired a few weeks ago and took it to the range yesterday. I used new Remington UMC TARGET ammo and fired it with the 7rnd mag it came with and two stainless U.S.A. magazines 10rnd mags that I just bought. It functioned correctly with the 7rnd mag and one of the 10's. The other 10 backed out of the gun twice and had a couple of feed errors. Is this just a mag problem or is there something about the gun I should look at? I love the gun and it really barks for such a small thing. -->

12-22-2011, 10:45 AM	#2
StoneChimney Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,087	Re: POSSIBLE COLT .380 FUNCTION PROBLEM Magazine problem. Is it difficult to load past the second round? __________________ Full service gunsmithing and firearm manufacturing shop. Licensed FFL 07/02 Manufacturer. Visit our website!

12-22-2011, 10:55 AM	#3
Charles Christensen V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 208	Re: POSSIBLE COLT .380 FUNCTION PROBLEM I used a magazine loader at the range without any problems so I just tried it by hand now on both mags without noticing anything odd.

12-22-2011, 11:10 AM	#4
StoneChimney Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,087	Re: POSSIBLE COLT .380 FUNCTION PROBLEM Sounds like the faulty magazine is not fitting into the gun correctly. __________________ Full service gunsmithing and firearm manufacturing shop. Licensed FFL 07/02 Manufacturer. Visit our website!

12-22-2011, 12:22 PM	#5
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: POSSIBLE COLT .380 FUNCTION PROBLEM USA magazines are generally regarded as, let me see now, what's that technical term - oh yeah. GARBAGE. If you've got a USA mag that works, be happy, 'cause that don't happen that often. They are cheap enough that lots of people buy them, so they stay in business, but they are not good magazines. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

12-22-2011, 02:00 PM	#6
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: POSSIBLE COLT .380 FUNCTION PROBLEM Compare the locking slot on the two mags that work with the one that doesn't. 75% chance that the slots don't line up - good vs. bad. You may be able to do a little bit of fine file work on the bad slot to make it reliable. I've seen this in a couple of the USA magazines - if that is the problem, it's a fairly easy fix. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

12-22-2011, 03:39 PM	#7
StoneChimney Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,087	Re: POSSIBLE COLT .380 FUNCTION PROBLEM It will then probably start failing to feed the last round or some other issue. __________________ Full service gunsmithing and firearm manufacturing shop. Licensed FFL 07/02 Manufacturer. Visit our website!

12-22-2011, 07:26 PM	#8
Charles Christensen V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 208	Re: POSSIBLE COLT .380 FUNCTION PROBLEM I put the two 10'ers together and I believe I detect a slight difference in the locking slot. I will be sending the one back to U.S.A. Mags.