The Rohrbaugh Forum

Rohrbaugh Products and Accessories => Rohrbaugh R380 => Topic started by: Big_John_1961 on May 15, 2011, 03:40:42 PM

Title: .380 issues
Post by: Big_John_1961 on May 15, 2011, 03:40:42 PM
Hey all,

A couple of things with my recently purchased Rohrbaugh 380.  


If anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful.  The gun shoots very well, and I'm hoping these issues are easily fixable.

Thanks!

John
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: coyote on May 15, 2011, 04:00:50 PM

i ask the same first question. everyone seems to agree that it is definitely a better idea to use a snap cap or spent case to absorb the shock to the firing pin. will dry firing it a few time damage a rohrbaugh? very unlikely. but most folks will say its not a good standard practice to click it thousands of times.

re: rough trigger - first try tightening grip screws. lose screws effect trigger action.

due to small size, these handguns are ammo sensitive. keep it clean and lubed and use only proven factory ammo you have personally tested. in your case it may well be hydrashoks.

but that's just my opinion...
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: kjtrains on May 15, 2011, 04:01:50 PM
Quote
Hey all,

A couple of things with my recently purchased Rohrbaugh 380.  

  • Is it okay to dry fire a Rohrbaugh pistol?
  • As of yesterday, the trigger has started to stick in the rearward position after pulling it, and I have to fiddle with it to get it to reset.  Whereas it was really smooth when I got it, there's now the slightest hint of grittiness.  Any ideas as to what my be causing these problems?
  • I've put 250 rounds through the gun using largely PMC Bronze and some Blazer.  From about the sixth round onward I was experiencing numerous stovepipe malfunctions (about 15 over the 250 rounds), often with the last round of the magazine.  Obviously, I'm a little concerned about this, as it is to be one of my EDC pistols.  The good news is that the last 50 rounds I fired using Federal Hydra Shok were flawless.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful.  The gun shoots very well, and I'm hoping these issues are easily fixable.

Thanks!

John

John.  On dry firing, I would say, don't do it, however, there are those that say it doesn't hurt a thing.  Here are some comments on dry firing.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061213034015AA5J39B

On the sticky trigger, sounds like on the PMC and Blazer, you have dirtied up your .380 as this is some dirty ammo I'm told.  Have you cleaned it since shooting those two?  

The Federal Hydra Shoks should cause no problem as you have stated.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Big_John_1961 on May 15, 2011, 05:10:14 PM
Guys, thanks for the replies.

Coyote, the grip screws are so tight that I've been unable to loosen them, even with a high-quality allen wrench.  I don't think that's the problem.

kjtrains, yes, I thoroughly cleaned and lubed the pistol after the initial range session.  I pretty compulsive about that.  The trigger problem arose just this morning, a good week after I shot it and after quite a few dry fires.  I've never had issues with dry firing my other handguns, and it is a good way to get a feel for the trigger.

I appreciate the input. I love the gun, but right now I can't really trust it.   :)
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: yankee2500 on May 15, 2011, 05:46:49 PM
If it was only with range ammo you had the issue and the premium ammo was flawless after the problem started it would seem it was an ammo issue.
   I would try some more Hydra Shocks or another brand of premium SD ammo and see what happens, maybe some Gold Dots which are usually fairly easy to find.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: coyote on May 15, 2011, 06:56:53 PM

Quote
... Coyote, the grip screws are so tight that I've been unable to loosen them, even with a high-quality allen wrench.  I don't think that's the problem....

every ultra mini i've owned needed a bit of fiddling to get it right.

ie: it still might be the way the grip interface with the trigger spring.

the trigger spring rides under the right grip. in my case, i swapped factory grips with a set of lovely VZ grips. there are very slight differences in the way they were inletted under the right grip. the VZs interfered with the spring, causing the trigger not to reset correctly and caused me to feel the action working. i could have ground of the grips but instead i made the slightest adjustment to the spring's shape. took all of 2 minutes. now its 100%.

its a possibility...

.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: yankee2500 on May 15, 2011, 08:00:50 PM
  I agree it's a possibility but it would seem unlikely with 250 rounds fired and the problems being only with the range ammo, the last 50 rounds were flawless and were the Hydra Shocks.
  The other possibility is the problem worked its self out, maybe just a speck of metal or something stuck somewhere after the sixth round and worked loose after 200.
  The next range session should tell more.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Big_John_1961 on May 15, 2011, 08:21:19 PM
I should've mentioned that everything about the pistol is stock, including the grips.  What I can't figure out is why the trigger started acting up just now, a week after I fired it last.  

Thanks again for the help.  I also have an e-mail in to Rohrbaugh.  I'll see what they say.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: yankee2500 on May 15, 2011, 08:38:29 PM
I have two pups one that has been to Robar for the NP3 that is my current carry gun and the other is a work in progress.
The point I headed for is the second pup has a sticky trigger and it is caused by the grips rubbing the sides of the trigger. I loosened the front grip screws and it works fine, if I tighten them back up it sticks.
   Try a drop of lube on each end were the trigger rubs the grip or loosen a grip screw and see if this helps. In your case I would try the lube first if you can not loosen the grip screws.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: tracker on May 15, 2011, 09:29:22 PM
John [yankee2500],

Could this problem be related to the sear trigger bar spring riding up against the inside of the grip like we discussed before?
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: yankee2500 on May 15, 2011, 09:59:25 PM
Quote
John,

Could this problem be related to the sear trigger bar spring riding up against the inside of the grip like we discussed before?

I can't say its not that, it's completely stock with the factory G-10 grips. When I get it back I can find out for sure by loosening just the Left grip screws and if it still sticks it would indicate it's the sear trigger bar spring rubbing.  
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Reinz on May 16, 2011, 04:11:26 AM
Quote
 I agree it's a possibility but it would seem unlikely with 250 rounds fired and the problems being only with the range ammo, the last 50 rounds were flawless and were the Hydra Shocks.
  The other possibility is the problem worked its self out, maybe just a speck of metal or something stuck somewhere after the sixth round and worked loose after 200.
  The next range session should tell more.


I agree, this is the first thing I thought of when I read the first post.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Big_John_1961 on May 16, 2011, 09:35:55 PM
Just to update, I ran a tiny amount of Gun Butter down between the right side grip and the trigger bar, and the problem of the trigger sticking in the rearward position seem to have resolved itself for now.  I would love to get that grip off, but, for the life of me, I cannot break those screws loose.  I've cranked so hard on the allen head driver that I'm afraid it'll snap if I push it further.

Rohrbaugh responded to my e-mail query and said the .380 should digest any standard .380 ammo, but they went on to say that this is a custom gun and will like some ammo better than others.

The message also recommended "Winchester Silvertips 115 Gr. STHP and Speer Gold Dot 115 Gr. HP for carry and Federal American Eagle 115 Gr. FMJ for plinking 124 Gr. may
also be used for defense and plinking."

Obviously, those are 9mm loads, so they confused the two calibers there.  So far the gun likes the 90 gr FHS, so I'll stick with that for now.  I'll run 50-100 more rounds of the FHS through the pistol next time out, but at about a buck a pop, it's pretty pricey stuff to be "plinking" with. It'd be nice to use the cheaper FMJ ammo for range practice.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: kjtrains on May 16, 2011, 09:53:32 PM
Big_John.  Thanks for the update and glad the Gun Butter worked on the trigger.  If you want to get the right side grip off, try heating the grip screws with a soldering iron to soften the loctite; tracker brought this up not too long ago and reminded us that SSlater had posted that tip.

Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Big_John_1961 on May 16, 2011, 10:12:38 PM
Thanks kjtrains.  I was wondering if there was loctite on those screws!   ;D  I'll give that a try.  
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: yankee2500 on May 17, 2011, 12:16:02 AM
Quote
Just to update, I ran a tiny amount of Gun Butter down between the right side grip and the trigger bar, and the problem of the trigger sticking in the rearward position seem to have resolved itself for now.

How were you able to get the Gun Butter between the grip and the frame to reach the trigger bar ? Also if you shoved something between the right grip and the frame you may have just moved the grip enough to relieve the pressure on the trigger itself and allow it to work.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Reinz on May 17, 2011, 04:01:11 AM
Gun Butter sells a package with needle type system.  And as you know, when you pop the slide, there is one wide gap at the top right on the right panel that is accessable.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: yankee2500 on May 17, 2011, 11:25:42 AM
  Reinz, Thanks for clearing that up, I have no personal knowledge of Gun Butter, only Land-O-Lakes. ;D
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Big_John_1961 on May 17, 2011, 12:28:51 PM
Quote

How were you able to get the Gun Butter between the grip and the frame to reach the trigger bar ? Also if you shoved something between the right grip and the frame you may have just moved the grip enough to relieve the pressure on the trigger itself and allow it to work.
I just put a drop of the oil on the top of the grip and let it seep through.  I assumed the part I could see moving right behind the grip was the trigger bar, but maybe not.  Either way, the trigger sticking back seems to be gone for now, but there is still that grittiness at the very first part of the trigger pull.  It's not a huge deal, but it does bug me.

I'm going to try the soldering iron method and see if I can get the grip off and see what things look like in there.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Big_John_1961 on May 17, 2011, 12:29:41 PM
Quote
Gun Butter sells a package with needle type system.  And as you know, when you pop the slide, there is one wide gap at the top right on the right panel that is accessable.
Exacty right.  The tube I have has the needle.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: yankee2500 on May 19, 2011, 11:38:28 AM
I guess the important fact is thats it's working better. :D
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Big_John_1961 on May 28, 2011, 04:16:23 PM
I had the chance to get the .380 to the range yesterday for its second go around, and I'm happy to report that things were vastly improved.

This time the pistol was freshly cleaned and lubed, and 177 rounds went downrange.  40 rounds of Hydra Shok, 100 rounds of American Eagle FMJ and the rest Gold Dots.

I did have two malfunctions, both with the FHS; one FTE at round 37, and on FTF right at the end of the session (which was a pain to clear).  100 rounds of the AE was absolutely flawless as were the Gold Dots.  

I was very encouraged by the session as the little pistol shot beautifully and accurately.  I think I will be switching my main carry load to the Speer Gold Dots as they seem to work very well in just about every pistol I own.

I was so pleased with the Rohrbaugh that I've made the decision to acquire an R9 as soon as I can.  I've been pocket carrying the .380 for a couple of weeks now, and I love the smooth, snag-free profile of these pistols, as well as the ergonomics.  It has really grown on me, and I think it's time to add its big brother to the fold.   ;D

By contrast my Kahr P380 continued to have problems, with 8 more premature slide lock-backs over 40 rounds.  I'm convinced that slide locks on small pistols like these is a bad idea.  Rohrbaugh and Seecamp have the right idea.

Thanks to all for the help earlier in this thread.   8)
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: kjtrains on May 28, 2011, 04:22:36 PM
Big_John.  Great range session with the AE and Gold Dots; glad to see your decison on getting the R9; you'll be pleased, for sure!  Enjoy!
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: JR956678 on May 28, 2011, 07:15:47 PM
Quote
I love the smooth, snag-free profile of these pistols, as well as the ergonomics.  It has really grown on me, and I think it's time to add its big brother to the fold.


I'm convinced that slide locks on small pistols like these is a bad idea.  Rohrbaugh and Seecamp have the right idea.

Glad to hear your R380 sorted things out so well on its second range session.

I agree with your appreciation of the smooth snag-free rpofile and ergonomics of the R380 / R9 - in this area they truly lead the pack of small pistols by a big margin. I also have a Kahr P380 and frustration with its reliability is what led me to the R9 as my "go to" pocket pistol. I am also convinced that as overall size shrinks features you want on a full size pistol become more of a liability than an asset. Rohrbaugh was right to go to a heel mag release and no slide stop.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Reinz on May 29, 2011, 09:51:33 PM
Big John, glad to hear the good news.

Thanks for the feedback.  I am sure that your success with the R9 will be as well.
Title: Re: .380 issues
Post by: Relic on July 06, 2011, 11:39:54 PM
mmm hot buttered Rohrbaugh!     ;D
Now available in two delectable flavors .380ACP and 9mm.

Gitcha some.