My View Of The New Remington RM380
Yesterday, on the way home from a USPSA match my friend and I stopped at a local gun store, Anthony Arms. We went there just to look around because we haven’t been there in a long time. By sheer luck, Reps from Remington were there to show off their new RM380 and new defensive ammo. Anthony Arms even has an indoor pistol range underneath their store so I was able to test drive the RM380.
Size wise, the RM380 feels to be similar to the Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard. I was leery to test fire the RM380, as my experience with the LCP or Bodyguard have been less than pleasant. Even my Walther PPK/S is not fun to shoot. I was given 5 rounds of Remington’s new defensive hollow points and for the life of me I can’t seem to recall what they are called at the moment.
Anyway, I walked into the range, set up my target and moved it out about 7 yards. Loaded the RM380, aimed it, and pressed the trigger. To my surprise, there was very little recoil. Hardly anything to really take notice of. The magazine did have the pinky extension. The trigger is double action only but not terrible at all. It was smooth throughout the travel. I noticed that I could prestage the trigger, kind of like a revolver, so that I was at the very cusp of releasing the hammer to make my shots a little more accurate. So I resumed firing the last 4 rounds in the magazine as fast as I could. Here is a picture of my target.
Here is a picture of the RM380 next to a R1.
Here are the details:
- Fully functional slide stop. Holds open on last round.
- Chambered in .380 acp
- All metal construction (7075 aluminum frame)
- 410 Stainless Steel Barrel
- DAO trigger
- Ambi mag release
- Checkered front strap and trigger guard undercut.
- Replaceable grip panels
- Two 6+1 magazines: one flush and one extended
- fixed sights contoured to be drag free
- dual recoil spring
- Barrel Length: 2.9″ (longest barrel in its class)
- OAL: 5.27″
- Weight: 12.2 oz
- MSRP: $417
Remington will also be coming out with a RM380 [AIP]. (Alabama Inaugural Production). It will be two toned with a stainless slide. MSRP will be $465.00
The RM380 AIP will also come with a challenge coin.
I was pleasantly surprised by this little pistol. It was very nice to shoot. My only complaint is the sights and the slide stop. I would have preferred a fiber optic or night sights. The slide stop is flush with the frame which makes it very difficult to move. I found it easier to just grab the slide and rack it than using the slide stop/release.
Phil Note: Of course we posted one of the first reviews of the RM380 not long ago. Check Katie’s review—-RM380.
More by Nicholas C
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Remington, just let the R 51 die! It looks like Remington shrank the R 51 frame. They are trying too hard for a look, rather than starting with a functional design than clean up the looks. I guess Rem. gave up on a pocket 9mm....lol
Like anything in life, felt recoil is subjective. In a mechanical recoil test (no human opinion), the LCP and its ilk would likely be considered light in recoil energy, but it is how the energy is transferred that makes it uncomfortable. You have a 3/4" wide grip pounding into your palm & web. I have the Hogue designed rubber grip and it makes a world of difference. The grip is now 1.125" approx, which spreads the energy out to a wider area and of course the rubber cushions some of the impact as well. Prior to the designed grip, I used a Hogue Handall Jr that I custom cut; not quite as energy reducing, but it still made a world of difference. Would I rather shoot the LCP or my 460V? Hmmmm . . . . 460V is a lot more exciting, but it also pounds the elbow & shoulder joints, not just the palm and wrist. Each and everyone of us is different and this is why you should try out a weapon at a range before you buy it. Shoot at least a box of 50 rounds in anything you are seriously considering. That is after you've held all the various models you're interested in, to see which feels the best in your hand. Which trigger do you like? Which seems more natural to bring to sight? Buying a firearm shouldn't be some spur of the moment, what do you suggest decision. There is also more to firearm ownership than shooting it.