The gun for this review was provided by the Kentucky Gun Company.
In 2014, Remington Outdoor purchased Rohrbaugh Firearms. Considering Remington’s stewardship of other assimilated brands, devotees of Rohrbaugh’s fabulously expensive, finely-crafted pocket pistols were apprehensive. Remington soon realized their worst fears, consigning the Long Island gun brand to the dust heap of history. But not before going full Borg. Enter the RM380. It’s basically the Rohrbaugh R9 — Shooting Illustrated’s 2005 “Handgun of the Year” — made new . . .
Remington ships the all-metal RM380 with two six-round magazines, one flush and one with a pinky finger extension.
There’s no mistaking the RM380’s DNA. The photo above shows the RM380 spooning with a Rohrbaugh R9. Other than a little bling, they’re identical. Well, almost. As you’d expect, in their quest to convert an almost $1200 niche-market pocket-carry pistol into a competitively priced, mass-marketable self-defense gun, Remmy’s altered a few things, mostly for the better.
Remington replaced Rohrbaugh’s Eurotrash-style heel-mounted magazine release with a good ol’ traditional ambidextrous magazine release behind the trigger guard, right where it ought to be. The relocated mag release makes for easier, quicker mag dumps and reloads. They also added some well executed checkering to the front strap for a surer grip. A distinct beavertail at the back helps prevent “slide bite.”
In the interest of keeping their little guns as sleek and snag-free as possible, the Rohrbaughs lacked a slide stop. The resulting gun didn’t lock back when empty (obviously). The RM380’s slide stop ensures that once the hammer’s dropped on your last round, you’ll know it — without that awkward “click” on an empty chamber.
Remington’s also reworked the Rohrbaugh recoil system. Rohrbaughs were notorious famous for needing a spring swap every 200 rounds (some wags called them “the gun you aren’t supposed to shoot.”) Big Green wisely subbed two nested recoil springs for the Rohrbaugh system.
Getting to those recoil springs is not as easy as one would hope. Takedown on the RM380’s a bit on the fiddly side. Remington included an addendum to the manual telling owners that holding the gun ejection port up (i.e., gangsta style) and moving the slide back slowly will release the takedown pin enough to remove it. No such luck. The pin on my T&E gun dropped slightly, but not enough to grab and remove it.
I needed a paperclip to push the pin free. On one level, that’s a good thing. If merely aligning the hole in the slide with the pin caused the pin to drop free, that could happen when you really don’t want it to (especially if you’re a gangsta). Still, takedown’s an issue.
Like most safety-less pocket guns (and the Rohrbaughs before it) the RM380’s got a long trigger pull. How long? If I were to aim the gun downrange and pull the double-action trigger you’d have enough time to check your email before it launched lead. While the RM380’s bangswitch isn’t as buttery as its forebear, it’s noticeably smoother than most mouse guns. Smith & Wesson Airweight fans won’t be jelly, but owners of the class-dominating Ruger LCP might turn slightly green. So to speak.
As with all of its competitors (e.g., the aforementioned Ruger LCP, Smith & Wesson Bodyguard and Kel-Tec P3AT), the Remington RM380’s trigger’s reset is a bit of an issue. There isn’t one. No audible or felt reset point. An RM380 shooter has to let the trigger all the way out before squeezing off a follow-up shot. If you short-stroke the gun, you ain’t got nothing. Avoiding that unfortunate outcome takes regular training.
I brought our RM380 sample to the range and fed it everything you see above — an assortment of rounds from cheap cheap range reloads to premium self-defense ammo. In all, I pulled the trigger more than 500 times on little gun. The semi-automatic pocket pistol shot everything I threw at it — or into it — without malfunction. I fired the RM380 in about every position I could imagine. That potentially troublesome pin caused no troubles whatsoever.
Thanks to the RM380’s reset, or complete lack thereof, I found myself slapping the mouse gun’s trigger. Or, yes, short-stroking it. With a little practice, I could keep my finger on the go pedal and fire reasonably fast follow-ups and double-taps. Under stress . . . who knows?
As far as accuracy is concerned, you needn’t be. Concerned, that is. With its fixed, low-profile, snag-free sights, the RM380 delivers minute of bad guy good terminal ballistics, which is all you need in a pocket gun.
Rohrbaugh’s little pistols had a devoted following. Big Green’s version removes the defunct New York gun’s biggest (smallest?) problem — the 200-round recoil spring replacement issue. The “new” gun also puts the design well within reach of the average gun buyer. While the tiny-nine market has sucked a lot of oxygen out of the once-fashionable .380 market, the RM380 is an almost perfectly suitable alternative to the established players.
Specifications:
Caliber: .380 ACP (.380 Auto, 9mm Browning, 9mm Corto, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, 9×17mm and 9mm Browning Court)
Capacity: 6+1
Action: DAO
Overall length: 5.27″
Barrel Length: 2.9″ (416 stainless steel)
Overall height: 3.86″
Pull weight: 8-9 lbs.
Sights: low-profile sights; the front sight consists of a simple ramp, the rear is notch-style.
Weight (empty): 12.2 oz.
Price: $417 (MSRP), about $360 street
Ratings (out of five stars):
Build quality: * * * * *
Steel slide and barrel, metal frame. A solid, nicely executed deep concealed carry, every-day carry or backup gun.
Ergonomics (carry): * * * *
Slightly chunkier (wider) than its primary carry-gun competitors — think LCP, Bodyguard 380 and P3AT. Still eminently pocketable.
Ergonomics (shooting): * * * *
No mouse gun is fun to shoot, but the RM380’s added thickness fills the hand which reduces felt recoil and makes emptying a few mags at the range more than tolerable. You’ll need to practice with that trigger.
Customize this: * *
You can replace the grip panels and add a laser. Add a nice pocket holster for this micro pistol. That’s it.
Reliability: * * * * *
Rock solid.
Overall: * * * *
One star deducted for the RM380’s long trigger pull and fiddly disassembly. Still, Remington bought a proven design and made it better and cheaper.
The gun for this review was provided by the Kentucky Gun Company.
Let’s see here…
Did Remington have anything at all to do with the manufacture of that weapon?
Is that a yes?
I wouldn’t touch it with Dirk’s 10-foot pole…
🙂
+1
how many of you people giving reviews have actually bought or shot this gun ? I shot Remington .22 rifle once .Does this have weight?
Perhaps you should have fired that Remington .22 instead of shooting it. I recommend against shooting any firearm as you could really damage it and perhaps suffer a ricochet injury if too near the point of impact.
You haven’t even used one and you post a comment like this? Really?? I however bought one and think they’re GREAT pocket pistols. Next time try one before you shoot your mouth off.
235 bucks is a darn good price. I really like mine. It has been flawless and very easy to conceal.
Well then you are an uninformed imbecile. You need to examine the firearm, try it out before making such unqualified asinine statements. A very happy owner of a fine RM380.
Trying a gun out provides no relevant feedback as to its reliability. You can shoot a hundred rounds through a gun and you’re still screwed if you buy it and the 101st round is where it goes to crap. Can this be true of any gun? Of course, which is why you also look to the manufacturer- both for their general reliability AND customer service.
I bought one a couple of years ago for a backup/pocket due to not being satisfied with other choices. Also have a Sig P238 but do not use it for pocket carry. Carry the RM 380 a decent amount and practice on it once or twice monthly and now proficient using the Double action trigger and it is 100% reliable and I trust it. Not even a light strike which is common on some others plus it is not ammo picky and shoots everything I have loaded in it. Also bought a second one the Executive as Wanted the nicer handle. If even one doubt on the reliability I would get rid of it in a heartbeat. Took a chance as was curious about it, as noticed almost all the people that actually bought one loved it and negative remarks were based on brand and history. Hope this helps anyone interested in getting one.
Then you are shortsighted and not a smart thinking person, willing to examine. Did you read the review, it was great overall. The little 380 is way more than what one would expect for the price or twice it. They are beautiful little pocket autos.
If you do not trust RM380, get Kel-Tec P-3AT.
Anyone giving a review of the RM380 with no mention of it’s predecessor the ill-fated R1 is mis-leading the public. Is the RM380 the R1? We don’t know yet, but it is certainly at the very least a buyer beware situation. The R1 was an unmitigated pathetic quality control, poorly tested disaster, that was doomed for failure. Any company that would release that kind of pistol to the public without the proper R & D deserves a pause before any kind of endorsement on a similar new product. Is it possible they got it right? Perhaps, but the R1 was Remmingtons first venture in more than a few decades in the SD handgun market and it was VERY wrong. And it’s not like they’ve been hitting home runs in QC in their existing market products.
Do you mean R51? My R1 (a 1911 clone) is awesome.
+1 can’t speak to other Rem products but my R1 has been flawless.
I doubt that he knows the difference. He just knows a guy who knows a guy who once dated a girl who read a bad review of the RM380
So common in the world of firearms. So many posters that know nothing, heard something, and now they are experts at bashing a product. I have seen it so many times. I would love to actually shoot one of these. I like the all Steel made. I love pocket guns in general. Have made it a hobby. Might just get one.
Get one. I love mine!!
R51. And Remington should leave handguns to companies that know what they’re doing.
Yet my 870 is a very reliable and tough pump action shotgun. I can equal the rate of accurate fire of many gas operated guns with it, and it does not quit or break down under the past 20 years of use. I worked as a gunsmith for thirty years and I saw a lot of shotguns come and go through my shop, but seldom was there an 870 that had a mechanical failure unless the owner had been messing around in the trigger assembly. I have worked on quite a few 870’s but most of that was customizing, replacing recoil pads, re bluing or chamber/forcing cone work to ease the recoil and improve patterning. Since they have made several million of these and most all are functionally flawless in my experience, I’m glad that Mossberg and a few others were in business during my working years – I made a lot of money fixing all of Remington’s competitor’s products. I must say that the R51 was a problematic gun that should have been allowed to be debugged prior to market, but saying Remington products are poorly designed and manufactured as a general rule simply isn’t an accurate statement.
Thank you. Well thought out, authoritative and refreshing. I use a Remington model 700 chambered in 270. I love that rifle. Never a problem and a very accurate rifle, just a joy to shoot and hunt with. Yes I realize this is a pistol article, but Remington is not a BAD firearm manufacturer.
Exactly. Any product from any Freedom Arms Group company is to be considered flawed, until that has been thoroughly debunked via extensive testing. I personally have not see a single product come out of Remington or Marlin in years that I would buy for half price, new in box. Quality control is now 1970-80s GM.
We all knew this was coming when Cerberus got involved, let alone putting Nardelli at the helm. The only interesting part of this deal is I can’t really figure the exit strategy at all. The angry puppy has long since trimmed the fat, lean, and has been shaving bone out of these once proud companies for a while now. They’re all just coasting on their long-expired reputations, who is gonna buy the husk? It’s gonna take a ton of time and CapEx to undo all of the doggie damage.
Unlike their other plays, the Fed or some rival is not going to have the readies to snap up the corpse.
While I agree that “buyer beware” is advised when buying anything from the Freedom Group, the origins of this pistol and the R51 are vastly different. The R51 was an all-new design from Remington. The RM380 is a mildly-refreshed version of the Rorbaugh that had been in production for more than a decade by the time Remington bought the company in 2014. Could Remmy have f’ed it up royally? Possibly, but it doesn’t sound like they’ve fundamentally changed the design, so that seems unlikely.
They don’t have to change the design, they just have to put them together as pathetically ill-finished as they have every Remmy or Marlin I’ve seen NIB for the last 2+ years. I’ve seen many between friends and shows – look like they were made by Soviets. During a war.
YT is replete with vids of for instance, Marlin lever actions, a gun that used to be very nice, now a complete pile of junk. Stocks not fitted, action feels like its full of sand.
The R51 second generation is great. They got it right this time. Will be buying their RM380 also.
He reviewed the RM380 and it’s a good gun. Unlike you I own one and have actually used one and can tell you it’s a winner.
The RM380 and R51 are completely different in just about every way. Even for those who don’t like Remington, the fact that the the RM380 is 80% the same as the Rohrbaugh R9 should say something. I got mine in January for $125 after a sale and the rebate. Great little pocket pistol. Not so fun to shoot after the 3rd magazine, but it isn’t designed for fun at the range. It’s designed to put 7 rounds of .380 ACP defensive ammo where you want it.
Meh-the name Remington ruins it(for me). Odd you mentioned competition without the one’s with the best triggers-Taurus TCP. Or Kahr. 8 or 9 pounds is awful but still a good review.
I would be interested to know if it fits in Rohrbaugh’s holsters.
Hard to figure out why the original cost over 1k…especially with the 200 rnd spring replacement…still wouldn’t touch a freedom group firearm for anything.
I have an original Rohrbaugh R9. I also know the man that designed it. The original intention for this gun was to be a backup piece for Officers and for LEOs that needed a small powerful concealed carry. Those who complained about the springs failing at the range never got that. It’s not a range gun. That said, Remington bought the company and did some nice redesign work. They also screwed the guys that designed it in the first place. As for why the cost was so high on the Rohrbaugh compared to the Remington? That’s easy. Rohrbaugh built them one at a time with limited machinery. Remington has the ability to mass produce.
I got one too and like it. I think the RM380 is an indication that Remington has seen the error in its ways and is taking measures to change, like moving production to Alabama, to increase value and try and regain consumer trust.
They’ve got a long way to go.
What they did in general is inexcusable. What they did to Marlin is– for me at least– pretty damn near unforgivable.
They are about a decade late. With all the P3AT/LCP/TCP/Bodyguards/etc. out there, who cares about another pocket .380. That is a niche that we have already filled. Heck, the micro pocket 9 fad is already almost as saturated as the .380 market. Maybe Remington should focus on actually making quality 870’s and 700’s.
+1. They have ruined their reputation in handguns. About the only stupid move left is to ruin their reputation in 870s and 700s. Wait, they ruined the trigger in the 700s, right? Maybe they should outsource the 870s to the Turks and call it a day…
The Chinese already make a nicer 870 than Remington.
I have a pre-Freedom Group 870 and a few months back compared it to a friend’s recently made 870. Let’s just say build quality has gone downhill…
Your comment is foolish. You would have us believe that because there are already several other 380 pocket pistols already out there that remington is now too late to the party with their 380. Using your logic any gun maker that introduces a new 9mm is also too late to the party because of the hundreds of other 9 mm models already out there. Next time think before engaging brain.
count me as another reader who arrived here for the reviews.
most everyone here is aware of big green’s recent foibles under fg.
if dan says this one (the one kg supplied…) works, then there’s your guntruth.
elsewhere it will receive mostly rave reviews and adorn the cover of some gun porn magazine(s).
.380 is hotter than .25 or .32 and this is priced well.
this should sell. i won’t buy it because p938.
i’m still upset about the new marlins. the .357 and .44 are legal for indiana deer and i want something in .45- 70 or .444.
I’ve been hankering after a marlin in .45-70 for a while. And by hankering, I mean drooling over pictures of them in Gun Digest. Darn near ruined the page.
find an older one. the new midsize hooplevers look great on the outside…
or a henry… did savage make one?
my brother has a contender in .45- 70. i declined his offer to shoot it a second time.
Savage made one of the best, the Model 99, rotary mag so it can use pointed bullets, and came in high-pressure calibers like .308 and .308’s daddy, .300 Savage. My dad picked up a beautiful made in 1953 example chambered in .300 Savage at a yard sale in Fla. about two years ago for $300.
I bought A Marlin 45-70 classic as a Christmas present for myself in DEC 2015. It is a well put together, decent gun for the money (paid $599). Not the slickest action in the world but very usable. If you shoot Cowboy you may want to smooth it up but for hunting it’s fine the way it is. With the right load it’s nuts on accurate. Apparently they worked out the kinks in the new manufacturing process.
P938 is a nice firearm for a Sig, but like all the Sigs I’ve owned, I had a problem with it, actually two of them. After the first outing, the night sight vile in the front sight was missing (that is correct, it blew out somewhere during shooting). About a month ago, I noticed something I thought was unusual about the guide rod, but upon inspection it seemed to be okay, so I thought. Came to find out a few days later upon racking the slide that it was not okay. The guide rod flew out! I didn’t realize it was a two piece unit and had been unscrewing while firing it. It had finally reached the last thread and shot out; thankfully while not actually using it. Since then I have used pliers to reattach it and it has not budged yet. Only shot it about 75 rounds since then however. I don’t like thinking I am going have to recheck this on a regular basis; should be one piece. As for the RM380, I like it a lot, even owning the P938.
The R9 was sort of special, a 9mm that was just slightly bigger than the competition’s 380s.
But the RM380 is a 380 that’s slightly bigger than a 380, so what’s the point?
+1
The R9 was an achievement. The RM380 is the equivalent of Homer carving his chili eating spoon out of a bigger spoon.
*applause for comment of the day
This is more like the LC380 than the LCP; a 380 chambering of an existing 9mm design. But if Remington tried to keep it a 9mm, maybe the recoil spring would still need changing and the gun wouldn’t be reliable.
The RM380 is closer in weight and size to the LCP than the LC380. The LC380 weighs 5 ounces more and is about .75″ longer. The LCP is less than .25″ shorter in length and only weighs about 2.5 ounces less than the RM380. The barrel length of the RM is right in between the two and in height it is again closer to the LCP than the LC380. I guess Remington did their homework quite well. They created are marketing one firearm to replace two Ruger models with a bias toward the pocket carry size of the LCP, and due to the alloy frame, recoil closer to the LC380; guess you could call it the best of both worlds.
I take it you don’t own one. I do. They are VERY WELL MADE guns that are fun to shoot.
I own one and it has been nothing but a headache. The take down pin in mine comes out very easy…… too easy. It even comes half way out when firing it. Done it on multiple occasions and jams the gun.
I really like my RM 380. Good shooter, dependable, lots of rounds downgrade, not the first malfunction of any kind to include the takedown pin. It is my CCW on a frequent basis. It’s a keeper.
Remington needs to prove itself all over again. Call me in five years.
The author’s worries of the roll pin working its way out, there is one at a local shop here that when you rack back the slide and shake it a bit, the roll pin simply falls out.
One mishap after another for this company. Unfortunate for a company that could have been great.
That’s what the manual says is supposed to happen (when moving the slide back slowly). They claim, however, that the pin will not come out during normal firing, whatever the position. And that was my experience.
I have a 380 Remington where that take down pin comes half way out when firing it and jams the gun. Done it three times me and I have only put less than 30 rounds threw the gun since I bought it.
Lillian, The pin will only drop out if you are holding the 380 with the ejection port up, and rack the slide slowly. If this is how you hold and operate the gun, then put a drop of grease on the pin as stated in the owner’s manual.
Stop holding it “gangsta” style…..
Lillian….
During take down and before re-assembly, fill the area of the barrel, where the pin goes through, with heavy grease. This will keep the pin in there. During assembly, it’s a little tricky for not having your palm on the end of the barrel and as a result, won’t allow you proper alignment for the pin. The manual doesn’t address this properly, so you might want to take note.
I had what I hope to believe, as a rare occurrence with one of mine and that the mag eject spring fell out. Had to send it to a private shop under Remington’s direction, up in MI and whereas they had it for a month. Must be some kind of a trick for installing it properly, according to Remington, even if you don’t lose the spring.
Lillian….
During take down and before re-assembly, fill the area of the barrel, where the pin goes through, with heavy grease. This will keep the pin in there. During assembly, it’s a little tricky for not having your palm on the end of the barrel and as a result, won’t allow you proper alignment for the pin. The manual doesn’t address this properly, so you might want to take note.
I had what I hope to believe, as a rare occurrence with one of mine and that the mag eject spring fell out. Had to send it to a private shop under Remington’s direction, up in MI and whereas they had it for a month. Must be some kind of a trick for installing it properly, according to Remington, even if you don’t lose the spring.
Of course, in typical Remington style, they left out the small piece of wire, which even Kel-Tec had designed in from day 1.
Ironically, many owners put so-called “hitch pin” with straight shank in and thus disable the wire on Kel-Tec’s larger guns. But as you said, at least they put it in. Perhaps this way Remington saved a few cents.
Glock 42 has a similar pin, which has grooves almost exactly like Kel-Tec designed, but they cleverly used the slide stop as a retaining clip, which removes a need for separate wire. A nameless engineer upstaged GeorgeK in Smyrna (unless it’s an idea dating back to Gaston himself — I’m not familiar enough with historic Glocks).
CJ , where in Minnesota is the gun at the shop and what is the name of the shop?? I am having the same problems with my new gun. No one wants to address it !!!
Lillian….
They have a lifetime warranty.
Just call Remington and they will send you a package and address for where to send it, if I’m remembering right.
Fake news….
I wouldn’t even buy an 870 or Core Lokts for Remington, as of right now.
Speaking of… I’ve had at least one dud round in each of the last 2 boxes of Core-Lokt I’ve shot. One might say it adds to the suspense of squeezing the trigger on a trophy in your crosshairs.
“Eurotrash”?… you slob. I’m an American and I guess it’s only mildly, sometimes derogatory, but it’s unprofessional.
The United Stats of the Offended strikes again.
Are we really this thin skinned these days?
Oh we’re waaaayyy past that.
Ever heard of ‘trigger words’?
I demand a safe space!
It’s not about thin or thick skin. It’s about not being an asshole unnecessarily.
How is the term ‘Eurotrash’ not an accurate description of a person many of us know?
How is describing someone/something to fit a metric being an ‘asshole’?
I actually would prefer heal mag release. It may be slower but you will almost never drop the mag by accident. And in the design of a gun which is up close and self defense i would say give me 100% reliable over a little speed.
I find it hard to trust anything Remington says or does . All this issues with their products . I got burned on my ACR rifle ,no barrels no parts no nothing 2.5K paper weight . I would never believe a thing they or Bushmaster ever say because you know it is False
“As with all of its competitors (e.g., the aforementioned Ruger LCP, Smith & Wesson Bodyguard and Kel-Tec P3AT), the RM380’s trigger’s re-set is a bit of an issue. There isn’t one. “
My Taurus TCP has a very audible and tactile reset. It doesn’t come until the trigger is almost all the way forward, but it is quite noticeable. The TCP has an excellent trigger for a $200 mouse gun.
The trigger reset is letting it go and pulling again. Stop trying to game the trigger. Pull all the way back it goes bang. Let go forward and repeat. Class dismissed.
How can one do a concealed carry gun review and not mention the surface treatment?! For something that’s going to be exposed to the rigors of daily life, it’s nice to know how much it’s going to have to be babied (or not).
If a free Oriental massage and happy ending were included with the RM380, I still wouldn’t buy it.
Would that Oriental massage be in a place with aluminum foil covering the windows? if so, I’m “in” !
===D~
OK, for gun buyers, riddle me this:
What’s this gun have that a CZ-83 doesn’t have? Besides probably a better trigger, an external slide-mounted safety and a hammer (part of why it probably has a better trigger), I mean?
Not sure what you’re getting at. The CZ-83 and this thing aren’t really in the same category. The CZ is an inch bigger in height and length, and the grip is definitely going to be much wider. The CZ weighs more than twice as much as the RM380. And they don’t make CZ-83s anymore, so you can’t buy one new.
Apples and oranges.
They’re both .380’s and they’re both under $400. After that, the differences start to become personal preferences, I guess. Once we’re into dealing with .380’s, you’re into dealing with a marginal defensive round, so you might as well get the gun you can shoot the best.
For pocket pistols, weight and size are two of the most crucial characteristics.
Well, if that’s your criteria, then OK. I’m rather sanguine on pistol weight, mostly because I like pistols with heavier rounds. I’ve put my Glock 36 into a homemade pocket holster and carried it that way, but pocket carry isn’t my preference because of how it prints when I sit down. I’d much rather carry a snubbie in a pocket because when it prints, people just think I’m some sort of pervert instead of a gun snob. 😉
Isn’t that kind of like saying that the differences between a Toyota Tacoma and a Mini Cooper are just down to personal preference, since they’re both under $30,000 and have 4-cylinder engines?
A.380 is marginal???? Right…… ok bozo, are you volunteering to stand in front of one as a “marginal” .380 impacts you???? Thought not……
If one ain’t enough a double or triple tap will surely solve the problem.
External safety on a carry pistol is a dumb idea. So CZ loses here. If they built a DAO RAMI (like SiG does with DAK), it would be interesting, but they don’t.
You could just get the BD variant with the decocker. Unless you want .40 S&W.
The CZ-83 has that covered here, actually. The safety on the 82/83 models can’t be engaged unless the hammer is cocked. So if you’re carrying DA/SA, the safety can’t accidentally engage and trip you up. If you’re carrying cocked-and-locked, then presumably you’ve trained yourself to flick off the safety on the draw.
It’s the only pistol I’ve ever used that has that particular either/or manual of arms.
The Walther PPK and PPK/S are the original .380 pocket pistols and still work as well as they ever did. Unlike you, I like the safety on the Walther. In fact I would say the exact opposite: a true “pocket gun” without a long throw Walther-type safety. I can’t imagine how anyone could feel good about carrying something like a SIG 938 – a cocked and locked condition one pistol, without the 1911 grip safety, this in a pocket? No thanks.
The long travel DA of the the Remington is a reasonable alternative to the Walther long-travel DA and safety combination.
Smart people just don’t engage it…..
The trigger action was a big reason I stayed away from all of those when I was shopping for a pocket gun. If I’m actually pulling the pocket .380, it means that I went out dressed up all fancy like to the nice part of town and things took a hard left turn anyway. Remembering that the trigger reset is all sketchy is not something I want to have to do at that point….
The Kahr .380’s trigger has a nice reset, I’ll give it that. (As, of course, does the GLOCK 42….)
I have gone for 65 years and never heard of “Trigger reset”. But I still shoot rapid fire pretty good.
I don’t worry about the fancy stuff, 2 to body mass and 1 to the head if I ever have to.
I will stay with my G42 when I carry a .380, it works, is thin, has a positive reset on the trigger and is light….
I was quite intrigued, but the gun is just a little too small for me. Also, a funny thing happened: by checking it out in the store, I managed to jam the gun solid in halfway-racked position. I decided not to commit to RM380 for now. It would be interesting to see if Remington make longer magazines, like SiG does with P290RS. With the magazine release relocated, they can do that.
Does it come with a Pelican Case? Or does that get sent later?
Tried and true bersa 380.
I would like to know if this review was a production piece or one sent by Remington to be reviewed.
All the RM51 that were prodotype had glowing reviews and worked great, the production pieces were garbage. Remington lost a lot of cred on that debacle. Course they also had the Remington 700 trigger issue. Funny, I have 4 700s that I bought new and filled out the registration cards and mailed in and have not been contacted on the recall.
Of course Taurus and savage have had a couple of black eyes lately too. Even glock had some problems on their new 42 that warranted new frame and magazine design.
Guess it’s what happens when you put price point and profit as first priority.
Price on this is just a tad lower than where I always thought the r9 should have hit. Never understood why anyone would pay 1200+ for a rhohbar. Sorry is that offends any of the r9 fanboys, but they seemed way overpriced for what you got to me, but that good for you cause I won’t be competing for nos , like new or even shooters for you collectors.
It is important to remember that the gun review was written by a gun retailer. Here are some important points that they “missed”.
1. The slide and the slide stop have a black oxide finish, not a nitrided (e.g. melonite) finish. The black oxide finish on the slide stop was already wearing off on the display models I looked at. If S&W can give us a melonited slide on the Shield for a $449 list price, Remington should be able to do the same with this smaller RM380 gun that has a list price of $417.
2. The reviewer’s remark about the RM380’s trigger reset is essentially a false issue. This is a hammer fired mouse gun, not a striker fired one, and that is one reason why there is no early trigger reset. The long pull of the trigger is also not an issue in a pocket gun. Rather, the BIG issue is that the trigger on the RM380 breaks at the most rearward position possible, just before hitting the trigger guard frame. In order for the trigger to travel to that position, your trigger finger will be in an awkward, unnatural position if you use the pad of your finger to pull the trigger. Less so if you pull the trigger using the crease of your finger. IMHO, this is the glaring shortcoming of the gun.
3. If you are an old timer who does not like MIM (Metal Injection Molding) parts in a gun, then looking at the very visible molding line on the hammer will give you a headache. The molding line can be seen in one of the pictures in the review.
4. One of the positive points missed in nearly every review of this gun is that the slide is easier to rack on the RM380 versus competing mouse guns such as the Ruger LCP and Beretta Pico. I believe that feature alone will attract many woman to the gun who worry about having the hand strength to manipulate the slide.
5. It is also important to mention that on the 3 RM380s I handled, the slide to rail fit was surprisingly very good and smooth. And while the trigger pull is long, it was very smooth with a fairly even pull weight throughout the pulling action.
I need to provide a correction to my post. The original gun review was NOT done by the gun retailer.
Also the reviewers comment that breaking the gun down is an issue because he had to use a paperclip to push the pin out forces me to ask him to turn in his man card.,,,,,
As a retired LEO , and licensed dealer my only concerns with all these small semi autos. Is the buyer learn what ever they purchase. I have Keltec in both 380 and 32 cal. , they have been great deep cover guns., but only after I put 500 rounds through each not on just paper scenarios.
Recently bought the RM380 as it is safe as a snub nose revolver, fits it the pocket, light weight, more rounds, and big enough to shoot reasonably well. After a limited test of 125 rounds of various 380 ammo I have only one issue when pulling the trigger just using the pad on my finger. It became a little sore but this is not a range gun. Accuracy and speed was as good as me shooting a snub nose. I also painted the front sight which helped in the poor light at the range. If the RM380 holds up and stays reliable Remington has a winner. I see lots of opportunities for different finishes, colors. etc.
Picked up an RM380 first week of November; first one I know of in the Seattle market. So far I’ve been out 3x’s and shot 300 rounds. A combination of FMJ’s, HP and Hornady FTX rounds; all without one hiccup. Feels nice, less recoil than the LCP and I like the slide hold open feature after the last round (unlike the LCP). Hope fully they’ll release an extended mag than holds 1 more round and offer some alternative grip panels shortly. Still as it is, I like it a lot and certainly recommend checking it out, if you are in the market for a 380 pocket pistol. As for the R51, I have one, it has not been the disaster that everyone speaks of. Yes, I have had a few issues, but considering I haven’t broken it in entirely (as many say it takes 500 rounds for most firearms) I still need to shoot another 100. It is actually a very accurate weapon and comfortable to hold and shoot. Supposedly they are releasing a new version of it this year sometime, if they do, and offer the ability to trade it in; I will likely take them on it, it’s a nice gun and would be great if it were totally flawless.
I just bought the R51 second gen last week and it is flawless! They got it right this time.
i would buy it. that is a very good price.
I bought the R51 second gen and have had not a single problem. Love that pistol!
The size and weight of this gun is almost the same as a Kahr CM9 9mm which I bought new for $325 last year.
Who in their right mind could possibly entertain this rehashed Rohrbaugh after the R51 debacle? 380 is a junk round but you are better off with a LCP or G42 than this junker.
So…. you volunteering to stand in front of this “junk round” and be hit by it???? Not such a junk round, is it…..😏
I can buy the RM380 brand new in box for $235 out the door. Is it worth it?
Lot of people shooting their mouths off to bad mouth a gun they have never owned or used. I call this fake news. If you are going to criticize a product be up front and say if you have owned or used one. This gives you credibility.,,..
Hear, hear!
Why not first try using the RM380 and then and only then commenting on it? I own one. It’s flawless, well built and hides well in a pocket.
A lot of mis-informed people and many who just can’t get over the past. I have an R9 and love it. Better fit, finish etc then any other micro 9 out there before the pack caught up. Reliable, tight tolerances, snag free and the list goes on. The RM380 saved me a bunch of money as I was saving for an R380. My RM380 has been flawless and I’m happy to say that Remington did justice to Rohrbaugh. While there may be other micro 380’s it’s either my Seecamp or my RM380 for me. As for micro 9’s, Colt, Kimber etc still have a way to go before catching up to the R9.
More recent test have shown the RM 380 to be extremely reliable and a Mild Shooter. Price is on the low side for a Comparable pocket guns. I think this gun will be a huge success based on some of the reviews I have seen and most likely eat the Ruger LCP’s lunch. I have been shooting pockets for years. Owned 4 LCP;s and find it the most over rated pocket gun out there. A ridiculous High Five Recoil Slap, and a gun that simply will start falling apart around 1500 to 2000 rounds. The RM is built out of 7075 Aluminum, with a Stainless steel slide. Built to go the distance far beyond the Ruger, which is prone to Grip Cracks, frame cracks, Split rails, and broken take down pins. LCP’s shoot until they don’t, terrible recoil! The RM has none of those issues. I was told by my LGS when I first bought my first LCP, a retired combat Marine, “The LCP is a throw away gun, Shoot it till it falls apart and get another one” Lol, he was right on the money.
I own and carry the RM380 and it’s a fantastic little pocket gun. Shoots great, very comfortable in my hand. And has shot every type of ammo I’ve fed it flawlessly. The only draw back was the long stiff trigger pull. But I switched out the springs for an after-market reduced power spring kit, smoothed out the trigger pull quite a bit. The same company is working on an adjustable trigger for it as well. I might up-grade the trigger when available as well.
Ditto for me also. Very happy with my little 380 from Remington. Not one single problem.
Why isn’t this hand gun equipped with a safety ?
For the same reason double-action-only snub-nosed revolvers don’t have safeties. The long, hard trigger pull ensures against accidental discharge.
$125 after rebate. That can’t be beat!
This. An all metal pocket gun for a buck and change. Merry xmas to me.
I have that little 380. Carries well and never a problem. Paid a lot more than u did.
At $129.99 after rebate, I bought two and probably should have gotten 5 (the max.) while I had the chance.
Has to be the best bang for the buck for any pocket gun and just maybe the best bang, there is out there.
Have only fired 25 rounds in one of them so far, but found out all I needed to know about a CCW.
This business of the pin maybe falling out, only takes filling the barrel guide hole with grease and then re-assembling.
The 8# or so trigger pull is smooth and just enough for making it safe. Once used to it, you can pull back to the point of fire, before lining up the sites. There’s no time for safety’s anyway, when under stress. It’s hammer fired, but the hammer is flush and smooth, as with the rest of the gun, so there’s nothing to catch on clothing. As with all in this class, it’s not meant to be a target shooter, although not bad at 5 – 10yds, if one would have time for all that aiming, in a pinch.
Love everything I hear about that gun, but the prospect of the pin falling out bothers me enough to pass.
Don’t hold it gangster style (sideways) and I think you’ll be okay. Like others have stated just dab some heavy grease on it and it will stay
I found that after disasembly, filling the pin hole at the base of the barrel with heavy grease, insures that the pin isn’t going anyhere.
Also by not putting your palm against and pushing on the barrel front during assemby makes aligning the pin hole easy.
Great little gun and prefer a long trigger pull with no safetys for a small pocket carry.
As said, I have two and for $129 each, should have bought 5.
Where did you get it so cheap?
Also, a friend said since everything inside is metal just magnetize that pin and you won’t need grease.
Left his stuck to an old car speaker magnet for 1-2 days and it does not fall out
$129 price came about with a RK sale event, couple with a post Christmas $100 Remington Rebate.
I am a Pocket gun enthusiast. I have not shot the Remington, but from this review and range buddies that own them, they are a huge step up from the LCP’s and other aluminum frame guns. I have owned 4 LCP.s and they just will not hold up in the long run. Cracked frames, cracked grips, split rails, take down pins break, walk out etc.
The small Pocket Pistol that is far superior than any I have ever seen is the Beretta Pico. Everything on this Pistol is built with Stainless Steel. (minus the polymer grip, which has a MODULAR design. Stainless Steel Receiver and Chassis. No aluminum in this gun. Even ships with a stainless steel guide rod. Magazines are beautiful stainless steel, and even a stainless steel Magazine follower. They look like high end custom 1911 mags. The gun has the best sights in class and you can easily change out to night sights yourself. The gun is a true Pocket Pistol that looks like it was designed in a wind tunnel. A bonus is the fact that the gun is has “double strike action”. The gun IS FUN TO SHOOT! Why? It extremely MILD shooting with none of the high five slap notorious with the LCP. Very little muzzle flip. The Little gun is rated for Plus P and man does it shoot it well. The gun is virtually built like a TANK. I have shot thousands of rounds out of mine all flawless other than some very cheap bulk range ammo with hard Primers which the Pico handled with no Problem with the re-strike capable gun. The gun runs like a sewing machine and will go the distance with a lot of ammo down range, when other guns fall by the wayside. The Generation 2 which came out in late 2014 reduced the trigger pull to around 8 lbs of pull. Nice, deliberate pull, Ideal for CCW. Racking was also made much easier.
Yes, small and slim, but spend some time handling the gun and you will reap great rewards! Bravo to Beretta. A much under appreciated Pocket gun!
Purchased the RM380 about a month ago and after three range sessions very impressed with it. No issues with multiple types of ammo and after some practice the trigger is no issue and I even prefer the long pull for pocket carry. Even after watching video of the gun being broken down the first time was painful but much easier the second try and the third was easy and not a problem. I do use a small punch and found for me the best way to grip it to align so the pin would come out. Don’t see any chance of the pin accidentally falling out. Found this one fun to shoot and decently accurate for the type of gun it is. Very comfortable carrying this one in my front pocket.
Two more range sessions and not one malfunction. Now able to breakdown without a punch and carry a couple times a weeks and have total confidence that the pin will not fall out and I have tried hard to make that happen. Serves very nice as a backup and even primary when your atttire does not allow for a larger sized handgun to be concealed.
Has any of you actually has an issue with the pin falling out?
I have shot/+carried mine for months now with no issues and not even one issue with the pin.
My confidence level is high on this one so far but always interested in how it works for other people.
Magnetize the pin using a strong magnet like a car speaker magnet for 1-2 days and no issues ever.
I’m going to try magnetizing the pin, the next time I have it apart and even though it hasn’t been a problem.
The grease in fact, has just been for insurance, so having a little more, can’t hurt.
The RM380 is probably one of the best 380’s on the market today! Especially given the fact that u can get them new anytime for around $230. Buying mine was one of the best gun deals I’ve gotten in a while. When I consider what I gave vs. what I got. The RM380 is a considerable value.
After reading all the comments on this review from people who don’t own or have even used the RM380. I had to take mine out of my pocket and take a double look at the infamous take down pin.
Yep, that take down pin is buried in there, behind a tiny hole in the slide that only comes out when you hold the slide precisely in *just-the-right-place* in the middle of it’s travel, and then only to the left. There is no way that thing is coming out on its own.
Reset? Reset? We Don’t Need No Stinkin Reset. The trigger works more like a double action revolver – so there is no “reset” by design. What I’m saying is, like a traditional double action revolver trigger (think Smith and Wesson Model 19), you have to go all the way forward and all the way back (actually, waaaaayyyyy back, the only real flaw in this pistol, although there is an aftermarket fix for that).
My other pocket-sized .380 is a Colt Mustang Plus II. I carry the RM380 precisely because of the Double Action Only trigger is more appropriate (safe) for a pocket pistol.
Street price is about $250, this isn’t a bad gun for people who don’t like half-plastic pistols. Mine goes BANG every single time I squeeze that reset-less trigger, and is small and light enough to reside in it’s Recluse pocket holster.
Would I get another one – YES.
Would I recommend to a friend – YES.
Does the Remington company suck – PROBABLY, but they got this one right.
4+ years later……This RM380 seems to STILL get some of the better reviews….
Any opinions, reviews, bias, etc of how it performs vs the LCP II? Actual REAL WORLD experience-based testing would be best appreciated instead of and rambling and trolling…Thanks
With 600 rounds of white box, 200 rounds of Hornady critical defense and 100 rounds of Sig line JHP its a keeper. The trigger smooths out feels a bit lighter than new. Yes it has a DA revolver reset, but I am not worried on reset as short as a nats ass. Carries in the pocket very nicely. The fit loosens up a bit but stills functions 100 percent. Had 1 round fail to go off, primer was hit hard enough so figure a bad round. Two upgrades I recommend doing are add a rubber sleeve to help grip the small grip. Large hands find small guns a bit of a challenge to hold. And paint the front sight. I bought it new for 250, a steal today.
Had mine now about 1.5 years and still very satisfied. Carry it as backup some and also at certain times just stick in my pocket when wearing shorts or very light clothing. I am now very good at using the DA trigger after some practice even fast firing. My primary rotation is glock 26 and Walter pps m2 and the rm380 while much different has been 100% reliable and I practice with it now about once a month. Not any issues with the pin.
I picked one up today, with two 50 round boxes of ammo, including tax, $252 total. Trigger seems fine. The demo one at the store was iffy, but the new one in the box is noticeably better. I’ve had worse Keltecs and Tauruses for sure. We will see Sat what it does at the range…so far I am happy with it for the price.
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