So I bought a Seecamp .380 after being very impressed with a matched pair (sequential serial numbers) of Seecamp .32's I bought used but LNIB.

I was concerned that the .380 would kick too much in such a small pistol. That was the least of my concerns. So I set up a target at about 5 yards since the thing has no sights and it's a point shooter only, loaded up two mags with .380 Gold Dots (can't feed anything but hollow points)

The thing launched the slide downrange MORE THAN ONCE.

These have a fixed barrel that is part of the frame and the slide comes off similarly to a Walther PPK or HK P7MB. You pull the slide back, press a takedown button with a punch through a hole in the slide, then lift the back of the slide up and then forward at an angle.

After the first launch I couldn't remember if I'd taken it apart in the past, and possibly reassembled it incorrectly (unlikely but possible), so I reassembled it after retrieving the slide and tried again. It worked for a few more rounds and then launched the slide AGAIN, this time further away. First time I was able to use a broom while standing safely behind the firing line to sweep it back to me. This time it was too far so I had to wait until I was finished and the range employee could call a cease fire to get it for me.

Couldn't even get through 2 6-round mags. The thing is hard enough to reassemble I have no idea how it came apart, other than the fact that weird things happen with small guns cycling really fast. There is NO WAY this was test fired properly before it shipped unless standard pressure Gold Dot .380 rounds are somehow way higher power than other .380's. Which I highly doubt.

Oh well so much for the "high end" tiny .380 idea. A KelTec would be more reliable than this...

WOW.………...I thought seecamps were supposed to be good quality. The factory should make it right.

Winchester Silvertips are the recommended ammo for the Seecamp.

See attached. http://www.seecamp.com/ammunition.htm

Field strip instructions
http://www.seecamp.com/fieldstripping.htm

For the slide of your Seecamp to launch, either the slide was not properly engaged by the spring loaded slide retainer plunger or you have a damaged/defective plunger. With the slide removed, examine the plunger to determine if it is functioning correctly by pushing in on the button. The plunger should move in and out smoothly. Upon assembly, make certain the plunger has locked the slide in place by pulling upwards on the rear. You may need to use your disassembly tool to depress the plunger (through the slide hole) to achieve complete engagement. If all else fails, a trip to Seecamp should correct your issue.

I agree with hjs….. if all else fails, send in back to Seecamp.

They have treated me right in the past ! mike

quote:

Originally posted by hjs157:
For the slide of your Seecamp to launch, either the slide was not properly engaged by the spring loaded slide retainer plunger or you have a damaged/defective plunger. With the slide removed, examine the plunger to determine if it is functioning correctly by pushing in on the button. The plunger should move in and out smoothly. Upon assembly, make certain the plunger has locked the slide in place by pulling upwards on the rear. You may need to use your disassembly tool to depress the plunger (through the slide hole) to achieve complete engagement. If all else fails, a trip to Seecamp should correct your issue.

Thanks - the slide was definitely "on" so that it can't lift up in the back. I can see the plunger engaged in the slide through the tool hole in the slide, but the movement does seem a little rough when pushing it in with a tool.

As for the ammo - Gold Dots are OK on the .32 (and work fine in my experience) and I had some .380 on hand so I tried it first. I know Seecamps are designed only for hollowpoints, so OAL and bullet profile affect feeding. But even with jam the slide should stay on, so I'm going to send it back for them to look at before trying anything else.

Do you know the year of production? Larry Seecamp sold the company a few years ago. Production was moved from Milford, CT to Southwick, MA. Some say the quality isn't as high as when Larry Seecamp owned the company.

You could check in at the SEECAMP forum if it's still active for other suggestions, but sending it to the factory is the best option.

http://www.seecamp.com/

As far as ammunition, Silvertips were what the original .32acp was designed around. With later production under Larry Seecamp, that changed to include more manufacturers.

From the website, these are the current suggested sources of ammunition for the .380acp. AOL is very critical for reliable feed.

Winchester Silvertip 85gr. HP
Federal Premium Hydra Shok 90gr. JHP
Aguila 90gr. JHP
PMC Gold 95gr. Starfire HP (SFHP)
Remington UMC 88GR JHP

I've had a "Milford" LWS380 for almost a decade now. Its been extremely reliable if I stuck with the recommended ammo (Winchester Silvertips and Federal Hydra Shoks). Going outside those specific recommendations (even to include the others described in the above links) is going to be problematic. The OAL, pressure curve, etc..., can and does effect reliability, and can cause damage to your pistol. (Don't ask me how I know. ) Stay away from those Gold Dots, even though they might work perfectly in other .380s that you own.

Send that puppy back to Seecamp!

I have a .380 for about 10, 11 years. Zero problems with it, especially a slide flying off. Seecamp stands behind their products, they'll make it right.

I too have had a Milford LWS380 for about a decade, from before Larry sold the company. I’ve never had a problem when using the recommended ammo. I do find it to be one of the most painful little guns that I have ever fired. Send it back as I am sure they will make it right.

The seecamp .380 I shot bashed my finger so badly I was done after two mags. Hope you get yours sorted.