My brother just acquired a new P365 and has about 150 rounds through it. No issues with target ammo, but he has failure to feed issues with SD loads, namely: Hornady Critical Defense and RIP

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sourkraut,

IIRC critical defense has some size issue that can cause issues with certain guns. I think HK45s had an issue with that brand due to some OAL or something.

The RIP ammo has a strange HP IIRC.

Try Federal stuff like HST or Speer Gold Dots or Win SXT/PDX etc. Basically go with a well known entity. I know Hornady CD is good stuff but it’s not as widely vetted as the Federal/SPEER/Win stuff.

Also keep in mind it’s a new tiny gun and both spring strength and grip strength (lack of) might be inducing malfunctions.

As a first easy step.
-make sure gun is clean and well lubed
-Lock the slide back or work the slide for a bit
-Make sure you’ve got a good firing grip.
-Load the mags and leave them loaded.

SOMETIMES it’s just a little break in period for guns, especially itty bitty ones that is needed.

You just have to find out what your gun prefers and stick with it. I had a couple of the exact same guns but each preferred a different ammo brand to feed reliably. It takes a bit of time and money to figure out what works.

Are there any burs on the feed ramp? You could try to polish the feed ramp with some Flitz and elbow grease.

quote:

Originally posted by Sourkraut:
namely: Hornady Critical Defense and RIP

Easy answer is to try more defensive ammo. Those two are "different". I bet an XTP would feed great.

SGAMMO has Winchester PDX1 and Silvertip, Federal Punch, Corbon, Remington UMC and Golden Saber, Hornady XTP and others in stock.

I have both the P365 and P365XL in 9mm. I shoot them regularly. but clean infrequently. At a recent range trip I started to have failures to feed with both using ammo that previously worked without issue. Took them home and cleaned them. Problem solved. As others have mentioned - these small pistols need to be clean and lubed.

Try the Fiocchi FMJ for practice and the Fiocchi XTP JHP for carry.

My P238 wouldn't feed the Hornady Critical Defense, but has been flawless with the Fiocchi.

Massad Ayoob recommends that those carrying with 380 do it with plain old RN ammunition. Because the bullets for this caliber are light enough that if a hollow point actually opens it will stop any further penetration. Basically you'll wound a guy with bullets that stop to soon to cause any real damage.

Just general comments, yes, one normally tests ammo to find issues, common sense.

Over the years I’ve heard of some guns having issues with Hornady ‘critical defense’ ammo, I thought 45 acp. I’d imagine there can be that unfavorable relationship potentially with any gun/ammo combination.

I’m also not thinking one needs a pretty hollow point with a 380. Besides the potential lack of any expansion, the plane round nose is often less problematic with cycling. Not to say one can’t get HPs to cycle.

On a recent trip out West I took my P238. One of my favorite loads is the 68 grain Lehigh copper bullet. At the lighter weight one gets more fps, no expansion.