Yup, hopefully Ruger got this one right. If so, I'll buy one in a heartbeat, even if it costs more than a P3AT. Your buddy needs to send it back to KT if, like so many others, it won't function properly. How many rounds does he have through it? I'd at least try 100-150 rounds of something cheap (WWB) to see if it gets better or clears up altogether, but I'm betting it won't. If he does send it back, have him call KT before sending it and DEMAND that KT sends him a pre-paid postage mailer. They did it for me after some persuasion the THIRD time it went back.