Like the P22, the PK380 features a slide-mounted, ambidextrous manual hammer-block, non-decocking safety and an external hammer.

The slide, barrel, and internal frame are steel, and the grip is polymer for reduced weight.

This gun also includes an accessory rail for mounting lights and lasers.

Unlike the P22, which the PK380 is based on, the PK380 does not operate by blowback where pressure generated by a firing cartridge is countered by a combination of the inertial weight of the slide assembly and the force of the recoil spring.

The action will not open until the projectile has left the barrel and the pressures have dropped to safe levels.