Kahr P380 failure to go into battery, etc.

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forums and I searched and couldn't find an answer for this question. I purchased a used P380 today at a gun show. After careful inspection the firearm seemed to be in good condition. I went to the range here and fired about 100 rounds through it. I got a ton of failure to go into battery, and a bunch of problems when the slide didn't reset fully. Sometimes the slide locked open when I still had rounds in the mag and sometimes it stopped about 1/16th of an inch short of fully resetting. The gun, which I bought as a used gun, had very little wear on it, so I assumed it hadn't been through it's 200rd break-in period. After firing 100rds through it today it was shooting slightly better, but only reliable to about 75%.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Is the break-in typically this terrible?

On a positive note, the gun seems incredibly accurate for it's size.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by beatsarock

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forums and I searched and couldn't find an answer for this question. I purchased a used P380 today at a gun show. After careful inspection the firearm seemed to be in good condition. I went to the range here and fired about 100 rounds through it. I got a ton of failure to go into battery, and a bunch of problems when the slide didn't reset fully. Sometimes the slide locked open when I still had rounds in the mag and sometimes it stopped about 1/16th of an inch short of fully resetting. The gun, which I bought as a used gun, had very little wear on it, so I assumed it hadn't been through it's 200rd break-in period. After firing 100rds through it today it was shooting slightly better, but only reliable to about 75%.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Is the break-in typically this terrible?

On a positive note, the gun seems incredibly accurate for it's size.

take the slide off and reinstall the slide lock lever . Now put a loaded magazine in the gun and as you insert that magazine look on the left side and see if that top round is hitting the inside of the slide lock lever. Premature slide lock can only be caused by accidcently hitting the slide lock lever while shooting or rounds pushing up the slide lock lever from the inside. they should not touch that slide lock lever at all. If they are hitting, call kahr and ask for IAN and explain what is going on, they will send you a new slide lock lever.

then start again to retest. break in with fmj ammo, don't mess with defense stuff until it is running right. Make sure that outter recoil spring is on correctly with the open end towards the front of the slide.

Kahr had some out of spec slide lock lever in the P380. If those round hit that lever even though maybe not locking the slide open, it will throw them off course on their way into the chamber.

I will PM you.

[bayoutrigger]

You never know what you are getting with a used gun. I would suggest you replace recoil rod with a stainless steel one and replace the recoil springs.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by bayoutrigger

You never know what you are getting with a used gun. I would suggest you replace recoil rod with a stainless steel one and replace the recoil springs.

don't make a stainless recoil rod for the P380 as of yet, to my knowledge. really not necessary with the kahr P380 either. they have a good steel version in there.

[bayoutrigger]

Here ya go for SS rod for 380. I have the CW40 and just ordered one today for wife's new P380.
Bedair Machine Works

Kahr
In Stock
Checkering available
P45
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CW40
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P380
CW9

[wyntrout]

When there's an FTFeed and the slide is locked back, and there are still rounds in the magazine, are they below the bottom of the feed ramp and possibly the magazine follower is snagging on the retention slot? I just had repeating problems with the 7-round mag for my PM9 like I just described. If the follower is snagging, you might try smoothing the little ledge or bump on the leading edge of the follower (mid-height on the follower). I had this repeat after 4th shot with three rounds stuck in the magazine like the follower had snagged on that slot on the right front of the magazine. This is just something to check before calling Kahr.
Wynn

PS:I think the SS recoil rod is like putting a chrome air-cleaner on your car engine -- doesn't make it run any better, but it looks good. JMHO

[jocko]

Originally Posted by wyntrout

If the slide is locked back and there are still rounds in the magazine? Are they below the bottom of the feed ramp and possibly the magazine follower is snagging on the retention slot? I just had repeating problems with the 7-round mag for my PM9 like I just described. If the follower is snagging, you might try smoothing the little ledge or bump on the leading edge of the follower (mid-height on the follower). I had this repeat after 4th shot with three rounds stuck in the magazine like the follower had snagged on that slot on the right front of the magazine. This is just something to check before calling Kahr.
Wynn

PS:I think the SS recoil rod is like putting a chrome air-cleaner on your car engine -- doesn't make it run any better, but it looks good. JMHO

good idea. I always take my magazines apart and run the follower side ways over some 600+ grit pape rto smootht hings out on it, just incase. Process of elimination. agree ont eh guide rod to, expecially on the P380. They are good and I did not realize an after market recoil rod was available..

[wyntrout]

I personally think that if you are buying a stainless steel gun, there shouldn't be any regular steel parts in the darn thing -- certainly not the recoil spring rod. I buy SS to not have problems with rust. Everything but maybe some springs and the grips should be stainless... oh, excepting plastic/polymer and night nights.
Wynn

I remember the first time I saw a stainless Kahr pistol for sale in the catalog or online, followed by optional SS parts like the recoil rod -- WT%! It's like cheating or misleading you. How much are they saving? At least they make stainless magazines, if not perfect ones.