New P380 - Bad polymer frame or normal?

[Flint Ridge]

Just picked up a new P380. Next to impossible to get the slide off. Racked, mag out, trigger pulled, slide stop out...

Looks like the front of the frame is out of alignment (right rail is farther to the right) and is seriously chewing away at the right front plastic rail.

Does anybody else have a rail eater? Or is this "normal"?

I have put 350 rounds through it and did not really notice this issue until the second cleaning, thinking, wow it sure is tight.

Love it, but would like a rail to be pristine.

The insert metal rail that actually fit into the slide at the front - noticed one on left is gaping, while one on the right is hard into the metal.

Wanted advise before I try to call Kahr.

Thanks!

[jocko]

photos would help alot. just kinda hardo to picture ur issue..

[Flint Ridge]

I will see if I can find the family camera and upload some pictures, but it is happily eating away at the right rail toward the front. I will have to take it down again, but maybe a quarter of its width is gone now? I will get the micrometer out to check it as well.

Thanks for the reply. Sure it is just a fatal frame issue. I thought I was getting past this with the Problem Sig P238 back at Sig for the 3rd time, but guess I am just lucky.:D

[jocko]

I will see if I can find the family camera and upload some pictures, but it is happily eating away at the right rail toward the front. I will have to take it down again, but maybe a quarter of its width is gone now? I will get the micrometer out to check it as well.

Thanks for the reply. Sure it is just a fatal frame issue. I thought I was getting past this with the Problem Sig P238 back at Sig for the 3rd time, but guess I am just lucky.:D

PM sent

[Flint Ridge]

Well the only camera here is the one that somebody bumped the lense, so it will not do close focus work, which is what I need to "show" what I am looking at.

Suffice it to say if you just hold the frame only (no slide - barrel etc.) and sight down the left and right rails they do not match up with the front metal rail inserts, like mine is taking a slight turn.

Oh well.

[jocko]

Well the only camera here is the one that somebody bumped the lense, so it will not do close focus work, which is what I need to "show" what I am looking at.

Suffice it to say if you just hold the frame only (no slide - barrel etc.) and sight down the left and right rails they do not match up with the front metal rail inserts, like mine is taking a slight turn.

Oh well.

asking us basically to imagine something that we have not seen before or think we have not seen before. photos just help alot., definitely won't solve the issue if there is one.:confused:

[Raoul]

Well even w/o a pic...if it's chewing plastic I'd say you have a problem. Make the call brother.

[Flint Ridge]

I may call Kahr and see what they say.

Several folks have emailed me and it may not be as bad as I think.

Wish I could get a clear closeup, so I could be clear.

I just kept working the slide tonight, gliding slide on, rack, pull trigger and slide forward. It certainly has smoothed out and seems to have pretty much stopped wearing.

I must say I really like this pistol, way more reliable than my Sig P238 (a few things I like better on the Sig, but so is life). Will do some more shooting, hopefully get a holster to arrive in a couple of weeks. Would like to get the night sites.

Thanks all. Been reading for months...

[WinstonRomeo]

Sounds like there is a problem with the fit on the rails. I also have issues with disassemble of my P380. It usually takes at least 4 to 6 tries to remove the slide before it actually does move forward off the rails. From speaking with gunsmith at my local range it seems to be a common problem. I am hoping that the problem disappears with shooting, but a trip back to the factory is not out of the question. Other than that the little gun shoots very well with a 120 round saucer sized group at 7 yards.

[Flint Ridge]

Sounds like there is a problem with the fit on the rails. I also have issues with disassemble of my P380. It usually takes at least 4 to 6 tries to remove the slide before it actually does move forward off the rails. From speaking with gunsmith at my local range it seems to be a common problem. I am hoping that the problem disappears with shooting, but a trip back to the factory is not out of the question. Other than that the little gun shoots very well with a 120 round saucer sized group at 7 yards.

I've spent a LOT of time working the slide on this and taking it off and on now. The eating of the plastic front tab on the rail seems to have ended.

Here is what I have found on the removal of the slide.

Standard takedown procedure... Unload, mag out, rack, pull trigger, remove slide stop. Now here is the trick on mine. As you move the slide forward (one keep your finger off the trigger - you will never get it off with the trigger back) look to see if the metal edge of the striker cam (terminology?) is visible under the slide. If not it will not come off. Either rack slide again and pull trigger or, move slide back just a little and pull the trigger a few times. Once you "see" the cam in the right spot you will never have trouble again. Mine is easy now. The more I know this rig the more I like it.

Just redid it a couple of times - this seems to take the guess work out - Pull trigger and keep holding it back, then slide the slide forward. Then the left top of the cam really seems to line up. Then release trigger and move slide "easily" forward.

Let me know if this works. Maybe I should clean up my thinking and repost this idea.

[Flint Ridge]

I did leave a message for service, don't know if it is really a problem.

They did respond to my email and are wanting to chat with me. Wow, actual customer service? I can work with a company like this.

Stay tuned!

As it actually shoots I did carry it this afternoon - how nice.

[Vinikahr]

I did leave a message for service, don't know if it is really a problem.

They did respond to my email and are wanting to chat with me. Wow, actual customer service? I can work with a company like this.

Stay tuned!

As it actually shoots I did carry it this afternoon - how nice.

Kahr is very good with their customer services.

[WinstonRomeo]

I've spent a LOT of time working the slide on this and taking it off and on now. The eating of the plastic front tab on the rail seems to have ended.

Here is what I have found on the removal of the slide.

Standard takedown procedure... Unload, mag out, rack, pull trigger, remove slide stop. Now here is the trick on mine. As you move the slide forward (one keep your finger off the trigger - you will never get it off with the trigger back) look to see if the metal edge of the striker cam (terminology?) is visible under the slide. If not it will not come off. Either rack slide again and pull trigger or, move slide back just a little and pull the trigger a few times. Once you "see" the cam in the right spot you will never have trouble again. Mine is easy now. The more I know this rig the more I like it.

Just redid it a couple of times - this seems to take the guess work out - Pull trigger and keep holding it back, then slide the slide forward. Then the left top of the cam really seems to line up. Then release trigger and move slide "easily" forward.

Let me know if this works. Maybe I should clean up my thinking and repost this idea.
Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try. I once had a Beretta 380 that was a PITA with dissassembly and reassemble no matter what I tried. My P380 goes everywhere I go, except of course the free crime zones in Ohio.

[recoilguy]

That would frustrate me. I like these things to be simple and work correctly and easily. If I have to think to much or work a mental checklist to take a gun down I am not happy.

RCG

[Flint Ridge]

That would frustrate me. I like these things to be simple and work correctly and easily. If I have to think to much or work a mental checklist to take a gun down I am not happy.

RCG

It's a lot easier than in sounds. My slide stop has loosened up too and can be pushed out like normal. It is easy.

[Flint Ridge]

Kahr said, my issues sounded like they were ok.

But take some pictures and send to them as well.

So maybe nothing to worry with.

[Flint Ridge]

So a marginal picture of the gnawed rail.<a href="http://s878.photobucket.com/albums/ab348/Flint_Ridge/?action=view&current=kahr.jpg (http://kahrtalk.com/<a href="http://s878.photobucket.com/albums/ab348/Flint_Ridge/?action=view&current=kahr.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab348/Flint_Ridge/kahr.jpg" border="0" alt="kahr p380"></a>)" target="_blank"><img src="http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab348/Flint_Ridge/kahr.jpg (http://kahrtalk.com/<a href="http://s878.photobucket.com/albums/ab348/Flint_Ridge/?action=view&current=kahr.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab348/Flint_Ridge/kahr.jpg" border="0" alt="kahr p380"></a>)" border="0" alt="kahr p380"></a>

[Flint Ridge]

Something went wrong with that attempt...

http://kahrtalk.com/members/flint-ridge-albums-kahr-p380-frame-wear-picture-question-picture191-kahr.jpg

[Flint Ridge]

Ian at Kahr said to send back just for a look, not that anything is "officially" wrong, but would like to make certain before we go 100% here.

Kahr CS is prompt and professional - amazing.

[jwr]

Flint Ridge, I can't believe the lousy luck you've been having! Between this and the P238 (I'm gir on the SIG forum) you've been having way more than your share of problems!

I hope Kahr resolves this quickly!

[jocko]

Ian at Kahr said to send back just for a look, not that anything is "officially" wrong, but would like to make certain before we go 100% here.

Kahr CS is prompt and professional - amazing.

kahr is paying to ship it back indeed let them look at it, If not, I would just give it some more rounds. I personally think it is OK. My P380 slie has never been as easy as my PM9 slide to put on or to even take off, but once u master it , it is a no brainer also. I do think it is the cocking cam that is causing the hardness to get on and off and one just has to force the slide over it. It won't hurt a darn thing..

Pull the trigger to take the slide off, leave the trigger alone to put the slide back on..

[Flint Ridge]

kahr is paying to ship it back indeed let them look at it, If not, I would just give it some more rounds. I personally think it is OK. My P380 slie has never been as easy as my PM9 slide to put on or to even take off, but once u master it , it is a no brainer also. I do think it is the cocking cam that is causing the hardness to get on and off and one just has to force the slide over it. It won't hurt a darn thing..

Pull the trigger to take the slide off, leave the trigger alone to put the slide back on..

This would give me the chance to put night sights on and have it looked at, so I will get that moving later this week hopefully.

[Flint Ridge]

Flint Ridge, I can't believe the lousy luck you've been having! Between this and the P238 (I'm gir on the SIG forum) you've been having way more than your share of problems!

I hope Kahr resolves this quickly!

This gun stuff is trivia. Bought my Bride a new 2010 Honda van. Then it was hard to start, then harder to start, then no start.

Off to dealer for a few days, "fixed"
Same symptoms.
Off to dealer a few days, more parts replaced and "fixed"
Then continuing hard to start or no starts and then various warning lights.
Off to dealer again. It has been there a week this time and still no word.
Oh did I mention it is a month old tomorrow, so I had to make my first payment and pay the sales taxes on it today.

[jocko]

gee and I thought it was just kahrs that gave issues?????

[Flint Ridge]

gee and I thought it was just kahrs that gave issues?????

New Kahrs or new cars - just lucky I guess. The Kahr will be fine, the van and the Sig - don't know, don't trust either now.

But my wife wanted something from the store tonight... Had to go pocket holster the P380 and took the Benz, somehow I always feel better in the german engineered mobile, especially with the new Kahr.

[getsome]

It's a left wing Obamanation conspiracy to promote the new GMC Government Motor Corp.....:cool:

[jocko]

New Kahrs or new cars - just lucky I guess. The Kahr will be fine, the van and the Sig - don't know, don't trust either now.

But my wife wanted something from the store tonight... Had to go pocket holster the P380 and took the Benz, somehow I always feel better in the german engineered mobile, especially with the new Kahr.

Love my Porsche Cayman S. 2010 Mercedes GLK, 2004 Audi A4, never an ounce of trouble, and oh yes my 2009 HD Streert glide and 2010 HD screamin eagle street glide.:music:

[Flint Ridge]

Well I will get it checked out - so off it went today back to Kahr. They will take a look at it and get myself some night sights while I am at it.

Can't wait to get it back.

Did get my Sig P238 back from it's third trip to Sig, 150 rounds, 2 Failures to Return to Battery. For the Sig it has NEVER done that well. Must say that short SA trigger with about 1,400 rounds on it is very nice and smooth. Not sure it is worthy yet though.

[Flint Ridge]

Well, got it back from Kahr, had them take a look at it. Also, had the night sights and stainless steel guide rod installed.

Kahr took it upon themselves to do some polishing and replaced the extractor and did some work there too.

Now, it is running 10% failures. 2nd round fired got the spent casing caught in the action backwards and the casing wedged up under the extractor - that took a while to get out. Only two hands. Light strikes on Hornady Critical Defense - presume I am done with that brand. Also Failures to Return to Battery and various other spent casing caught in the action.

Using same ammo that I had 195 without any issue. Guess I should have left well enough alone.

Kahr and Ian were super responsive as always so it is back on it's way for another look.

[Flint Ridge]

Well I got it back from Kahr the second time. Man these folks are fast. Hope it works flawlessly.

Little concerned that they keep replacing parts, not that it's bad, they certainly are working to make it all better.

But they changed the Ejector, Cocking Pin, Slide Stop spring lubed the snot out of it. (It is an oily mess in a bag on the lower side - gravity) Test fired 50+ times states it runs fine.

Will have to get to the range, was able to pick up some ammo lately. Just using factory stuff.