Low profile Slide Stop - P380

[SICARIO]

New owner to a Kahr P380 (actually will be getting it this Saturday), and am pretty excited. One thing I've never liked about the Kahrs is the large slide stop. I'm wondering if anyone has ever removed material to make it lower profile (i'm thinking of a glock extended slide stop). Would this affect any functionality of the stop, or is this something worth trying. My plan would be to order an extra stop and try the reprofiling on it.

Thanks

[Bawanna]

http://kahrtalk.com/attachments/pm-series-pistols/1568d1275332770-slide-release-mod-dscn1432.jpg

Heres the aftermath of my modification on my PM45.

[Bawanna]

http://kahrtalk.com/attachments/pm-series-pistols/1567d1275332703-slide-release-mod-rscn1435.jpg

Another angle, same gun.

[SICARIO]

http://kahrtalk.com/attachments/pm-series-pistols/1567d1275332703-slide-release-mod-rscn1435.jpg

Another angle, same gun.

Nice to know it's been done before. I think I may have a go at it. Thanks for the pics

[Bawanna]

Your most welcome. I think you can look up Jocko's custom PM9 and see how he did his also. I think he did his own on that one also. A few others have done it as well.
Not sure why they make them so big and bulky myself. I kept hitting it with my thumb but no longer have that problem after knockin off the corners.

[wyntrout]

If my PM45 weren't DLC, I would do that to the darned magazine release... that's the thing that bothers me. The slide release lever is no problem.
Wynn:)

[gb6491]

Here's a "before and after" of one I did:
http://i47.tinypic.com/10h4v9l.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[jocko]

bg6491. Extremely nice work. IMO changes the entire looks of the gun and it certainly needs not be any bigger than what you ended up with. Nice job..

[hedgehog]

nice job gb! what was your process?

[SICARIO]

I am thinking of going a little more drastic, but it may be removing too much material. What do you guys think?

This

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss60/travisvgray/SNAG-0116-1.jpg

To this:

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss60/travisvgray/SNAG-0117-1.jpg

[Bawanna]

I like it if that means anything. I don't see why that wouldn't fly long as you leave enough metal for some integrity and it wouldn't take much for that.
Be kind of classy and different for sure. Way cool prototype picture too, best I can do is on a etch a sketch and that ain't none too good.

[SICARIO]

Yeah, I get spoiled with the tools at work.


I like it if that means anything. I don't see why that wouldn't fly long as you leave enough metal for some integrity and it wouldn't take much for that.
Be kind of classy and different for sure. Way cool prototype picture too, best I can do is on a etch a sketch and that ain't none too good.

[jocko]

I am thinking of going a little more drastic, but it may be removing too much material. What do you guys think?

This

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss60/travisvgray/SNAG-0116-1.jpg

To this:

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss60/travisvgray/SNAG-0117-1.jpg

I like that, At the worst you would just ruin a $25 slide stop, at best it will look awesome. It looks cool looking, certainly functional. Grind away and show us the finished product.

Just the fact that yiou was able to reproduce some proto types drawing puts Bawanna about 10 light years behind and me maybe 5 light years..

[Ol'coot]

My only concern with the mod you show it the radius on the upper right corner may not want to catch and hold the slide open I think this needs to be an edge.

[Bawanna]

Good point but I think the part that actually catches the slide is on the inside. The radiused part in the picture is just the lever, pretty much cosmetic. I'd have to look closer but that's the way mine looks.

Sicario, if you was to make me one like the picture for my PM45 I'd probably only be 7 or 8 light years behind you and alot closer to Jocko and I think he'd be really really jealous. What do ya say, wanna help me out?

[SICARIO]

Good point but I think the part that actually catches the slide is on the inside. The radiused part in the picture is just the lever, pretty much cosmetic. I'd have to look closer but that's the way mine looks.

Sicario, if you was to make me one like the picture for my PM45 I'd probably only be 7 or 8 light years behind you and alot closer to Jocko and I think he'd be really really jealous. What do ya say, wanna help me out?

Let me ruin, I mean modify my slide stop first, then I'll be happy to work on yours. I've got quite a few hours logged on my Dremel mostly working on AK's and Saiga's, so I'm hoping it goes well.

[SICARIO]

duplicate

[SICARIO]

duplicate

[Internet Blohard]

Here's a "before and after" of one I did:
http://i47.tinypic.com/10h4v9l.jpg
Regards,
Greg

Very nice work Greg.

[gb6491]

thanks to all for your comments; very much appreciated:)

nice job gb! what was your process?
Thanks. I use my Dremel for much of the material removal being careful not to linger in one place too long. I follow up with files and stones, then sandpaper. I glass bead it afterward.

SICARIO,
I like your plan!
I just wonder if there is enough material in the stops to accomplish it?
Here's a shot of the bottoms of two slide stops (the top one is my modified one {P45 part}; the lower is unmodified {CW45 part}):
http://i53.tinypic.com/24wx85u.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Yup, I remember now, that little hollow area on the bottom limits how much you can take off the lower rear corner. Could follow the same concept drawing and keep the lower area flat and angle up to the upper rear, just not quite as pronounced.
I was thinking this would be a milling machine project which of course is way over my head but a dremel some files, stones and paper and a bad attitude could make this happen. I might give a second modification a try if you fellas promise not to label me a low down mangy copy cat.
I gotta quit hangin with you guys, I'm thinking of doing the copper & black polish job on my PM45 this weekend. Darn tough act to follow though. His turned out so gosh darn perfect, anything less would be well less.

[jocko]

U certainly did it right, ..

[SICARIO]

thanks to all for your comments; very much appreciated:)

Thanks. I use my Dremel for much of the material removal being careful not to linger in one place too long. I follow up with files and stones, then sandpaper. I glass bead it afterward.

SICARIO,
I like your plan!
I just wonder if there is enough material in the stops to accomplish it?
Here's a shot of the bottoms of two slide stops (the top one is my modified one {P45 part}; the lower is unmodified {CW45 part}):
http://i53.tinypic.com/24wx85u.jpg
Regards,
Greg


You're right. Definitely limited on material removal. That's what I get from drawing up the concept from a picture instead of the real thing. I get my p380 this saturday, then I'll be able to come up with something more accurate. Thanks for the post

[Pender1]

Yup, I remember now, that little hollow area on the bottom limits how much you can take off the lower rear corner. Could follow the same concept drawing and keep the lower area flat and angle up to the upper rear, just not quite as pronounced...

Well couldn't you safely grind the bottom of the back down until it's smooth? Just far enough to eliminate the serrations and then angle up from there. Basically sicario's original plan just with the back still being a little elevated compared to the flat part in the middle, maybe slope up to it somehow.

[Bawanna]

I cant see what that little hollow area does, might just be weight reduction or material savings. Guy might be able to weld it up and reshape to your hearts content. Have a spare one on hand in case it don't pan out.
There's enough material to remove the serrations so you might pull off the same plan just not so pronounced.

[Pender1]

I need to stop reading these threads, you guys have me wanting to spend money on a new slide stop and try this. I'm too broke for this crap.

[SICARIO]

I cant see what that little hollow area does, might just be weight reduction or material savings. Guy might be able to weld it up and reshape to your hearts content. Have a spare one on hand in case it don't pan out.
There's enough material to remove the serrations so you might pull off the same plan just not so pronounced.

Any idea what kind of material the slide stop is? I have a tig welder at work that could fill in that void (assuming there's no use for it).

[Bawanna]

I've heard that the CW's are MIM. I assumed the PM's were stainless steel but I'm not really a metal guy (I stick to sawdust) so I can't really say.

[jocko]

cw series are MIM. All others are forged steel, machined accordingly. Another reason why IMO sometimes forged/machined slide stops are out of spec compared to an MIM PART which seems to produce the same all the time, although if an MIM part is out of spec that mold is out of spec ....

Neither will break on your kahr, Not sure I would want to put any heat or weld to either part. We might be wanting to do to this little part more than it is designed for. Most of the contoured slide stops done on this forum seem plenty good enough, why push the envelope??

[Bawanna]

Probably wise advise indeed. I'm always skeptical of putting heat to any gun other than a little warm up for blueing etc.
Well enough has a nice ring to it. Sort of lacks a sense of adventure but in this particular situation maybe best that way.

[SICARIO]

Looks like there might be good news. Finally got my P380 today. Man, what a sweet shooter (although I hate the big slide stop). I took it apart and noted that there is no hole on the bottom. Sooo, I believe the slidestop and my dremel have a date. I'll post before and after pics.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss60/travisvgray/DSCN2907.jpg

[Bawanna]

Looks like your good go with plan A. Wonder if that's a 380 thing or just a new style take down lever. I looked at mine today while I was polishing and I when I did mine I went as far as the hole in the bottom allowed.
Works fine for me. Anxious to see yours when you get er dun.

[gb6491]

Looks like there might be good news. Finally got my P380 today. Man, what a sweet shooter (although I hate the big slide stop). I took it apart and noted that there is no hole on the bottom. Sooo, I believe the slidestop and my dremel have a date. I'll post before and after pics.

Excellent, I look forward to seeing your plan come together.:80:

I wish the larger slide stops were made like that:(
Regards,
Greg

[SICARIO]

here's the preliminary. Plan on getting it bead blasted tomorrow:

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss60/travisvgray/DSCN2915.jpg

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss60/travisvgray/DSCN2917.jpg

[Bawanna]

Very nice. Turned out really good.

[gb6491]

Very nice. Turned out really good.
Ditto!:D

[hedgehog]

are the PM9 slide stops supposed to spin freely ? mine doesnt. I just bought it new a few days ago

[Bawanna]

are the PM9 slide stops supposed to spin freely ? mine doesnt. I just bought it new a few days ago

Doesn't matter really. Some are a 2 piece deal and spin when out and supposedly while in but who would know. Some are 1 piece. Don't matter.

[Bawanna]

Maybe I can explain this better now that I thunk a bit more. The slide stop lever serves two functions. Its a take down pin, which goes thru the barrel link. The lever on the outside functions to hold the slide back or release it when the time comes. The 2 piece variety should allow the lever to work a little easier and more free because you don't have recoil spring pressure on the pin. The lever moves independantly of the take down pin.
In reality at least with my 2 different models, I doubt you'd feel the difference. I've heard if you order a new one, you don't know which variety you will get regardless of model. Could get either one. Both work just fine.

[copter_dad]

Can someone post some new pics of this mod. I just acquired a P380 and want to reduce the slide stop size. Apparently the pic host has deleted most of the pics. Thanks!!

[jocko]

they are not actualy designed to rotate freely, some do, That pin is held in that lever by a very small set pin that if u look closely u might see where it is pressed in on the bottom of the slide lever even. Most cannot even see it, or even knew it was there.. that is where if any friction would be to prevent free play of the pin. Like the colonel stated, It absolutely makes zero difference in functionality. I have two PMJ9's and one moves freely but agan it has 32K rounds thorugh it and has been apart many times, the utter I bought used and it does not move freely and works just as good as the one that does, so IMO, it makes zero difference.The basic difference of the two slide stops, one being the MIM part which is on every cw and cm kahr and the other is a forged PIN only and not the lever part. It is made out of very highg priuority steel. I have yet to see a broken pin on any kahr, although I know of one that has happened on anutter forum.

I would not spend the money to buy the two peace slide stop lever if ur kahr comes with the one peace, IMO ur wasting good money, but again that is ur call to make. MIM parts in certain areas are a must for cost purposes and today good MIM parts are high quality.

I woul think if u hav ethe two peace version and u want to try to free it up some, then chuck it up (the pin ) in a drill and put the lever in a vixe and put some oil there and give it a spin with the drill , a variable drill at low speed will give the best results. It will work on some and on some not:Amflag2:

[olympicmotorcars]

I ordered a new one a few months ago and got a one piece . My PM40 came stock with a 2 piece . the new one piece was out of spec a little and was catching on the rounds in the magazine and causing the slide stop to lock the slide prematurely, with rounds still in the magazine. It took me some time to figure out what was going on. it looked exactly like the other one but when I put a micrometer on it i found it to be a little long, I carefully filed a little off and presto all my problems went away.

[copter_dad]

Can someone post pics of this mod? Most of the old pics have been deleted by the pic host.

[muggsy]

One thing that I've always liked about Kahr pistols is their outlandishly over sized slide release. In a gun fight when the adrenaline is pumping and my fine motor skills leave me, I don't have to fumble around looking for it. John M. Browning was of the same mind. :)