P380- what "breaks" in?

[East River Guide]

Hi, new Kahr owner here. I have a P380 that had many FTRB for the first 300 rounds but none at all in the last 200 rounds. I'm hesitant to declare victory yet, but I love this little gun and it will be my main carry gun (pocket carry is my only practical option) if I can get confident the problem is solved. But I want to understand what the problem was so I can be sure it is fixed now.

I'm no expert but for mine it almost seemed like the barrel and slide were too tight and the friction prevented a clean return to battery. 500 rounds may have been enough rubbing between the barrel and slide to have them now seated tightly but not too tightly. I love a tight gun so may be I'm rationalizing a bit with this because I want to be a fan, but the feed ramp was good to start and springs wouldn't have gotten stronger with use, so that's my guess. If that's true the problem should be solved and I'm glad I was patient with it.

For those people who have been successful breaking in a P380 that started with problems- what was "fixed" during the break in period?

[jocko]

nice post and I bet ur kahr is still tighter than any outher 380 out there. IMO realy no need to be that tight in such a small gun thatis for short distances in defense. But like u so well stated it is amazing what more rounds down range can do for any gun, expecally kahrs.

[kerby9mm]

My two p238's seem pretty tight and they run like tops

[East River Guide]

My two p238's seem pretty tight and they run like tops

Glad to hear it. I like shooting the 238, just don't want to lug something that heavy. My p380 has been perfect recently. Going to track how many rounds without failure to see just how good.

[CJB]

What breaks in...

Rough spots on the barrel and slide locking areas. The recoil spring(s) loosen. The extractor works better in its slot. Magazine followers rise better. Slide stops work themselves into smoothness. Other moving parts generally lose any roughness or burrs that cause occasional malfunction.

Then there is the human factor... you must learn to shoot the pistol without accidentally triggering slide stop related stoppages, and also by using a hold that is firm enough for the small pistol to operate.

[GOOFA]

I've had my share of troubles in the past with my P380's. I also had problems with my early production LCP, but Ruger gave me a choice of a new replacement w/new serial # or new replacement w/same serial #, I opted for the latter and I received a fantastic lightweight .380 with over a 1000 rounds with no failures. Then I purchased my S&W BodyGuard for $289 on a LE deal. The S&W has been flawless with over 1000 rounds and much more accurate @ 21ft. Two weeks ago my new Colt Mustang Pocketlite came in. It is an all metal .380 and its entire weight is 15.5 oz with mag loaded with 6 Hornady Critical Defense loads. It has been 100% reliable with just over 700 rounds through it. This is the most accurate .380 of the bunch and to top it off you don't realize that you are firing a .380. Everyone LE or civilian that I've let fire it says it's the softest shooting of the .380's. I have manage to put 48 of 50 rounds of WWB FMJ ammo through a Caldwell Orange Peel 3" target @ 21ft. The only CON about the new Colt is that I had to pay $20 over the MSRP of $599. That really PO'd me but after putting it through its paces and getting a failure free and what I would call an excellent performance I forgot about the extra $20. I am a Kahr fan but Kahr better start getting on the ball again. Kahr has more competition everyday and they're not letting up.

BY the way, I would like to wish all the members a "HEALTHY & HAPPY NEW YEAR" to you and your families.

[OldLincoln]

But I want to understand what the problem was so I can be sure it is fixed now.

I'm no expert but for mine it almost seemed like the barrel and slide were too tight and the friction prevented a clean return to battery.

Maybe not an expert but you nailed the reasoning. As CJB stated, the fit between the moving parts have to wear off the rough spots. When you clean it, feel for rough and sharp edges, especially on the upper inside of the slide and the leading edge of the barrel shroud and matching spot on the slide. They often peen from slamming together not quite fitting right.

[TominCA]

Kahr's are tight! For mine (the p380 only) the triangle formed by the barrel in recoil against the slide, the pin through the lug and the frame bearing points against the rail under recoil had no play at all - I also had a rough area (little bumps) at the bottom of the barrel which made thie whole system "jam-up -tight" as it went into full recoil. I took the little bumps off and the problem went away - It was oboviously an out of spec barrel.

My other one just took a while and got beter when I polished everything I possibly could with Brownel's Green Glow and a dremel.

The metal on Kahrs is harder than other pistols - they are really made to last - but a combination of good metalurgy, too tight tolerances, a low mass frame (grip is real important) and less than desireable pre shipping inspection make 200 rounds an optimistic breakin for the p380. - My other Kahrs did not have these problems at all.