Interesting P380 recoil spring observation

[ORSalesRep]

HrHi all,

Lately my P380 has been intermittently failing to return to battery. So far, I have only tried one type of ammo that has created the issue. Before, trying other types of ammo I decided to polish up the feed ramp and change the the recoil spring. My P380 is about 2.5 years old and still has the original recoil spring because I only have about 300 rounds through it. I have read on this forum that Kahr has made changes to the P380 recoil springs from the earlier released models, but read nothing concrete. I ordered and received new inner and outer springs and the new springs are noticeably longer. They seem a little more than an 1/8 of and inch longer, not sure if they are stiffer too, because I have not installed it yet, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that this solves the FTB.

[jocko]

that would be normal with new spring being longer as the spring sn ur gun had already taken their predesigned set. I think the best way to compare might be to actualy count the coils in each spring in relation to the original set, then u might be on to something, but all springs take a set, either by firing and or by compression.

I would like tothink that replaceme3nt of new springs will now solve ur issue to. Pleasedo let us know..

[ORSalesRep]

that would be normal with new spring being longer as the spring sn ur gun had already taken their predesigned set. I think the best way to compare might be to actualy count the coils in each spring in relation to the original set, then u might be on to something, but all springs take a set, either by firing and or by compression.

I would like tothink that replaceme3nt of new springs will now solve ur issue to. Pleasedo let us know..

Thanks Kockler! I will count the coils when I get home.

[CPO15]

Changed mine after about 400 rounds, did notice the new ones to be longer but didn't count coils. Dramatic improvement in return-to-battery and consistency in ejection pattern. I'll probably keep changing them as frequently, or as soon as return-to-battery becomes an issue.

[jocko]

recoil springs are cheap in price and if by cance the P380 does better at 500 rounds than what maybe a PM9 can do at 2000 rounds, then dn't copare the two guns for they are not the same gun,so change as needed. very cheap insurance IMO....theselittle ass guns are touchy anyhow, alot of sh-t squeezed in such a small frame and recoils springs ar ethe heart of propper cycling of the action, so change the springs...when ever in doubt.

PS: after reading this post I checked my recoil spring sin my P380 which has been sitting mostly this past year + with little BANG ACTION. I have 3 sets of new springs on stock and I measnured them. a full 1/4" longer is the new set over the older set that has definitely taken it predesigned set. So Iam going to erron on the side of caution and jusst replace them, although they are problay perfec to. What can now happen as I have proven this to myself before is that with the new stronger set of recoil springs and basicaly shooting new range ammo for ragne fodder that sometimes one willget fialure to lock open on the last roun d. I would tellyou to not worry aobut it until you get a 100+ rounds down range or to try some +P 380 defense ammo and more than likely it will be OK. Those springs when new are stout until this preset takes place.

Just sayin.:blah:

[ORSalesRep]

recoil springs are cheap in price and if by cance the P380 does better at 500 rounds than what maybe a PM9 can do at 2000 rounds, then dn't copare the two guns for they are not the same gun,so change as needed. very cheap insurance IMO....theselittle ass guns are touchy anyhow, alot of sh-t squeezed in such a small frame and recoils springs ar ethe heart of propper cycling of the action, so change the springs...when ever in doubt.

PS: after reading this post I checked my recoil spring sin my P380 which has been sitting mostly this past year + with little BANG ACTION. I have 3 sets of new springs on stock and I measnured them. a full 1/4" longer is the new set over the older set that has definitely taken it predesigned set. So Iam going to erron on the side of caution and jusst replace them, although they are problay perfec to. What can now happen as I have proven this to myself before is that with the new stronger set of recoil springs and basicaly shooting new range ammo for ragne fodder that sometimes one willget fialure to lock open on the last roun d. I would tellyou to not worry aobut it until you get a 100+ rounds down range or to try some +P 380 defense ammo and more than likely it will be OK. Those springs when new are stout until this preset takes place.

Just sayin.:blah:

Jocko you were correct. The new spring has the same number of coils it is just longer. Now I am wondering how long the new recoil will take before it compresses and loses the extra length. The spring that I am replacing had very few rounds through it and mostly just sat in the gun. Perhaps when the P380 is going to sit for extended periods it may prolong spring life by field stripping so the spring can relax and stay stretched out?

[jocko]

no no, ur not listening to what I said. There is a designed preset in these springs that some comp[ression is going tohappena nd thatis by design. If u wantot read wolffs gunsprings site, they explain it better than Iam doing, but more than likely ur springs u took out are perfect. Magazine springs work the same way, if u pull mag spring out and lay it next to a new kahr mag sprign the new one will be onger but that in no way means the one in the magazineis bad either. It has just takenit pre designed set.. Just sayin

[rogerthedodger]

I have had an occasional failure to return to battery, and also noticed if I locked slide open, then slowly let it return to battery with no round chambered, slide would stop just slightly out of battery. The springs had 600+ rounds. After new springs, it goes into battery every time, even when slowly returned. I think the new springs will fix your problem. I also noticed, the new inner spring has 15 turns, old one has 14. Outer spring has 12 turns, new and old.
Roger