View Full Version : P380: What causes intermittent premature slide locks
ORSalesRep
02-29-2012, 02:29 PM
Hi everyone,
I am happy to report that my new recoil spring set seems to have resolve the failure to return to battery issues that I was experiencing with my P380. Ran 120 rounds through it of various ammunition. Used Remington Ultimate Home Defense, Speer Lawman and Federal American Eagle with no FTE, FTF or FTB. Though the 120 rounds, I had a number of times when the slide did not lock open after the last round was fired, but I am pretty sure that in those instances I had unintentional, very light contact with the slide stop. During this range visit I had maybe four times when the slide locked open prematurely when the magazine still contained rounds. Any ideas what would cause this or things I should lookout for or try to be conscience of on my next range trip?
Thanks!
jocko
02-29-2012, 02:36 PM
did u shoot the gun with some good defense ammo which is more pwerful than normal fmj range ammo??/Those rounds should work ur slide stop far better and mayb eutil you get a few hundred rounds through those new recoil springs, then they will take their predesigned set and u should be OK.
these lisde locks ar enice when they work great and they are sure squeewzing alot of stuff in these small guns. I can see why some makers don't includce a slide stop in these small gun. they areally are not needed IMO. Just sayin.
kerby9mm
02-29-2012, 03:02 PM
If the p380 did not have a slide lock then you could not load the first round (as recommended) using the slide lock because there wouldn't be one.
jocko
02-29-2012, 04:13 PM
good point and to add to that if there was no slide stop, then there would be no notation in the manual staqtign to use the slide stop lever. Point, game, match,set. MATCH.
muggsy
02-29-2012, 04:35 PM
Jocko, my CM9 functions flawlessly in either mode.
jocko
02-29-2012, 04:48 PM
yes that is becuase I ask karh to put special attention to your CM9. so I should get the credit for it not u.. Just sayin.
cesande
02-29-2012, 05:39 PM
This happened to my new P380 in the first breakin.
you have 2 options....
1) Call Kahr and tell them what is happening and ask for an "enhanced slide stop pin"
2) Dremel tool with small wool polishing pad and Flitz... go after all the little nooks and crannies on the slide stop where it interacts with the mag button to cause the intended slide lock. Don't go nuts with this... just polishing off all the corners is all you are doing.
I did #2 and after talking with Kahr they said that what I did is exactly what they would have done... but if you do and it doesn't solve the issue do NOT tell them you "modified" the slide stop pin... just tell them what the deal is and request a new pin...
I have not had 1 premature slide lock since I did this to mine.... all documented on my thread here.
Mine is standing strong at 546 rounds since last time it had an issue... have not been able to get to the range in some time....
YMMV
ORSalesRep
02-29-2012, 06:04 PM
This happened to my new P380 in the first breakin.
you have 2 options....
1) Call Kahr and tell them what is happening and ask for an "enhanced slide stop pin"
2) Dremel tool with small wool polishing pad and Flitz... go after all the little nooks and crannies on the slide stop where it interacts with the mag button to cause the intended slide lock. Don't go nuts with this... just polishing off all the corners is all you are doing.
I did #2 and after talking with Kahr they said that what I did is exactly what they would have done... but if you do and it doesn't solve the issue do NOT tell them you "modified" the slide stop pin... just tell them what the deal is and request a new pin...
I have not had 1 premature slide lock since I did this to mine.... all documented on my thread here.
Mine is standing strong at 546 rounds since last time it had an issue... have not been able to get to the range in some time....
YMMV
Thanks very much. Would there be anyway that you could post pics showing exactly where you polished the sslide stop? Also, can you please let me know exactly what dremel tool that you used? Thanks
cesande
02-29-2012, 06:24 PM
Don't have camera now but here goes.
basically you are polishing all the bits that are on the inside of the slide stop pin.
just wherever you can get into with the pad.
The pad will turn black showing that you are working the metal, I just worked it around there for only about 30 seconds... re-wet with flitz and do it again.
Pads..
http://www.toolbarn.com/dremel-414.html
Mandrel..
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/shank-mandrel-p-226908.html
Flitz paste
http://www.flitz.com/p-16-flitz-polish-paste.aspx
Cokeman
02-29-2012, 11:26 PM
Can you remember what rounds you were shooting when each problem happened? Longer rounds can bump the slide stop and lock the slide back. Under-powered rounds can make the slide not lock back.
cesande
02-29-2012, 11:32 PM
I shelved the WWB squared off FMJ...
Not sure if they were the problem or not since I did my fluff and buff after they were done but since the FnB I have not run them and don't plan to....
Good point tho...
For me it is round nose FMJ for range fodder.....
And... the Federal Champion which are perceived to be low power have been fine in MY P380... again full round nose FMJ
ORSalesRep
03-01-2012, 04:52 PM
Don't have camera now but here goes.
basically you are polishing all the bits that are on the inside of the slide stop pin.
just wherever you can get into with the pad.
The pad will turn black showing that you are working the metal, I just worked it around there for only about 30 seconds... re-wet with flitz and do it again.
Pads..
http://www.toolbarn.com/dremel-414.html
Mandrel..
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/shank-mandrel-p-226908.html
Flitz paste
http://www.flitz.com/p-16-flitz-polish-paste.aspx
Cesande,
I used my dremel and some flitz and did some work on the Slide Stop Lever. My P380 is black and I am not sure about yours, but my polishing job never yielded a mirror finish. I am not sure if the reason being was due to it being black instead of stainless or not. My polishing job did seem to smooth out the surfaces of the Slide Stop Lever that I did work though. Was this your experience as well or was your experience different?
If I do end up contacting Kahr and asking for an enhanced slide stop pin? Is that the same as a Slide Stop Lever and what exactly is the difference between the enhanced and what I have now? I couldn't find any such part listed on the Kahr website.
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