Got my new P380, I think its broke out of box?

[19Delta]

I couldn't really think of a proper heading short enough, so I will explain. I just picked up my brand new Kahr P380 last night. I bought it brand new. I have been surfing around the forum a lot, and read I should rack the slide a lot, take it apart, clean and lube well, then go to range and break it in. So on the way home from gun shop I racked slide approx 200-250 times.

When I got home, I disassembled it, and found that one of the rails is badly burred/shaved. Here is a pic.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonknepp/7053253777/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonknepp/7053253777/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonknepp/7053253777/

What do you guys think?

[Tinman507]

Hard to know for sure, but it looks like flashing from the frame molding process. Can you remove some and see if the frame rail is actually impacted?
Just may be excess plastic. Shooting it will be the best indicator.

[Sliebl]

Uh, yeah. That's not right.

Unfortunately, your gun's next trip is not to the range... it's back to Kahr.

For future reference, your best bet is to disassemble, clean, and properly lubricate the gun prior to racking the slide a bunch of times. Not saying that your racking the slide is the cause of this problem, but rather the result. I'd bet there is something wrong in the slide (burr in the groove) that caused the problem, and it is likely that your disassembly and cleaning would have revealed the problem.

I'll follow this thread to see what the resolution is. I've never seen a frame that looked like that.

I'm sorry that you have this to deal with. It's a bummer after laying down a bunch of money on a gun, but I'm sure Kahr will take care of the problem.

[19Delta]

I forgot to add, the Serial Number starts with RB53xx

Anybody know how "old" this gun is? The store I bought it from is the biggest in the area and they move a LOT of guns, so I would assume its very new. ??

Thanks!

[19Delta]

Uh, yeah. That's not right.

Unfortunately, your gun's next trip is not to the range... it's back to Kahr.


Yeah, I would not have done it on the way home, other than the gun was so covered in oil I had to wipe it down so I could just handle it without getting oil on my hands... even the grip and trigger area were oily.

Obviously now I wished I would have waited, but to late.

On inspection, I can't find the bur that is causing this.

I couldn't find who to e-mail at Kahr. So I emailed a Lisa that is in charge of Midwest division sales (I live in Indiana).

Does anyone else have an idea of who I should email a pic to at Kahr?

Thanks for your help guys! I really want this gun to be great! My Glock is just to big sometimes. :p

[Sliebl]

Have a look here:
http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=8708
This is a P380 Serial number thread that may be helpful to you.

[Ikeo74]

It looks more like a defect in the molding process and not caused by racking the slide. Maybe the gun store that sold it to you will exchange it. I wouldn't shoot it.

[muggsy]

The plastic rails are just guide rails to aid in assembly. The slide actually rides on steel rails fore and aft of the plastic guide rails. Instead of racking the slide you should have been reading the manual. You can remove the shaved plastic and the gun will function just fine. You can send the gun back to Kahr and they can remove the shaved plastic and the gun will function just fine. Your choice.

[kerby9mm]

With such a problematic gun one would think Kahr would be more careful when they assemble them. The Kahr employee that assembled that gun is partially blind or just didn't care with such an obvious flaw. If you read this forum you must have known you were at some risk of some kind of defect with the purchase. Too bad for you but Kahr will fix it.

[steveschu]

That is not normal and shameful of Kahr to ship a new item in that condition. As I suspected, Kahr's problems stem from poor quality control.....tight tolerances DEMAND tight quality control. Sorry, but you should send it back to Kahr. Make them feel a little pain on their end at least with shipping costs.

[JFootin]

A lot of new members jumping to conclusions, here. There is nothing to be concerned about. Like Muggsy said, just clean it off and everything will be fine. And like he said, those plastic rails are just guides for positioning the slide on reassembly. This happens on quite a few Kahrs. Won't keep happening. What the gun needed to shave off, it has shaved off. Clean it up and you're good to go. :)

[19Delta]

It looks more like a defect in the molding process and not caused by racking the slide. Maybe the gun store that sold it to you will exchange it. I wouldn't shoot it.

I bought it on clearance for $459! It was the last one. And I don't want a refund.

[kerby9mm]

A lot of new members jumping to conclusions, here. There is nothing to be concerned about. Like Muggsy said, just clean it off and everything will be fine. And like he said, those plastic rails are just guides for positioning the slide on reassembly. This happens on quite a few Kahrs. Won't keep happening. What the gun needed to shave off, it has shaved off. Clean it up and you're good to go. :)

Just because one is a new member doesent always mean new to guns and certainly shouldn't mean new to common sense. Thanks to this forum I will always do a takedown on a gun and inspect it before I purchase it. If it looked like that one I would hand it back and say no thanks. To accept one like that perpetuates poor QC.

[bonjorno2]

It probably didn't look like that until after he racked the slide 250 times without lube and clearing the debris.

[Mike_B]

I bought it on clearance for $459! It was the last one. And I don't want a refund.

Wow! You got a great price. If I were in your shoes, I'd shoot it and if a problem surfaces, send it back to Kahr. Reading posts on this forum, it seems like Kahr always takes care of things to the owners' satisfaction.

[19Delta]

It probably didn't look like that until after he racked the slide 250 times without lube and clearing the debris.

Correct.

I took it back apart, and cleaned up the excess polymer. It looks way better, and I am going to clean and lube really well and then get some range time in. It was a VERY small amount of polymer that just looked like a lot. The upper looks smooth and clean.

To all saying poor quality, this is my first kahr, but not my first gun. I don't think poorly of them at all. Lets get it lubed, broke in, see if it goes bang when I pull the trigger, and decide.

Mugsy, I am reading manual now. Thanks for your input! ;)

[wlc]

I would have done exactly what you did. The next time you have it apart, check the slide for burrs or sharp edges. If there are any, they can be smoothed out with a stone. As stated above the plastic rails are only guides. I certainly would not send it back for that. I hope that it functions well for you. That was a great price.

[hardluk1]

As muggsy wrote. The plastic damage is nothing to really worry about. Scrap it off and go shoot it. The PLASTIC rails are there for you to help guide the slide onto the frame. The 4 points the slide is controled by are the 2 metal rails down inside the front half of the grip frame and the 2 metal peices at the rear of the rails . Your setting in your car racking the side more than likely did the "damage". Lube it well and enjoy it. Clean the plastic off once in a while.



I bought my first kahr cw9 from a guy that was a very seasoned shooter , hunter and match shooter. He said it would not cycle a full mag full of ammo and it also had plastic wear in it. I bought it and called kahr, was told all about the plastic wear being a no issue.

Cleaned and lubed my used kahr and shot 600 round before any real cleaning other than wipeing the warn plastic off from time to time. 600 rounds fired before a solid cleaning and relube. Great gun . NO porblems of any kind. Bought a cm9 then . Did it all again. Just because you maybe a seasoned shooter does not also mean you don't fall aprts over something that does not really matter. After a couple hundred rounds I never say any more plastic wear. Not sure when it stopped, but it did. Cleaned up the edges and they have been a pair of great pistols.

Hope your 380 runs great for you.

[19Delta]

Thanks for all the help and input!

Going to go to range, I will report back. Unfortunately, I won't get to the range till at LEAST next Sunday..... Maybe longer. I have a crazy schedule right now. :mad:

[bonjorno2]

Happy shooting!

[jocko]

love that seasoned shooter stuff.. I have been shooting for over 50 years and I learn every day. I am not a seasoned shooter with a M60 so I take the "seasoned shooter" stuff with a grain of salt. I am a seasoned Harley rider to but I sure can't do some of the sh!t these guys can do on them. Sometimes a newbie or new gun owner for the first time will listen alot more than us "seasoned shooters". U see We do think we know it all, so don't confuse me with facts. I think Hardluk1 comments is right on target.

My PM9 has over 32K rounds through it and the polymer rails are absolutely perfecrt, not a wear place on them, nothing, no slide groves in the rails either from improperly reinstalling the slide. Besides giving the owner a pre start in installing the slid eon thegun properly I also think the polymer rails add some upper frame strength to. U could take a knive and cut those rails completely out and the gun will run perfect.

I don';t think kahrs are tight due to those rails maybe being a tad warped on some guns, I just think kahrs recoils springs arer very stout and if there is some slight warpage on those polymer rails that is where the 200 rounds down range thing as kahr recommends seems to take care of this by just fast slide action. Certainly IMO hand racking has to help this along to but nothiing beats the bang thing and the rapid slide action. It is amazing how many shooter come back and post after a few hundred ronds ot of therr kahrs that it feels like a totally different gun. IT HAS SMOOTHED OUT.. I had a Para carry 9 that gave some start up issues and being a kahr owner at the time I gave it 200 rounds and some of those issues was still there. A phone call to Para service and I was basicaly told, callus back after u get 500 rounds through it. I never needed to call them for any of those issues..

[TominCA]

I'm having trouble seeing the little metal rail guide (I made up thet name) at the end of the frame - Is it there or is it covered by plastic? (or is the photo not clear) That's where your slide should bear - the plastic just holds the frame chassis in place.

[Deano]

When I first got my CM9 the plastic rails had some of this on it before I even shot it or racked it. I just took an exacto knife and sand paper and smoothed it out. No issues with the gun at all. It just looks like a little left over residue from the molding process.

[roskee]

Uh, yeah. That's not right.

Unfortunately, your gun's next trip is not to the range... it's back to Kahr.


Yeah, no bueno. Especially, for a new toy. My slide went straight to Kahr as soon as I bought it because the front night sight wasn't glowing -- so I know the feeling. Is this all taken care of now?

[19Delta]

I am the original poster.

Wanted to give everyone an update. I had emailed kahr, and they called me and were VERY pleasant. Said I could mail it back for inspection or shoot at as he thought it would be fine. I did the tech section prep and clean first, then went to the range yesterday with 300 rounds. Took several brands and styles rounds.

My p380 came with a 6 round mag and a 7 round. For some reason the 7rd mag didn't like the remington 95gr umc FNEB (flat nose). It would fail to chamber once or twice per mag. The short mag loved any and all ammo it was fed! Even hollow point. The big mag loved everything it was fed except that ammo.

So other than big mag for that ammo this gun fired flawlessly!

I started with the first 50rnds flat nose, and ended the last 50 with the flat nose out of the 300 fired. Same results. What should I look for on this mag?

Btw, after the first 175-200 rounds, I was getting cocky and shooting left handed, limp wristing, and when chambering even was riding the slide forward. PERFECTION. I love this Gun! I couldn't believe the accuracy and the how light the recoil was!

This gun is so much better in so many ways than my Keltec was. All I wanted was a pocket pistol that went bang when I pulled trigger (which the Keltec failed to do) but I got so much more than I expected.

[TominCA]

That's the way they are supposed to work!

[crazymailman]

I am the original poster.

Wanted to give everyone an update. I had emailed kahr, and they called me and were VERY pleasant. Said I could mail it back for inspection or shoot at as he thought it would be fine. I did the tech section prep and clean first, then went to the range yesterday with 300 rounds. Took several brands and styles rounds.

My p380 came with a 6 round mag and a 7 round. For some reason the 7rd mag didn't like the remington 95gr umc FNEB (flat nose). It would fail to chamber once or twice per mag. The short mag loved any and all ammo it was fed! Even hollow point. The big mag loved everything it was fed except that ammo.

So other than big mag for that ammo this gun fired flawlessly!

I started with the first 50rnds flat nose, and ended the last 50 with the flat nose out of the 300 fired. Same results. What should I look for on this mag?

Btw, after the first 175-200 rounds, I was getting cocky and shooting left handed, limp wristing, and when chambering even was riding the slide forward. PERFECTION. I love this Gun! I couldn't believe the accuracy and the how light the recoil was!

This gun is so much better in so many ways than my Keltec was. All I wanted was a pocket pistol that went bang when I pulled trigger (which the Keltec failed to do) but I got so much more than I expected.

Glad to hear it's working fine for you. As for the 7 round mag, some other shooters have mentioned that putting too much pressure with the pinkie can cause the mag to shift just enough to cause a malfunction. You could try to shoot without using your pinkie and see how that goes, or you could contact Kahr and request a trade for another short mag.

[jocko]

wel lIMO ur report is excellent and for me anyways, I would ask kahr if they would take that 7 round mag back and give u a flsuh fit 6 round and just be done with it. The P380 is a small ass gun made for pocket carrty, so why mess with more sticking out for one round gained. evidently thgere is nothing wrong with thegun but the 7 rd mag more than anythiung. We have seen thi8s withthe PM9 and cm9 with the exte4nded magazines. It has been on and off for reliability with those magazines.

[19Delta]

wel lIMO ur report is excellent and for me anyways, I would ask kahr if they would take that 7 round mag back and give u a flsuh fit 6 round and just be done with it. The P380 is a small ass gun made for pocket carrty, so why mess with more sticking out for one round gained. evidently thgere is nothing wrong with thegun but the 7 rd mag more than anythiung. We have seen thi8s withthe PM9 and cm9 with the exte4nded magazines. It has been on and off for reliability with those magazines.

Jocko, I have quickly learned you are a kahr master by surfing the forums, and that MAKES GREAT SENSE! I was actually thinking about buying a second small mag to rotate in with my other small one. u rock!

[Sliebl]

I'm so glad it worked out for you without a trip back to Kahr.
Sounds like you got yourself a keeper!

[jocko]

It sure in hell seems lately tha thte P380 are now working "great". There is nothingin its class for feel, accuracy and quality WHEN IT IS RIGHT.

Mine is one of the first 250 made and it has been back once and th elat time I shot it about 10 days ago, I put around 75 perfect rounds through it. It totally surprised me with its performance. I need to put another 200 through it to get my total confidence back. I love the gun, it is grip stippled, big dot sights, mag well cuts outs, BUT I just never carry it. I ca't pull myself away from my PM9.

I would have magna ported that little sucker but magna port would not port the 380's.

[Cokeman]

wel lIMO ur report is excellent and for me anyways, I would ask kahr if they would take that 7 round mag back and give u a flsuh fit 6 round and just be done with it. The P380 is a small ass gun made for pocket carrty, so why mess with more sticking out for one round gained. evidently thgere is nothing wrong with thegun but the 7 rd mag more than anythiung. We have seen thi8s withthe PM9 and cm9 with the exte4nded magazines. It has been on and off for reliability with those magazines.

I agree. Why did Kahr start sending 7 round mags with any gun that originally came with 6 round mags? I am bothered that many companies are now including two mags that hold a different number of rounds. :mad: