P380 - My Return to Battery Fix

[FrankFuss]

On the P380 slide opposite the extractor there is a corner, at the bottom of the breach face, which the case will encounter as it slides up the breach face. This corner is machined at an angle, but the transition from the angled part to the vertical surface is a sharp edge. As the case rides over this rough angled surface I imagine that it catches somewhat on the sharp edge, as it pushes the case against the extractor, contributing to the return to battery problem.

I rounded off the sharp edge and polished this edge and the angled surface. This seems to help my return to battery issue. Originally, it would fail to return to battery about every third round. Now, it returns to battery every time, except for Federal Hydra Shoks, which seem to catch on the feed ramp.

I am using the standard recoil springs, but I will order the stronger recoil springs next to see how well they work.

[TucsonMTB]

Well done, sir! Welcome to the forum!

I'm guessing you have some experience with other semi-automatic pistols and recognized that an overly tight or not well polished extractor often contributes to FRTB (failures to return to battery) in many guns, Kahrs included. :)

[josp]

I recently ordered new recoil springs and my RTB issues went away.

[Infidel proud]

Great job josp! Glad you could sort out the prob yourself...have a soft spot for tinkerers...cuz I are one myself...

[Cokeman]

On the P380 slide opposite the extractor there is a corner, at the bottom of the breach face, which the case will encounter as it slides up the breach face. This corner is machined at an angle, but the transition from the angled part to the vertical surface is a sharp edge. As the case rides over this rough angled surface I imagine that it catches somewhat on the sharp edge, as it pushes the case against the extractor, contributing to the return to battery problem.

I rounded off the sharp edge and polished this edge and the angled surface. This seems to help my return to battery issue. Originally, it would fail to return to battery about every third round. Now, it returns to battery every time, except for Federal Hydra Shoks, which seem to catch on the feed ramp.

I am using the standard recoil springs, but I will order the stronger recoil springs next to see how well they work.

Let's see some pictures with arrows.

[FrankFuss]

Let's see some pictures with arrows.
OK, here are some pictures showing the area I am referring to. Sorry about my cheap camera. I used a needle file to smooth the angled surface and round the sharp corner, silicon carbide paper glued to a wooden stick for rough polish and Flitz on a wooden stick for final polish. Put tape on the breach face to protect it.

http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj537/FrankFuss/Slide1.jpg
http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj537/FrankFuss/Slide2.jpg

[Cokeman]

Great pics. That really helps the explanation.

[TucsonMTB]

That area on my PM40 appears to be fairly smooth after more than two thousand rounds. The polishing action of the break-in process may have helped.

You might examine the corresponding area of the extractor claw. I ended up slightly rounding and polishing the lower edge of the extractor that is roughly opposite the area of the slide that you polished, with a noticeable improvement in the smoothness of feeding rounds when cycling by hand.

Depending on how nicely machined your extractor is, it may not be an issue on your gun, but mine was very sharp edged before I polished it.

Thanks for sharing your pictures, as Mr. Cokeman suggested! http://home.mindspring.com/%7Ejustsomeguy/thumbsup.gif

[MDH65]

On the P380 slide opposite the extractor there is a corner, at the bottom of the breach face, which the case will encounter as it slides up the breach face. This corner is machined at an angle, but the transition from the angled part to the vertical surface is a sharp edge. As the case rides over this rough angled surface I imagine that it catches somewhat on the sharp edge, as it pushes the case against the extractor, contributing to the return to battery problem.

I rounded off the sharp edge and polished this edge and the angled surface. This seems to help my return to battery issue. Originally, it would fail to return to battery about every third round. Now, it returns to battery every time, except for Federal Hydra Shoks, which seem to catch on the feed ramp.

I am using the standard recoil springs, but I will order the stronger recoil springs next to see how well they work.

Where do you get stronger recoil springs for a P380???

[jocko]

depends what vintage ur P380 is. the early models and todays odels recoil springs are different. today springs are stronger. Order a new set frm kahr and see if there is a difference.

[MDH65]

depends what vintage ur P380 is. the early models and todays odels recoil springs are different. today springs are stronger. Order a new set frm kahr and see if there is a difference.

Kahr replaced my recoil springs when they worked over my pistol this past month.
So I probably have the current stronger springs.

[jocko]

Where do you get stronger recoil springs for a P380???

with good results.

go to wolffs gunsprings andhit on the kel tec portion and then go to P3At recoil springs.

they list them from 11# alltheway to 16#.. I doubt if ur gona harm the gun by trying them, pick a poundage or but one set of each and try um until u get thge results u want or don't want.

[MDH65]

So anyone know what the spring weight is on factory Kahr P380 recoil springs?

[JERRY]

God this sounds like a $500.00 kel-tec problem.....

[DJK11]

So anyone know what the spring weight is on factory Kahr P380 recoil springs?

I posted the spring weights and dimensions couple of times.

GO here http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?p=164618#post164618