Tightening Slide Stop Screw

[Jeff00042]

The slide stop screw on my P380 is loose. I understand a T5 torx screwdriver is what I need. I understand snug is the key as it is easy to strip the polymer frame. Is it safe or a good idea to use blue loctite to keep the torx screw tight?

[awpk03s]

Can't do any harm.

[TucsonMTB]

It should not be necessary to use any Loctite on the slide stop screw. It is threaded directly into the polymer plastic frame with no metal insert. Ordinarily, it does not drift, even if not installed tightly.

When you snug up the screw, try not to strip the threads out of the plastic frame. Greg (gb6491), one of our talented moderators has provided the image you see below in post #5 (post numbers are on the right hand side of the blue band at the top of each post) of this thread in the technical section (http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1612&highlight=spring). You might find it useful. I did. :)

Apologies for "preaching to choir" if you have already found it.

http://i47.tinypic.com/25qbyvb.jpg

[Jeff00042]

Very helpful information. Thanks!

[Jeff00042]

Yesterday, I had a problem with the slide locking back on partially full magazines. This occurred with both magazines after firing about 100 rounds. Twice the slide did not lock back on an empty magazine. This problem did not occur during the first 340 rounds during last week's shooting. I assumed the slide stop screw was loose because I could adjust the pointed end of the screw up or down and it would stay where I moved it. However, when I tried a #5 torx screwdriver, the screw seemed tight. The slide stop was correctly installed. Thanks for any help you can provide.

[jocko]

If in doubt get a new slide stop spring and use the slide stop thread to install it. If theslide stop lever is moving outward the spring is either out of whack or not tight enough or both. I hate to tell anyone to screwwiththat little screwto much as it only goes into polymer threads,so one has to be alittle carefulbut once adjusted, it needs no attention.

[TucsonMTB]

I assumed the slide stop screw was loose because I could adjust the pointed end of the screw up or down and it would stay where I moved it.
Sorry, you want to try to describe that again, please? This sentence makes no sense to me. My wife tells me I am pretty senseless anyway, but I don't think that's the problem this time.


If theslide stop lever is moving outward the spring is either out of whack or not tight enough or both.
Hey, Jeff00042! Is that what you were trying to say . . . that the slide stop itself is not clicking into the frame and can easily be pushed out by hand or will walk out itself? If so, Jocko's advice to "get a new slide stop spring and use the slide stop thread to install it", will definitely solve it. In fact, you might have to leave the screw a little loose just to be able to get the slide stop out. :rolleyes:

Oh, and if the slide stop is not walking out all by itself, try loosing the screw a little. I had to do that to one of my PM40's after it came back from a trip to Kahr CS. Also, Jocko puts a dab of grease right on the screw head which seems to prevent a variety of possible issues.

Let us know how you are faring, please. :)

[jocko]

my guessis this to. if one can move that little springhy tip up or down and it sticks there, then the slide stop spring is to tight. That spring needs to flex, as it does two distinct things. #1, It holds the slide stop from moving out of the gun buy engaging itselfinthat small groove in the sldie stop nexttothe flat peace of the slide stop. #2. the spring tip, sits inside on the slide stop in a small jub with a small groove in that nub even. That spring is what keeps the slide stop down and not loose as a goose. I always put a dab of grease on that inside nub where that spring tip rides and also on that portion of the spring that mates with the slide stop pin when inserting it in the gun. In my mind it just might let that slide stop ride over that spring partr easier. Proabably not needed either but just a dob will do ya. I have well over 32KI rounds through my PM9 and I have replaced one slide stop spring in all that time and I bet Ihave had that slide off 300+times. Take care of that spring, reinstall carefully, don't rush it and u will not harm that springhy. We really don'thave any issues with that springhy other than I do thing an owner might force and then bend the springhy out of whack, which is easilyt tweeked backinto place or just replace it. That little screw willnot work loose, but that being said if u take that screw out enough times ur gonna wear wat threds are cutinto that polymer grip and then it just might want to get loose. then IU would recommend fingernail polish to held that screwin place. Notsure locktite works well as locktite works when no oxygen can get to the threads and basically locktite is for steel on steel, not steel on polmer. Fingernal polish holds firmly but still enables one to take it out if necessary. If u strip the threaqds in the frame, ur screwed and it must go back tokahr and I have no idea how they fix it, but again fingernail polish will normally hold it in place... Just sayin.

[Jeff00042]

Thanks guys. Helpful information. TucsonMTB: No wonder you couldn't understand what I meant. Below is the corrected version. "I assumed the slide stop screw was loose because I could adjust the pointed end of the SPRING up or down and it would stay where I moved it".

[TucsonMTB]

Certainly you should be able to bend the spring as needed, but that usually takes a fair amount of force and an needle-nosed pliers. But, just nudge into a new position gently . . . sounds like a broken spring to me.

Help in the form of a new spring from Kahr is only a phone call or an email away. Email: service@kahr.com Phone: (508)795-3919

[Jeff00042]

Certainly you should be able to bend the spring as needed, but that usually takes a fair amount of force and an needle-nosed pliers. But, just nudge into a new position gently . . . sounds like a broken spring to me.

Help in the form of a new spring from Kahr is only a phone call or an email away. Email: service@kahr.com Phone: (508)795-3919

When I move the pointed end of the spring with my finger, the other half of the spring moves with it. It does not seem broken. It moves as if it is not tightly held in place but the torx screw seems tight. I'll call Kahr for a new spring anyway.

[Jeff00042]

Jocko: I'll try a dab of grease on the slide stop spring. This problem could be as simple as a lot of crud interfering with the spring's functioning. On my second range trip, the problem did not occur until I had 100 rounds through it. I want to say how much I appreciate the help available on this forum. You guys are a great help!

[Charlie]

The Kahr is a great weapon but the slide stop spring tension is an issue .I think needs attention, its the crirical part of the function of this fine weapon.

[Jeff00042]

Well, just put another 100 rounds through the P380. This time, multiple stovepipes as well as the previous problems of the slide locking back on a partially full magazine and sometimes not locking back on an empty magazine. I'll try a new slide stop spring. I put in a new recoil spring after 400 rounds. What might account for the stovepipes I did not experience in the first 340 rounds? I've got a death grip on it while firing.

[Jeff00042]

I replaced the slide stop spring. For someone with my meager mechanical skills, this was a big deal. Ran 75 rounds through it without a single problem. No more stovepipes, and the slide stop worked perfectly. Thanks for all your suggestions and gb6491's great instructions for replacing the slide stop spring.