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jeffd735
09-03-2013, 12:58 PM
I got back from shooting my new P380 with about every different type of ammo I could find with zero malfunctions. I brought it home to clean it and upon reassembly I noticed that the guide rod protrudes out from the frame quite a bit more than normal. I did put the recoil springs in the wrong way the first time I took it apart. Could I have bent the springs? I ordered new ones from Kahr and will try that first. Anyone else have that problem?

Thanks

wyntrout
09-03-2013, 01:26 PM
Welcome to the forum!

Possibly you just installed the recoil assembly improperly.

Here are the usual helpful links and info. Watch the video for the polymer pistols. Things have to go back in a certain order and orientation.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=7722&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1361223304

Here are a few essential links and things to do BEFORE you take your new pistol to the range, and ESPECIALLY BEFORE taking it apart and trying to re-assemble it! The Kahr is a different design… 6-7 unique patents cover the Kahrs. I’m not trying to imply that you don’t know anything about guns, but many don’t know anything about the Kahrs and some of the things you can do to damage or cause malfunctions of your new, or new-to-you Kahr pistol.

First, if you don’t have a manual, yet, or one didn’t come with your pistol, you can view it and/or download the pdf file here:
http://www.kahr.com/PDF/kahrmanual.pdf

Please watch one of these videos FIRST! These videos can point out possible problem areas and emphasize correct procedures!
Take down and re-assembly videos:
T, TP, CW, P, & PM/CM Series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=G2cZgVg_SwA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G2cZgVg_SwA)
MK series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...mSCnIOaUk#t=0s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zXmSCnIOaUk#t=0s)
K series:
http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-K9-Elite.asp

There are many links on fixing problems listed in several places… under the New Member or Kahr Tech sub-forums. To start, a very good one:

Proper Prepping of a new Kahr:

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14748

A very handy one is the Kahr Lubrication Diagram:
http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14750

Many of your questions can be answered in these areas and you can learn how your Kahr works and not damage it with improper handling.

Another great resource for information on Kahrs... Archives of Magazine and Internet Reviews for Kahr pistols by industry experts. They test these pistols and report on their views and the ammo they tested in it. This is a good way to find ammo that might fit your needs along with accuracy and feeding in the pistol... usually from a rest with velocity and energy, as well as penetration and expansion sometimes... very informational.

http://www.kahr.com/product-reviews.asp

Frequently asked questions: http://www.kahr.com/faq.asp?

One very important bit of advice: Hold the Kahr pistol firmly when firing OR CHAMBERING a round. These compact pistols need all of the force they can get from the slide to get a round into the chamber successfully. If you don't hold the pistol firmly, part of the needed momentum is transferred to MOVING THE PISTOL and the top round will DIVE and jam into the right side of the feed ramp. The weak hand, over hand rack method gives the best grip and a firm rack will give you the best chance at chambering a round.

Use the weak hand fingers over the slide(clear of the ejection port), thumb along the slide and pointing to the rear. Use the gun hand to simultaneously firmly push the gun as you give a vigorous rack with the weak hand and cleanly release the slide as it reaches the rear limit and is "snatched" from the weak hand. This approximates a real rack from firing and beats the slide release method WHEN executed properly. Much more strength can be exerted when this is done closer to the body.

Here's a video on that. The first part is what I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=hjLbFOw8sow (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=hjLbFOw8sow)

There are many helpful members here most of the time who might be able to help you, but as anywhere, there are many opinions and not all are correct. Be mindful of this before doing anything drastic to modify your pistol!


Wynn:)
Aka wyntrout

PS: I keep thinking of stuff to add and help new members... and am trying to cover most of the popular subjects. Yes, it's repetitious to many, but possibly not to all new members. This approach is easier than having to look up every tidbit for each new member or question that arises. :)

muggsy
09-03-2013, 02:32 PM
You said a mouth full, Wyn. :)

jeffd735
09-03-2013, 02:53 PM
Thanks for the info. I watched the video carefully and assembled/reassembled it about 20 times and it still protrudes. I'm hoping that I bent the recoil springs and getting new ones will solve the problem. It comes on Thursday so I will let you know. My mistake was not reading CAREFULLY the disassemble/reassemble instructions. I have a PM9 and I guess I didn't think it was that different. I actually fired it with the spring in backwards so that's why I think the spring is the problem.
Those links are very helpful and I will review them.

One other thing. My P380 is a CA model. I found that I can't dry fire it without the orange plastic magazine inserted in it (or any magazine. I just prefer using the orange one). Perhaps this is a safety feature like my S&W 645 that you can't fire it w/o a magazine inserted? I also found that I need to insert that magazine to take the slide off because I can't depress the trigger to release the striker if a magazine isn't in the well. I couldn't find this anywhere in the manual.

Thanks,

Jeff

wyntrout
09-03-2013, 03:08 PM
Sorry, but I don't have any experience with the CA model. I would hope that they include info with your pistol's specifics. It may be online at Kahr, too.

I know that I have to try several times to get the pistol back together without a part of the free end of the spring getting in front of the end of the recoil guide rod. I have to twirl the assembly a bit as I install the assembly.

I was thinking that you had maybe installed the springs backwards and the larger-opening loose end to the rear could go back too far and allow the rod to go forward too much.

Wynn:)

jeffd735
09-05-2013, 01:20 PM
Wynn,

I just installed the new recoil springs and it works like a charm. The new spring seems a lot stronger than the old one and was a pain to get in. I don't see me ever having a failure to return to battery with this spring (not that I had that problem before). It is also easier to cycle rounds through it even the first round w/o locking the slide back first.

So I'm a new Kahr owner. I've had my PM9 for about six months and the P380 about one month. Neither has had any problems (except for the spring problem with the P380 which was my fault).

Thanks again for your help,

Jeff

wyntrout
09-05-2013, 02:05 PM
I'm glad that your P380 is working now. They are really tight and have stiff springs. The trick to racking is not to let the pistol move when racking it by holding it too loosely. The slide needs all of the energy to chamber a round fully.

I don't know if I'll ever shoot my P380 enough to make those springs need replacing! I just have so many pistols and I'm breaking in new ones or checking out improvements, etc. I've been focusing on the Ruger .22's lately with the accessories and improvements. I've been neglecting my faithful EDC's too much. I do use the LaserLyte carts in them once in a while.

Wynn:)