P380 Mag Spring Question

[MarkB1]

I have been told and I have read about some mag feeding problems were solved (I think in the 45 Kahr) by using the 6 round mag spring in the 7 round mag sleeve.

My question is has anyone tried in the P380 using the 7 round mag spring in the 6 round mag sleeve? The 7 round spring fits into the 6 round mag sleeve and you can load all 6 rounds into the mag. I have not yet shot the P380 with the longer spring in the 6 round mag.

I think the longer 7 round spring would apply a greater amount of force to the slide lock that should eliminate most of the failures to lock open on an empty mag. It should also reduce the number of nosedives when loading the next round by keeping the round in position for proper feeding to the chamber.

What are your thoughts on this?

[jocko]

welltry it abnd let us know, also reverse the set up to and testit out. always sumpin tolearn here, may not work for some but may work for some and again ur not huring a damn thing by trying either.

[MarkB1]

Just a note - the 6 round standard mag spring has 10 coils and the 7 round extended mag has 12 coils - just 2 coils more. The wire appears to be the same for both.

[MarkB1]

I had gone to my LGS and compared 380 magazines. They all appear to have the same body dimensions with the normal variations for catch slot, opening design, and follower design.

I'm going to try something. Brownells has a Colt Mustang 380 extra strength spring for the +2 mag. If the pic on Brownells is correct, the spring has 13 coils.

This spring may work in the 7 round extended P380 and give a little more force to the follower for better reliability. It may fit in the 6 round standard P380 mag but can be shortened, if needed.

Kahr wants $12.95 for the 7 round mag spring with about $12.50 shipping. Brownells wants $7.49 for the spring and $7.98 for shipping.

I'll update this once I get the springs.

[MarkB1]

Any thoughts on this?

[jocko]

just go to woffls gunsprings and buy the kel tek 380 10% more strength mag spring and it wil fit perfectly and achieve what ur saying. I don';t think ur gonna get a 13 coil spring in any P380 mag, but I guess if u buy one of those u can cut it down until it fits ur needs. oir just buy ther already made Kel tek mag springs. They will work, I have used them in my P380

[MarkB1]

Thanks, jocko. I'll try the Wolff Kel-Tec springs in the 6 round and then I'll try the Colt +2 springs in the 7 round. It may do for the 7 what the Kel-Tec does for the 6. I also agree with you when you said the 7 round mag is not good for concealment (too long) but it is good for the range and for a backup spare to carry.

[MarkB1]

OK, I tried the colt spring and it did not work. The spring fit the mag sleeve but was too long (front to back) for the follower with no clear way to modify the spring.

I believe jocko said that he had no use for the extended mag for CCW with the P380. The extension defeats the concealability of the pistol.

So, the Colt spring won't be used and I have returned the 7 round extended mag to Kahr for a 6 round. The Kel-Tec +10% springs arrived today and make a noticeable difference in the follower force. I'll see how they work.

I have no problem just using the 6 round mags for the P380.

[dsk]

Why is it up to end users to solve an issue that the factory should be resolving? One of my 6-round mags no longer locks the slide back. It's the one that I've left loaded for the past several months. Both the mag spring and the recoil spring turns to mush in these pistols in a short length of time, and Kahr either needs to change spring vendors or effect a re-design.