CW380 recoil spring ?

[smokersteve]

When reassembling my pistol the inner recoil spring sticks out of the small hole where the guide rod goes. This makes it not possible to seat the flange end of the guide rod in the correct position. The springs are facing the right direction.

Does this happen to others and how do you correct it?
This seems like a design flaw

[jocko]

how about trying to open up the ends of both the inner and outter recoil spring at that front opening. It is not a design flaw, we have not seen this. If u set the recoil rod in that front portion of the slide without letting kthe recoil spring get going first instead of the recoil rod, I t should not be an issue. it was OK before u took it apart,,,, was it not???

[smokersteve]

*If u set the recoil rod in that front portion of the slide without letting kthe recoil spring get going first instead of the recoil rod, I t should not be an issue.
Hard to do that with the tension of 2 springs isn't it?
It has done this since I bought it. Eventually I get it to go in correctly, but it should not be doing this.

[muggsy]

Steve, make sure the ends of both the inner and outer springs are pointing toward the barrel when you install the guide rod and that should eliminate the reassembly problem.

[smokersteve]

Muggsy, thanks. The ends are facing the right direction

[jocko]

Hard to do that with the tension of 2 springs isn't it?
It has done this since I bought it. Eventually I get it to go in correctly, but it should not be doing this.

until u get the hang of doin it correctly, then yes It can do it. Trust me it is not a design flaw, might be a PIA until u get the hang of it, but u will get the hang of it. I think ur comment is the first of any 380 kahr owner:amflag:

[smokersteve]

Jocko, do you compress both the springs so they are shorter than the guide rod so the end of the rod goes in the hole 1st?

I can't. Maybe I need to do finger exercises :)

[jocko]

not sure if kthey are like that any more butr it used to be that the inner spring when put on should go on with alittle friction as it is moving back on the recoil rod. The front portion of thge spring would then be less restrictive a siut slide sup and won on the recoil rod. U can actually feel this when instlling the recoil springs to. again not sure if they are like that anymore b ut my P380 recoil spring is like that but its one of the first 250 made, so it has been awhile. try it both way and see if u can feel the difference as it slides over the recoil tube.....and again mine could have just been a tight inner beginning coil to making it feel like I am describing..

[smokersteve]

My inner spring slips right on the rod with no friction.
I can get it together with some work. It just seems odd that the spring goes out the hole

[Black Train]

The inner recoil spring is shorter than the outer. Should you place the closed end of both springs at the barrel end of the guide rod. Should both open ends be flush at the point where the guide rod goes through the slide. It would seem that it should be one way or the other with 2 different lengths of spring.

[wyntrout]

Twirl the recoil spring assembly as you seat it forward to compress it to install on the barrel lug ledge for it. If the spring gets through first back up a bit and try again until the rod gets through first. It just takes practice. Don't force the pin past the spring when it beats the pin... can bind.

Wynn

[SlowBurn]

I just replaced mine and it was as Jocko described. A little friction between the inner and the guide rod.
Both springs - closed ends should go to flange, pointy ends toward the hole. The springs should not stick out of the hole. Thats where the guide rod goes. You have to rest them on the inside edge of the hole, then push like !@#$% to get the guide rod in and positioned. Every time I've installed new ones I had to use the edge of a book case the first time. After awhile the springs take a set and its easier.

[BEARDOG]

The cut ends of both springs go to the muzzle end.
Then turn the cut ends on the rod so that they both will sit closest to the barrel, then install into the slide... Or to say it another way, on the bottom of the rod.
That is how I position all my Kahrs recoil springs to avoid the spring ends sticking through during assembly.

[erichard]

I find if you line up the tips of the inner and outer spring and aim them to the lower aspect of the hole for the guide rod (lower when the slide is upside down or higher if right side up), you are less likely to have the tip slip through the hole before the guide rod. Hope that makes sense. I'm sure most do it that way without this advice, but thought I'd throw it out there for those who don't. I also kind of tilt the guide rod upwards at the tip as I slide it in. That takes a little practice, and I use another finger and thumb as a fulcrum to tilt it that way.

The first time I broke down my gun for cleaning, one of the springs actually broke off at the tip because the guide rod went through after it (unbeknownst to me at the time), so it is important to do it correctly.

[aerodan]

Apologies for resurrecting this thread, but I was fighting with my P380 today to get the Kahr stainless guide rod to go in. The larger (outer) spring has a sharp non-progressive end that likes to poke in the way. Wouldn't it be better to have both ends of the springs be finished similarly, with a progressive type end, so that this doesn't occur? I'm sure they have their reasons, but... Man what a pain to reassemble. Compressing the spring prior to inserting it helps, but requires a table edge or freakishly strong fingers. Finishing the end such that it's not a hanging/cut wire would help no? Thanks - do love my MK9Elite - jury's still out on the p380.

[jocko]

Apologies for resurrecting this thread, but I was fighting with my P380 today to get the Kahr stainless guide rod to go in. The larger (outer) spring has a sharp non-progressive end that likes to poke in the way. Wouldn't it be better to have both ends of the springs be finished similarly, with a progressive type end, so that this doesn't occur? I'm sure they have their reasons, but... Man what a pain to reassemble. Compressing the spring prior to inserting it helps, but requires a table edge or freakishly strong fingers. Finishing the end such that it's not a hanging/cut wire would help no? Thanks - do love my MK9Elite - jury's still out on the p380.

Practice does not make perfect, butr perfect practice does. Keep atit and u will get very good with this spring.

[SlowBurn]

The larger (outer) spring has a sharp non-progressive end that likes to poke in the way. Wouldn't it be better to have both ends of the springs be finished similarly, with a progressive type end, so that this doesn't occur? I'm sure they have their reasons, but... Man what a pain to reassemble. Compressing the spring prior to inserting it helps, but requires a table edge or freakishly strong fingers.

For both the inner and outer springs, the end of the spring that goes towards the front is sharp and pokey. Why don't they add an extra turn to close that end? Maybe in this teeny weapon they're trying to get the most muscle out of the springs while occupying as little space as possible with dead metal.

It helps keep them from poking out if you line the points of the 2 springs up the way it says in erichard's post. Its a pain with new springs the first time they're installed, easier after that.

[Bobshouse]

It would be much easier with a tapered or rounded off guide rod also.

[GROTMAN]

Practice does not make perfect, butr perfect practice does. Keep atit and u will get very good with this spring.

As evidenced by your typing..:)

[aerodan]

I rounded off the guide rod today and followed the instructions to put the sharper ends under the barrel - works like a charm. Thanks to all who blazed this trail!

[Ronni3_J]

I just got mine yesterday and took it apart a few times. I dont seem to have this issue...I guess thats a good thing. Cant wait to put some rounds through it

[SlowBurn]

I just got mine yesterday and took it apart a few times. I dont seem to have this issue...I guess thats a good thing. Cant wait to put some rounds through it
Enjoy. You maybe won't run into the issue until/unless you replace the recoil springs, hopefully many rounds from now.

[Ronni3_J]

I did run into the trigger pin backing out. Followed the mod and I think its fixed (fingers crossed)

[MMyers1970]

I don't understand why Kahr just doesn't sell these as a set, pre-mated to each other.