P380 striker spring problem

[MarkB1]

I decided to try the Wolff reduced power strikerl spring and I ordered the #32321 striker spring 5 lb for all KAHR models.

The problem I have is the slide can be pushed back about 1/8" very easily with the Wolff striker spring and it stays back and does not return to battery. It happens when it is in my Sticky holster in my pocket even though I checked the slide when I holstered the gun. If I just hold the gun, I can easily push the slide back that 1/8" and it stays there. This happens with and without a cartridge in the chamber.

I put the original Kahr striker spring back in the P380 and I do not have that problem. The slide does return to battery when I press it back about 1/8" and release it. The slide does return to battery both with and without a cartridge in the chamber.

So, it seems the Wolff spring is causing the failure to return to battery and the stock Kahr striker spring does not cause a failure to return to battery.

I know it is a new spring (Wolff) and maybe that is the problem but it shouldn't happen. I have about 300-350 rounds through the gun.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[gb6491]

I decided to try the Wolff reduced power strikerl spring and I ordered the #32321 striker spring 5 lb for all KAHR models.

The problem I have is the slide can be pushed back about 1/8" very easily with the Wolff striker spring and it stays back and does not return to battery. It happens when it is in my Sticky holster in my pocket even though I checked the slide when I holstered the gun. If I just hold the gun, I can easily push the slide back that 1/8" and it stays there. This happens with and without a cartridge in the chamber.

I put the original Kahr striker spring back in the P380 and I do not have that problem. The slide does return to battery when I press it back about 1/8" and release it. The slide does return to battery both with and without a cartridge in the chamber.

So, it seems the Wolff spring is causing the failure to return to battery and the stock Kahr striker spring does not cause a failure to return to battery.

I know it is a new spring (Wolff) and maybe that is the problem but it shouldn't happen. I have about 300-350 rounds through the gun.

Has anyone else had this problem?
That's odd, as a lighter weight striker spring should make you use more force to push the slid out of battery than a heavier one.
My guess is:
New springs will be little long, but will "set" at a shorter length after some use. I'd put some rounds down range with the new striker spring installed and see if the issue clears up.
Regards,
Greg

[MarkB1]

Thanks, gb.

[jocko]

I want to question that also. as all the striker spring does is cock back the striker a tad, really has nutting to do with the slide. The slide should ove separte from the striker. It fits inside the slide channel but realy is not a part of what should make the slide retur to battery.

I tink what GB is about the way to go andif doesnt cure itslef, then indeed go back to ur original set up and chalk it up to experience. Just sayin

[muggsy]

I want to question that also. as all the striker spring does is cock back the striker a tad, really has nutting to do with the slide. The slide should ove separte from the striker. It fits inside the slide channel but realy is not a part of what should make the slide retur to battery.

I tink what GB is about the way to go andif doesnt cure itslef, then indeed go back to ur original set up and chalk it up to experience. Just sayin

My thinking exactly and that has me worried. I damn near never agree with anything that Jocko says. The striker spring only acts upon the striker and it's far less powerful than the recoil spring. Are you sure that you reassembled the gun correctly when you put the 5# striker spring in? Something just doesn't make sense here and this time it ain't Jocko. (See, and you say I never stick up for you.)

[MarkB1]

My thinking exactly and that has me worried. I damn near never agree with anything that Jocko says. The striker spring only acts upon the striker and it's far less powerful than the recoil spring. Are you sure that you reassembled the gun correctly when you put the 5# striker spring in? Something just doesn't make sense here and this time it ain't Jocko. (See, and you say I never stick up for you.)


That's what I thought might be possible so I took the slide apart and reassembled it again with the Wolff spring (which I've done a lot). I confirmed that the slide was correctly assembled both the first time and the second time.

I still had the failure to return to battery with the Wolff spring so I took the slide apart again and put back the original Kahr spring. When I put the original Kahr spring back in the failure to return to battery problem went away and the slide would fully return to battery when pressed back about 1/8".

The Kahr spring has about 350 rounds on it at this point.

I am concerned about this because I carry the P380 as a backup and having the slide move to the rear by just holstering the gun in not acceptable. I don't want to hear a "click" when I want a "bang".

I believe that gb is correct and the problem may go away with use but his is a carry piece.

[jocko]

or also maybe this 5# strker spring that fits all big kahrs might not be the correct one for the 380's. I can only say that someone on here stated that the 5# striker springs fits ALL KAHRS including the 380. I have never triedt in my P380 as my son has the gun even. By any chance have u measure the lengtyh of both springs even or cunted the coils to see how they work out. I realize one can go blind by tryin this to, as the coils are so small. It is still strange but again this is a defense gun and if it works OK the way u bought it, THEN STICK WITH IT. never gonna be a target gun anyways, Would have been nice if the 5# worked ok but again certainly not a deal breaker either..

I don't see kanything that ur doing worng either.

[MarkB1]

I was the one who said that the Wolff Kahr striker springs are for all models of the Kahr.

Wolff only has one striker spring listed for any Kahr model. Wolff states that the striker spring I used is for all Kahr models.

And you're right, jocko (again). It's not a target pistol There is only about a one pound difference between the two. It's hard to feel because of the long, very smooth trigger pull of the P380. I'll just take your suggestion and use the reliable original Khar striker spring.

[wyntrout]

Dang! I thought I was the one who said that! I put the same springs in two P380's and four other polymers and the stainless K9. I never had a problem with any of them.

Wolff says the same size fits all. I would guess that the recoil assembly got miss-assembled or something like the open end of the recoil spring to the rear... or the flanged end of the guide rod not in correct position... but it could be something else... just guessing!

Wynn:)

[jocko]

but both of u guys have to realize that as of now wolff has nadda springs for the kahr 380, so as far as they are concerned what they are saying is true for the kahrs they represent, so ur both right i a way. I thought it was u wyn, so that is why I based my comments on ur findiing s to. As we all know two same model guns can feel and act different, so it is what it is and lke MarkB1 said a pound or so difference is not worth loosing any sleep over..

[MarkB1]

I've sent a note to Wolff about this. I'll let you know what I hear.

[jocko]

they are gonna tell u no and that they hve not tested that spring in the 380.Until they \test that spring out and decide tht it will work fine in thge 380, they are not gonna recommend it. kind of a CYA thing to.

[wyntrout]

This is from Wolff's site. The direct link follows their text:
"Striker Springs
Striker Springs - Reduced Power - W. C. Wolff Company offers reduced power striker springs (firing pin springs) for Kahr pistols rated at 5 pounds. The factory striker spring is 6 pounds. This spring will help improve the trigger pull.
Warning: This spring is for competition use only - not for duty use.
Fits All Kahr Models

SKU Description Price ($) Add to cart 32320 KAHR RP STRIKER SPRING 5 LB Pak of 1 3.49 32321 KAHR RP STRIKER SPRING 5 LB Pak of 3 7.49 32322 KAHR RP STRIKER SPRING 5 LB Pak of 10 15.99 "

http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=1&mID=29#188

Wynn:)

[muggsy]

I have a Wolff 5# striker spring in my P380 and it goes into battery just fine. I have never had a failure to fire due to the 5# Wolff spring. The striker spring has nothing to do with the slide returning to battery. That's the job of the recoil spring. All that the striker spring does is propel the striker into the primer when it is released by the cocking cam.

[MarkB1]

Here's what I know.

Before I put the Wolff striker spring in, with the Kahr striker spring, I had no problems with failure to return to battery.

After I installed the Wolff striker spring I had the failure to return to battery with two installs.

After I removed the Wolff striker spring and put the Kahr striker spring in place, the failure to return to battery went away.

Now the Kahr design has a partially charged striker spring when the slide is closed. The final full charging of the striker spring is done by the trigger cam that releases the striker. That means that the recoil spring has to overcome some of the striker spring force in addition to closing the slide. If the Wolff spring is out of spec or just too strong, it can cause my problem.

[muggsy]

It could be that the new striker spring is out of spec. Did you compare the two springs side by by side for length and coil count? Is there any difference in trigger pull? I just can't see the dual recoil springs being over come by the much smaller much weaker striker spring. Is it possible that your recoil springs have taken a set and no longer have enough power when fully extended? You may have to replace both recoil springs and the striker spring.

[DJK11]

A couple of years ago I installed a Wolff spring in my P380 and had the same results as markb1. In fact the trigger pull was heavier with the Wolff. I phoned Wolff and as Jocko states they haven't tested the 380. There was a discussion here a while back on this subject. Someone wanted a heavier pull on their 380 so he installed an OEM striker spring for a PM9. Then the discussion turned to the Wolff springs.

[MarkB1]

I've received an answer from Wolff. As both jocko and DJK11 have said The "all kahr models" striker spring is NOT for the P380. Here is Wolff's response.

"We meant all Kahr older models. The .380 is a newer gun and uses a different spring. Nothing is currently available for your model."

I find it irresponsible on Wolff's part for their failure to note that the springs do not fit the P380. The springs cost so little that it makes no sense to return them but it is annoying.

[jocko]

I bet though u jwill find this with every gun that wolffs makes springs for. They can't catch or keep up with the new models etc. It took a few years before the lrguer lcp was ever listed even. Not really wolffs fault.

Put the original spring in an shoot the fokker like u stole it.

[MarkB1]

Wolff is a good company.

I went back and complained to Wolff. As a result, Wolff has amended their Kahr striker spring listing on their website as not for all .380 Kahr models and they refunded my purchase cost.

Great customer service!

[gb6491]

Wolff is a good company.

I went back and complained to Wolff. As a result, Wolff has amended their Kahr striker spring listing on their website as not for all .380 Kahr models and they refunded my purchase cost.

Great customer service!
Kudos to Wolff for stepping up on the refund/site correction and to you, MarkB1, for following through on this.
Well done sir:yo:
Regards,
Greg

[jocko]

yup nice move on wolffs part and more than likely they didn't even know of the 3890 kahr. U would think they wouold be again they make thousands of springs and I guess it is u to us guys to keep wolffs straight to. Nice move Mark1

[MarkB1]

I just received a response from Kahr confirming what we know.

"Hello,

Thank you for purchasing a Kahr Arms/Auto Ordnance product. The striker
spring in our P380 is the same as the one in our CW380 but not the same as
those in our other models.

Thanks,

Kahr Arms/Auto Ordnance
130 Goddard Memorial Drive
Worcester, MA 01603"

[skiflydive]

This is interesting because I have a P380 that the former owner installed a Wolff 5# striker spring in and it works just fine...