P380 Not Cycling Rounds Reliably

[MichaelVick]

Hi all,

I've had my P380 since October of 2012. I performed the lube and the 200 round break in. It was always picky on the ammo it ran through it; it liked Fiochi brass. Everything else would get hung up on chambering so I would have to push it on in. I sent it back to Kahr for that problem and the premature slide lock issue. They said they got it working like it was supposed to.

When I got it back, it didn't cycle anything but Federal brass (which are really hard to find in my area). Throughout the year, I would shoot the Federals when I could but it still had the same issue of not feeding. Two weeks ago I decided I was going to go through another 200 round break in. I purchased everything I could find; Winchester FMJ, Fiochi FMJ, and my brother in law gave me some Tula Steel.

I shot the federals out of it with only one getting hung up on feeding and then I loaded the Tulas. I shot one round before the next got stuck in the chamber. No racking the slide of any kind was going to move that round. I took it home and carefully removed the stuck round with a dowel rod and a ball peen hammer.

Ok, so my next step is to try the remaining rounds out at the range. My expectations are not great and I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with this gun. I will shoot all the rounds I own before I send it back to Kahr again.
Any suggestions?

[jocko]

Michael Vick????? surely u could have come up with a better signature line. Just sayin

[muggsy]

Could be his real name, Jocko.

[bob98366]

Suggest not firing the Tula ammo at all.

Here's my list of things to try. Worked on my CW40s.

Watch out for inadvertent limp wristing. Hold it like you're holding a rattlesnake by the neck.

Buff/polish the magazine feed lips. Take apart the magazine(s) and clean them thoroughly with gun cleaner and a rag. Do not lube. Insert the unassembled magazine into the grip, turn upside down and drop the follower in. It should never hang up on the magazine release. If it does, lightly sand the follower at the point of hang-up until it clears every time. Ensure the spring is reinstalled correctly.

Buff/polish the barrel ramp. If there are any burrs, remove them with fine sandpaper and buff.

Buff/polish the slanted end of the slide stop. It is the part that has a 45 degree slant. The bullet passes this while chambering. Some bullet profiles (wad cutters especially) may be too wide and cause the slide stop to raise, causing the slide to lock back prematurely. Judiciously sand until this does not happen or find bullet profiles that work.

Reduce the amount of friction the slide generates when fired by cleaning it and the rails (metal, not plastic) on the frame and lubing according to the lube diagram (see New Member Area of this forum).

[MichaelVick]

Thanks Bob. I had a Keltec previously to the Kahr and I performed the "fluff and buff" on the Kahr already but I will do all of those things you mentioned and try it out.
Yeah, the Tula's are out (I guess I'm used to my Xd firing anything I feed it).

As for my username, I think I created this profile in his hay-day of turning his life around with Tony Dungy, but I guess I couldn't think of anything else catchy. :)

I won't be able to get on this till next weekend though as I'm traveling for work. I'll let you know how I come out.

[smokersteve]

Send it in with a detailed letter and beg them to make it right

[MichaelVick]

Smoker,

I thought of doing that too. I want to put forth every effort to make it work but I also think it's their problem.

Oh, and Bob, I have had others shoot it so we are fairly certain it's not a limpwrist problem.

[smokersteve]

You spent good $ on that gun. It should fire any ammo, including tula steel

[bob98366]

MichaelVick, more on the premature lock back: with the slide locked open, insert a loaded magazine slowly, from the top watch the left-front of the topmost bullet as it passes the slanted part of the slide lock pin. If the bullet touches it, that is a likely cause of premature slide lock. When the pistol fires, all sorts of G forces happen and the next to load round could jerk around in the magazine as it is forced upwards by the spring. If one of the jerks hits that slide lock pin, it will be pushed up and lock the slide prematurely.

YMMV, but it was quite evident with one of my CW40s. Sanding down the slanted part of the slide lock pin just enough to clear the bullet worked. Obviously, don't take off so much that the follower won't raise that part or an empty magazine won't lock the slide open.

BTW, my comment on limp wristing was just generic. No implication concerning your technique.

For the rest of the forum, this is the type of manufacturing problem (a part too long to allow proper function) that should have been caught by a good quality program at the factory.

[rjt123]

You spent good $ on that gun. It should fire any ammo, including tula steel


In the Q&A section of Kahr's website is a question about ammo recommendation. The response includes "Kahr does not recommend steel case, reloads or un-jacketed ammunition".

Is that some CYA lawyer crap? Probably so, but Kahr does recommend that you skip the steel cased ammo. Just FYI...
;)


NRA Endowment Life Member

[berettabone]

If you shoot that steel case crap, you deserve problems,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,no respect for your firearm.

[mbrink]

I am new to the forum as of today and have a P380 and a CW9. Both have 400+ rounds through them. The CW9 has been very reliable. I had a few cambering issues initially, but now all seems good. Different story with my P380, which is my primary carry gun. I took it out last week and had 3 failed to fire on "initially chambered rounds". Plus had 3 fail to chamber a new round - the slide stayed open like the magazine was empty, This was during a 100 round shooting session. On previous occasions I have had some stove piping.

Love the gun and want to rely on it. It is very accurate and I have invested in 3 different holsters.. After no response from Kahr to my online RA request, and the fact that they NEVER once answered their phone on 7 attempts at calling tech support for an RA number, I finally got an email response to my frustrating email to them. It will be heading back to the factory tomorrow, at their cost. I truly hope it comes back fixed. It is the perfect CCW gun.

Customer service has been an issue. I really had to state my point in an email to get a response. My G23 that I have had 23 years has never failed. My Ruger revolver I have had for 22 years lost a pin, and they sent me a new one at no cost. I have a Remington 700 I had to send back and Remington sent me a box and paid all shipping cost. Kahr would not answer their phone

I love the fact that Kahr is American made. I truly hope the stand behind their product and it comes back reliable I paid a lot for my P380, and I should expect it to go bang, like all my other guns do.

[muggsy]

When the gun locks open prematurely it's generally for one of two reasons. You either didn't reassemble the pistol correctly and have the slide stop spring under the the slide stop instead of over it, or you are applying upward pressure to the slide stop with your thumb and need to adjust your grip. It could also be that the slide stop spring screw needs to be adjusted.

[mbrink]

I have had the gun un assembled many times, but I guess what you indicate could be the case. I do not think it impacts fail to fire on initially chambered rounds.

In any case, the gun is in route to Kahr as we speak. I hope I get it back soon. Faster then they return calls.

Will let all know status

[cacacar]

So have you heard anything from Kahr? Also FYI it's not just Kahrs that won't run steel. I tried some in my LCP that has fired everything since 2008 and it will NOT handle steel. My friend has a S&W 380 and it chokes on steel ammo too, so my advice is don't bother with it.

[mbrink]

Kahr has acknowledged they have received my gun and indicated in will likely be 4 weeks before it is returned. I have send them many emails since asking them what I am to do for CCW carry while my gun is with them for a month. They have since responded to ZERO of my emails. I appreciate that they are looking at and I hope fixing my P380, but a response would be nice. I had to ask for them to pay for shipping, and then when I shipped through an FFL (as they stated online and in an email to me),they questioned it. It cost me $25 to ship through an FFL, and I guess now I did not have to. I have asked them about that, asking them to cover cost or send me magazines or something to make it right. I have had NO Response. Customer service would be nice. it all comes down to communication. I sure hope my gun is returned in 2 weeks and it is all fixed. Ruger and Remington have such good and responsive customer service. Seems Kahr, anther American brand, would do the same. Time will tell...

[kerby9mm]

A month is not too long to repair a gun from what I have read about other gun makers but in the mean time you have the best reason to go purchase a different gun that you would like. Everybody needs a j frame.

[berettabone]

Kahr has acknowledged they have received my gun and indicated in will likely be 4 weeks before it is returned. I have send them many emails since asking them what I am to do for CCW carry while my gun is with them for a month. They have since responded to ZERO of my emails. I appreciate that they are looking at and I hope fixing my P380, but a response would be nice. I had to ask for them to pay for shipping, and then when I shipped through an FFL (as they stated online and in an email to me),they questioned it. It cost me $25 to ship through an FFL, and I guess now I did not have to. I have asked them about that, asking them to cover cost or send me magazines or something to make it right. I have had NO Response. Customer service would be nice. it all comes down to communication. I sure hope my gun is returned in 2 weeks and it is all fixed. Ruger and Remington have such good and responsive customer service. Seems Kahr, anther American brand, would do the same. Time will tell...
I think that they should have sent you 2 new guns..............................

[mbrink]

I would be happy with a reply from Kahr. I just hope it comes back with issues solved. Carried my CW9 today. it has been reliable.

I sent a gun back to Remington and had it back in 10 days.

[mbrink]

Good news, Kahr got back to me today. They found a few issues and replaced some components. They were supposed to text fire today and give me an update.

Great they stand behind their product. I bought the P380 because it is the best pocket 380 available and still feel that way.

Will post report after receiving it and trying it out.

[mbrink]

Update - Just to an email that they shipped the gun today. They found more issues that they said they fixed.

They replaced or fixed many items. Still concerning that there are this may issues. It was not a cheap gone. The CW380 is essentially the same gun, but at a reduced cost. I sure hope it goes bang every time like my 22 year old Glock does. That gun has always worked, but just a little to big for CCW.

[itsthelaw]

When I originally picked it up new, my P380 was locking back prematurely constantly. Bawanna even accused my of being a limp-wrister too. I'll never forget that, but I digress.


I called Kahr and got a new pin coming while I sanded down the original lock pin. I ended up keeping the original pin in the gun. On occasion, it will fail to lock back now, but I figure that I probably am dead or running my butt off at that point. I don't carry a spare mag.


I was extremely depressed when it was happening...and pissed. The guys on this forum are amazing and will not give up as long as you don't. They helped me a ton.


The moral of this story is that my P380 is likely one of my favorite guns to shoot. I am amazed at the accuracy and easy of putting rounds on target with that little beauty. I bet my life on it each time I carry it (mostly summer), and I do not hesitate one bit. I love that little gun, but damn did I hate it for a week or so.


Between Kahr CS and the great people on this forum, you will love that gun one day too.

[mbrink]

Got the P380 back today. Really appreciate Kahr taking care of it. I hope to take it out this weekend with great results.

[Baklash]

Let us know. All is well that ends well, even if it did stress you for awhile.:)

[mbrink]

Yes, I did get a little pointed with them via email. For good reason. Other manufacturers have much better initial responses to returns, and honestly have less returns (as far as I know).

all that said, I am happy with the experience and very happy they apparently fixed the problems the gun had. Time will tell. I chose both my CW9 and P380 over other guns for a reason, and still do not regret my choice. I have 3 friends at work that bought LC9s, and are already talking about making upgrades or trading in their guns. I looked closely at the LC9, but did not like it trigger or quality. Happy with the CW9.

[mbrink]

Put about 100 rounds through the P380 today. All issues appear to be fixe. Thanks Kahr

[SlowBurn]

Put about 100 rounds through the P380 today. All issues appear to be fixe. Thanks Kahr


Thanks for the update. After all the recent complaints about Kahr cs, reassuring to hear they can do things right

[Rat]

Put about 100 rounds through the P380 today. All issues appear to be fixe. Thanks Kahr

Do you know exactly what Kahr found wrong with the gun? I have a cw380 and it's having the same type of issues. Locking open after shots fired. I shot 100 rounds and it locked open mainly after (approximately) the first shot of every clip. Once or twice it failed to open after the last round fired.

[berettabone]

I love how people think that these are " expensive" guns............................

[jocko]

when I was in tehgun business for over 40 years I sent many guns back for vaious reason. I am hard pressed to remember if any maker ever contacted me to say "heh we gt ur gun" or called me to say "heh we shipped ur gun". Course didn't have internet back then either but sometimes I think we expect more than we should. It wold be nice to have feed back but these gun companies are not gonna spellout in detail what they did either. They dont have to do that and they won't. They willfix it kand return it asap

I took my 7 year old cuckcoo clock in for repairs two months ago to the only cloce repair guy within 100 miles that works on thse type of clocks. He told me up front it would be 2 months before he could even get to it to give me an estimate. I called him yesterday as it was 2 montys and I never heard form him and he told me I was 9 repairs away from him looking at it. Now I cold have told him to go fokk himslef but he had me by the balls to, so I will oive with this, not happy but I am sur ewhen I get it back I will forget allabout it. He is a one man operation sO I have to say he is workingas fast as he can to get to my clock. Just sayin

[Tinman507]

http://www.cuckooclocknest.com.au/product_images/y/86792__34459.jpg

[jocko]

ur ok tinman. I would buy of of those in a hearbeat. I do have a very valualbe cuckcoo though. I had it special made, shows a sheepharder nailing one of his sheep and he goes off every hour to. Thousands come to se ethis clcock. Just sayin The clock doesn't cuckcoo either it Baa's

I bought it years back in a european porn shop. Just sain

oh and I forgot, every hour the sheephearer smiles to. I will try to post a video later on. :amflag:

[mbrink]

Kahr stated they did the following:
- replaced recoil spring
- replaced extractor
- replaced striker block
- adjust magazine well.

That is a lot of new stuff on a new gone. I fully agree, these little guns have tighter tolerances then bigger guns. I have had a G23 for 22 years and it has never failed. It is just a little too big for daily carry.

And yes the P380 is an expensive gun relative to others. The Rugers are about half the price. You can get a new G23 for $500. Yes the CW380 is cheaper, but not available in CA, as is the G42.

Regardless of the price of a gun, we all expect it to work and be reliable. My CW9 has worked great, but not nearly as accurate as my P380. My G23 always works and is accurate. It is just to big to carry all the time.