New CW380 Slide not Locking Back

[GreenMan2814]

I'm a new owner and new member who has replied to a few threads so far. Great info all around.

Quick background:

1) Picked up the CW380 one week ago. After following the prep instructions on this board, I put two boxes of Aguila FMJ through it and experienced many problems. Rarely could I cycle through an entire magazine of ammunition without a FTF. I would get an occasional stove pipe (but not often enough where I can blame the firearm and not myself). Even rarer (perhaps 3-4 magazines out of 30) would the slide lock back on the last round.

2) I cleaned the pistol thoroughly and brought it back to the range with another two boxes. Same problems

3) Finally, I cleaned the pistol again and brought it back to the range with one final box of Aguila FMJ and a box of Hornady CD. The pistol did not have a single FTF or FTE. However, of the approximately 10 magazines, only 2 would lock the slide back on empty. I take this as progress.

Kahr has already sent me a Fedex RMA to service the pistol. I am curious if there is something I could be doing wrong (on reassembly) which would affect the slide locking back. I have purposely paid attention to thumb placement and do not believe my thumbs are affecting the lock. Of final note, if I load 1 or 2 rounds in the magazine (as opposed to the full six), the slide usually locks back on empty.

Thoughts? Or do I need to send this back to Kahr?

[xsailer]

It sounds like you're doing all that is recommended by the Forum. How many rds are thru the gun now? I'm curious because I'm going thru problem myself with my new P380. I've shot 150 so far so sticking with it. I've rounded the corners on the ejector as recommended and am hoping this will help.

[GreenMan2814]

It sounds like you're doing all that is recommended by the Forum. How many rds are thru the gun now? I'm curious because I'm going thru problem myself with my new P380. I've shot 150 so far so sticking with it. I've rounded the corners on the ejector as recommended and am hoping this will help.

I have 275 now. I don't want to say it was like flipping a light switch, but the 50 rounds from my 5th box and the 25 rounds of Hornady were night and day to my earlier experience.

I will have to change ammo brands (when more is available) and keep shooting it to build confidence in the pistol.

[bob98366]

Hornady's aggressively tapered bullet feeds best in my CW40s (100% success), so that's what I carry. As for availability, here are two shopping bots for ammo:

http://www.gunbot.net
http://ammoseek.com

Select your caliber of choice and click on sort by price per round and availability. Use your web browser's Find menu to find brand, etc.

IMHO, Kahrs like to be clean (including magazines) and well lubed.

[GreenMan2814]

Well....I put a box of Blazer (Brass case) FMJ through it today. The first magazine, the slide failed to lock to the rear. All other magazines Locked back. No failures of any kind. Hmmmm....

[whitlow]

Man I don't know if I made the right choice buying a cw380 I have a cm9 and love it but not sure if I should just ship the 380 back instead of keeping it. I think the 380 is going to hurt Kahr's reputation! It has with me just reading everything about it here on the form!

[GreenMan2814]

Man I don't know if I made the right choice buying a cw380 I have a cm9 and love it but not sure if I should just ship the 380 back instead of keeping it. I think the 380 is going to hurt Kahr's reputation! It has with me just reading everything about it here on the form!

There may be some truth to the reputation being damaged. I will purchase a new gun in the fall to replace my Colt Defender (9mm). As of now, I would not consider a Kahr because of the problems I've had with the CW380--the risk just isn't worth the reward. So far, Kahr has been willing to work with me to get the CW380 to good condition. I just haven't shipped it back yet as I wanted to test other variables.

Once I receive the gun back, I think I will put another 100 rounds of Blazer FMJ through it (This will bring the overall round count to 420). I will probably save up and pick up enough Hornady CD so I can test fire 100 rounds of my self defense load. If I have not cycling problems, I think I can consider the CW380 good to go.

I can't stress enough how...already...she is improving with every trip to the range.

[jlr2267]

Man I don't know if I made the right choice buying a cw380 I have a cm9 and love it but not sure if I should just ship the 380 back instead of keeping it. I think the 380 is going to hurt Kahr's reputation! It has with me just reading everything about it here on the form!

In my opinion, the CW380 itself does not hurt their reputation...it is how they handle customers that hurts them. A bad gun is understandable...bad C/S is not.

[GreenMan2814]

I figured I would update my experience for the masses.

I brought my CW380 to the range again (has not gone back to Kahr yet). The first two magazines of Blazer FMJ all fired without incident...however the slide did not lock back. I gave the pistol to a friend to shoot the third magazine and the slide locked to the rear.

Since I'm not above thinking I may be the culprit, I re-positioned my right thumb so it did not rest anywhere near the slide or slide stop lever. The rest of the box, the Kahr fired with no issues and the slide always locked back. I admit this shooting grip is a little awkward--it is the first time I had to be so careful with thumb placement.

After the 50 flawless Blazer rounds (which grouped well at both 7 and 10 yards), I put a magazine of Hornady CD into the pistol. The pistol didn't return to battery after I flicked the slide stop lever. I ejected the magazine, tried it a second time, and there were no issues. 7 rounds of CD later (all grouped very well), and I am very satisfied with this Kahr.

Lesson learned:

1) Break in with good ammo. Or at least consider changing ammo brands to eliminate variables which may cause failures.

2) Don't be so sure that you aren't the one causing a malfunction.

Very happy with this pistol. I doubt I will send it back to Kahr. I will probably sell my Colt Defender 9mm...there is just no reason not to reach for this CW380.

[muggsy]

The P380 needs to be held with a firm grip and wrist. If you let the gun recoil freely the slide may not be going back far enough for the slide lock to engage the cutout in the slide. Weak ammo can also cause this problem. The slide lock is actuated by the the magazine follower. If something is preventing the follower from going all the way to the top when the mag is empty this could also cause the problem. Disassemble and clean your magazines and check to insure that the mag spring was installed properly. Also check to insure that the follower is moving freely.

[SDGlock23]

My CW380 won't lock back on the last round either, but with that said, maybe my thumb is causing it. I shot it some earlier and it shoots great other than the slide not locking back, it's probably me.

EDIT: It's me. I ran outside in the last 5 minutes and shot a few more through it making sure my thumb wouldn't hit the slide stop and it locked back every single time. I'm glad!! I shoot with a thumbs forward grip and my thumb was rather obviously resting upon the slide lock and thus preventing it from being pushed up to lock the slide back.

Love this little 380! Very accurate too!

[GreenMan2814]

My CW380 won't lock back on the last round either, but with that said, maybe my thumb is causing it. I shot it some earlier and it shoots great other than the slide not locking back, it's probably me.

EDIT: It's me. I ran outside in the last 5 minutes and shot a few more through it making sure my thumb wouldn't hit the slide stop and it locked back every single time. I'm glad!! I shoot with a thumbs forward grip and my thumb was rather obviously resting upon the slide lock and thus preventing it from being pushed up to lock the slide back.

Love this little 380! Very accurate too!

That is exactly what happened to me. Then I let my wife and a buddy shoot it....the slide locked back for them, and I realized I could not blame the gun.

I dropped another 60 rounds through it....a box of Winchester White Box (flat nose) ams a handful of Blazer. The WWB had one failure to feed....but I can't be sure that it isn't due to being flat nose. Again...,no Blazer problems. I'm slowly collecting 100 rounds of my self defense ammo. If I feed that flawlessly.... I'll be 100% confident the pistol is broken in and ready for daily carry.

[Whaleman]

Try PMC brass. Dan

[gun papa]

I have not cleaned my CW380. The slide is locking back now 80 shots in, and feeds perfectly. I will carry it at this point.