Another CW 380 Question

[powwowell]

As I stated in an earlier post. I recently acquired a used CW 380. I got to shoot it this afternoon. And, I'm mighty disappointed. It doesn't fire. Click! Rack the slide, click. The primer has a faint striker mark. I mean faint. Did I do something wrong putting it back together? Any suggestions?

Being the pistol is used, maybe the seller unloaded a problem onto me? Does it sound like a weak striker spring? How reasonable is Kahr with their parts pricing? Thanks for any input. I would like to get this thing going.

[berettabone]

First, what did you disassemble? Second, is the striker channel full of gunk?

[powwowell]

I disassembled it as far as possible. There are great instructions on this forum. No gunk in the striker channel. Perfectly clean when re-assembled. Lubricated as instructed by the "Lubrication Chart".

Since my original post, I've dis-assembled it again and re-assembled it. Went out back and it fired the 1st round. Hot diggety d%$. Then click. Eject the round, release slide and load another round. Then click. Eject the round, release the slide loading another round and BANG. Afterwards clicks, seven times in a row. Very light marks on the primers. Very light.

I'm wondering if dis-assembling it, allowed the recoil spring to "relax" to somewhat it's original strength, thus firing the 1st round? Could the striker be worn down? I'm new to the CW380, but the striker looks OK to me. Maybe the striker safety blocker is interfering with the striker?

[Cokeman]

What ammo?

[powwowell]

Winchester cases, 3.2 grains of HP-38, Berry plated 100 grain RNFB bullets, CCI primers with OAL of .978.

[skiflydive]

If it were my gun I'd try some factory ammo before declaring it a gun problem. Just my $.02.

[berettabone]

That's what I would try also, then, do you have a broken striker? Then, replace the spring.

[wyntrout]

Take the slide off, if you haven't done this... push in the safety block and press the back of the striker forward to see if the firing pin protrudes and isn't damaged. If that's okay, maybe a new full power spring.

Your reloads' primers could be a combination of things... hard... seated too low or even too high... cushioning the impact.

This is why I and many others suggest first trying quality ammo from a respected manufacturer. You will then be testing the gun... not your ammo AND the gun. Eliminate one thing at a time.

Wynn:)

[Buzzard45]

not a 380 guy, so i`ll give some general advice. I agree with skyflydive, get some quality factory ammo but before you do, i would take off the slide, remove the spring and barrel, lay the slide on a table/bench sights down, press the striker block and push the striker out, how much does it protrude? .025-.030"( but i`m not sure of that number). Also i see cci primers which are known to be "hard", got any federals or other brands to try? Parts such as springs should be reasonable and available, and if you`re not sure of the age of the gun and number of rounds i would go ahead and replace as many springs as possible. WARNING: As for fixing the striker, i messed up the first one in my cw45 and had to buy a new one. you might want a pro for this.
just my two cents, not that i have enough sense to spare.
wynn beat me to it, i must be getting slow:rolleyes:

[powwowell]

I loaded six rounds with Federal primers. No go. Remington UMC, no go. WWB, no go. Fiocchi, no go. All, reloads included, fire in my Glock 42.

The striker/firing pin is not broken nor misshapen. The striker/firing pin does protrude an adequate amount to fire the cartridge, when pressing the blocker down. To me, the red light comes on when placing a pencil, eraser down, in the barrel and pulling the trigger. The pencil does not leave the barrel. In fact, it barely moves. In my opinion the blocker is not being depressed enough to move it out of the way, so the striker can move.

I called Kahr Technical and they have FedXed me a return label. I have a feeling that the $300 that I have in this pistol is about to grow! I called the fellow I purchased it from and he has agreed to take it back. I think this is the best way for me to go. I really like the size and handling characteristics of this pistol. Maybe I'll just get a new one?

[muggsy]

Never edit a post for grammar. You'll have Jocko doing it and I couldn't take that. :)

[Hawkeye911]

I called Kahr Technical and they have FedXed me a return label. I have a feeling that the $300 that I have in this pistol is about to grow! I called the fellow I purchased it from and he has agreed to take it back. I think this is the best way for me to go. I really like the size and handling characteristics of this pistol. Maybe I'll just get a new one?

I'd love to know what it takes to fix this pistol, but you may be right...

I paid $289 with free shipping for a new CW380 about 2 months ago when I lucked onto a sale at an online company. If you can keep and eye out and snag something like that, you might be ahead if he'll "undo" the deal.

[powwowell]

I'd love to know what it takes to fix this pistol, but you may be right...

I paid $289 with free shipping for a new CW380 about 2 months ago when I lucked onto a sale at an online company. If you can keep and eye out and snag something like that, you might be ahead if he'll "undo" the deal.

The original owner bought the pistol five months ago. He should be able to get it fixed under warranty. Cost him a lot less than it will cost me. Maybe I'll re-purchase it?

I enjoy reading Jocko's posts. I first ran across Jocko on the Kel-Tek forum, some years ago.

[berettabone]

Sounds like the right plan...........................................