New CW380 Owner

[SafetyFirst]

Just purchased a CW380 for pocket carry and here are my comments after the first 100 rounds. Gun was cleaned first and then again after the first 50 rounds.

Pros:


Great size and weight for pocket carry
Nice stippling on front and back of grip
Very nice wide trigger, clean breaking, long pull but not too heavy
No external safety
Slide locks open after last shot
Steel magazine
Extremely accurate for such a small gun
Decent sights for such a small gun
Mild recoil for such a small gun
Hands felt fine after 100 rounds
No spent case ejection issues
Easy takedown and cleaning
Made in the USA


Cons:


200 round break-in required per the manufacturer
Had about 7 failures to fully load next round (Winchester 95 grain flat nose), most happened during first 50 rounds
Front sight is non-adjustable/non-replaceable
When reassembling the gun the double spring must be positioned just right so it does not protrude through guide rod hole
Slide hard to manipulate for reassembly when hands are sweaty or slippery
Only comes with one magazine (Kahr currently running a free second magazine promo)


As long as the gun shoots totally reliable after the break-in period I will be very happy with the purchase. Will make another post after the next 100 rounds.

[muggsy]

Cons:


200 round break-in required per the manufacturer
Had about 7 failures to fully load next round (Winchester 95 grain flat nose), most happened during first 50 rounds
Front sight is non-adjustable/non-replaceable
When reassembling the gun the double spring must be positioned just right so it does not protrude through guide rod hole
Slide hard to manipulate for reassembly when hands are sweaty or slippery
Only comes with one magazine (Kahr currently running a free second magazine promo)


As long as the gun shoots totally reliable after the break-in period I will be very happy with the purchase. Will make another post after the next 100 rounds.


Every handgun needs to go thorough a break in period to prove reliability.
Most guns are ammo sensitive. Find the ammo that your gun prefers and use it.
The more familiar you become with assembly and dis-assembly the easier it will get.
Becoming more familiar with the gun plus employing the proper method of racking the slide will make it much easier to manipulate. Kahr pistols have heavy recoil springs.
Magazines are readily available from Kahr.

[Alfonse]

The front sights can be replaced but there are not a plethora of optioms. Night sights are available.

[TheLastDaze]

Every handgun needs to go thorough a break in period to prove reliability.
Most guns are ammo sensitive. .

not true unless you are referring to kahr specifically, most guns I've bought don't have or claim a 'break in' period, and most guns are not ammo sensitive, especially in the larger calibers... smaller, maybe somewhat as in a .32 and rimlock etc, hp's would not be good but fmj without a proper rimlock mag...

hope all is well

[DXTAC]

A break-in is required of any new weapon. It doesn't matter if it's a Kahr, Glock, Springfield etc. Whether you're going to use the weapon for hunting or self defense you want/need to make sure it's going to go bang when the trigger is pulled.
I have read nothing but negative things about WWB and the Kahr .380's. Not all weapons will shoot all ammo.
Front sight is replaceable. It's the first thing I do to my CW series Kahr's after a SS guide rod replacement.
The slides on Kahr's are extremely stiff when new until after the break-in period then they are just very stiff.
All CW series come with one magazine that's why the cost us lower than the other series.
I own Colt, Rock Island, Sig, Hi-Point (not proud), Taurus and Kahr pistols and the only one I carry is my CW45 because it has never once failed me. I really like these pistols. My RI 1911 has never failed me either but it's too big for me to carry.
I would look at some of those cons as a learning curve on owning a Kahr vs. other potential inferior pistols. I don't wanna preach but they are terrific pistols. I ordered my CW380 last week and can't wait o get it in. I have already ordered the SS guide rod and night sights and will install before I break it in with PPU ammo I ordered from CTD.

Cheers!

Derek


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TheLastDaze]

A break-in is required of any new weapon.

not 'required' but obviously smart to break in and get used to a gun when its new, or used for that matter...

I'm just saying that many manufacturers do not state a 'break in' period in their literature, Kahr is one of the couple I know that do... I should have made my post more clear, but most manufacturers have no such literature.... take the gun adn shoot it and it will perform, or not...

[Dbholfo]

My first gun purchase after my Mosin was a Ruger P345. Shot it with no issues for several hundred rounds. Then I tried 185 gr Winchester White Box and it was a jam o matic. After another couple hundred rounds of 230 grain of various manufacture the spring loosened up and now it shoots anything.

With my PM45 (before I read the stickies for newbies) I had every 3rd round fail to load. After a half hour of brushing it with Colgate on the feed ramp I've never had any further issues.

All that to say it may have a minor issue but don't be discouraged and curse the gun. Read the forums and you'll find fixes if you do have any issues. Adjusting for inflation that's my $.035 worth.

[Coppertop]

not true unless you are referring to kahr specifically, most guns I've bought don't have or claim a 'break in' period, and most guns are not ammo sensitive, especially in the larger calibers... smaller, maybe somewhat as in a .32 and rimlock etc, hp's would not be good but fmj without a proper rimlock mag...

hope all is well

Agreed. The only "break-in" a weapon needs is where the shooter gets used to the handling of the weapon. A weapon should be ready to work reliably right out of the box.

[muggsy]

Agreed. The only "break-in" a weapon needs is where the shooter gets used to the handling of the weapon. A weapon should be ready to work reliably right out of the box.

If you want to trust your life to an unproved firearm be my guest. Even Glocks experience failures and they are supposed to be perfection. A statement like your displays ignorance. Any gun can fail at any time.

[Coppertop]

If you want to trust your life to an unproved firearm be my guest. Even Glocks experience failures and they are supposed to be perfection. A statement like your displays ignorance. Any gun can fail at any time.

Give it a break.
This Kahr fanboy garbage that every gun needs broken in is ridiculous.

If you would take your rose colored glasses off you will notice that I said the only break-in period I will acknowledge any gun needs is for the shooter to get used to the handling of the gun. Mechanically, the firearm should be ready to function properly right out of the box.

Yes, everyone should take a new gun to the range before carrying it to see how it is sighted, how it feels in the hand and become familiar with the overall handling of the gun.

If my life depended on it, I would have no reservations grabbing a Sig Sauer right out of the box to defend myself. I cannot say the same about a Kahr. Heck, I'd even grab a Glock before a Kahr in such a situation.

And yes, any gun can fail at any time. But no gun should have the caveat that it should take up to 200 rounds before it becomes broken in and reliable.

[happypuppy]

I have never had a problem out of the box in break in with a Kahr. The reason its a good idea to do so is parts have to seat and break in. They should all work out of the box.

The glock 43 I had picked up for my daughter had issues during its break in. It would feed mags half way and then stop. I tested it with 3 mags at the range.

I bought it at a range that had a gunshop associated with it that I got it down so they handled the sending it back.


In the mean time she rented a 42 and liked it better so they swapped it. No issues at all with that one.

[Bobshouse]

Give it a break.
This Kahr fanboy garbage that every gun needs broken in is ridiculous.

If you would take your rose colored glasses off you will notice that I said the only break-in period I will acknowledge any gun needs is for the shooter to get used to the handling of the gun. Mechanically, the firearm should be ready to function properly right out of the box.

Yes, everyone should take a new gun to the range before carrying it to see how it is sighted, how it feels in the hand and become familiar with the overall handling of the gun.

If my life depended on it, I would have no reservations grabbing a Sig Sauer right out of the box to defend myself. I cannot say the same about a Kahr. Heck, I'd even grab a Glock before a Kahr in such a situation.

And yes, any gun can fail at any time. But no gun should have the caveat that it should take up to 200 rounds before it becomes broken in and reliable.

Most gun manufacturers put out guns that are loose and don't require a "break in" period. Most gun manufacturers don't have as tight a tolerance that Kahr's are made to meet.

Chill out a little, most are just repeating whats in the manual, if you want to jump someone, call Kahr direct and cut out the middle man.

[SlowBurn]

Had about 7 failures to fully load next round (Winchester 95 grain flat nose), most happened during first 50 rounds
I don't have any luck with those Winchester flatnose FMJ 380s either. Plenty of round nose range ammo around.

[Coppertop]

Most gun manufacturers put out guns that are loose and don't require a "break in" period. Most gun manufacturers don't have as tight a tolerance that Kahr's are made to meet.

Chill out a little, most are just repeating whats in the manual, if you want to jump someone, call Kahr direct and cut out the middle man.

Done that. No response. Likely fell on deaf ears.
And chill out? I'll be glad to if the Kahr faithful will chill out whenever someone doesn't agree that weapons should have a break-in period.

[TheLastDaze]

funny thing you mention glock, I've never had an issue 'out of the box' reliability, period... with that said I've never had one problem with my pm9 either....

no gun is perfection, but across the board the consensus is kahr's are scary and a gamble 'out of the box'...

tight tolerances or not, imagine how an AK would perform in a sand storm with such manufacturing...

no slamming kahr in the slightest, I think that horse is already dead and decade... but the truth sometimes hurts to those that are biased...

same argument for a chevy or ford, ford guys love and stand behind it even if there are problems, and viseversa....

[Alfonse]

no gun is perfection, but across the board the consensus is kahr's are scary and a gamble 'out of the box'...



Speak for yourself. You sound like Al Gore on "across the board consensus." Just saying...

Kahr is not the only manufacturer who suggests breaking in their pistols. Kimber and Les Baer must be even scarier suggesting a 500 round break in based on your criteria. If you think there is "consensus" on pistol break in, or that Kahr is out there alone, check out this link:

https://www.google.com/search?q=breaking+in+a+handgun&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

[TheLastDaze]

who's to say I'm not Al Gore..... all I'm saying is I hear 'tight tolerances' all the time, give it a break already and fess up small kahrs to need to be redesigned or something, there are more problems with them both virtually and physically, I see and hear it all the time and everytime its a Kahr......

like the design, like the guns just tired of excuses about tolerances, absolute joke... And everyone gets all pissed off because their $600+ gun doesn't run like a $200 one, it should after all they spent good money on it.... like a Ferrari in the shop..... doesn't make sense but if one can continually afford to throw good money after bad go for it, after all its just a gun... and my tight tolerance P32 has been flawless and its a throw away gun, don't make me mention countless other brands that have performed right out of the box with 'tight tolerances' in a small gun.......

truth be told Kahr is a gamble at best with the smaller platforms.... its not a matter of only hearing the bad on the net or in person but its a fact, time and again... I see plenty of good reviews on other guns rather than people just posting and talking about negative failures.......

I've never had a problem with any glock I've ever owned, not one, adn I've owned a lot..... including the new 43, call me lucky, doubt it.... they just run....

[Alfonse]

who's to say I'm not Al Gore..... all I'm saying is I hear 'tight tolerances' all the time, give it a break already and fess up small kahrs to need to be redesigned or something, there are more problems with them both virtually and physically, I see and hear it all the time and everytime its a Kahr......

like the design, like the guns just tired of excuses about tolerances, absolute joke... And everyone gets all pissed off because their $600+ gun doesn't run like a $200 one, it should after all they spent good money on it.... like a Ferrari in the shop..... doesn't make sense but if one can continually afford to throw good money after bad go for it, after all its just a gun... and my tight tolerance P32 has been flawless and its a throw away gun, don't make me mention countless other brands that have performed right out of the box with 'tight tolerances' in a small gun.......

truth be told Kahr is a gamble at best with the smaller platforms.... its not a matter of only hearing the bad on the net or in person but its a fact, time and again... I see plenty of good reviews on other guns rather than people just posting and talking about negative failures.......

I've never had a problem with any glock I've ever owned, not one, adn I've owned a lot..... including the new 43, call me lucky, doubt it.... they just run....

I am not aware anyone is making you come here and hear anything all the time. I don't think you know or tell "truth be told" at all.

If you have an unreliable Kahr, sell it to me. I'll be happy to publish how it runs for me. Truth be told, I expect it works just fine.

I hear there are forums for glocks too.

[TheLastDaze]

I am not aware anyone is making you come here and hear anything all the time. I don't think you know or tell "truth be told" at all.

If you have an unreliable Kahr, sell it to me. I'll be happy to publish how it runs for me. Truth be told, I expect it works just fine.

I hear there are forums for glocks too.

are you calling me a liar?? perhaps you search fu is a little off, or perhaps you don't know gun store owners who have to run 'one' brand of ammo in their rentals, perhaps you over see the problems, perhaps your a fanboy and that's fine put your money where your mouth is and I'll sell you my cw with 4 mags and I'm sure it will run fine as I made it that way, it even spits out my handloads and even my mixed "perfecta" brass, (which it would not cycle at all) PM me big boy and its yours for a decent price as I refuse to carry it... also I know there are forums for glock that dwarf this camp fire here by a long shot but I tend go gather around smaller campfires myself and frequent other forums other than gun forums more often under another user name..

so man up eat your words and buy my gun.... I'll be waiting for your pm as I know its probably against house rules for me to throw a number out there, balls in your court..

[muggsy]

who's to say I'm not Al Gore..... all I'm saying is I hear 'tight tolerances' all the time, give it a break already and fess up small kahrs to need to be redesigned or something, there are more problems with them both virtually and physically, I see and hear it all the time and everytime its a Kahr......

like the design, like the guns just tired of excuses about tolerances, absolute joke... And everyone gets all pissed off because their $600+ gun doesn't run like a $200 one, it should after all they spent good money on it.... like a Ferrari in the shop..... doesn't make sense but if one can continually afford to throw good money after bad go for it, after all its just a gun... and my tight tolerance P32 has been flawless and its a throw away gun, don't make me mention countless other brands that have performed right out of the box with 'tight tolerances' in a small gun.......

truth be told Kahr is a gamble at best with the smaller platforms.... its not a matter of only hearing the bad on the net or in person but its a fact, time and again... I see plenty of good reviews on other guns rather than people just posting and talking about negative failures.......

I've never had a problem with any glock I've ever owned, not one, adn I've owned a lot..... including the new 43, call me lucky, doubt it.... they just run....

A lot of guns "just run", but a lot of guns aren't as compact as a Kahr. My CM9 and P380 run flawlessly as do many other Kahr pistols. If you're unhappy with yours sell the damn thing a go ***** somewhere else. The Glock forum seems to fit your personality.

[Alfonse]

are you calling me a liar?? perhaps you search fu is a little off, or perhaps you don't know gun store owners who have to run 'one' brand of ammo in their rentals, perhaps you over see the problems, perhaps your a fanboy and that's fine put your money where your mouth is and I'll sell you my cw with 4 mags and I'm sure it will run fine as I made it that way, it even spits out my handloads and even my mixed "perfecta" brass, (which it would not cycle at all) PM me big boy and its yours for a decent price as I refuse to carry it... also I know there are forums for glock that dwarf this camp fire here by a long shot but I tend go gather around smaller campfires myself and frequent other forums other than gun forums more often under another user name..

so man up eat your words and buy my gun.... I'll be waiting for your pm as I know its probably against house rules for me to throw a number out there, balls in your court..

PM sent.

[Coppertop]

I've gotta hand it to Kahr with one respect. They have some of the most devoted fans I've seen. Now those who have issues are liars? Geez.

It is ridiculous for a manufacturer to put a blurb in their owner's manual that 200 rounds may be necessary to break-in the weapon. And even after 200 rounds it still may not operate with reliability. What are we to do? Wait 200+ rounds before we can carry a weapon for self-defense with confidence. Kahr really needs to address these issues instead of passing this post-production testing off on the consumer. I would like to think that if Sig, Smith or Glock has such consistent issues with one of their pistols, they would address the issues. I know Glock has recalled recoil springs and Sig has also had recalls on less than reliable models.

Non-Kahr firearms are not 100% reliable but I would bet my life that a Sig Sauer P238 would function more reliably out of the box than a Kahr CW380. I've got too much invested in my CW380 to sell it (cost of gun + all the ammo + all the time spent sending it back/forth to Kahr) that I will lose too much money in selling it. It'll find a place in a closet at the house should I need something in an emergency. I hope TheLastDaze gets enough out of his Kahr to at least break even.

I actually like the little gun but if I can't stop the bad guy in the first shot, I'll hope I can square him between the eyes when I throw it at him.

[Alfonse]

Coppertop, I disagree with LastDaze statement: "but across the board the consensus is kahr's are scary and a gamble 'out of the box'..."

In my neck of the woods, two shops sell Kahr pistols and have no more issues with them than others. The local LEO members I have talked with view Kahrs as a high quality pistol. There is no consensus like he describes. He has every right to his opinion but that does not make it fact.

Here is an article where the Kahr is one of the top choices in .380 pocket pistols. http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/a-comparison-of-380acp-pocket-pistols

He is the one who used the "liar" moniker, not I. I do not find the break-in advice in the manual ridiculous. I think it is a good idea. Kahr is not the only manufacturer to suggest a break-in. Some others suggest 500 rounds.

[Coppertop]

I have to agree that Kahr's are a gamble out of the box. Not sure if I would describe it as scary but a gamble nonetheless.

I won't disagree with the articles that claim the Kahr .380's are amongst the tops in its class when they work. The problem is that far too often they do not work.

The Kahr is the only .380 compact that I have ever had problems with. That would include the Sig P238, Ruger LCP and Smith Bodyguard. I have never been comfortable shooting a Glock (never liked the trigger) and have yet to shoot their .380 offering. While I like the fit and feel of the CW380, I couldn't recommend it without reservations. If someone asked me what the best, out of the box, compact .380 available is, I would have to lean towards the P238 from Sig. I have run about 300 rounds through mine and have yet to have a single issue. The CW380, on the other hand, experienced issues on the first magazine.

The break-in is ridiculous in my opinion. Yes, it is a good idea to run a few hundred rounds through a new weapon to become familiar with its handling but out of the box, it should function with reliability. Especially if the gun is touted as "high quality". I can understand a few duds making it through assembly, but I've heard more negative issues with the Kahr's than I have with any other manufacturer.

And yes. Other manufacturers have had issues with particular models but in the cases that come to mind, the manufacturers took corrective steps to make things right through recalls or sending out replacement parts. Kahr has yet to recognize issues with the .380 models other than passing on post-production quality control to the consumer through the 200 round break-in (which is ridiculous).

Again, I think the CW380 is an attractive handgun but one that will require patience and a little luck before it rises to the level of a reliable firearm. Some will gamble and get a great firearm right out of the box, while others will not.

You won't change my mind, just as I will not change your opinion that Kahr's are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I just wish that you Kahr faithful would recognize that there are legitimate issues with these .380 pistols and that Kahr could beef up post-production methods to reduce these issues.

[Alfonse]

That is well stated. I'm not trying to change your mind. We both have our opinions and I don't think either of us is stating that the rest of the world agrees with us.

[SafetyFirst]

After what I would consider a dismal 200 round break-in, I scoured the forums for ammo that others have had success with and tried some. Now I am a happy camper. This gun is VERY picky regarding ammo but once you find the right combination it is everything that I hoped it would be – a great pocket carry gun.

Thanks for all the positive advice.