New CW380 - Is this normal wear for a brand new gun?

[ODGreenThumb]

I just picked up a CW380 in tungsten and have some questions about barrel wear. All I've done so far is cleaned the frame and slide, lubed, and worked the slide maybe 25 times. The issue I'm concerned with is the left side of the barrel. Is wear like this normal? It looks down to the bare metal to me and seems excessive for a pistol I've yet to fire and in a spot I'm not used to seeing wear marks. Then again this is my first Kahr.

I'm also curious about my slop release springs. The yellow coating came off the first time I disassembled (followed manual and diagram included). The gun is very stiff as I expected but not very smooth. Slide wants to hang a little on the way forward before going into battery. I assume that will wear in as well.

Also, does the crown look normal, appears rough compared to my other pistols which are smooth and uniform. Trigger is also a little noisy but seems normal.

Love the look and feel of this little Kahr! Can't believe how well it fits my hands for such a tiny gun. Can anyone comment on the barrel? Any insight is much appreciated! Thanks.

http://imgur.com/ZhgFKc1

http://imgur.com/K6I5uMu

http://imgur.com/B4AdnWC

http://imgur.com/ZCi7ijT

http://imgur.com/0ecC0W8

http://imgur.com/z1WqnR5

http://imgur.com/sZiZnDH

http://imgur.com/fBGmDkY

Can't figure out how to embed pics, keep getting the broken image icon. Hope this links will work. Thanks again.

[Alfonse]

It all looks fine to me. I usually use a light coating of grease on the barrel, but I'm like that.

I would shoot away!

[ODGreenThumb]

Thanks for looking it over. I should have done this in the first place but its difficult to get a good picture of. here's what I'm looking at:

http://i.imgur.com/DxYcZQv.jpg[/IMG]

[Bawanna]

Hard to tell from a photo, is that a burr or just worn discoloration?

I'd probably stone it down smooth and probably polish up the whole barrel which is real easy.

It should stop and not get worse in that area after a bit. If it continues or you get malfunctions, I'd let Kahr know about it.

It doesn't look terribly serious but again the picture can be deceiving.

[ODGreenThumb]

It's a spot where the finish has been removed. Not exactly sure what it's rubbing on but it doesn't feel like a gouge or too rough or anything. I guess its just wearing in. Seemed strange at the time since it hasn't been fired since the factory. I'll quit with the questions now :D Just shoot the damn thing! Thanks for your help!

[berettabone]

I own an older Kahr, and have many rounds through, and my barrel doesn't look anything like that. Personally, I would be a bit concerned....................seems like a lot of wear, for so little use. Is this what the new one's are looking like, after hardly any use????????????????????

[Alfonse]

The new picture makes it more obvious! That looks unusual, but I would go with what the colonel said (that's Bawanna).

[Bawanna]

It's a spot where the finish has been removed. Not exactly sure what it's rubbing on but it doesn't feel like a gouge or too rough or anything. I guess its just wearing in. Seemed strange at the time since it hasn't been fired since the factory. I'll quit with the questions now :D Just shoot the damn thing! Thanks for your help!

No need to stop with the questions, just make some of them easy questions for those of us with non fully functioning brains.

[ODGreenThumb]

Mothers and dremmel type of polish? Also, will that affect any warranty issue with Kahr should the need arise? I'm going to try and take some better pictures tonight with my fancy camera.

[wyntrout]

That crown is finished terribly. I would email Kahr the pictures. That barrel doesn't appear to be well-finished. My crowns are smooth and shiny... buffed.

Wynn :)

[ODGreenThumb]

I went ahead and emailed the pics to Kahr and was told the marks/finish on the slide was normal. Also mentioned the crown and he said "Not sure about the crown but this will not effect the functionality of your firearm."

[muggsy]

I'd send the barrel back to Kahr and request a new one. A poor crown may not impair functionality, but it will damn sure effect accuracy.

[Arkansas Bob]

I am a new guy around here and not a gunsmith, but I have a CW380. Have only put 200 rounds through it. I cant see anything on your slide,your crown looks a bit rough to me. My concern would be the exterior of the barrel. I do not have a single mark of any kind on either side of the barrel. Top of the breach( or whatever the square block on the back of the barrel is called) part of the barrel on mine has a few shiny spots. If you bought it in a local shop I would let them take a look at your gun. Something is not right. IMHO Bob

[ODGreenThumb]

I mentioned the accuracy issues with the crown. They said I could send the slide and barrel in and they would replacethe barrrel. I'd rather not have to pay to ship something back that should have been caught before leaving the factory. If I go that route what can I expect for turn around time?

I've been trying to find pictures of other cw380 barrels to see if I can see any others with similar marks, rough crown. I mentioned to the CS rep that I had worked the slide a few times, mostly with magazine in to familiar myself with the platform and to dry fire which the kahr website states is ok. I was told that Kahr does not recommend hand racking the slide! Not sure what to do here. Going to take some good pictures tonight and maybe repost or just send them along to Kahr. I'm not looking for something for nothing I just want to make sure I'm getting what I paid for.

[st0ny3mu]

You shouldn't have to pay a dime. Are you talking to Ian or Matt? Ask them to send you a FedEx label so you can send the items back. The barrel doesn't look terrible but I agree with the posters, your crown is ugly.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bawanna]

Sending just the slide and barrel in is much cheaper than sending the whole gun. It's unusual that they don't want the whole gun if they plan to replace the barrel.

I don't know where he's coming from on the no recommending hand racking unless he's referring to chambering the first round with the slide lock.

Certainly no harm in racking the heck out of the slide.

[st0ny3mu]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160127/60018e423bf785f33e8063872f1f4704.jpg

^my p380. Your crown should look clean like that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[st0ny3mu]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160127/bdc4fca38dbf8a4697efe4cde5c474f7.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160127/dc480aa8e690131dd9823b30553449bf.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160127/ff22f341bdcfdba2395d1d4ca77cad51.jpg


A couple pics of my barrel. P380 has about 300 rounds through it. Very tight gun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bawanna]

OD, PM inbound.

[ODGreenThumb]

I'm dealing with Matt. Thanks for the pics. That's what I would expect to see. Thanks fellas.

[RonW]

what about the inside of the slide where that scuff mark is on the barrel. is there any wear or marks on the inside of the slide as well? Are ther any indications of premature wear anywhere on the inside of the slide?

[wyntrout]

Get a small Flat Rate Priority Box. It's cheap and quick just for the barrel and slide.

Wynn

[GROTMAN]

I'm not nearly the expert these other guys are when it comes to firearms but I have a pm9 with over 5,000 rounds through it and it doesn't look anything like that. I like to buy things "new" and take good care of them and while that may not effect function I would not have been a happy camper if mine looked anything like yours. Would be like buying a new car with dents already in it. :(

[st0ny3mu]

Just so you know there is about a 4 week turn around time on service at Kahr.

I know because I sent in a p380 (twice, so far for service).



The pm9 isn't as tight tolerance wise as the p380. I have a pm9 with just shy of 10k rounds in it and the barrel looks less "beat" than my p380 with 300 rounds. :lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ODGreenThumb]

I can now see the corresponding wear marks on the right side of the slide where the slide tapers to the barrel opening. The right side of the slide has the marks but the left side has what looks to me like a little raised ridge. I don't know how one side is getting wear and not the other. Charging my camera battery now and going to take some pics. Looking at the crown under good light, it is definitely not smooth. There are raised burrs, parts looks chipped, and it is in no way uniform. I'm not thrilled hearing about the possibility of a 4 week turnaround time. And at my expense.

[Bills1873]

Looks like the barrel is running off-axis, crooked, tilted to one side, whatever you want to call it. Just my observation. I'd sure send it off, reluctantly. I feel your pain, OD!

[topgun1953]

It's a BRAND NEW gun! For Pete's sake, tell Kahr nicely that something is wrong and have them send you replacement parts or a label to return the slide and barrel or the entire gun. Be calm, but firm about not paying for warranty service. If you purchased it locally, you should have them look at it first and get their advice.

[RonW]

I can now see the corresponding wear marks on the right side of the slide where the slide tapers to the barrel opening. The right side of the slide has the marks but the left side has what looks to me like a little raised ridge. I don't know how one side is getting wear and not the other. Charging my camera battery now and going to take some pics. Looking at the crown under good light, it is definitely not smooth. There are raised burrs, parts looks chipped, and it is in no way uniform. I'm not thrilled hearing about the possibility of a 4 week turnaround time. And at my expense.


More than likely if you send the pistol back it sounds like they'll replace the barrel & slide....

[ODGreenThumb]

Sounds like its going back. Here's an album of better images if you're interested. http://imgur.com/a/7aehW

[Bobshouse]

With that damage I'd send it back too. Where did you purchase the gun? That crown job is a joke, someone musta been high when they made that POS. Goes back to the ol'sayin "hit it with a bigger hammer, eventually it'll fit."

[timboy]

Send that thing back,make them send you a shipping label,that is very shoddy work right there!

[Bawanna]

To update everybody, I'm told a shipping label has been received and the gun is headed back to Kahr forthwith.

Now we all wait for a happy ending and a happy customer. I see that in the very near future.

[GROTMAN]

Sounds like its going back. Here's an album of better images if you're interested. http://imgur.com/a/7aehW

On the plus side.. think we all found out you're an excellent photographer! :o

[ODGreenThumb]

On the plus side.. think we all found out you're an excellent photographer! :o

I'll take some nice pictures in my light box when it comes back from Kahr. I really like the Tungsten Cerakote. Thank you all and I'll keep you posted.

[st0ny3mu]

Are those scratches in the feed ramp? The crown looks absolutely terrible (nice clean photos).

What light box do you use? What light combo?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ODGreenThumb]

Its a a little rough yeah. I use Alien Bee strobes and a 60 box I got off Amazon.


Are those scratches in the feed ramp? The crown looks absolutely terrible (nice clean photos).

What light box do you use? What light combo?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[st0ny3mu]

I suspect your barrel may not have been properly hardened.

Elaborate more about the light box setup :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ODGreenThumb]

There's not much to it really. A 400 watt Alien Bee and a 600 watt, both with soft boxes. Fold up light box from Amazon. I think it's 60 inches. Canon 5dmkii. Most of it belongs to my employer. I'm not the best photog but I try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ODGreenThumb]

http://i.imgur.com/UG6MhpD.jpg

[ODGreenThumb]

Got the 380 back today from Kahr (actually this past Thursday, but that's another story) they replaced the barrel and the report said it tested okay. Their turnaround time was actually pretty darn quick.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ODGreenThumb]

just for anyone curious, I finally put some rounds through my cw380. It functioned well through about 40 rounds of PPU. At which point it did all the things you would expect. Had to manually push the slide into battery etc. I switched to Gecco brand rounds once the PPU was gone and it couldnt fire two rounds in a row. If your still reading at this point, you're wandering if i'm bitching or not. NO! I almost put 50 straight rounds of PPU, over three shooters, a lot of mine being one handed, through the pistol and the only reason it ceased is because it was down right filthy. I've cleaned my fair share of pistols and I've never seen a pistol this dirty from such a low round count. Thats how I know when I clean this thing out and run it again it will be good for 40+ again. Going to continue breaking it in but its earned a spot in my pocket with fmj rounds already. My buddies could not believe how such a little 380 recoiled as softly as it did. good purchase and good on kahr for making it right in a timely manner,

[Bills1873]

Glad you finally got it sorted out. Now shoot it some more!