CW380 very stiff slide

[Mod]

I have a new CW380 that I've had for only two weeks. I cleaned it first and have run 100 rds of Federal RTP thru it so far with no failures. I really like this gun. I know I need to run at least 200 but here's my question. I had read about the stiff recoil spring, but I never imagined how stiff this CW380 really is. I have a bit of carpel tunnel in my left thumb and this slide is almost impossible for me. Does the CW380 get looser after 200 rds or more? Or was this a dumb buy on my part? I'm really hoping I can work this out because this little 380 is really nice to shoot.

[Bawanna]

It'll loosen up some. Will get better with more and more rounds fired.

They are stiff, a lot happening in a small package I reckon.

[Alfonse]

I've had requests to make some little, I'll call them wings, that fit the slide of the smaller Kahrs to make them easier to rack. Hmmmmm.

[OneWheelLess]

Mine has 800 rounds or so through it and it's still quite stiff. My mother in law wanted to get one but she cannot rack it. If I remember, the rental one at my local gun shop range was slightly easier to rack but it had probably 5000 rounds throug it.
I don't feel the spring in mine has lightened up much, but as it wore in it became smoother and easier to rack a round in.

[Mod]

I don't feel the spring in mine has lightened up much, but as it wore in it became smoother and easier to rack a round in.

I was hoping there was a magic number of rounds that would suddenly make it easy to rack. Wish Kahr would have designed a nice indent on each side of the slide instead of the skinny slots they have.

[Fland49]

Same thing here. New cw380 that is very, very hard to rack. I am a big strong guy and it's tough. Wife cannot possibly do it. The slide release is also very hard to move - it feels like it's just under so much pressure that it's unreasonably hard. I can release it a few times but the thumb gets very sore. Emailed Kahr tech support and reply was basically just the way it is.
With empty gun and magazine, I've cycled it hundreds more times. It is noticeably easier to use the thumb release by removing the magazine. Is that normal? (I have only the factory mag, two more on order to try).
Have shot 150 rounds through, cleaned and lubricated, left slide locked back overnight several times. Still too hard to rack. Like another user, I had visualized "wings" or something attached to rear of slide that would flare outward and give user more grip. Please offer suggestions - right now it is quite frustrating.

[Alfonse]

It is designed to be difficult to release the slide with the magazine in. If the magazine is empty, I go ahead and let the mag drop a bit if I want to release the slide stop. The manual mentions this behavior.

It will get somewhat easier to rack after some use, but they are still stiff.

[Fland49]

It is designed to be difficult to release the slide with the magazine in. If the magazine is empty, I go ahead and let the mag drop a bit if I want to release the slide stop. The manual mentions this behavior.

It will get somewhat easier to rack after some use, but they are still stiff.
Thanks.

[SlowBurn]

Technique can help. There are videos online for on how to rack a semi auto by keeping it close to the chest, gripping the slide from the top, and using primarily the strong hand to push the RECEIVER forward. It can be done on the CW380 even when recoil springs are new, but its a bear and takes practice.
But no question the smallest Kahrs are harder than other guns, especially when the springs are new. In fact Kahr's recommendation is to load the chamber using the slide release.
One option: Start with an EMPTY MAGAZINE in the receiver. All you have to do is get the slide back (or get the receiver forward), it will automatically lock open. Then replace the mag with a loaded one and use the slide release to charge the gun.

[dustnchips]

Grab the slide between your fingers and palm and you will probably be able to rack it. My thumbs are a bit weak and it works for me. You could always carry vise grips instead of getting rid of a nice gun.

[marshal kane]

I think SlowBurn meant "gripping the slide from the top, and using primarily the strong hand to push the RECEIVER forward" It also helps if the hand gripping the slide pushes backwards while the strong hand is pushing forward. Having an empty magazine in the pistol is an excellent idea while doing this. It will activate the slide stop and you will only have to rack the slide once during your entire range session. As a safety precaution, when racking the slide always make sure the pistol is pointed downrange. Racking the slide with you facing downrange and your the pistol pointing at your fellow shooters gives the Range Safety Officers white hairs and immediately spikes their blood pressure.

[johnchap2]

I fully concur re super strength needed for racking the CSW380. My CM9 has the same over stiff racking as my CW380, but it is a bit bigger and has more to grip, making it doable. But my advice is to buy a "Handi-Racker 2". There are a few web videos on its use. Besides making it much easier to rack the CW380 in normal use it is extra helpful and extra safe in case of clearing jams. Newest version 2 handles two sizes of guns (original versions only handled one size each) is available on Amazon for under $25 (cheapest source I found for this product). Free shipping can be had, but see Amazon for details.

My loading process is now insert empty clip. Use HR to lock back slide. Replace empty clip with full clip and release slide. If you have no jams or feeding problems, the slide will lock back when mag empty, and simply replace with full mag. Should not have to use the HR again, until you unload the gun for whatever or have a jam.

[nmkahrshooter]

I work for LGS and if anybody is interested in a Kahr I make sure they can rack the slide. If they can't or are having problems, I show them another gun. Kahr springs are quite hard and they don't really loosen up even after several hundred rounds. There is no sense in purchasing a gun you can hardly operate no matter how much you like it. Just my two cents.

[berettabone]

I work for LGS and if anybody is interested in a Kahr I make sure they can rack the slide. If they can't or are having problems, I show them another gun. Kahr springs are quite hard and they don't really loosen up even after several hundred rounds. There is no sense in purchasing a gun you can hardly operate no matter how much you like it. Just my two cents.
You win a cigar...................I have a 1000+ rds. through my Kahr, and it isn't less tight than when it was new. Sorry, but ANY firearm that is that difficult for you to operate, you shouldn't own. Unless you have a designated cocker:p

[SlowBurn]

I think SlowBurn meant "gripping the slide from the top, and using primarily the strong hand to push the RECEIVER forward"
Yes. Corrected by edit. Thanks