CW380 FTF. Is this common?

[Big Dawg]

I see from a search on the internet that Failure To Feed can be an issue with the factory supplied 6 round magazine. Bought this one New for my wife but I had to jack the slide about 10 times before it would load a round in the chamber. Tried it with 5 rounds in the mag and with 4 rounds in the mag. Same issue. I cleaned and lubed it before trying anything but it has that issue. It will not jam the round...It just will not even try to catch one and load. Just slides right over it. I've seen where some remove and stretch the spring in the Mag but that is not a permanent fix from my experience. I need a good permanent fix not a get by. Should I call or write Kahr about it or would a factory after market one help? Really need advice on this one. Hard to break one in when it won't even load from the Mag. Trying to use PMC FMJ's till broke in. Are they the problem? They work good in everything else I've tried them in. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Ed

[skiflydive]

Make sure the spring is inserted in the mag the correct way is all I can offer.

[Alfonse]

Check the mag spring orientation as said above. It should load a round right up when you release it with the slide stop. Kahr will make it right if not.

[Big Dawg]

Already checked the spring and no problem there. Still won't feed. Going to try everything in the Prep Sticky and see if it helps.

Dawg

[gb6491]

Big Dawg,
To help us help you, please post a photo of your pistol with the slide locked back and a loaded magazine inserted/locked in place, something like this:
http://i63.tinypic.com/ippgee.jpg
If you have trouble posting a photo, send me a private message and I'll give you an email address to send them to and I'll post them.
BTW, Welcome to the forums!
Regards,
Greg

[Big Dawg]

Thanks Greg. Photo won't be a problem sometime tomorrow.

Dawg

[Ronni3_J]

The CW380 takes a special type of "jack back" to load a round especially if it's new. Everybody that has tried my CW380 has failed miserably and blamed it on the firearm. The way I load it is by pushing the lower and racking back the slide. If you do that along with NOT riding the slide (pull it back and let it go, don't hold on a bit on the return) you will make the round chamber. The more rounds you fire the easier it gets.

My personal tips for a successful CW380

Keep it well lubed
Don't ride the slide
Have a firm grip when shooting

[topgun1953]

Sounds like you're trying to slingshot the slide to load the first round? If so, the first round should be loaded by locking the slide back and then releasing it with the slide lock. This is the recommendation of Kahr in their manuals. After it is broken in some, many people can load it using the slingshot method.

[Bawanna]

Topgun is correct. If a proper sling shot is used it can be done out of the box. The slide lock just eliminates the possibility of a sloppy sling shot.

Even much experienced shooters sometimes have issues especially at first with the slingshot method on a Kahr.

No shame in that, they are just sprung heavy and often times not much to grab hold of.

[Big Dawg]

The CW380 takes a special type of "jack back" to load a round especially if it's new. Everybody that has tried my CW380 has failed miserably and blamed it on the firearm. The way I load it is by pushing the lower and racking back the slide. If you do that along with NOT riding the slide (pull it back and let it go, don't hold on a bit on the return) you will make the round chamber. The more rounds you fire the easier it gets.

My personal tips for a successful CW380

Keep it well lubed
Don't ride the slide
Have a firm grip when shooting

I did the full prep per the FAQ and locked the slide back, then loaded the clip and hit the slide release. Perfect load. Works every time. Thanks to all that answered. This solved my problem.

Dawg