Purchased a CW380

[Bart12]

After much online research, I purchased a CW380 (and 200 rounds of ammo) Friday evening. I compared the CW380 to the LCP (which I've owned and shot) and the Bodyguard (which I've shot). The CW felt much better in my hand, but the slide is very difficult to rack. I went ahead with the purchase as I didn't like the way the LCP shot and I don't care for the weight or the feel of the Bodyguard. The CW is a solid and tight gun, I'm pleased with the craftsmanship.

I cleaned and oiled the CW. Reassembly was fun. I have racked the slide about 100 times and am hoping to get to the range next week. I have ordered a pocket (DeSantis) and an IWB (PJ) holster and Talon rubber grips.

I'm open to any input that would further help in the process of adding this to my carry rotation.

[Ed M]

Congratulations Bart!

I predict you'll find the CW380 to be MUCH easier to shoot than your other options, and amazingly accurate. You made some good choices in holsters and that Talon grip too.

Some brands of ammo have been found by many to not work well in Kahr 380s. In general, any round nose brass cased USA made ammo should be fine. I suggest avoiding Perfecta, Fiocchi, Maxx Tech, and Geco. Winchester white box, although USA made sometimes causes feeding issues as well (flat nose).

Read through this thread to further prepare your new Kahr - and yourself:

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?14748-Proper-prep-of-a-new-kahr

In that thread, it mentions spray cleaners. Birchwood Casey makes a product called Gunscrubber. There's two different formulations of it. Regular, and Synthetic Safe. You want the Synthetic Safe stuff, for obvious reasons. A cheaper alternative is to go to Walmart and get a can of CRC Non-chlorinated brake cleaner. It's the one in the green can marked "50 State Formula". Don't use the CRC brake cleaner in the red can - it eats plastic. The CRC stuff is about 1/5 the price of the Birchwood Casey stuff and works just as well.

These little 380s get dirty quick, and run best when clean and lubed well. I'd suggest splitting up the 200 round break in into two 100 round sessions, with a thorough cleaning and lube in between.

Here's a Kahr lube diagram - it's a good guide to properly lubricate your new Kahr. Good luck, and enjoy!


http://www.kahrtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=14749&stc=1

[dustnchips]

Follow the new gun prep link that EdM suggested. I will solve a lot of problems before you have them. I love my CW380 and it has run perfectly for over 900 rounds since the first 100.

[LeeTn]

Just a caveat regarding lube: do NOT get/put anything in the striker channel (#7 in the photo above). Keep it dry.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Bart12]

Thank you all for the replies. Hope this gun shoots well for me. After purchasing and shooting several different brands of handguns, these Kahrs seem to be a bit high maintenance.

[Bawanna]

Not really. Getting 2 or 300 rounds through to mate things up, including shooter to gun and usually all is well after that.
So far mine have had no issues at all right out of the box. Most are that way.

Some balk a bit at first but work themselves out. Firm grip is important. Small guns can be less forgiving in that department.

[Ed M]

.....Kahrs seem to be a bit high maintenance.

Actually, I find the opposite to be true.

Kahrs share a really handy feature with Glocks - the striker channel clean out hole. It's the little hole in front of the bottom #9 arrow on the lube diagram.

Stick the little red extension tube that comes with your spray cleaner into that hole and blast away. When dry, you know there's nothing in there that can cause problems. Quick and easy.

Kahrs also like to be well lubed. If you use some marine grease on all the lube points, it'll stay put and be ready to go when you need it.

Just put a tiny bit on the end of a q-tip, and put a VERY light film on the lube points. Just a bit of a sheen is all that is necessary. A can of grease is under $10 at Walmart, and will last a lifetime. The above mentioned non-chlorinated brake cleaner is $3 at Walmart, and will last for several cleanings. It doesn't hurt a thing to use it every time you clean your gun.

A quick wipe down with a silicone cloth when it's all assembled, and you're done.

Really, it doesn't get any easier or low maintenance than that.....

[Bart12]

I was able to finally shoot my new CW this weekend. I was only able to shoot 4 magazines worth. I shot 1 with two hand grip, 1 with right hand and 1 with left hand. My son shot the 4th. We shot a mix of blazer brass and remington white box. Not a single issue. The gun felt great. Terrific trigger, good sights. A solid gun. I need to shoot it more, but I am very pleased with it so far.

[Armybrat]

That's good to hear. I got the CT380 because the longer grip fit my hand better. Nice shooters they are.