P380 - sudden extraction issues?

[kpm9]

I've had a P380 since Aug of 2010 and have had few issues through 800 rounds. Suddenly, extraction has become erratic (different directions and many straight back at the forehead) and I've had a few stove pipes/double feeds recently.

All with the same quality Amer Eagle ammo.
There are no visible chips in the extractor or apparent changes in ejector geometry. Pistol is cleaned thoroughly after each session including scrubbing of breach face and extractor.

Has anyone else had similar extraction issues/spent cases pegging them in the forehead?

Thanks

[Ljutic]

Sounds to me like a new extractor spring is in your future if there isn't a chip out of your extractor or ejector.

[jocko]

put on a new set of recoil springs. Kahr since u bought ur P380 has made a slight recoil spring change, unnoticeable but trust me they did. that wold certainly be the first place I would start to trouble shoot your gun..

change ammo to see also if some of these things go away.. u need to eliminate the possables before getting to excited.. Let another good shooter shoot the gun, if he can duplicate, then u have eliminated possable shooter error, which is always a possability but can easily be tested out to..

[kpm9]

put on a new set of recoil springs. Kahr since u bought ur P380 has made a slight recoil spring change, unnoticeable but trust me they did. that wold certainly be the first place I would start to trouble shoot your gun..

change ammo to see also if some of these things go away.. u need to eliminate the possables before getting to excited.. Let another good shooter shoot the gun, if he can duplicate, then u have eliminated possable shooter error, which is always a possability but can easily be tested out to..

The recoil spring change was after july 2010?

Shooter error? I can eliminate that one right now. ;)

[kpm9]

Sounds to me like a new extractor spring is in your future if there isn't a chip out of your extractor or ejector.

That is where I was going to start, extractor and spring.

[kpm9]

Update

P380 extractor and extractor spring replaced and extraction/ejection pattern is solid and no longer hitting me in the forehead. 100 rounds of various ammo and no failures also.

Just needed a little loving. I also picked up recoil springs, all told about 30 bucks in parts and faith is restored. Small price to pay every 800-1000 rounds, IMO.

[MW surveyor]

Did you happen to compare the new extractor with the old one? Just curious.

[kpm9]

Somewhat. Other than dirt, no discernible difference. No chips or damage to the old one. Probably was just the extractor spring. The original extractor spring was slightly deformed upon removal.

It was late when I replaced the extractor, so I didn't have a chance to take a calipers to it and perform a detailed comparison.

[jlottmc]

Not to be too much a smart ass, but with all of that being changed, which one did the job?

[jocko]

I'm leaning towardes an out of spec extractor.

[kpm9]

Well, without comparing the extractors with a caliper, I'd lean towards the deformed spring, or maybe the spring was deformed from a bad extractor.

Really, I think the point is, I was able to fix it for less than 20 bucks, I didn't replace the recoil springs yet and I did it myself.

As long as it works, I really don't care what fixed it.

[HadEmAll]

Well, without comparing the extractors with a caliper, I'd lean towards the deformed spring, or maybe the spring was deformed from a bad extractor.

Really, I think the point is, I was able to fix it for less than 20 bucks, I didn't replace the recoil springs yet and I did it myself.

As long as it works, I really don't care what fixed it.

Thanks for following through and detailing your efforts. I'm ordering a new P380 extractor spring right now if it has even a hint of fixing my P380's feeble, inconsistent extraction/ejection.

Kahr claims they already changed the extractor, so I'll leave that alone for now, and just examine it closely when I change the spring.

I'll get some other Kahr stuff to make the shipping worth while. Probably every spring I can find.

[jocko]

I would have thought kahr would have replaced the entire extractor channel of parts, while it is apart. probably would cost them a dime more????????

I think maybe why it looks deformed as kpm9 stated is that there is no guide pin inside the spring and there is some side play/slop in that channel and the spring naturally under tension is going to bend somewhere and stay that way. Recoil springs will look about the same way.

[HadEmAll]

I would have thought kahr would have replaced the entire extractor channel of parts, while it is apart. probably would cost them a dime more????????


They might have, but they stated "changed extractor - ejector". They are asking $6.60 for the spring online. $1.10 each for the 2 pins.

I'm sure it's a hell of a profit margin.

[jocko]

well in ur case error on the side of caution. the pins never wear.

[Cokeman]

They don't warranty the extractor or spring?

[kpm9]

I think maybe why it looks deformed as kpm9 stated is that there is no guide pin inside the spring and there is some side play/slop in that channel and the spring naturally under tension is going to bend somewhere and stay that way. Recoil springs will look about the same way.


I think you may be on to the crux of the issue here to.
These are small springs and after 800 rounds may need to be replaced, not unlike recoil springs.

To cokeman: easier to try the simple/inexpensive things, before sending it back to Kahr for an unsure fix, and possibly on my dime.

[Cokeman]

I thought Kahr wouldn't charge to send you an extractor so they wouldn't have to have the gun sent in. They seem to send springs to lots of people.

I called S&W and asked them to send me a new P22 extractor and it came free in the mail 3 days later.

[kpm9]

I didn't ask, I just order the springs online. Good point though.