380 problems need advice fast!

[gm412]

I contacted Kahr with the problems I have been having the past week. Failure to feed, no primer strike, nose dive and now failure to return to battery. Cannot get a single clip to go through without problems. I have to qualify September 1st with the p380 and Kahr wants me to send it back. I have no confidence it will return in time. If I miss this qualification my county makes me wait 2 years to add another pistol. All I own is a Glock 17, PM9 and P380. I can qualify with only 2 guns. Now what do I do? I think I better go buy another pistol but we have a 10 day waiting period. What should I get? I tried the Glock 26, it was OK but I did not like it that much and I needed a small pocket carry gun. I am very upset. Even if I choose a gun it may not be in stock anywhere.

And I asked Kahr what they did the last time and they said polish the ramp and engineering upgrades. I asked him about the spring and he said they did not replace it however when I sent them my 380 it was so hard to rack that sometimes to clean it I had to have my wife help me get the pin out. When it came back a 10 year old could rack the gun it was so easy.

Any suggestions?

[gb6491]

I read that you sent it in before and that it was working fine when you got it back. Have you changed anything recently? Are you using different ammo? Lubing it differently? Were you fatigued when shooting it and the problems arose? Have you cleaned the top end (especially the extractor parts)?
Regards,
Greg

[gm412]

I read that you sent it in before and that it was working fine when you got it back. Have you changed anything recently? Are you using different ammo? Lubing it differently? Were you fatigued when shooting it and the problems arose? Have you cleaned the top end (especially the extractor parts)?
Regards,
Greg

I clean it the same way as always. Lube all the points. ABout a week or two ago it just started not working. This time with even more problems than before. I am wondering if I use my defense ammo if it will work better. But I have very limited time to figure it out. I tried on the last three trips to range. Problems seem to be getting worse. The problem orginally started with new ammo. Switched back to federal which always has worked. Problems continued. And they start from the first clip not after so many rounds.

[gb6491]

As you are on a tight schedule, you might try:
The PD ammo
Lubing it a little heavier (make sure the extractor is moving freely)
Giving the recoil spring a slight stretch (momentary fix at best if the spring is the issue). Also make sure the spring is oriented correctly.
Putting a little smear of grease on the barrel ramp or bullet tips (again temp fix).

I have a Ruger LCP and a Kel-Tec P32 is similar size to the P380; neither has as nice a trigger or sights, but they do work reliably.
Regards,
Greg

[gm412]

I wonder if there is anywhere that you could rent or borrow a more reliable P380 long enough to use it for qualification?

I have to agree with Greg that my .380 ACP pistols have always needed more lubrication than the bigger guns. If you can find some Shooter's Choice light synthetic grease in the syringe, it should help if applied lightly to:

1. The metal rail areas.
2. The barrel lug inner surfaces where the slide lock connects.
3. The outside of the barrel itself.
4. The barrel hood contact points inside the top of the slide.

Using light grease is not rocket science. You should feel greater smoothness when just racking the slide after using Shooter's Choice grease. It is important to use something light but effective, which is why I mention a specific brand that has worked well for me.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the information. I just purchased the grease on Amazon and I will give it a try since I am just using Hopps lubricating oil. I do make it very wet but probaly not the best lubercation. I thought about renting a 380 but unfortunatly the serial numbers must match the one to be placed on the permit.

[TucsonMTB]

I thought about renting a 380 but unfortunately the serial numbers must match the one to be placed on the permit.

Bummer! Here's hoping the grease will do the trick.

In the meantime, see how quickly Kahr can get you a new recoil assembly. Work with the customer service guys and make sure they understand the urgency. I am pretty certain your original spring is just tired.

Failure to return to battery (FTRB) because of a worn out recoil assembly would pretty much explain all your gun's maladies.

Email: service@kahr.com Phone: (508)795-3919

[michpatriot]

Check your private messages...

[bonjorno2]

I am sure someone will lend you a p380 if they are local so a fellow leo can qual... I know that If I were in your shoes I'd qual with a pm9 and a glock 27.... imo these are the only pistols I'd carry off duty depending on the situation. A nice j frame revolver might help and won't give you the issues of feeding, but there are plenty of other choices out there if you must have a 380. I wish you the best of luck!

[bonjorno2]

no, but now I did... lol

[JFootin]

Did you notice that he must use his own gun because the serial number will be added to his permit? Crazy, but . . .

Tucson, I think Bonjorno was suggesting he use his other 2 guns or go buy a J-frame, which I think is a great idea - good off duty gun and will go bang every time.

[TucsonMTB]

Tucson, I think Bonjorno was suggesting he use his other 2 guns or go buy a J-frame, which I think is a great idea - good off duty gun and will go bang every time.

Whatever. I believe Mr. gm412 is firmly committed to carrying his P380.

It would be nice if he could put in a new spring and have a reliable gun again.

Oh, and with the 10 day wait period his state imposes, he might not have time to buy an new pistol. I think he talked about that issue.

[gm412]

I took the 380 apart and cleaned and lubed the hell out of it. I also lightly polished the feed ramp by hand (no dermal). I am going at lunch to give it one more try. Kahr sent a pre paid envelope to me and if I have failures today I will send it in and hope for the best. Kahr said they will try to get it back in time.

I called to buy an LCP for a backup if Kahr failed to get it back, but thanks to California I cannot buy an LCP since it is not approved. I am going to the store today to see what they might have in stock I can use. I tried the glock 26 but did not like it that much. Might look at the Glock 17 or a j frame. I use to have a S&W 357 J frame that I loved but it was kind of large.

Thanks for all the help.

[Tinman507]

Can anyone from the factory following this thread help this man out? He's really desperate and in a corner.
Usually a failure like this is not a big deal. Send it back and 3 weeks later get it home. this is an unusual situation. Please jump in if you can help him.
thanks!

[JFootin]

I took the 380 apart and cleaned and lubed the hell out of it. I also lightly polished the feed ramp by hand (no dermal). I am going at lunch to give it one more try. Kahr sent a pre paid envelope to me and if I have failures today I will send it in and hope for the best. Kahr said they will try to get it back in time.

I called to buy an LCP for a backup if Kahr failed to get it back, but thanks to California I cannot buy an LCP since it is not approved. I am going to the store today to see what they might have in stock I can use. I tried the glock 26 but did not like it that much. Might look at the Glock 17 or a j frame. I use to have a S&W 357 J frame that I loved but it was kind of large.

Thanks for all the help.

We are certainly hoping for the best. I have found my J frame to be very concealable and comfortable carried AIWB. I use the Stays-Put Ultra pocket holster, put a cell phone holster right behind it and cover it with a loose shirt. Nothing but the cell phone prints. The holster stays put under belt tension. Very east to draw sitting or standing, too. If you need tuckable concealability, I would recommend one of the tuckable holsters on this page: http://sideguardholsters.com/holsters/IWB_Holsters.htm. Or, you can get James Dean to make one of these for you. It is a custom tuckable AIWB design he made up for me.

[Firewire]

Just out of curiosity does your serial start with RA or RB?