New P380 - Bad polymer frame or normal?

[Flint Ridge]

Just picked up a new P380. Next to impossible to get the slide off. Racked, mag out, trigger pulled, slide stop out...

Looks like the front of the frame is out of alignment (right rail is farther to the right) and is seriously chewing away at the right front plastic rail.

Does anybody else have a rail eater? Or is this "normal"?

I have put 350 rounds through it and did not really notice this issue until the second cleaning, thinking, wow it sure is tight.

Love it, but would like a rail to be pristine.

The insert metal rail that actually fit into the slide at the front - noticed one on left is gaping, while one on the right is hard into the metal.

Wanted advise before I try to call Kahr.

Thanks!

[jocko]

photos would help alot. just kinda hardo to picture ur issue..

[Flint Ridge]

I will see if I can find the family camera and upload some pictures, but it is happily eating away at the right rail toward the front. I will have to take it down again, but maybe a quarter of its width is gone now? I will get the micrometer out to check it as well.

Thanks for the reply. Sure it is just a fatal frame issue. I thought I was getting past this with the Problem Sig P238 back at Sig for the 3rd time, but guess I am just lucky.

[jocko]

heh

I will see if I can find the family camera and upload some pictures, but it is happily eating away at the right rail toward the front. I will have to take it down again, but maybe a quarter of its width is gone now? I will get the micrometer out to check it as well.

Thanks for the reply. Sure it is just a fatal frame issue. I thought I was getting past this with the Problem Sig P238 back at Sig for the 3rd time, but guess I am just lucky.

PM sent

[Flint Ridge]

Well the only camera here is the one that somebody bumped the lense, so it will not do close focus work, which is what I need to "show" what I am looking at.

Suffice it to say if you just hold the frame only (no slide - barrel etc.) and sight down the left and right rails they do not match up with the front metal rail inserts, like mine is taking a slight turn.

Oh well.

[jocko]

ur

Well the only camera here is the one that somebody bumped the lense, so it will not do close focus work, which is what I need to "show" what I am looking at.

Suffice it to say if you just hold the frame only (no slide - barrel etc.) and sight down the left and right rails they do not match up with the front metal rail inserts, like mine is taking a slight turn.

Oh well.

asking us basically to imagine something that we have not seen before or think we have not seen before. photos just help alot., definitely won't solve the issue if there is one.

[Raoul]

Well even w/o a pic...if it's chewing plastic I'd say you have a problem. Make the call brother.

[Flint Ridge]

I may call Kahr and see what they say.

Several folks have emailed me and it may not be as bad as I think.

Wish I could get a clear closeup, so I could be clear.

I just kept working the slide tonight, gliding slide on, rack, pull trigger and slide forward. It certainly has smoothed out and seems to have pretty much stopped wearing.

I must say I really like this pistol, way more reliable than my Sig P238 (a few things I like better on the Sig, but so is life). Will do some more shooting, hopefully get a holster to arrive in a couple of weeks. Would like to get the night sites.

Thanks all. Been reading for months...

[WinstonRomeo]

Sounds like there is a problem with the fit on the rails. I also have issues with disassemble of my P380. It usually takes at least 4 to 6 tries to remove the slide before it actually does move forward off the rails. From speaking with gunsmith at my local range it seems to be a common problem. I am hoping that the problem disappears with shooting, but a trip back to the factory is not out of the question. Other than that the little gun shoots very well with a 120 round saucer sized group at 7 yards.

[Flint Ridge]

Sounds like there is a problem with the fit on the rails. I also have issues with disassemble of my P380. It usually takes at least 4 to 6 tries to remove the slide before it actually does move forward off the rails. From speaking with gunsmith at my local range it seems to be a common problem. I am hoping that the problem disappears with shooting, but a trip back to the factory is not out of the question. Other than that the little gun shoots very well with a 120 round saucer sized group at 7 yards.

I've spent a LOT of time working the slide on this and taking it off and on now. The eating of the plastic front tab on the rail seems to have ended.

Here is what I have found on the removal of the slide.

Standard takedown procedure... Unload, mag out, rack, pull trigger, remove slide stop. Now here is the trick on mine. As you move the slide forward (one keep your finger off the trigger - you will never get it off with the trigger back) look to see if the metal edge of the striker cam (terminology?) is visible under the slide. If not it will not come off. Either rack slide again and pull trigger or, move slide back just a little and pull the trigger a few times. Once you "see" the cam in the right spot you will never have trouble again. Mine is easy now. The more I know this rig the more I like it.

Just redid it a couple of times - this seems to take the guess work out - Pull trigger and keep holding it back, then slide the slide forward. Then the left top of the cam really seems to line up. Then release trigger and move slide "easily" forward.

Let me know if this works. Maybe I should clean up my thinking and repost this idea.

[Flint Ridge]

I did leave a message for service, don't know if it is really a problem.

They did respond to my email and are wanting to chat with me. Wow, actual customer service? I can work with a company like this.

Stay tuned!

As it actually shoots I did carry it this afternoon - how nice.

[Vinikahr]

I did leave a message for service, don't know if it is really a problem.

They did respond to my email and are wanting to chat with me. Wow, actual customer service? I can work with a company like this.

Stay tuned!

As it actually shoots I did carry it this afternoon - how nice.

Kahr is very good with their customer services.

[WinstonRomeo]

I've spent a LOT of time working the slide on this and taking it off and on now. The eating of the plastic front tab on the rail seems to have ended.

Here is what I have found on the removal of the slide.

Standard takedown procedure... Unload, mag out, rack, pull trigger, remove slide stop. Now here is the trick on mine. As you move the slide forward (one keep your finger off the trigger - you will never get it off with the trigger back) look to see if the metal edge of the striker cam (terminology?) is visible under the slide. If not it will not come off. Either rack slide again and pull trigger or, move slide back just a little and pull the trigger a few times. Once you "see" the cam in the right spot you will never have trouble again. Mine is easy now. The more I know this rig the more I like it.

Just redid it a couple of times - this seems to take the guess work out - Pull trigger and keep holding it back, then slide the slide forward. Then the left top of the cam really seems to line up. Then release trigger and move slide "easily" forward.

Let me know if this works. Maybe I should clean up my thinking and repost this idea.

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try. I once had a Beretta 380 that was a PITA with dissassembly and reassemble no matter what I tried. My P380 goes everywhere I go, except of course the free crime zones in Ohio.

[recoilguy]

That would frustrate me. I like these things to be simple and work correctly and easily. If I have to think to much or work a mental checklist to take a gun down I am not happy.

RCG

[Flint Ridge]

That would frustrate me. I like these things to be simple and work correctly and easily. If I have to think to much or work a mental checklist to take a gun down I am not happy.

RCG

It's a lot easier than in sounds. My slide stop has loosened up too and can be pushed out like normal. It is easy.