CW380 (and P380) Modifications

[rxs0]

Call Kahr Arms Tech Support: (508) 795-3919

They will likely send you a replacement free of charge or ask you to send the pistol in for servicing.
Good Luck,
rxs0

[Ronni3_J]

Thanks for the info. Ill be looking over my CW380 as soon as I get it

[Bobshouse]

I haven't had any problems with the pin working itself out YET, but I noticed the trigger pin isn't quite flush on the side that comes out of the frame.

Is that a sign I have problems to come?

[Coppertop]

Call Kahr Arms Tech Support: (508) 795-3919

They will likely send you a replacement free of charge or ask you to send the pistol in for servicing.
Good Luck,
rxs0

They wouldn't send me one. Had to send the gun in to have Kahr replace the trigger pin (twice) which revealed a faulty frame.

It's a shame that you have to do so many adjustments to get the weapon to act right. It's also a shame Kahr hasn't taken notice of all this frustration (or at least I haven't seen any signs that they have noticed). The CW380 is a nice firearm but can be a pain to get where it is a reliable firearm.

[Ronni3_J]

CW380 (and P380) Modifications

The second mod deals with the trigger hinge pin walking out during firing. I just filed down the lip on the right side of the pin until it was the same diameter as the rest of the pin. After that I was able to insert the pin until I could feel it fully engage the tiny pin on opposite side of the frame that holds it in place. Evidently, the trigger pin wasn't long enough from the factory as it never engaged that tiny pin before. Now it's solidly in there. Hope these mods are helpful to someone else.

Thanks for posting this! I went to the range on my lunch break and also had the pin issue. Other than that no issues at all. Took 100 rounds of FMJs and 2 magazines of my carry amo without any hiccups




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[erichard]

On the slide release, as noted above, if you grind it down enough, you don't get premature slide lock back, but of course, grind it too much and you don't get slide lock on the last round. One option is to grind it only till you don't get premature slide lock (testing little by little) and use the Magguts spring and follower system to help ensure you get slide lock on the last round. For the Kahr followers, the tab on the follower that hits the slide stop release is fixed and essentially unchangeable. On the Magguts, the follower hits the slide stop release lever with an angled out strip of metal. That metal can be bent out a little more than the stock formation to help guarantee you get the slide to lock back on the last round. You can customize the fit somewhat in bending that metal piece.

Of course, like all mods, you need to use common sense and not go too far, proceed with caution, and understand that mods can make things worse. However, it's not rocket science to bend it out a little, but not so far as to scrape the mag heavily as the follower moves up the mag with each bullet cycled.

Seems to work for me, but since it's anecdotal, we need more data to confirm if it is advisable wholesale. So it's at the alpha stage of testing. FWIW.

[muggsy]

This isn't about "easy". This is about maximizing reliability if you ever need the pistol in a self-defense scenario.

Both my CM9 and P380 are totally reliable without any modifications. The only changes that I've made to my guns are a 5#Wolff striker spring in my CM9 and PM9 sights on my P380 as a concession to aging eyes. I did gently squeeze the magazine feed lips to to allow the mags to drop free. Other than that, nada.

[jocko]

On the slide release, as noted above, if you grind it down enough, you don't get premature slide lock back, but of course, grind it too much and you don't get slide lock on the last round. One option is to grind it only till you don't get premature slide lock (testing little by little) and use the Magguts spring and follower system to help ensure you get slide lock on the last round. For the Kahr followers, the tab on the follower that hits the slide stop release is fixed and essentially unchangeable. On the Magguts, the follower hits the slide stop release lever with an angled out strip of metal. That metal can be bent out a little more than the stock formation to help guarantee you get the slide to lock back on the last round. You can customize the fit somewhat in bending that metal piece.

Of course, like all mods, you need to use common sense and not go too far, proceed with caution, and understand that mods can make things worse. However, it's not rocket science to bend it out a little, but not so far as to scrape the mag heavily as the follower moves up the mag with each bullet cycled.

Seems to work for me, but since it's anecdotal, we need more data to confirm if it is advisable wholesale. So it's at the alpha stage of testing. FWIW.

premature slide ock is normally caused by three things. One is the bullets ishitting the slide lock lever. an indication of an out of spec slidle lock lever, a callt o kahr usually gets u anutter one. One can then IMO slightly file the original slide lock lever to cear the round of your choice and u should be good to go. #2 is the ol thumb thing hittine the lever,try shooting it left handed to see if that issuye stops, if it does, then u know what to do. file or cut ouff your foking thumb. #3 is an out of adjustment slide lock lever spring, . Ifits out of adjustment tha t is usually caused by not reinstalling the slide lock lever correctly and bernting hat little sprighy to the point that is need retweeked. that slide lock lever spring should always be wantingto pull that lever downard andif there is some play in that slide lock lever, it will pop up ad cause premature slide lock. I have in my 6+ uars installed only one silde lock spring in my PMJ9 in over 34K rounds. treat it right and it willnever need adjusted...

[November]

rxs0, I just noticed your thread edits, thanks for all the additional info. I haven't needed to make any further mods and it's running great, no failures with any ammo especially the Hornady Critical Defense which is my carry load for this pistol. I recently picked up a CM9, but haven't shot it yet.