I joined the P380 broken striker club

[Alfonse]

I hope Kahr doesn't correct the issue, so Al can make some mulah for all his efforts. Unless, of course, they purchase the solution from him.

I hope they do. There are still plenty of pistols already out there that people want reliable that I won't have any problem selling what I am making. There are lots of opportunities to improve things or make accessories. I like working on really great things, and Kahr makes a very nice product.

And, thanks all for the kind words and the business.

[Alfonse]

I bought the S7 steel Lakeline striker. I was surprised that is was just $35. I was expecting $60.

I was really just debating between $34.99 or $39.99. It is not an easy part to machine and takes some pretty unusual machinery. I would have had this part out 6 months ago if it was just run on a lathe with some post mill work. But, it would have been way too expensive, like over $100. Fortunately, I found a shop with the right kind of equipment and expertise. The parts are really nice. I am eager for folks to get them and see them.

[gun papa]

If these parts are the real answer to this needless failing of what otherwise is a great little gun, I commend you for achievement in so quickly answering the call that I and others had only hoped for, and for doing it for a reasonable price.
I have my fingers crossed that redemption for the little CW380 is at hand.

[Chaplain]

Redemption is at hand.

If these parts are the real answer to this needless failing of what otherwise is a great little gun, I commend you for achievement in so quickly answering the call that I and others had only hoped for, and for doing it for a reasonable price.
I have my fingers crossed that redemption for the little CW380 is at hand.

The little p/cw380 has 2 flaws that belong to it alone and one or two that may be shared by some other Kahr pistols (or so it seems to me).

Flaw 1: strikers break.
Flaw 2: the 'foot' of the striker hits the next round in the mag if the cycling of the slide does not move the next round in the mag forward a bit.
Flaw 3: there seems to be too little clearance between the extractor and the bolt face for some brands of ammo.
Flaw 4: the next round in the mag occasionally nose-dives.

Flaw 1 & 2 above are supposed to be addressed with the now available aftermarket striker.

I have a hypothesis. Could it be that if the 'foot' of the striker hits the next round in the mag that this would cause a downward acceleration of the striker point causing a unforeseen dynamic stress? Where the striker point attaches to the main body is the thinnest portion of the part; that is where it will flex the most. Hence fractures along the crystalline structure of the steel begin; and once started eventually produce a broken part. I have only heard of the foot impinging on the next round in the mag in the 380. Does this happen in any other Kahr model? If not, this is a potential dynamic force that is unique to the 380 and perhaps the whole or partial cause of the broken striker syndrome. It looks to me that the design of the replacement striker, if it eliminates the foot hitting the next round may have eliminated this dynamic force. Additionally, a beefed up part of high quality material will account for any other reason. Testing and time will tell, but it seems to me that it is highly probable that Flaws 1 & 2 are resolved with the aftermarket striker.

Flaw 3 is maybe not a real flaw. Tolerances are just real tight. Kahrs seem to be built really tight. Hence the recommended 200 round break-in. Sometimes tight tolerances are not a good thing in the real world. The mod of taking a few thousandths off the front of the round part where the extractor seats in the slide is reported to solve this.

Flaw 4 is a matter of mag follower design. Or so it seems. Again there are aftermarket solutions.

Why hasn't Kahr made changes? I'll bet most Kahrs sold do not have these problems, or don't get enough use for them to appear. It seems that kahr is selling most of everything they make. So, if the problem children can be fixed most of the time; it is difficult for a smaller manufacturer to cost justify tooling and production changes. Look how many shops over the years 'fixed' 1911 pattern pistols. It used to be that a new 1911 would work will with 230rg FMJ, but look out if you used anything else. Adjustments had to be made.

In the case of the Kahr 380, now that the aftermarket striker is a available, all the mods are well within the skill level of someone who is willing to detail strip the slide assembly. (well the extractor mod might be a little scary for some, but it is a cheap part - and if you stick to quality ammo it is likely unnecessary for most).

The serious Kahr 380 user simply has to pay more attention to the weapon than those who carry other options. To get real sights, and great revolver like smooth double action trigger pull, light weight, and a thin form factor I am willing to spend the few extra dollars needed for a better striker and better mag parts. The rest is just elbow grease.

[dsk]

Flaw 4: the next round in the mag occasionally nose-dives.

Flaw 4 is a matter of mag follower design. Or so it seems. Again there are aftermarket solutions.

Flaw 4 is solved using the MagGuts kits. The reliability of my P380 took a quantum leap forward once I ditched the OEM followers and went with the split steel followers in the MagGuts. I can now also chamber the first round by slingshot method, something I couldn't do before. The extra round of capacity is just a bonus.

[Bobshouse]

Well, I just received my striker that I ordered from Alfonse for my P380. Going to install it and keep the original for a backup...lol, a backup that I will never need, right Alfonse?

Sure got here quick! Thanks, and you will be hearing from me again if I get to buy my PM9.

[Chaplain]

Lakeline Strikers arrived and installed - initial impression (no range time yet)

Flaw 4 is solved using the MagGuts kits. The reliability of my P380 took a quantum leap forward once I ditched the OEM followers and went with the split steel followers in the MagGuts. I can now also chamber the first round by slingshot method, something I couldn't do before. The extra round of capacity is just a bonus.

I am really happy to hear this. I have not had much problem with nose dives. I have had none with Hornady XTP my EDC ammo. Until the striker broke I had flawless performance with premium ammo. Any feeding problems were with sketchy ammo, like Tula. I even did pretty well with WWB. However, my goal is to have flawless performance with anything I can get. Because - remember the ammo famine..

On another note: When I got home today there was a little envelope from Lakeline LLC in the mailbox. Hip-hip-hooray!

I stripped down both p380 pistols (one at a time). The Lakeline strikers, in addition to being 'beefier' where the Kahr strikers break also are dimensionally slightly different from the Kahr striker. Upon assembly (which was flawless) the first thing I did was to put a snap cap in a mag and insert that mag into the pistol AFTER cycling the slide. I then pointed the empty weapon in a safe direction and pulled the trigger. I pulled the mag out and checked the position of the snap-cap round in the mag. Gloria in excelsis Deo. The dummy round in the mag did not move! I really really like this change, even before getting to the range.

Looking in the empty mag well with a pen light I can just barely see the striker foot, or maybe not, when I sight along the flat edge of the back of the mag well. Clearly, the Lakeline LLC striker is not just a beefed up part, it gives every indication of a well engineered upgrade to the internal workings of the P/CW380. I believe MAJ Boothroyd would approve.

Since I had them available I installed new striker springs (previously for the silver slide p380, and with the striker change out on the black p380).

If I am within range of a range at lunchtime tomorrow I have about 200 rounds of Sig 100gr FMJ for testing.

Oh!, one more thing. This just may be 'impression' but I do have the impression that the pistols do just feel better. So OK, detailed cleaning, fresh lube, and new striker springs probably have something to do with it. But, there is that little dimensional change that might just change the dynamic just a wee little bit.

Can't wait to get to the range.

[gun papa]

Maybe a dumb question, but, any worry about rust with the treated s7 steel striker?

[Alfonse]

Maybe a dumb question, but, any worry about rust with the treated s7 steel striker?

The grade of stainless Kahr uses on the slides will rust. The spring is also untreated, so if rust is an issue, it already should be.

S7 is also used in firing pins for other firearms without issue. That said, worry if you like.

[Ronni3_J]

Kahr uses 400 series SS and yes it will rust . 304 or better is the SS you want for rust prevention.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gun papa]

The grade of stainless Kahr uses on the slides will rust. The spring is also untreated, so if rust is an issue, it already should be.

S7 is also used in firing pins for other firearms without issue. That said, worry if you like.

Not worried, just a question.

[dsk]

I received my striker today as well, and installed it this evening. I'm really impressed with the quality of the new striker appearance-wise, and it looks like more like a $70 part than a $35 one (don't get any ideas now, Alfonse...). I'll try the pistol out in the next day or two and see how well it runs. I'm actually lucky that I'll be able to do so, for as I was struggling to reassemble the slide the striker spring and guide shot away and bounced off the wall inside my very crowded and messy garage. It was only by a sheer miracle that the plastic guide rod landed at my feet and the spring was soon found resting on the roof of my SUV. Given all the possibilities of where it could have landed I am one lucky SOB tonight!

BTW I'm glad the new striker is made of carbon steel. Stainless steel is more prone to stress fractures, thus defeating the whole purpose of this endeavor. If your striker starts to rust you're already going to have problems elsewhere on the pistol.

[Alfonse]

Well, I just received my striker that I ordered from Alfonse for my P380. Going to install it and keep the original for a backup...lol, a backup that I will never need, right Alfonse?

Sure got here quick! Thanks, and you will be hearing from me again if I get to buy my PM9.

I believe that spare will fossilize before you need it!

[Alfonse]

I received my striker today as well, and installed it this evening. I'm really impressed with the quality of the new striker appearance-wise, and it looks like more like a $70 part than a $35 one (don't get any ideas now, Alfonse...). I'll try the pistol out in the next day or two and see how well it runs. I'm actually lucky that I'll be able to do so, for as I was struggling to reassemble the slide the striker spring and guide shot away and bounced off the wall inside my very crowded and messy garage. It was only by a sheer miracle that the plastic guide rod landed at my feet and the spring was soon found resting on the roof of my SUV. Given all the possibilities of where it could have landed I am one lucky SOB tonight!

BTW I'm glad the new striker is made of carbon steel. Stainless steel is more prone to stress fractures, thus defeating the whole purpose of this endeavor. If your striker starts to rust you're already going to have problems elsewhere on the pistol.

Yeah, sometimes stripping the slide is easy and other times...

I had no idea the extractor rod and spring could shoot so far until about the 20th time I was putting one together. Glad you like the parts so far. Thanks all.

[dsk]

I ran 100 rounds through my P380 today. There were no problems that I could attribute to the new striker, so that part is good. The first 50 rounds sailed through without a problem, then as my pistol seems to like doing it started getting light firing pin hits and misfires (3 total), then settled down and ran the rest of the second box without issue. My pistol always does this, even with the original striker. I believe what happens is the fouling builds up in the chamber, solidifies as I set the pistol down after the first box of ammo and let it cool for a few minutes, then causes failures to completely go into battery until it heats up or burns out. Each time the striker didn't make a solid CLICK, but more like a mushy one. I have some fresh recoil springs in my parts box so I think it's time to swap them out.