P380 Problems

[Rightwing]

Well, after some initial success with my P380, I had to send it back to Kahr. I was having multiple feed and ejection problems which began occurring more frequently ironically after the 200 round break-in period. I have cleaned it, racked the slide a few hundred times etc.. But still problems. I have sent it back, but still no word on when it will be coming back and that was over 3 weeks ago. I am REALLY hoping they fix this, the P380 is the only firearm I have found that fits comfortably an unrecognized in my pocket and is still fun to take to the range to practice with. But it would be nice to have better information coming back from the company on the status of the repair and when it will be fixed. Fingers crossed that it comes back trouble free!

[jocko]

3 weeks is normally 2 weeks longer than normal for kahr.The kahr P380 is the nicest little 380 on the market WHEN THEY WORK RIGHT...

[georgepittenger]

feed issues

If u jump over to the AMMO forum you'll see a recent 380ammo test by Ljutic that will at least give u 3 loads to AVOID out of about 20 .
Good luck

[Bill K]

I'm with you about the value of having a comfortable and non-printing piece in ones pocket. I'll favor my PM9 for pocket carry but there a few pants pockets where only my .380 will both fit and allow a smooth fast draw. Get your P380 up and running! I'm cheering for you.

Bill K.

[AlanS]

Data point. I sent a P380 back to Kahr for evaluation/repair on June 18th, arriving the 20th. No word on it yet.

Alan

[Rightwing]

I sent mine back overnight on the 10th, so it will be 4 weeks soon. I thought I read somewhere two to three weeks was average. This was a brand new gun with a few hundred rounds in it, so it can't be too bad.

[TominCA]

That's really slow - they must be into vacations or something - Mine are usually sent and Back!! within 8 days. You might want to send an email with your RA number on it and inquire about the status.

[Rightwing]

I have sent several emails, and have called them as well. Their response has varied, from it is in que waiting for repair, to most recently them saying they are waiting for a part. I thought that was strange since it is in their factory. I wish I could give you a more detailed description but they are not providing me with any specific info. I am really hoping it comes back OK, I don't want to go through this again! It was such a great little gun for the first 150 rounds, so I still think this effort is worth it.

[jocko]

we would probably be very surpised to find out just how "little" kahr makes for their guns. I would bet their guns are 75% vendor outsourced..

[Rightwing]

Wow Jocko, never contemplated that kahr wouldn't have the part on the P380 that needed repaired because it was outsourced. Of course I don't know what part needs repaired because all I get out of customer service through phone calls an emails is that my firearm is waiting to be repaired, they are sorry for any inconvenience, and they will let me know when it will be ready to ship. How about an explanation as to why it has been there four weeks with no end in sight!

[jocko]

no good explanation, other than possable it is a vendor part that is needed. They should rob Peter to pay Paul for your warranty repair and not hold u up IMO. Maybe a nice phone call and inquire and if u get this part stuff, then indeed ask what part and why not take one off the assembly line and get me (U) going. Kahr doesnt make the polyumer grip, they don't make the barrel (although they do the finish part on it but it comes from Lothar in pre rifle blank. They don't make the recoil springs, (wolffs does). I doubt if they make the recoil rods either. they buy the stainless in blanks and indeed do the cnc machining of the slide. I would be surprised if them make the trigger bar, certainly no sprngs in the gun are made or formed by kahr. The steel front slide rails and rear slide rails that are both inbedded in the polymer frame are vendor made. I would say any MIM part like the slide stop levers are vendor related. I would be surprised if they even machine (forge) that slide stop levers for all other models either. Magazines certainly are not made by kahr. Sights certainly not made by kahr. The grips for the steel version kahrs are certainly vendor made. WHAT IS LEFT???

That is what industry does, they design it and then go to specialty companies to make certain parts for their product. Kahr might also be using the JUST IN TIME parts inventory. One needed part made by Joe Blow could hold up an entire product..

[AlanS]

If I hear anything about mine, I'll let you know Rightwing. There's a lot of positive comments (only a few negative) regarding the quality of Kahr's factory-repair support. I'd like to have mine back tomorrow. But if it comes back 100% and is a reliable shooter, then I'm satisfied to wait a month or two for the outcome. Reading about other 'pea shooters', I'm confident the Kahr is the best of the lot regarding quality, and accuracy. When they shoot well. Also, among the articles I've read were a couple that discussed the difficulty of making such a small semi-auto, how tolerances have to be just 'so', and there's not much margin for deviation. I suppose some of the issue with the P380's are just general issues with the type (sub-compacxt pistol), and are inherent to the genre. At least...this is what I tell myself. ;-)

Like I said, I'll let you know (in this thread) if I hear anything about mine. Please let us know when you get word on yours.

Alan

[AustinTX]

RW, my P380 also began its precipitous decline after about 275 rounds. Since then, it's been a grab-bag of failures to eject, slide not locking back, slide locking back prematurely, magazines ejected with each shot, brass hitting me in my face, and light primer strikes. It's presently on its fourth vacation to Kahr since April.

The first two trips took just seven and eight days. The third trip, during which they declared my frame dead and replaced it, took three weeks. This time I'm supposed to hear from the Director of CS about my problems, and it has now been 16 days since I sent them my pistol.

[William_the_kid]

Sadly, I have to add myself to the list of folks waiting for their P380 to be repaired. Mine returned to the factory in late June. From round one it displayed virtually every failure mode possible for a semiautomatic pistol. After 300+ rounds and a new recoil spring I sent it back to Kahr. I do love the sights and the controlled recoil. However, I'm regretting my purchase. Hopefully Kahr will turn things around.

[Rightwing]

Great news, over a month after I sent it in, my P380 has finally returned. It mentioned in the enclosed work order that they replaced the ejector, extractor, and cocking cam. Not being an experienced gun person I don't know exactly what that means. I am hoping it equals success when I take it to the range later this week!