New CT380 jam-o-matic, newbie, help??

[nmkahrshooter]

Sorry to hear about your problem. As I remember the CT line is not a small gun. I used Magtec FMJ for break in with no problems on CT9, CT45, and CW380. Also I do not use frog lube and that might be an issue. I just use gun oil- no grease! I do not think that you are having a holding problem. When you break down your gun to clean spray off with non-clorine brake cleaner and lube it up. Hope this works for you. I know it did for mine.

[RolandD]

Although it would be unlikely, you may have selected four brands of ammo that won't run well for breaking in the CT380. I've heard of problems with S&B and Am Eagle. Not sure about the others. I've had good luck with Freedom Munitions 100gr FMJ Flat point, Federal Champion 95gr FMJ, and Perfecta 95gr FMJ in our CT380.

Don't waste self defense ammo until you are completely through the break in. Follow all the instructions in the New Kahr Prep thread. Rack the slide over and over, 200 or 300 times. It's cheaper than ammo and will help build muscles and muscle memory. Experiment with your grip. It's still easy to have issues, even though it's larger than the CW380. Keep working at it. When new, an slightly under-powered round or a little less pressure resisting recoil will cause the problems you are having. Good luck and keep us updated.

[Alfonse]

Thanks for the kind words. When I posted that I kind of assumed that if my grip were loose the shots would've been all over the place, but maybe not... As you pointed out, grip and aim are two different things. I did manage to get six shots off without a FTF that time, at least.

How did you change your grip, can you describe it? My hands aren't that big, so I don't think that's my issue, but who knows...

I'll check out that other thread. Thanks!




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To be honest, I can't quite remember how I used to grip it. However, now I have my right hand much more relaxed, which helps with the trigger, and my left hand is doing most of the work keeping the grip up against my right palm. The pistol, even when I was really squeezing with my right hand (very tiring and difficult to work the trigger), could kind of rattle around in my palm before. Without the pistol in my hand, I can't even tell you which part of my index finger is working the trigger. But, it is all well practiced and I don't have to think about it when I shoot the CW380.

I have long fingers too, so it is probably a bit odd to those with normal sized hands, the way I have to shoot the CW380 and really every Kahr to some extent.

Changing the way I gripped the pistol made all the difference in how it feeds and improved my accuracy to boot. Although, seeing your target I already made a mental note to never irritate you!

[Tobinator]

To be honest, I can't quite remember how I used to grip it. However, now I have my right hand much more relaxed, which helps with the trigger, and my left hand is doing most of the work keeping the grip up against my right palm. The pistol, even when I was really squeezing with my right hand (very tiring and difficult to work the trigger), could kind of rattle around in my palm before. Without the pistol in my hand, I can't even tell you which part of my index finger is working the trigger. But, it is all well practiced and I don't have to think about it when I shoot the CW380.

Interesting! I've been working on using my support hand better--I can see how that could be more effective than just trying to grip the pistol harder with my right hand. Hopefully eventually I'll reach that point where it's second nature. I'm still going into every range session with a mental list of things to try and remember to do.

Changing the way I gripped the pistol made all the difference in how it feeds and improved my accuracy to boot. Although, seeing your target I already made a mental note to never irritate you!

LOL! I feel sheepish to have posted that target; aim isn't even relevant to the whole limp wristing issue. Truth be told, it's way better than a lot of my other targets, I was super happy about it, and my friends and family don't know I shoot yet so I can't really post it on Facebook. So I had this goofy urge to post it.


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[Bills1873]

Refreshing to see a woman enthusiastic about the need to be proficient with a self defense weapon! These fellas on here can be a great help in solving problems related to these fine little pistols.

[gb6491]

....LOL! I feel sheepish to have posted that target; aim isn't even relevant to the whole limp wristing issue. Truth be told, it's way better than a lot of my other targets, I was super happy about it, and my friends and family don't know I shoot yet so I can't really post it on Facebook. So I had this goofy urge to post it.

No need to feel sheepish about that target...that's good shooting no matter how you held the firearm.
If it was done with a revolver there probably wouldn't even be any discussion about grip.
Regards,
Greg

BTW, you can clean a field stripped gun well enough to remove the Frog Lube. I used that stuff once and my shotgun failed to cycle the first few shots during the next morning's hunt. Following a quick wipe down with a paper towel and some 10-30w oil from the dip stick, I again had a functioning shotgun.

[Tobinator]

No need to feel sheepish about that target...that's good shooting no matter how you held the firearm.
If it was done with a revolver there probably wouldn't even be any discussion about grip.
Regards,
Greg

BTW, you can clean a field stripped gun well enough to remove the Frog Lube. I used that stuff once and my shotgun failed to cycle the first few shots during the next morning's hunt. Following a quick wipe down with a paper towel and some 10-30w oil from the dip stick, I again had a functioning shotgun.

Thanks!

Good to know about removing the FL... Tomorrow I'll be trying again and taking better notes, and if it's still not working, I can try switching to oil. I do like the idea of Frog Lube and it kind of makes sense (like seasoning a cast iron skillet) but at this point I should be trying to remove variables from the mix.


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[gb6491]

I still use oil in my seasoned cast iron
Good fortune to you tomorrow.
Regards,
Greg

[b4uqzme]

Welcome,

Just in case you find this helpful, this video was the "aha" moment for me. It focuses a lot on your support hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0HkjXpQBxc

I also agree that the frog lube should wait for now. A good cleaning and simple lube with gun oil should be fine for your break-in. Once you get the gun running 100%, you can again try the frog lube. Kahrs are tight guns so any lube that takes up space can also cause problems. I ditched using grease on the rails for that very reason. I lube only with RemOil. I clean and lube before I put the gun away. Then a light drop on each rail before I go shooting is all the re-application necessary. That has proven most successful.

Good luck.

[Tobinator]

I still use oil in my seasoned cast iron
Good fortune to you tomorrow.
Regards,
Greg

Good point! I think the first time I applied the FrogLube I took that analogy a little too literally and wiped off too much of the stuff.


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[Tobinator]

Welcome,

Just in case you find this helpful, this video was the "aha" moment for me. It focuses a lot on your support hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0HkjXpQBxc

I also agree that the frog lube should wait for now. A good cleaning and simple lube with gun oil should be fine for your break-in. Once you get the gun running 100%, you can again try the frog lube. Kahrs are tight guns so any lube that takes up space can also cause problems. I ditched using grease on the rails for that very reason. I lube only with RemOil. I clean and lube before I put the gun away. Then a light drop on each rail before I go shooting is all the re-application necessary. That has proven most successful.

Good luck.

Thanks for the video and tips! That's a little different support-hand technique from what I was taught, I'll have to experiment with that. Interesting.


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[Tobinator]

New CT380 jam-o-matic, newbie, help??

So, an update...

First of all, thank you all for your very helpful advice!

So I went to the range. I can think of four possible explanations for today's results and I have no idea which one(s) were the biggest factor.

1. I focused extra-hard on a straight wrist and firm grip (although I think I relaxed a little after a few successful mags)
2. When I cleaned and lubed the pistol yesterday, I left more lube on there.
3. The gun is evidently showing improvement as the break-in period progresses.
4. Gremlins broke into the apartment, stole my little lemon and replaced it with a mostly functional pistol. :P

I brought the rest of the ammo that the CT380 barfed on last time.

Shot five mags of Remington UMC. It locked back prematurely after the third round but was otherwise solid.

Five mags of Sellier & Bellot. Not a hiccup.

Three mags of HyperClean. Either it still doesn't care for HyperClean or it was getting dirty by that point; first mag was fine, second and third mag had FTFs at rounds 1 and 6 respectively.

A couple more mags of Remington with two more FTFs and one premature lockback. I decided to call it a day.

No FTEs. FTFs all looked basically like this.


I was not optimistic going in there today, so this was a happy surprise. Not perfect, but hopefully the gun will continue to work the kinks out as break-in continues. I'd estimate I'm at about 125 rounds now.


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[berettabone]

I use grease on the rails of another of my firearms, but never on my Kahr. I also use Rem oil.................it seems to work well on all of my firearms. Personally, I would use the $$$$$$$$$$ I saved by using oil instead of FL, to purchase more ammo. Good shooting..................it's very refreshing to have a female on board. My wife is going for her CCL the 16th. Can't be more happy. She shoots a revolver, no frog lube

[Tobinator]

I use grease on the rails of another of my firearms, but never on my Kahr. I also use Rem oil.................it seems to work well on all of my firearms. Personally, I would use the $$$$$$$$$$ I saved by using oil instead of FL, to purchase more ammo. Good shooting..................it's very refreshing to have a female on board. My wife is going for her CCL the 16th. Can't be more happy. She shoots a revolver, no frog lube

Thank you! Good to be here. Congrats to your wife! I haven't started that process yet. We can carry in AZ even without it, but I would rather get more training under my belt before carrying in public.

The FrogLube seems to go a long way--the kit I bought will last me months at the rate I'm using it... I appreciate the minty smell and nontoxicity, and my pistol is acting up much less now, so I'll probably stay with FL for now.


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[gb6491]

Thank you! Good to be here. Congrats to your wife! I haven't started that process yet. We can carry in AZ even without it, but I would rather get more training under my belt before carrying in public.

The FrogLube seems to go a long way--the kit I bought will last me months at the rate I'm using it... I appreciate the minty smell and nontoxicity, and my pistol is acting up much less now, so I'll probably stay with FL for now.


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Check out The Well Armed Woman
We have a fairly active TWAW Shooting Chapter here in Yuma, perhaps there is one near you: https://twawshootingchapters.org/cha...3&zone_id=3616
Regards,
Greg