Disappointing Range Report Kahr P380

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WRGADog

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Took my new P380 to the range today and shot 200 rounds of Fiocchi 95 grain FMJ ammo. Towards the end of the session, I noticed both magazines were hanging in the grip when being inserted. Upon closer examination the back plate of both magazines are separating from the rest of the magazine. There is a crack on both sides of the back plate (where the butt of the ammunition rests in the mag) that extends from the top of the magazine downward approximately 1/2 inch. Both magazines have the same problem. Don't know if I am dealing with a defective magazine problem or a gun issues considering the price of this Kahr products I am very dissapointed. I will be on the phone with Kahr first thing tomorrow. Any one have any similar experience? Sorry for not posting photos, but I don't know how to attach them to a post.
 
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Thanks for the heads-up on those magazines. My bet is that Kahr resolves that issue PDQ.
 
Man, that sucks. In the race to build a better mousetrap, it seems the customers take all the lumps:banghead:
 
I hope you are correct and Kahr takes care of this

immediately. I actually bought the gun for my wife, and was considering purchasing a PM9 for myself. first Kahr I have owned and at this point I am disappointed. Will keep you posted on the problem and resolution.

XD45c
XD9sc
XDm 40
S&W 910 9mm
Walther PPS 9mm
Beretta PX4 9mm
Beretta PX4sc 9mm
Beretta 84F 380
Beretta CX4 9mm
Kahr P380
S&W 340 PD 357
numerous other S&W 38 and 357 revolvers
 
How do ya like the PX4sc?

I had the fullsize and loved it, but felt like I was betraying the Glock blood I bleed;)

sorry about the hijack
 
To attach pictures to a post, click on the "Manage Attachments" button below the Submit Reply button. Find the photo on your hard drive and upload it. I think we all really want to see a photo of this. It seems incredible to me that both magazines destroyed themselves so quickly. I've never had anything close to that happen with any Kahr mags I've ever owned or seen.

The weld seems pretty damn sturdy.
 
PX4sc is a great gun, the only

thing negative is that it is a bit thick to carry. Shoots accurately, and as with all Beretta products, quality is superb. I prefer the magazine without the clik down extender as it is more comfortable for my hand. However, of all the guns I own, my favorites are the PPS and every XD, particularly the XDm. The XDm is incredibly accurate, fun to shoot, and 16 rounds of 40 cal is great. The problem with the Kahr is my first disappointment with any firearm.
 
It semes that gun companies are using their customers for their beta tests more and more these days. I'm sure they will get it corrected but am glad I waited on buying mine. I always wait at least one year on any "new release" product regardless of what product it is.
 
You might want to try a Kel-Tec 380. The two I carry work fine. They had teething problems when new but have ironed them out over the years. Very small, light guns in relatively large calibers for their size have every bit of metal made as thin as they dare. Every bit of manufacture has to be almost"spot on" with barely any margin for error. The only easy way around this is add more metal...makes it too heavy to easily hide.
The little KT works. I'm never without one. A heavier gun feels like a brick in the pocket and sometimes look it too. Ruger may take some while to get the Little Copy Pistol to catch up to it. Nobody else on earth has even attempted to copy it because it's so hard to make well.
Try a KT. Break it in by pumping the action manually(cheaper break-in than shooting.) If it needs anything done call them up. Usually these days they're fine right out of the box. Shoot it some, fiddle with it a bit. Keep it very clean and be careful not to lose the little ejector piece which falls out every time you strip it.
 
u got two badk magazines. they will replace them. NOt sure if kahr makes theirmagazines or jobs them out either..

3rd report I have read on the P380 and the first with any issues. One had 850 flawless rounds and the other I think it was 200 rounds and they loved it. No alibying for kahr here either, the magazine issue is bad mags. The flush weld is on the back of the magazine and evidently there are maybe some out there that will come apart. I would not think that the gun needs to go back either. karh will replace you with two magazines and definitely want to see the defective ones.

Keep us posted. I want a P380 kahr.
 
u got two bad magazines. they will replace them. Not sure if kahr makes their magazines or jobs them out either..
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree with you on this one. In my opinion, unless the magazines that Kahr is shipping for this gun are all bad the statistical probability of him getting two bad magazines that both failed at the same time are pretty low. I would lean more toward the gun itself. If the back plate is breaking it sounds like the slide or feed ramp might be slamming into the next round as it cycles back. The P3at had this same problem when it was new and people noticed it because the next round chambered had a "smiley". If the top of the magazine on the Kahr isn't against a hard surface, it may be unsupported and can't withstand the impact.

I would like to have seen some of the rounds that were chambered prior to the backplates breaking to inspect for "Smileys".

Here are some examples from the early P3ATs

winsmiley4.jpg
 
I respectfully disagree with you on this one. In my opinion, unless the magazines that Kahr is shipping for this gun are all bad the statistical probability of him getting two bad magazines that both failed at the same time are pretty low. I would lean more toward the gun itself. If the back plate is breaking it sounds like the slide or feed ramp might be slamming into the next round as it cycles back. The P3at had this same problem when it was new and people noticed it because the next round chambered had a "smiley". If the top of the magazine on the Kahr isn't against a hard surface, it may be unsupported and can't withstand the impact.

I would like to have seen some of the rounds that were chambered prior to the backplates breaking to inspect for "Smileys".
Click to expand...

I think you may be correct on this. It would be good to look at the rounds for smileys.

Hopefully Kahr will work out any issues with the little 380s. I wouldn't mind having one someday. However, I'll wait for a while. I don't like being a beta tester. I did that with a Ruger LCP and had a bad experience. So until the little Kahr has a proven track record, I'll just carry one of my KelTec P3ATs.

Best regards.
 
time will tell, I guess. know of one P380 with 850 rounds through it and the magazines are perfect, not sure two magazines are enough to make a judgement either way.

Kt's and Ruger lcp still give smiley but have no more magazine issues..

update: report back from my friend who has a P380 with 850 rounds through it with zero issues and no cracked magazines but he stated it also produces Smileys..

KP380, please email me, I will buy it...

thank you.
 
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Sorry, just testing the picture attachment procedure described eariler in the thread. For some reason my pics only attach as thumbnails?
 
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Talked with Kahr Customer Service today

I was told that the magazines have been redesigned and I should send the failed magazines back for replacement. I will do this tomorrow. Once I get the replacements I will go shoot another 200 and let you know how the new mags fare. Thanks for the opinions and help with this.

I truly appreciate all of the information.
 
I experienced several Failure to Feed yesterday, but

I did not notice any smiley faces or dents in the ammo. I will be more attentive next trip with the new magazines.
 
The only well to tell if you have a smiley round is to eject one that has been chambered by the gun after another round has been fired.

After you get the new magazines, randomly check some of them.
 
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