Kahr CW380 feed issues

[javelinablanco]

So..
I recently purchased a Kahr CW380 for pocket carry. Before I started carrying I began to put the pistol through the factory recommended 200rd break in period. I have used a variety of ammo from Hornady 90gr XTP, flat nose fmj, round nose fmj.. All have had the same issue. I have gone through about 175 rds so far. I have maybe about 5 times where I got through a full magazine (6rds). It ejects fine, and have had no light strikes etc.. Only feeding issues. The rounds seem to wedge with the nose at the top of the chamber and the end of the rim below the extractor. I am beginning to think the extractor is to blame.. Has anyone had a similar issue with this model?
I have serious doubts that the issue will resolve in the next 25 rds

 

[redneck]

Had similar issues with a P380. I couldn't get more than 3 shots in a row using fiocchi or S&B brand FMJ with it.
I tried CCI blazer brass and it starting running about 95%. Had a hangup or 2 a box instead of a malfunction or two every mag. Tried remington UMC fmj, and they worked just as well.

Now that it has about 400 rounds through it I don't remember any recent malfunctions shooting blazer, UMC, or winchester white box. I haven't gone back to fiocchi or S&B, and have not tried any hollow points yet.

 

[redneck]

I would try to give that one a thorough cleaning and lube it well before you try anymore also.
I know that all that brass on the breech face is from all the malfunctions you've had, but once the gun is that dirty you're going to have issues. Mine seems to do better right after a cleaning, than at the end of a long range session.

 

[javelinablanco]

Had similar issues with a P380. I couldn't get more than 3 shots in a row using fiocchi or S&B brand FMJ with it.
I tried CCI blazer brass and it starting running about 95%. Had a hangup or 2 a box instead of a malfunction or two every mag. Tried remington UMC fmj, and they worked just as well.

Now that it has about 400 rounds through it I don't remember any recent malfunctions shooting blazer, UMC, or winchester white box. I haven't gone back to fiocchi or S&B, and have not tried any hollow points yet.

Thanks for your insight, i guess I'll have to try another box or two if something different. That Kahr break in is a bummer. If it needs to go back to the factory, any experience good or bad with that process? Turn around time and success of resolution?

 

[CNobbe]

My CW380 seemed to function the best with hot ammo when it was new. I tried a box of Fiocchi and the thing just FTE'd like crazy. I thought wow, this thing is going back to Kahr. I bought another brand of ammo at the range, think Federal and it functioned perfectly.

The mag that came with mine was defective, found that out right away as the floor plate would slip a bit and wouldn't lock into the gun.

Kahr replaced it no questions asked other than that I send the other mag to them.

 

[redneck]

Mine didn't have to go back so i can't comment on that.

I was very disappointed in how picky it was on ammo when I first got it, and I am not a fan of the "break in" period they recommend. I think a gun should work out of the box, not after you burn $75 to $100 in ammo. Especially the P series that they charge a premium for. I can't think of any other new guns I bought that were so much trouble.

That said, we have k9 we got used that is a hell of a nice gun and has never had a malfunction while we owned it. The P380 has become reliable and is a lot nicer to shoot than my LCP or similar sized .380's we tried, and I helped my brother in law pick up a CT9 last winter and we put 200 rounds of fmj and about 35 JHP's through it without a single hiccup.

I think kahr makes a really nice gun and if you get past the break in or whatever repair it may need, you will enjoy it.

 

[Coyote3855]

My Kahr .380 is somewhat ammo picky as well. Hornady Critical Defense works great. I agree that a firearm should work out of the box, but I prefer to put 200 or so rounds through any gun I intend to carry anyway.

 

[redneck]

No arguments with 200 rounds before carrying, but that turns into 400 rounds when it takes 200 rounds to get past the break in malfunctions, and that is a lot of ammo to burn before you can use the gun for its intended purpose.

 

[Jlr2267]

I had the same issue. Mine would only work reliably with my hand loads (short OAL and no Fiocchi brass). Sent it back to Kahr and that was a bad experience in itself, besides them not fixing it. Sold it back to the shop where I bought it at a big loss...live and learn I guess.

 

[bgw45]

I have a good one. My CW380 eats anything I've put in it. Most of my pockets are big enough for my CM9 but I carry the cw if smaller pockets require.

 

[orionengnr]

My CW380 started out a bit finicky, but I was feeding it my handloads to cut down on the cost of break-in.

Once I figured out a load it liked, it's worked well.

 

[sandhills writer]

I shoot reloads through mine, with Remington brass. Never had a failure with it so far. Had about 5 or 6 years, probably shoot a couple hundred rounds a year through it. I do keep it clean.

 

[C0untZer0]

I have a CM9 and I sent it in for a rampectomy.

No problems with customer service.

 

[kdunn]

Had a Kahr CW380 and put almost 500 rounds though it with the same problems you are describing. But I was only able to get through about 3 mags in those 500 rounds without having a malfunction. And this included many different types of ammo, FMJ and HP, with 3 cleanings in between these 500 rounds. I sold the gun and bought a Glock 42 and have been more than happy with it. My advice to you is to do the same.

Disclaimer: I am not a "Glock Guy" and the G42 was my first Glock. I prefer XD's and 1911's, but for pocket carry the G42 is the way to go [emoji1303]


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[javelinablanco]

Had a Kahr CW380 and put almost 500 rounds though it with the same problems you are describing. But I was only able to get through about 3 mags in those 500 rounds without having a malfunction. And this included many different types of ammo, FMJ and HP, with 3 cleanings in between these 500 rounds. I sold the gun and bought a Glock 42 and have been more than happy with it. My advice to you is to do the same.

Disclaimer: I am not a "Glock Guy" and the G42 was my first Glock. I prefer XD's and 1911's, but for pocket carry the G42 is the way to go [emoji1303]


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Lol thanks for the advise. However I already have a iwb carry option that I trust. Xds 3.3

I would consider the g42 a similar sized gun intended for iwb carry at best. The Kahr is when I can't carry my xds, I like the option of throwing it in my pocket and forgetting I have it on.

 

[javelinablanco]

I have a good one. My CW380 eats anything I've put in it. Most of my pockets are big enough for my CM9 but I carry the cw if smaller pockets require.

Just wondering. Because I feel that the extractor tension may have a part in this. How would you gauge yours? Can you move it with a finger? Obviously this is subjective and an accurate measure would require specialized tools. However I feel mine is over tensioned causing it to not move out of the way when a round is beginning to chamber.

 

[kdunn]

Lol thanks for the advise. However I already have a iwb carry option that I trust. Xds 3.3

I would consider the g42 a similar sized gun intended for iwb carry at best. The Kahr is when I can't carry my xds, I like the option of throwing it in my pocket and forgetting I have it on.

I have an XDS 3.3 that I carry IWB also. My G42 is strictly for pocket carry. On paper they seem like really similarly sized guns, but in reality the G42 weighs half as much as the XDS and is a much better size to fit in your pocket. I even throw it in my pocket when I go jogging and it has never been a problem for me

 

[Tirod]

Reading thru a number of new pistol reviews you will find across the board they ALL can and will need break in. That is the reason the shooting community came up with the idea that no gun was reliable to trust until you had 500 rounds thru them. At that point a continuing problem did usually need factory attention. All Kahr did was say that out in the open. As for finicky the original Rohrbaugh specified one - 1 - ammo as being the only factory recommendation. Not just anything you pushed down the magazine.

That's the point of firing 500 rounds - to find what available ammo isn't a good pick for that specific gun. As another Example of One, my CW380 was taken to the range, new, no cleaning, and I shot steel cased Monarch .380 thru it. The first 50 rounds I only had issues with a random failure to slide lock on the last round. Shooting brass cased, no issue.

Each gun is unique and an Example of One isn't a defining moment for the tens of thousands out there. And malfunctions with less than 500 rounds are exactly that, minor issues with break in, not necessarily major game stoppers. Despite the consumerist notion that a handgun should be perfect out of the box and you should be able to use any ammo you choose, the reality is they all need break in and that is when you discover if a pet round popularized in the press is actually going to work in your gun.

Clean it and shoot it some more. Shoot actual defensive loads because you need to find out how they work, not range fodder selected for cheap break in. It's a defensive pistol you are depending on to save your life in the worst extremity - so let that guideline dominate.

15,000 rounds from now will be a much better level of experience to judge if the pistol worked for you. For the most part shooters usually say it does.

 

[redbullitt]

My p380 did this until I had 4 or 500 rounds through it... Changed springs after that and it works like a champ now...

Annoying, but quite common in those guns I think.

 

[RecoilRob]

If it were me, I'd break the bottom edge of the extractor a little bit as well as the top of the feed ramp as well as polish up the breech face. Not saying take a lot of material away...just a wee bit which is what I suspect will happen with extended shooting. I'd rather simulate that wear with a stone than firing $300 worth of ammo.

If it malfunctions the same way every time, it should be relatively easy to correct and make it run with whatever ammo you're trying to feed it. Some of the wee ones can be fussy about what they'll work well with, so you might either have to tailor the loads to the gun or the other way around. I don't know if they'll tolerate you switching up the ammo to vastly differing recoil impulses but it would be good to give it a try at least as in a pinch you might be forced to use something other than your chosen loading. Once you get the Kahr working well they seem to be good guns.

 

[javelinablanco]

Just an update in this issue. I did the fix documented in the following link. After shortening the extractor push rod, reliability has been 100% with ball ammo and the few XTP rounds I have tested.

I would suggest anyone having the same issues to give it a try. The piece is a few dollars if you fudge it and can easily be replaced back to factory standards.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?18612-Extractor-pin-mod-solved-slide-issue


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[MICHAEL T]

Reading thru a number of new pistol reviews you will find across the board they ALL can and will need break in. That is the reason the shooting community came up with the idea that no gun was reliable to trust until you had 500 rounds thru them.

What about all the people that aren't members of the internet , or shooters in general . They bought the pistol for home protection and a box of bullets. A great many owners don't hang out on gun boards and many never visit a range . Doesn't matter if you think its a bad idea or not. That's their choice. I think they have the right to expect that new brand X semi auto to work if needed . Not to find out when to late .Some so called expert said needed 500 rounds to break in.
I still think if made with proper clearance 500 rounds not needed. 1911's issued new in WWII. Didn't get 500 rounds break in . Most got pistol a couple mags some ammo loaded and went to war. My turn in M-14 for new M-16 got no break in . It got a quick battle sight then off to war .

May factory should be held responsible for not informing buyers that their pistol requires 500 rounds at buyers expense . Before used for SD at home or carry.

This one reason I try to steer new buyers to a revolver . They pretty much work out of box no matter ammo brand or bullet type .

 

[Tirod]

It's a valid point - not all the new shooters out there buying pistols are hooked into the internet. I could suggest they read the Owner's manual but working at an auto parts counter I can say 95% of car owner's never have, much less keep it in the glove box.

So what the typical consumer does is ignorantly expect perfect performance with no justification whatsoever. Well, I can't fix that. In many cases the new owner trots back to the people who sold them the goods and you hope gets the information correctly.

Yes, we do get the benefit of having guns issued to us that are capable of shooting right out of the box with no malfunctions. And the reason is they are loaded with full power milspec ammo with just one or two choices issued, both of which that firearm was designed, proof tested, and built to use. The average handgun? Back to the Rohrbaugh, it was specified and recommended for just one - 1 - specific ammo and for the most part nobody had issues with it. Many others have a limited set of ammo types specified by bullet weight and even Brand which are recommended. The idea that you could pick up ANY ammo and should be guaranteed absolute reliability, no. Many owners of AR15's - including the Colts - report issues when feeding cheap import or whitebox fodder into new rifles. It's not the gun, it's the assumption - a typical consumer fantasy notion.

Plenty of firearms makers sell guns with 1MOA guarantees - or less - but loading them up with import steel cased fodder and then casually shooting them at the range isn't going to be a definitive test of what they can do. Same for breaking in a handgun - if there are failures to extract then it also goes to many other handguns which can and do fail due to a lack of firm grip. It can be induced and it is noted for some major Brands with sterling reputations. Hold the average Glock sideways and it's possible. Would it be fair to them to send it back complaining it won't function?

Expecting perfect performance of a product out of the box that someone will depend on for life and death situations is problematic. Gun companies ebb and wane on quality - Colt lost the contract on the M16 because of it and the documented issues of malfunctions that had to be fixed. FN got the contract after that and you can now buy their guns direct because of it. We have enjoyed having service rifles operate correctly from Cartridge One but I do remember an early fielding issue with the M16 where it had issues. There was quite a lot of political fallout from it, much less those who claimed it took their son's lives.

Nope, never trust a gun to be perfectly reliable. It's a false notion and will leave you stunned and inactive trying to figure out what to do when you should have already finished your immediate action and got back into the fight.

 

[wingman]

Kahr pistols are tight, My mk9 never has failed but I ran it very wet during break in and clean it after shooting.

Honestly I find most auto troubles are related to how well there maintained of course not all cases but believe the rate of failures due to lack of cleaning is high.

I carry a can of spray lube to range if I shoot over 50 rounds I lube, any machine works better with proper lube.

 

[SDGlock23]

If I had to guess, too much extractor tension. Looks like a 3 point jam I had with a Ruger 1911 and I had to loosen the extractor a bit but afterwards it worked like a charm.