Kahr p380 problems

[pooler]

I purchased a new Kahr p380 about two months ago. The gun is really accurate for a pocket pistol. The biggest problem I'm having is the slide locks back prematurely two or three times per six round magazine. I've shot the gun both right and left handed to be sure I'm not inadvertently hitting the slide lock lever. I called Kahr's customer service and they sent me a new slide lock lever. Today I put another 200 rounds through the pistol, and 'am having the same problem. Occasionally the bullet will not go into battery, but this doesn't happen nearly as much as it did when I first got the gun. I've put around six hundred rounds through the pistol, so I assume it is considered broken-in. I've removed the slide and reinserted the slide lock lever to observe whether or not a shell in the magazine is hitting the inside of the lever...and it isn't. The empty magazine 'follower' does contact the lever and pushes it up. So, empty, it appears to be functioning as it is supposed to. I've called Kahr again, and they are sending me a new (or 'filed down') slide lock lever and spring. After I receive and install them I'll shoot another couple of hundred rounds and see what happens. At this point I'm pretty disappointed that I've spent over $600 dollars buying the gun and more than a couple of hundred dollars in ammo plus additional range fees...and the gun is still not reliable. It is a great size and feel for a pocket pistol, so I'm hoping the problems can be worked out. (I've read that the Kahr PM9 has the same problems I'm having with the p380.) One thing I've discovered is Kahr's Customer Service people seem to be helpful and want to resolve the problem.

 

[LightningMan]

I have both the PM9 & P380 and have not had those problems you discribe. I have had zero problems with either pistol from the get go, with the exception that the P380 doesn't like steel cased russian ammo. If I were you, I would insist Kahr make it right, if this next attempt to cure the problem fails, I would have them send you a pre-paid shipping tag, an fix the problem pronto. I believe you have done what you can, now its their turn to make it work. I do believe once the problem is fixed, you will grow to enjoy shooting your Kahr very much. LM

 

[hardluk1]

Stop at this point mucking around with it and have kahr send you a shipping label . Send in a letter defineing all that has been done and what you have tried and let them fix it. Get the name of the CS guy you talk to and mark the the letter att: To him.

 

[heeler]

I have unfortunately read over at the Kahr forum of several P380's that have been problematic.
I dont know why.
My PM9 has been beyond stellar.
Others have had P380's with the same kind of reliability my PM9 has shown.

 

[hardluk1]

Early pistol are more prone to growing pains but because of cost many are still in gun shops and wholesalers. Give them a chance and they will fix them.

 

[Aiko492]

I had the P380 last year, had terrible feeding and ejecting issues. Called Kahr CS and hung in for their break in period without any change. I have a really nice LGS which ended up giving me full price trade of the P380 towards another gun.

 

[hardluk1]

Always wondered why people don't send a problem gun back for a fix when they need it instead for tradeing or selling and passing a problem along to someone else.

If you bought a 1500 dollar pistol that did not feed HP ammo would the same thing happen with it too?

I bought my first kahr from a seasond shooter that could not get it to feed a mag full of ammo with out a problem. 1200 rounds later its still 100% relieable.

 

[Zerodefect]

Slide locking back is a problem.

The FTRTB is not. Usually hotter ammo should clear that up. My P380 will sometimes FTRTB with WWB ammo. It runs excellent on the peppier Corbon Powerball I use for carry.

 

[Lawdawg45]

Your issue was just one of the problems with my PM9, but before I could consider sending it back to the company and losing my weapon for a month, our department pulled the entire Kahr line from the off duty/BUG list. Traded for a 649 and haven't looked back to Massachusetts since.

LD