Picked up a LNIB Kahr CW380 and put 150 + rounds of FMJ & HP down range yesterday (previous owner had fired about 25 rounds of self defense ammo before I got it). The sights & trigger are great and after about 75 rounds it seemed to smooth out, but had an occasional failure to go into battery the dirtier it got. Also, the mags do not drop free to reload. I won’t carry this until I shoot it a lot more and I’m tempted to move it along mostly b/c it’s just too small for me to shoot accurately, especially under simulated combat conditions. Anyone else have any experience w/this gun?
Range Rpt: Kahr CW380
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Oscar Zulu
Member
P380
I have experience with a P380. Similar experience, actually. I put Talon (I believe) stick on rubberized grips which helped quite a bit with controllability. I also added Mugguts springs and followers to all my magazines. The new guts in the mags brought my reliability up to about where yours is now.
A truly light and tiny pistol, with a good trigger. Accurate little gun. Not as reliable as I would like......relagated for carry when I can't carry a gun.
OZ
I have experience with a P380. Similar experience, actually. I put Talon (I believe) stick on rubberized grips which helped quite a bit with controllability. I also added Mugguts springs and followers to all my magazines. The new guts in the mags brought my reliability up to about where yours is now.
A truly light and tiny pistol, with a good trigger. Accurate little gun. Not as reliable as I would like......relagated for carry when I can't carry a gun.
OZ
I have owned four different Kahrs, 2 in .40 and two in 9mm. The .40’s were tough too shoot. The guns were just to small. All were quality firearms and reliable until recoil and mag springs weakened, which was relatively quickly. Around 750 rounds I replaced them and the guns ran fine.
I love their DA triggers, and with judicious polishing they are smooth and easy to shoot. Even easier if you lighten them about 1-2 pounds.
The Kahr manuals suggest a 400-round break-in if I recall correctly. I did not find it took that long for them to loosen up a bit.
The slide not quite getting into battery is a function of overcoming friction. The recoil spring is plenty strong, but the slide grooves for the rails either need to wear in or benefit from polishing. They are tight.
I strongly suggest you use grease on the rails and barrel lock-up points. It is a better high speed/temperature lubricant than oil and it will stay in place. Keep the gun clean. I bet it will run fine for you.
I love their DA triggers, and with judicious polishing they are smooth and easy to shoot. Even easier if you lighten them about 1-2 pounds.
The Kahr manuals suggest a 400-round break-in if I recall correctly. I did not find it took that long for them to loosen up a bit.
The slide not quite getting into battery is a function of overcoming friction. The recoil spring is plenty strong, but the slide grooves for the rails either need to wear in or benefit from polishing. They are tight.
I strongly suggest you use grease on the rails and barrel lock-up points. It is a better high speed/temperature lubricant than oil and it will stay in place. Keep the gun clean. I bet it will run fine for you.
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hardknocks
Member
380
Going by memory 200 round break in and American ammo per kahr.
None of the Kahr handguns I have or had needed any break in.
I have over 3000 rounds in my K9 haven't had a jam or changed any springs. Around 1000 through the PM9 same results.
Have a P380 that would not feed European ammo but I fixed that per the Kahr forum instructions.
The P380 worked perfectly with American ammo, now any ammo works.
Couple guys on kahr forum know some helpful stuff.
They make a pinky extension for the mag that helps with a better grip.
Good luck
Going by memory 200 round break in and American ammo per kahr.
None of the Kahr handguns I have or had needed any break in.
I have over 3000 rounds in my K9 haven't had a jam or changed any springs. Around 1000 through the PM9 same results.
Have a P380 that would not feed European ammo but I fixed that per the Kahr forum instructions.
The P380 worked perfectly with American ammo, now any ammo works.
Couple guys on kahr forum know some helpful stuff.
They make a pinky extension for the mag that helps with a better grip.
Good luck
The CW 380 is a simplified and less expensive version of the very trustworthy P380.
Here are two links. One is from LEO blogger Greg Ellifritz who rates the Kahr highly. The other is from the Kahr forum and compares the P and the CW.
You made a good choice.
The Firearms Manifesto Part Three- A Comparison of .380acp Pocket Pistols | Active Response Training
P380 vs CW380 - what are the actual differences?
Here are two links. One is from LEO blogger Greg Ellifritz who rates the Kahr highly. The other is from the Kahr forum and compares the P and the CW.
You made a good choice.
The Firearms Manifesto Part Three- A Comparison of .380acp Pocket Pistols | Active Response Training
P380 vs CW380 - what are the actual differences?
LVSteve
Member
I have a CW9 and am still learning the trigger. The way it soaks up recoil is uncanny, or so I thought until shooting Walther PPS M2 today. More on that in another thread, later.
The CW9 seems accurate enough for a small gun. What accuracy are you looking/hoping for? I have also fitted Magguts springs and followers to help retain rounds when the magazine is being carried.
Edited to add: I forgot that the CW9 has a longer slide and barrel than the CW380. That probably makes a big difference when aiming.
The CW9 seems accurate enough for a small gun. What accuracy are you looking/hoping for? I have also fitted Magguts springs and followers to help retain rounds when the magazine is being carried.
Edited to add: I forgot that the CW9 has a longer slide and barrel than the CW380. That probably makes a big difference when aiming.
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govt 380
Member
I have a p380, which has been flawless for 150 rounds. However, I'll have to sell it, because frankly I don't have the strength to rack it with confidence. Yes, I know about different techniques, but still too robust for my comfort.
Bill Lear
Member
My P380 started out jamming on almost every feed. I put it away for awhile and when I got it back out it worked perfectly! Not really.
I did all the usual things-ammo,hundreds of shots, nothing worked.
Finally observed the extractor working shells in between barrel and slide by hand and found the problem. The extractor was almost frozen in place. I pulled the spring and spacer rod and saw the coil was too long, so I snipped 1.5 coils and now it works perfectly and feeds everything.
I limit the pistol to standard pressure loads because it's so tiny, though I DID test it with a box of Underwood's 105 grain hard cast +P. Now THAT is a load that rivals the 9mm!
I did all the usual things-ammo,hundreds of shots, nothing worked.
Finally observed the extractor working shells in between barrel and slide by hand and found the problem. The extractor was almost frozen in place. I pulled the spring and spacer rod and saw the coil was too long, so I snipped 1.5 coils and now it works perfectly and feeds everything.
I limit the pistol to standard pressure loads because it's so tiny, though I DID test it with a box of Underwood's 105 grain hard cast +P. Now THAT is a load that rivals the 9mm!
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
That's my problem with the Ruger LCP. I simply don't have the strength in my arthritic hands to rack the slide. If I had to reload or clear a jam in an emergency I'd be screwed.
Too bad. I really wanted to like that little gun.
max503
Member
Sounds about like my Colt Pocketlite. Nice gun but just enough little hiccups for me to not trust it as a carry piece.
However, I have never shot round nose bullets out of my Colt. I plan to try some soon with an eye on reliability.
However, I have never shot round nose bullets out of my Colt. I plan to try some soon with an eye on reliability.
hardknocks
Member
Extractor
6
I shortened the spacer rod and worked the radius ed part of the extractor.
It was so tight it wouldn't grab the European ammo as the base of the brass is thicker.
A well known problem on the Kahr forum.
Kahr should address this maybe.
Regards
6
I shortened the spacer rod and worked the radius ed part of the extractor.
It was so tight it wouldn't grab the European ammo as the base of the brass is thicker.
A well known problem on the Kahr forum.
Kahr should address this maybe.
Regards
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hardknocks
Member
I put another 50 rounds of PPU 95 grain round nose FMJ today. The very first round I loaded, using the slide catch as per factory instructions, failed to go into battery but a slight bump w/my hand solved that. From that point forward the little CW ran w/o a single malfunction, keeping a three inch group @ 21 feet. The three dot sights are easy to acquire and the trigger is pretty smooth. It will take a few more range visits before I’ll consider carrying this but it is growing on me.
Thanks, will do. The PPU was the only thing available in .380 at the range I visited yesterday.
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