[jocko]

My P380 of late started to not want to lock open on the last round, Nothing had changed to my knowledge. Of my 3 magazines only `1 would lock open with any consistency. I put new kahr springs in and stillthe other two would not lock open. And they worked in the past OK. so go figure.

So here is what I did to solve my issue and I am just passing this on as a tip incase anyone is having this issue or is thinking about buying new magazine springs also.

I ordered the wolffs gunsprings. the 10% extra strength magazine springs that they have listed for the Kel tec 380. as the magazine are basicalay the exact same size .

THEY WORK PERFECTLY in all 3 magazine. Locks open every time, like it should.

I would suggest if you buy magazine sprigns go to the 10% extra strength springs, as that additional power will certainly help workt hat slide lock lever alot better on the last round.

Just my 2 cents . YMMV

 

[P7]

jocko: As always, you provide helpful adice. Thanks.

 

[jfwandrn]

Jocko
I've recently been having a problem with my slide locking open when I still have 3 or 4 shells left in the magazine. Do you think the heavier magazine springs would solve the problem? Or, what would you suggest?

Thanks

Jack

 

[jocko]

Jocko
I've recently been having a problem with my slide locking open when I still have 3 or 4 shells left in the magazine. Do you think the heavier magazine springs would solve the problem? Or, what would you suggest?

Thanks

Jack

no... only a couple of things can cause pre mature slide locking open.
#1 your thumb is hitting the slide lock lever and u don't realize it. change thumb positions to test that out, and just be more aware of that in ur testing.
#2. the top round is hitting the inside of the slide lock lever and causing premature slide locking open. A easy way to test that out is to remove the slide and then reinsert the slide stop lever and now insert a fully loaded magazine and watch the left side of that round and see if it is hitting the inside of the slide stop lever. If it is, call kahr and get a new slide stop lever. they will send u one free. Also Ihave found that some rounds are more prone to hit the insdie of that slide stop lever. I have issues with the 102 grain golden sabre, so I just don't mess with um anymore. I have went to the corbon power ball and never had one issues.
#3 a rarity but you could have a week slide lock spring in that the slightest touch with your thumb or evn the round brushing by the follower as it goes into the chamber might be raising that slide stop enough to pre engage.

If so, just tweek that little spring tip downward a hair with long nose pliers. there should be no play in that slide stop lever and the spring. It should always want to be pulling the slide stop lever down, never upward. If you have any upward play before the spring starts to take hold to pull it down, then that is enough to also get what you are having. you can'thurt it by tweekign it either. Leave it on the gun, don't take that spring off if at all possable, as that hold down screw (#5 torx tool required) actually screws into the polymer and taken out to many times just is asking for trouble to strip that screw out in the polymer. I have 25,800 round sout of my PM9 and hav enever touched that little springy thing either..

The 10% heavier magazine springs just insure better slide locking open as the only thing that locks that slide open on the last round is the follower picking up that slide lock lever on the inside and sometimes the factory springs get alittle weak on that last round, as full expansion has taken place. Now the 10% extra strength just gives that follower on the last round that addtional speed and strenght to lock open. It is all about timing...

 

[jfwandrn]

Thanks Jocko. I just checked and the top round is not touching the slide stop. I'm a little gun shy (No pun intended) about this gun since I got it back from Kahr. Remember, this is the one that they had the wrong slide stop screw in place and I'm fearful that may have screwed up how well the current slide stop spring / screw stays in place. I haven't detected any looseness, but who knows. I had put over 300 rounds through it since I got it back and it was fine. It's just been the last 50 or so rounds that it locked open 4 times on me. I'll pay more attention to my grip and see if that will take care of it.

Thanks again

Jack

 

[jocko]

Thanks Jocko. I just checked and the top round is not touching the slide stop. I'm a little gun shy (No pun intended) about this gun since I got it back from Kahr. Remember, this is the one that they had the wrong slide stop screw in place and I'm fearful that may have screwed up how well the current slide stop spring / screw stays in place. I haven't detected any looseness, but who knows. I had put over 300 rounds through it since I got it back and it was fine. It's just been the last 50 or so rounds that it locked open 4 times on me. I'll pay more attention to my grip and see if that will take care of it.

Thanks again

Jack

My bet is now on ur thumb doingthe slide locking...