Yesterday I was able to pick up a near-new CT380 here locally. I sold my CW380 because the grip was just too small - but it was 100% reliable thru around 70 rounds. I really like my CM9 - the slide is tough to rack, but not nearly as difficult and it's big enough to get a good grip on it.

I also have a SIG P230SL - the slide is a little tough to rack on it but an order of magnitude (or two!) easier than the CT380. So - here is a Kahr-newbie question: I'm thinking about ordering a spare inner recoil spring from Kahr - then clipping about 1/4 or 1/3 off of the original inner recoil spring. Hopefully that might reduce the gi-normous slide racking effort?

I'm kinda-sorta savvy about semi-autos so I understand this might cause reliability issues and maybe some frame battering. But, this is a pistol that I'm only going to put a box or two through it - then put it into my carry rotation. Is anyone here on Sig Forum Kahr-savvy? Do I have rocks for brains? It'll be easy to reverse by swapping the inner spring back to the original.

For the life of me - I cannot understand why the CT380 is so tightly sprung - given that it's not a blowback...

Edited to add: yes, I'm aware that a lot of folks here prolly consider Kahr's to be one step above Hi-Points. That said, I've had no reliability problems with either the CW380 or CM9...

I would put some rounds downrange and see if it loosens up a bit. If that does not work I would call Kahr and see if they would suggest changing the weight on the spring. Just my two cents. I am assuming you are using a good grip and racking technique.

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I am assuming you are using a good grip and racking technique.

I'm wondering about this too, in particular with such a small gun that has little slide or grip to grasp. Be sure you're using all the mechanical advantage you can get. This site covers slide racking techniques: http://www.corneredcat.com/art...-gun/rack-the-slide/ Don't be put off by its being aimed at women.

Thanks Gents for the good info. I'm just going to leave it alone for a coupla days and let my hands and forearms recover - I have been mucking with it too much the past two days. And, I haven't fired it yet so hopefully it will improve over time. I also appreciate the link on racking techniques - I self-identify as a teenage girl so I wasn't put off at all by it's focus on women ...

Try this: Lock the slide back on your unloaded pistol for a week or so.

I did that on my Browning HI Power 40 cal with the 20# recoil spring and it helped some.

I can only say that the slide of my SIG P238 .380 is easier to rack than any other semi auto that I've ever owned, or fired. I love this little gem.

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Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
I can only say that the slide of my SIG P238 .380 is easier to rack than any other semi auto that I've ever owned, or fired. I love this little gem.

Aye - but there aren't any problems to solve with SIG's - they're so boring! One needs a Kahr, a Hi-Point and maybe even a Davis derringer to help one sharpen one's problem solving skills ...

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Originally posted by GeoJelly:

Edited to add: yes, I'm aware that a lot of folks here prolly consider Kahr's to be one step above Hi-Points. That said, I've had no reliability problems with either the CW380 or CM9...

I'm a bit put off that anyone would compare a Kahr to a Hipoint.
I'm with you that I've never had a problem with any of my Kahrs after the 200 rd break-in.

I like my CM9 so much I had it refinished in Ion-Bond.

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Originally posted by Sunset_Va:
Try this: Lock the slide back on your unloaded pistol for a week or so.

I did that on my Browning HI Power 40 cal with the 20# recoil spring and it helped some.

I did that as well with my Kahr CW380 and it helped a bit.
I've only run 100 rds thru it and need another 100 before I replace my LCP with the CW380.

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Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
I can only say that the slide of my SIG P238 .380 is easier to rack than any other semi auto that I've ever owned, or fired. I love this little gem.

I'm assuming the CT380 is a blow back action like the Sig p232 and Beretta 85/84. The blow backs by design have very stiff recoil springs, whereas the P238, although SAO, is not blow back nor a 1911 action. It is a tilting barrel type action that requires a much lighter spring so racking the slide is much easier.

As already suggested, leave the slide locked back for a couple of weeks and/or shoot the hell out of it. Either or both will tend to lighten up the recoil spring. I definitely would not clip the recoil spring.

CT380 is tilting barrel type action much like a traditional Sig or Glock.
All mine have been a bit tight when new..

No, it is not blowback in operation. One of Kahr’s patents is on their offset locking lug/feedramp barrel design. Rather than placing the trigger bar under the barrel’s lug, the offset feedramp allows the trigger bar to ride alongside the feedramp/lug

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Originally posted by GeoJelly:

Edited to add: yes, I'm aware that a lot of folks here prolly consider Kahr's to be one step above Hi-Points.

Wait, what?

Don't confuse Kahr's slide break-in to Hi-Points slides breaking.

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CT380 is tilting barrel type action much like a traditional Sig or Glock.
All mine have been a bit tight when new..

Okay, I just assumed it was a blow back. I looked up a few reviews and hard to rack is one of the main complaints. Again, I assume this will lighten up some with use, but it seems the spring system is designed to reduce recoil at the expense of a stiff slide. Still, seems like a nice little pistol.

Took it out today and it runs great! OK, truth is I only ran four mags thru it because range time is $20 an hour ... (and I had four other handguns to shoot). I've been keeping the slide locked back each night since I saw that suggestion here. I think it's easier to rack now, but letting my arms rest for a couple of days has also helped. If I had paid 500+ for it then I would be disappointed. I also put a tritium front site on it although it's not ready for carry, yet. For $300, it's now a keeper.

quote:

Originally posted by GeoJelly:
I've been keeping the slide locked back each night since I saw that suggestion here. I think it's easier to rack now, but letting my arms rest for a couple of days has also helped.

You will get a better result by leaving the slide locked back continuously for a week, but it may work as you are doing , but perhaps take longer.