K9 Slide won't lock open after last shot

[man1nboat]

I recently purchased a used K9, completely cleaned and lubed it, and ran it at the ran it yesterday at the range. Very sweet firing and definitely will be my EDC. No hang-up's of misfires to speak of; however, the slide periodically would not lock open after the last shot. I did purchase a new spare Kahr magazine (7-round flush) and suspect this to be the problem. Thoughts? Thanks!

[ripley16]

Welcome to the forum. The K9 is a sweet pistol.

If it is only an occasional problem, then I suspect you may be hitting the slide release during recoil. Have someone else shoot the last shot to see if it happens to them as well. Watch your thumbs.

I just saw the other post and now realize it's a used K9. Clean the inside of the mag tube too just to make certain the mag isn't the problem. Check the follower to be sure the little metal post is protruding to the left a bit.

[man1nboat]

I am going to the range again and will pay attention to your comment (and a good one). There were no other issues. I am going to mark the mag (upon failure) to see if it's consistent as well. Thanks for your help!

[jocko]

wasthius

I recently purchased a used K9, completely cleaned and lubed it, and ran it at the ran it yesterday at the range. Very sweet firing and definitely will be my EDC. No hang-up's of misfires to speak of; however, the slide periodically would not lock open after the last shot. I did purchase a new spare Kahr magazine (7-round flush) and suspect this to be the problem. Thoughts? Thanks!

a kahr magazine?? what the guys said is about right. testout the thumb thing buy also shootin it left handed and u elimiante the thumb thing, check the magazine spring also to see that it is in correctly, not a strange thing for one to be in backwards. take the slide off, reinstall the slide lock pin and now insert that empby magazine and see if that follower is pickup that slide lock lever..

u need not load 7 rounds to test ouyt either, just load 3 and shoot to see if it locks open etc. I am assumig the original magaaine worked OK then, so IMO it hasto be in that spare magazine, hopefully u bought a kahr magazine.

If so take the guts out of the good workingmagazine and put themin the bad mag tube and test it out, and vice versa. who knows sometimes just moving around identical parts makes a difference.. LET US KNOW.

[man1nboat]

Yes a Kahr magazine (820)... Good news though - I just returned from the range with zero issues! I consciously kept my thumb away and all went well. I absolutely LOVE the K9 especially the trigger. I am dead-on running the beast. I have it matched up with a Compac MTAC Minotaur IWB holster, gun belt and am running silent. I shoot the K9 better than the Shield for what it's worth and only four ounces heavier too. I knew this was the right choice. Thanks guys!

[xsailer]

Glad it turned out good for you. I'm jealous of your K9 buy.

[man1nboat]

Thanks... I just ordered the K9 Spring Maintenance Kit, Stainless Steel Guide Rod, Soft Polymer Grips and Gun Case with Foam Cut Out. Wasn't too sure about the guide rod purchase but did it anyway. Eve though it runs great my thought is that the springs do wear out and the grips would be nice to replace. Anyone care to chime in on whether the guide rod was a good purchase or a waste of time? Thank for the discussion!

[ripley16]

It's always a good idea to replace at least the recoil spring on a newly acquired pistol. IMHO the SS guide rod adds little more than aesthetic improvement. If you really want to add a game changer to your K9 then I suggest you look at the Crimson Trace products. The laser is a high quality product that adds little weight or other change in shooting quality.

This is my second K9. It's been a real jewel. It came with Mepro NS, CT laser grips and a factory installed elite trigger.

[man1nboat]

Sweet driver :-)

[Modeler]

I had a similar issue the other day at the range, on Kahr magazines there is a small metal protrusion on the follower that activates the slide lock lever upward and locks it open after the last round. One magazine was having consistent trouble with, upon inspection the little metal protrusion was worn down. I'll be picking up a new follower soon to fix it.

It's probably worth looking at on used magazines

[jocko]

very strange for that little metqal thing to be worn down. It does nadda. what contact it makesis not anything to produce a worn tab IO. More than likely it was just a bad follower. Or maybe if the gun was bought used someone screwed with the slide lock lever and did some filing on that nub that engages the fllower. Good idea to start first with a new follower.

[FLBri]

another occasional Kahr issue I have encountered is that the feed ramp can be slightly long. You can cycle a magazine by hand over and over to perfection, but when you shoot it it won't lock back on empty. The explosion causes the end of the feed ramp to knock the magazine to the right (from behind) and disengage the metal protrusion from the slide stop. This can be intermittent.

This has happened on two steel Kahrs of mine and this was verified and adjusted by Jay at CS. He took a hair off the end of the ramp and all has been well since.

If you are handy, and brave, it wouldn't be difficult to do yourself, if this is your problem. When the slide does not lock back, pull the slide back and shine a light at the follower where it contacts the slide stop. If it is forced to the side, consider this issue. If it is engaged but not locking back, it's probably a spring tension issue.

Good luck