PM9 Locked Slide Problem -- pics of why

[deadhead1971]

shot these with no issues--

Speer Gold Dots HP (124 gr and 124 gr +P short barrel)
Federal Hydra-Shok 124 grain hp
Pow'r Ball 100 grain +P
some cheap winchester personal defense stuff 147 grain hp

I have never tried Golden Sabre but they do look too long.

[zx5go]

Seems like we're running at least part of this conversation in two threads. The other conversation is here http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6047&page=3

I emailed my picture and explanation to Kahr and had a response back in only a matter of minutes. Jay understood my description of the problem and offered to send a new slide stop or stated I could send the entire pistol back for them to correct the situation. I took the first option, new slide stop, as a starting point. I did indicate to Jay that there were a couple of threads on this forum with other users having the issue. Very quick and professional response that addressed the issue and did not attempt to lay blame on a certain brand of ammo...just what I expect from a top notch company.

[jocko]

nice response, Keep his email and if u need to send it back you have their statement telling u so. I do think NOW that I would take a fine file to that nub on the slide lock lever and rework it yourself, as u have anew back up in the mail. It is a win win for you. Wouldn't be the first slide lock lever that has had to be reworked and I mean for many other brands also. As long as that metal insert in the magazine follower picks up that slide stop lever properly, then you can relieave that nub a tad. With an empty magazine inserted u can see very easily what needs to be done..Keep; us posted...

[wyntrout]

Take a loaded 9mm magazine and chamber a round. Then remove the magazine and look at the top round. It's usually pulled forward a bit and can strike the slide lock actuator in the next couple of rounds. Just checking with the rounds all the way to the rear doesn't cover this. The 9mm is really prone to this and especially with the 7-round magazine.

Wynn

[Lobo_79]

Anyone successfully shoot 147gr PD ammo in one of these?

Carl

I've cycled a lot of 147 gr JHP (Golden Sabers) through my PM9 without a problem. I was curious as to whether or not the gun would handle this round. So, from a sample size of one, I'd say they work fine.

[CarlCyrus]

Sent an e-mail with links to the threads here and lots of pics. Jay replied and they are sending me a new slide-lock.

Can't wait to test it out.

Carl

[Speedy]

Take a loaded 9mm magazine and chamber a round. Then remove the magazine and look at the top round. It's usually pulled forward a bit and can strike the slide lock actuator in the next couple of rounds. Just checking with the rounds all the way to the rear doesn't cover this. The 9mm is really prone to this and especially with the 7-round magazine.

Wynn

My MK9 is locking the slide with rounds still in the magazine
I think this is the problem Im having. This combined with the fact that the top round is usually loose in the mag (it has play and can be wiggled to the right or left).
I took a fully loaded mag and pushed the bullet all the way left,
inserted it in the gun with no slide,
and it grazes the slide stop most of the time!
Any thoughts Wynn?
(i'm waiting on some new slide stop lever springs to see if tightening it up will solve that problem)

[BuckeyeBlast]

Well, I again took off more metal from my slide stop on my P380. If I take any more off, the mag follower won't engage. It looks like it'll be OK from cycling at home, we'll see how it performs with live fire. Frustrating to have these problems with a higher-end, self-defense firearm.

[jocko]

I am sure pushing the bullet to the left acncause what your saying, Not sure that when a loaded maagaizne is inserted that that is the case though. the top round in kahr magazines are not as tight as someother gum makers mags are. I do feel it is that way be design. Rounds should not be hitting the sldie stop lever PERIOD Get a new slide stop if they are, then whiddle back the original one to get the clearance u need. Some rounds in some kahrs for some strange reason just don't do well as other might. My adive is with all the great defense rounds out there, just find the one good round that does what you want and be done with it. Gun makes make guns, ammo makers make ammo, sometimes the two just don't mate up right . We tend to blame the gun and maybe not the round, or we blame the round and not the gun. If one feels a gun should shoot every round made, I think they could be wrong there. A good case in point is the Rohrbagu R9, one very very expensive pocket rocket, well over a grand. They tell you what ammo to shoot even and it ain't gonna shoot 147 grain ammo either. My P380 was ot very friendly to 102 gr golden sabre ammo, so I just went to something else. I think maybe I could have dicked with it and got it reliabe but then I just never trusted the gun with that one round, or should have I said I never trusted that round in that gun..

[Speedy]

frustrating to have these problems with a higher-end, self-defense firearm.

agreed!

[Speedy]

Jocko, i agree the problem COULD be the ammo, BUT i tried several different brands, grains, jhp, fmj, and it has the same problem with all of them.
point is, if all it takes is a little pressure to push the top round of a mag to the left, whats to keep the rest from jumping out of place. I talked with the kahr tech (Ian) and he DID say it was by design.

so...I'm gonna try and tighten up the spring 1st,
if that doesnt help, i'll order a new slide stop and start filing. What a PITA!

as for sorry ammo makers....Im remind of the ole sayin'..... "i once put a rock in my glock and it shot it" haha

[jocko]

yes indeed just ask the Indiana state police about their 1200 G22 thaty bought and had so many issues with them that Glock finally stepped in and replaced every one of them with G17. Same thing with Illinois state police, So try sticking a rock in those and making them go bang. I had a Para carry 9 that had to have 3 slide stop levers before it got right. It just happens, not good when it happens to you or me but it happens. If u love the gun enough to feel it is worth the effort to make it right, then stick with it, if you have lost all faith in it PEDDLE IT amd move to what pleases u. To many other good guns out there to let one get anyone down, no matter what brand. I know glocks are great guns, sold um for years to. I own a G19 and love it but just go to a glock history and see all the internal changes they have made over the years to. They didn't make those changes because they felt like it. Glock are probalby one of the most non problemantic guns out there IMO, but lets fool ourselves into the false perception that glocks don't give isssues, They certaintly do. I just named two major LEO divisions that had issues enough to return them all for something else. If a glock will shoot a rock, then I'm sold for sure. Count me in for 10 of that madel.. Ihave a back yard full of rocks and just think of all the money I can save to.

[Speedy]

Thats true, with ammo prices on the rise, a rock shooter doesnt sound half bad.
Or how bout some shotgun shells with rocks in 'em? lol

In all seriousness, i have lost all faith in my mk as far as daily carry. Now i'm carrying either the K9 or the G19.
But i have not given up on the little gun yet. I will try to see if I can get it running right cuz i do like the MK a lot.

[Bawanna]

Thats true, with ammo prices on the rise, a rock shooter doesnt sound half bad.
Or how bout some shotgun shells with rocks in 'em? lol

In all seriousness, i have lost all faith in my mk as far as daily carry. Now i'm carrying either the K9 or the G19.
But i have not given up on the little gun yet. I will try to see if I can get it running right cuz i do like the MK a lot.

Stick with it, it's a great gun, but if you lose all hope let me know. If it's a GC serial number I want it if I can come up with enough marbles that is.

It'll make a perfect grip model..............................

[Speedy]

It is a GC. But im pretty persistant, and im sure i'll get it up and running.
But that is good to know just in case