To Strip or not to strip?

[jouesdeveau]

I noticed that there is some disagreement about whether or not we should completely strip the slide of a PM9 (or other similar models).

I would like to hear some opinions on why it's a good idea or why it's not. I'm focused on things like the extractor or the striker assembly. Don't these get fouled up after 500 rounds or so? Are they designed is some way to be "self-cleaning"?

I appreciate any opinions, especially from those who have used Kahrs long enough to see the actual effects of use.

Many thanks in advance.

[Bawanna]

With the little clean out hole on the bottom of the slide you can flush things out pretty well without taking it apart.

That being said I take mine apart (rarely) just to check things out. The first time just to see if anything was left inside from the manufacturing process and to see what it all looked like.

Mine was pristine inside and didn't need anything but I'm a tiny bit smarter for having done so.

I guess the answer is you don't need to take it apart unless there's a problem but it's easy to do if you want to do so. There's good tutorial in the tech section. The Ripley Retention Coat hanger devise is worth making. Trust me on that one.

[Tilos]

jouesdeveau:
That would depend on your comfort level and temperment.

If you have holes in the drywall in your garage from throwing tools, then I'd say no, don't take the slide apart.

Tilos

[muggsy]

No need to fix what ain't broke. If you like to tinker, tinker away. It's a little tricky, but not impossible.

[jocko]

if u

I noticed that there is some disagreement about whether or not we should completely strip the slide of a PM9 (or other similar models).

I would like to hear some opinions on why it's a good idea or why it's not. I'm focused on things like the extractor or the striker assembly. Don't these get fouled up after 500 rounds or so? Are they designed is some way to be "self-cleaning"?

I appreciate any opinions, especially from those who have used Kahrs long enough to see the actual effects of use.

Many thanks in advance.

can pick ur nose and wife ur ass at the same time, then no doubt u can take that slide apart with ease. over on the kahr tech site there is a nice tutorial on taking it apart and some very helpful hints. I have had my PM9 slide downone in over 32Kroundsin oover 5years and that was jus tto install the 5# strier. I use thatlittle cleanout hole every time I clean my kahr. Works forme.YMMV.

[ripley16]

I just took my K9 apart to try to help on another thread, and I was stunned by the amount of brass in bottom of the the striker channel. It does appear that the parts are made to be self cleaning, but gunk can and does accumulate down there. Taking the slide apart is actually pretty easy provided you have the tools that make it easy.

* A set of jewlers screwdrivers is very helpful, especially when depressing the pin behind the rear cover plate.
* IMHO, the Ripley Retractor makes a huge difference, just a coat hanger bent to a shape to compress and hold the striker spring in place while you remove the rear cover plate.
* Eye protection is advised, better safe than blind.

The sticky has the details. Knowing how to do it and having done it a few times, it takes about a minute to remove the parts. The first time, going slow may take several minutes. Cleaning the hole take a bunch of Q-Tips though.

Is it a step that is absolutely necessary to care for your Kahr? I don't know. I suspect you could go many thousands of rounds without. But, that said, once you do it, it isn't all that difficult... provided you have the tools at the ready.

[wyntrout]

"calf cheeks"?? It's nice to see what's in the slide and taking it apart the first time using the instructions and pictures isn't hard. You do have to watch for some of the the springs and bits taking off, but there can be debris from manufacturing or shooting in there that won't blow out with the brake cleaner or whatever... it's educational... just read the discussions and look at the pictures before and as you're doing that... if you decide to strip the slide.

I also use the firing pin hole to blow the channel clean while holding the striker to the rear

Wynn

[OldLincoln]

Sometimes a bit of factory debris is left in the channel and can cause striker issues and the blow out stuff won't necessarily get it all. Once cleaned the blow out hole seems to get it all. So I recommend taking it down once carefully, knowing there are springs there that will launch on you.

[jouesdeveau]

Many thanks to all for your opinions. I decided to take it apart completely.

It might help in cleaning and long-term care. But that doesn't seem to be as important as I used to think. My main reason is just to learn how it works. This is the first gun I've owned that has a striker, not a hammer (OK: I'm an "older" guy!). Sure I can look at multi-colored diagrams showing how they work, but there's nothing like handling the parts and seeing how they all fit together (at least, I sure hope they will!).

Finally, I just like the look of fine craftsmanship, and the PM9 seems to be such an example.

[Tilos]

jd:
Watch this animation:

http://www.genitron.com/Basics/Glock23/P2Glock.html

Tilos

[jouesdeveau]

Thanks, Tilos. Very nice.

[jouesdeveau]

I did it!

I got everything apart. The hardest -part was sliding the "Slide Back" down. One thing that made it easier was using the "Striker Spring Suppression Tool".

I did notice a lot of what seem to be brass flakes (??) down in the striker channel.

Now to put it back together.

Thanks to all!!

[jocko]

once u get that striker channel spiffy clean, just use that little clean out hole on the bottom of the slide and u should not have to visit that arera again. I might be lucky but I have never had my PM9 slide down but one time in 32K rounds nor my K9 in 5-6K rounds other than to just install the 5# striker spring and even then I did not clean out the channel area. I have always used that clean out hole and sprayed the dog piss out of it every time I clean my gun. It is part of my normal cleanig procedure. I seriously doubt if u will ever get any build up once cleaned and then using that clean out hole but YMMV.

[jouesdeveau]

Thanks, Jocko. I saw where that blow out hole goes. Seems ideally placed to avoid excursions into the striker channel.


Got it all back together now.
The most difficult part of getting it back together was holding the Striker Spring and Guide down with "the Tool" while slipping the Slide Back on over the Back Extractor Pin. I took someone's advice and put the entire slide into a large plastic baggie, a good idea since the springs sprung more than once!

[jocko]

My glock has it also, must be a good reason why that hole is there and IMO I think it is to keep one from messing with comnplete slide take down.