Another cracked MK frame (pics)

[DocJohn]

I was cleaning my MK9 elite ‘03 after its second trip to the range and I noticed this...
　
　
　
　

I purchased the pistol (new) from a dealer on 11/2/2012 and I have fired only 250 rounds of Federal 124gr FMJ. Obviously I am very disappointed by this defect.
I have just e-mailed Kahr customer service for a return authorization. I will post an update when I receive a reply from Kahr.

[Bawanna]

Looks like a bad casting. Probably never fail but it isn't right and they will take care of it. I have no doubt.

[DocJohn]

Looks like a bad casting. Probably never fail but it isn't right and they will take care of it. I have no doubt.

That's exactly what I thought. As you said, it will probably never fail, but I'd rather deal with it now while the pistol is still under warranty.

[DocJohn]

UPDATE:

Received an e-mail from Kate at Kahr customer service this AM which included a pre-paid FedEx overnight shipping label. Shipped the pistol at noon today and Kahr should receive it on 1/2/13.

[jocko]

they will take care of it, it willbereplaced with a newframe whic will mean going through a FFL as it willhave to be registered, as the serial numbers willbe different. They probalby should have caught this before it left the quality control area. It happens..

[Redstate]

Good to see that Kahr is taking care of you.

[DocJohn]

I just asked Kahr for a status update on my pistol they received on 1/3/13. They informed me that "We are currently running a 2 week turn around so it should be being seen by gunsmiths shortly and returning to you there after pending no hold ups."

(Hopefully, they will be sending me a new pistol and not current one with the cracked frame).

[quikduk]

That is not bad...considering just coming off a big holiday.

I know you probably used the Macro function on your camera to take those pics but that frame, besides the defective area, looks like manure with the rough "finishing".

I need to really look at mine now because this type of finish is unacceptable imho.

[DocJohn]

That is not bad...considering just coming off a big holiday.

I know you probably used the Macro function on your camera to take those pics but that frame, besides the defective area, looks like manure with the rough "finishing".

I need to really look at mine now because this type of finish is unacceptable imho.

Yes, I did use the "macro" setting on my digital camera, and I used some effective lighting too. The photos are unaltered and really bring out the tool marks and surface defects.
　
However, IMHO while this is sure not "pretty", this is a non-critical area and the tool marks other surface defects should not effect the gun's function. Hopefully Kahr machines and finished their pistols' more critical surfaces to higher tolerances and smoothness.

[DocJohn]

I just got this reply to my latest e-mail to Kahr checking on the status of my returned MK9 elite:

"We are currently waiting on a new frame for this firearm. This week many of our managers, including the head gunsmith have been away at the SHOT show, creating a bit of a slow down for repairs. This will be one of the first things that they handle upon their return early next week. Once we get the new frame and the firearm test fires appropriately, we'll gather FFL information from you and be able to send it back your way."

Looks like I'm getting a (sort of) new MK9 elite soon!
(Now I'll have to break it in all over again)

[MikeyKahr]

Yep, new frame woo hoo! Glad Kahr is treating you right.

[glider]

I would have thought they would have a forged frame

[jocko]

naw

I would have thought they would have a forged frame

not really most all frames are investment castings. nuttin wrong with that process, ..that is what quality control people are there for to to catch this stuff before it goes out the door. Aforged lower would be expensive to make and no guarantees they wold comeout ay better or wose either. IMO>

[DocJohn]

Latest Update (1/31/13):

Well, its been nearly a month since Kahr received my pistol with the cracked frame. With some much appreciated assistance from Bawanna, I was able to get some more information from Kahr as to why it is taking so long to get a replacement for the cracked frame on my (almost still new) MK9 Elite.

It seems that Kahr only produces MK9 Elite frames twice a year, and they do not have any in stock left over from that past years production. They are not sure how long it is going to take for the machine shop to produce my new frame. So I guess I will just have to wait some more.

My thanks to Bawanna for his help with this problem!

[Bongo Boy]

Oh holy crap. Ya think they'd produce TWO extra ones while they were tooled up? I will no longer whine like a baby when I break a little replaceable part.

Having had guns most of my life that were 10, 25, and 50 years old (or older) and never having needed any repairs of any kind, I never considered the importance of maintaining a certain minimum inventory of functioning sidearms.

Now, when spouse wants another piece of furniture and asks, "How many guns do you have?", my answer is fast and sure: just enough to guarantee I have one functioning weapon at all times, and a functioning spare.

Apparently, that's about a dozen handguns, near as I can estimate.