Questions on FTF

[jocko]

jocko, it was the mag release that sheared off at the slot where the spring retaining screw locks the mag release into the frame.

I have the 2 original mags (6 & 7 rounds) and bought 2 more 6 rounds (Kahr brand) and none dropped freely, so I squeezed them to allow free drop. I don't hold out much hope for the next set of new mags to drop free, I just hope that they solve the premature slide lock back issue.

OK, I gotcha, I was thinking of the slide lock release. even what you had happen is so so rare. not sure even if I have ever readof this before. What u can do when you get the new mags is to take the grips off and see how they work. you should be able to see then if and where it is rubbing . Bawanna had a good point about the grip screws, Just very strange for a stell kahr to not dropmags freely..

The premature slide locking back, if it happens two things to try. let another shooter try it, and they also try shooting it left handed. Keep us posted also.

[at_liberty]

I wonder if this is another case of the slide lock being inserted on top of the spring instead of under it. We know that causes premature slide locks and it could set up a damaging collision of parts when the gun fires. Just a hunch for something to check.

[jgedmond]

Thanks for the suggestion, but slide lock spring is on top. What appears to be happening is that the round below the one fed into the chamber is sliding forward far enough to activate the slide lock. I think it is from messing with the magazines in an effort to get them to drop freely (see above).

[jocko]

if

Thanks for the suggestion, but slide lock spring is on top. What appears to be happening is that the round below the one fed into the chamber is sliding forward far enough to activate the slide lock. I think it is from messing with the magazines in an effort to get them to drop freely (see above).

the new mags don't solve that issue, call kahr and ask for a new slide stop lever. Yours could be out of spec a tad and you would not be able to see it.

Easy check: take the slide off, reinsert the slide lock lever and then insert a loaded magazine and watch on the inside what that top round is doing on the left side. It if is pushingup that slide stop lever evn in the slightest, get another slide stop lever. They should not touch the slide stop lever.

[jgedmond]

the new mags don't solve that issue, call kahr and ask for a new slide stop lever. Yours could be out of spec a tad and you would not be able to see it.

Easy check: take the slide off, reinsert the slide lock lever and then insert a loaded magazine and watch on the inside what that top round is doing on the left side. It if is pushingup that slide stop lever evn in the slightest, get another slide stop lever. They should not touch the slide stop lever.

I got the mags and mag release on the way, but am out of town for awhile. I will report back in a few weeks when I get a chance to test everything again.

[jgedmond]

Followup to last post. I tested everything with brand new mags and still the slide locked back with rounds in the magazine. Boxed it up and sent back to Kahr just before the July 4th (July 2) holiday and received it back on July 8! Needless to say, I was very impressed with the fast turnaround. They replaced the slide lock spring and polished the slide lock. They ignored the issue about mags not dropping freely. Tested at the range again today and nothing has changed, slide still locks back with rounds in the magazine. I have 6 mags and shot each twice with 5 rounds. Every mag locked back at least once and several multiple times during the tests. A couple of mags did not lock back when empty. I am a very unhappy camper and will be reading Kahr the riot act on Monday. They need to fix this gun or replace it without further expense to me for shipping it back.

[jgedmond]

It's been awhile since I updated this thread due to vacation, sending gun back to Kahr, etc. Kahr "polished" the slide stop and replaced the slide stop spring. Upon return, I used American Eagle and Speer GDHP to test function. Ian said that these were what they had in the range at the time my gun was test fired after the repairs.

Well, 2 of 60 rounds of American Eagle 124 caused the slide to lock back in the middle of a magazine as did 3 of 28 Speer GDHPs. This was using 4 different, brand-new Kahr magazines. Several times the slide did not lock back when the magazine was empty.

I have 3 other 9mm handguns (2 HKs and a Taurus) that have more rounds through them than the MK9, they never lock back prematurely, always lock back on an empty mag, and drop their mags freely.

I guess I'll be calling Kahr again on Monday. I'm beginning to think that this will be my first and last Kahr product. It is very frustrating to spend more time trying to make the gun work than shooting it.

[Jim K]

JG,

I hope you get your pistol working and share the fix with us. I'm sorry that you are having so much trouble but sometimes the experience can save someone else alot of grief.

I think that Kahr owes you a pistol that works 100% without multiple (any)trips back to the mother ship. They also owe you a clear explaination for the problem, not "more rounds down range".

My Kahr serves me well after a whole bunch of grief but it is like getting back together with a girl friend from a failed relationship. It's not the same. The new girl is much better.

A pistol is not so complicated that it should have "teething problems" like you are having.

Kahr is better than this and I hope you hold their toes to the fire. Just my opinion.



Good luck, Jim K.

[jgedmond]

Jim K, thanks for your thoughts, I agree. Coincidentally, I just talked to (the new) Ian at Kahr this afternoon. His contention is that basically I must be allowing the gun to move too much which does not allow the slide to cycle and operate properly. I do not believe this to be the case, since my last test was done seated in a chair at a table using a rest.

The only option that I have left is to sell the gun. Even if Ian is correct, it is not worth learning a new way to shoot this particular gun when I have four other that I can operate just fine. Too bad; I really like the size, style, and CCW capabilities of this gun, but it is just not reliable for me or my wife.

[Jim K]

The fact that the slide moves back far enough to lock makes me question the "moving around" thing. Something is making the slide lock move.

We've discussed bullet interference with the slide stop, slide stop spring, and gripping the pistol with the opposite hand. We're missing something.
If the bullets are interfering with the slide stop then we have not figured out why.

It's tough to do transcontinental troubleshooting and I don't claim to have all the answers but I am sure I am not alone in my curiosity about this problem.

Good luck, Jim K.

[OldLincoln]

I wonder if that's why the first guy sold it to you. He may have tried it and failed but put it in the safe rather than deal with it at the time. I hate to see a problem gun just get passed around and each new owner becomes jaded at Kahr.

Seems by now they would replace all parts to see if it was fixed, and shoot at least 100rds to test it. This polish something is obviously a failed response and too many folks get that repair for just about any problem reported.

I really like my PM9 but decided to also carry my dad's Colt 45 instead of trying to get a PM45. Maybe someday Kahr will turn this "good gun/bad gun" thing around.

[frank_drebin]

I just bought a used CW40 for about 1/2 what they go for new because the owner complained of a similar problem. When I got it home I found the slide stop spring bent at a 90 degree angle. I straightened it and went shooting. 150 flawless rounds..... Not bad for $200

[Bawanna]

Not bad at all. A little trouble shooting, some minor effort and you turned a junker that aggravated one man into another mans keeper.

Good for you dude!

[frank_drebin]

I've gotten more guns that way. I bought my XD9 at a local pawn shop. The guy said he'd give it to me for $225 because it was misfeeding. I pulled the mag, it was a 40sw mag, offered him $200 and walked out with it. Funny thing is, I went in a few days later and asked if they had any XD mags and traded the 40sw mag even for a 9mm mag.

[jgedmond]

So who wants to buy my MK9 project gun with Meprolight night sights, 6 mags, two holsters?