CW-380: 1st round hung up on firing pin when loading.

[erichard]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a0rywb1uz2...0-_W3A2299.jpg

When loading the first round using the slide release as recommended, the first round in the magazine couldn't move up enough to chamber properly because the firing pin was already protruding blocking upward movement as seen in the photo. This just happened, but has happened previously at least once in last couple days. I have cleaned out the striker port with non-chlorinated brake cleaner, as recommended here, tonight previous to having this hang up, so that channel should be clean.

Have others had this happened and if so, what do I do to avoid this happening again?

I was thinking that pin couldn't go forward unless the trigger was pulled due to safeties. Maybe when I was lubing the striker/firing pin safety it didn't pull back sufficiently to let it reset (not that I push it down on purpose)?

There might be a slight nose dive on that round as well (vs moving up the ramp at that initial ramp contact).

Only happens every so often. Using WWB ammo (not the best for this gun I hear). Plan to switch to American Eagle round nose (for practice and break-in) when I run out of these.

[kerby9mm]

When dry firing a Kahr the firing pin can still be sticking out of the breechface but I have observed as slow as possible that the pin retracts before it comes in contact with the base of the round. I tested both my mk9 & mk40 & watched the pin retract before it hits the round. You didn't say if you were firing at the range or loading first round after you dry fired. The simple remedy is to pull the pin back with the slide locked before you drop it on the round.

[Ikeo74]

Your owners manual covers this problem. The slide needs to be taken back off and checked for the correction to fix the problem. Evidently you didn't put it back together right.

[yqtszhj]

What kerby said about the firing pin is correct on how it moves. On the firing pin block, I dont lube because it might attract dirt and cause it to stick. Also I think the pin cant protrude if its actually caught behind the c0cking cam like it should be.

I dont know to what extent you cleaned the slide but you might take it apart fully if you havent already to make sure theres not some kind of junk hung up in the striker channel or the firing pin block. If you do it make sure that you dont let any springs get away from you.

[muggsy]

Watch the video and check the action to see how a Kahr pistol should properly operate when the action is cycled. Note particularly the action of the striker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYRH...e=results_main

[gun papa]

After dry firing, you need to cycle the slide completely prior to attempting to load.

[Ikeo74]

After dry firing, you need to cycle the slide completely prior to attempting to load.

^^^^^^^^^^^
This makes sense and is probably all that needs to be done. Good post, I didn't think of that solution.

[erichard]

Thanks for all the input. I watched the video (had seen one on the glock before, but not the Kahr) and looked over the manual again. I had been dry firing before this happened to practice trigger control.

Ikeo74, I can't find exactly what you're referring to in the manual. I may need the page or more info on what I did wrong.

I tried loading after dry firing again, once having released the trigger before loading, and once loading without releasing the trigger before locking the slide back. They both loaded the first bullet, but there is a difference in how that firing pin behaves. Actually, the firing pin protrudes from the breech face when the slide is locked back only if the trigger has been released prior to loading. If you cock the gun first without the magazine in place, then load the magazine into the gun, then lock the slide back prior to loading the chamber, then the firing pin is retracted from the breech face (in the case where the trigger has not been released) when viewing the breech face prior to pressing the slide release to load the chamber. So, not sure what to make of that with respect to my issue, but I think that's probably normal for the cycling of the gun (or maybe not? dunno). I'm not precisely sure what you mean by "cycle the slide" prior to loading, but the slide was locked back prior to that issue (which I guess is half a cycle.)

With regards to cleaning the gun. It's super clean. No springs lost, and I've cleaned that striker channel more than 5 times with the brake fluid. Initially on the very first lube, I did put some Eezox into the beginning of that channel because in the lube diagram everyone is using, the arrow seems to point there, but later found in a video that the elevated surface next to that little well was the proper surface to lubricate. Eezox apparently turns to a dry lubricant which doesn't attract dirt, so I don't think that caused problems (plus, no dirt is seen when flushing with brake fluid). I haven't disassembled the slide itself, as the manual and a video I watched cautioned against doing that unless I was skilled at that process. I don't get light strikes, so I assumed the striker is functioning well (having shot maybe 125 rounds, cleaning every 30 or so).

In trying to perfect the gun, I've field stripped it maybe 30 times, so it's becoming second nature to me now. Watched several videos on it.

Perhaps that striker/firing pin safety got a little sticky after that particular field strip and lube. Hopefully it doesn't reoccur. Still open to suggestions though.

[topgun1953]

Yes, what others said. This is normal operation. The striker is fully retracted as the slide comes forward. If you notice it, just turn the pistol upside down, and pull the striker back with a finger nail. I have to do this sometimes when I break it down for cleaning.

[erichard]

"The striker is fully retracted as the slide comes forward"

Right, I didn't mention that, but that's the cycle. I can see that when no magazine is in and I move the slide forward slowly. I couldn't verify the actual, precise timing when a bullet is cycled into the chamber, as it happens too fast for me to see.

I'm not clear on the instruction to pull the striker back. You mean pull it back while the slide is disassembled from the gun, right? And what is your intent when doing that, to reset the striker safety or free up the striker in case it's stuck?

BTW, put a few magazines through the gun today, and the firing pin was not an issue. The gun cycled well with the exception of 1 failure to fully chamber the bullet (like 1/8 inch short of full battery). Accuracy is very good with improved sighting and trigger control.

[topgun1953]

"The striker is fully retracted as the slide comes forward"

Right, I didn't mention that, but that's the cycle. I can see that when no magazine is in and I move the slide forward slowly. I couldn't verify the actual, precise timing when a bullet is cycled into the chamber, as it happens too fast for me to see.

I'm not clear on the instruction to pull the striker back. You mean pull it back while the slide is disassembled from the gun, right? And what is your intent when doing that, to reset the striker safety or free up the striker in case it's stuck?

BTW, put a few magazines through the gun today, and the firing pin was not an issue. The gun cycled well with the exception of 1 failure to fully chamber the bullet (like 1/8 inch short of full battery). Accuracy is very good with improved sighting and trigger control.

Lock the slide back. If the pin is protruding just flip the gun over and pull the rear portion of the striker back. No effort required, it just clicks back to the 'rest position'. My intent is to get it from protruding into the breech.

[erichard]

I got you now. Didn't realize you could see the striker with the slide on the gun, but when locked back I see it now (duh.)

If it happens to you (pin protruding), are you considering a malfunction from the gun that you need to correct? If so, what is causing the malfunction?

edit: just tried it after locking slide back after dry firing. The finger trick does pull back the pin. I'm not sure I need to do that every time in that situation or not. Hopefully not. I suspect not.

[kerby9mm]

With the trigger pulled the striker block plate is depressed which as long as the trigger is pulled the striker is free floating because there is no return spring. When firing & the slide going back forcefully then being stopped by the ss pin there is no way the striker pin can be through the breechface.

[topgun1953]

I've only seen it when dry firing. Never had a problem at the range.

[topgun1953]

I've only seen it when dry firing. Never had a problem at the range. It's not a malfunction. As posted earlier, just rack the slide once and the pin will retract.