New CW45 broke on the very first round fired

[items]

I finally got to the range today with my CW45 that I purchased brand new 2 weeks ago. I did the recommended prep - mostly cleaning and oiling like I do all of my pistols. I racked the slide multiple times with loaded magazines (assorted FMJ and JHP rounds) to make sure they chambered and ejected properly. I did notice that a lot of time the last round would either not eject all the way or not feed all the way - can't say which - but there would be a round kind of jammed cockeyed and I'd have to pull the slide back a bit to remove the magazine and forcibly remove the stuck round. I figured it was due to me not racking the slide hard enough or something. So I brought it to the range today and brought 5 different types of factory ammo to see what it maybe had a preference for. I started off with Lawman 185 grain FMJ to get used to the recoil before moving up to the 230 grain. First round hit the bulls eye at maybe 15 feet but failed to eject - had to drop the magazine and pull the casing out. I though - okay I limp waisted it due to being wary of the recoil or something. But a total of 6 rounds did the exact same thing so looked closely and there seemed to be something missing from where the ejector sits. I looked around on the floor behind my position and found 2 rods, a spring and what appeared to be the ejector. I'm not a gunsmith but picked up the parts, packed up and brought it back to the shop that I purchased it and they said - "Hmm - never seen that before - we'll have to ship it back to Kahr for repair" I asked if that's all they could do since it was brand new and happened on the first shot and they said they can't replace it and have to send it in - and I shouldn't expect to see it for a month!
Needless to say I'm VERY disappointed in the CW45 reliability. I've been shooting since the Army in the 70's and NEVER had anything happen like this. I feel like now I'll have a "used/repaired" gun instead of new and not sure how long it would take me to feel safe with it as it's intended use was - personal carry. Terrible timing too with my time off coming up during the holidays!

[yqtszhj]

There has been the rare occurrence of that happening. Kahr will fix it up and it probably won't take more than a couple of weeks. I had to have a frame replaced and it was about 9 days. You'll be pleased when you get it back.

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Here are some pics of the missing ejector on the slide/frame and the parts that I was able to find

missing ejector


found these on the floor

[CJB]

Wow!

Curious... when you did the prep, did you have the striker out?

[items]

No I've never taken any gun apart more that taking the slide off, and along with that the barrel and spring, clean it up and oil it and put it back together. VERY basic. I wouldn't know how to take the striker out!

[Bawanna]

That's the extractor and if my memory is working at all you found all the parts in the chain.

I suspect the rode behind the extractor wasn't properly oriented on assembly and it just popped out.

It looks like a person could just put it all back together and it would work.
What part of the world you live in? Maybe we got somebody nearby that could help ya.

[items]

The LGS already took it in to send to Kahr. I live in the Tampa Bay Florida area - to the North and West a bit from Tampa. The extractor part looked to have a small hole in the middle (like the firing pin hole looks in size) so I figured another part was missing or broken since nothing that I found would fit through that hole. This shouldn't happen on a new gun let alone on the first shot. I'm very disappointed. I was surprised at the less than anticipated recoil though - and the shots I was able to get off hit on or next to the bullseye

[Bobshouse]

You were very lucky to find all those pieces. That is the complete set. Were you shooting at a gun range or in a operating room?

[CJB]

Coulda been back in commish in 5 minutes flat, or less if you didn't stop to have a coffee in the middle of things.....

[items]

Coulda been back in commish in 5 minutes flat, or less if you didn't stop to have a coffee in the middle of things.....

Really? It seemed like a huge disaster to me. I wasn't even sure that the parts I picked up were from my gun! But still it seems to be a very weak point if that can happen right from the factory - it'll take a long time after I get it back to make me comfortable carrying it for personal protection for may family and myself - if ever.

[muggsy]

I'm surprised that your gun survived the factory test firing. Having the extractor take off for parts unknown isn't unheard of, but it isn't a common problem. Kahr will make it right and it should never happen again. Gun parts can and do fail on occasion and that's why I carry a back-up gun.

[items]

You were very lucky to find all those pieces. That is the complete set. Were you shooting at a gun range or in a operating room?

I found them all behind me within a 2 foot circle - I swear one hit my forehead on the way by! I first thought it was the brass from the round but then thought it couldn't be because it was much too light of a strike. Oh well live and learn. I can put a multi million dollar computer network together and make it work - but not a CW45 I guess

[ppsnatcher]

I'd be disappointed nobody at the shop tried to put it back together for you. That's a very easy fix assuming nothing broke.

[items]

I'd be disappointed nobody at the shop tried to put it back together for you. That's a very easy fix assuming nothing broke.

I'm surprised that it would be such an easy fix considering the consequences if it were in a life and death situation I guess I always figured that it wouldn't be so easy break in the first place. Maybe I've been lucky until now?

[CJB]

Really? It seemed like a huge disaster to me. I wasn't even sure that the parts I picked up were from my gun! But still it seems to be a very weak point if that can happen right from the factory - it'll take a long time after I get it back to make me comfortable carrying it for personal protection for may family and myself - if ever.

Not a huge disaster, just a screw up.

The longer pin has a bevel that rides in the groove of the extractor. Its under TIGHT spring pressure. Think... if it flies out and hits you in the eye, there will be an exit wound with brains on it.... the bevel didn't get aligned right at the factory. The spring pressure was strong enough to hold it for a few shots during test fire at the factory.

Once that bevel's in the groove, it will stay put, no issues ever... ever... on that. Only pistols that have not been assembled correctly ever show that issue.

No need to get any sort of doubting attitude with that problem!