New Member - PM45 failure to feed

[kramm]

I have to agree with you on both points. I was using the lever and I was takeing care to make sure my grip was solid. I know that an auto has to have a solid hold on it for it to cycle right.

[astrorat]

Update...

Back from the range again tonight. After the last time out with 100 WWB 230 gr FMJ and no problems, I expected the same this time around...but that was not the case.

After the last outing I cleaned the PM45 and lubed everything. Tonight at the range I shot 60 rounds of the same WWB with 3 failures to feed...or more accurately, the slide locked back after the second or third round had been fired.

I was loading the magazine with 5 rounds, chambering 1 round, replacing the round in the magazine, and then reinserting the magazine.

I shot another 20 rounds of Blazer aluminum 230 gr FMJ without issue.

I am heading to the range again tomorrow for another 100 rounds or so.

Any thoughts on what might be still causing the problem? At least the rounds were not getting stuck in the feed ramp! I am not sure what is going on and I would rather not have to send it back to Kahr again.

Regardless...I still really like this PM-45.

Anyone use a TP-45? I'm tempted to pick one up as a companion to the PM-45.

Lane

[kramm]

My slide would lock open and I found that the slide release lever would move a fraction outward. When I pushed it back in the slide would work. I found some flash( burrs in the slide release hole) and cleaned it out. It stopped locking open after that.

[astrorat]

My slide would lock open and I found that the slide release lever would move a fraction outward. When I pushed it back in the slide would work. I found some flash( burrs in the slide release hole) and cleaned it out. It stopped locking open after that.

Was the flash at the edges of the slide release hole or in the "tunnel" or center of the hole?

What did you use to clean it out?

Lane

[jocko]

my guess with premature slide locking open could be two things. #1 your thumb might be accidently engaging the side lock lever. #2 the slide lock lever might be hitting the rounds inside and throwing them off course.

Easy way to check that is to take the slide off the gun and reinsert the slide lock lever. Now with a loaded magazine insert it and watch to see if the top bullet hits the inside of the slide lock lever, basically wanting to push the lever upward. If so call kahr and ask for IAN and tellhim what is goingon and they wll send you a new slide lock lever. No rounds should touch or engage the slide lock lever-PERIOD

That is IMO the only two things that can cause premature slide locking open. even with a weak side lock spring (that little springont he left side) it shouldnot premature lock open unless a round is pushing the lever upward from the inside. also when you hav ethe slide off and the slide lock lever inserted. give that lever alittle flip upward, it should immediately return downward, if not then indeed you have a bad slide lock spring. (but I just doubt that).

Watch your thumb when shooting, It is very common for a Right hand shooter to hit that slide lock lever and never even know he is doing it. Change your thumb position, but just be aware. You can troulbe shoot this issue by eliminating the possabilities....

I would think if something was wrong that it would do it all the time, which it is not..

[kramm]

The flash was at the edge of the hole next to the slide release spring. I used a small screwdriver from a machined kit of stainless steel standard and philips, I used the smallest one and it took it right out. Looked like the release lever would not fully seat on the spring until I did that. I had no problems with it after that.

[astrorat]

my guess with premature slide locking open could be two things. #1 your thumb might be accidently engaging the side lock lever. #2 the slide lock lever might be hitting the rounds inside and throwing them off course.

Easy way to check that is to take the slide off the gun and reinsert the slide lock lever. Now with a loaded magazine insert it and watch to see if the top bullet hits the inside of the slide lock lever, basically wanting to push the lever upward. If so call kahr and ask for IAN and tellhim what is goingon and they wll send you a new slide lock lever. No rounds should touch or engage the slide lock lever-PERIOD

That is IMO the only two things that can cause premature slide locking open. even with a weak side lock spring (that little springont he left side) it shouldnot premature lock open unless a round is pushing the lever upward from the inside. also when you hav ethe slide off and the slide lock lever inserted. give that lever alittle flip upward, it should immediately return downward, if not then indeed you have a bad slide lock spring. (but I just doubt that).

Watch your thumb when shooting, It is very common for a Right hand shooter to hit that slide lock lever and never even know he is doing it. Change your thumb position, but just be aware. You can troulbe shoot this issue by eliminating the possabilities....

I would think if something was wrong that it would do it all the time, which it is not..

Back from another trip to the range. I shot 80 WWB 230 gr FMJ again. This time I had the slide lock open 4 times. On all but one time, the slide locked open on the third round.

I verified that my thumb was not interfering with the slide stop.

I checked if a round in the magazine was hitting the slide stop and that was not the case.

I also verified that the spring on the slide stop working correctly.

Looks like I need to contact Kahr again. This is frustrating. This is a great little pistol and I really need to be confident that it will work when needed.

Lane

[astrorat]

Talking with Ian, he believes it is a bent slide stop spring. Since the slide locking back occurred after I cleaned the pistol, I must have bent it during reassembly. I didn't think I was that rough with it!

The new spring is on its way from Kahr.

Lane

[Bawanna]

Talking with Ian, he believes it is a bent slide stop spring. Since the slide locking back occurred after I cleaned the pistol, I must have bent it during reassembly. I didn't think I was that rough with it!

The new spring is on its way from Kahr.

Lane

Please keep us posted. Lots of eyes on these things right now and we really want good reports.

[astrorat]

Okay...an update.

The new slide stop spring arrived from Kahr. I noticed when I compared the old spring to the new spring that there was a slightly different shape, so it does appear that the spring was bent.

However, I am continuing to have problems!


Here is what happened:


1. I replaced the slide lock spring as recommended. It does appear that the spring was very slightly bent.
2. I carefully replaced the spring and tightened the screw.
3. I went to the range on Saturday and shot about 70 rounds without a problem.
4. On Sunday, I went to the range and in the following 80 rounds or so, the slide locked open about 7 times.
5. I field stripped the pistol at the range and noticed that the spring was no longer tight and would move slightly if touched.
6. At home I went to snug the screw down again and now the threads appear to be stripped. I did not apply much torque at all so I do not know why the threads would strip (if that is what happened).

This is becoming very frustrating. I have send another email to Kahr to ask what I need to do to get the pistol to work reliably. Geez!


Lane

[kramm]

Astrorat sorry to hear of the problems. I missed if you said you bought it new or used. If new send it back. Call Kahr and let them know whats going on, get a RA # and have them set up for home pick up.
If you got it used you my want to check around for a good Gun Smith in your area. I've heard that the makers are pretty pricey on work.

[DKD]

PM45 FTF & FTE issues

I had a few during my initial break in period, but as I proceeded they became less frequent especiacially after I past the 100 round mark. by the time I reached around 150 round all but one instance of FTE happened and I attributed it to my weaker grip on that stove pipe.
This weekend I ran another 80 rounds and here are the results:

30 rounds FMJ 230 grain FMJ Ball no problems. 25 more rounds of hand loaded 230 grain FM hand loaded with 6.2 gr of hercules Unique powder...no problems in fact they shot much better groups than the factory fodder. Now my 200 round break in was complete, so I ran another 10 rounds in two groups of five consisting of hand loaded 185 grain Golden Sabres HP over 8 grains of Unique powder....flawless with mild recoil and amazing 1" & 1 1/8" groups at seven yards all 10X yep one ragged hole.
lastly I had a broken box of old reloads of 200 grain Semi Wad Wad Cutters so I ran another 25 rounds down range. They too were loaded over 6.2 grains of Unique. Groups were acceptable and only one FTF...just had to bump the slide and it chambered and one FTE stove pipe which was on me in the last magazine due to poor loose grip, on a rather fast five rounds rapid fire string.

All in all a very satisfactory day and break in. Cast lead Wad Cutters are notorious for problem feeding in automatics so no real problem there as far as I am concerned. You do need to get a good strong grip and watch out not to touch the Slide stop with your off hand. As others previously stated you have to be sure that the mags are loaded correctly, last round tip up as well.
My PM45 initailly didn't like the 185 grain HP's as loaded using the slide stop method, however they did hand cycle perfectly and reloaded quite smoothly when under recoil...go figure....I guess the slide energy had somthing to do with that. Keep the piece well lubricated it does aid especially during the break in period. Hope this information helps.

[astrorat]

Back to Kahr it goes

Looks like the PM45 is going back to Kahr for the second time. I'll post when the pistol is returned and report on the fix.

kramm - I bought the pistol new.

Ian has been very helpful. hopefully the problems will get fixed.

Now...there is a nice little black slide PM45 for sale at a local store for just a shade over $700...very tempting.

Lane

[kramm]

Astrorat, that not a bad price. Doe's it have n/s? After I paid for shipping and dealer mark-up I gave 880.00 for mine. Had it in two days from Davidsons.

[astrorat]

kramm-

No, it just has the normal sights. Yep, it sounds like a good price. That is actually less than I paid for my silver-slide PM45.

Lane