PM9 feed issue

[jocko]

BUCKEYE FAN; about the only two things that can cause premature slide lock opening isL
#1 your thumb is accidently hitting the slide lock lever and engaging it and you don't know it. It is very common. try shooting it left handed, or change your thumb postion, or let another shooter try it.
#2. Take your slide off the gun and reinsert the slide stop lever, now insert slowly a loaded magazine and view from the top and see if that top round is hitting the inside of the slide stop lever and actually pushing it upward. That is a NO NO. Call kahr and explain and they will send u a new slide stop lever.

Those are about the only two things that can cause what your having. All those defense rounds will and should work perfect in ur kahr. Kahrs are not ammo sensitive IMO.

You state some FTF, failure to feed, this could be, from a tired shooter, or the gun wanting to turn in ur grip causing the gun to not function properly. A gun and the shooter must both mate up to get reliable. If the shooter does his part,normally the gun will just follow along to. Keep an eye on your grip, consciously anyhow. try to eliminate things that definitely can be seen and tested out.

[Buckeye Fan]

Thanks Jocko and Deadhead. The feed ramp on mine is baby-butt smooth and as shiny as my almost bald head.... like a mirror! I'm pretty sure it's not the feed ramp though because the rounds aren't jamming or getting stuck on the ramp..rather they're not even getting pushed forward because the slide is locking back. That was my definition of an FTF...not in the true sense of a jam.

Jocko, I did what you said and the rounds are ever so close to touching the angled "tab" on the inside of the lock lever. I mean, like human hair close and if I put any external pressure with my thumb on the lever from the outside it does move it enough to make it touch the bullet. Also, following that logic, I can see how my grip with my thumb basically resting on the lever could indeed cause it to move during recoil. I think you're on to something!

Even when the bullet comes up perfectly straight it is still almost touching the lever tab so if a round feeds up slighty crooked, I can see where it would indeed contact the inner tab on the lever. Even when it touches the tab though, there is quite a bit of spring pressure for the bullet to have to overcome on the lever to push it upwards but You think it could be doing that?

Which begs the next question, is it normal for the bullet to be that close to the lever tab? I think it may be that and/or my thumb pressing in on the lever during recoil as I am pretty sure I was resting my thumb on or just below the lever.

[Vinikahr]

Triple thread match?

[Buckeye Fan]

Woah! Not sure how that happened! And they're an hour or so apart? I deleted the other two. Huh? Sorry!

[jeepster09]

Thanks for all the GOOD feedback.

[PigButtons]

Triple thread match?

Yea, I think the sear on his keyboard is failing to disengage leading to full automatic until the mag is empty.

[Buckeye Fan]

Well I think it was all me, or at least my thumb causing the slide lock issue. I've since shot 300 more flawless rounds being consciously aware of keeping my thumbs away from the slide lock lever. Why do they need make that think so obtrusive? Anyway, I think I got it figured out so thanks everyone for the help. (I hope this doesn't post three time like the last one). :-)

[jocko]

yes

it is normal. some might 4e

Thanks Jocko and Deadhead. The feed ramp on mine is baby-butt smooth and as shiny as my almost bald head.... like a mirror! I'm pretty sure it's not the feed ramp though because the rounds aren't jamming or getting stuck on the ramp..rather they're not even getting pushed forward because the slide is locking back. That was my definition of an FTF...not in the true sense of a jam.

Jocko, I did what you said and the rounds are ever so close to touching the angled "tab" on the inside of the lock lever. I mean, like human hair close and if I put any external pressure with my thumb on the lever from the outside it does move it enough to make it touch the bullet. Also, following that logic, I can see how my grip with my thumb basically resting on the lever could indeed cause it to move during recoil. I think you're on to something!

Even when the bullet comes up perfectly straight it is still almost touching the lever tab so if a round feeds up slighty crooked, I can see where it would indeed contact the inner tab on the lever. Even when it touches the tab though, there is quite a bit of spring pressure for the bullet to have to overcome on the lever to push it upwards but You think it could be doing that?

Which begs the next question, is it normal for the bullet to be that close to the lever tab? I think it may be that and/or my thumb pressing in on the lever during recoil as I am pretty sure I was resting my thumb on or just below the lever.

yes it is normal, and some roundsmight even brush that notch as it comes up in the magazine. That is OK. close is OK though, and I think you solvedyour issue anyhow with the thumb thing.

Take a dremel and just contour that slide lock lever. refer to Jocko's custom PM9 on ths forum and see my mod to the slide lock lever. I being a lefty never incur what u righties might incur but I want to modify that slide lock lever. It took me maybe 15 minutes from start to finish. Some just angle the bottom of the lever or reduce it some and also the end of the lever. I just contoured it all around as u can see..

[Buckeye Fan]

Hey thanks Jocko.....cool mod work too. Only problem I would have is mine is all black so if I start grinding away on the lock lever it's going to remove the bluing. Then it'll look like i hacked it up with a dremel for sure! Don't think the sharpie touch up will hold up!!! Unless there's an easier way to refinish the black finish that I don't know about.

[jocko]

Mine was

Hey thanks Jocko.....cool mod work too. Only problem I would have is mine is all black so if I start grinding away on the lock lever it's going to remove the bluing. Then it'll look like i hacked it up with a dremel for sure! Don't think the sharpie touch up will hold up!!! Unless there's an easier way to refinish the black finish that I don't know about.

originally black also, I just left it with the matt stainless finish but Birchwood Blue will make it look original. I did that on the right side of the pin where it protruded out and I modifed it flush with the frame. It looks like the trigger pin now...

anyway just a suggestion. that wouldhelp eliminate hitting that slide lever. Probably changing your thumb grip/position a tad will take care of it also.

[unclenunzie]

Hey thanks Jocko.....cool mod work too. Only problem I would have is mine is all black so if I start grinding away on the lock lever it's going to remove the bluing. Then it'll look like i hacked it up with a dremel for sure! Don't think the sharpie touch up will hold up!!! Unless there's an easier way to refinish the black finish that I don't know about.

Glad you found the issue and a way to avoid it. You could order a slide stop from Kahr and modify that one, try something other than sharpie, etc.. or even use a stainless one for a kind of two tone effect

[Buckeye Fan]

Thanks for a advice fellas. I think for now I'm just going to be more aware of where my thumbs are and see how it works. If it continues to be an issue I will probably order another stop lever and mod it. Thanks!

[xzhync]

I've only had problems with that darn 7-round mag with the extended grip. It shoots 4 then the last three hang up toward the front of the mag and nosed too low to be stripped off in the chambering process.
For pocket carry, check my posts on the Tactical Kydex mag holders. Mitchell has been making those for $16 a pair, including shipping. You can order a pair and cut off the clip per my instructions and you have an adjustable-tension holder for pocket carry -- can't beat the price. I wouldn't even think of putting a mag into one of those velcroed pouches. You need access with one hand while you're keeping an eye on the threat and using available cover -- not fumbling with the pouch. You can adjust the retention and practice getting the magazine free with one hand and your magazine will be protected in your pocket with all of the rounds where you left them.
Wynn

http://kahrtalk.com/holsters-gear/99...html#post14370

I just started having a similar problem to the one described by Wyntrout with my PM9. My problem, however is with the 6 round mag. I am getting FTF's (nose diving) in the middle of a mag. All of a sudden, after firing a shot, the slide will be open and I notice that the round is jammed up against the feed ramp, in a nose dive position. I know that this problem has been discussed regarding the first round of a mag, but this just started happening in the middle of a mag. I have already put close to 1000 rounds through the gun and most of the time there were no problems. I have had several different barrels due to flaking, but this latest barrel seems fine. Not sure why it is jamming in the middle of a mag. If I tap (hard) on the back of the slide it will go into battery, but this shouldn't be happening. I had a couple of isolated situations with the 7 round mag, but the 6 had been perfect. Recently, I changed out the spring to the Wolff 5% stronger version. Strangely (but not necessarily related) the problem started after I put in the new/stronger spring. Yesterday, I went to the range I shot 150 rounds of Federal FMJ ammo without a problem. I decided to run a couple of mags of SD ammo (new Winchester Supreme Elite PDX1, 124 +P and had the first FTF in the middle of the first mag. Last night I cleaned the pistol thoroughly. I had previously polished the feed ramp (not that it need it), but I polished it again last night. Today, I went to the range with a couple of boxes of various SD ammo (Gold Dots, Federal) and had a FTF on just about every mag. I even changed out the barrel in the middle of my session (Kahr let me keep the last "flaking" barrel) and had the same issue with that barrel as well. This lends me to believe that the problem is not related to the barrel or feed ramp. The problem only occured on the 6 round mag, however. The 7 round mag didn't cause any jams. Could the stronger spring cause the problem? I put new Wolff springs on the 7 round mag as well, but it isn't currently having this problem. Again, I shot 150 rounds of FMJ without a problem before the problem started with SD Ammo. I can recreate the problem manually by riding the slide when racking a full 7 round mag (with one already in the chamber), but in racking through the entire mag, I can't make it happen, so it is even stranger that it is happing while shooting the pistol (where the recoil spring should be at full strength. How about "light strikes"? Could that cause this problem? Maybe with a light strike the slide isn't coming back very strongly (almost like riding the slide)? I am just throwing out theories.

Any thoughts? Jocko? Anyone? I may end up calling Kahr, but I am hoping (with someone's help) I can figure this out and avoid having to get Kahr involved.

[G26ster]

I'd shoot a bunch of the SD ammo ONLY out of the 7 rd mag for a test. If all goes well, the problem is the 6 rd mag and not the pistol. SD ammo is more prone to this type issues than FMJ.

[javaJoe]

Me too! With 5 or fewer rounds in the mag no problem - 100% first round feeds. I also get 100% feeds when the gun is pristine clean with a full mag. After about 21 rounds down range it sometime takes two tries. After initial try I'll sling the slide and it will go to batter

Any thoughts about switching to ProMag magazine. Saw a youtube that recommended them.