rampectomy done CM9 barrel

[S281]

Well, i decided to take care of my broken follower issue myself. I didnt want to send in the gun to Kahr for something simple, so i decided to perform the rampectomy myself. I was surprised at how much i had to take off to clear the feed ramp from touching the follower on the mags. But its now clear and hopefully i can get to the range soon and make sure it still runs flawlessly as before. Here are some pics of the completed project:

I ended up taking a dremel with sandpaper wheel and through trial and error, had to touch it up 3 times or so, only about 10 min. Then hand sanded with 150 grit, 250 grit, and last 1000 grit sand paper. I think it turned out nice.

[OldLincoln]

Looks good. If you haven't, consider polishing the top of the chamber as the bullet nose depends on slipping on that to bring up the rim. Makes a difference on defensive rounds like HST.

[CB3]

As long as you are adventurous enough to do this simple procedure, go all the way.

1000 grit is abrasive and leaves scratches, although very minor. Even then, direction of movement of the paper should be up and down the ramp, toward the chamber.

While what you have is shiny, it's not really "polished" IMO until under magnification you cannot see any scratches. I follow up with a metal polishing compound such as Flit or a jewelers rouge on a soft #422 felt polishing Dremel tip with water. Do polish the chamber also, especially the top. You will notice a difference. Because of the rotary action of the polishing tip, if your scratches are longitudinal heading toward the chamber, the 90 degree cross polishing will flatten them quickly.

I polish every mating metal surface including:

*the barrel lug (inside and out)
*the slide stop where it engages the barrel lug
*the slide rail grooves (a cut credit card with 1000 grit wrapped around it)
*cocking cam and striker block
*striker and striker channel
*the front opening of the slide through which the barrel protrudes
*etc.

This is really no harder to do and it will make a noticeable difference in trigger feel and make the action of the gun even smoother. Don't change any of the geometry, especially of fire control parts. Just polish.

I then clean everything thoroughly with hot soapy water, rinse and dry. I heat the oven up to 170 degrees, coat all the parts with a metal impregnating lube like Militec-1 and bake for 15 minutes on a cookie sheet. Wipe off any excess and reassemble.

Necessary? Nah. Rewarding and informative for you? Definitely.

[berettabone]

As long as you are adventurous enough to do this simple procedure, go all the way.

1000 grit is abrasive and leaves scratches, although very minor. Even then, direction of movement of the paper should be up and down the ramp, toward the chamber.

While what you have is shiny, it's not really "polished" IMO until under magnification you cannot see any scratches. I follow up with a metal polishing compound such as Flit or a jewelers rouge on a soft #422 felt polishing Dremel tip with water. Do polish the chamber also, especially the top. You will notice a difference. Because of the rotary action of the polishing tip, if your scratches are longitudinal heading toward the chamber, the polishing will flatten them quickly.

Ditto.............I do it with every one of my firearms, and polishing with a Dremel and felt tip is a breeze................

[DanTana]

I was cleaning my gun after my last range session and noticed how well polished the ramp and chamber were. The entire feed area of the barrel has a very nice polish to it from the factory. I don't know if this is new, but I'm glad it was done already and I don't have to. Maybe another one of Kahr's ongoing improvements? S281, I would do the top like OldLincoln said, mine is polished there from the factory, so I would do yours the same.

[modraker]

S281, can you tell us how the rampectomy of the CM9 barrel has worked out for you?

[CJB]

I wanna see the barrel in the frame, no slide, and a magazine in the frame - and see the clearance. Pardon my cynical doubt, but show me! Pretty yes, but how does it actually fit?

[plateshooter]

Nice job S281. And nice pics.

[sharpenit]

Do you have a "before" photo?

[modraker]

Here's a photo of my own CM9 barrel which shows the uneven bottom edge of the ramp.

[garyb]

WOW...you did take off a good amount of material. Hope it works for you..

[S281]

Unfortunately ,I haven't been out to test it yet. This week for sure. I did take flitz to it since last.



I also tried to get clear pics of it installed but it's impossible to get a pic that far down with a cell phone cam. Here are some I tried

No slide installed:



Slide installed:



Wish I would have taken before pics and measurements to compare how much I took off, but I didn't even think about it at the time

[muggsy]

The bottom edge of the feed ramp is supposed to be uneven as the feed ramp is offset. It's the offset design that allows for a lower bore axis. I haven't seen any pictures of a factory rampectomy, but yours seems to be a bit excessive. I hope it functions properly for you, because a replacement barrel isn't cheap. They run about $140.00.

[CJB]

Ditto. that's why I wanted to see the picture

[S281]

Damn, didn't know that. What am I looking for at the range. Will it be jamming or just not accurate? Oh well, if I did screw it up, I guess I'll get the PM9 barrel and chalk it up to a learning experience.