PM45 Slide - now frame and mag defects

[targetshooter]

More defects - see post # 11


I opened up my NIB PM45 to get started on the break in. Found it was in the same condition as my P380 which was the last Kahr I purchased in 2013 - rough edges around interior of the frame, dirty, a few metal shavings showing in the slide. But, much to my surprise I found this break-burr in the thin metal area between the barrel and recoil spring areas.

I'm sure I can stone the edge and remove the burr. At this moment I cannot think of any future issues this could cause. Anyone have any thoughts about future issues from this ?

I'm thinking of calling Kahr and getting someone's attention and sending an e-mail with the photo but I'm not interested to in sending them my pistol just to have them stone the area and send it back.

[gb6491]

I opened up my NIB PM45 to get started on the break in. Found it was in the same condition as my P380 which was the last Kahr I purchased in 2013 - rough edges around interior of the frame, dirty, a few metal shavings showing in the slide. But, much to my surprise I found this break-burr in the thin metal area between the barrel and recoil spring areas.

I'm sure I can stone the edge and remove the burr. At this moment I cannot think of any future issues this could cause. Anyone have any thoughts about future issues from this ?

I'm thinking of calling Kahr and getting someone's attention and sending an e-mail with the photo but I'm not interested to in sending them my pistol just to have them stone the area and send it back.

Absolutely, I've done it myself:
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.p...5876#post15876
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

In the early PM45 days that was quite common. Sometimes they didn't machine in that little radius at all and the gun just basically machined it's own while shooting.

I'd do just what you suggested and just stone that little radius. I thought most of the new one had them cut in and all finished.

Don't hurt a thing and it would be fine if you did nothing, but will look better and be more pleasing if you clean it up some.

[Bawanna]

Beat me by less than a minute. Follow Gregs program there and you'll be absolutely golden in no time.

[targetshooter]

Thanks for the info fellows - I would never have figured out how to find the post re "notch". So tomorrow I'll head into the garage - shop area and work on the notch.

FYI - I measured the lip as best I could and it increases in thickness as you approach the top of the slide - 0.065" at the thickest point I can reach - less than 0.010 at the edge. I checked my PM9 and was amazed at the thickness of the space between the barrel and recoil spring areas. Also, the slide on my PM9 is a work of art compared to the slide on this PM45.

Now The Rant - I really have to say I am disappointed with the condition of this unit. This is one of the "premium" units sold in our area for $650 not a low end price point C model. I spent 40 years in corporate engineering and I would have rejected any part that looked like this slide to be used in the machinery we built for our production lines. I guess Kahr has the "get it out the door and fix it if it comes back attitude".

OK - got that out.

[Bawanna]

I think they experienced some growing pains in the past and were just moving too much stuff out.

I thought this sort of thing was all over and most everything was coming out much better, always be a few that slip through the cracks.

I know the 380's were at one time just problematic across the board and those seem to be good to go for the most part.

I don't do 380 so I never gave it much thought.

I'm wondering if that is new old stock you got there, don't see them like that in quite awhile, don't hear about it anymore.

[targetshooter]

The unit came in what I think is the new black box and included three magazines. There's no indication of when it was tested or shipped - no shell casing for KY.

[Bawanna]

Yup, that's a very new box, nice box, never seen one of the new ones.

[CJB]

There was a time when the notch was present because of the interconnection of the two machined areas - the recoil spring area, and the _angled_ area that allows the barrel to tip. At some point, they started cleaning those up, not sure if by hand or with an extra machine cut. And... I'm guessing a change was made so they don't have to clean it up any more, dunno. Or, one just didnt get done.

At any rate, Mr. Dremel wearing a 3/8 inch sanding drum will clean that up in seconds. Just be sure to wash the slide well, to eliminate any shavings and/or sanding/grinding leftovers.

[targetshooter]

I've looked closely at the barrel and recoil spring assembly and don't see any marks or scrapes, but the unit is new so no wear would be present

[targetshooter]

Sorry for this one fellows, I'm at the end for the $650 premium take me home and fix my defects pistol, so there's a bit of a rant in here.

So I arose early this AM to get started on my Kahr. After reworking the slide to do what the factory should have done, I finished cleaning up the slide and flushing the striker channel. Next the frame. Looking closely, I now notice the side plate is not seated. It rocks a bit if you push it against the frame, I would guess the hole is not the correct depth for the screw. The screw is tight - yes I have the correct bit - I have a complete set of Wiha torx and torx plus. I don't see the reason but I am definitely not going to take it off to try to repair this issue. Next I take the mags out and clean them. Then I discover the slide lock steel inserts on two of the mags have not been ground down and remain a round cylinder of steel molded into the follower. The two followers will not push down into the mag bodies without great force and drive the follower crooked at the mag lip.

This is the end. I left a message for Kahr repair to call me ASAP Monday AM. We'll set the clock to see when or if they call back. I'm curious what response they give me. In the meantime I am now planning to take this unit back to the gun shop on Monday and trade it, of course taking a whipping on the dollars. Gun shop opens at 1000AM, so Kahr has a two hour window. I'm fighting the urge to take the other three Kahr's that I own also and just erase them and Kahr from my memory.

I think there are two lessons here for me
1. never trust the manufacturer, examine every unit with great detail, but I must say I've never experienced any similar problems with other manufacturers products
2. avoid Kahr products

Not a good picture of the side plate and no pictures of the mag followers. My wife's camera is not designed for close work.