Magazine release sticking

[Texas48]

Love my new CM9 but having an issue with the matinee release sticking. I have to place my thumb just in the right spot to get it to drop free. Sometimes it takes more than usual pressure to get it to drop. have 3 mags that have been polished and the magazine hole on all 3 of the mags are flush. I have been working it to loosen up but does not seem to be loosening up. At 1st I thought just a new gun with tight spring. Spring looks to been in the right position in the frame. Any suggestions?

[OvalNut]

There may be some excess polymer material protruding into the mag well along the seams from the mold. On my PM9 I buffed, (not sanded, not ground down, not trimmed), but buffed the inside of the mag well, to smooth out any excess material that protruded into the mag well along the seams from the mold. Before, the mags would release but not drop free. After, the mags drop free. Do not use a dremel or other mechanical devices. All I used was a piece of rough cotton towel wrapped around a toothbrush. Buff the inside smooth.


Tim

[kwh]

May not be an issue. The Kahrs are made for defense, and not for range guns. The magazine may not easily drop free. Reasoning being ,if the mag release was hit inadvertently during an altercation, at least the magazine would be partially retained.
Also, the slide release does not like to be easily released on an empty magazine. Much Less force is needed with a full mag inserted.
Not sure if that answers the question. If not, let us know.

[Texas48]

Thanks for the response. I had a lip on the magazines by the catch cut out. highly polished the magazines with a 3m 1500 grit wheel on it. mags now drop easier. will buff inside the mag opening in the grip suggested by Ovalnut. mags do show where the steel part of the mag release is dragging on the mags so the catch is not fully retracting. every combat handgun should accommodate a combat reload iMHO. i am sure with use the mag release will loosen up, it is a new weapon. my PM40 easily drops the mag without dragging.

[desmobob]

every combat handgun should accommodate a combat reload iMHO. i am sure with use the mag release will loosen up, it is a new weapon.

I was hoping that using the magazine release button would get easier as my new CM9 broke in, but that is not the case. I cannot drop a magazine without changing my grip on the pistol and using my thumbnail to push the release. It is my only complaint with my CM9.

Tight groups,
Bob

[Texas48]

I was hoping that using the magazine release button would get easier as my new CM9 broke in, but that is not the case. I cannot drop a magazine without changing my grip on the pistol and using my thumbnail to push the release. It is my only complaint with my CM9.

Tight groups,
Bob

Have you put a high polish on the mags? It helped when I did it last night. I will post pictures after I get my 30 posts in.

[finpro]

Can you identify where the tightness is? You might insert a mag until you feel the mag catch and push no further. Does the mag drop free from that point? If the mag drops freely, the tight point is likely at the mag catch. You might remove the mag catch and polish its points of contact with the mag, which is likely the problem. If the mag will not fall from below the mag catch, try measuring the mag's width from top to bottom with calipers. (No calipers? Use a Vice Grip or other adjustable wrench.) Search for a thick point in the mag. Compress the mag's thick point GENTLY and CAREFULLY in a padded vice. As a last resort, I would cover the mag with metal polish and slide it up and down until you feel it slides more freely. This will gently remove material from any points of contact and leave a polished surface. I suggest doing it with the slide off the frame. Obviously, clean all polish completely from the pistol and mag. Good luck!

[Akoustic]

I sent my CM9 to Kahr to have them fix "failure to drop freely" magazine. They completely ground down the excess polymer line, smooth to the inside of the magwell, that OvalNut mentioned in his comment. Glad I had them fix it as I have purchased several more magazines and they all drop freely as well.

I originally tried all the polishing and squeezing of the magazines that was suggested by others to no avail. I also tried to justify it was ok to "not" have them drop free for sake of accidentally dropping the mag in a dog fight. Ended up wanting the magazines to drop free like all my other autos for consistency in training.

[Texas48]

I polished all of my mags and the sticking situation was improved but not cured. I found the issue preventing my mags sticking. While removing the Mag release I discovered the mag spring was not in the grove of the mag release. I deburred and polished the part of the mag release that contacts the mag cut out. I reinstalled the mag release and got the spring into the grove properly. The now don't stick and drop freely.

[finpro]

Congratulations! You made my day!

[desmobob]

I also disassembled my magazine catch tonight. I used the edge of a fine stone to smooth up the edge of the metal part that engages the magazines. I also smoothed up the inside of the mag well. My mags themselves are very smooth and didn't need any deburring or polishing.

It still takes a concentrated effort of pushing the mag release button, but the mags drop much easier now. I also noticed the mags seem to drop easier if they are inserted with a good slap on the baseplate.

I continue to be very pleased with my CM9 and it has been 100% reliable so far, including during a 200-rd. break-in and over 100 rounds since then. So far, I've only shot 115-gr. loads, including factory hardball loads from Winchester and Federal, as well as some of my hand loads (5.4 grains of Unique) and Hornady's 115-gr. Critical Defense hollow points. I'm hoping to find some heavier bullet weight loads at the local gunship and will load some 124 gr. bullets at home.

Tight groups,
Bob

[Texas48]

I also disassembled my magazine catch tonight. I used the edge of a fine stone to smooth up the edge of the metal part that engages the magazines. I also smoothed up the inside of the mag well. My mags themselves are very smooth and didn't need any deburring or polishing.

It still takes a concentrated effort of pushing the mag release button, but the mags drop much easier now. I also noticed the mags seem to drop easier if they are inserted with a good slap on the baseplate.

I continue to be very pleased with my CM9 and it has been 100% reliable so far, including during a 200-rd. break-in and over 100 rounds since then. So far, I've only shot 115-gr. loads, including factory hardball loads from Winchester and Federal, as well as some of my hand loads (5.4 grains of Unique) and Hornady's 115-gr. Critical Defense hollow points. I'm hoping to find some heavier bullet weight loads at the local gunship and will load some 124 gr. bullets at home.

Tight groups,
Bob

i fired 180 124GR Agulia and 50 115 gr Fiochii hardball during my break in. All smooth as silk and outstanding accuracy from a small weapon. This one is one of my 2 EDCs. This one will be in my pocket. I just ordered from Dillon and Uniquetek the powder drop, #3 buttons and seating die and toolhead I need to start loading 9mm. I am planning on using BE86 or Power Pistol with once fired brass and Montana Gold 124gr bullets that I have had for years just sitting around. I am using 124 gr Hornady XTP's as my carry round. Glad now I didn't trade the components. The CM9 is the 1st 9mm I have carried and I have found it to be the perfect pocket pistol for me.

[bugs]

you could also have your local GS install a 8/40 gun screw to the mag release button; this will add .60 to height of the button. I did this to my CM9 EDC with no accidental releases during two hand,strong hand or weak hand grip or IWB/OWB or pocket carry, and have very reliable positive mag drops now.

NRA LIFER

IDPA BELEIVER

[finpro]

You can accomplish the same thing by covering the left side of the mag release with epoxy or something similar to extend it. I would do this with the release out of the gun sitting upright. If necessary, put tape around the release to form a cup to retain runny adhesive until it hardens. When hardened, you can shape the new top of the release to your needs.

[Phish]

Cool! I bought a new 8 rd mag recently and it was highly polished but all the other mags weren't so they will be going to polisher soon. I had one new mag sticking also due to a burr.