Will Kahr Fix or Replace This?

[sierrajb]

Kahr's Reply

WOW! In less than 15 minutes Kahr Service responded with this following email:

Good afternoon. I am sorry to hear about the PM9. If you would like to send the slide only in to us along with a note detailing the issue and containing your name, physical return address and telephone number we would be happy to inspect and repair the slide for you. Our address is located on the back page of the owners manual. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,
Jay
Kahr Customer Service
508-795- 3919
www.kahr.com

Sounds like Kahr thinks this issue is significant enough to warrant inspection and repair. I've sent them another email asking for specific shipping instructions, clarifying this is "warranty work" so it should not cost me anything, and asking about the estimated time of completion. I'll keep you posted!

[Bawanna]

That's one way of looking at it and I generally kind of lean that way. At the same time one of the main reasons the world is the way it is is we accept less than perfect products in everything we buy these days. Take it as the norm and live with it when maybe we shouldn't.
By bringing attention to the bad workmanship perhaps the issue will be addressed in the future even if one gets no improvement in the initial instance.

It would be fruitless to demand perfection in everything as you wouldn't be able to buy much of anything. But if we refuse to buy junk or make sellers and manufacturers responsible for their product things might improve.

I say this mostly for other stuff as I don't consider anything with Kahrs name on it junk although many of the 380 owners might want to argue that.

Course this would in a lot instances require fluent skills in Chinese and Japanese.

[OldLincoln]

Wow, Sierra... You got rollmarks on yours? That musta cost extra! Just kidding. Mine look much worse which doesn't bother me directly, but have a little concern that it will negatively affect resale value when I trade it for a Kahr P45.

[Thunder71]

Great to hear, they've always been very responsive to my questions as well.

Can't wait to hear how this turns out! Guessing they are just glad it's not another P380 to work on.

[sierrajb]

Kahr's Decision

Bawanna, as usual, you provide some of the most entertaining, deep philosophical discussions of life with guns. You 'da man!

OldLincoln, aesthetics (the looks of the gun) will always affect resale or trade in value. This was also a secondary concern of mine and my friend, even though the thought of selling my PM9 never entered my mind.

Thunder71, seven minutes later Jay with Kahr Service responded with answers to my questions. Here's a summary of what he said:
1. There are no special shipping instructions or a return authorization number needed since I'm only sending back the slide.
2. Even though aesthetics is usually not a part of warranty work, they will make an exception in this case. They agree it needs attention and want to make it right.
3. If I pay for shipping, they will cover the cost of repair or replacement, plus the cost of return shipping.
4. It will take about 3 weeks turnaround.

Good News, eh? It's gonna be a long 3 weeks, but I'm headed to the Post Office tomorrow! Will keep you all posted.

[JFootin]

Boy, they sure look good on my polished CM9.

[sierrajb]

2 Questions Before Returning the Slide

1. My PM9 came with the standard "Bar-Dot" sights. This is a great time to have Kahr install some night sights. To those who have night sights, "Is it really worth it?" if so, what KIND of night sights (for the new style slide)?

2. Not sure how Kahr plans on "repairing" the blemishes that are stamped into the metal slide, so there's a good chance they may just send a whole new slide with good stamping. Will that mean I must perform another ritualistic "break-in period" for another slide? My guess is YES, but want to hear from you pros out there.

[Thunder71]

I have night sights on my XDM and I hope I never find out if it was worth it. If it's that dark, how sure can you be of the target?

Posted from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk.

[sierrajb]

JFootin, that's a BEAUTIFUL gun! Looks like Kahr used a different stamping process and different lettering style on your CM9 than they did on my PM9. Did you polish that yourself, or another gunsmith? Looks like you polished the trigger, slide catch and all. Very nice!

[Hognutz]

I would definitely have the night sights put on. It is the perfect opportunity. Better to have and not ever need them as opposed to risking life and limb without. JMHO..Mike

[Bawanna]

If they repair for you it will undoubtedly be a new slide. At least a little break in would be acceptable. As you'd expect with any replaced part but a slide is a major component.

Your call on the night sights, I like the factory ones just fine but put XS Big Dots on mine so I'd speak with forked tongue if I didn't endorse night sights. I do believe they are somewhat overrated since most won't bother to look at em when the elephant appears.

[muggsy]

When you evaluate a firearm fit and finish are prime considerations. I think that Kahr should replace the slide if not the entire gun.

[JFootin]

JFootin, that's a BEAUTIFUL gun! Looks like Kahr used a different stamping process and different lettering style on your CM9 than they did on my PM9.

Well, the lettering IS done differently (less expensively) on the CM9. But I formerly owned a CW9 and it looked closer to the OP's gun than mine. Apparently, the polishing job kind of neatened it up.

Did you polish that yourself, or another gunsmith? Looks like you polished the trigger, slide catch and all. Very nice!

No, I bought it from someone who said it was "professionally" done. I didn't ask where. About every stainless steel part on the gun is mirror polished: slide, barrel, slide stop pin and lever, feed ramp, trigger and magazine. It is smooth and sweet!

[jimsea]

my money says Kahr is going to block sand the imperfection and then add the matte finish back.

the engraving was similar on my cm9. a little block sanding corrected the issue/problem and made it shiny. i was considering taking it back to matte, but decided i like shiny better.

[racuda]

sierrajb, I have Mepros on mine and I like 'em. Makes it easy to find on the night stand in the dark.