Why do the Kahr extended magazines exhibit problems?

[O'Dell]

I seem to remember that some have had issues with extended mags ever since I bought my first Kahr about 12 years ago. Consequently, I have never used one. My PM9 was ordered with 2 six rounders but also came with a seven so I gave it away. To me any extended mag hinders conceallability so I never use one in any pistol. Even my FS 1911 has 7 round mags because that's the way JMB designed it.

[b4uqzme]

Assuming that your theory is a correct one, it's totally unacceptable. A Glock 26 can fire just fine with a 17 or 33-rd mag attached.

Ahh, that's what I suspected you were fishing for...

[kahrinca]

Assuming that your theory is a correct one, it's totally unacceptable. A Glock 26 can fire just fine with a 17 or 33-rd mag attached.

Ahh, that's what I suspected you were fishing for...

Just an example. I don't care for Glocks much and don't own any.

[hardluk1]

I don't carry my handguns with extended mags in them BUT when they are proven reliable I sure as heck will carry it as a back up mag . The longer mag aids in reloading and with extra cartridges whats not to like . I have run enough rounds thru my 8 round 1911 mags in my ct45 that's there my primary carry mags as OAL is the same and so far the new 10 rounder extended is at 100 rounds thru it reliably and will work as a backup carry mag . I also use full size mags in my sig compact and my wife carrys full size mags for her m&p9c as backup carry mags .

Do as you wish after proven all mags reliable but don't think extended mags can't run well .

[SlowBurn]

I don't carry my handguns with extended mags in them BUT when they are proven reliable I sure as heck will carry it as a back up mag . The longer mag aids in reloading and with extra cartridges whats not to like.

Exactly. I can only speak to 7 round extended mags for P380 and CW380. I have two. To me its obvious they're designed as backup mags, and the extension is not meant as a grip extender. Carrying a CW380 or P380 with the extended mag would defeat the size advantage over a CT380, imo and make no sense. But they're great backup mags. Easy to insert. The extension stays out of the way so the grip doesn't change plus you get the extra round. And they work very reliably.

Normally, when reloading with a backup mag, the chamber would be locked open and empty, and that's how I use them at the range. However a past thread suggested there might be a problem with the extended mags when fully loaded with one in the chamber. I tried that with mine and the older of the two malfunctioned. It may have been just a worn spring, but I emailed Kahr, they swapped for a new mag gratis, and no problems since. Now I test one or the other that way at least once every range trip.

[kahrinca]

Every time I've shot the extended 7-rd magazine I've had one in the chamber for a total of 8. Very early in the break-in I had 1 failure to feed that was easily remedied.

I do think the magazine test contained under 'MAGAZINE FIX' in 'Proper Prep of a new Kahr' is helpful in minimizing problems with the extended mags. All three of the magazines that came with my PM9 initially failed the magazine test so I went to sanding the followers so they'd pass.

[Pointblank]

The point is moot as far as I am concerned. Why buy such a small, compact pistol only to put an extended magazine on it? Just buy a bigger gun if that is your goal.

[b4uqzme]

^^^ agreed. But as hardluk1 says, the ext mags are good for backups. Might as well carry as much ammo as possible.

[jpshaw]

A Glock 26 can fire just fine with a 17 or 33-rd mag attached.

That is true. However, I have been told and have experienced that the Glock 27 can and will cause problems with the G22 and G23 mags so, yes using extended mags can be a problem. I have no problem with 7 round mags in my Kahr but that's because it's a P9.

[hardluk1]

Any mag has to be proven reliable . Buy a1911 and you will learn to tune mags .

[muggsy]

Assuming that your theory is a correct one, it's totally unacceptable. A Glock 26 can fire just fine with a 17 or 33-rd mag attached.

A Kahr pistol isn't a Glock 26. You're comparing apples to oranges.

[muggsy]

I seem to remember that some have had issues with extended mags ever since I bought my first Kahr about 12 years ago. Consequently, I have never used one. My PM9 was ordered with 2 six rounders but also came with a seven so I gave it away. To me any extended mag hinders conceallability so I never use one in any pistol. Even my FS 1911 has 7 round mags because that's the way JMB designed it.

O'dell there are many aftermarket 8 round mags for 1911s that don't extend beyond the grip. Shooting Star is one of my favorites.

[kahrinca]

The point is moot as far as I am concerned. Why buy such a small, compact pistol only to put an extended magazine on it? Just buy a bigger gun if that is your goal.

My new PM9 to my surprise came with three magazines- two 6-rd (yes!) and one 7-rd extended. It's not like one has a choice.

One might speculate that Kahr purposely provides two 6-rd mags due to complaints and problems with the 7-rd ones, which, if true, was a smart move on their part.

Might as well enjoy the 7-rd, not only for the range, but consider as a second backup for carry, with the other 6-rd as first for tactical reload.
Some may choose to do the foregoing.

In any event, I want everything to work, and if it doesn't I try to fix it because I have a need to feel confident in a carry weapon.

[kahrinca]

A Kahr pistol isn't a Glock 26. You're comparing apples to oranges.

I am not willing to accept and dismiss a probable defect in the Kahr extended magazines just because the platform's not a Glock.

Rather than buy the ugly Block, I'd rather see Kahr extended magazines work more reliably and as an extended magazine should function.

If it is solely related to 'break-in', that would be fine and reassuring. If not....

BTW, the only malfunction that I've personally had with the 7-rd thus far was round #51 out of 257. It was a failure to feed during break-in, with all rounds about
evenly divided between the two 6-rd and one 7-rd magazines.

I am grateful to the Magazine Fix in 'Proper Prep of a new Kahr', along with other suggestions in that Sticky. Without doing it, I'd guess the two range sessions might not have gone as well.

As to my extended 'tweaked' magazine, so far, so good! Others' mileage may indeed vary.

[Bawanna]

It would seem based on your range experience that we're addressing an issue that may or may not even exist with the extended magazine. Perhaps Kahr as already performed a cure we are unaware of?

The gun coming with 3 mags is a real bonus, 2 is the norm and only 1 with CM's and CW's.