Kahr CW9 Front Frame Rail Question

[AlbinLee]

Hey All,

I just got my first Kahr this week, the CW9, and broke it in with 300 flawless rounds! I got it home, and while cleaning, noticed a couple minor issues: that the front rails dont align with the slide very well (as well as a minor machining defect on the barrel, which I already posted about). I wanted to ask folks with a CW9 to look at the slide to frame fit on the dustcover of their CW9, because I don't think mine looks quite right... Here are some pics.

BTW, I took these photos with a camera phone, at an angle such that the muzzle was NOT crossing myself whatsoever.

Here it is in slide lock. Notice how the right side fit is perfect, but the left is only riding on half of the rail.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/alhovde/2012-02-15_10-25-37_7751.jpg

Left side fit
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/alhovde/2012-02-15_10-26-53_3771.jpg

Right side fit
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/alhovde/2012-02-15_10-27-23_8261.jpg

I know, I am out of my mind right? But seriously, it would be nice to know that other polymer Kahr owners see their slide favoring one side or the other in the front rails. Then I wouldn't worry about it.

[jocko]

the back rails is what carrys all the brute force, the front rails are baqsically guide rails and they doi absorb some brunt force but the back rails is the ones that do allthe work. I really think ur looking for issues that accourding toyou with 300 flawless rounds down range are just not there. On my PM9 I can by hand move the front slide left kand right on the front rails, It ain't gonna be a tight ass fit.

[AlbinLee]

the back rails is what carrys all the brute force, the front rails are baqsically guide rails and they doi absorb some brunt force but the back rails is the ones that do allthe work. I really think ur looking for issues that accourding toyou with 300 flawless rounds down range are just not there. On my PM9 I can by hand move the front slide left kand right on the front rails, It ain't gonna be a tight ass fit.

I know that the polymer guns have a looser slide to rail fit for reliability. I just don't want this alignment issue to start chewing away at one side of the polymer rails, is really my biggest concern. If other folks notice their dust cover favoring one side or the other, it is really only an annoyance to me at that point. Being an engineer, I can't help myself but to notice the small stuff... :D

[Rodenmg]

No way I'm looking at mine. If it's like that I don't want to know. :)

I'm at about 1200 rounds now without a single malfunction. I trust it 100% with my life and that's good enough for me.

[wlc]

I just looked at mine and it looks a lot like yours. I think the slide lock causes the slide to shift over to the left side. In use, it would float on the rails and probably be more centered.

[gb6491]

Hey All,

I just got my first Kahr this week, the CW9, and broke it in with 300 flawless rounds! I got it home, and while cleaning, noticed a couple minor issues: that the front rails dont align with the slide very well (as well as a minor machining defect on the barrel, which I already posted about). I wanted to ask folks with a CW9 to look at the slide to frame fit on the dustcover of their CW9, because I don't think mine looks quite right... Here are some pics.

BTW, I took these photos with a camera phone, at an angle such that the muzzle was NOT crossing myself whatsoever.

Here it is in slide lock. Notice how the right side fit is perfect, but the left is only riding on half of the rail.
http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/alhovde/2012-02-15_10-25-37_7751.jpg
...I know, I am out of my mind right? But seriously, it would be nice to know that other polymer Kahr owners see their slide favoring one side or the other in the front rails. Then I wouldn't worry about it.
Personally, I don't think that looks good. The play between the rails and slide would probably be OK if it wasn't biased so much to one side. Then, unless it's an optical illusion, I'd also be concerned about the angle at which the rails engage the slide. They (the rails) look too "open" to me.
For comparison here are my CW9 (left) and CW45:
http://i43.tinypic.com/504qwl.jpg
I think you might want to contact Kahr (to include photos) about this.
Regards,
Greg

[Rodenmg]

Crap! I couldnt help it. I looked. :mad:

Mine looks just like yours, AlbinLee. I can't believe I actually looked! :mad:

I'll never feel safe carrying this gun again!


:)

[Tinman507]

Ok, I looked too.

Dunno...hard to say if that's an issue or not?

Mine looks pretty even on the rails.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o542/tinman507/CM9003.jpg

[jocko]

My bet is kahr is going to say it is within specs. His photos and greggs are both good enough IMO for kahr to look at them and make this judgement call without seeing the gun. being is has given no issues and u guys have posted about the same results of what it looks like, then kahr is not going to addrress what is not an issue. Might look like a visual issue but a funtioning issue we have not seen that. no doubt if something goes haywire with the gun kahr will stand behind it but just my 2 cents, they are going tosay it is within specs.

I remember when the kel tecks were having an issue with the PF9 with a peace of casting actually breaking in the frame. It never effected reliability but you could see the busted peace when the slide was off. kt's answer was it is OK, one either accepted that or peddle dthe gun and moved on..

sorry I was not trying to put kahrs o the same scale as kt's either, just one gun I was very famniliar with at one time.

[AlbinLee]

Just a theory: during the 300 round break in, I shot 3 to 4 mags rapid fire, and the barrel got pretty hot to the touch. Nothing unreasonable, but while firing, my off hand thumb rides along the dust cover. Maybe the combination of heat and pressure is to blame?

[jocko]

no way, that front frame rails is one peace inbedded in the polymer. U did nothing to do it ..

I think the best thing for u do to as u are very skeptical of what I or anyone is telling u is to send those photos to kahr and let them tell you . They may indeed want to see the gun, we are all just speculating and like I posted earlier. my view is that it is within spec. I think u need to hear it from the horse mouth, whether u go along wth wha tthey tellu, is going to be ur decision. U know if it ain'
t broke , don't fix it.

[Rodenmg]

Just a theory: during the 300 round break in, I shot 3 to 4 mags rapid fire, and the barrel got pretty hot to the touch. Nothing unreasonable, but while firing, my off hand thumb rides along the dust cover. Maybe the combination of heat and pressure is to blame?

Maybe that's what happended to mine to. Just for practice a few times I've gone though 3 mags as fast as I can. Keeping the paper hanging back at a steady 45 degree angle from the muzzle blast. The gun is so hot I won't put it in the case for 15 minutes because I'm afraid it'll melt the lining. You never know when it might come in handy. :D

I absolutely love this gun. :D

[AlbinLee]

Just a thought. My only experience is with the dust cover of a Glock 34, and I am sure you know how that story goes...

In any case, there must be a bit of variation in the front rail fit from gun to gun. Obviously it doesn't affect reliability, and seeing as many other folks' CW9 dustcover favors the left rail, it is probably normal. I just like to hear you all confirm this fact, more than anything.

It's going to take a major malfunction or parts breakage before I would call Kahr about it. I would be more inclined to avoid contacting them, unless I absolutely have to. Besides, I can just bug you all about it... :D

[kerby9mm]

You could go to the LGS and look at the new Kahrs they have to make a comparison.

[Rodenmg]

Last night I thought I'd give a better look to the fit of the slide to the forward guide rails when the slide is all the way back. To make it easier I removed the recoil spring and put the slide back on.

NEVER DO THAT AGAIN! I thought I'd never get the slide back off. :)

But yes, mine is offset to the left just like the OP when in full recoil. When the slide is in the forward position it's centered.

[jocko]

we are not authorities on kahrs but we have guys here that know them pretty damn well and shot um like they stole um. One never errors in coming on here with a question or anything. This is not a glock talk where u might get ur ass kicked for asking maybe a stupid question. All questions here get answered and 99% are answered in a polite way IF u come on here with the right attitufe . It works both ways, ur concern AlbinLee being an engineer is noted to. I think most all answered it as best as tey could and for me Ijust tend to go with IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT.....

[Diocoles]

Just had my frame replaced due to a broken front guide rail.
Only 2 reported in the last ten years.

My new one is all original but with a new frame and s/n and looks like yours.

My rails are just backward from the OPs in that the other side appears looser, but the function is flawless.

Put about 70+ rounds through it this past weekend and not single failure.

Did a detailed strip and no noticable wear on frame, slide or guide rails.
And I did check the rails under my magnifier eyes.

P.S. Customer service/turnaround and other things were A+. :)

[AlbinLee]

Diocoles, glad to hear you had the frame replaced without issue. As an update to this thread, I thought I should mention that I picked up a brand new Kahr CW9 at my local gun show this weekend, and inspected the front end alignment. It looked identical to mine, with the muzzle favoring the left rail. My concerns have been mostly eliminated at this point, it seems standard to have variation.