Finally cleaned out the striker channel, yikes!

[Cyterio]

I clean my MK9 after every range trip, never had an issue with it. I decided since I probably have about 800rds through it now I should probably clean out the striker channel using that little blowout hole. I couldn't believe how much crap came out of there.

[QuercusMax]

Yikes! Never cleaned the striker channel in mine, and have about the same round count.

So one more thing that I have to do now!

Seems like owning and using firearms is a lot like owning and using a boat or (even worse) an airplane: The amount of time and money you need to spend on maintenance really gets in the way of using the items for their intended purpose.

But thanks for posting this.

[wyntrout]

I just wonder what percent that represents of the total amount of debris from the cartridge cases getting knocked and banged about during chambering, firing, and ejecting!:eek:

Wynn:)

[downtownv]

Where's that post on how to do this.... I can't find it thru search.

[wyntrout]

There's a pdf file picture here on Glocktalk:

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308824&page=3

And there are more helpful posts here on Kahrtalk with more photos and info on the construction of a "C" clamp the hold things in while getting the backplate off:

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=197

More discussion and pictures:

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=197&page=4

Wynn:)

[Ikeo74]

It looks like eye protection will be required if you plan to blow those brass shavings out. Be careful.

[Cyterio]

I didn't break down the slide, I only used the cleanout hole. I blasted the crap out of it with a can of the Breakfree Powder Blast. I flushed it about 5-6 times before I couldn't get anything else out. I was satisfied with that and didn't feel the need to completely break down the slide.

Sent from my mwp6985 using Board Express

[Cyterio]

...and yes, EYE PROTECTION! Not only from the metal shavings, but from the cleaner spraying everywhere also.

Sent from my mwp6985 using Board Express

[TucsonMTB]

Where's that post on how to do this.... I can't find it thru search.
If you want to blow out the stuff in the striker channel using brake cleaner, as the original poster did, all you need is a fresh can of aerosol brake cleaner, with a nozzle, and a location to work in, preferably outdoors.

The hole into which to put the tip of the spray tube is the dark spot at the head of the lower arrow numbered 9 in the lubrication diagram pictured below. You can manipulate the striker while you spray to increase the flow out the front or cover the firing pin hole to increase the spray out the back, if you like. I have found that this is worth doing frequently.

http://home.mindspring.com/%7Ejustsomeguy/KahrLubePoints.jpg

[Redstate]

I regularly, with eye protection, use my compressor to blow out the "blow hole" everytime I clean my Kahrs and Glocks. I took my striker out of one of my Glocks after about 6,000 rounds and it was pretty clean in the channel, although there was a little fouling on the striker that cleaned up real easy.

[sharpetop]

I clean mine out with non-chlorinated break cleaner every time I shoot it.

[QuercusMax]

I just got back in from putting another 200 rounds through my MK9, so total round count is probably now over 1000. Interesting that I had the first malfunction with it ever: the 2nd round in the 7 round magazine stovepiped in the middle of the session.

Of course now I'm thinking that I *must* clean the striker channel ASAP.

But looking at it another way, I also realize that each discharge is slightly different than the others, as evidenced by how no 2 spent casings are ejected on exactly the same trajectory.

Sigh. Until this thread started, I had been blissfully ignorant of striker channel maintenance, but now it's on my mind.

[zamboni]

I clean mine out with non-chlorinated break cleaner every time I shoot it.

Me too.

[FatMatt]

I just completely disassemble the slide and clean out the channel with Q-tips soaked with rem oil. Then use a couple of dry Q-tips to finish it up. Takes me about 15 minutes, but I know that the area is completely clear of any debris.

[7shot]

I've never cleaned my Striker channel on my K9 either. I could probably get it apart but putting all back together might be a challenge.