P9 with an FTE issue

[SeamasterSig]

I recently purchased a used P9 that looked to be in near-mint condition, but I discovered that it had a serious flaw during my first trip to the range: it failed to eject the spent cartridge case at least once every five rounds with four different brands of range ammo (115 gr and 124 gr), as well as WWB JHP, and every single time with the +P 124 gr Gold Dots I ran through it. Every time it happened, the spent brass was caught horizontally between the slide and face of the breech; it never "stovepiped". I emailed Kahr and was told that the serial number indicated that the pistol had been manufactured in November 2002 and the first recommendation was to try a new recoil spring (the service rep also advised against ordering a new extractor, saying a new recoil spring would do the trick). So I ordered a new recoil spring, which was a PITA to install and did not eliminate the issue.

I called Kahr and they immediately agreed to repair the pistol under warranty. I also asked them to install Trijicon night sights while they had it back at the factory. And when I finally got it back, I discovered that they had not only replaced the extractor, recoil spring, and ejector – all of which likely related to the problem – but had also polished the feed ramp and replaced the polymer magazine catch with a metal one. Way to go Kahr!

My first trip back to the range, I put about 100 WWB 115 gr and 30 WWB 147 gr JHP through it without a hiccup. Confident, I decided to run the rest of the ammo I had with me at the time: 15 Gold Dot +P 124 gr. One round out of those last 15 bullets failed to fully eject, same as before. How am I to interpret that? Does the pistol just not like Gold Dots, +Ps, or +P 124 gr? Could it just be coincidence that it happened with that particular ammo, or just a matter of breaking in new parts? It handled very well with the 147 gr JHPs and I will very likely settle on that bullet weight for a primary carry load. I already have a box of PDX1s ready to try out on my next trip to the range and am waiting to see if a local gun shop can order Federal HSTs in 147 grain.

[ripley16]

Welcome to the forum. Good for Kahr for taking such good care of you. I'm very curious about why the recoil spring was a "PITA" to install.

As to the FTE. It sounds like the gun is working, just not with a particular ammo. I suggest you let someone else shoot the gun to eliminate yourself as a cause. My P9 is of a similar age and it handles the PDX1 ammo very well.

[SeamasterSig]

I'm very curious about why the recoil spring was a "PITA" to install.

As to the FTE. It sounds like the gun is working, just not with a particular ammo. I suggest you let someone else shoot the gun to eliminate yourself as a cause.

The recoil spring I purchased was so long and heavy that it was a challenge to get the guide rod back on the slide without the spring bending at the last second. The package was labeled correctly, so I assume it was the right spring. I ended up putting the pistol in a vice so I could use both hands on the guide rod. After one trip to the range the spring had compressed nearly an inch and loosened up enough that it wasn't an issue anymore.

I forgot to mention in my original post that several other people, including a range officer, test fired the pistol in order to eliminate operator error, and the pistol failed to eject for everyone. The only five round group it shot without mishap was with some 115 grain hand loads that the guy shooting next to me gave me to try out.

I brought the pistol back to the shop where I bought it to have it inspected by their armorer, who ultimately confirmed the issue. The shop's manager asked me to contact Kahr first instead of having them do it, because Kahr would charge them for the service, whereas it probably wouldn't (and didn't) charge me as the owner. I wasn't necessarily expecting Kahr to honor the warranty on a used gun, but was confident after talking to the shop's manager that they would handle it if Kahr didn't step up – which they did (actually, there were no questions asked). The gun shop should have inspected the weapon more thoroughly and repaired the problem before putting it up for sale, but... all's well that ends well.

[jocko]

I recently purchased a used P9 that looked to be in near-mint condition, but I discovered that it had a serious flaw during my first trip to the range: it failed to eject the spent cartridge case at least once every five rounds with four different brands of range ammo (115 gr and 124 gr), as well as WWB JHP, and every single time with the +P 124 gr Gold Dots I ran through it. Every time it happened, the spent brass was caught horizontally between the slide and face of the breech; it never "stovepiped". I emailed Kahr and was told that the serial number indicated that the pistol had been manufactured in November 2002 and the first recommendation was to try a new recoil spring (the service rep also advised against ordering a new extractor, saying a new recoil spring would do the trick). So I ordered a new recoil spring, which was a PITA to install and did not eliminate the issue.

I called Kahr and they immediately agreed to repair the pistol under warranty. I also asked them to install Trijicon night sights while they had it back at the factory. And when I finally got it back, I discovered that they had not only replaced the extractor, recoil spring, and ejector – all of which likely related to the problem – but had also polished the feed ramp and replaced the polymer magazine catch with a metal one. Way to go Kahr!

My first trip back to the range, I put about 100 WWB 115 gr and 30 WWB 147 gr JHP through it without a hiccup. Confident, I decided to run the rest of the ammo I had with me at the time: 15 Gold Dot +P 124 gr. One round out of those last 15 bullets failed to fully eject, same as before. How am I to interpret that? Does the pistol just not like Gold Dots, +Ps, or +P 124 gr? Could it just be coincidence that it happened with that particular ammo, or just a matter of breaking in new parts? It handled very well with the 147 gr JHPs and I will very likely settle on that bullet weight for a primary carry load. I already have a box of PDX1s ready to try out on my next trip to the range and am waiting to see if a local gun shop can order Federal HSTs in 147 grain.

one round out of 145 is not a gun issue, but IMO maybe a tired shooter throgh the process. Kahrs are not ammo sensitive, but that being said if u find a rond that constantly give sissue, just move on to anutter brand. U know if a gun cold talk it could help us all alot, but it gets blamed every time. Not saying the gun isnot at fault but one round, ,??

[SeamasterSig]

one round out of 145 is not a gun issue, but IMO maybe a tired shooter throgh the process. Kahrs are not ammo sensitive, but that being said if u find a rond that constantly give sissue, just move on to anutter brand. U know if a gun cold talk it could help us all alot, but it gets blamed every time. Not saying the gun isnot at fault but one round, ,??

1 out of 145 for the day (or 1 out of 15 Gold Dots depending on how you look at it) could very well be my fault. I thought it seemed suspicious because it happened with the same ammo that was the most problematic before Kahr worked on it. Probably the only way I'll know for sure is to experiment with some more Gold Dots and maybe another brand of +P 124s to determine whether it brand or possibly weight/velocity sensitive... or hopefully establish that the single FTE out of 15 GDs was just a fluke. But I don't have the time or money for that sort of experimentation right now. I'll eventually run some GD +P 124s through it if only to satisfy my curiosity, but my first priority is to establish that I can trust 147 grain hollow points, because I really like this pistol and want to be able carry it with confidence as my CCW.

On a side note: I searched the forum archives, but couldn't find any threads discussing the same exact issue, which kinda surprised me.

[ripley16]

On a side note: I searched the forum archives, but couldn't find any threads discussing the same exact issue, which kinda surprised me.

Kahrs have in general be known for various feed issues rather than ejection problems.

[JERRY]

Wow, they pretty much rebuilt the gun for you so that it now works.....and it didnt cost you a dime. That is service!

[SeamasterSig]

Update: Ammo became scarce shortly after I started this thread. Because of that, and with work keeping me super busy, I didn't get the P9 back to the range until this summer after snagging a 100 round box of range ammo at Walmart as well as some 124 +p and 147 grain Gold Dots at local gun stores. I put about 125 rounds through it without a hitch – half of which premium hollow points. It fired 115 grain FMJs as well as 124 +p, and 147 grain hollow points without a single Failure to Eject. I really like the P9, so I'm glad to finally be confident enough in its flawless functioning to include it in my concealed carry rotation.

[muggsy]

I recently purchased a used P9 that looked to be in near-mint condition, but I discovered that it had a serious flaw during my first trip to the range: it failed to eject the spent cartridge case at least once every five rounds with four different brands of range ammo (115 gr and 124 gr), as well as WWB JHP, and every single time with the +P 124 gr Gold Dots I ran through it. Every time it happened, the spent brass was caught horizontally between the slide and face of the breech; it never "stovepiped". I emailed Kahr and was told that the serial number indicated that the pistol had been manufactured in November 2002 and the first recommendation was to try a new recoil spring (the service rep also advised against ordering a new extractor, saying a new recoil spring would do the trick). So I ordered a new recoil spring, which was a PITA to install and did not eliminate the issue.

I called Kahr and they immediately agreed to repair the pistol under warranty. I also asked them to install Trijicon night sights while they had it back at the factory. And when I finally got it back, I discovered that they had not only replaced the extractor, recoil spring, and ejector – all of which likely related to the problem – but had also polished the feed ramp and replaced the polymer magazine catch with a metal one. Way to go Kahr!

My first trip back to the range, I put about 100 WWB 115 gr and 30 WWB 147 gr JHP through it without a hiccup. Confident, I decided to run the rest of the ammo I had with me at the time: 15 Gold Dot +P 124 gr. One round out of those last 15 bullets failed to fully eject, same as before. How am I to interpret that? Does the pistol just not like Gold Dots, +Ps, or +P 124 gr? Could it just be coincidence that it happened with that particular ammo, or just a matter of breaking in new parts? It handled very well with the 147 gr JHPs and I will very likely settle on that bullet weight for a primary carry load. I already have a box of PDX1s ready to try out on my next trip to the range and am waiting to see if a local gun shop can order Federal HSTs in 147 grain.

Could be the gun was getting a little dirty by then. Give it a really good cleaning paying particular attention to the chamber area and extractor. It's also possible that you were starting to tire at that point and simply limp wristed the gun. It also could have been a fluke.