Another cracked MK frame (pics)

[DocJohn]

I was cleaning my MK9 elite ‘03 after its second trip to the range and I noticed this...
　
http://www.angelfire.com/ky3/gabby/MK9_crack_3r.jpg　
　
http://www.angelfire.com/ky3/gabby/MK9_crack_4r.jpg　

I purchased the pistol (new) from a dealer on 11/2/2012 and I have fired only 250 rounds of Federal 124gr FMJ. Obviously I am very disappointed by this defect. :(
I have just e-mailed Kahr customer service for a return authorization. I will post an update when I receive a reply from Kahr.

[Bawanna]

Looks like a bad casting. Probably never fail but it isn't right and they will take care of it. I have no doubt.

[DocJohn]

Looks like a bad casting. Probably never fail but it isn't right and they will take care of it. I have no doubt.

That's exactly what I thought. As you said, it will probably never fail, but I'd rather deal with it now while the pistol is still under warranty.

[DocJohn]

UPDATE:

Received an e-mail from Kate at Kahr customer service this AM which included a pre-paid FedEx overnight shipping label. Shipped the pistol at noon today and Kahr should receive it on 1/2/13.

[jocko]

they will take care of it, it willbereplaced with a newframe whic will mean going through a FFL as it willhave to be registered, as the serial numbers willbe different. They probalby should have caught this before it left the quality control area. It happens..

[Redstate]

Good to see that Kahr is taking care of you.

[DocJohn]

I just asked Kahr for a status update on my pistol they received on 1/3/13. They informed me that "We are currently running a 2 week turn around so it should be being seen by gunsmiths shortly and returning to you there after pending no hold ups."

(Hopefully, they will be sending me a new pistol and not current one with the cracked frame).

[quikduk]

That is not bad...considering just coming off a big holiday.

I know you probably used the Macro function on your camera to take those pics but that frame, besides the defective area, looks like manure with the rough "finishing".

I need to really look at mine now because this type of finish is unacceptable imho.

[DocJohn]

That is not bad...considering just coming off a big holiday.

I know you probably used the Macro function on your camera to take those pics but that frame, besides the defective area, looks like manure with the rough "finishing".

I need to really look at mine now because this type of finish is unacceptable imho.

Yes, I did use the "macro" setting on my digital camera, and I used some effective lighting too. The photos are unaltered and really bring out the tool marks and surface defects.
　
However, IMHO while this is sure not "pretty", this is a non-critical area and the tool marks other surface defects should not effect the gun's function. Hopefully Kahr machines and finished their pistols' more critical surfaces to higher tolerances and smoothness.

[DocJohn]

I just got this reply to my latest e-mail to Kahr checking on the status of my returned MK9 elite:

"We are currently waiting on a new frame for this firearm. This week many of our managers, including the head gunsmith have been away at the SHOT show, creating a bit of a slow down for repairs. This will be one of the first things that they handle upon their return early next week. Once we get the new frame and the firearm test fires appropriately, we'll gather FFL information from you and be able to send it back your way."

Looks like I'm getting a (sort of) new MK9 elite soon! :)
(Now I'll have to break it in all over again)

[MikeyKahr]

Yep, new frame woo hoo! Glad Kahr is treating you right.

[glider]

I would have thought they would have a forged frame

[jocko]

I would have thought they would have a forged frame

not really most all frames are investment castings. nuttin wrong with that process, ..that is what quality control people are there for to to catch this stuff before it goes out the door. Aforged lower would be expensive to make and no guarantees they wold comeout ay better or wose either. IMO>

[DocJohn]

Well, its been nearly a month since Kahr received my pistol with the cracked frame. With some much appreciated assistance from Bawanna, I was able to get some more information from Kahr as to why it is taking so long to get a replacement for the cracked frame on my (almost still new) MK9 Elite.

It seems that Kahr only produces MK9 Elite frames twice a year, and they do not have any in stock left over from that past years production. They are not sure how long it is going to take for the machine shop to produce my new frame. So I guess I will just have to wait some more. :(

My thanks to Bawanna for his help with this problem!

[Bongo Boy]

Oh holy crap. Ya think they'd produce TWO extra ones while they were tooled up? I will no longer whine like a baby when I break a little replaceable part.

Having had guns most of my life that were 10, 25, and 50 years old (or older) and never having needed any repairs of any kind, I never considered the importance of maintaining a certain minimum inventory of functioning sidearms.

Now, when spouse wants another piece of furniture and asks, "How many guns do you have?", my answer is fast and sure: just enough to guarantee I have one functioning weapon at all times, and a functioning spare.

Apparently, that's about a dozen handguns, near as I can estimate.

[Tinman507]

Well, its been nearly a month since Kahr received my pistol with the cracked frame. With some much appreciated assistance from Bawanna, I was able to get some more information from Kahr as to why it is taking so long to get a replacement for the cracked frame on my (almost still new) MK9 Elite.

It seems that Kahr only produces MK9 Elite frames twice a year, and they do not have any in stock left over from that past years production. They are not sure how long it is going to take for the machine shop to produce my new frame. So I guess I will just have to wait some more. :(

My thanks to Bawanna for his help with this problem!

Seems to me they need to send you a new firearm. Find one at a distributor someplace and have it shipped to your FFL and cover the transfer fees. that's not right

[Bawanna]

It happens. It is an Elite. Perhaps they should have had a few more spares made up but I think Murphy follows them just like me, don't know how he has time for all of us. If they had 10, they'd need 12, or have 12, need 15 an so it goes.

They are doing their part as quickly as they can. Have to give them credit for that.

[DocJohn]

I just got a call from Jason at Kahr. They have made a new frame for my MK9 elite and it is ready to ship out! :):):)

Since its got a new frame (and serial number) it will have to be shipped to a local FFL holder. If all goes as planned, I should have it in my hands sometime next week.

[Bootlegger]

So my elite I bought a while back (just sent last payment today) will be here next week, after looking back at your pictures I checked my ser#, mine is 14 higher than your cracked one, sure hope this wasnt a bad run of frames :confused:

I'll let you all know once it comes in. That'll be the first thing I check at my dealer.

[DocJohn]

My repaired MK9 was (finally) delivered to a local FFL holder on 2/22/13 (after a slight delay in shipping by Kahr), and I picked it up that night.

Upon inspection, everything looks okay. I have a brand new frame, and I can tell that other major parts (barrel, slide, etc.) are from my original gun. The new frame looks fine. My only complaint is that it had razor sharp edges on the front part of the frame that encloses the recoil guide and springs, so much so, that I cut my thumb on it when it was disassembling the pistol. It was a simple fix for me to round off those extremely sharp edges.

The pistol also came with paperwork from Kahr that certifies that the (serial numbered) cracked frame is no longer in my possession, and has been replaced with the new serial numbered frame.

I have not had a chance to test fire it yet, but I see no reason why it should not function as well as it did before.

[jocko]

prep it as aniew gun though, do it all right, and u will have no issues. Kahr will destroy ur ol frame and that number will die with that gun to.

[kerby9mm]

Glad you got your mk all fixed up. I have never had a frame replacement so do you now take that documentation to an FFL and get the gun re-registered with the new serial#?

[DocJohn]

Glad you got your mk all fixed up. I have never had a frame replacement so do you now take that documentation to an FFL and get the gun re-registered with the new serial#?

The gun (with the new frame) was shipped by Kahr directly to the FFL of my choice and they did the paperwork and transferred the gun to me. It was just like I bought a new gun from the FFL (except I didn't have to pay anything except a $20 transfer fee).

[Bootlegger]

Update on my MK9 Elite 03 just came in today, Ser# 14 higher than your old one with cracked frame, I'm good to go, no cracks!

[CJB]

Aw c'mon... that WAS NOT a cracked frame, but a casting void. Cosmetic at best....