PM45 problems

[swilcher7]

Hello from a new member. Briefly, I took my KAHR PM45 out to fire the required 200 round break-in. While firing, I noticed my shots hitting towards the left of the bullseye. Low and behold, my front sight slid completely over to the right of the frame. Upon further exam, I was able to slide the sight completely off the frame. I wont lie here, I was HEATED. This just added to some of the issues I first noticed with my pistol. First, the BLACK DIAMOND finish was TERRIBLE!! Numerous scratches on the slide. Second, the barrel had a chip/burr on the right side of the feed ramp, as well as on the barrel hood near the extractor. I was not happy with this being a NIB pistol. I contacted KAHR via phone. Had to do so twice because first rep didn't email RA label. After speaking to second rep, I got label within 15 minutes. Sent slide and barrel back along with letter explaining issues on Friday, 2/22. Will update as things progress. Also, I am very pleased with the way pistol handled. Had (5) FTF, but I can say they were caused by my limp wristing pistol. Otherwise, no issues except for ones noted above.

[wyntrout]

It's a wonder that they didn't ask for the whole pistol. I hope they get that fixed for you. One or two issues there could easily be handled by the owner, but that was getting to be a lot of issues!

It sure sucks to have issues with a new pistol! Been there, done that... more than I would expect, but I got the issues taken care of or fixed them myself... getting lots of experience, but I'm no gunsmith!:D

Good luck and a speedy return!

Oh, welcome to the forum and here's some info that you may have seen already:

Welcome to the Kahrtalk forum supported by Kahr Arms.
Here are a few essential links and things to do BEFORE you take your new pistol to the range, and ESPECIALLY BEFORE taking it apart and trying to re-assemble it! The Kahr is a different design… 6-7 unique patents cover the Kahrs. I’m not trying to imply that you don’t know anything about guns, but many don’t know anything about the Kahrs and some of the things you can do to damage or cause malfunctions of your new, or new-to-you Kahr pistol.
First, if you don’t have a manual, yet, or one didn’t come with your pistol, you can download the pdf file here:
http://www.kahr.com/PDF/kahrmanual.pdf
Impatient? Watch one of these videos FIRST! These videos can point out possible problem areas and emphasize correct procedures!
Take down and re-assembly videos:
T, TP, CW, P, & PM/CM Series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=G2cZgVg_SwA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G2cZgVg_SwA)
MK series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...mSCnIOaUk#t=0s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zXmSCnIOaUk#t=0s)
K series:
http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-K9-Elite.asp
There are many links on fixing problems listed in several places… under the New Member or Kahr Tech sub-forums.
A very handy one is the Kahr Lube Diagram:
http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14750
Many of your questions can be answered in these areas and you can learn how your Kahr works and not damage it with improper handling.
Frequently asked questions: http://www.kahr.com/faq.asp?

There are many helpful members here most of the time who might be able to help you, but as anywhere, there are many opinions and not all are correct. Be mindful of this before doing anything drastic to modify your pistol!


Wynn:)
Aka wyntrout

[CJB]

I took my KAHR PM45 out to fire....I was able to slide the sight completely off the frame.

the BLACK DIAMOND finish was TERRIBLE!! Numerous scratches on the slide.

the barrel had a chip/burr on the right side of the feed ramp, as well as on the barrel hood near the extractor.

Welcome!~

Sounds like you need a new front sight. Maybe a new slide.

The finish on the black diamond is nothing too pretty. A good oiling or two makes it look a little better, but... its rather utilitarian.

The chip on the lower right side of the feed ramp is normal. The ramp is not symmetrical. The lower right side sort of takes on an "as machined" edge to it.

The chip on the hood is also normal. Three Kahr's and three chips on the hood. Kahr fits barrels slightly differently than you might expect. They have a little bit of taper to the hood and the slide wears into that area (or rather, that area wears into the slide). This is one way of assuring a really good fit, but does leave a burr or little edge. Also, the worn in area is not the full length of the hood. You can use little file and make it smoother if you like, or just leave it. Its they way they are.

Sorry to hear about your front sight. Jeeze.... I'm not sure how they fit 'em.

The old gunsmith's trick would apply though. Not that you'd want to on a new gun.. but just offering advice for future endeavors. What is commonly done is the sight is placed in a vice and the bottom of the dovetail is hit with a punch, raising metal. This is done in a few places, then the sight is tapped back into the dovetail with a nice tight fit due to the raised metal. Nothing new with that fitting method, although Kahr will no doubt make it right by replacing parts.

[swilcher7]

Thanks. I thought about sending the entire pistol, but they just asked for the slide. Found issues with barrel after the fact, so I sent that too along with the letter detailing issues. I may have possibly been able to resolve issues with barrel myself, but with only 200 rounds through it, and still being under warranty, I didn't want to chance it. In regards to the finish, for what you pay for these pistols, I believe the finish could have been a hell of alot better. Along with the scratches, I was able to see the stainless steel at the bottom of the cocking serrations. I was going to just grin and bear it at first, but when the sight fell off, I figured I would point that out as well. Hopefully from what I've read here, they will do me some justice.

[swilcher7]

The burr was actually midway up the right side of the feed ramp. When I hit it with a cleaning rag, it snagged on it, pulling away fibers. Same with the barrel hood. I know nothing is perfect. being former LE I take care of what may take care of me so to speak. I am partial to blued firearms. One or two scratches, ok so be it. But numerous along with steel showing is no good.

[CJB]

Pictures of those burr areas... greatly appreciated!

[Bill K]

Welcome to KahrTalk...

That sucks but all is well that ends well. Kahr should make it good.

[swilcher7]

Sorry. Everything already shipped. Should be there tomorrow. Came here to get input on what to do as this is the first pistol I've ever had to return to factory, Again, sorry I don't have photos.

[2edgesword]

Sorry to hear about the issues and hope they ae resolved to your complete satisfaction.

[rjt123]

Be sure to let us know how well Kahr addresses your issues. The wait might be a bit longer than usual right now. Kahr is just as snowed under and behind as everybody else in the firearms/ammunition industry.

[swilcher7]

Quick update. Spoke to Ian (kinda "dry" personality) today after receiving email from them with another shipping label. (Sent email first, called after no response) We both agreed I should send slide in as well. Funny thing, label sent when I called was (2) day FEDEX. Email label was OVERNIGHT FEDEX!! AARRGG!!! Oh well, both packages supposed to arrive 2/26 (TUES) Oh, and don't you know I forget to send in recoil assembly. (Batting 1000 here.) Will update again as things progress. Thanks.

[swilcher7]

DANGIT!! My fault. I meant I sent the FRAME in as well. Sorry!!

[swilcher7]

Well both FEDEX packages arrived at the "mothership" at 10:30 Am EST on 2/26/13. Now I'm waiting ti hear from them. Will keep you all posted. Thanks!!

[swilcher7]

Quick update. Received my PM45 back from KAHR today. So far just by looking at it I can say the did me justice so to speak. They (1) replaced slide (2) replaced front site (3) polished burrs from feed ramp and barrel hood (4) test fired. I'm gonna try to get to the range by the end of the week and will advise on how it goes. Also the included a new recoil spring and guide rod, seeing as how I forgot to send it in. I will say though I compared it to the original one that came with the pistol, and you can see how much the spring compresses after I fired the 200 rounds to break it in. So as of right now let me give KUDOS to KAHR for the work they did. Final thing, from time it shipped until I got it back was 3 weeks. Not bad!!

[wyntrout]

Been there done that a few times... with Franken-Boomer! Good luck! I hope they got it squared away for you.

Wynn:)

[swilcher7]

Ok. Quick trip to the range on Wed 3/20. 60 rounds thru it with ZERO malfunctions!! WOOHOO!! I will say, as do others that I have read, my PM45 does not like Hornady ammo. I fired (5) rounds of 200 +p TAP FPD and after each shot I had to nudge the slide into battery just a bit. No problems with (50) rounds of 230 gr Blazer or (5) rounds of 230 Federal Hydra Shok. Now I can say I'm a happy camper and hopefully all the hiccups are through!!

[CJB]

PM45's rock... got two... both are 100 percent

[kahrseye]

Glad everything is as it should be. I love my PM45 and think it shoots best of all my Kahrs. Good luck with it in the future.