Normal wear? Kahr P9

[paintwerk]

Ok, so I was cleaning my P9, I noticed a few spots of interest. Both sides of the barrel have an area (1 & 2) where it looks like it has been deformed from hitting the slide. The bottom of the feed ramp has a spot (5) that has been deformed from hitting either the mag or slide lock. The rear of the barrel has two areas (3 &4) that are also deformed from hitting the slide.

I will be contacting Kahr to find out if this is normal, but I figured I would post here and get some opinions.

So take a look and tell me what you guys think.

A little background, Ive had this P9 for 1 year, and have put about 2,300 rounds through it. It has been flawless from the first round. I carry it everyday, and I really couldnt be happier with it.

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss164/paintwerk/IMG_0004.jpg

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss164/paintwerk/IMG_0005-1.jpg

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss164/paintwerk/IMG_0025.jpg

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss164/paintwerk/IMG_0022.jpg

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss164/paintwerk/IMG_0006.jpg

[rkirk]

I don't know about 1-4. But number 5 looks familiar. I had a ding on the bottom left of the feeding ramp facing the chamber. I had to gently smooth it using a fine file. It snagged my finger when I cleaned it. So I needed to smooth it down. Anyway It was caused by slamming a magazines during reload. It happened at IDPA shoot. So I now reload some slower and problem fixed.

About 1-4 I have no idea. Sorry. There are many very knowledgeable Kahr owners on this forum who could help.

-- Richard

[ripley16]

Areas 3 and 4 look like the barrel to slide fit is off a bit, but is "self" adjusting. If the gun operates OK I wouldn't worry much. Areas 1 and 2 look to be related to a poor fit but shouldn't have any adverse effect. None of this should happen, but it does.

Area 5 is occuring on one of my new Kahrs too. It isn't from slamming mags in because I don't. I think the bottom of the ramp is hitting something, (the mag?), during recoil and peening. It hasn't effected reliability but is disconcerting.

Is this an example of "normal" wear? Unfortunately I think it may be more normal than not. Kahr's reputation on quality barrels has taken a major hit lately. Maybe they need a new look at QC methods.

[rkirk]

Ripley16,

Is right, the wear on my CW9 was on the bottom edge and the dent pushed up a bur. Now that I look, again yours looks like the slide slamming back into something.

-- Richard

[jocko]

I thijnk you need to send the barrel back to kahr, Alot of that is not normal IMO. Call kahr ans ask for IAN, you can also send these photos to them also via internet, that would help alot also.

[jlottmc]

That's the best advice right there. Ask the ones who built it. Also if the Oracle says ask for some one...there is a good reason to ask for them.:boink:

[deadhead1971]

I have #3 on my current PM9 barrel. I also had #3 on a previous PM9 barrel.

[jocko]

I have #3 on my current PM9 barrel. I also had #3 on a previous PM9 barrel.

also had that on my PM9, I attributed it to the casing hitting that tipped ejection area on the barrel as it was ejecting the spent casing. It was evidkent it was hitting that tipped area.. It was proabably weaker at that point and when the burr showed, I filed it down one time and smoothed it out and it has never appeared again and I have 25,900 rounds. I would not worry about that area at all, but I do feel there is some peening going on that should not be there.

If it were mine, I would ask to send it back for inspection, and once back I do think they would replace it. I woul dnot think the upper slide would have to be sent back but if they ask to have it back also, indeed send it. Both can be sent back regular postal mail, for about $5. the lower section would not hav eto go back and that is the part that has the serial number on it also...so that could not be sent back regular mail.. a nice call to kahr willget to the bottom of it..

[Bawanna]

It wouldn't hurt to send the slide along with the barrel. That's definitely looking like peening going on. My original K40 barrel and slide were doing similar things and the gun started not quite going into battery after around 100 to 150 rounds. Almost, even close enough that it would fire but usually took a good smack to lock up. I contacted Kahr and sent the whole gun, on my dime, didn't know any better then, or now for that matter. Anyhow they replaced the whole top end, slide and barrel. It cost about the same to ship slide and barrel and you can't shoot it anyhow with the barrel gone, I'd let em see both so maybe they determine what the barrel is peening on?
Does this make sense?

[paintwerk]

Thanks for the responses guys. Very much appreciated.

I talked to Ian at Kahr, he asked for me to send in the barrel for inspection. I will also send in the slide since it wont cost any more, and that way they can make sure of proper fitment if the barrel needs to be replaced, etc.

I will update this thread when I hear back after sending it in.

[Bawanna]

Thanks for the responses guys. Very much appreciated.

I talked to Ian at Kahr, he asked for me to send in the barrel for inspection. I will also send in the slide since it wont cost any more, and that way they can make sure of proper fitment if the barrel needs to be replaced, etc.

I will update this thread when I hear back after sending it in.

Please do keep us posted with the results of it's trip back to Kahr. We all benefit from that information and it can be shared with new folks that come along also.
I suspect Kahr will take good care of you and have it back in quick fashion. They have been really good to many members here.

[paintwerk]

UPDATE:

Ok, my barrel and slide came back from Kahr today.

This is from an e-mail I received a few days ago.
"I'm glad you emailed me. I had the gunsmiths look at it and was informed that there is nothing wrong with your barrel and that it is indeed normal wear. So I will be shipping it back today.

Ian"


It looks like they cleaned up spots #3 & 5. I can still catch #5 with my fingernail, but it is definitely much better than before.

The other spots look to have been polished.

So overall I am happy with the service I received, Quick turnaround, and good communication.

If the spots get worse, I will followup with Ian.

I will be shooting the P9 this weekend, I expect it will perform 100% as it has for the last 2300 rounds.

[rettom60]

I had spots on my barrel, from hitting the slide on my PM40, and I stoned the high spots and haven't had any more show up, and it runs perfect.

rettom60

[jocko]

there has to be some barrel to slide contact, so some wear spots are normal. another reason why to rub a finger of grease in those wear spots. That barrel cams upon ejection and has to have some contact with the slide. Some have posted photos of a gap bigger at the top of the slide/barrel in the front than on the bottom, again the barrel has to cam upward at the front and down ward at the back and that gap has to be there. Any lock breech should show that also. I know my Glock does...

and what Rettom60 did IMO was correct to. some little high spots might show themselves. Stone them down, polish them up and more than likely will never occur.

i can say on my PM9 the right side pointed part of the breech/ejection area, started to get a burr on it in about the first 200 runds, I filed it off and polished it and it has never came back in over 25,000 rounds. My thoughts were that this pointed part of the ejection/chamber area was getting dinged every time upon ejection and there simply was not enough strengh in that pointed area...

[paintwerk]

I put 100 rounds through the P9 today.

so that makes 2400 flawless rounds.

Not anywhere close to Jocko`s PM9, but a good start nonetheless :D

[jocko]

I put 100 rounds through the P9 today.

so that makes 2400 flawless rounds.

Not anywhere close to Jocko`s PM9, but a good start nonetheless :D

not but the P9 is just as reliable as my PM9 is. so feel good about that. That is IMO one super handgun. Other than my PM9, that would be my choice. I have a K9 and love it but never shoot it, but I think I would really like the P9, as it is so close to my PM9, that I would not feel the transistion from steel to polymer.

Nice report..

[predestyned]

#3 happened to me. i noticed it today as i was cleaning it. i felt a burr. i was really worried . i took a file to it and gently knocked off the burr and polished it. i looked up the problem and instantly found your thread on it. i feel much better now just normal wear. gun has been flawless with the 265 rds. that have cycled through it.

[paintwerk]

#3 happened to me. i noticed it today as i was cleaning it. i felt a burr. i was really worried . i took a file to it and gently knocked off the burr and polished it. i looked up the problem and instantly found your thread on it. i feel much better now just normal wear. gun has been flawless with the 265 rds. that have cycled through it.

Glad to hear this thread was helpful for you. :D

[CS534]

I had the same concern on my CW40 with the slide to barrel tolerance. I sent it into Kahr. I think that the slide was hitting the barrel. I should note that I never had any issues with firing or feeding. Its up to you but if it were me I would send it in and at least let them take a look. Great customer service and a quick return for me, hope the same.

[OldLincoln]

Depending on where it is hitting, it's okay. The barrel is supposed to hit the slide on the top leaving a scrape about an inch long. That's one of the break-in points but if it's really rough you can smooth it out.

A good exercise is to remove the recoil spring, reinstall the slide, then "walk" the slide slowly back to see what is going on with the various parts. I had a lot of concerns fade when I saw the interaction of the barrel and slide through the process.

I smoothed the slide spot and polished it, and did the same where the barrel top rubs the slide. Working the action after was noticeably smoother. You'll also see the ring marks on the barrel where it rubs the front bushing, so polish the barrel also.

These are must lube places as are the others in the http://kahrtalk.com/kahr-tech/308-kahr-lube-diagram.html
(http://kahrtalk.com/kahr-tech/308-kahr-lube-diagram.html)