Kahr Replaced My CW45 Barrel

[DougGuy]

Got a new CW45 in May, and it had a noticeable "divot" in one of the lands in front of the chamber, directly over the recoil lug. It had been successfully test fired, and I put about 100rds through it once I got it. Firing it lapped it smooth somewhat, but sending a pic and an email to Kahr got them to send me out a new barrel.

It didn't take much to fit the new barrel, about .003" needed to come off the barrel hood. Once fitted, I ran a couple hundred rounds through it and it worked from the git go. The new barrel is much better looking in the chamber throat, it still won't go into battery with a .452" bullet unless it is seated so far in the case it could cause dangerous pressure problems and I am just not going there. I will stick to factory ammo that is sized .451" and it runs fine.

Original barrel, pic on left is when it was new and unfired by me, pic on right is after 100rds:

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/DougGuy/Kahr%20CW45/Barrel1_zpsb2659ff3.jpg (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/DougGuy/media/Kahr%20CW45/Barrel1_zpsb2659ff3.jpg.html)

Original barrel again on left, new replacement barrel on right after firing a couple hundred rounds. There is some slight buildup of what appears to be bullet lube in the grooves, could be a tiny bit of leading, but the new barrel was accurate and overall the pistol performed very well:

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/DougGuy/Kahr%20CW45/Barrel2_zpse8441572.jpg (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/DougGuy/media/Kahr%20CW45/Barrel2_zpse8441572.jpg.html)

[Tilos]

If the .452 bullets are something you are loading, I have had good results pushing both cast and jacketed bullet thru a lee sizing die that cost $20+/- to reduce bullet diameters.
I buy 38/357 bullets and push them thru a .355 or .356 die to use for 9mm.
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-new-lube--size-kit-.451-90061.html
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-new-lube--size-kit-.452-90055.html

It only takes a few minute to do, and I do most bullets when I receive them to varify the size.

[RRP]

Another positive response by Kahr Customer Service. Successful outcome.

Great pics, BTW.

[DougGuy]

If they would have put another .010" of freebore in there, a .452" would work. It just makes me have to buy .451" to handload for it. Which btw invalidates the warranty..

[CJB]

its not the diameter, its the ogive

[Tilos]

Earth to to DougGuy:
Did you read post #2 :rolleyes:

[DougGuy]

Earth to to DougGuy:
Did you read post #2 :rolleyes:

Of course I did. It is more common for cast bullets to be sized .452" than .451" so why would I buy a sizing die to resize a .452" when I could just buy a .451" and roll along with it.

The problem with that, is it's just a bit harder to find .451" and easy to find .452" so if there was a bit more lead in the barrel, I wouldn't have to buy a die or shop for .451" bullets. The lead in the barrel before the rifling is meant to be clearanced for the bullet's ojive. Most 45 ACP will chamber the .452" just fine. SAAMI specs are for a .452" anyway.

[Tilos]

This is a common problem with drop in barrels chambered for jacketed bullets when people try and shoot cast from them, blame the barrel, and end up having them reamed bigger:(.
Me, I just resize the bullets and keep the acuaracy of the chamber for the smaller jacketed bullets, just me though.

So ok then...thought you used .452 diameter bullets for something else and or had a bunch you couldn't use.

Never mind then, sounds like you've got this under control, or have least rationalized something, but a die would be easier than rechambering the barrel to use the resized, more common .452 diameter bullets available.:D
jmo

[DougGuy]

Heh Tilos, you may be correct but ya kinda preachin' to the choir here, I owned a bunch of 1911s and Colt SAAs and Rugers over the years all in .45 cal so it ain't like I don't know my math when it comes to reloading and barrel/chamber dimensions.

The new barrel does shoot really good, very accurate, so why mess with a good thing when I have this extra barrel laying around that I can use a finishing reamer on and it will gladly gobble up .452s all day. Swap the barrels on range days. Swap them back when finished at the range.

This gun was purchased for edc, not really for recreational shooting, so the main objective was to shoot it in and let the springs take a set, make sure the magazines were reliable and the gun could be counted on 110%, turn the sights in to a 3 dot setup, and then leave it alone and carry it. LOL in 10yrs either me or the gf will still have an almost new gun! ;)

[Tilos]

Not really preaching, bloviating or scenting really, just offering some constructive advise, there in my 1st post, that you chose to ignore and I didn't even receive an acknowledgement for, only after I posted some sarcasm.
Just a simple "thanks but..." response instead of restating what you posted 1st again.
I don't know you or you're experience, nor do you know mine, and you mentioned the bullet diameter thing along with the barrel deal as something of concern.
Thanks for explaining your plans with that extra barrel, but I'm not impressed or interested at this point.
Sorry I tried to help, as you believe you don't need any.
Take the last word if you deem it necessary, I'm done here.

[DougGuy]

Actually, I didn't ask for help. If you think I did, then you are reading more into the text than I can see. I was merely relating my experience in getting a barrel replaced. I also didn't ask for an attitude but feel free to cop one, that is certainly your right.

There isn't a thing in the world wrong with using a finishing reamer on a barrel. EVERY autopistol barrel gets that as part of manufacturing. If you look down the chamber end of a 1911 barrel, you will see that most are capable of chambering a .452" bullet since .452" is SAAMI spec for the caliber.

I'm glad you have success in your methods for solving the issue. To expect others on a public forum to subscribe to your method of thinking and then publicly attempting to humiliate them if they don't is not proper forum etiquette in anybody's book. Jus sayin'

[Bawanna]

Well I think the original good job on Kahr's part by providing a new barrel has come through loud and clear.

After that things seem to have deteriorated so I think we're all done here.

Lets see what catchy tune can I think of while I'm throwing the switch.

How about "I honestly Love you" by Olivia Newton-John.

Works for me.

Course not in any mano, mano way ya understand.