Magazine doesn't drop out

[bxojr]

I've got a brand-new CM9 with just 100 rounds through it so far. I also picked up a used 7-round magazine with the finger extension.

I've found that if I press the mag release with the standard 6-round mag in place, the mag pops right out like I expect (it will fall to the floor if I don't catch it). But the 7-round mag doesn't do this. It pops out about an inch, and then friction stops it. I can pull it out the rest of the way, of course, but I hope to shoot this gun in competition eventually. To do a fast reload I need the mag to just pop all the way out without me having to pull it.

The two magazines appear identical (except, of course, for length and the base plate), but obviously the 7-round mag must be shaped slightly differently or something.

Is this a common problem? Anything I can do to get it to drop free?

[CJB]

There are a few threads here on this very subject. I don't have the issue - 5 9mm mags all drop great in my PM9, but... others have had an issue with six or seven round mags.

The fix that some have done - disassemble the mag, squeeze the body at the top just a little bit, reassemble. Test that the follower does not drag. Check that the magazine drops ok.

A little squeeze goes a long way. You only need to deflect things about the thickness of a few hairs.

[Tilos]

"Is this a common problem? Anything I can do to get it to drop free?"
Yes, common the mags are slightly larger right where the lips meet the sides.
They can be lightly squeezed in this area to allow the mags to drop free.
Searching the subject will result in finding many thraeds on this subject and detailed instructions on the fix.

[scosgt]

A while ago I bought some brand new Star Firestar mags, and one of them would not even go all the way up into the grip.
Some polishing on a wheel, followed by a squeeze here and there by trial and error, and they all now work perfectly.

Just be careful where you squeeze and do a little at a time until you get it. Use Prussian Blue or oil or something as a marker to see where it binds.

And buy another gun for competition. The PM9 is not exactly a target piece, unless you are shooting targets less than 10 feet away.

[muggsy]

My CM9 will group inside of three inches at 21' rapid fire. How do I accomplish this feat. The same way that you get to Carnegie Hall. Practice, practice, practice.

[Linthead]

My CM9 will group inside of three inches at 21' rapid fire. How do I accomplish this feat. The same way that you get to Carnegie Hall. Practice, practice, practice.


What does that have to do with magazines failing to drop free?

[yqtszhj]

What does that have to do with magazines failing to drop free?

scosgt's statement I'm sure

Quote from scosgt "And buy another gun for competition. The PM9 is not exactly a target piece, unless you are shooting targets less than 10 feet away."

[xsailer]

bxojr,
My cm9 is also a "new" gun. I've shoot approx. 300-400 rds thru it. The magazines would not fall free for a while but now they will fall free if the gun is held in a fairly level upright position while ejecting. I haven't tried "squeezing" the Mag but suspect because mine are loosening up because of use that may be all it would take to eject free.

[bxojr]

And buy another gun for competition. The PM9 is not exactly a target piece, unless you are shooting targets less than 10 feet away.

I've already got an M&P as my main competition gun. But I intend to shoot a few matches with the CM9 from time to time, so I can make sure I'm sharp with my actual self-defense gun. That's supposed to be the purpose of IDPA, after all!

Thanks for the tips. I did try a search, but must not have used the right terms. Sounds like there are some things to try...

[Tilos]

here you go
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12056

Use Bing search feature, it's much better than any forum search.
I searched "Kahrtalk.com, mag squeeze"
and that thread was the 1st hit

[bxojr]

here you go
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12056


Thanks, that looks most helpful. I'll give it a try tonight.

[xsailer]

Interesting thing happened. I emptied all 4 of my Kahr magazines to do the "squeeze" as noted. A few weeks ago I was having this tight/sticking problem. Got my tools out and thought I'll see just how much of a squeeze I need. I was really surprised to find all four mags flew out of the handle(without rds in). The only thing I've done since experiencing the tightness was make the changes on the follower per the thread http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6943&highlight=follower+mod&page=2. I've not shot more than a few rds thru either.
Thoughts: maybe adding a edge radius on the follower, after removing the chamfer, allowed the mag edges to move in slightly? Maybe it just was the result of the normal break in time. I don't know but I do know I've done nothing myself to fix the tightness except the follower modification noted.
Or maybe the suggestions from other experienced hands on the forum "leave it alone and have fun with it" may be at play here?

[bxojr]

Just an update. I think I've finally got my 7-round mag cooperating.

I had no luck at first. I repeatedly squeezed the mag near the feed lips (as shown by the illustration in the other thread), but this made no difference. Eventually I went too far and squeezed it so tight the follower started to stick, but even then the mag still didn't drop freely. I managed to undo that and was back where I started.

Upon closer examination, I eventually determined that mine was hanging up on the magazine release button. An area on the magazine just above the hole where the mag release engages was apparently a hair too wide. I hammered on that spot a bit with a brass hammer, and even though I can tell no difference visually, I eventually got it to drop free.

It's still not perfect -- depending on how hard I press the mag release button, it sometimes still hangs up. But it's loose enough that I can give it a shake and make the mag drop out. The gun is still quite new (only 100 rounds shot so far), so I figure the plastic of the mag release will wear down a bit over time.

[bugs]

I've had the same problem with 6&7 rnd. mags; did all the posted fixes which helped some. all mags miked 4.88/4.90 (?) between lips and release notch, and still sometimes a hang up.
with the slide off I could see how the hang up happens; the release spring is strong enough that if you take pressure off the button too soon, the spring tension makes the release shoulder grip the mag body enough to prevent a free drop.

my fix will be polish the snot out the mag tubes,add .062 to the release button, and remove .010 off the release shoulder.

all of the above will be the cure. I hope. I compete w/CM9 (my daily carry gun) so clean drops are important.

NRA LIFER
IDPA BELEIVER