Two "catchs" in the slide

[CJCM9]

I have about 300 rounds thru my CM9 with only one FTF. When brand new, when I would rack the slide by hand, I would feel a "catch" where the slide would require more pressure to open it. Its a definite hard "wall" that I have to push thru. this appears to happen when the barrel is dropping down to open the chamber (about 3/4" from closed).

The second. When walking the slide closed, I could actually have the slide lock partially open (no its not the slide lock). It has gotten better with break-in but there still is a definite "catch" feeling. When walking the slide closed, it doesn't actually catch, locking partially open, any more. This happens about one third of the way from fully open.

Has anyone else noticed this?
What causes it?
Does it go away with use or is there a fix?

[xsailer]

I had the same instance when mine was newer and using Zombie hollow points. I think the edge of the bullet hollow hole caught, as you say. I've switched ammo and not had the problem.

bob - cm9

[CJCM9]

I had the same instance when mine was newer and using Zombie hollow points. I think the edge of the bullet hollow hole caught, as you say. I've switched ammo and not had the problem.

bob - cm9

My conditions are without any ammo in the gun.
This is just manually working the slide.

(before anyone says it, I know, walking the slide may not allow the gun to go into battery) I'm only walking the slide to figure out what is catching.

[xsailer]

Oh sorry. I misread. Smarter than me will have to answer this one.

[AFDoc]

As long as it it shooting, it should be fine and continue to get better with age. Perhaps some of our more seasoned veterans here will be able to add more value. Have you followed the prep thread break-in advice posted by Jocko?

[kerby9mm]

I think one catch is the slide moving over the cocking cam & if you have a mag in the stripper bar on the bottom of the slide rides on the follower slightly& then there is the barrel going up into battery.

[xsailer]

I remember reading on the forum a suggestion to dremel polish moving parts. I did that and there was a noticeable change. I did note the polishing operation did knock off sharp corners and edges. I'm surprised the debur operation at the factory doesn't do a better job but then all machinery "loosens" up with use. As far as your "hard" problems though of "catch's" during slide movement seems a bit rad.

[garyb]

I have about 300 rounds thru my CM9 with only one FTF. When brand new, when I would rack the slide by hand, I would feel a "catch" where the slide would require more pressure to open it. Its a definite hard "wall" that I have to push thru. this appears to happen when the barrel is dropping down to open the chamber (about 3/4" from closed).

The second. When walking the slide closed, I could actually have the slide lock partially open (no its not the slide lock). It has gotten better with break-in but there still is a definite "catch" feeling. When walking the slide closed, it doesn't actually catch, locking partially open, any more. This happens about one third of the way from fully open.

Has anyone else noticed this?
What causes it?
Does it go away with use or is there a fix?

It is difficult to say what you are feeling. My PM has the first "catch" as you call it at about 3/4" from closed, but it is normal action of the slide. There are no additional "catches or walls" as you describe. I suggest that you try to find another CM9 to compare yours to. OR contact Kahr and ask them. From my experience when my gun was new to where it is now...well broken in...things most certainly smooth out over time. They are a tight close tolerance gun. They smooth out with use and wear. Keep working that slide, clean and lube it and work it some more to smooth it out. It does not require shooting to work the slide. Just do it manually. 300 rounds in my opinion is not broken in. When I purchased mine, I cleaned it and prepped it and lubed it with a good gun grease MilCom products. I worked that slide thousands of times, over and over again. It keeps getting smoother and smoother with age like a fine whiskey.

Every gun has a different slide feel. Some feel smoother, easier, etc...than others. If you are comparing your CM to another 9, don't expect it to feel the same. All the slides on my guns feel different.

That's my advice and experience, but who knows...you may have a problem. You'll need to compare yours to another one or have Kahr look at it to sort it out for certain.

[wyntrout]

As long as the pistol chambers when properly racked and fires and ejects rounds, you have no problems. The pistol isn't expected to act the same when "walked" through operations.:rolleyes: It's designed to work with the violence of a PROPER full rack as when fired, and there are a lot of things going on with the barrel unlocking from the slide and tipping down at the rear as the slide travels to the rear. All of this is normal and happens in the blink of the eye... NORMAL!

Wynn:)

[berettabone]

I can feel what you describe in my MK9.................no worries, shoot it..............

[jocko]

shoot the fokker!!!! jUST SAYIN

[muggsy]

The catch that you feel when when racking the slide is the barrel being cammed out of lock-up with the slide. The catch that you feel when the slide is returning to battery is the striker being preloaded. If you watch this video you'll see what I'm saying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYRHpolEC_Y&playnext=1&list=PL9C885DAED1AA2EC2&feature=results_main

[garyb]

Helpful reply Muggsy.

[muggsy]

Thanks Gary. I appreciate the acknowledgement. That video help me to trouble shoot Kahr pistols. I know them as well as I know my 1911 A-1.

[CJCM9]

I emailed Kahr and their reply is
"Good morning. Thank you for the questions. What you are feeling is the
normal operation of the firearm. The first hitch you feel is the barrel
locking up with the slide. The second hitch (which has since gone away) is
likely from the slide mating with the frame. Both are completely normal and
nothing to be concerned about. I hope this information helps.
sincerely,"

[muggsy]

Just goes to show you what they know. :)

[CJCM9]

I figured that the catches will get better with more shots thru the gun. I didn't know if people had done anything to speed that up. I just not used to the feel because my M&Ps slides are smooth.

I'll ignore it and keep shooting.