CW9 Mag not dropping free

[buster]

I bought a CW9 today, gun shoots great, but the mag does not drop free.
When I bought the gun I also got a spare 7 rd. mag. It does the same thing. I fired 100 rds. of Federal 115 grn. FMJ. Help!

[ripley16]

Kahr mags are not designed to drop free. Occationally one may fall free, but that is the exception.

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy your new Kahr.

[jfrey]

Kahr mags ARE designed to fall free. I had the same problem with mine. Sent it back to Kahr, after conferring with Ian, and upon return they fly out just like a 1911 mag. It was obvious that the factory had done some filing and polishing of the inside of the mag well. Said so on the return ticket. All three of my mags come out just like they are supposed to now.

[rkirk]

I have more than 500 rounds through my CW9. If I hold the magazine release button down mine almost drop.

I have worked on retrieving my spare magazine first, punching the magazine release button and pulling the spent magazine with two fingers then loading the new magazine in the pistol. Then pocketing the spent magazine.

I still fumble around trying that move, but I am getting better. I used to pull the spent magazine from the pistol, drop it on the ground and then get a new magazine and load it in the pistol. It takes 5 seconds to do that instead of two or three.

In an indoor range I pull the old out and load the new. Shooting IDPA drove me to practice this frantic maneuver. I will never be as fast as the young guys, but it is something to strive towards.

-- Richard

[jfrey]

rkirk, I had the same problem. They would drop just a little like a BHP mag. Had to pull them out the rest of the way. Ian got it fixed for me and no problems since. Hit the button and out they come, loaded or not.

[Moto_joe]

My P40 mags JUMP out of the pistol. Empty, full, muzzle horizontal, muzzle vertical..... they come all the way out on to the ground. I would be upset if they didnt.

[Bawanna]

I can use the magazine in both my K40 and my PM45 as a last ditch projectile. Push the release and the mags fly out. The K's and MK's and such will bind up if you get the handle screws to tight but that's an easy fix. I suspect after I polish them up some they'll fly out even better.

[OldLincoln]

So should all of us with hanging mags send our guns to Kahr or is this something to fix at home? On mine the 6rd comes out if I dip the gun at the same time but 7rd pop out a inch or so and hang.

[Moto_joe]

I can use the magazine in both my K40 and my PM45 as a last ditch projectile.....


+1 LMAO I think I could point the muzzle upwards and hit the bad guy in the forehead from 5yds at least with a magazine :lmao

[Bawanna]

So should all of us with hanging mags send our guns to Kahr or is this something to fix at home? On mine the 6rd comes out if I dip the gun at the same time but 7rd pop out a inch or so and hang.

I don't got a solid answer to this one but as usual my own opionion. I wouldn't send em off. I'd probably check the mag well for any roughness or burrs. Might even clean and polish up the mag well opening. For models with grips I'd take them off or at least loosen the screws a turn or two to see if things are better.
I know factory mags are sticky from the get go, and it take a little cleaning to get em dry and clean. I'm gonna polish some of mine like Copper&black did, maybe not to that extent but slick. Should be able to get em to drop pretty easy. I'm not normally so concerned about dropping a mag with rounds left, like if it's buldging like the glocks used to be. But empty I want it to leave when I push the button.

[jocko]

Kahr mags ARE designed to fall free. I had the same problem with mine. Sent it back to Kahr, after conferring with Ian, and upon return they fly out just like a 1911 mag. It was obvious that the factory had done some filing and polishing of the inside of the mag well. Said so on the return ticket. All three of my mags come out just like they are supposed to now.

actually ripley is correct. Page 13 of kahr manual kinda states that even.( (quote, "and pulling the magazine from the magazine well) My PM9 has never dropped the magazines in any of the 3 mags I have for it. Personally I like it that way for if I accidently hit the mag button, it won't go flying out all over heh either. no doubt kahr will free up the mag well space in the polymer guns if one wants to send it back. I just question if it is worth the effort. I feel I am very fast in taking my spent magazine out of my PM9 and being I don't carry a spare defense magazine, it is also for me a mute point.

[jlottmc]

Come to think of it, my P45 mags are a little sticky. The mag release seems a little less than willing to seat itself as well. Guess I need to polish and maybe remove a bit of material around those areas.

[Bigcube]

I have 5 mags for my PM9, one will drop free, the rest pop out about 1/2 or 1" and I pull them the rest of the way. I also find they are tough to get lined up when putting a new one in. All my other semi's have dropped free. I just figured it was a Kahr thing.

[buster]

Being the 1st carry nine that I have bought, I was just wondering. Yes it does state what Jocko sez in the manual. I have carried J frame's always.

[buster]

Having carried a J frame and working with speedloaders it just seemed a little strange that the mag would not drop free. As I am not fast with the hand speed as I was in my younger days a pull and swap could be trouble in a real fire fight. I will call Kahr and check on this.

[rkirk]

Buster, I am with you on this, even though I have tried to become competent doing a swap. This has caused me to start thinking about carrying a second Kahr. Anybody do that?

-- Richard

[OldLincoln]

You guys are terrific!! Richard just offered an excuse to buy another Kahr and Bawanna brought up polishing - one of my new favorite things! BTW, I saw that Harbor Freight has Dremmel knock offs for about $20. I really like Jocko saying he is fast removing his spent mag even tho he doesn't carry a spare! We're like a club of kids nudging one another to get into mischief - I will if You will!!

This is another subject I hadn't considered until I read this thread. But after consideration I recall the UTube videos showing mag changes where they pop out onto the ground. Since I carry spares I think that's what I'd prefer mine to do. In the excitement of the moment it would be like me to try and jam a fresh mag without removing the spent one. After all your are supposed to keep your eye on the target during the exchange so you need confidence the empty mag has cleared the grips before jamming the fresh one.

Sigh.... guess I gotta go to Harbor Frieght! Darn.

[jlottmc]

Northern Tool has a very good 200+piece set up for $60. That's what I got. The Harbor Freight's tend to be junk, at least with their other stuff.

[rkirk]

It doesn't take much to cause me to consider another pistol. However I am so happy with my BHP MKIII and CW9 I may add one of each to the BHP and Kahr family sell the rest and be done! What a plan. That should keep me busy for a while!

-- Richard

[OldLincoln]

Funny but I came across this video about speed reloading when looking at other shooting videos. It goes directly to the point of this thread:YouTube - Army Pro Shooting Tips: How to Speed Reload a Gun (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StXMHw32kjA)

[Bawanna]

You guys are terrific!! Richard just offered an excuse to buy another Kahr and Bawanna brought up polishing - one of my new favorite things! BTW, I saw that Harbor Freight has Dremmel knock offs for about $20. I really like Jocko saying he is fast removing his spent mag even tho he doesn't carry a spare! We're like a club of kids nudging one another to get into mischief - I will if You will!!

This is another subject I hadn't considered until I read this thread. But after consideration I recall the UTube videos showing mag changes where they pop out onto the ground. Since I carry spares I think that's what I'd prefer mine to do. In the excitement of the moment it would be like me to try and jam a fresh mag without removing the spent one. After all your are supposed to keep your eye on the target during the exchange so you need confidence the empty mag has cleared the grips before jamming the fresh one.

Sigh.... guess I gotta go to Harbor Frieght! Darn.

Now your talking, long as your buying the DLT (dremel like tool) I think Wynn invented that one, you might as well buy another Kahr and polish em both!
I will if you will.

PS- Long as your out and about be sure to get some of that really really fine sand paper too, like 800, 1000, 1200, and maybe 1500 grit. I've still yet to get any but it's on the list.

[OldLincoln]

Northern Tool has a very good 200+piece set up for $60. That's what I got. The Harbor Freight's tend to be junk, at least with their other stuff.Yeah, I always had to have the best tools and would do without until I could afford them. So I bought an expensive hi speed grinder for a project and used it 2 or 3 times. Then it was an expensive router and bits that I used for a couple weeks on a project. Oh and we can't forget the expensive table saw that I couldn't get the hang of and sold for half. At my age all I need is a $20 tool and a few bits. Hey it will go nicely with the $13 drill I bought at Harbor Freight a couple weeks ago.

[rkirk]

I am going to play that several times. The guy is smooth and fast. Something to strive toward. But no fair he has eyes and knees.

-- Richard

[jlottmc]

Yeah, I always had to have the best tools and would do without until I could afford them. So I bought an expensive hi speed grinder for a project and used it 2 or 3 times. Then it was an expensive router and bits that I used for a couple weeks on a project. Oh and we can't forget the expensive table saw that I couldn't get the hang of and sold for half. At my age all I need is a $20 tool and a few bits. Hey it will go nicely with the $13 drill I bought at Harbor Freight a couple weeks ago.


If that trips your trigger. I've used my little DLT for a couple of projects now and it works, but isn't smooth or as nice as the original. Some of the best tools I've ever owned I bought at a tent sale from the PX. Wish they hadn't got stolen. I spend more time rebuilding my tool box than I do using the stuff I think. And I use my tools everyday...:eek:

[jocko]

I see lots of polymer mods where mag well cut outs are done. has to be a reason why they do that, if they all dropped free as many feelt hey shold cut outs would serve no purpose.
I guess it is all what one gets used to doing with a particular gun. I know it can happen tomorrow but I have carried for 48 years and never had to ever reload my revolver or semi. NEVER had to fire in anger either. Never ever pulled my weapon in 48 years either. By the time I put my cell phone, motorcycle fob and keys in my pocket along wth my money clip and then my PM9 in my other pocket, I have no room for a spare magazine. I guess If I can't do it in 7 then I am probabaly dead anyhow

[jfrey]

I watched the video and he is good. Mags pop right out. I do have to wonder though - how many thousands and thousands of times has he done it to be that good. Is that Glock still stock? Did he tweek the mag well any? Those guys shoot thousands of rounds a week. Us ole farm boys can't expect to be that good from the getgo. I just want mine to pop out and go from there.

[buster]

Called Kahr today about mags not falling free. They suggested that I fire alot more rounds, and if there are still problems call am get a RA they will fix the problem.

[OldLincoln]

I know it can happen tomorrow but I have carried for 48 years and never had to ever reload my revolver or semi. NEVER had to fire in anger either. Never ever pulled my weapon in 48 years either.Wow, then what the hell am I carrying for? As mean and full of piss and vinegar as you are and never needed it, a nice, kind fellow like me shouldn't need to carry at all! Problem is, all you ornery folks here have worked so hard to get me started I don't want to disappoint any of you.

[Bawanna]

Wow, then what the hell am I carrying for? As mean and full of piss and vinegar as you are and never needed it, a nice, kind fellow like me shouldn't need to carry at all! Problem is, all you ornery folks here have worked so hard to get me started I don't want to disappoint any of you.

Its nice and kind fellas like you, me and WMD who are pray for the piss and vinegar types. Reason enough to carry 24/7.
Course carrying for all those years and not needing it is a statement to his awareness and ability to steer clear of hoodlums with a few notable exceptions IE the store robberies which had to totally suck.
Long live Jocko.

[wyntrout]

You could take the magazine tube and lightly smoke it with a candle so you can see where you need to sand after inserting it into the well, and withdrawing it. Then use sandpaper wrapped around a ruler or whatever it takes to remove the offending pieces of plastic... no DLT, though. With this plastic, it only takes a touch of the polish wheel at 20,000 RPM and OOPS! There's a divot gone! Been there done that... still got the oopsie in my PM45 frame. Thank goodness it was inside the frame and not a critical area. I was working on the ejector underside and removed some plastic on the opposite side.
You should have seen me with the DLT working on my P380's feed ramp... with a couple of those carbide grinder thingies... BIG EEK!:eek: I thought I would never get that looking smooth again. I had to wrap sandpaper around a round file and get a smooth trough there so I could polish it and hope that it still fed the chamber okay.
I paid about $25 for the Dremel-Like Tool and I've had lots of "FUN" with some of those several hundred little grinders and cutter thingies. The best ones are the polishing wheels and I had to buy some more of those at Lowe's. Just remember there a bit of friction and at 20,000 RPM with plastic, we're talking about a very few MILLI-SECONDS to turn plastic into smoke... even those glass-filled Kahr frames!
And that's with the SOFT thingies. There's all kinds of carbide or tungsten and even diamond bit thingies that can bite through anything!
Wynn:D

[QuietMan]

I had the same problem with mine when I first got it...I put 200 rounds through it on the first range session and the mag almost drop free. Inside the mag well there are a couple of ribs that need to be broken in or filed down if you are in a big hurry.

[OldLincoln]

You could take the magazine tube and lightly smoke it with a candle so you can see where you need to sand after inserting it into the well, and withdrawing it.Damn it, Wynn, I did what you said and nearly shot my hand off when that round exploded!!!!!:mad: I didn't have a candle so I thought the propane torch would do as good.

Of course I'm pulling your avatar's pretty leg. I did explode a 22 cartridge when a kid tho, I wondered what would happen if I hit it with a hammer - nothin - so I wondered what would happen if I hit it again - and again (about 10 times) - then it fired and took a small nick out of my leg. So then I knew what happens and never did it again. Well except for the time I set off a 38 cartridge with a BB gun. Trick is to dent the primer with initial shots until one finally makes it go boom.

[wyntrout]

Dang! I never hit a live bullet with a hammer. I set a .22 on a board with the base hanging out and put a birthday candle under the base, lit the candle, and moved at least 3 feet away. The bullet won't do much, but the case ruptures and takes off... somewhere. Shoulda done it inside and seen where the case went.
I did have a chemistry set when I was 12... a real one... no PC tame crap. You might can guess my favorite chemicals and substances... potassium nitrate, sulfur, and powdered charcoal! That stuff is fun. I could buy refills at the drugstore... bigger bottles! Yeehaw!
Another combo was iron filings or powdered iron and sulfuric acid, I think... makes hydrogen gas... which is a gas! It burns pretty well.
A chemistry set today would be pretty boring... probably nothing as strong as baking soda and vinegar.
I tried to make a rocket using a used CO2 cartridge filled with my gunpowder... put it on a little piece of wood with wheels added... used one of those electric igniters for rockets as a fuze. It was kind of impressive... lot's of smoke and flame... right up to the BOOM... made a better hand grenade than rocket... put a dent in concrete road.
I've always like things that go boom... like my PM45 "Boomer".
Wynn:D

OOPS! Off topic!:rolleyes::behindsofa:

[jocko]

wyn, those photos are awesome, IMO there is no way a ported gun can be any worse than those photos are. I just don't think we realize how much flame is coming out the front of that barrel, as again we shoot mostly in daylight where it is not seen. Photos sure dn't lie either. Nice job.

[Bawanna]

Gosh darn it, I think I want a DLC! I have another ankle that's not doing anything. Those are great pics and lots of pyrotechnics for sure. You sure don't notice it shooting it all.
Next time at the range if theres an empty bay for a bit I'll see if they will let me turn off the lights and light a few off. That would show up pretty cool if my kid gets the camera set up right.

[wyntrout]

The wildest pyrotechnics were some Double Tap +P 9mm ammo in a slightly darker area of the range. it was like cloud watching and noticing that some clouds look like objects, animals, or people.
Sometimes it's really amazing all of the gases, flashes, and flaming powder bits that come from EVERY opening on the gun and in any direction! I certainly appreciate eye-protection after seeing those displays.
The oddest video/freeze-frame sequence I've had was the first shot from my P380 where the return to battery took 18 frames at a 30 fps rate! It was weird enough when I fired it and there was a delay, but seeing the video with about 17 frames that looked alike... slide to the rear... was really weird. I only had that one real hesitation, though I did have at least one where I felt it took a bit longer to return to battery... just a few more frames, maybe, with that one.:D
I still need to try video from the right side with the ejection port, though that might be hazardous to my camera.
Wynn:D

[OldLincoln]

Geez, I hate to hijack this thread, but I looked at my mag well today and played with sliding the mag. I discovered the mag move free as can be until it hits the release catch - with the button pushed ALL the way in. Looking I can see a tad of the catch poking out. Playing more with slide removed and pressure down on the mag, I also have to push the release button almost all the way in to release the mag. So I'm thinking it needs to be trimmed a bit.

Best would be if somebody who is a pal of Kahr's Ian would find out what they do to fix the issue. They then could post it in Kahr-Tech for the rest of us.

Anyway, until I hear a proper fix I guess I'll polish the heck out of my mags to see if they work better slippery.

[wyntrout]

I "scalloped" mine on the P380. I used a round file and removed a lot of the middle of the catch... of course I removed it from the gun first. Then I sanded and polished the catch. I was trying to make the catch less intrusive into the tube, thinking that the spring or the follower was impinging on the catch. I didn't disturb the catch bearing surfaces so there's still good magazine retention.

The magazines release more easily now. I used to have to exert a lot of pressure on the mag release button and had to reposition my hand or grip to do so.

I still have the odd slide locking back before the magazine is empty, but I'm afraid to remove any more from the slide release. A quick slingshot rack and it's ready to go. I'll wait until after another range trip before taking any more action. Maybe a new slide release will help... I never saw any contact with rounds in the magazine and as I've said many times, I don't get near the slide release when I'm holding or firing the pistol. It may be poor technique but I hold my strong hand thumb down with my weak hand thumb, well clear of the release.

Warning! Off topic notice:
I just got my computer back together. I went from the AMD Athlon X2 7750 at OC3.0 GHz to the Phenom II 940 Quad CPU at 3.0GHz, for only about $108 delivered from NewEgg. I got an "open box"... return and saved about $24(I only needed the bare CPU). It's the fastest AM2+ chip I can get for my motherboard, which I'm happy with. I still need to bump the memory clock up to get my 1066 speed and then I'll try overclocking a bit.
I updated my BIOS and had no problem, except that I couldn't find the Quicksilver(?) 5 thermal paste to remount the heatsink. I used what was on the heatsink and smeared or smudged up the CPU a bit, but not enough... probably. So far it's running cooler than the other CPU. The old is 95 watts and the new 125 watts. I'll have to wait and see if that little bit of thermal paste is enough when I load the CPU up.
I bought some of the latest greatest stuff, but I looked all over and couldn't find it. I've got my temperature monitors onscreen and I'll get a hell of an audible warning alert... set at only 70%... it's like the DIVE alarm on a submarine, almost -- quite alarming!:D

Okay, enough off topic computer stuff. Now maybe I can get back to "scenting" and building up my post tally. I'll just putter along in third place. I'm not trying to compete with anyone.
Wynn:yo::behindsofa:

[jocko]

Okay, enough off topic computer stuff. Now maybe I can get back to "scenting" and building up my post tally. I'll just putter along in third place. I'm not trying to compete with anyone.
Wynn


I personally do no tlike the post count to my name at all. I have asked to see if that post count on my name be taken off even. I do not need to know how many posts I have made and as u know it seems to piss some people off when they see a poster like jocko with so many posts. They start to question alot of things and that is when we start to get into pissing contests due to some being just jealous or what ever. Post count is just not necessary...

I would think just SENIOR MEMBER, JUNIOR MEMBER, NEWBIE would be suffice to let all posters knows who has been around here for awhile. I have asked this question to the adminstrator and he told me he would look into it, so far I have not heard back. But I for one and I know Bawanna and Wyn probably feel the same way, as would probably all of this group. I post because I feel I can be of help to some things asked and I post because I truly like this forum and the guys in it. I B-s with some just for the fun of it, I certainly do't do it for top post count..Maybe if more of you felt this way a message to the mods might get some action.

A first time poster can sometimes bring forth just as valuable of information to this forum as a long time poster can. I also have felt from being on other fourms to that it can intimidate a newbie to even maybe question a long timne high count poster..

[paintwerk]

My P9 mags were sticky in the beginning. After some rounds they were fine. And now after 2500 rounds I can use the ejected mag as a 9th round. I have 7 spare mags, and they all fly out like they are late for dinner. :D

[Bawanna]

My P9 mags were sticky in the beginning. After some rounds they were fine. And now after 2500 rounds I can use the ejected mag as a 9th round. I have 7 spare mags, and they all fly out like they are late for dinner. :D

I suspected this would be the case. I guess some are just a little loser from the get go than others. A little judicious application of file and sandpaper would no doubt speed up the process. After this thread began I checked both my K40 and my recent PM45 and they both also provide the extra round. I got lucky again.
I also have to interject that we sometimes lose track of the purpose of these little guns. One of the officers came to me yesterday with his fairly new PM9, said he had issues. His main concern was during quals trying to go fast he had a hard time inserting the extra mag into the mag well. I could see where he literally was jaming the mag into the front of the mag well. I cleaned up the mouth some and removed the dings he'd created and explained that it was a bug. Not a compitition gun and a big ole mag well would defeat it's purpose. By the time it's empty and your going for a second mag your in deep deep kimshi. I then asked if he carried the extra mag and he said "NO". Many myself included don't carry an extra mag when it's utilized as a bug. I do carry one when it's by itself. Point is they are small defensive guns, I wouldn't get to worked up about a mag not flying accross the room when you hit the button. It's nice, and I prefer it that way but not a doomsday scenario.
Incidently, this same officers fingers are so long that he's using the 2nd pad on the trigger and theres enough finger sticking out that he automatically hits the mag release everytime he pulls the trigger. He's a young guy, I told him he's flexible enough to use the 1st pad and eliminate that. I put a innertube on for him which he loved and sent him on his way. Told him if he continued to have issues I'd give him 200 for his DLC Nite sighted PM9. Seems fair?

[OldLincoln]

I personally do no tlike the post count to my name at all. Yeah, yeah, written just like somebody who is about to sent back to second place! :p However I tend to agree! (written by someone with less than 100 posts).:2rolleyes:

Since anyone can fill buckets with +1 posts, I think the number is useless, except to show involvement like 7.5 posts per day. What is important to me is the poster's expertise as revealed by others who post supporting statements. If a rating system based on nominations from mods and superusers could classify posters by knowledge and helpfulness were instituted I would applaud as THAT would mean something useful.

[OldLincoln]

Told him if he continued to have issues I'd give him 200 for his DLC Nite sighted PM9. Seems fair?Whata guy!

[Bawanna]

Yeah, yeah, written just like somebody who is about to sent back to second place! :p However I tend to agree! (written by someone with less than 100 posts).:2rolleyes:

Since anyone can fill buckets with +1 posts, I think the number is useless, except to show involvement like 7.5 posts per day. What is important to me is the poster's expertise as revealed by others who post supporting statements. If a rating system based on nominations from mods and superusers could classify posters by knowledge and helpfulness were instituted I would applaud as THAT would mean something useful.

I don't want to fill the bucket here with a +1 but I have thought about your poster rating system also. The post count is a good participation measurement that many misinterpret. A knowledge and helpfulness grading system by members ourselves would be way cool. I guess there could be issues involved like anything else, the good ole boy syndrome, that sort of thing. A good one would be some sort of tag applied annonomosly for nuisance or pain in the backside posters too. Bet I'd get some of those sometimes. I'm almost afraid of any change, things are pretty nice here. On post count alone some of us are fortunate or in my case unfortunate to work in front of a computer all day so when a question comes up we're the first to see it. Doesn't make us any smarter than anyone else we just happen to be there first. I often times see a new poster asking a question and my own impatience kicks in, I know he's wanting an answer, I have it, I really want someone else to give it to him but I dont want to see him wait. It's a curse.
I love the grading system you mention, we should try to brainstorm that although I'm handicapped in that brain area. Jocko's got nothing to worry about from me, it's not a race to me. Unless theres a cash prize involved or maybe a new Kahr for reward for highest post I'll just coast along just fine.
Heck with it, +1 from Bawanna

[OldLincoln]

I tore down my PM9 and worked on the mag slide ridges in the Mag well. I started by cutting a slice of wet/dry 500 grit sandpaper about 1" wide and wrapped it over a mag that fit looser than others and worked it until it felt looser (not "loose"). I think that's a good way to do it as the mag puts pressure where it needs to go.

Now 2 of my 3 mags drop free without any drag. The third will if I use two thumbs and push like all heck on the mag release. So I definitely need to remove the mag catch and refine it. I gave up after 100 tries to get that @#$%#@ catch leaf spring out of the release. I finally found a good thread with nice pics on Glock Talk's Kahr Club: P45 Repair - Glock Talk (http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1038570&highlight=mag+release+removal) Apparently I need to buy yet another tool - a dental pick for the sole reason to remove the mag catch this one time in my entire life! Sigh... at least I'm not getting a $400 port job.

Other discoveries...

1. Did you know the top of the mags (where the pointy things stick out) flares out a bit? All my mags want to drag at that point. Not much but still a drag. I put a straight edge along the side of the mags with a light behind it and there it is. I wonder if that is the cause of mags leaking rounds in the pocket. Anyway, if my sensi's agree, I'll block the inside of the mag where the second round goes and squeeze the top inward about a millimeter.

2. Mags of same size are different sizes. I have 3 mags and each fits in the mag well differently. In my case I have a baby bear fit - nice and loose, papa bear - fits tight and mama bear that fits just right. I decided to kinda polish all mags so I sanded them with 500 grit paper and was surprised how smooth they came with little effort. Naturally I took them apart and cleaned them after.

Just think, if I ever get another Kahr I'll know what needs doing. I'd get all stainless and dehorn the sharp edges, tweak the mag issues, polish the parts that rub together, run the slide through 300 reps then shoot 300 - 500 rounds. When just right, I'll send it off to get the black finish. This sounds like something a business would do for a fee.

[wyntrout]

You can get a cheap set of picks at Harbor Freight, but a medium flat screwdriver will do the trick once you see how the leaf spring fits in the groove of the magazine catch. You hold the frame with one hand, use the screwdriver to rotate/flip the spring out of the groove and hold it away from the catch, while pushing the catch through and out of the frame with your third hand pushing the release button. Oh! No third hand? You have to hold the frame and push the button through while holding the spring out.
Assembly is somewhat easier... maybe. A head mounted light can really help, since that's where the third hand would be handy... hey! Maybe that's how they came up with "handy"! You'll be pushing the catch, button first from right to left side of the frame, while holding that damn spring away from the area where the catch must pass. A vise with suitable protection would be nice to steady the frame, but light is essential and orienting that dang catch and pushing it under the spring being held away from where the catch needs to pass. After you get that done, make sure the spring gets back in the little groove... piece of cake... after you've done it a few times.
I "scalloped" my catch with a round file and then sandpaper before polishing the catch. Don't mess with the bearing surfaces of the part of the catch that holds the magazine in. You need enough of the catch left so that the magazine wiggling doesn't release it. You can fit the catch to the magazine tube outside the gun and with the magazine innards removed and check for fit.
I looked at the Glock pictures, too.
New catches aren't that expensive, but it might take you a week or two to get another one, should you get too enthusiastic with catch removal.
Wynn:D

[OldLincoln]

New catches aren't that expensive, but it might take you a week or two to get another one, should you get too enthusiastic with catch removal.
Wynn:DThat's why god invented duct tape!:)

[Tim335]

I just picked up a new P380 yesterday and the mags did not drop free at all. I looked in the magwell and found some very obvious left over flashing at the base of the magwell. I made a couple of quick swipes with a pocket knife and the mags shoot out like champs now.

[Bawanna]

I just picked up a new P380 yesterday and the mags did not drop free at all. I looked in the magwell and found some very obvious left over flashing at the base of the magwell. I made a couple of quick swipes with a pocket knife and the mags shoot out like champs now.

Outstanding. Welcome. Your a prime example of what we've been talking about around herre recently regarding new guys with good information. You also confirmed what several have stated, shouldn't take a whole lot of effort to make them mags fly out.
Glad you found us. Enjoy that 380, rumor has it, it's the best of the bunch.

[jlottmc]

I don't know about best of the bunch, but it is a damn fine weapon. Welcome.

[OldLincoln]

I "scalloped" my catch with a round file and then sandpaper before polishing the catch. Don't mess with the bearing surfaces of the part of the catch that holds the magazine in. You need enough of the catch left so that the magazine wiggling doesn't release it. Wynn:DTell me more about the scalloping. You didn't mess with the part with the ramp? But did make the part that rests against the mag body (not in the latch) more curved? Why? I would think that would make the latch sit deeper in the mag and take more effort to release. What I saw looking from the bottom of the well up to the latch, is that the catch slopped part that sticks into the mag has a small part of it still exposed with the button pushed in.

Now that I finally have it out after 2 hours with several sized screwdrivers yesterday, but 5 minutes with a dental pick today, I can see there isn't much to catch the mag. I already filed a bit with it assembled yesterday so it needs touching up anyway, so this is what I'm considering.

The concept is to "move" the latching further down the shaft, something Kahr should look into.

1. Make the scalloped part deeper but shaped the same. This will allow the mag more catch on the slopped part.

2. Shorten the sloped piece just enough to clear the frame when pushed.

I anticipate the result to be when the button is pushed, the mag catch will completely clear the frame inside the mag well.

Now before I rush into this, please give it a Jeopardy minute and let me know if you concur. Any and all comments welcome.

[OldLincoln]

Well I guess it's too late to tell me anything, it's done. I ended up filing the ramp side smoother where I messed it up trying to file it while installed - not a good idea. I then sanded the ramp, used a brass wire wheel with my fancy new $20 Harbor Freight Dremel knockoff - that is until it crapped out in about 5 minutes. Then used my fancy new $13 Harbor Freight 3/8" drill to finish.

I pretty much hand finished the catch testing it along the way. The result is all mags now exit at the push of the button, a much easier push than before. I also "polished" (that's a kinda polished or smoothed out term) the entire mag release except the part that shows. Result is it pushes with about half the effort. I also tried to wiggle each mag out without using the catch but they held firm.

So, I think this little project is complete.

[Bawanna]

Well I guess it's too late to tell me anything, it's done. I ended up filing the ramp side smoother where I messed it up trying to file it while installed - not a good idea. I then sanded the ramp, used a brass wire wheel with my fancy new $20 Harbor Freight Dremel knockoff - that is until it crapped out in about 5 minutes. Then used my fancy new $13 Harbor Freight 3/8" drill to finish.

I pretty much hand finished the catch testing it along the way. The result is all mags now exit at the push of the button, a much easier push than before. I also "polished" (that's a kinda polished or smoothed out term) the entire mag release except the part that shows. Result is it pushes with about half the effort. I also tried to wiggle each mag out without using the catch but they held firm.

So, I think this little project is complete.

Mission accomplished. Did you have any issues putting it back in. I know it's very similar to the Glock but I've never had mine out. Seems like you get the little spring lined up with the slot and it will naturally try and drop into place? I seem to want to prematurely sometimes drop the mag so I may have the opposite issue or perhaps they put the bad one Wynn sent back in my gun although I'm sure it's me. My son had zero issues with it, I must be hitting the button somehow.

[OldLincoln]

Putting it back was easy. Just use the pick to hold it away from the wall and slide the release in. Once there let it lay on top of the release and slide it to the right and into the slot it falls.

I really like my Kahr and I don't mean to sound otherwise, but the mods I've made were necessary to have a top notch handgun. There was removing the sharp front edge of the barrel block where it was gouging the inside slide top and polishing both places.

Then polishing the barrel itself where it was dragging on the front support bushing as evidenced by the scratching rings around the barrel. Then this mag release thing.

I can add removing the very sharp edges on the outside slide groves and the slide lock. I can't do this on mine as it is a black finish and don't want to mess that up.

I wouldn't be willing to pay more than i did for my Kahr, but it would be helpful if they shipped their guns to a finishing business that did this stuff and actually ran a quite a few rounds through it making sure it was right before final release.

Conversely, I inherited my dad's Colt Commander 45 that has never been touched except to shoot and clean. He got it late in life and didn't put over 100 rounds through it. It shoots perfectly every time and is my all time favorite gun. My sons Glock 40 is the same way and he's shot over a thousand rounds in academy and practice. Point is I know it can be done and done well by volume manufacturers.

So why did I get the PM9? I wanted a pocketable carry gun that was very capable for defense and could be concealed easily. Although I have a Nemisis pocket holster I carry IWB in my Silent Thunder - much more comfortable than pocket. The PM9 fits the bill and except for the sharp slide grooves and slide lock is ready for use.

[OldLincoln]

Another thought re mags hanging. After I removed the mag catch, I slid mags into the mag well. Although hanging with mag release installed, mine were completely free when removed. I think that tells the story right there. I suggest that anybody serious about freeing up mag drop AND comfortable removing the catch do this before any work on the mag rails inside the well. I found that no matter how much sanding, the mags were not free until I modded the catch. I now wonder if sanding was needed at all.

Also, I encourage those who will do this to first get a dental pick (the metal thing with a sharp hook that the dentist uses to hurt you). Walmart and Walgreens carry them.

It would be really nice if Kahr would clean up some catches and make them available to those who consider this a problem. Who knows they might even mod them for all gun assemblies.

I'm pleased with the results of my project. I'll go shooting Tuesday to try it out after all my mods. Now with the insides polished up, I can slowly let the slide forward and watch the cartridge slip into the breech. It always hung before the polishing.

Speaking of polishing, I told my wife about the Home Depot rotary tool dying after 5 minutes and she said why not get a good one, you know our son will get it and use it for many years. Now is she sweet or what? I think like a Kahr, we've worn the rough spots off after 43 years.

[jlottmc]

Well I'm glad the Kahr came out well. I have another project for my Northern Tools rotary tool now ;) that is engraving and roughing up the finish so that I can re-paint my new appliance dolly. I hear Northern Tools has a decent tool for not too much money....:rolleyes:

[jlottmc]

I'm gonna get kicked in the head for that one aren't I??

[Armson-OEG]

Mine did the same, not dropping free. By accident i found that if i was carrying the CW9 on my hip on a Don Hume 721 OT that the warm CW9 would drop free, but if left out at room temp they would not.. Tested 6-7 times this way and everytime warm would drop cool not. I wound up using vise grips to carefully squeeze the sides of the mags about 1/2 inch below the feedlips. after carefull adjusting of the vice grips i was able to narrow the mags and they drop free now.

GMan

[Swat_dude]

Mine did the same, not dropping free. By accident i found that if i was carrying the CW9 on my hip on a Don Hume 721 OT that the warm CW9 would drop free, but if left out at room temp they would not.. Tested 6-7 times this way and everytime warm would drop cool not. I wound up using vise grips to carefully squeeze the sides of the mags about 1/2 inch below the feedlips. after carefull adjusting of the vice grips i was able to narrow the mags and they drop free now.

GMan

My 6 round mag will not drop free but my 7 round will. Upon close inspection, I saw that my 6 round was somewhat "double-stacking" ammo, indicating it is somewhat expanded. Maybe the Vicegrip squeeze is the cure??

Has anyone else noticed this with their small mag?