Interesting P9 malf

[rsu11]

Had a nice pic all ready to go, but can't post it yet, so I'll have to describe a malf with my P9 at the range today. I call it a horizontal stovepipe: empty case caught perfectly level in the ejection port. Trapped between the rear chamber wall and the top of the barrel. Top of the case was level with the top of the barrel. Next round is halfway into the chamber and the slide is held open by the empty case lengthwise.

This happened three times out of about 60 rounds, two with FMJ Federal American Eagle 115gr, and one with Rem Golden Saber +P 124gr JHP. Usually on first or second round, loaded 7+1.

I'm thinking either the slide didn't go back far enough or the extractor lost its grip. The ejector bar is good...no problems with erratic brass trajectory. These were not weak loads, so I'm inclined to think the slide made a full cycle and the extractor may be a tad weak, losing the case before it hit the ejector. The slide came forward enough to bump the next round partially into the chamber and that action also bumped the empty case up a little before it got pinched. That's my best guess, anyhow.

It's an old style slide model, bought used so I don't know the round count. Gun was clean and lubed. Ran through the first 40 rounds just fine until the first malf. Happened using different mags, too.

Thought I might be limp wristing, so I purposely shot several rounds in that mode...no problems. Limp wrist usually results in a vertical stovepipe and this was consistently horizontal.

Wish I could show the pic...have never seen a malf like this before. The next cleaning will include stripping the slide for a close look at the extractor channel and assembly. Any ideas on the cause?

[addictedhealer]

Email it to me and I'll post it. Addictedhealer@gmail.com

[addictedhealer]

Here is pic. For sure interesting failure. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/15/e5ymage4.jpg


No problem OP.

[rsu11]

Correction to my description...the lower 1/3 of the brass was pinched. Same for all 3 times. Thanks for posting the pic, addictedhealer!

[addictedhealer]

Correction to my description...the lower 1/3 of the brass was pinched. Same for all 3 times. Thanks for posting the pic, addictedhealer!


This happened more than once?

No problem rsu!

[wyntrout]

Maybe there's a burr or something on the barrel hood above the top of the chamber. A little light sanding/filing and polishing may help.

With the slide locked back, check that there's space enough for the cartridge rim to get between the extractor claw and the breech face... then maybe check the extractor train. Check the links for doing that.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=197

There's a handy "tool" to hold the striker spring guide down while removing the back plate. That stuff can take off, as can the extractor train if you don't keep them in place with your thumb.

Wynn:)

[rsu11]

Yes, 3 times exactly the same in the last 20 of about 60 rounds. Wynn, the barrel hood looks good, smooth and clean. With the slide open, I'm able to slide a case down the breech face and the extractor will hold it in place, so spacing looks okay.

This may be a high round count gun, so a weak extractor spring or dirty channel may be the problem. Can't take it apart right away, but when I do, I'll post what I find. Thanks for the takedown links.

[muggsy]

I say, looks like a classic case of over buffering to me. :)

[carwash]

It doesn't look like an extractor issue, they tend to lead to double feeds. If the round wasn't extracted from the chamber the next round wouldn't be in it. Looks like either an ejector issue, or limp-wristing or maybe after 40 rounds, the pistol just needed another cleaning. Mouse guns like to be clean.

[muggsy]

If you don't shoot these little gems with a firm wrist the slide won't travel rearward with enough authority to cause the brass to be thrown clear of the ejection port by the ejector, especially when the gun is new and still a bit on the stiff side.

[rsu11]

Cleaned everything and stripped the slide yesterday. Nothing obviously wrong, although a little wear mark on the outside edge of the extractor claw. Not sure how to determine if the spring is weak, but the extractor clicks a case in place and holds it there the same as my K9.

Could be limp wristing. The gun is spanking clean and lubed, mags are clean, so I'll do another range session before replacing any parts. If it had been a normal stovepipe, I wouldn't have given it a second thought, but the horizontal thing just made me curious.

[feedramp]

A strange malfunction indeed, as I've never seen that before. Appears as though it was placed there perfectly.

You can't really categorize this as a "stovepipe" but rather a "tailpipe" .. :ohmy: