Can't wrap my head around this malfunction (CM9)

[SteveG]

So after getting it as an early Christmas present I finally got some range time with my CM9. First observation is I shoot the diminutive Kahr better than my Glock 19, that was surprising but I've heard Kahr pistols are wicked accurate. I did have one problem though, a few times when the last round fed the gun either wasn't resetting the striker or it was decocking somehow. either way I'd pull the trigger and there was nothing there. Not unheard of based on what I'm reading here, but what I isolated as the cause may be. I traced the malfunction to one single 6 round magazine. I had two other 6 round and two 8 round mags and they all worked fine. Put that one in and it would not go bang on the last round. I'm hoping Kahr will exchange the magazine for me, but I'm wondering if there is something else I should check out too.

[berettabone]

You might want to check the spring in the mag that's giving you trouble, and see if it has been installed correctly. Don't know what that would have to do with the striker problem, though. Possibly, the last round wasn't being loaded, hence pulling the trigger, and nothing happening.

[SteveG]

You might want to check the spring in the mag that's giving you trouble, and see if it has been installed correctly. Don't know what that would have to do with the striker problem, though. Possibly, the last round wasn't being loaded, hence pulling the trigger, and nothing happening.

oops forgot to mention that it is chambering the last round. It just isn't reset to fire it.

[Bawanna]

I for the live of me can't figure how the magazine would have any influence on the striker setting or not.

I'm still working this in my head and others wiser than I will no doubt be along shortly. Narrowing it down to one magazine is a big clue, but the clue doesn't mean anything to me at the moment.

Color me pondering.

[muggsy]

So after getting it as an early Christmas present I finally got some range time with my CM9. First observation is I shoot the diminutive Kahr better than my Glock 19, that was surprising but I've heard Kahr pistols are wicked accurate. I did have one problem though, a few times when the last round fed the gun either wasn't resetting the striker or it was decocking somehow. either way I'd pull the trigger and there was nothing there. Not unheard of based on what I'm reading here, but what I isolated as the cause may be. I traced the malfunction to one single 6 round magazine. I had two other 6 round and two 8 round mags and they all worked fine. Put that one in and it would not go bang on the last round. I'm hoping Kahr will exchange the magazine for me, but I'm wondering if there is something else I should check out too.

Did you check to see if the gun went fully into battery on the last round? If not the trigger won't engage.

[SteveG]

Did you check to see if the gun went fully into battery on the last round? If not the trigger won't engage.

Fully into battery every single time.

[Bawanna]

That was a good thought though Muggsy. Might have been a good possibility.

Close but no cigar for you mr.

Back to pondering.

[berettabone]

Dirty striker channel and coincidence???????????????????????????

[jocko]

I for the live of me can't figure how the magazine would have any influence on the striker setting or not.

I'm still working this in my head and others wiser than I will no doubt be along shortly. Narrowing it down to one magazine is a big clue, but the clue doesn't mean anything to me at the moment.

Color me pondering.

u can get a dead trigger if the rund that feeds into the chamber is to long and it holds the slide back an cuntess hair. Might not be noticeable even but it then sends the entiere trigger mechanishm into no mans land and it will produce a dead trigger. Not saying this is the issue as most of the time it seems tobe an out od spec trigger bar, but again that is part of thge trigger system. We have seen rounds OAL and even jammed into the rifling and the shooter not knowing it, as the slide seems to go to full battery when indeed it is a tad out of spec. Doesn't take much, IMO.

Just my 21 cents on this. I cold be wrong but as most here know I am normally never wrong:86::86::86:

[SteveG]

u can get a dead trigger if the rund that feeds into the chamber is to long and it holds the slide back an cuntess hair. Might not be noticeable even but it then sends the entiere trigger mechanishm into no mans land and it will produce a dead trigger. Not saying this is the issue as most of the time it seems tobe an out od spec trigger bar, but again that is part of thge trigger system. We have seen rounds OAL and even jammed into the rifling and the shooter not knowing it, as the slide seems to go to full battery when indeed it is a tad out of spec. Doesn't take much, IMO.

Just my 21 cents on this. I cold be wrong but as most here know I am normally never wrong:86::86::86:

Possible, but it'd be a heck of a coincidence. For the last 42 rounds I fired at the range here is what I did:

Load 2 rounds each into each of the six round mags (3)

Chamber a round using the slide release fire two shots

Only one magazine would fire, feed and give me a dead trigger. Pull the slide back just enough to verify a round in the chamber and it would fire no problem. This happened 7 for 7 after I suspected it was a magazine.

[Bawanna]

That's good info right there. It fired the second try every time. So that mag is slowing things up or something on the last round, and it's just not quite going into battery, apparently extremely close.
When you chamber check your getting it home and it works.

I'd be looking at the follower, and the feed lips. See if there is any roughness or anything that would slow the feed down. Same with the follower.

Take that one apart and make sure the spring is correct and check the follower for freedom of movement up and down the mag tube.

To confirm this theory, I'd do just what you did with the two rounds in the bad mag. Load two, fire the one and let the second chamber, then take your hand and smack the back of the slide and see if it goes bang the first time. If it does we're golden and need to address that mag, if not, we're back to the drawing board.

[SteveG]

That's good info right there. It fired the second try every time. So that mag is slowing things up or something on the last round, and it's just not quite going into battery, apparently extremely close.
When you chamber check your getting it home and it works.

I'd be looking at the follower, and the feed lips. See if there is any roughness or anything that would slow the feed down. Same with the follower.

Take that one apart and make sure the spring is correct and check the follower for freedom of movement up and down the mag tube.

To confirm this theory, I'd do just what you did with the two rounds in the bad mag. Load two, fire the one and let the second chamber, then take your hand and smack the back of the slide and see if it goes bang the first time. If it does we're golden and need to address that mag, if not, we're back to the drawing board.

OK I'll give that a try, though range time may not be for another six weeks. Wrapping up my Masters Degree so I might be a bit busy. :)

[mickeyfinn]

i've never understood the phrase "wrap my head around (something).

it's probably more painful than "keeping an eye peeled."

[SteveG]

i've never understood the phrase "wrap my head around (something).

it's probably more painful than "keeping an eye peeled."

It greatly depends. Wrapping your head around a perplexing problem is one thing. Wrapping your head around a steel beam is another.

Having tried (not intentionally) both I wouldn't recommend the steel beam. :p

[7ekken]

mine had same problem from magazine 1 all the way through 275 break in rounds... sent it to Kahr and they adjusted/fixed trigger bar.

last round would chamber but trigger wouldn't reset unless I hit on the rear or bottom of the pistol.
made no difference if the mag was loaded with 2 or a full 6.

although it was disappointing this happened the very first day of ownership, Kahr took great care of my pistol and properly fixed my CM9.

on a side note...I did go through the proper prep of a new Kahr the same day I picked her up prior to range time

[muggsy]

The trigger bar does seem to be another problem area in some Kahr pistols. But why only one magazine would affect function and only on the last round is beyond me. Pulling back the slide to check to see if a round is chambered will reset the trigger. I think that this gun deserves a trip back to the mothership. Bawanna seems to have a little yank in the service department. Perhaps he could make an inquiry.

[SteveG]

The trigger bar does seem to be another problem area in some Kahr pistols. But why only one magazine would affect function and only on the last round is beyond me. Pulling back the slide to check to see if a round is chambered will reset the trigger. I think that this gun deserves a trip back to the mothership. Bawanna seems to have a little yank in the service department. Perhaps he could make an inquiry.

I'm not inclined to send the gun back just yet. Now the magazine I might consider after I try Bawanna's suggestion. Heck it even fed 124gr Gold Dot reliably after just a few mags of ball. I spent 28 years with either revolvers and 1911s so I can deal with a magazine issue. Though I have to fight the urge not to put a bullet in it like I do my 1911 mags when they start screwing up.

[Bawanna]

I agree, not ready to send back yet. 1 mag gives issues, the rest don't. That's what we call a clue.

I'm really anxious to hear how this turns out. Wish I could look at the magazine. I'm betting the feed lips are rough or have a gouge or something.

[Alfonse]

That's what we call a clue.



This is something wonderful to learn. I've been told by some, including my ex-wife, I've never had one my entire life. I'll have to watch this thread and see how it all comes out.

[SteveG]

I agree, not ready to send back yet. 1 mag gives issues, the rest don't. That's what we call a clue.

I'm really anxious to hear how this turns out. Wish I could look at the magazine. I'm betting the feed lips are rough or have a gouge or something.

Just dug the magazine out of my range bag and here is what I found.

1. Full of grease resembling cosmoline. I must not have cleaned this one, and yes I know what cosmoline is like I used to work for a surplus importer.

2. load a cartridge and pushed it out slowly. Felt like I was dragging across gravel then at the end I hit a solid snag like the feed lips form a claw.

So now the question is try to fix it or send it (the magazine) back? I'm no stranger to taking tools to guns so that isn't an issue.

[AIRret]

Thanks for all the posts………I'm learning!

[Bawanna]

I'd just take a dowel and some fine sandpaper and clean up the feed lips until they are smooth.

If the big hang up spot is a gouge or something horrible, send it back for a replacement.

I think your really onto something now.

[codegeek]

This happens to my wife when she fires my Ruger SR40 every time. It never happens to me. The gun cycles. Round is chambered. The striker is not fully cocked. I asked the guys at the LGS about it, and they said limp wristing. Not saying that's your problem, but it could be the extremely stiff new springs or a dirty firing pin chamber.

[100percent]

Could the 'bad' mag be a bit 'fatter' and is rubbing on some aspect of the trigger bar assembly. Maybe a bit black marking pen might find any potiential rub.

Might also suggest inspecting the feed lips etc.

[Bawanna]

Just dug the magazine out of my range bag and here is what I found.

1. Full of grease resembling cosmoline. I must not have cleaned this one, and yes I know what cosmoline is like I used to work for a surplus importer.

2. load a cartridge and pushed it out slowly. Felt like I was dragging across gravel then at the end I hit a solid snag like the feed lips form a claw.

So now the question is try to fix it or send it (the magazine) back? I'm no stranger to taking tools to guns so that isn't an issue.

You guys must have missed this post. I think he's found the culprit.

[100percent]

Yep guilty Baw...