PM40 Rail Issue?

[Bill]

What do you guys think of this… I noticed the slide on the new PM40 rattled around a bit. I held the end of the barrel in my thumb and forefinger and with just slight pressure it “pops”. Took a while to figure out that the rail on one side was actually popping out of the track on the slide. Field stripping it I can see a slight canting of the rail on that side (left side in the photos) appears to be angled slightly up from the frame wall, while the opposite side appears to be flat or even a little down. Ideas?
On the 3 photos below you see the rail in place, the rail "popped out of place and finally the "cant" of the rail.
http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=131&pictureid=880
http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=131&pictureid=879


http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=131&pictureid=881

[Bawanna]

Bill, I'd send those photo's to Kahr customer service. Looks to me like the metal rails weren't formed correctly before they were put into the polymer mold.

I see a new frame in your future but only they can make that call.

Let me know how you make out.

[garyb]

What do you guys think of this… I noticed the slide on the new PM40 rattled around a bit. I held the end of the barrel in my thumb and forefinger and with just slight pressure it “pops”. Took a while to figure out that the rail on one side was actually popping out of the track on the slide. Field stripping it I can see a slight canting of the rail on that side (left side in the photos) appears to be angled slightly up from the frame wall, while the opposite side appears to be flat or even a little down. Ideas?
On the 3 photos below you see the rail in place, the rail "popped out of place and finally the "cant" of the rail.
http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=131&pictureid=880
http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=131&pictureid=879


http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=131&pictureid=881



Bill, I could not view your photos. For some reason they do not seem to be there. I have a PM40 and could compare for you if I could view them.

[wyntrout]

Me... I might try bending the front of the polymer clad rails together to make them symmetrical and maybe properly formed, but I wouldn't advise you to do that. I would email Kahr Customer Service with those photos and what you've explained here. They should fix that. The slide is not fully supported!

Wynn:)

[jocko]

IMO that frame is not right, I would strogly advise against bending the rails. Let kahr take care of it, Tey made the fokker. It should have never left the building like that IMO 'Even though 9-0%p the energy of the slide is on the back rails, the front rails are a guide to keep the slide in propper alignment. If u notice the back rails are squared to ride tight and preecise in te slide rail where as the front rails ar elike a blade tha tjust guide the front p[ortion of the slide. There is play in that area byut what I am sweeing is rails that will not ride in thayt slide front groove correctly.

Hope fully u will aks kahr to send a pre paid pick up on the gun to..

[Bill]

Sent the photos and short letter in an email to Kahr, tried to follow up on the phone but they close at 4:30?? I'll get them tomorrow. I don't think you can bend polymer, too much memory, it does look as though the whole side could be "sprung" in some of the photos... to me it does look as though the rails were not placed into the mold squarely. My P380 is tight, tight, tight. That is another reason that it just doesn't seem right to me and the reason I looked at it more critically.
As I explained in an earlier thread, the gun was a holdover in my favorite LGS. For whatever reason it had been in inventory for over a year so they cut me a deal to get it out the door. It was sorta an accidental meeting so if I have to send it in for repair/replacement it won't hurt too bad, but I am a big fan and look forward to it rejoining the collection and getting its fair share of rage time some day!
I love that P380... and I just know that to have this much punch in this size pistol is going to be a BLAST in 40 SW! And Jocko, thanks for the reminder to ask for the postage paid label.
If you missed it, I was in the LGS to pick up a new Sig716 when my wife spotted the Kahr PM40. Good day at the GUN STORE!
http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=130&pictureid=877

[leftysixty]

I'll have ta agree with what Bawanna said!

[100percent]

The frame on mine is narrower than the slide by a 1/16" inch.

Speaks volumes to Q.C.

[100percent]

Here is a pic of mine.
http://veloliner.com/Kapm40/muzzle.JPG

[Bill]

Holy Cow! Like two different guns! Two different manufacturers!

[garyb]

Unusual QC efforts. Let us know how you make out Bill. Good luck to you.

[Bill]

First thing this morning I got an email from Kahr, "... We are sorry you are experiencing these problems. We can establish an RMA for you to return your firearm for service. Here is a link to our online RMA request form..."
So far so good.

[Bill]

Kahr sent a FedEx label and the gun is on its way there. Meanwhile, I saw another PM40 at another gun store. The difference between my PM40 and the other was monumental! Mine is loose and just sloppy compared to that one. My P380 is tight and right! When I saw the slop in the 40 I just though, bigger gun, more room. Could not have been more wrong. Anxious to see what Kahr has to say and how quickly they can turn it around.

[jocko]

IF IT REQUIRES A NEW FROME IT WILLHAVE TO BE SENT TO A FFL DEALER to be reregistered. They cannot su0licate your serial number..

[Bill]

No problem, my original dealer will be happy to handle it for me. I just bought the gun from them 10 days ago....

[Bill]

I assume Kahr will call ahead for the FFL info if it indeed is a frame replacement.

[garyb]

Bill, You may want to reach out to your FFL and ask them to get him involved directly with Kahr. Get the two ends connected toward the same end, to help you expedite your process. Likewise, provide Kahr with the FFL contact info, so they have it as well. Sounds like Jocko is right...although I hate to admit this. LOL.

[Bill]

Got a call from Casey at Kahr late last week. Apologized for bad gun, said "it never should have made it out of here." Said he is sending a replacement... I think an entirely new unit, he mentioned that the replacement gun had the night sights on it and that I would really like them. I gave him the local FFL info and Casey says the new PM40 will ship mid-week. Says he shot the replacement to be sure and that it was a sweet shooter. So, looks like we'll have a happy ending soon.

[TruckGun]

Now THAT'S good news, and good service!

[Bill]

That's what was thinkin'. Excited to get it back and to the range.

[garyb]

Glad things worked out for you, as much as it had to be a pain to deal with this issue. Once again, Kahr needs to give their QC a bit more attention IMO.

[Bill]

This one was pretty painless actually. I just stumbled on the gun at the LGS and because it had been in the case for a while they gave me the proverbial, "Price to low to advertise!" special. So it wasn't like I had been lurking around wanting one and had to face the disappointment of further delay. And it looks like I'll get free night sights thrown into the already screamin deal. I'm quite happy. I just hope that the new gun works as advertised. I'm sure it will, I'm lucky like that and Kahr is good stuff. Thanks for your council Garyb and the photos you sent of your own PM40. They were helpful. This site is a good tool.

[muggsy]

Jocko is right. The same could be said if it needs a new frame, too. It's almost unheard of to break a Frome. :)

[Bill]

Hey guys, Got the new PM40 back. Looked great. Entirely newgun. Upgraded to night sites for free, three (yes three!) magazines, shippingboth ways free, I guess it was about a 30 day turnaround, good communication.Meaning when I called for an update they had my info and brought me up to date.Through the process everyone did what they said they would do .
Went through the new gun cleaning/slide exercise regimen, tookit to the range and Bang! She is a straight shooter and never one single misfire,fail to eject, fail to come to battery, fail to ANYTHING! She is just a perfectperformer for 100 rounds of various types of target ammo and another 20 roundsof three different types of defense loads all fired through a mix and matchbatch of ammo/magazine combinations. Couldnot be more pleased.
One thing, that pistol is like a stick of dynamite in yourfist! It is so small a platform for the .40 S&W round that it really movesaround in your hand, but accuracy is good and of course it comes back to targetjust fine. It puts a big ole smile on your face. My wife has a new carry gun!
We are happy Kahr owners.

[100percent]

Have fun. My pm40 is a real grenade, more fun than a Glock 10mm. The same ballistic performance as a glock 27, but with a bunch more recoil.