PM9 slide jamming to the rear

[Firemedic]

I just purchased the PM9 (serial ID96xx) this week and I'm having an issue with the slide jamming to the rear. Today I finished the 200th round "break in" and the slide is locking to the rear past the slide lock. The slide gets stuck in the back position. I have to forcefully push the slide forward with my palm to feed the next round. The same thing happens after the last round so when a new magazine is inserted, pushing the slide lock down does not work you have to jam the slide forward with the palm of your hand. Of the 200 rounds this malfunction happened approx 40 times. Ive been looking throughout this forum and haven't found anything similar to my PM9's problem yet. Ive used 4 different brands of ammo (WWB, Remington, Federal, and PDX1) with the issue happening to all four. I also have the P380 which was horrible in the beginning but after 1000+ rounds has got much better. I don't want the same thing to happen again with frustration. any thoughts?

[CJB]

Check the underside of the barrel, where the recoil spring would cover it. At inside of the front of the slide is a little half moon cut out that allows the barrel to tilt in that opening. The cutout size is not critical, but must be adequate enough to allow the barrel to tilt for disassembly and recoil.

Wondering if there's something going on there, which would show up as scrape marks on the bottom of the barrel.

[muggsy]

You could have a bad frame. Contact Kahr Service and give them the details of the malfunction. Something has to be binding.

[BEARDOG]

Does the slide lock seem easy to push in and out?
Not saying this is what you have going on but just something to check...
What you describe sounds similar to what I had happen with my CM9 when it was new. It would jam the slide back past the lever because it was not held in the frame tightly enough and could walk out slightly, which caused the slide to get jammed to the rear.
Check that the slide lock spring is holding the pin/lever in the frame correctly. It should snap firmly into place. I removed the screw and spring and bent the side that holds the pin in out farther, that kept the lever from walking out ever again.

[Firemedic]

Does the slide lock seem easy to push in and out?
Not saying this is what you have going on but just something to check...
What you describe sounds similar to what I had happen with my CM9 when it was new. It would jam the slide back past the lever because it was not held in the frame tightly enough and could walk out slightly, which caused the slide to get jammed to the rear.
Check that the slide lock spring is holding the pin/lever in the frame correctly. It should snap firmly into place. I removed the screw and spring and bent the side that holds the pin in out farther, that kept the lever from walking out ever again.

Without the slide on I insert the pin to see how the spring holds the pin. The spring clicks in to the notch and appears to be a good fit.

[Firemedic]

You could have a bad frame. Contact Kahr Service and give them the details of the malfunction. Something has to be binding.

If this persists after another 100 rounds I'll definitely get the ball rolling with having it serviced.

[Firemedic]

Check the underside of the barrel, where the recoil spring would cover it. At inside of the front of the slide is a little half moon cut out that allows the barrel to tilt in that opening. The cutout size is not critical, but must be adequate enough to allow the barrel to tilt for disassembly and recoil.

Wondering if there's something going on there, which would show up as scrape marks on the bottom of the barrel.

No signs of scrapes there. If I manually push the barrel forward (without the spring) like simulating the action of the slide allowing the barrel to naturally tilt, it comes to a point where it sticks to reverse it back out. I'm not sure if that's normal and may be the reason the slide sticks open while firing.

[Firemedic]

Check the underside of the barrel, where the recoil spring would cover it. At inside of the front of the slide is a little half moon cut out that allows the barrel to tilt in that opening. The cutout size is not critical, but must be adequate enough to allow the barrel to tilt for disassembly and recoil.

Wondering if there's something going on there, which would show up as scrape marks on the bottom of the barrel.


Actually after messing around with it, it does appear that it is binding where that half moon notch is on the slide. Is this something that breaks in or do i have to send it in?

[CJB]

You can enlarge the notch if you have any sort of handy skill.

There's been isues with this notch in the past, where... it didn't get machined quite right, and it barely existed. The notch is not critical. Its simply a clearance to allow the barrel to tilt.

Its a new pistol, so you might want to have Kahr mess with it, but on the other hand, if you don't want to send it off (even on their dime) you can make the notch bigger. The perfect tool is medium size sanding drum on Mr. Dremel, at low speed, if you please, which will self center in the existing notch.

Although Muggsy's solution for anything is "send it in", I tend to agree that either.... you're interfering there at the notch, or when the barrel is fully forward into the slide the rear of the barrel is wedging into something up front in the slide.

Make a few more responses to threads here, and you'll get your picture posting privs, and we can see better whatcher talkin' bout!

[jocko]

very uncommon in the PM9 models. The 45's seemed tohave that notch that should not be there. GB6491 should be along shortly with some photos of that notch that should be there..

[CJB]

Jocko, don't you mean the 45's are missing the notch that should have been there?

My "used" PM45 had a really weird lookin notch...sort of feathered metal. The new one had a perfect notch, as did both my PM9's.

[marshal kane]

You could have a bad frame. Contact Kahr Service and give them the details of the malfunction. Something has to be binding.
I "second" that. If you're having the same problem with other brands of ammunition, it's the pistol. Advice has been given on how to fix this but if your pistol is under warranty, I'd let Kahr fix this. Home gunsmithing a new pistol can void the warranty.

[Firemedic]

I lubed it up real good and spent another 75 rounds through it. Still jamming to the rear so off to the manufacturer it goes! I called Kahr and got the RA number today.

[muggsy]

It's a wise man that takes Muggsy's advice, regardless of what CJB says. Not everyone is a gunsmith, or even mechanically inclined. I personally don't ever tinker with something that's still under warranty unless the problem is obvious and cheap and easy to repair. Were still friends CJB, but I'm keeping an eye on you. :)

[CJB]

I feel so much more secure because of that Mugs'ol'bean!

Keep watching! You may learn something! :p

[Firemedic]

Update

I received my PM9 yesterday after a short visit to the factory. Here is what the technical service work sheet stated: Reworked slide and slide stop, reamed magazine well, lubed and tested good with 26 rounds.

I cleaned it up and noticed what appears they have grinded the hole where the barrel goes through. The barrel no longer binds when extended through so I felt as it was good to go. Off to the range I went and fired 150 rounds with 0 malfunctions just the way it ought to be! my concern is where they reamed the hole, is it possible for corrosion in that area since its not treated?

[tom.p]

my concern is where they reamed the hole, is it possible for corrosion in that area since its not treated? Not likely. Stainless steel will oxidize eventually under the right conditions (not truly "stainless"), but you shouldn't see anything as long as you don't store it in water. It certainly won't get corrosion before other parts of the gun.

[jocko]

Jocko, don't you mean the 45's are missing the notch that should have been there?

My "used" PM45 had a really weird lookin notch...sort of feathered metal. The new one had a perfect notch, as did both my PM9's.

yes a misseled word , which is so so rare for ol jocko. I would send you a photo of my hand and the thumb, but I am unableto do so. maybe muggsy ca do it for me. It clearl shows how that mistake of mine could have happened. Just sayin.

[Bawanna]

I saw that photo and it definitely could be a contributing factor without doubt.