Kahr K9 Round loaded, can't pull slide to the rear

[Bedore]

I have a Kahr K9 and after I loaded a round off the magazine, I went to pull the slide back to check the chamber and the slide is jammed badly. I can move it back some so it's out of battery but that's it. I now have a live round in the chamber and I cannot rack the slide. Any ideas?

[Bedore]

I finally got the round ejected.....weird.

[Alfonse]

Glad we could help. :)

[ripley16]

The bullet stuck in the barrel throat. This is not uncommon. A good yank on the slide usually works, though it can take what seems like an excessive amount of force to do so. Bullet shape and or overall length seem to be the culprits. It's happened to me with Kahrs and HKs, both polygonal barrels.

[Bedore]

The bullet stuck in the barrel throat. This is not uncommon. A good yank on the slide usually works, though it can take what seems like an excessive amount of force to do so. Bullet shape and or overall length seem to be the culprits. It's happened to me with Kahrs and HKs, both polygonal barrels.

Interesting, that's kind of what I thought but really wasn't sure what the heck was going on. I disassembled it and reassembled it just to make sure it was done right and the next round chambered fine. Should I toss that particular round I had the issue with out or will it chamber OK the next time? I have shot numerous HK's as well and never had that issue. In fact this is the first time I have encountered this particular problem.

[Ikeo74]

Interesting, that's kind of what I thought but really wasn't sure what the heck was going on. I disassembled it and reassembled it just to make sure it was done right and the next round chambered fine. Should I toss that particular round I had the issue with out or will it chamber OK the next time? I have shot numerous HK's as well and never had that issue. In fact this is the first time I have encountered this particular problem.

If the bullet is too long it will stick again if you rechamber it. Check the length with other bullets you have. If it's longer, either shorten the OAL, discard it or find another of your guns with a longer throat that it can be fired in. Was it a reload? Do the barrel drop check to see if more of your bullets are too long also.

[Bedore]

If the bullet is too long it will stick again if you rechamber it. Check the length with other bullets you have. If it's longer, either shorten the OAL, discard it or find another of your guns with a longer throat that it can be fired in. Was it a reload? Do the barrel drop check to see if more of your bullets are too long also.

It was Speer Gold Dot 115gr 9mm. I have used Gold Dot's forever and they are my preferred round for social work ammo. I checked the length up against another round and it looked to be the same but I can measure it with calipers later on. Thanks for the reply.

[Ikeo74]

It was Speer Gold Dot 115gr 9mm. I have used Gold Dot's forever and they are my preferred round for social work ammo. I checked the length up against another round and it looked to be the same but I can measure it with calipers later on. Thanks for the reply.

Gold Dots are my Defensive ammo of choice, however I use the 124 gr size and I reload them. They are one of the best bullets available for self protection IMO. If by chance you are a reloader you may need to shorten your OAL. If they are factory new measure them against other Gold Dots you have from another box. It may be only 1 bullet or it could be several.

[swilcher7]

I just purchased a new PM40 and am having this issue also. What they are telling you is correct. I loaded my magazines with 165 grain Gold Dots and attempted to eject a live round, jammed up HARD!! I had to hold the slide and with an open hand, slammed the back of the frame to eject it. I then loaded up some snap caps and they all ejected with no problem. So I tried some Hornady Critical Duty 175 grain rounds, they too ejected with no problem. I compared the snap caps to the two rounds, and the Gold Dot has a longer OAL than the CD and caps. I also found it if pulled on the slide and pushed on the round at same time, it would fall through the mag well. Haven't fired it yet, but it has been cleaned and lubed. This is my third KAHR, and I know over time it will loosen up and work flawlessly as my other two did. Hang in there!!!

[Bedore]

Gold Dots are my Defensive ammo of choice, however I use the 124 gr size and I reload them. They are one of the best bullets available for self protection IMO. If by chance you are a reloader you may need to shorten your OAL. If they are factory new measure them against other Gold Dots you have from another box. It may be only 1 bullet or it could be several.

Yes, Gold Dots are by far my preferred choice. I do not reload them and they are factory new. I will measure the OAL of the trouble round against another one later on today. If it's the same length I will try to load it again and see what happens.

[Bawanna]

If I'm in doubt about any ammo I just take the barrel out and drop the round in the chamber, give it a little push with your finger.
Then tip the barrel up so chamber is down. Cartridge should just fall out easily. If it don't the Over All Length is too long for that gun.

Chances are that round that was stuck would fire but better to check them and not risk long rounds.


I've had to use a dowel down the barrel and push and hit while pulling on the slide to get some free. Happens mostly with a long reload but there are some long factory rounds out there too.

[ripley16]

In my experience this is more common with a bulbous type bullet shape more so than a typical conical bullet. I've never personally had a problem with Gold Dot though. May I suggest hornady TAP rounds if the problem persists.

[Bedore]

Well just thought I'd update you guys. I measured the OAL of the suspect round and it was very close to the OAL of the other rounds I measured, sometimes even being the same. I decided to try to chamber various other rounds and 3 out of 5 would provide the same symptoms of locking the slide up unless you really rip on it. I then tried some Federal Hydrashok I had and after chambering a bunch of these I did not have the same issue. I also did not have any issues with Golden Saber's (which are odd looking rounds) so I have come to the conclusion that this gun just does not like the Gold Dot's. Which is too bad because they are by far my favorite/preferred carry ammo. I also cycled these same Gold Dot's through another 9mm gun I have (with polygonal rifling) to see if I could replicate the same issue but they all chambered and ejected flawlessly.

Thanks to everyone for their input on this and I may contact Kahr and what they recommend as a fix...but I am sure they will tell me to avoid the Gold Dots.

[muggsy]

Well just thought I'd update you guys. I measured the OAL of the suspect round and it was very close to the OAL of the other rounds I measured, sometimes even being the same. I decided to try to chamber various other rounds and 3 out of 5 would provide the same symptoms of locking the slide up unless you really rip on it. I then tried some Federal Hydrashok I had and after chambering a bunch of these I did not have the same issue. I also did not have any issues with Golden Saber's (which are odd looking rounds) so I have come to the conclusion that this gun just does not like the Gold Dot's. Which is too bad because they are by far my favorite/preferred carry ammo. I also cycled these same Gold Dot's through another 9mm gun I have (with polygonal rifling) to see if I could replicate the same issue but they all chambered and ejected flawlessly.

Thanks to everyone for their input on this and I may contact Kahr and what they recommend as a fix...but I am sure they will tell me to avoid the Gold Dots.

If you guys reload you can remedy the situation by seating the bullets .010 deeper. It won't hurt a thing and cures the problem.

[ReManG]

Y'all know if you pull the trigger, this problem will clear itself up.... the case isn't what sticks, just the bullet.....:target: I am not saying your doing it wrong, but.....

[Bedore]

Y'all know if you pull the trigger, this problem will clear itself up.... the case isn't what sticks, just the bullet.....:target: I am not saying your doing it wrong, but.....

No doubt it would fire but the slide shouldn't jam up so hard after chambering a round that you can't even rack the slide to unload it, or do a press check. In this case it was definitely the ammo. This gun just doesn't like Gold Dot's which is too bad. Maybe a new barrel would fix it, but maybe not. But it did chamber other rounds fine.

[muggsy]

If the ammo is within SAAMI specs and jambs in the barrel then the chamber is out of SAAMI specs and needs to be reworked.

[ripley16]

Y'all know if you pull the trigger, this problem will clear itself up.... the case isn't what sticks, just the bullet. I am not saying your doing it wrong, but.....

Maybe, maybe not. This condition can, in the extreme, keep the slide from fully moving forward. There is a spot at which many guns will cock and internal safeties be satisfied prior to the slide moving those last few fractions of an inch. In my experience with this problem both my Kahr and HK would either be just out of battery or just in. Either way, not the ideal situation to find a defensive pistol. A change of ammo usually cures the situation.

[Bedore]

Okay, I think I found the issue. I removed the barrel and did the bullet drop test. The Gold Dot's did drop it but stopped short of fully seating. I seated it by hand but it would not fall out freely. I had to take a pencil and push it out. I did the same thing with Hydrashok's and golden saber's and they each fell right in easily and seated fully as well as dropped right out with no resistance. So either this particular box of gold dots are out of spec (which I doubt, as each round fed/ejected fine in my other 9mm), or the chamber is too tight. I am guessing the chamber is too tight. This is also an older gun. If the chamber is a bit too tight it may have to be reamed....I have had to have this done before on a Kimber 1911.

Does anyone else here concur that the chamber may be too tight? And if so is there anyone reputable that can ream the chamber for me?

[SlowBurn]

I would try gold dots from another box before reaming the chamber.

[gb6491]

...Does anyone else here concur that the chamber may be too tight? And if so is there anyone reputable that can ream the chamber for me?
I tend to agree with ripley16 in that the leade/free bore is too short.

The bullet stuck in the barrel throat. This is not uncommon. A good yank on the slide usually works, though it can take what seems like an excessive amount of force to do so. Bullet shape and or overall length seem to be the culprits. It's happened to me with Kahrs and HKs, both polygonal barrels.


In my experience this is more common with a bulbous type bullet shape more so than a typical conical bullet. I've never personally had a problem with Gold Dot though. May I suggest hornady TAP rounds if the problem persists.
Further reading: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?24552-scary-moment-at-the-range&p=312159#post312159


Another thought: have you fired any lead bullets through you K9? If so, I'd give the barrel a good hard look for any leading near the front of the chamber.

Regards,
Greg

BTW, this is good advice:

I would try gold dots from another box before reaming the chamber.

[Bedore]

I have tried gold dots from a different box. Same problem. I have not fired any lead ammo or reloads. All good quality factory stuff.

[ripley16]

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.p...159#post312159

That was a great post. "Picture is worth 1000 words" is so true. I see this even occured with the Hornady TAP XTP bullet... the last round I'd have thought.

[ReManG]

It does seem like the chamber reaming would help, as long as the reamer has the proper throat/leade angle, which it seems the Kahr one did not... But try another batch of Gold Dots too... The tolerances can all stack on you and be in spec individually, but have an issue like yours when everything is added up....

[Bedore]

Does anyone know of a competent gunsmith that can ream the chamber correctly?

[muggsy]

It does seem like the chamber reaming would help, as long as the reamer has the proper throat/leade angle, which it seems the Kahr one did not... But try another batch of Gold Dots too... The tolerances can all stack on you and be in spec individually, but have an issue like yours when everything is added up....

What you just described isn't possible. You don't understand the concept of tolerances. If bullet tolerances were all maxed out and chamber tolerances were at minimum the gun should still function just fine. That's the whole idea behind tolerances. Ask any machinist. No company would mass produce parts that would not be fully interchangeable. The entire concept behind mass production is interchangeability of parts to eliminate hand fitting.

[muggsy]

I agree with you Bedore. Kahr Arms Service Department can fix the problem. They may even replace the barrel if necessary. Contact Kahr Service first. If they can't help you any competent "certified" gunsmith could do it provided that the shop has the proper reamer. Chambering reamers aren't cheap.