CM9, Non beveled edge GRA and a Damaged Barrel

[BuzzBomb414]

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u99/BuzzBomb414/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfbb79a77.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/BuzzBomb414/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfbb79a77.jpg.html)Just as the title says. After initial cleaning followed by 200 target rounds I noticed two problems. First the guide rod assembly was missing the screw. Unfortunately it was not the beveled edge but the flat one. Not a big deal I thought assuming Kahr would send me a new one. The big problem is that I'm assuming because the end of the guide rod came off during firing that it some how caused the slide to smack the top of the barrel causing the mashed "lip" you see in the pictures. Because of said lip the slide sticks open when I checking the slide's action after cleaning as if the slide lock was engaged but not fully back as normal. Has anybody else experienced this? I've emailed Kahr but plan on calling this morning. . For the record, the gun performed flawlessly with ZERO failures. After the 115gr Winchester white boxes I ran a box of Hornady Criticals through it and again no failures. Shot fairly straight once I got use to the sights and the diminutive size of the pistol. http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u99/BuzzBomb414/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps101823c0.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/BuzzBomb414/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps101823c0.jpg.html)

[diablo53]

Looks like a PEENED barrel. I had that problem with my pm9. Kahr replaced slide and barrel. Then replaced the entire gun because the work they did to fit the new slide and barrel to the frame looked terrible.

The peening will get worse and eventually affect function. Since you have the new style slide, I doubt Kahr would have to perform any fitting. My pm9 was the old square nose slide and they had to fit the newer beveled slide to it.

[BuzzBomb414]

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u99/BuzzBomb414/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps009a80ee.jpg (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/BuzzBomb414/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps009a80ee.jpg.html)
Looks like a PEENED barrel.

Thanks for the response. Do you think this was caused by the guide rod assembly screw coming off? I just noticed a little damage underneath the slide from where the barrel was smacking the slide.

[Alfonse]

I don't think the guide rod nut coming off had anything to do with it. But either way, the pistol needs to go back to Kahr.

[diablo53]

Send it back to Kahr. My slide had no adverse marks on it, but my barrel looked almost exactly like yours. It is caused by either poor fitment of the slide and barrel and/or metal not properly heat treated. Send them the pictures in an email first, they will reply for you to use the online rma form. Reply with the RMA # and request a shipping label. If they issue one, it will save you the coin to ship to them! Their turn around on repairs has been very quick lately. Good luck.

[BuzzBomb414]

Update: an RMA has been issued with return shipping provided by Kahr to address the issue. Customer service rep seemed fairly indifferent to my issue but promptly emailed me a shipping label to send it to the factory. I asked about any recalls or any other repeated issues but he said not that he knew of. I guess I'll have to play the waiting game and hope for the best.

[southern thunder]

keep us informed.

[Bawanna]

They'll probably replace the top end. My K40 had a peening barrel. I can't remember name now, have it someplace but she was a class act. Said is doesn't happen often and I haven't heard of any instances recently but it does happen.

I doubt the recoil nut had anything to do with it, it just wasn't loctited on properly.

In my case it took awhile because they had to wait for a black slide to come off the line. I really wanted a stainless anyhow so when I told her that she said no problem, no extra charge and I'd have it the next day which I did.

They'll take care of it.

[BuzzBomb414]

They'll take care of it.
Good to hear.

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll post an update once I know more.

[Redstate]

This thread got me to look at my MK9 guide rod assembly because I didn't remember seeing any kind of screw on it. I looked again, and I still don't see a screw. Is the guide rod assembly for the CM9 the only one with a screw, or am just missing the boat?

[BuzzBomb414]

Is the guide rod assembly for the CM9 the only one with a screw, or am just missing the boat?
Not sure about the MK9 but the CM9 has a flat faced nut on the end of the guide rod assembly. Yours may have it but hopefully Locktite was applied during assembly. I shouldn't see the screw end on mine but apparently it was forced off somehow during the first 200 rounds. Weird phenomenon but apparently it's not unheard of.

[Redstate]

Thanks BuzzBomb414; all I see on the one for my MK9 is one end is stainless steel the other end a round plastic piece with a hole in the center. By the way, I certainly hope that Kahr resolves your issue to your satisfaction.

[BuzzBomb414]

Well, I tried to FedEx it but was informed I need a Priority Overnight shipping label, not the Standard Overnight shipping label Kahr gave me for FedEx to ship a firearm. Called the service line but everyone out there is having fun with Blizzard '15 and stayed home!

[Bawanna]

I'm not sure I buy that. Kahr sends shipping labels regularly, they would know what's needed.

I'm thinking the FedEx employee is wrong on this one.

There's a difference between FFL/Manufacturers and private individuals for shipping.

No choice I guess but to be patient and wait for Kahr to make the call I guess.

[BuzzBomb414]

I checked FedEx's website and it states you must have Priority to ship a firearm but I'm thinking now that the Kahr rep wanted me to send only the barrel and slide. He didn't say either way, just send it in. Again, he was very indifferent to my issue but to his defense it was Monday!

What do you think? Should I just send back the upper or the whole pistol?

[Bawanna]

They wanted my whole pistol and in your case I would send the whole thing.

Much as I hate waiting I'd wait for clarification from Kahr. Private party requires priority, not sure about a manufacturer/dealer.

[BuzzBomb414]

Much as I hate waiting I'd wait for clarification from Kahr.

I think you're right. Thanks for the input.

[BuzzBomb414]

Update: After talking with Kahr and being reassured that the shipping label they provided me would be sufficient, I again walked into a local Fedex branch and again was told that I could not ship a firearm without Priority status. After I was given a brief history lesson on 9/11, the Fedex desk clerk did a little research and discovered that Kahr has "special clearance" to issue Standard Overnight delivery labels. Apparently not all manufactures do. I was informed, however, that should any "red flags" be risen, I may have some 'splainin' to do!

Kahr should see the pistol tomorrow so hopefully the next update will be of good news. If you don't hear from me in next few days, assume I'm in Gitmo!

[Bawanna]

Kind of what I figured. It's kind of sad that carrier services seem to have this desire to rule the world instead of focusing on delivering stuff.

Again all boils down to lawyers and money makers.

Should be no "red flags" and the head lawyer is closing Gitmo so I'm sure they'll send you someplace else.
Let us know where and I'll come visit.

[alltimeqb]

LOL, I'm not fully convinced that I have a "shippable" issue, but was wondering what the tactical issues were on shipping it back to Kahr. Thanks for the info.

[BuzzBomb414]

...but was wondering what the tactical issues were on shipping it back to Kahr.

What do you mean?

[BuzzBomb414]

Update: Welp, the CM9 didn't raise any flags during transit and now is in the figurative hands of Mr Moon! Let's hope for the speedy return of a flawless functioning pistol.

For the guide rod assembly, do you think they'll replace the whole thing or just the nut? I had the spring nice and broke in.

That brings up another question I have for the vast wisdom of Kahr Talk. I've heard a good way to loosen up the spring is by leaving the slide locked back for a night or two. Also heard manually racking it a few hundred times works too. Obviously these options are not as fun as good ol' fashioned range time! But with limited budget and patience, are they viable options? Is there any other good way?

[Bawanna]

I suspect they will replace the whole recoil assembly. They won't waste a smiths time trying to put a new nut on the end.

All the things you mention will loosen the spring but not nearly as effectively as just shooting it.

If budget and patience are an issue you really don't have an issue anyhow as you wont' be shooting it that much anyhow right?

I find budget and time my main issues. Fortunately or perhaps unfortunately I don't have any new guns to break in, I need to work on that.

[BuzzBomb414]

If budget and patience are an issue you really don't have an issue anyhow as you wont' be shooting it that much anyhow right?

If I could afford it Id shoot every day!

The original plan was to really take it through the paces this weekend out on the family farm in the Land of Lincoln but obviously that plan has changed. I was still gonna shoot sans CM9 but now with the snow system moving in we may not go at all. It was supposed to be our traditionally late Xmas get together but Mother Nature didnt get the memo.

[Bawanna]

You and me both Buzz. My dream is to have a bunch of acres where I could just roll out on the back porch and blast away, or if it's too crappy out just open the door and shoot from my recliner.

Only downfall I can see is keeping ammo / reloading components in inventory.

Wife would really hate me then, I'd have absolutely no reason to leave the homestead.

[BuzzBomb414]

...or if it's too crappy out just open the door and shoot from my recliner.

Literal definition of armchair soldier!!!

[BuzzBomb414]

Update: I, being the impatient person that I am, emailed Kahr to check on the status of my CM9 even though it's only been there since Friday. I received an email from Jay that said they replaced the recoil spring (hopefully he meant the whole GRA) and barrel and shipped it back out the same day they received it. Hopefully I should have it in my hands within the next day or two. He couldn't provide me a tracking number unfortunately which has me a little unnerved. He didn't mention anything about the damage to the slide though.

Do you think it's odd that they did not notify me that the issue has been addressed and is in transit back to me? Or am I just complaining because I've grown accustomed to Amazon giving me play by play updates of where my purchases are by the second?!?

Either way I'm excited because it means a range trip will HOPEFULLY be in order this weekend! Gotta break it in, Kahr's orders!!!

[Bawanna]

They generally don't notify that it is in shipment back.

I too am concerned that it was repaired and sent back out the same day. That if I remember the issues correctly seems much too quick, unless they determined the barrel hood slide issues weren't issues which I also find hard to believe.

If they had the parts and just replaced the whole top end, I could see that happening.

Guess we'll have to wait and see.

[BuzzBomb414]

Jay said they did replace the whole guide rod assembly but NOT the slide. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and take them for their word that nothing is wrong with the slide in the state that it is with the damage created by peened barrel.

We shall see!

[BuzzBomb414]

1222912228Update: The CM9 has returned but I can't say for sure if this is a brand new barrel like I was told. If it is in fact new, the barrel already shows some peening from the 30 rounds they shot at the factory. I think they may have just sanded down the deformed metal. They went ahead and polished the feed ramp which was nice I guess. Saved me from having to do it although I was kind of looking forward to it anyway!

Time to put some rounds through it and see what happens, I suppose!

[diablo53]

Looks pretty clear, as far as I can see, there is no bump on the top, front lip of the barrel hood like the other one. I'd put a few hundred rounds through it and see if you get the slightest bit of deformation.. If you do, send it back and Kahr will likely replace the slide also if not the whole gun.

[berettabone]

It doesn't look like a new barrel to me, either................................

[BuzzBomb414]

Well, new or refurbished barrel, it ran through 200 rounds flawlessly! Zero failures, ton of fun to shoot! Now I gotta work on trigger control and I'll be alright. Almost every shot was low and to the left but with tight groups. Towards the end I actually started to aim with the front sight slightly above the back and was hitting fairly straight on.

[Bawanna]

Low and left is very common until you get used to that trigger.

[BuzzBomb414]

Low and left is very common until you get used to that trigger.
Sounds like a good reason to get in more range time!

[BuzzBomb414]

UPDATE: I lost another GRA nut at the range yesterday. This definitely concerns me as the CM9 is my main EDC. I contacted Jay who responded quickly saying he would send a new one. I asked if I should've added some Loc-Tite to this sumbitch and he said it wouldn't be needed. What do you guys think?

[Bawanna]

It shouldn't be needed, they are loctited on when assembled but apparently some get missed.

I'd not the position of the nut when it arrives or make a small reference mark and when your shooting look at it once in awhile. If it looks like it's moving at all, throw the Loctite to it or as I was gonna do if I ever lose one, spot weld the darn thing.

It's worth noting that the gun will run just fine even without the nut so it's not a catastrophic failure and your still in the game.
Not right and it shouldn't come off but your still in the game.

[BuzzBomb414]

It's worth noting that the gun will run just fine even without the nut so it's not a catastrophic failure and your still in the game.
Not right and it shouldn't come off but your still in the game.

Thanks for the input! If it will still run without the nut, is the nut just to keep the GRA together? I asked a few guys at the range if they would shoot without it and got mixed reactions; some saying it would be fine and others saying don't do it!

[Bawanna]

It really doesn't hurt a thing. Your right it just holds the assembly together and as long as the gun is together it will run.

I just out of habit check my PM45 during mag changes at the range periodically, it's never moved so far that I can tell but I still check it. Guess I could give up that habit but habits are tough to break.

I guess when you get the new one you could try to loosen it just a bit and see if it's good and snug. It'll probably be just fine though, they generally are.