Is this K40 Barrel Wear and Peening Normal? [Archive]

schrobbie

04-26-2016, 06:14 PM

This K40 has about 300 rounds through it. Upon stripping and cleaning a few days ago, I noticed the following:

(1.) Peening on the top left (slanted) edge of the front of the barrel hood (where it locks up with the front of the ejection port).

and,

(2.) Heavy wear on the lower edge of the vertical face of the right hand side of the barrel hood. Correspondingly, there is an odd high spot on the slide where this wear is occurring.

Here are some pictures:

Peening:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k177/trevorhollenback/Kahr%20K40/Barrel_Peening_K40_zpshqnvmwxk.jpg

Barrel Wear:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k177/trevorhollenback/Kahr%20K40/Barrel_Wear_K40_zps9v87brhx.jpg

High Spot on Slide:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k177/trevorhollenback/Kahr%20K40/High_Spot_Slide_K40_zpsk4zdlwov.jpg

Your thoughts? :confused:

Thanks in advance...

UPDATE Wed 27 Apr 2016:
Heard back from Kahr. Sending it in today for the techs to look at it. Based on the photos, they said it's possible that the barrel and slide will need replacing.

Bawanna

04-26-2016, 06:28 PM

I'd just stone down that high spot a bit to put a stop to that. Don't recall seeing that before.
I can't see the picture on the peening so can't say on that one.

If it creating a definite ridge it could be peening and need attention. Maybe others can see the picture. Not sure why I can see one but not the other.

I have a K40 that did peen in that area and they ended up replacing the slide and top end. Said it doesn't happen often but back then, it was quite some time ago, it happened once in awhile.

Edit- Now the first picture showed up. Usually that peening is on the top flat, mine was that way.

You can send that picture to Kahr to get their take on it for sure. I suspect one could just file that raised area off and it would not return.

schrobbie

04-26-2016, 06:34 PM

Thanks Bawanna! I thought about doing that to the slide, too, but wouldn't want to tinker if it will void any warranty or be an obstacle to having Kahr fix this/something else on the gun down the line. I just sent an email to Kahr with these images. We'll see what they say.

Try following this link to see the image of the peening: http://rs88.pbsrc.com/albums/k177/trevorhollenback/Kahr%20K40/Barrel_Peening_K40_zpshqnvmwxk.jpg?w=480&h=480&fit=clip
(Weird that it's not showing up for you. Shows up just fine on my end.)

Bawanna

04-26-2016, 06:38 PM

schrobbie

04-26-2016, 07:56 PM

It finally came through, it was just slow.

Having Kahr look is good insurance. If they say nothing to worry about, your green lighted to fix it and not send it off.
If they want it, it's best to just bite down on something and send it off.

I've heard mixed things about sending things off to Kahr. My only experience with there technical/customers service dept. has been over the phone and they were, in my estimation, a bit curt with me. Not sure what that was about, but made me feel a bit bad about my PM9 purchase. Love the gun, but didn't like how I was treated when I called with a few questions about it.

What have your experiences with their service dept. been like?

gb6491

04-26-2016, 08:15 PM

In the top photo, is it possible that is just some of the nickle plating peeling off?
Regards,
Greg

schrobbie

04-26-2016, 09:48 PM

In the top photo, is it possible that is just some of the nickle plating peeling off?
Regards,
Greg
I wish! It's definitely a solid steel hump... :(

berettabone

04-27-2016, 10:47 AM

Looks like a bit of peening to me........................................

schrobbie

04-27-2016, 01:16 PM

Heard back from Kahr. Sending it in today for the techs to look at it. Based on the photos, they said it's possible that the barrel and slide will need replacing.

RonW

04-27-2016, 01:34 PM

schrobbie

04-27-2016, 02:10 PM

I just took a peek at my K9, which had around 400 rounds thru it. So far no signs of peening, just some slight wear just about the barrel hood. I upgraded to a stainless steel guide rod & thinking about upgrading to a wolff extra power recoil spring. Go ahead & send your K40 off to kahr, they'll get ya fixed up in a jiffy. I'm thinking about buying a K40 next...
Sweet! I'm probably going to be getting a K9 soon, too. Someone at my local range let me shoot his a while back. One magazine and I was totally sold. Only Kahr I have other than this K40 is a PM9, so the K9 was a dream to shoot. Too easy!

Thanks for taking a look inside your K9. I appreciate that.

RonW

04-27-2016, 05:17 PM

Sweet! I'm probably going to be getting a K9 soon, too. Someone at my local range let me shoot his a while back. One magazine and I was totally sold. Only Kahr I have other than this K40 is a PM9, so the K9 was a dream to shoot. Too easy!

Thanks for taking a look inside your K9. I appreciate that.

how would you compare the recoil between the K40 and the K9?

schrobbie

04-27-2016, 06:15 PM

how would you compare the recoil between the K40 and the K9?
Kind of like the difference between 9 and 40 in any other platform: the K40 is just a bit more snappy/jumpy than the K9 with factory loads.

If you're not recoil shy, then I'm sure it's nothing you couldn't handle. Some people have reported that the ergonomics of the K series frame, combined with the snap of the .40 S&W cartridge, can be painful to shoot extensively. I personally haven't experience this at all, but I get the sense that this varies greatly from person to person.

If you're ever in Southern California after Kahr has gotten my K40 back to me, you're more than welcome to try it!

RonW

04-28-2016, 12:58 AM

Kind of like the difference between 9 and 40 in any other platform: the K40 is just a bit more snappy/jumpy than the K9 with factory loads.

If you're not recoil shy, then I'm sure it's nothing you couldn't handle. Some people have reported that the ergonomics of the K series frame, combined with the snap of the .40 S&W cartridge, can be painful to shoot extensively. I personally haven't experience this at all, but I get the sense that this varies greatly from person to person.

If you're ever in Southern California after Kahr has gotten my K40 back to me, you're more than welcome to try it!

I own 2 .40's, a kahr CW40 & a M&P shield 40.... IMHO, both pistols handle the 40s&w very well, I would imagine a all steel .40 pistol would be better... Thx...

keep us updated plz on how kahr fixes your K40...

b4uqzme

04-28-2016, 06:25 AM

Heard back from Kahr. Sending it in today for the techs to look at it. Based on the photos, they said it's possible that the barrel and slide will need replacing.

I think you all made a good choice. Best of luck and I'm sure you will get all fixed up real soon. Report back on how it all works out.

schrobbie

04-28-2016, 08:45 AM

I think you all made a good choice. Best of luck and I'm sure you will get all fixed up real soon. Report back on how it all works out.
Will do! If I've got time I'll do a separate post about my entire customer service/repair experience with them. I've heard lots of mixed things...

schrobbie

04-28-2016, 09:09 AM

I own 2 .40's, a kahr CW40 & a M&P shield 40.... IMHO, both pistols handle the 40s&w very well, I would imagine a all steel .40 pistol would be better... Thx...

keep us updated plz on how kahr fixes your K40...
Will do. [emoji106]

I don't own one, but I've shot about 50 rounds through the S&W Shield in .40. The K40 is noticeably more pleasant to shoot. Definitely doesn't try to jump out of your hands quite as much. Of the small .40 caliber handguns I've shot, I'd rank them thusly in terms of felt recoil (most to least):

1. S&W Shield
2. Glock 27
3. Kahr K40

I'd like to get my hands on a Kahr CW40 and see how it would fit into this lineup for me.

How do you like yours? Would you say the perceived recoil is on par with the S&W Shield?

berettabone

04-28-2016, 09:41 AM

I would think that the K40 would shoot just as nice or better than most .40's....................I don't own a K40, but do own an M&P .40 and an HK P2000SK .40, and have owned other .40's in the past. The HK is the best .40 I've ever shot. I would think that the K40 would be just fine................................:)

RonW

04-29-2016, 12:13 AM

Will do. [emoji106]
How do you like yours? Would you say the perceived recoil is on par with the S&W Shield?

I love my CW40 & carried it daily for nearly a year until I replaced it as my EDC with my Kahr K9. I even used it on occasion for our club's weekly indoor IDPA matches. Here ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPHTjlRDibg

I would say recoil wise the CW40 is better than the Shield 40. I feel a lot of it has to do with the full sized grip on the kahr. It still let's you know it's not a 9. But it's not punishing either.... neither pistol in .40 is punishing, but I feel the kahr is better. I would imagine a heavier all steel K40 would be even more fun to shoot..

schrobbie

04-29-2016, 12:23 AM

I love my CW40 & carried it daily for nearly a year until I replaced it as my EDC with my Kahr K9. I even used it on occasion for our club's weekly indoor IDPA matches. Here ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPHTjlRDibg

I would say recoil wise the CW40 is better than the Shield 40. I feel a lot of it has to do with the full sized grip on the kahr. It still let's you know it's not a 9. But it's not punishing either.... neither pistol in .40 is punishing, but I feel the kahr is better. I would imagine a heavier all steel K40 would be even more fun to shoot..
Nice video! Looks like the CW40 certainly handles as nicely as you say. Thanks for the info. I'd definitely like to try one out one of these days.

How do you carry your K9? And do you have a favorite holster for it?

RonW

04-29-2016, 01:02 PM

Nice video! Looks like the CW40 certainly handles as nicely as you say. Thanks for the info. I'd definitely like to try one out one of these days.

How do you carry your K9? And do you have a favorite holster for it?

Outside the waist DeSantis Speed scabbard. I carry "loosely" open.. In other words, OWB carry but I just throw a short sleeve button up shirt left open, over my tee shirt. Kinda how i was dressed in that IDPA video..

schrobbie

04-29-2016, 01:13 PM

Outside the waist DeSantis Speed scabbard. I carry "loosely" open.. In other words, OWB carry but I just throw a short sleeve button up shirt left open, over my tee shirt. Kinda how i was dressed in that IDPA video..
Nice, thanks for the picture. Beautiful holster!

schrobbie

05-21-2016, 01:13 AM

UPDATE!

After sending them an email with pictures of the problem on the 25th of April 2016, it was less than 24 hours before receiving a response from the service department directing me to start an RMA on their website. I did so, and within less than an hour or two they had emailed me a prepaid FedEx overnight shipping label to get the firearm back to MA. Sent in the K40 on the 27th of April 2016.

Just got my gun back today, Friday 20 May 2016, well within their estimated 4 week turnaround window.

According to the "technical service work sheet" included with my gun, Kahr replaced the barrel with a brand new one and "reworked" the slide (it appears that they ground, polished, and bead blasted the high spots that were rubbing on the barrel, because they are now non-existent.)

I will put at least 100-200 rounds through it on Sunday to see if this fixed the issue.

Very happy with my Kahr Technical Service experience at this point. I didn't pay a dime and the gun was only gone for about three weeks. That's about as good as it gets as far as I'm concerned.