I bent the slide stop spring on my 2002 vintage P9

[MMyers1970]

This is my first post---and believe me, I searched the threads before posting a new one---but here's my problem. My EDC is a Kahr P9, circa 2002. I love it. It's been reliable, durable, accurate, and I've taken it apart for cleaning dozens of times without a problem. Today as I was shooting, the slide locked back w/o feeding a new round. I dropped the mag and pressed the slide stop---nada. If I pushed on the slide stop pin AND pushed down on the stop, it would go into battery. If I gave the slide a sharp TAP, it also went into battery. I disassembled and noticed I must've had the spring in the wrong position(under the protrusion). Well, it's bent and I can't seem to bend it back, so I am going to have to replace it. Part's cheap, no problem, right?

Wrong. My pistol is so old there is no slide stop spring retaining screw. There's a plastic "cam", I guess. No screw. How am I supposed to get that out to replace the new spring? I need to talk to Kahr support to see if I can get a free spring out of them after 14 years of use, so I haven't ordered anything yet. I see Kahr sells a slide stop retaining screw and washer---should I get that, and will it be compatible wtih my old gun?

Thanks,
Mike

[gb6491]

Mike,
I've replied to your PM.
With your permission, I'd like to post my reply here so others folks might give their input on it and your situation.
Regards,
Greg

[CoolbreezeMike]

Please I'm I waiting patiently

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[CoolbreezeMike]

Mike,
I've replied to your PM.
With your permission, I'd like to post my reply here so others folks might give their input on it and your situation.
Regards,
Greg
Wrong guy.


This is my first post---and believe me, I searched the threads before posting a new one---but here's my problem. My EDC is a Kahr P9, circa 2002. I love it. It's been reliable, durable, accurate, and I've taken it apart for cleaning dozens of times without a problem. Today as I was shooting, the slide locked back w/o feeding a new round. I dropped the mag and pressed the slide stop---nada. If I pushed on the slide stop pin AND pushed down on the stop, it would go into battery. If I gave the slide a sharp TAP, it also went into battery. I disassembled and noticed I must've had the spring in the wrong position(under the protrusion). Well, it's bent and I can't seem to bend it back, so I am going to have to replace it. Part's cheap, no problem, right?

Wrong. My pistol is so old there is no slide stop spring retaining screw. There's a plastic "cam", I guess. No screw. How am I supposed to get that out to replace the new spring? I need to talk to Kahr support to see if I can get a free spring out of them after 14 years of use, so I haven't ordered anything yet. I see Kahr sells a slide stop retaining screw and washer---should I get that, and will it be compatible wtih my old gun?

Thanks,
Mike


Please I'm I waiting patiently

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk


Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[MMyers1970]

Absolutely. Any help is appreciated.

Mike,
I've replied to your PM.
With your permission, I'd like to post my reply here so others folks might give their input on it and your situation.
Regards,
Greg

[gb6491]

Absolutely. Any help is appreciated.

Hey Mike,
I've no first hand experience with that set up for retaining the slide stop spring.
If you care to read further, I do have some thoughts on it.
My first thought would be for you to give adjusting the spring another try. If you haven't already, might I suggest you partially insert the slide stop pin to help prevent the spring from moving as you attempt to adjust it.
I believe this is how a proper one looks:
http://pro-patria.us/Pistol/P9spring.jpg

Beyond that:
Give Kahr a call to see if they have any of those plugs and springs.
I believe the plug can be removed, but it might/probably will be damaged when doing so and was thus designed as a consumable. Perhaps, it can be removed and reused with a little care.
The spring is different from that used in current poly Kahr pistols. It is more akin to the spring used in the current MK series Kahr pistols.
I'd also inquire if Kahr would modify your frame to use current style parts.

Beyond even that:
The next evolution for retention of the slide stop spring was to replace the plug with a slotted screw (a slotted screw was also used on the MK series guns).
Here's a shot from an old kahr manual that shows the screw and spring. Again, the spring looks like the one used in the the MK series. Note how the frame looks like it would accept a plug.
http://i68.tinypic.com/30njaqg.jpg
Here's a MK series pistol with the slotted screw:
http://pro-patria.us/Pistol/T9spring1.jpg
...and one with the current Torx:
http://pro-patria.us/Pistol/T9spring2.jpg
Notice how the spring differs from that used in current poly guns:
http://i47.tinypic.com/25qbyvb.jpg
I have seen photos of a poly Kahr with a slotted screw and the current poly Kahr spring:
http://oi55.tinypic.com/11vi3uu.jpg
That gun may be modified as it looks like it might have been drilled for the old style spring (looks like a screw hole to the bottom right of the screw).

All this was leading up to:
If you want to go the DIY route on a modification: I'd suggest buying the current poly guns spring, screw, and washer plus the a MK series spring and screw. The, with parts in hand, see what will work best. Perhaps, the current MK spring will work needing only a screw to hold it in place (or the plug, if it can be removed without damage). If not, then a modification like that done on the PM9 in the above photo might be in order. Needless to say any mod using a screw will involve drilling the frame (twice if the current spring is used). Drill undersize and try not to heat it up, the current screw should self thread into the hole.

Hope that helps some.

Regards,
Greg

BTW, some of the photos I used above are from these places:
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread....-pistols/page6 (http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?99877-Kahr-9mm-pistols/page6)
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.p...p-Identify-PM9 (http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?7121-Please-help-Identify-PM9)

[MMyers1970]

I called Kahr yesterday---told them about the spring and inquired about the plug. The rep advised me to send the pistol in for modification to use new parts. Who knew shipping a handgun was such a PITA? UPS won't take it at a UPS store. Only Fed Ex will ship it for me.

[gb6491]

I called Kahr yesterday---told them about the spring and inquired about the plug. The rep advised me to send the pistol in for modification to use new parts. Who knew shipping a handgun was such a PITA? UPS won't take it at a UPS store. Only Fed Ex will ship it for me.
Yep, when I shipped a firearm via UPS I had to go to a hub. Fed Ex is more convenient me.
Regards,
Greg

[berettabone]

OR, if you have an FFL, have him/her ship it. Mine does it for around $13............................................... ...even boxes it for me.

[wyntrout]

I just put new recoil springs in all of my pistols and had to modify... shorten those for the P9, P40, and the PM45. The P380 was OK, but I used my existing spare and the other springs I just got from Kahr. The P40 recoil spring was a real bear to get in place. I finally cut one coil off and was able to assemble the pistol... then the slide would not go back far enough to lock open... more cutting!

I did get the new versions and the PM45 RSA had the same problem with locking back, so I cut enough off so that the slide could be locked back.

I still had a few problems with both the P40 and the PM45 at the range, so I'm still carrying the P9 as primary EDC. I'm almost afraid to try it at the range!

I'm starting to think that maybe I need to get myself a G43 like Wifey's! There's something to be said for malfunction-free pistols. I would rather be carrying .40 or .45, but at least I get more rounds with the 9mm.

As for shipping pistols, if you have an FFL friend or someone who doesn't charge much to ship your pistol, he can use USPS Priority... and a flat-rate box... and save you some money... maybe $20 or more. Usually FedEx or UPS want $60+ for next day delivery... and you don't need the next MORNING version which is the most expensive.

Wynn

[MMyers1970]

I spoke with Kahr----they want me to send it back so they can fix it and convert it to the Torx setup. I also received a prepaid shipping label, which was unexpected.

My P9 has always been a wonderfully reliable gun. My CW380, however, has not been. It's the most reliable with Winchester White Box ball ammo, but I don't really want to carry ball. When I questioned the Kahr CSR about the problems feeding Remington Personal Defense hollowpoints, his response was "It's a tiny little gun and we can't guarantee it will feed hollowpoints.". Hmm. Seems like an awfully strange attitude.

When the P9 comes back, I'm sending in the CW380 if it malfunctions at all during the upcoming weekend's range trip. If Kahr can't make this personal protection gun work correctly, I'm going to trade or sell it and end up with a PPK!

If Walther can make a .380 since 1931 that works, why can't everyone? My dad has a PPK and it feeds everything----and it's a 1990s version....