Frankenboomer returns to the mother ship for the 6th time!

[wyntrout]

A few days before Matthew got here, I took several pistols to the range to test new ammo. One was my DLC PM45 to try the Winchester 230-grain Ranger-T ammo. It's supposed to be standard pressure but Lucky Gunner testing showed it to be identical to the +P version. This stuff really is +P... quite a kick and my bike tube grip covers weren't enough to tone the recoil down, so I put on a glove as well. I wanted to test all of my 9 Kahr mags and allowed at least a box of ammo... bought a case for primary SD ammo... for this test. I didn't get to finish the box of 50 before having problems. One mag wouldn't go into the magazine well and upon inspection, I found that the upper rear corner was splitting! I check the other mags and found 6 of the 9 with splits of varying degrees. I had to call it a day with the PM45.

This was the FOURTH time to have splitting mags. All were replaced by Kahr and the pistol went back once where testing duplicated the problem and only a new frame stopped the splitting... supposedly. It happened again after that, even with the new mags and Kahr offered to take the pistol back again, but I declined, thinking that a newer batch of mags might be the cure.

I have many pistols and was not carrying the PM45 so it didn't get shot much. I really was afraid of more trouble. My fears were justified, it seems. I couldn't bring myself to sit down and write an email to Kahr until last weekend and Monday Jay said he was sorry for the trouble and sent me a return label for FedEx. I shipped it back yesterday with all 9 mags. I had been dreading that they would say it was out of the 5-year warranty, but that wasn't an issue.

For those who don't know, I named the pistol Boomer and after the first couple of trips, I changed it to Frankenboomer. After 5 trips, the only original part was probably the slide lock lever... and Kahr had sent me two replacements for that, but they were SS, not DLC to match my pistol, so I returned those.

Now it's a wait to see what they find out. I sent a box from the RA45T so that they could see what I was shooting. It may be that only +P causes the problem. I think that I was using Underwood +P 230-gr Gold Dots when the first splitting occurred.

About a month or so ago, another of my 5-round mags' springs shattered and I replaced it with a spare. I really would like to have a P45 DLC so that I could use 1911 officer's magazines and get the flush bases and reliability that I would like to have.

I added pictures of the first mag that I had problems with and one of the early 2 still frames before I had to put on a glove.

Bummed out... :(

Wynn

[berettabone]

I give you credit...........................I don't think I would have been that patient.:o

[wyntrout]

It has certainly been a "lemon" experience with that particular Kahr! I ordered the standard Ranger-T because I didn't want to use +P in 230-grain defensive ammo. The PM45 is pretty small and lightweight for a .45. It's a great accurate shooter, but magazines have been real problems.

I've gone crazy ordering magazines and prepper-type stuff for out next local gun show... the 19th and 20th at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. I've gone into MORE debt trying to accumulate inventory to sell to get out of debt! Wacky, huh?

Not many delivery trucks will be passing by this week or next! I just got a few in the mail today.

I hope that the election doesn't start a panic buy and I want to get a bunch of stuff for us as well as for resale. I guess that I already started my own panic buying!

:D

[berettabone]

Your situation seems a bit..........bizarre actually. I understand we all like to be able to fix problems when they arise, but this one takes the cake. Sounds like you've gone through a bunch of ammo trying to fix this firearm. Kahr should be sending you a NEW firearm. Panic buying started a while back I'd say. Of course it will continue. After the election, I predict that we will have the NEW best firearm sales woman, shattering Balack Oblamea records in ammo sales and backround checks.

[CJB]

Well..... I can't imagine how a frame would allow split magazines, except that maybe they were ill positioned and interacting with ... (something).

I also can't imagine how a second frame still has the issue, unless, it wasn't the frame in the first place, and it was the (something) that was the real issue.

An "aside" story.
Let me say, that this week I had major egg on my own chin in my livelihood. I told a customer more than a few times that the part I sent would work. Finally, I went to the customer location. It didn't work. The customer didn't really explain the issue (on the phone), but once I was there, it was obvious. Jeeze, what a fuster cluck. I took the part, went to the customer's bench grinder, ground off a bit of plastic, and "voila" the part fit. He was right, and I was seriously... very seriously, wrong. That doesn't happen too often. I'm not trying to spew my own praise here, but I've been doing what I do for almost 35 years. I tend to know what's going on with the product. I was off the mark, admitted it, made it right. The customer suffered, and because of that, I really feel bad. He's getting a bottle of his favorite booze as a makeup. It won't cure the grief he went thru, but I hope it will show him that it was really a stupid mistake on my part, and that I'm really sorry for all the drama.

Ok, why did I share that? Because Kahr is open to mistake... stupid human error. Like me, I have total confidence they did not even realize the mistake, until the customer had gone thru a bit of grief.

Somehow... I get this deep down feeling that Kahr is going to step up to the plate with a new pistol, in order to keep things right. I'd be surprised if they didn't.

[wyntrout]

I did mention that I would rather have a P45 so that I could use 1911 Officer's magazines!

I just got an email that they had received the pistol. It will be THEIR headache for a while!

I would love to get a P45... DLC.

Wynn :)

[Alfonse]

The only time I have seen something like that was when I was playing with steel followers in a particular pistol that had some particularly high barrel to follower contact. I don't know how that would happen with a plastic or aluminum follower.

I suppose it could be from some sort of interaction that is causing pressure to spread the feed lips on the magazine. I'm not seeing how though.

Hopefully they will get it solved for you.

[wyntrout]

I got a call from Kahr's Customer Service and we nailed down the splitting as possibly starting after the third slide replacement after the new frame on the previous trip. Now the thinking is maybe it's the new slide that started the mags' splitting. A mention of possibly replacing the pistol was made and I explained my druthers about getting a PM45, so that's the plan now. I was thinking of selling the PM45 and getting a P45 after this return. They didn't have one in stock so it may be a few weeks, but I can't wait to get some 1911 officer model mags sorted out for carry. I want the flush base and maybe wangle an extra round to 7, if I can get reliable slide lock back on empty. I still have a couple of those mags from testing years ago, but I'll go through the posts here on this forum and see what others have done.

I was really dreading trying to get this pistol fixed "again", but Kahr stepped up and will make it right!

I've been wanting a P4544N for main EDC. Now I'll have a set of DLC's... P9, P40, and P45. I won't have to change holsters or mag carriers as all of the ones I have fit 9mm through .45 Kahrs... CrossBreed Minitucks, especially!

Wynn :)

[wyntrout]

"FrankenBoomer" has been replaced by Kahr with a new P45 DLC with Night Sights... my latest dream gun. I had really been wanting one and was tired and disappointed with my particular PM45 and all of the problems in the past and present. When Kahr Customer Service was talking with me... call from the head of the department when I had all of the other problems, he mentioned maybe they ought to replace it and I said that if it came to that I would prefer a black P45 with night sights because I now preferred the slightly larger size and could use the 1911 Officer mags to get a flush-fitting magazine.

They didn't have one in stock and it could take a couple of weeks, but that's what happened and I got my new "baby" late the 16th and took it to the range the next day for testing, along with a bunch of new mags that I bought for the gun show that weekend... 2 MagPul 9mm and 4 ETS(one .40) for Glocks. I used my G23C and the LW conversion barrel. Wow! The 9mm was like shooting my Ruger MKIII 22/45 Lite... a cream puff! All of the mags worked well with just one hiccup per try on one of the two 31-round 9mm ETS mags... tried that one twice.

I put a 1.75" bike tire tube grip cover on the P45 first! Those nibs are sharp! The pistol felt great and shot great... when I didn't yank, shove, or jerk the trigger! :D On the 16th Bob emailed me that the pistol was arriving and I got it that evening. He said to look at the target that he included with it... 10 yards and six rounds... better than I could USUALLY do! After another trip or two to the range it will probably become my MAIN EDC. It holds the same number of rounds as the P40... 6+1... .45 ACP!

Here are pictures of the pistol with the target and the three Officers' mags that I had from testing with the PM45 years ago. The MecGar(?) 7-rounder fits flush and held the slide open on empty mag after I bent the actuator on the follower up a little bit. In testing, when loaded to capacity, none of the three mags 6, 7, and 7 rounders would insert fully with the slide forward, so I guess that I'll do as Greg did and use a Kahr follower in the black one on the right and in the pistol for carry. Then I can carry one or two 7-rounders in mag holders for reloads.

Some pictures!

At the gun show I sold my Mag-na-ported P40 with the Big Dot NS to a customer who had stopped by several times and chatted with me about Glocks, my MechTech/Glock 21 Carbine, and the Kahr P40 Saturday and Sunday. I had a good time talking with him, but was happily surprised that he asked for my best offer on the pistol! I have him a really good deal including the three extra mags that I had for sale, and threw in a Kydex mag-carrier for OWB carry. I think that the P40 found a good home.

Oh, and my son flew in Friday afternoon and is staying with us until December 1st when his apartment will be ready for move in after renovation... Thanksgiving together and he can still work remotely at his job.

Wynn :)

[berettabone]

They probably should have done this sooner, but glad that they finally stepped up and replaced it. How much in shipping costs total????????????????

[Bawanna]

I'm guessing big fat ZERO but anxious to get answer from Wynn. Oh wait, new gun, probably had to do a transfer, that would be on Wynn's end.

[wyntrout]

I remember way back setting up an account accidentally in MY name using Kahr's FedEx number and shipping the pistols at their cost. It was about $28 for them, but probably over $60 for non-business/residential-type shipping!

I never abused that "account", though, only shipped pistols back to them at their bidding. I did tell the Head of Kahr Customer Service what I had done. :D

Beautiful and cool here... 67° and sunny outside... going to be running around shopping for food and stuff for Thanksgiving in a few hours.

Wynn :)

I was just trying to schedule pickup and ship a pistol back, but actually opened another account under Kahr!

That particular PM45 was definitely jinxed!

We're trying to get ready for Thanksgiving or I would be looking at some more range time soon to get my P45 into "service". My son is visiting and he's working at our dining room table. He can carry on his business just as if he were at home in Ohio with our WIFI and his Bl@ckberry smartphone. In fact, some one asked him how the weather was outside... in Ohio... and he hadn't checked lately online. :D

[b4uqzme]

^^^ FYI -- it's cold. There is snow on the ground in Akron. Not much...but snow. ;)

Glad things finally worked out. Couldn't happen for a better guy. Enjoy that new P45. It's gorgeous! I get what you are saying about your preference. I recently swapped out a CM45 for a CW for the very same reason: officers mags look great and make a nice sized grip with an extra round (or two) and you get a longer barrel/sight radius...

[wyntrout]

The 3 different officer's mags that I have won't fully insert in the mag well with the slide forward, so I'm thinking that I'll do as Greg does... use a Kahr follower and spring to just get the flush based mag in the pistol for CCW. Even the 6-rounder would not seat when full. I can carry 1-2 7-round extended-grip mags in Kydex mag holders, though... better than my fat Glock 30S or 21 SF. I KNOW when one of those thick things is in the same type holster and position, but if I need the firepower, I have the Glocks... not as elegant as Kahrs, but reliable!

[gb6491]

Congrats Wynn! That's a good looking P45 and that target is certainly promising.
I've needed to trim the front of some Officer's/compact 1911 magazines I use so that they clear the extractor or the bottom of my CW45's slide:
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?3317-CW45-P45-Flush-fit-magazine-UPDATED&p=34951#post34951 (http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?3317-CW45-P45-Flush-fit-magazine-UPDATED&p=34951#post34951)
Might be something to look at.
Regards,
Greg

[wyntrout]

I didn't have to pay for a transfer this time and the dealer didn't charge me anything! I tried to give him the $20 anyway, but he said that they didn't believe in charging for replacement guns. When I got the new PM45 frame the other dealer charged me and we had to do the NICS, too. This time, no.

And Greg, I had three mags from testing the officer model years ago... already trimmed. None would insert fully with the mag loaded to capacity and the slide forward, so I guess that I'll use the blackened stainless 7-rounder with a Kahr follower and spring as you did, for a flush-fitting 6 round mag.

I love the P40, but THIS is a .45 with the same number of rounds capacity.

Wynn :)

[wyntrout]

I did have trouble with the Kahr mags not wanting to fall out cleanly. I'm going to smooth things with fine sandpaper. The mag spring seems to contact the mag catch a bit. I haven't taken the mags apart and cleaned them up, either. That might help.

[Bawanna]

Strange you didn't have to do a NICS check with a new gun. Good for you a non registered gun but something is not right there. You sure he didn't just do it and not charge you for it?

[wyntrout]

No, he said the NICS wasn't required, nor the yellow form, either, on a replacement from the factory like that. I still tried to give him the $20, but he wouldn't take it.

I consider $20 a good deal for me... haven't tried to ship one out through him, but I'm sure that he's fair on shipping, too. I wanted him to make something for his trouble.

My son is working while he's here and I hope to get us to the range soon... maybe Friday. I want to shoot the P45 and check out those mags with Kahr inners and see how they work.

I still need to order a ported barrel for the P40... just for the longer barrel... recoil didn't seem that bad, and the P45 was great... with the bike tube grips, of course!

I need to make a "family photo" of my P's now. I've basically gotten two new DLC Kahrs at no additional cost this year... since I sold the P40 Sunday at the show.

Wynn :)

[wyntrout]

I got my order from Kahr just before we were going to the range. I had to sign for it (!) so it's a good thing I was there.

The ported barrel for my new black P40 was in that order. I cleaned it and ran a wet, then a dry patch through it and lightly lubed the usual bits and installed it. Live racking worked fine.

It was flawless at the range with FMJ and my carry ammo... 180-gr Golden Sabers.

My son and I went to the range and blew off almost 500 rounds between us... his treat and he bought an additional 2 boxes of .45's.

We shot the Glock 21 SF... his favorite, the G30s(not his favorite... less grips), the P45 and just me the P40. He only fired a few mags through the G30S, and one mag in the P45. I let him fire a few of the Ranger-T 230-grain carry ammo and he noticed that those were hotter.

I got some video, but forgot to record some that I wanted for different ammo to see the flashes, especially from the P40 with the new ported barrel. That one is still good to carry, but I need to work on the mags for the P45 a bit more. The black SS Metalform and the Colt SS mags both worked, but a did have a glitch or two. I need to work on the retention slot of the Colt and I had to bend the top part of the Metalform follower down a tiny bit. I had already bent the lower part up a bit to actuate the slide lock. Both Officer mags held the slide back on empty every time.

I still need to work on the Kahr mags, too, as they don't really drop freely as I would like.

I shot all 4 pistols, but my son hogged the G21 SF... he has a G22... and I had the Kahrs to test, so we had enough pistols and needed a bit more ammo... started with at least 300 rounds of .45 and my son bought 100 more. I only brought about 75 rounds of .40, including the Golden Sabers.

My shooting was the usual... pistols right on sight-wise, and if I did everything right, I hit dead center, but that requires too much concentration! :)

I did have a few early shots as I was taking up the slack on the way back to the bullseye. I did hit the letter-sized target whenever that happened. It was almost like a semi-auto double sometimes, but no harm done... just my pride as the impact was more off target than USUAL! :D

If Kahr made a ported barrel for the P45, I would buy one of those, too, and have all three P's look the same.

Wynn :

[yqtszhj]

Strange you didn't have to do a NICS check with a new gun. Good for you a non registered gun but something is not right there. You sure he didn't just do it and not charge you for it?

We're set up now so that no NISC is required if one has:
1. A valid carry permit that includes a picture of the buyer
or
2. A valid carry permit that has no picture and a valid state issued picture ID (such as a drivers license) but resident address on both must match.

The yellow form is still required but it only gets filed at your ffl. No one but the ffl knows who bought it.

I got 2 like this in the last 3 months. I was told it varies state by state.

Now if you buy from a "big box store" their company policy may still require form and background check. (been through that too.)

[yqtszhj]

Note: also was told that the state has to qualify for this from the Feds some how.

What you bet it was now allowed because the NISC folks are overloaded becausd of record ssles recently? That's just a guess.