Slide Won't Lock Back

[boscobarbell]

So, I purchased a vintage (circa 1998) MK9 a few months back, and fell in love after the first range session. I'd actually rented a Glock 43 the same day to see if I'd made a terrible mistake, but to my mind (and I've owned Glocks since 1987) the MK9 just screamed quality.

Anyway, it's been problem-free for months, until my last range session. Suddenly it won't lock back after the last round in my flush magazine. I double-checked with my two extended mags, and those seem to function fine.

I took the slide off and see no obvious physical differences amongst the magazine, but in doing so I did notice something odd. If I manually maintain upward pressure on the flush magazine, it seats just enough to elicit lock-back.

Since it appears that the mechanical issue is with the magazine and not the gun (which is a relief!), I need to figure out what to do about that mag. I'd just buy another flush mag to replace it, but this one has the original metal follower, with which I'd hate to part.

So, any suggestions? But a new mag and swap out the follower? Or just buy a new mag spring and see if an old, tired spring is the problem?

[Alfonse]

It sounds like the spring might be weak. Switch the follower with one of the mags that work. I bet the issue stays with the spring.

[boscobarbell]

It sounds like the spring might be weak. Switch the follower with one of the mags that work. I bet the issue stays with the spring.

Good idea! I'll give that a shot and report back.

[boscobarbell]

Well I'll be damned. Switched out the follower with one from an extended mag, and the slide locks back. So the problem would seem to be with the stainless steel follower. Looking at it really closely, it looks like one of the sides (just below where the bullet's nose would lay...right where the little metal nub sits in the plastic followers) has been pushed in about 1/32" or so. Perhaps the metal just fatigued a bit after all these years?

[Alfonse]

Sounds like you found it. You might be able to just bend that bit out a little on the follower. If you decide to replace it, I would love to buy the old follower from you as I have been known to experiment with such things. I could probably find a follower to swap with you too. Merry Christmas!!

[boscobarbell]

Sounds like you found it. You might be able to just bend that bit out a little on the follower. If you decide to replace it, I would love to buy the old follower from you as I have been known to experiment with such things. I could probably find a follower to swap with you too. Merry Christmas!!

I tried with some needle-nose pliers, but it's a bit too stiff. I might try it supported in a vise to see if that makes it any easier.

But I'm no handyman or gunsmith, so I'll probably touch base with you after the holidays to work out a deal.

Merry Christmas to you, too!

[boscobarbell]

I did a little poking around the interwebs, and found some postings indicating that this magazine issue is not, in fact, uncommon with the stainless steel followers. Apparently that is why Kahr went to the plastic followers in the first place, and why they fashioned that odd shape and metal knob (apparently they get pummeled by the barrel assembly, particularly if using hot ammo...I understand the 40 pistols suffer it much worse).

Well, you guys here are far better Kahr historians than me, so I figured I'd through that out there.

[Alfonse]

I have a supply of aluminum followers as well as some OEM plastic with the pin. Have a Merry Christmas!