That sucks: magazine follower broke apart.

[I_Like_Turtles]

OK....so that vintage K9 I bought some weeks ago and posted about.....loading up the stock mag and the magazine follower broke apart! Back end broke off it. Oh well....calling Kahr tomorrow for a replacement.

:(

[gb6491]

Lakeline's all metal follower cost more, but is, IMO, a tremendous improvement over the OEM polymer/metal follower.
Kahr sells it on their website, but it's slightly cheaper (with shipping) on Lakeline's website (https://lakelinellc.com/shop/metal-magazine-follower-for-9mm-kahr/).

Stepping up a bit more in price is Maggut's product (7 rounds to 8): https://magguts.com/product/kahr-9mm-magguts-for-7-round-magazine/

Regards,
Greg

[I_Like_Turtles]

Thanks man! I was considering this might be a good time to try an upgrade. :D

[Canine Dave]

Lakeline's all metal follower cost more, but is, IMO, a tremendous improvement over the OEM polymer/metal follower.
Kahr sells it on their website, but it's slightly cheaper (with shipping) on Lakeline's website (https://lakelinellc.com/shop/metal-magazine-follower-for-9mm-kahr/).

Stepping up a bit more in price is Maggut's product (7 rounds to 8): https://magguts.com/product/kahr-9mm-magguts-for-7-round-magazine/

Regards,
Greg

At what point does it make sense to just replace the magazine? With a new replacement, I.L.T would have a new follower, new spring and most important, new feed lips. Unless he knows the round count on his used Kahr it could be a wise investment.

New K820 magazines on eBay are $35.00, nominal shipping.

[DavidR]

If the follower is hitting the feed ramp it’s just a matter of time before a new plastic one breaks.

[King Rat]

Yes, that does suck big time. I am a fan of the Kahr. But some things do suck. I spend the extra money to buy the upgraded steel followers. And with a dozen mags for the 380 and 9mm's that gets expensive. I am a big fan fan of the Beretta Pico and Nano/Carry. Ever seen their magazines? TOP SHELF! Stainless steel and perfect design, perfect stainless steel follower. I have about a dozen 380 and about 15 mags for the Nano. Never once had one problem. Perfect.

https://i.imgur.com/qo7x6tP.jpg?1 https://i.imgur.com/P4kberA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/w073Smn.jpg

[BirdsThaWord]

Those reming me of the Sig P238 & P938 mags. Also very well made imho.
Interesting notice....in the pics you posted, around the mag release catch hole they flared out the mag. I guess you would get a very positive “snap” as the mag release clears that flared spot and makes it’s way in there.
16726

[gb6491]

At what point does it make sense to just replace the magazine? With a new replacement, I.L.T would have a new follower, new spring and most important, new feed lips. Unless he knows the round count on his used Kahr it could be a wise investment.

New K820 magazines on eBay are $35.00, nominal shipping.
I guess that would be up to the individual. IMO, Kahr's polymer follower has been a weak point for their 9mm and .40 caliber guns.

We seen on this forum that modifying the polymer follower can make the 9mm guns less sensitive to technique when chambering a round via slingshot. To my knowledge Kahr, only recently changed the polymer follower to mimic the KT modified follower.

It's been my experience, that the .40 cal pistol is better in this regards, but we see quite a few cases of broken follower skirts with their followers.

The Lakeline follower and Magguts kit remedy (IMO) both of these issues.

I'm not saying the OEM mags suck (personally, I think the tubes are quite durable), just that they or the guns (trimming the feed ramp on .40 guns prevents broken follower skirts) can be improved.

FWIW, the 45 mags (Wynn's broken springs aside) are quite good. I just wish they would make a tube that mimics compact 1911/Officer's ACP magazines.


If the follower is hitting the feed ramp it’s just a matter of time before a new plastic one breaks.
This is true, especially in .40 cal Kahr pistols. It's usually the front skirt that breaks, so I wonder if that is what caused the rear leg of turtle's follower to fail?



Another FWIW: once upon a time, Kahr did make a metal follower that was quite good.
https://i.postimg.cc/ZR8dyntq/m1-865.jpg (https://postimg.cc/bDvJ7zvX)
https://i.postimg.cc/PrY5X9Ht/m2-865.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

I agree that the tubes are actually pretty good, the followers and in some instances the floor plates can be an issue. Many wish for flush floor plates especially in the 45's.

I've not had issues with mine but I haven't shot the 9's all that much. The 45 has many rounds through it but no issues.

[Canine Dave]

I guess that would be up to the individual. IMO, Kahr's polymer follower has been a weak point for their 9mm and .40 caliber guns.

We seen on this forum that modifying the polymer follower can make the 9mm guns less sensitive to technique when chambering a round via slingshot. To my knowledge Kahr, only recently changed the polymer follower to mimic the KT modified follower.

It's been my experience, that the .40 cal pistol is better in this regards, but we see quite a few cases of broken follower skirts with their followers.

The Lakeline follower and Magguts kit remedy (IMO) both of these issues.

I'm not saying the OEM mags suck (personally, I think the tubes are quite durable), just that they or the guns (trimming the feed ramp on .40 guns prevents broken follower skirts) can be improved.

FWIW, the 45 mags (Wynn's broken springs aside) are quite good. I just wish they would make a tube that mimics compact 1911/Officer's ACP magazines.


This is true, especially in .40 cal Kahr pistols. It's usually the front skirt that breaks, so I wonder if that is what caused the rear leg of turtle's follower to fail?



Another FWIW: once upon a time, Kahr did make a metal follower that was quite good.
https://i.postimg.cc/ZR8dyntq/m1-865.jpg (https://postimg.cc/bDvJ7zvX)
https://i.postimg.cc/PrY5X9Ht/m2-865.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Regards,
Greg

What does this mean "To my knowledge Kahr, only recently changed the polymer follower to mimic the KT modified follower". My K9 is new. I have 350 rounds now, divided more or less equally between the two 7 round magazines. I just looked at the magazines and can't see where there might be an issue. The little nub on the follower shows some wear, probably because i usually (not always) drop the slide with the slide release. Also, as far as not having any first round ftf issues could be because I only load 5 rounds? Habit, I guess.

I was an owner of a P9 for a short time. When I was wheeling the deal the previous owner kept mentioning that he had replaced the damn base plates and followers in the magazines. He acted like it added great value to the package and couldn't understand why I could care less. Now I get it.

[I_Like_Turtles]

The mag that broke is the Kahr 7 rounder that came with the used Kahr K9 I picked up just as I joined this forum. It's a 1995 pistol.....who knows how many rounds?

Rear vertical part of follower broke off when I loaded it with 7 rounds the other night. Bored and loaded it up, broke off, had to disassemble to get it apart. The other two mags were Kahr 8 rounders, which were not in production in 1995 to my knowledge.

[gb6491]

What does this mean "To my knowledge Kahr, only recently changed the polymer follower to mimic the KT modified follower". My K9 is new. I have 350 rounds now, divided more or less equally between the two 7 round magazines. I just looked at the magazines and can't see where there might be an issue. The little nub on the follower shows some wear, probably because i usually (not always) drop the slide with the slide release. Also, as far as not having any first round ftf issues could be because I only load 5 rounds? Habit, I guess.

I was an owner of a P9 for a short time. When I was wheeling the deal the previous owner kept mentioning that he had replaced the damn base plates and followers in the magazines. He acted like it added great value to the package and couldn't understand why I could care less. Now I get it.
Holy smokes, time flies by, I went back to find photos showing both versions of the follower and see it was near the end of 2016 that the new one started to appear: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?29809-new-kahr-mag-followers&p=378883#post378883
https://i.postimg.cc/76xr7yYD/newstylefollower-copy.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Seemed to me it happened more recently, please pardon my Joe Biden moment.

Modifying followers started in 2011. http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?6943-Chambering-the-first-round-a-slingshot-modification

The chambering issue with 9mm does, as you surmise, most often happen with fully loaded magazines. The chambering issue is mostly about technique. Do it right and you probably won't have a problem. The new design follower, the modified followers, and aftermarket followers make successfully chambering via slingshot less dependent on perfect technique. Down loading one or two rounds will accomplish this as well.

Regards,
Greg

[yqtszhj]

No kidding time flies. I remember doing the pencil and sandpaper mod back when it was discussed. Who would have thought that was 2011. Looks like in 2016 Kahr took up the Greg pencil mod on their followers. How’d those royalty checks work out? :rolleyes:

[skiflydive]

Check to see if it doesn't need a "Rampectomy" (search that) too. That cured a lot of follower ills a while back.

[gb6491]

.... How’d those royalty checks work out? :rolleyes:
LOL, I wish....even if it was just for bragging rights:hippie:

[Canine Dave]

I.L.T.'s 25 year old magazine broke when he was loading seven rounds. Can it be known if the fault always occurs when loading the mag, and not when firing the gun? It would be less of an issue (to me) if it were the former and not the latter.

Also, gb, thank you for the detailed picture of the two generations of followers. Mine are the newer type pictured on the right.

[I_Like_Turtles]

No kidding! Much rather have a mag go down when I am sitting on the couch, loading up the mag, than at the range or worse, in the fight of my life!

Maybe getting new mags or doing a mag upgrade like those suggested here is a good idea, especially for such an old weapon. *No idea how old the mag is. Bought it at least 3rd hand.

[getsome]

Time does fly alright, I bought a Kahr CW40 in 2009 thinking it would be an improvement over a S&W 640 .357 revolver I was using for CCW but in the end that was not such a good decision BUT after fighting through several broken followers and failures to lock back I turned to the new to me interweb and found Kahrtalk and the nice folks here helped me correct the issues.....It took a trip back to the mothership for a rampectomy to fix the broken follower deal and folks here told me how to adjust the slide stop spring to get it working right so finally I had a good working gun but I never could get used to the recoil of a .40 and I wanted something smaller so I traded if for a PM9 and it has been the perfect pocket pistol for many years now...I have never had any failures of any kind with the polymer followers but upgraded to the Lakeline followers just as a precaution....The Lakeline followers are a great upgrade and well worth the money for the peace of mind.....

[I_Like_Turtles]

Lakeline's all metal follower cost more, but is, IMO, a tremendous improvement over the OEM polymer/metal follower.
Kahr sells it on their website, but it's slightly cheaper (with shipping) on Lakeline's website (https://lakelinellc.com/shop/metal-magazine-follower-for-9mm-kahr/).

Stepping up a bit more in price is Maggut's product (7 rounds to 8): https://magguts.com/product/kahr-9mm-magguts-for-7-round-magazine/

Regards,
Greg

After some thought, I have decided to give Mag Guts a try and replace my 8-round Kahr followers with Lakeline followers. If Mag Guts works out, I'll try Mag Guts in my 7 round PM9 mags also.

:cool: Thanks a ton for the suggestions.

Update:

1 Mag Guts ordered....2 Lakeline followers ordered. I'll keep you guys posted on how these work out.

[Canine Dave]

After some thought, I have decided to give Mag Guts a try and replace my 8-round Kahr followers with Lakeline followers. If Mag Guts works out, I'll try Mag Guts in my 7 round PM9 mags also.

:cool: Thanks a ton for the suggestions.

Update:

1 Mag Guts ordered....2 Lakeline followers ordered. I'll keep you guys posted on how these work out.

I think you just spent more on magazine repairs than I spent on my first pistol.

Gotta love this market!

[I_Like_Turtles]

What was your first pistol? A Hi Point? :p

I think I spent like $70.00 all told....

[Burnett]

What was your first pistol? A Hi Point? :p

I think I spent like $70.00 all told....

That's pretty funny!

[I_Like_Turtles]

Thanks man....I was going for some humor there.

Well the Lakeline followers came today so I'll try and get those into my 8 round mags in a few minutes.

[I_Like_Turtles]

Lakeline followers now in and seem to be working just fine.

BIG THANKS TO THE MEMBER WHO SUGGESTED THOSE!

[Canine Dave]

What was your first pistol? A Hi Point? :p

I think I spent like $70.00 all told....

Whether rich or poor, I believe everyone has the right to defend themselves and their family. Hi Point firearms fill a niche, and no, they don't have a model called "elite".

My first gun was a Ruger .357 Blackhawk. I was a little off with price comparisons. I paid $87.50 at PEM's in 1963, but he did throw in a box of 158gr Winchester Lubaloy's. And no, I don't want to trade my Ruger for your magazine repair parts.

[I_Like_Turtles]

Oh gosh man, no explanation needed! I was only joking with you there since it seemed like such a perfect comeback. Also, you didn't initially specify the year (1963) when the US dollar went quite a bit further.

Hi Points certainly fill a void and that's why the company continues to be a success. Me not carrying one isn't because of the price, just the design.

For a time I was crazy about the FEG copies of the PPK, which in the mid 1990's were running less than $100.00 and I would certainly have carried that.

[berettabone]

My first handgun was an Astra .357 snubbie…………...……..what a fool I was, and not because of what I paid...…………...…...Paid $200 for it and got of all things, a box of 158 gr. Nyclad's with it. Went and shot it and took it back the next day and sold it back to him for $200. I even paid him for the ammo and told him that I appreciated what he had done for me. I thought the thing was going to fall apart in my hand...…………..I didn't know about the adjustments that you could make with the gun, but it didn't matter. It was a handful back then. I didn't feel that there was going to be any longevity with the firearm. Not to count the fact that you couldn't hit the side of a barn with it, but you could certainly throw it. Hi Point's do fill a niche, but most of us know what that niche is...……...……...………………...…………………...………...…...:)

[I_Like_Turtles]

I used to be a skydiver and after one day of jumping several parachutists and the company owner went out to eat. The subject of CCW came up. The company owner said he owned a Hi Point and that was his only handgun. No one said anything!

I thought "well, self defense and firearms aren't high on his list."

I once met a doctor that pulled up to the range in the latest luxury car. He proceeded to have several malfunctions with some pot-metal .25 ACP. For some, firearms aren't the most important thing they own.

The local indoor gun range owners got their start in the pawn business. The lady said she "stopped stocking Hi Points because only gang bangers bought those." She added that "every 1911 she got sold as those stay in demand."

[Burnett]

I think I may have you all beat on cheap new guns. Bought a brand new chrome plated Raven 25 for $39.95 back in the eighties. Say what you want I don't recall it ever having a malfunction. Later I upped my 25 acp game by scoring the somewhat rare Beretta Model 20. I have not fired a 25 acp in over 25 years. Maybe I'll have to dig them out of the safe and give them a work out. Pretty gutless for defense but I enjoyed plinking pop cans with them in my younger years.

[Canine Dave]

I used to be a skydiver and after one day of jumping several parachutists and the company owner went out to eat. The subject of CCW came up. The company owner said he owned a Hi Point and that was his only handgun. No one said anything!

I thought "well, self defense and firearms aren't high on his list."

I once met a doctor that pulled up to the range in the latest luxury car. He proceeded to have several malfunctions with some pot-metal .25 ACP. For some, firearms aren't the most important thing they own.

The local indoor gun range owners got their start in the pawn business. The lady said she "stopped stocking Hi Points because only gang bangers bought those." She added that "every 1911 she got sold as those stay in demand."

'600,000 guns are stolen every year in the US – that's one every minute", the lady said. She added that gangbangers steal Kahrs, elite gangbangers steal Kahr Elites.