Damaged p40 NEW

[alung]

Hi folks,
I just purchased a p40. I shot close to 250 rounds through it. During my first time firing, after about 60 rounds, the slide began to lock back after each round. I believe I bent the slide release spring causing the slide to lock back. I contacted technical support after ordering a new slide release spring. I explained the situation, and was told it was ok to install the new slide release spring.

I did, and shot close to 190 rounds through it with no problem. I brought it home and cleaned it, and then put it away. Tonight I was showing a friend my new weapon, when I noticed that the spring was bent again, this time putting damaging the frame.

Is this common? Is it that I'm just not paying close enough attention during assembly? I've contacted support and will be sending it back as soon as possible. Would I be better off with a steel frame?

I'm feeling pretty sick about this!

[MikeyKahr]

Breathe deep, alung. :D Don't jump to the steel just yet, that P40 is a fantastic gun. Can you describe what kind of damage the frame sustained? As for common, no, this is not common. Should you pay close attention to reassembly, yes, absolutely. If you haven't, I would suggest going through the user manual if you haven't yet, they give clear instruction for disassembly and assembly and spend quite a bit of space talking about that spring and how best to keep it happy. There are also some great videos online too that go through things step by step. I'm not sure I would send it back yet as you just had a long, flawless session. I think it'd be helpful if you can describe the damage sustained and possibly provide a pic or two - the experts on here will be able to help you out right quick. And don't get too sick too quick!

[alung]

Here's a picture. You can see the dent in the frame behind the spring.

[jocko]

could possably that little indent have been there from the git go and now u just noticed it. It will IMO not effect anything and it doesn't come into play with anything. Only u can be able to diagnose ifyour are putting it back together correctly. that spring cannot bende by itself, You can also just now withthe spring that is in thegun just tweek it back to what it shold look like and then put a dab of grease on the slide lock part that makes contact with that spring. NO accusing yoiu of anything but I think you must have installed the slidelock back in thegun improperly and it only takes one time ti knock that little spring out of whack. Mine is orignal, never been touched in over 4 years, but I am careful when re-installing the slide lock lever. Personaly that indent is OK, probably was there from the git go to. Nothing you could have done that would have caused that
from the photok, it looks tome like the spring tip needs tweeked upward a tad. there is a sticky on this forum n the kahr tech section called something like cw45 fixes and it shows in photo detail what your spring should look like. .

[MikeyKahr]

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1612&highlight=cw45+fixes

[alung]

I'm even more disappointed today. I put in the new spring only to discover that the threads are stripped that hold the slide release spring in place. I just want to get rid of this gun.

I contacted Kahr to see if they would help me upgrade my p40 to a k40. NO, we do not offer upgrades. They will send me springs all day long, I guess cause they have experience with people doing the same thing I did. That is if I did it. Why would it start jamming after 60 rounds?

I really don't like the way it's built. I'm a little harder on guns that this one can take. Can someone please tell me if the k40 and other models, have the slide spring similiar to the p40.

[jocko]

no they do not have that little springhy thing, but you can fix your little springhy with ease.

Two methods at least to do. #1 put in the new springhy and then soak the threads on that little screw with super glue and just snug it up and u wll never have no isses.

#2. Some use fingernail polish and a small dab in the hole and the snug up the little screw and you will be good to go.

This is very uncommon what occured on ur gun, although it looks cheesay, it works great, but if one tries to tighten that little screwit will strip every time as it threads into polymer. I don't like that either but it is fixable, either by you or sending it in to kahr at more than likely your expense, so try our fix first.

If you look at the K series gun on the inside of the steel frame on the right side is the rod type spring tha tholds that slide stop lever in place. I wish they all had that but they don't. Naw your not harder on guns, u just made a simple miscue with that spring and it has been done before..

[alung]

I don't think I will ever be comfortable with this handgun. I don't like the idea of my life depending on super glue. I'll be selling it in the near future. I wish Kahr would have offered a little help. The guy even had a little attitude even knowing it's a common problem.

I like the gun, and the fact that it's made in America.

[jocko]

well u best peddle it then and move on to something els.e The K series is just in its own class, but heavier as u well know.I would not putm y life on super glue either but in this case and where it is as, I certainly would. there is no pressure on that little screw or movement to that little screw. It basically just keeps that litlte springy from falling out .their earlier models just use to have a polymer pin that went into the frame, no threads at all. Never had ay issues with it either.

anyway we all tried, u just gotta do what u just gotta do. I understand that. U could at ur expernse for postage just let kahr fix it also. Have no idea how they fix um but they do, My bet it is very similar to our fixes here..

It really is not a common problem at all..

[alung]

I'll have it fixed by Kahr before I sell it. I wouldn't be comfortable selling it in this condition. I already have an RMA number.

So, there is soon to be a p40 with about 250 rounds through it. I will check with the shop where I bought it to see if they will buy it back. I'll see what they will give me, then possibly sell it to them, or put it on the market. I think it will be like new since I'm sending it back to Kahr.

[jocko]

glad ur fixing it b efore you sell it, that is the honorable thing to do and certainly the right thing to do. won't try to talk you into keeping itk, for if yo loose faith in it,then it is time to move on..
\
\PM sent

[alung]

I've read quite a bit on this forum. I've seen lots of failures with Kahr and dedication to the brand that seems to make them reliable. I just sent my p40 back for repairs, adding another $90 to the cost of the gun.

I'm unhappy with the results of the gun and the service. When I talked to Kahr, they gave me to a manager. I explained to him that the slide locked back the first 60 rounds. He said yep, that's the symptom of a bent slide release spring. He was very arrogant, went into a rant on reading the manual, and watching the videos.

They seem to be having a lot of problems with the p40 and the slide release spring. They will send you the spring for free, that in itself is unusual.

I would think a handgun at this price should be reliable out of the box, I've bought a lot of guns in the past, with very few that have a break in period, and maintenance required to make them reliable. That's normally a manufacturing issue.

What ever the case, I like the way they feel, I like that they are made in America, but I hate their attitude. The extra $90 makes begins to put my purchase into a different category. I wish I'd have read more here before purchasing my handgun.

If I continue to get attitude from the Kahr folks, I'm going to make a lot of noise.

Does anybody know the phone numbers of any executives in the organization?

[jocko]

The P series kahrs slide release springs give no more issues than any other kahr that has this type of slide release spirng. They all work exactly the same. I must have missed all the issues with the P40, can you direct me to a half dozen of them, so I can learn more of the issues...Not unusual to send free parts to help a person out either. Para sent me 3 slide stop levers, beats them taking the gun back to do the same thing, cost wise and time wise. He was correct proabably to with the bent slide release spring. Something had to cause that to, I won't give my opinion but you would not be the first to ever bend a slide release springs. Making alot of noise, personally will get you further from nowhere, but that is your call to. If this manager was indeed rude to you, then u need to write a "nice" letter to Justin Moon and give this guys name etc, That is their job to be courtesous and what times I have talked to anyone at kahr about anything, courtesty as always been #1. They may not give you the answer that u expect and then that is when things kinda go south to.

IMO you should get the gun fixed at kahr and when it gets back, don't even shoot it, Just peddle it and move on. then in good faith you can state it has been checked over by kahr and a new yadda yadda was installed and it is perfect.

I or no one can tell you what to do here, but I can assure you coping an attitude on this fourm won't get you alot of votes either. If you want to puff your chest out, indeed puff it out with kahr, not us, making noise on this fourm normally will get u a deaf ear..

I just replaced my bent PM9 slide lever spring yesterday, after over 30,000 rounds and being apart over 300 times. I had to be the one who bent it. I just happens sometimes..

Just my two cents and like yours, it is my feelings towards your matter to and not the forums..

How did you incur $90 cost to the gun??? If I recall I think I pm-ed u on how to send it back for about $10 or less..

[alung]

jocko, great advise. I hear you. Thank you.

Karh wanted all the parts. So, I had to send it next day FedEx and I insured it. Thats where the cost was.