CM9 Hitch/Snag Racking Slide

[ToneSurfer]

New CM9 owner. Like it so far. Obligatory photo of the first 6 rounds downrange below.

I've had exactly 2 nosedives, the first about round 38 and the second somewhere around 200ish (but I was shooting off hand unsupported so I might have limp wristed one).

I do have one nagging problem. Racking the slide there is a "hitch" or "snag" after the slide is back about 3/4 inch. As best I can tell there is some interference between the recoil rod and the spring. If I rack it slowly enough you reach this hitch point and the the recoil rod (the outer rod, or super shiny chrome one) comes springing out all of a sudden. I've taken the thing apart and put back together every which way. It's fine for a few dozen racks of the slide but the problem seems to always come back.

I haven't seen any posts on how to fix this little problem. Anyone have any ideas.

http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac135/tonesurfer/Shootin/Photo0085.jpg

[Ressom]

Mine was doing the same thing. I opened up the end of the recoil spring a little bit (just the last coil). That fixed it for me.

BTW, welcome! and nice shot!

[GTM]

Same problem here. I thought it may have been caused by the recoil spring assembly being installed at a very slight angle and not completely parallel with the edge of the slide. After re-installing it the problem went away but came back after a shooting session. I'll have to try the recoil spring trick mentioned above.

[Scoundrel]

You might count your coils and see if you need to trim the recoil spring. See my series of posts starting here: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showpost.php?p=98557&postcount=23

Basically, I ordered a new recoil spring for my CM9 that has 2000 rounds through it. The new spring was 1/2 coil longer than the original, and I had that catch during racking that you describe (and mine would not lock open). I trimmed 1/2 coil off of the spring and all was well.

Edit: I just re-read your post more carefully, and it is more likely that the end of your spring is interfering than your spring being too long, but if opening it up doesn't work, you might want to count the coils next. If you're not comfortable cutting your spring, I suggest ordering a replacement for $23 + $6 shipping from Kahr. Once you have two of them, you might be more comfortable clipping one of them.

[OldLincoln]

Not mentioned so I ask... Are you sure the closed end of the recoil spring is at the large flange of the guide rod? Also, have you put any lube on the guide rod? I remove the spring and rub light coat of grease on it, and I put just a dab on the inner rod guide, then with the slide locked back exposing the front half of the inner guide rod, I rub a dab onto it. With that the recoil assembly is lubed.

If that is the case, then make sure the tip of the open end of the spring points toward the barrel and that the smaller flange at the muzzle end seats correctly. If there is slop with the spring in the slide spring hole you can open the last half coil just enough to take out the slop.

If it still happens then remove the spring assembly and install the slide and slide stop pin (making sure it goes through the barrel lug). Slowly rack the slide feeling for the hitch. If it's there, remove the slide and barrel and look for roughness on the inside top of the slide at lube point 6 on the lube chart. If it's rough you need to use fine paper to smooth it then buff it and rub grease into it. Then look at the top front edge of the barrel hood. If it is sharp or has a burr, that's what is chewing up your slide so carefully take out the burr/sharpness and buff.

That sounds like a lot because I detailed each step but it is simple.

When fired, the barrel and slide start back together. Then the slide stop pin pulls the barrel hood down, unlocking the breach and the barrel stops while the slide continues. That top front edge of the barrel hood drags on the inside top of the slide at lube point 6 until fully broken in (this is why lube point 6 must be greased). AS the slide comes forward this process goes in reverse with the barrel hood finally locked in place.

Let us know how it goes.

[ToneSurfer]

Ok I'm gonna have a go at opening up the spring coil at the muzzle a tad like Ressom suggests. Seems like the simplest thing to try. Any suggestions on how to go about that. Two pairs of pliers is all that comes to my mind :)

I do have the spings assembled correctly, seen enough posts here warning not to get that assbackwards. And I lubed to poo out of it, just hoppe's oil, I'm not a grease fan but will keep that in mind.

I do think its recoil rod/spring related. As it works like butter with the recoil assembly removed and just the slide on. Don't recall trying it with the slide and barrel though.

[Scoundrel]

Two pairs of pliers is what I used when I accidentally bent mine too far when cutting it.

[OldLincoln]

It doesn't take much bend to fit the opening. I have the stronger Wolf spring and the larger gauge wire fits perfectly.

[jocko]

I'm trying to picture this,,, are u saying the outter shinny part of the recoil rod is coming out the front of the slide hole??/ Surely not!! what these guys have stated could be causing it. If that outter spirng with the open end is maybe not opened enough that recoil rod barrel might be hanging up on that open coil. Definitely lube the recoil barrel with some grease and open that end tip of the spring a tad, and while ur at it, smooth that end tip to with some fine sand paper

[Scoundrel]

I'm trying to picture this,,, are u saying the outter shinny part of the recoil rod is coming out the front of the slide hole??/ Surely not!!

Mine does, and seems quite happy to do so.

http://bruteforcetech.com/misc/KahrSlideHoleRecoilSpring.jpg

[jocko]

humm I guess I never paid any attention to that, mine does the same. sorry about that. nice photo scoundrel. kinda takes the guess work out of what I said to.

[Scoundrel]

http://www.rzrforums.net/images/smilies/worthless.gif

[OldLincoln]

Here's the pics for my post above on what to look for and lube. Note when I say lube I mean grease and when I say rub I mean rub it in with pressure. Some will scoff, but metal has pores an if you are using a good synthetic grease like TW25 it has microscopic grease ball that fit into those pores. It's like if you put lotion on your arm without rubbing it in you wasted your time.

If you have feeding problems, even the first time out, try this and tell me if it works. My action felt rough when racking slowly (empty) until I polished the slide and barrel hood then it went smooth like it should be. If you just got your gun, rub your finger across Lube Point 6 and see if it isn't rough. I suggest that you polish all of these areas whether it's your first or hundredth outing.

1. Lube Point 6: That is the shiny spot in the pic below. Mine is shiny because I polished it. I rub lube into that area with every cleaning. Check for roughness and if there polish it out. If bad use fine grit sand paper then buff it out with polish (Mothers Chrome or Flitz, etc.).

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/PM9/P1010788.jpg

2. The top leading edge of the barrel shroud: Mine had a large burr that tore up the area in the pic above. This edge should be square but not be sharp or have a burr. If it does smooth it off and polish as above. This is the locking edge that makes your pistol work so do not round that edge, only make it not sharp or burred.

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/PM9/P1010782.jpg

3. Ramp and Inside Top of Chamber: Both should be really shiny and rub lube into them every cleaning.

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx269/OldLincoln/PM9/P1010791.jpg

[ToneSurfer]

Ok so I bent that last loop of the spring open a tad and it seems to have done the trick! Slide is smooth as butter now. Slowly racking the slide and the outer guide rod comes through the hole almost immediately and there is no more snag or hitch. The only thing I feel now is the barrel unlocking from the slide as OldLincoln explained. I think she's good to go now. I'll burn some more powder this weekend and see how it does.

[mark1616]

Thanks for the info, guys. Mine is doing the exact same thing and I will try this fix as soon as I get home. I followed the excellent breakdown instructions, including racking the slide some 500 times before hitting the range, and I was worried I some how stressed something out. Glad to know it was not just me.

[Ressom]

Ok so I bent that last loop of the spring open a tad and it seems to have done the trick!

Cool!

There seems to be a lot of these little tweaks to the CM9 to get it perfect. Like the magazine pinch trick to get it to drop-free, like pinching the basepad so it doesn't slide, and like stoning the sharp edge of the slide where the ejected brass hit. The gun will function fine without these tweaks, so these aren't necessarily things to do for prep and function.

I'm not complaining... I like fiddling with my guns. But I need to remember all of this in case my CM9 ever gets stolen and I have to buy a new one.

[mark1616]

Well didn't work so much for me. Opened the end of the spring slightly, and also tried smoothing the slide and barrel at their friction point. I think the catch is where the top of the barrel hits the slide. When the slide recoils forward the barrel seems to catch. Not sure what to do about it.

[OldLincoln]

If it rubs grease it. That is or should be a lube point. I know the barrel itself calls for rubbing grease around it. I put a dab of grease on my pinky and rub it into the barrel opening. If that doesn't work, please take a closeup pic of the opening from the outside and one from the inside so we can take a look.

[jocko]

Well didn't work so much for me. Opened the end of the spring slightly, and also tried smoothing the slide and barrel at their friction point. I think the catch is where the top of the barrel hits the slide. When the slide recoils forward the barrel seems to catch. Not sure what to do about it.

call kahr and ask for jay or eion and state ur issue, U just might have a bad recoil assembly. certainly a new one will tell you oneway or the other...:7: We can only advise, sometimes that is just not enough..

[Seanh100]

Hi guys, I'm new to the site and this is my first post... Anyway, I have been having the same problem with racking the slide and sticking and I tried opening up the last coil of the spring just a little bit ant it worked like a charm.. racking the slide is smooth as silk now THANKS to RESSOM!! and to TONESURFER for asking the question!!

[jocko]

u will find that these guys on this fourm actually know more than some of the kahr techs...

[Ressom]

Hi guys, I'm new to the site and this is my first post... Anyway, I have been having the same problem with racking the slide and sticking and I tried opening up the last coil of the spring just a little bit ant it worked like a charm.. racking the slide is smooth as silk now THANKS to RESSOM!! and to TONESURFER for asking the question!!


No need to thank me... I'm just passing along info. I'm 100% sure I learned that trick from one of the guys here.

[yqtszhj]

u will find that these guys on this fourm actually know more than some of the kahr techs...

I guess the difference is it being a job compared to being a personal passion in some cases.

I find the same thing in my line of technical work. for some guy's it's a job and a check, for others they just have to know how it works.

[Bawanna]

I guess the difference is it being a job compared to being a personal passion in some cases.

I find the same thing in my line of technical work. for some guy's it's a job and a check, for others they just have to know how it works.

I think we have a bingo here and I'm sure its the same way in the gun manufacturing business. Some are just there, to some it's an adventure and a passion. Some I'm sure are held back by timelines and bottom line supervisors and can't go as far as they'd like in their quest for perfection.

My job used to be an adventure and a passion, now it's just a job. Maybe I'm burned out.

[GTM]

Ok so I bent that last loop of the spring open a tad and it seems to have done the trick! Slide is smooth as butter now. Slowly racking the slide and the outer guide rod comes through the hole almost immediately and there is no more snag or hitch. The only thing I feel now is the barrel unlocking from the slide as OldLincoln explained. I think she's good to go now. I'll burn some more powder this weekend and see how it does.

I did this to mine last night and it fixed the problem as well. It seems that the last coil-and-a-half was just slightly too tight causing the radius of the coil to be slightly too small and allowing the guide rod to catch on the coil when cycling the slide. Opening the coil slightly gave the guide rod more room and eliminated the problem.

[ToneSurfer]

Follow up. Another 175 rounds through the gun (I'm up to 425 now). The hitch/snag is gone after the tweaking on the recoil spring end.

I did have another nosedive, fail to feed (that's 3 out of the 425). Again when I was shooting offhand unsupported. It was the third shot, second out of the mag (I chamber 1, then top off a six round mag, 6+1). All of my followers drag horribly on the mag catch. I think I may have some sanding to do.

[jocko]

well foir sure if u know ur followers are dragging TAKE CARE OF IT. A simple fix and maybe it isn't giving u any issues either but it should not drag PERIOD. U need to eliminate that possability though. nice report. IMO 3 out of 425 could be more of shooter error than a faulty part. as it should act up alot if a part is bad..

[Ikeo74]

I did this to mine last night and it fixed the problem as well. It seems that the last coil-and-a-half was just slightly too tight causing the radius of the coil to be slightly too small and allowing the guide rod to catch on the coil when cycling the slide. Opening the coil slightly gave the guide rod more room and eliminated the problem.

If the fix is that simple, bend out the end of the spring, you would think Kahr would be doing it at the factory. Why do you think they don't fix them before selling?

[Scoundrel]

If the fix is that simple, bend out the end of the spring, you would think Kahr would be doing it at the factory. Why do you think they don't fix them before selling?

Because this bad spring was the exception, not the rule. It was a manufacturing error that got through the QC.

[sowinc]

have a CM9. love it. shoots great .2 hickups running about 400 rounds. is accurate and a great pistol. i have a bit of arthritis in my let thumb an the Kahr is an animal to rack. i wish there was a fix for this. glock,s&w and taurus are easy racking, why not kahr?i also have racked it about 1,000 times while watching tv. any fix is appreciated.

[OldLincoln]

Aliev? Tylenol? That's what I take. At the range I don't have to rack it much and when I do it's only 1 or 2 at a time. When my left thumb is really bad I try to use more of the pad of the thumb with the overhand rack. It still hurts, but it's only pain. I can say that until my upcoming rotator cuff surgery. They say that's difficult on another level.

I would think that 1K racks is plenty. No need to over do it. Mine is well broken in and not so difficult anymore. I'm on my second spring and it's the plus spring from Wolfe.

[Rainman48314]

u will find that these guys on this fourm actually know more than some of the kahr techs...
What a sad indictment of Kahr. Shakes head...

[Rainman48314]

If the fix is that simple, bend out the end of the spring, you would think Kahr would be doing it at the factory. Why do you think they don't fix them before selling?You haven't been here long, have you? There's a secret plan to fix the mag design and do basic QC on slide stops, barrels and recoil assemblies..on the tenth anniversary of the PM9's release. See you in 2013! :rolleyes:

[Ressom]

If the fix is that simple, bend out the end of the spring, you would think Kahr would be doing it at the factory. Why do you think they don't fix them before selling?

That is what I wonder. What if the 'hitch' is supposed to be there to slow the slide down.

[OldLincoln]

I thought about my answer to sowinc last night and it occurred to me that he may be trying to really slingshot by pinching the back of the slide between the finger and thumb. Now that would hurt for sure.

I just wanted to make sure sowinc was doing the overhand slingshot by pushing the slide back from the front toward the armpit which is much more comfortable on old joints.

[ToneSurfer]

RE slingshot. I'm lefthanded, so keep that in mind for this explanation.

I put my left arm out.
Rotate the gun so the grip is horizontal to ground. Basically magwell points straight left, slide points straight right.
Then I grab the slide with my right hand. Thumb extends along the length of the slide that is facing "up" and the "pad" of my palm under my thumb is over the serations.
Fingers on right hand wrap around and grab the other side of the slide (the "down" facing part).
Now push with left hand, while pulling with right.
When the slide is fully extended just rip you right hand off the gun completely.

It's another technique. I prefer it because I seem to get a better grip on the slide this way for some reason. And I'm less likely to punch myself in the nose with my right hand :)

[LordJ]

I'm a lefty too. This gun fits my small hands like a glove. At the range I use my trigger finger to hit the slide stop after reloading.

[jocko]

same thing for me, lefty is not all that bad u know??

[JFootin]

Dang! I'm going to start a thread, maybe a poll, to let all the lefties like me chime in. It seems like there is a much larger percentage of lefties among the regular posters on this forum, than the 10% of the general population. I think it is the right brain dominance and higher than average intelligence of lefties that draws their interest in the Kahr pistols.

[Bawanna]

Dang it I can never find my hip boots when I really need em the most.

[OldLincoln]

What I can't figure out is why all the presidents are left handed. I'm right handed except for writing and that's because of my bum right thumb. When learning to write, the chisel slipped and I got the thumb bad!