Sidearms & Scatterguns Dilema

[dannyryan007]

I typically carry my Springfield 1911 a-1 Loaded as my concealed carry piece. During the summer months, I've found that, while not impossible, it is somewhat more difficult to conceal than i would like. So i did some research and took a very strong liking to the Kahr family. I found a used, not at all abused, seemed to have never been fired cw40 at a local gun-shop for about 300. I bought it, disassembled it and cleaned it, and it took me over a month to get the time to go to the range. I fired it for the first time last night. First shot, and click! slide locks to the rear, i can't rack it. I hit the slide release and it chambers the next round, and bang, slide locked to the rear. I thought it might be the new magazines or stiff springs, but it kept happeneding even at the end of the 100 rounds i brought with me. I figured out that if i keep my thumb on the slide release, that it cycles just fine. so, i went home, disassembled it, and googled the problem. Turns out, that other people have had this problem also... It was a simple fix last night with some needle nose pliers... (the slide catch spring on this particular model apparently can be bent out of place during re-assambly if the user is not cautious, which i did not know and now do.)

So... here is the dilema... it seems to be cycling fine now, i have very little doubt that the problem will happen again, but, should i take it back for something else, or should i just order the new spring and strive to be more cogniscent of this spring during assembly? It shoots like a dream, i'm just as accurate with it if not more so than i am with my 1911. I love everything about it, except this issue with the slide catch, which, i've found a way to circumnavigate if it resurfaces... what would you do? i've been looking at a ruger sp101... and if i did take it back, it would likely be for that. (just for point of reference.)

 

[thehjot]

Re: Dilema

FWIW, I vote take it back.
Friend had a Kahr that went to the factory 4 times for the same issue. They'd fix it, send it back, he'd shoot a few hundred rounds through it, it'd break, rinse and repeat.
Kahr refused to fix the gun the 5th time. They said that it was designed for concealed-carry and not "regular use". They tried to tell him that he was abusing the gun by shooting it so much.
Personally, I believe you have to practice with your CC more than any other gun. If kahr's guns won't allow me to do that, I'm not a fan.

Plus, do you really want to trust your life to a gun that you can't trust to cycle at the range?

 

[Veer_G]

Re: Dilema

Back it goes. You can't depend on something that requires workarounds and constant adjustments. My suggestion would be the SP101 that you're looking at, or a stainless single-stack semiautomatic like a S&W 3913, since we're coming into summer. It's light, good in the hand, accurate, and since it's underrated, very reasonable.

 

[Izot]

Re: Dilema

Id get rid of it. If this is a known problem and Kahr doesnt have recall and wont stand behind fixing it as THEJOT said then Find Something Else.
The CW9 was in the list of ccw weapons I looked at to replace a 380 I often carried. I was looking for something slightly larger. I lucked out and found a Walther PPS 9mm used with extra magazines for a great price local. Its been my primary ccw gun, I put 50 rounds thru it a month and I have had zero problems as of yet.
If it cant be relied on to function everytime, I wouldnt rely on it to save my life.

 

[simmy952]

Re: Dilema

I would say take it back. If you have to mess around with it to make it function, the it is really not that trustworthy. Found a good deal on a P238. That is what I use for summer carry.

 

[Cornholeo]

Re: Dilema

Take it back and grab a Sig P238.

 

[PRDRIVER]

Re: Dilema

I have used a Kahr PM9 for Concealed Carry for about 3 years now. It gets shot often and is field stripped after shooting. I have never had this issue with my PM9.

My understanding is that the CM, CW, P, & PM basically share the same frame with the PM & CM being slightly shorter in length and height than the others.

I would just shoot it a bunch and see if you ever have this issue again. I would also carry something different until you know you can rely on the pistol.

 

[dannyryan007]

Re: Dilema

thanks for the input guys.

EMB2, It's ironic that you mention the PPS, I was looking at getting one of those a few years back, and i didn't get one because i saw a ton of reports of this very thing happening with them. They have since fixed it on newer models.

This is even more frustrating because, It's perfect for it's purpose EXCEPT for this one thing, which is not a little thing in a defensive carry situation... it's so small, accurate, potent, and controllable... SIGH... I'll see how it does at the range. I also will be calling KAHR to see if they will send me a replacement of the part in question. maybe the newer springs are better and this doesn't happen with them???

 

[dannyryan007]

Re: Dilema

oh, and RMW, I believe you are absolutely correct, the P/CW should be the same except for the P has more aesthetics with the laser etching and cleaner lines. I've read that the P also may have a polygonal barrel, but that wasn't from anyone that represents the company and i never cared to check.

 

[dannyryan007]

Re: Dilema

Just talked to KAHR. I told them what the problem was, they asked for my name and address and said that the new spring would be in the mail today. that's pretty cherry... also, when i went to find their number, i also checked their FAQs and my issue was among them and they acknowledge in there that this can be an issue and they give advice on how to avoid it. it's all in the re-assembly. I will let you know how it goes when i get the spring.

 

[Izot]

Re: Dilema

Thats good. Glad their costumer service is solid. Good luck with the break in, hope it runs better.

 

[dannyryan007]

Re: Dilema

thanks.

 

[dannyryan007]

Re: Dilema

Hey just an update, I got the part in the mail today. I installed it. It took all of five min. The thing that took the longest was removing the assembly pin. I have yet to fire it, but in half a dozen functions checks, everything is working perfectly.