[BamBam-31]

While cleaning it after my last session, I noticed that my Kahr MK9 Elite had a scratch in the barrel. :(

Looking down the barrel from the chamber end, the scratch is about 2/3 of the way down at about 4 o'clock. It's definitely not from cleaning--most likely, there was a dirt particle in the barrel or on a bullet when I fired it last. I had some oil in the barrel before firing, but I ran a dry patch through it first.

Question: Is the barrel still serviceable so long as it shoots straight? Can it be fixed somehow, or do I need to buy another barrel from Kahr ($116.00)?

TIA.

[concerned citizen]

I would keep shooting it.

likely it will smooth it self out, unless you talking about a deep gouge and accuracy is affected I would not worry about it.

[vanfunk]

Whatever scratched it must've been pretty darned hard, obviously harder than the barrel steel. I don't think dirt would do it; maybe a shaving of tool steel from the ammo plant? I dunno. I know you've already ruled out cleaning as a possibility, but it might bear further scrutiny. Excessive or improper cleaning is probably more responsible for barrel wear and damage than shooting. This is NOT to imply that you did something wrong here - but could you tell us a bit more about your cleaning regimen?

Also - is there any chance that the scratch was actually there from the factory?

Regardless, most likely it'll never affect accuracy to a measurable degree, it's just one of those damnable things:banghead: .
vanfunk

[BamBam-31]

I just shot it again. It's still uncannily accurate for such a small gun, so I'm no longer concerned about any loss in accuracy. Sight's a bit off, though, but that's a different matter.

When I took it apart to clean it this time, I DID find a small metal shaving inside the slide. Looked circular, like it came off a spring or something. Dunno where it came from.

The barrel was perfect from the factory. I clean it with a bronze brush attached to a cleaning tool with a guide. I use Shooters Choice for the barrel. I wet the barrel with solvent, then brush, then alternate wet and dry patches on a plastic jag til it's clean. i finish with a light coat of Tetra oil. CLP with a toothbrush for everything else ( breech face, extractor claw, ramp, slide rails, etc.). I'm sure it's not the cleaning.

Now I'm worried that it's producing shavings from somewhere (casings perhaps?), and that it's possible these shavings can go down the barrel. Hmm. Better take it in for a looksee (and to get the stubborn sights adjusted).

Thanks for your insight.

[concerned citizen]

Is there any chance the small shaving you found is a piece off the cleaning brush?

I stopped using bronze brushes because I would find small pieces of them in the gun after cleaning.

:confused:

[twolf]

Call Kahr and tell them what happened. 4140 Steel shouldn't scratch that easy. Kahr is real good about customer service. I bet they will give you a new one.

That crack could grow or split and really screw things up.:banghead:

At that point, you are swimmin in the toilet bowl and what is that sound {flush}:uhoh: