Can I shoot lead safely in a Kahr?

[19-3Ben]

I used the search function and haven't found much useful info.

I just bought a Kahr K40. I also just found a good deal on .40S&W ammo at Dicks. It's some commercial reload stuff. But it uses lead bullets.
I know that with the polygonal rifling of Glocks, you're not supposed to shoot lead because it fouls, builds up pressure, possible kaboom, etc...

So since the Kahr has the same polygonal rifling, is it safe to assume that I should not shoot lead bullets through it? the manual only says that lead will dirty up the barrel more than jacketed, it doesn't say not to use it.

 

[outerlimit]

Same rifling, same issue. If you fire lead, don't shoot it too much and afterwards use a good lead solvent and go over the barrel very thoroughly.

I've never found any reason to use non-jacketed bullets in modern semi-autos. The last lead I shot was .22lr, and I'll never make that mistake again either. After loading a few clips, my hands looked like the tin man from Wizard of Oz. I got a good amount on other things as well, and it gums things up.

 

[19-3Ben]

I've never found any reason to use non-jacketed bullets in modern semi-autos.

Price. At my local Dicks I can get 250 rounds of .40 for $65.

But it's not worth it, so I'll just wait till my online order comes in. that was all FMJ.

 

[outerlimit]

I can get three 100rd WWB value packs of FMJ .40 all day around here for around the same $. Walmart always has a good stock of that round. But I have a great bias against lead bullets for typical semi-auto shooting. I probably wouldn't buy them no matter what the price.

 

[19-3Ben]

Walmart around here has had low inventory since the ammo boom a year ago. Basically the only thing you can find there is 12ga field rounds, some .270win and .243, and a bit of .357sig and .32acp. Heck, even .22LR is scarce at my local wally world.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

the manual only says that lead will dirty up the barrel more than jacketed, it doesn't say not to use it.

I would let that be your guide, and just spend a little extra time cleaning the bullet lube residue and what little actual lead fouling (IMO) there may be. The issues with Glock rifling vs. lead bullets are different than those of Kahrs.

What load is this? Ultramax?

 

[19-3Ben]

I feel like it might be Ultramax but I'm not positive.

Interesting, the issues with Glock are different? Is it a supported chamber issue that makes it bad with Glock?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Interesting, the issues with Glock are different? Is it a supported chamber issue that makes it bad with Glock?

In combination with other factors, yes.

 

[19-3Ben]

Yeah, i figured in combination.

My very fundamental understand is as follows:
pressure builds up because of fouling, not fully-supported chamber doesn't completely enclose the brass, brass case can't hold the higher pressure, case ruptures, kaboom.

So do Kahrs have fully supported chambers?

 

[dogtown tom]

http://www.kahr.com/OR-4.html#q4

Q. Which ammunition is recommended for use with Kahr firearms?

A. Kahr Arms does not endorse any particular brand of ammunition. However, not every brand of ammunition produces the same results. Please check the markings on the barrel hood of your firearm to determine the proper caliber. Kahr suggests a visit to a pistol range to test fire different brands of ammunition in the proper caliber. Kahr cautions against the use of reloads. Lead (unjacketed) bullets can cause excessive fouling and extra attention to cleaning the bore is recommended after firing lead bullets. The Kahr pistol is rated to +P.