Brand New Kahr CM40 - Mag follower failure

[magnum1007]

Both my father and I just bought new Kahr CM40's this past weekend and immediately took them out back to start breaking them in. After the third or fourth magazine in my father's gun, he had a failure to feed. We pulled the mag out and noticed that there was a problem in the magazine. So we took the magazine apart and noticed that the front lip on the plastic follower had broken. The magazine no longer functions as it should now, obviously. So, my father called Kahr on Monday to tell them about it only to be told that they would call him back regarding it...let him know if they were going to ship him a new follower for free or if they were going to charge him for it. Not sure why it would take that long for a decision or why it would warrant a call back versus just telling him then.

This is our first experience with Kahr firearms (between the two of us, we have MANY other types and manufacturers' guns). Just curious as to what others' experiences have been with Kahr. In the grand scheme of things, I realize that this is a pretty small and a relatively inexpensive problem to fix; however, it is also BRAND NEW and it should not have broken so soon.

We got them through Davidson's and have thought about just returning it through them but I think they would have us return the gun too and then who knows how long it would be before they had any of these in stock again in order to replace it. Not to mention we would have to go back to the FFL dealer, fill out the paperwork, etc. all over again.

I really hate to say it, since it's the main reason why I purchased it, but if I can't trust my new Kahr CM40, I won't conceal carry it. It's a real shame that right now I have more faith in my Taurus TCP than a Kahr. I'm honestly not trying to bash either of them, as I willingly and purposefully purchased both, but come on...

He still hasn't heard back from Kahr either.

Thoughts?

 

[Stasher1]

Both my father and I just bought new Kahr CM40's this past weekend and immediately took them out back to start breaking them in. After the third or fourth magazine in my father's gun, he had a failure to feed. We pulled the mag out and noticed that there was a problem in the magazine. So we took the magazine apart and noticed that the front lip on the plastic follower had broken. The magazine no longer functions as it should now, obviously. So, my father called Kahr on Monday to tell them about it only to be told that they would call him back regarding it...let him know if they were going to ship him a new follower for free or if they were going to charge him for it. Not sure why it would take that long for a decision or why it would warrant a call back versus just telling him then.

This is our first experience with Kahr firearms (between the two of us, we have MANY other types and manufacturers' guns). Just curious as to what others' experiences have been with Kahr. In the grand scheme of things, I realize that this is a pretty small and a relatively inexpensive problem to fix; however, it is also BRAND NEW and it should not have broken so soon.

We got them through Davidson's and have thought about just returning it through them but I think they would have us return the gun too and then who knows how long it would be before they had any of these in stock again in order to replace it. Not to mention we would have to go back to the FFL dealer, fill out the paperwork, etc. all over again.

I really hate to say it, since it's the main reason why I purchased it, but if I can't trust my new Kahr CM40, I won't conceal carry it. It's a real shame that right now I have more faith in my Taurus TCP than a Kahr. I'm honestly not trying to bash either of them, as I willingly and purposefully purchased both, but come on...

He still hasn't heard back from Kahr either.

Thoughts?

Completely unacceptable. It's a brand new gun with a part failure. The proper course of action would be for them to ask for your father's address so they could ship him TWO new mags with the understanding that he (your father) return the defective magazine in the same box using the prepaid postage sticker they (Kahr) supplied in the box with the new mags.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I own a couple Kahrs that haven't had any problems since the "break-in" period, so I wouldn't know personally. However, I have heard quite a bit of negative feedback regarding Kahr's customer service.

 

[magnum1007]

Though Kahr never got back to my father on the phone, today in the mail a new follower showed up for him. He is going to email them a thank you for the quick service.

Unfortunately this doesn't change the fact that these followers are not holding up...which makes it worrisome if used for concealed carry/BUG (pretty much what the firearm was designed for). What a shame because the gun (minus the magazine and follower) looks great, shoots great, etc.

 

[magnum1007]

Our second range session with both of our CM40's was somewhat disappointing. My Dad got his new follower and we both now have a second magazine for each of our guns...the extended 6 rounders direct from Kahr. His gun still experienced multiple FTF's in almost every magazine. We even tried using my magazines and got the same results. My gun only had a few FTF's...3 or 4 at most if I remember correctly. Both of us now have approximately 200 rounds through each of the guns. My Dad sent me an email the day after we had been shooting and said that he had taken his CM40 down to clean it and noticed the large spring in the recoil spring guide assembly had sort of a kink in it and was somewhat bent at the kink. He asked me to take a look at mine and so I did...mine looked normal. He called Kahr to order a new spring, which they would not sell to him by itself so he had to order the entire assembly. I told him to send the gun back to Davidsons instead, but he had already ordered the part. In my uneducated opinion, I think there is something out of spec and/or wrong with his gun and I think he needs to return it. He said he will send it back if it still doesn't run right after he replaces the assembly. Neither one of us is very happy with our first Kahr experiences unfortunately.

 

[hardluk1]

Please go to kahrs forum and work out issues. These are tight pistol and do take some time and patience for some to get the 200 rounds down. Also if a brand new pistol some of the early models have been in the gun shops for some time and you could have a early model. I bought a kahr that a seasoned shooter had had it with it. Nothing but faulures to do about anything. I cleaned it, mags to, looked for sharp edges to smooth off, even filed the followers edges. Lubbed everthing a bit heavy and fired 600 rounds with out any issues. Maybe let a friend have a good with both of your pistols. Just might be the difference.

 

[MikePaiN]

Bad news...
I had this same problem with a PM40 I had a few years ago.....Kahr first sent me replacement followers that promptly broke on their first use. Then they had me send the pistol in, after a few weeks it was returned to me with a whole new feeding issue and on top of that, it again broke one of the followers....
That was it for that gun, I got the shop I bought it from to take it back.

 

[Dean1818]

You will see issues with every manufacturers pistol on the market.

If you go to a Glock forum, there are people having issues with Glock
Same with Ruger, Same with S&W, .......etc etc etc

The one time I needed help from kahr, they were very helpful, and fixed the issue quickly.

Once you get the pistol broken in, in most cases people seem to get a pistol that is very reliable.

They arent quite a Glock in quality, but miles better than some other pistol manufacturers IMHO

Dont give up on the pistol yet....... Give Kahr a chance to make it right.

My CM9 is now a 100 percent trusted pistol, and is part of my CCW rotation

There isnt another pistol on the market that I can pocket carry in 9 mm and be under $400



But..... They should have been a bit better on the phone with you

 

[ku4hx]

Failures like this are the exact reason I buy many spare parts for all my guns. And other things too. Yeah, shouldn't happen and the maker should respond instantaneously but parts are generally cheap and I'd much rather have the gun up and running than worry about a few bucks and dealing with the factory.

Murphy's law applies and it's not a matter of "if" it's a matter of "when". Extractors, ejectors, RSAs, pins, springs, followers, front sights, rear sights and etc. Got multiples of the all and over the years have used more than I wanted to. Spare parts are good, cheap, idea.

 

[JDGray]

Sorry to hear your bad experience...
I have a CW9 that feeds anything, and very reliable, but will only hd open on empty about 50% of the time. Even with new mags, it will not reliably hold open. I see this as a non issue, and carry mine with 100% confidence, but your dads needs a trip back to Kahr.

 

[heeler]

I fired 50 rounds of UMC 115 gr. in my PM9 yesterday without out a problem.
My round count is close to 750 now and as long as I use the 6 round magazine it has never once had an issue and that's firing UMC,WWB.S&B,Magtech,Federal Eagle,Privi(crap),PMC,Hornady Critical Defense,Gold Dots,and 147 gr. Winchester Ranger Hollowpoints.
Once this lame follower issue is behind you I am confident yours will perform like mine.
I love my PM9.

 

[gator1gear]

Wow! Sorry to hear this. I have a CM9 that has been FLAWLESS through 1100 rds now.