Dumb Question

[beaucoup ammo]

I'm a "Wheelman" at heart. However, after getting my CHL a salesman talked me into my first semi-auto. A KAHR P9. I find it jams once in awhile when chambering that 1st round. Otherwise, I like it. For the price, however, I'd prefer it didn't jam.

Kahr's instruction manual tells me to insert a magazine when the slide is locked back, and then to release the slide with the slide-lock lever to chamber a round.

Here's the "dumb" part of the question! I've tried that without the magazine and it seems like a lot of pressure when it shuts. Any chance of a round being fired off?!

Thanks!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

No chance of the round being fired off because even though it seems like the round is being hit hard, the firing pin isn't hitting anything. Without the firing pin there is no BANG, well, unless something goes very wrong but that's extremely rare. (at least I have never heard of it happening)

 

[ugaarguy]

Kahr's instruction manual tells me to insert a magazine when the slide is locked back, and then to release the slide with the slide-lock lever to chamber a round.

Here's the "dumb" part of the question! I've tried that without the magazine and it seems like a lot of pressure when it shuts. Any chance of a round being fired off?!

No, the Kahr has internal safeties to prevent the round being discharged unless the trigger is pulled. Remember, during firing when the slide returns to strip a round off the mag it's moving just as fast, if not faster, than when it strips a round off the mag when the locked slide is manually released.

Also, I'd not drop the slide on an empty chamber. Semi-auto pistol design counts on the slide being slowed by stripping a round off the mag. Dropping the slide on an empty chamber slams the extractor and slide face into the barrel's breech face, which isn't the best thing for the pistol.

 

[Gator]

This is worth repeating:

Also, I'd not drop the slide on an empty chamber. Semi-auto pistol design counts on the slide being slowed by stripping a round off the mag. Dropping the slide on an empty chamber slams the extractor and slide face into the barrel's breech face, which isn't the best thing for the pistol.

Think of it like snapping the cylinder of a revolver open or closed with your wrist....BAD gun owner!

Your Kahr should smooth out after a couple hundred rounds and the jamming problem will disappear, many new autos need a break in period. If the problem persists after that send it in to Kahr and they will fix it.

 

[CWL]

Please tell us what kind of ammo you are experience failure to chamber issues with.

If FMJ, it is an issue if it doesn't go away after some wear-in.

If is a hollow-point, that may be your problem. Not all guns like all types of ammo.

Also, are you "riding the slide" when you chamber that first round = holding onto the slide as it moves into battery? If the answer is "yes" then you are the cause of the malfunction. Semi slides are designed to chamber by release of the slide lock, holding the slide can cause malfunctions.

 

[RNB65]

Kahr's often experience a problem with not feeding the 1st round and needing a little forward assistance to go into battery with a push on the back of the slide. I own a P9 and I've rented a K9 and P40 at a range and all had the same problem with not reliably going into battery on the first round. I think it's an issue with how the first round is angled in the mag. My P9 cycles reliably when fired and I'm not concerned that the 1st round out of the mag doesn't always load cleanly. I just make it a habit to drop the slide and hit the back of the slide with my palm when loading to ensure it's in battery.

 

[22-rimfire]

If I were you, I would always be aware of where the muzzle is pointing when chambering a round in any handgun or rifle. I've had 22 semi-auto's fire off a round just by chambering it without touching the trigger.

 

[Gocart]

If you are easing the slide forward instead of letting the recoil spring slam it forward that can definitely cause the failure to feed malfunctions. The pistol is designed to operate under the full power of the spring. Let it work the way it was built.

 

[Black Knight]

Everyone here has given good reponses. The only thing I can add is this. Where firearms are concerned there are no dumb questions. If you thought of it someone else has done the same before you. They just did not ask it. Possibly from fear of being thought dumb themselves. I suspect everyone here has been there at least once. You have a new gun that you are not completely familiar with and have a new question after you get home and there is no one there to ask. You don't want to look like a fool by taking it back or calling a shop and asking so you go on not knowing. Later you experience the answer. Hopefully safely. It may be costly but you learn the hard way. I say "Ask away someone here will be glad to help".

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If I were you, I would always be aware of where the muzzle is pointing when chambering a round in any handgun or rifle. I've had 22 semi-auto's fire off a round just by chambering it without touching the trigger.

22-rimfire,
That's not supposed to happen with any semi-auto in good condition. There is something VERY wrong with a gun that fires a round without a trigger pull. That gun should not be fired or even loaded without it being repaired.

 

[beaucoup ammo]

Thanks!

I really appreciate the responses to my question. Like anything, it will take some getting use to.

I'll go to the range in the next couple of days and get comfortable with this aspect of the P9. It's a fine weapon and great for deep concealment. Although I qualified for my CHL with a semi auto, this is the first I've ever owned.

Again, many thanks for the time and effort on my behalf! I've learned a lot and will get more enjoyment using the KAHR properly!

 

[Richard]

Start a rounds fired list. If the Kahr isn't reliable, at the end of 200 rounds, send it back to Kahr. Kahr acknowledges their pistols need a 200 round break in period. I experienced a lot of bobbles with my Kahr E9 in the first 200 rounds and then they went away just like magic. Regards, Richard

 

[orionengnr]

+1 Richard.

My PM9 had a few bobbles during my first time out (150 rounds of various FMJ/JHP ammo). After that, no feeding problems.

It is my summer "always" pistol.