Kahr cw40 help

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Apollo46

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Ok guys, I'm in need of some help and I'm new to autoloaders so please excuse my ignorance. I took my kahr cw40 out to the range today to try it out. The issue I am having is, I would load my magazine, slide the rail back, it would fire the first round, go to shoot the second round, and I would just get a 'click', and no fire. I would slide the rail back again and the round would eject. So it seems it's feeding ok, but just not firing. I tried different times of ammo, and still get the same issue. Please help, I really don't want a $400 paperweight

Thanks
Ben
 
Apollo46 said:
Ok guys, I'm in need of some help and I'm new to autoloaders so please excuse my ignorance. I took my kahr cw40 out to the range today to try it out. The issue I am having is, I would load my magazine, slide the rail back, it would fire the first round, go to shoot the second round, and I would just get a 'click', and no fire. I would slide the rail back again and the round would eject. So it seems it's feeding ok, but just not firing. I tried different times of ammo, and still get the same issue. Please help, I really don't want a $400 paperweight

Thanks
Ben
Click to expand...
The Kahr instructions are very explicit on how to load a Kahr.

1. Open and pull the slide back and lock it with the slide lock.

2. Insert the loaded magazine.

3. Use the slide stop lever to release the slide and loading the first round.

They do not want their pistols loaded with the slingshot method because of their off set barrel feed ramp.

This very well documented in the operation manual for the CW 40, which is one of my favorite carry guns that now has over 3 k plus flawless rounds passed through it.
 
I tried feeding it like that as well. Still had the same 'clicking' issue. When I tried like that, it wouldn't even fire the first round.
 
Apollo46 said:
I tried feeding it like that as well. Still had the same 'clicking' issue. When I tried like that, it wouldn't even fire the first round.
Click to expand...
Time to contact Kahr for further advice. Not being able to evaluate the gun at my bench now inhibits any further input I can offer other than some different ammo trials....sorry! You might want to check the ejected round for strike dimple also. Just for giggles dump some CLP into the striker chamber to see if it is not dry and binding.

Good Luck
 
That's my plan on monday, I was just curious if anyone else had any issues similar to this.
 
I have seen a dry one do that but that was some time ago.

Keep me posted.

Regards
Ragtop
 
Contacted kahr arms this morning, gave me a rma number, and told me to send it in and I would have it back in a week or two.
 
Apollo46:
Welcome.

There is a prep process explanned at Kahrtalk.com but you may have to register to see the pics.
There is an identical thread at glocktalk.com in the kahr sub-forum.

If this is a new gun you cannot just load it and fire it.
The gun is shipped with a coating of protective material that needs to be removed and oil/grease applied to specific places as explained here:
http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1521

In addition, I always put on some work gloves and rack the slide a couple of hundred times after doing the prep as described in the above link.

Good luck with that new Kahr,
 
If this is a new gun you cannot just load it and fire it.
Click to expand...
I call balderdash!

IMHO, your light stikes have less than nothing to do with "prep" and everything to do with a short or possibly broken striker. If you get lightstrikes using different ammo, that eliminates the hard primer theory.

If you get lightstrikes over and over again, that means one thing only... the striker isn't hitting hard enough. That means either a problem with the spring, a problem with the striker, or the breech wall is too thick and not allowing the striker to protrude enough. Racking your slide 500 times won't fix any of these problems.

Lightstrikes are a very common problem in Kahrs and Kahr should address it with vigor.
 
OK then, balder whatever, don't do it then.

Did you ever think there could be some mfg debris preventing the striker from going completely forward?....never mind.
There's hole in the slide just for flushing out the striker channel.
Why would that be there do you suppose?
USP9: I know you never took any of your guns apart, ever, new or not.
I'm just trying to help the guy out here.

A detailed strip will be needed at some time down the road just for cleaning, why not take it apart NOW and look for something obvious preventing the striker from going fully forward.
Would Kahr sponser a site that posted BS prep instructions for their gun?
I think not, but sponser the site I posted the link to...go figure.

That's it OP, do what USP9 said, just hold your hand on your butt and call Kahr, yup that's what I'd do for sure....nothing but whine, send it back, and wait.

Good plan, for sure.
 
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Would Kahr sponser a site that posted BS prep instructions for their gun?
Click to expand...
Kahr didn't post the information. A forum member posted it. I've read it and simply disagree with all that you call for in "prepping" a new gun is necessary. Nor do I believe it a solution to his problem.

I'm a long time Kahr owner, a fan, and am pretty familiar with the guns. I was pointing out that many people have lightstrikes and usually the problem is solved only by Kahr fixing a faulty part or the owner replacing a part himself.

Lightstrikes do not fix themselves, are not some break-in related ritual. Lightstrikes mean something is wrong.

I didn't mean to twist your shorts so tight, but I wanted the novice KAHR owner to have a more realistic outlook on the solution to his problem. IMHO, prep won't fix it.
 
usp9:

You didn't twist my shorts, I just know that the OP would have gotten better advise at Kahrtalk than here.
Just some old "Kahr has striker issues" internet retoric parroted over and over.

Do you really think Kahr would admit to just a clean and test fire for a gun that was returned for a malfunction???
Sorry for suggesting someone be pro active and look for the problem before calling Kahr.
They know some that own Kahrs are helpless, but they don't need to be.

Labor is a BIG expense it Taxachusetts, and I believe not enough time is spent at final QA/QC at Kahr and the owner accepts some responsability in checking out a new gun, other than just filling a mag and heading to the range.

I know, you never do, as your thread count seems to indicate you are here most of the time.

Even though I am one, I normally don't read posts that start out with some bloviating geezer speak, and have come to know those who lurk here and scent every post as some kind of expert.
ie, balderdash or whatever you posted...1st class geezer speak.

So carry on "helping" with all your opinionated "knowledge".
 
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I had a PM9 w/same issue as OP. The problem is the trigger is not resetting after that initial round is fired. Kahr is known to have very tight tolerances, thus the 200rd. break-in period. Send it back to kahr. The ole "Kahr fluff and Buff" won't solve the OP's problem. I sent my PM9 back and they sent me a whole new pistol w/different serial#. Kahr told me "sorry, we sent out a lemon". They made it up to me by throwing in a free set of nite sights. My PM9 cost around $60..00 NIB and such poor QC is unacceptable. My replacement PM9 is problem free 4yrs. later w/2k of 9mm rods. thru her.
 
You didn't twist my shorts, I just know that the OP would have gotten better advise at Kahrtalk than here.
Click to expand...

Just for the record... my answer would have been the same over at Kahrtalk, where I'm also an active poster, "helping" with all my opinionated "knowledge", at least helping as best an old geezer can.
 
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If you get lightstrikes over and over again, that means one thing only... the striker isn't hitting hard enough. That means either a problem with the spring, a problem with the striker, or the breech wall is too thick and not allowing the striker to protrude enough. Racking your slide 500 times won't fix any of these problems.
Click to expand...
Or there could be enough gunk buildup in the striker channel so that it interferes with the striker.

It does happen.
Especially if it is a new gun and had way too much grease applied before shipping.

I recommend a detail stripping of the slide and a thorough cleaning.
You can also inspect the striker and the striker spring at the same time.

If it still doesn't work right then send it back to Kahr.
 
usp9

Just for the record, my advice would have been the same also, and I said nothing in reference to your comment or advice...

UNTIL you posted AGAIN and went "balderdash" on ME.
Go ahead, you can have the final word.

Tilos.
 
I'm not trying to be a part of the whizzin-on-each-others'-footwear here but...
it seems it would be simple enough to disassemble, clean, and lube and THEN bluster up Kahr if you (OP) still have a problem.
I mean, how is that?
just sayin'...
 
I own and am very fond of a PM9. I cleaned and lubed it before my initial firing and all was mostly well and it became 100% solid over time. A year later I got brave enough to detail strip the slide and found some very fine metallic particles. It had never failed to fire, but these must have been from manufacturing as I have detailed the striker channel since and it has remained clean. My point is that there may be enough gunk in the channel to slow the striker down resulting in a light strike.

However, how do you explain the initial round consistently firing? Why would it be okay and not the next one? Maybe the striker isn't the only culprit. Is the slide fully engaging? Next time it fails to fire pop the back of the slide with the heal of your hand and try again. That simply eliminates the slide if it still doesn't fire. If it does fire, then the prep routing would help.

I'm sure everybody wants to help Apollo so mine are suggestions toward that end. Kahr should be glad to have the opportunity to correct any issues with a new gun also. For me, I like to tinker and know my gun, how it works and how to keep it working. If it has a problem I want to look into it and then send it back if necessary.

I will also say that my PM9 is a joy to shoot, carries very comfortably and I'm glad I bought it. Others have had "new gun issues" with Kahrs and have said the same after getting things worked out, broken in and reliable. Also, reading many forums as I do, I've learned that most gun manufacturers have issues now and then.
 
Well, I got my pistol back from Kahr Arms today. They replaced the cocking cam, I haven't had a chance to get the range, hopefully in the next weekend or two. I'll give you guys an update when I get back.
Ot, I was very impressed by Kahr's customer service, I mailed the gun off Saturday, they received it Monday, and it was shipped back to me on Friday. I had to pay shipping to the factory but back to me was no cost. I was especially pleased because I bought this gun used through a local forum, and Kahr still covered the repair.
 
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