Kahr issues

[Ukraine Train]

I'm hoping this is just an issue with me and not the gun. I just got a lightly used CW9 and took it shooting for the first time. I put about 50 WWB through it with no problems and then tried 147gr Gold Dots and the issues started. The magazine would randomly pop loose and I had the slide lock back a couple times even though there were still rounds in the magazine. I'm thinking that the Gold Dots have some more recoil which made my thumb either hit the magazine button or slide catch. Being such a skinny gun, my thumb rests much closer to both controls than any other gun I've shot. What do you guys think? Gun or shooter problem? I tried curling my thumb down away from the controls but I only had a few more Gold Dots left so trying that was inconclusive.

For comparison...
Kahr

Sig P5 (thumb looks close to the magazine release but it's recessed and not close)

Arcus 98C

 

[jocko]

uktrain.

PM sent..

 

[MrAnteater]

Welcome to the incredibly frustrating world of Kahr ownership...

 

[CWL]

147gr. in 9mm has been known to cause problems in some 9mm pistols. This heavy 147gr bullet was originally designed to operate heavier automatic SMG bolts.

for example: HK specifically warns against use of 147gr bullets for their "P" series of pistols.

Go back down to lighter bullets and see if your problems stop.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Being such a skinny gun, my thumb rests much closer to both controls than any other gun I've shot.

You don't appear to be skinny, at least in the hand-forearm...It's not you...

 

[Ukraine Train]

I had the 147gr rounds from when I carried my Arcus, which is much bigger, and I didn't have any problems. Maybe I should try 124's.

On jocko's advice, I took a look at the slide catch as the rounds went past and there was some noticeable rubbing and witness marks. The 115gr WWB bullets also rubbed but very lightly. With both rounds, if I first pushed them away from the slide catch in the magazine then they would clear the slide catch. I was thinking of sanding a couple thousandths off the catch to make sure it didn't touch even the WWB bullets and then switching to a lighter hollow point. Or should I leave the catch alone and just switch the hollow points since the WWB shot fine?

You can see where the catch is rubbing the Gold Dots here.

 

[Ukraine Train]

You don't appear to be skinny, at least in the hand-forearm...It's not you...

I said skinny gun, not skinny guy

Though at 6'1" and 165lb I'm no sumo wrestler, either lol

 

[jocko]

If you are going to shoot 147 grain, then file enough off the slide lock pickup to clear the round, If you are going to settle on something in the 115 to 124 grain hp, then find the round you want and test it out,if it rubs that follower, file it back and smooth it out. as long as it is hitting the magazine follower in good shape, that is all you need sticking out. At best you can ruin the slide lock and have to buy another one. 147 grains are picky in some guns and the issues are usualy the same,

 

[Ukraine Train]

I'm going to try some other defensive ammo. I did end up sanding the catch back a couple thou and even the 147gr rounds look more or less ok going up. Thanks for the help! I may still call Kahr about the magazines popping loose, though.

 

[jocko]

I would call kahr as I am sure your cw9 has the plastic mag relase and buying it used, You have no idea how or if it was abused. The metal catch is a not brainer to install also. I never had one issue with my plastic catch on my pm9 and I had over 13,200 rounds throurgh it,but I also bought it new and I never slam home my magazines. I have since though got the metal release--just because...

 

[SureThing]

I second that. I had a Taurus that would eat everything but 147's.

 

[Ukraine Train]

Kahr sent me a new slide lock lever and magazine release button. Customer service was good, they decided to send me the parts for free without any hassle. The magazine button looks just like the one I took out - plastic with steel insert, not all steel like I've heard the new ones are. The slide lock lever is MIM like advertised for CW9's and interferes with the 147gr bullets just like before. I then noticed that the old lever I had in there appears to be machined steel, which I thought only the higher end Kahrs were supposed to get. There are visible tool marks on it while the new lever I got has no marks and has a parting line so I know it's MIM. I thought that was interesting. Anyway, I had filed down my old lever just enough to clear the bullets and will try it like that at the range. Should be ok I think.