KAHR P-9 worn out?

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BBQJOE

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I have a Kahr P-9 that was purchased new a few years ago.
I never really paid a whole lot of attention to the rifling when it was new.
It has been fairly accurate, until as of late.

It seems I can't hit the broad side of a barn.

It's not my eyes. I can damn near dot and eye with my S&W .44.

So while I was cleaning it the other day I noticed that the rifling seems very smooth. I wish I could take a picture.

I'm wondering after a couple thousand rounds, if I haven't worn the barrel out on this gun. Is this possible?
Anyone else have a similar experience?
 
P9s have polygonal rifleing , it never appeared as crisp as conventional rifleing . I have no idea on what would cause the accuracy loss on your p9 except maby you have not shot double action for a while and a bit of dry fire practice is in order just to get back into the groove of things .
 
Another possible cause is the gun needs a new recoil spring.

The K and P series Kahr's need new recoil springs about every 1500 to 2000 rounds.

Buy a new FACTORY spring.....NO "extra power" springs.

Unless you've been shooting super corrosive or abrasive bullets there's no way your barrel could be worn out.
As above, Kahr uses polygonal rifling that looks quite different than standard rifling.
 
I guess I wouldn't know from that.
The spring seems as strong as it was the day I bought it.
 
It may seem as strong, but if you compare it to a factory new spring you'll likely notice a difference.

These micro-mini autos are HARD on recoil springs, and they take a terrific beating.
They need to be replaced, like I said, about every 1500 to 2000 rounds.
 
I fail to see how a weak recoil spring would cause a loss of accuracy unless it was so bad the gun wasn't fully locking up in battery in which case you have bigger potential KaBoom! issues to worry about!

What bullets have you been shooting? Polygonal rifling and lead bullets don't mix, shoot jacketed only. If this is the case, accuracy may return once you clean out the lead fouling.

Check that the sights aren't loose in their dovetails -- this will make the gun POA/POI wander and make decent groups impossible.

--wally.
 
I suppose I could see that if the spring was worn out, that the gun could be starting to cycle too early. But I also think the volume ( loudness) and the amount of gas escaping the pistol as it reloaded would be a noticeable characteristic.
But I'm not here to argue. I want to find out what's going on.
I can surely afford a spring and will give it a try, especially since you seem to feel strongly about the replacement after 1500-2000 rnds, which I easily know I have shot through it.

Also, the sights are fine, no movement.

I have always shot FMJ with this gun.
 
So while I was cleaning it the other day I noticed that the rifling seems very smooth. I wish I could take a picture.

I'm wondering after a couple thousand rounds, if I haven't worn the barrel out on this gun. Is this possible?
Anyone else have a similar experience?
Click to expand...

Been shooting cast bullets in this thing? Polygonal rifling and lead bullets don't go well together

Oops sorry, you were typing your post about FMJ while I was typing this. Nevermind.
 
Have you changed ammo brands? Some guns don't like some brands.

I don't see how a weak recoil spring could affect accuracy...

Could it be sloppy technique? Is this the main gun you shoot, or do you shoot others. If you're not having the problem with other guns, then its likely NOT technique... but otherwise, its a possibility. (I have times when I can't hit the broad side of the barn; its seldom the gun.)

Have someone you know to be a good shot use it. If they have the same problem, talk with Kahr.
 
I've basically shot whatever was on the shelf.
I just got into reloading, and "rolled up" 500 rounds of fmj with practically the same results.
I also got a box of hard cast "Coated" bullets for shooting at a dueling tower.
The manufacturer highly recommends against jacketed bullets on this target.

This is my main carry weapon, and I've shot it for years, fairly well.

I handed it to my wife, and she shot way better groups with it than me.

I don't know, but maybe my technique has gone south with this thing.
As I said previously, I can almost dot an eye with my S&W .44
 
Check your stance, posture, hold, and such. You might have gotten into a habit that is affecting your accuracy. Easy to do if you are not paying attention.
 
BBQJoe: Can't offer any help but the comments about lead bullets and poly barrels not going togather is not what Kahr says in thier manual. They say "extra attention ...is recommended after firing lead bullets". I've only put 400-500 rounds thru my P45 so far and all of it, except first handfull of factory, has been my reloads. Some SWC, some bbtfp, mostly 200 gr round nose flat point made by Aliant. I'm using 3.3 gr Clays for a fairly light load and the Kahr, as well as my 1911's, function well with it with decent accuracy. Don't think I've shot more than 100 at any one sitting but the amount of leading was neglible. A couple passes with a bronze brush cleared it out easily. Yesterdays shooting of 60 rounds produced no leading.
 
Not sure if the P45 has polygonal rifling or not, but at the low velocities of .45ACP (especially out of a 3" barrel) leading is only a problem if you use the the dead soft swaged lead "bullseye" bullets which must be kept at very low velocity.

At 9mm velocities lead bullets can always be problematic, and polygonal rifling is an issue. Kahr makes the new CW series with standard rifling for those who want to shoot the cheaper cast lead bullets -- I've got one, about paid for itself with ammo savings shooting cheap 9mm vs .40S&W during practice this past year.

--wally.
 
When you are "dotting the i" with your .44 revolver, are you hammer cocking it first?

I use P9s as bugs. I shoot them often and with stout loads. You do need to replace the recoil springs, however I do not beleive you are wearing out the weapon. I think you just need some dry practice and your trigger control will come back to you.:)
 
Lots of good suggestions here. I've noticed with my itty-bitty Kel-Tec that 8 out of 10 times I shoot well within my "good enough" zone and then the other two times I'm all over the place. Same ammo so I'm sure it's me not the gun.

Some days I feel like I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from the inside :D
 
Thanks dferriswheel.
I replaced the recoil spring ( Ordered from Kahr) as you suggested.
Wow what a major difference!!!!
I can now hit where I'm aiming again.
Would never have thought it.
 
Thanks dferriswheel.
I replaced the recoil spring ( Ordered from Kahr) as you suggested.
Wow what a major difference!!!!
I can now hit where I'm aiming again.
Would never have thought it.
Click to expand...

Most interesting! I still don't see how the recoil spring can affect accuracy unless the lock up becomes so inconsistent as to be approaching KaBoom! territory.

I'm over 1000 rounds on my CW9, I'll be on the lookout for a loss of accuracy as the round count increases further.

--wally.
 
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