Need Your Opinion/Help - Kahr PM9 Broke but Kahr says it is ok

[trimore]

Last Thursday, I went to the range to shoot a few hundred rounds through my daily carry weapon, a Kahr PM9. I have had this gun about 9 months and have put maybe 500 rounds through it without any issues. It was lightly used when I got it and I believe was made in '07 or '08.

Here is what happened at the range.

I usually shoot up one of my SD mags just to make sure all is still feeding right. Using Hornady Critical defense.

I could not get through the 1st mag before something happened.

Here is what occurs.

1. Lock slide back
2. Insert mag
3. Release slide
4. Fire
5. New round in chamber
6. Pull trigger all the way back but no fire. The trigger just pulls back without engaging anything.

This process can be repeated. Had the range officer check it as well and same thing. He suggested that be sent back to Kahr or have a gunsmith look at it.

You can imagine what my thoughts were in regard to being able to trust this gun. This was not related to a jam, for FTF or FTE. There was a issue with the trigger not resetting properly.

I called Kahr on Friday and got a RA. It is still in warranty.

Kahr called today and said they could not find anything wrong with the gun. They said they shot 6 mags through it without any issues.

I explained to them that I have zero confidence in this gun now. How can I carry a gun that repeatedly fired one round and then would not fire but the problem is completely unknown.

I asked them if there are any parts related to the trigger, etc that should be replaced anyway considering what occurred... He said that the gun is functioning just fine and they can't replace parts if nothing is wrong.

They said they would clean it really good and then send it back. I really did not know what else to say or do while on the call.

You can imagine my thoughts right now.
1. I can't trust the gun
2. I can't sell it as is


Got any ideas on what to do? Ever see this before? I am wondering if I should try to get in touch with someone higher up or write a letter.

 

[DAdams]

I have a PM9 and it had a different problem and went back to the factory one time. It unlike yours needed new replacement parts.

Have you tried it since it has come back? I would give it another opportunity myself.

There is nothing like the form factor of the PM9/40. I would work with it (and the factory) until it operates properly. It will be worth it. IMO of course.

 

[JDGray]

Try it, and keep sending it back on their dime if it acts out again. I hope Kahr is eating the shipping.

 

[gb6491]

Have you tried it since it has come back? I would give it another opportunity myself.

+1
It seems like you got pretty quick response from Kahr. I doubt they would short change you on the repair. If they couldn't duplicate your gripe or find anything wrong with it, I would be inclined to believe that something gummed up or debris caused the malfunction. The gun was purchased lightly used and has about 500 rounds through it since then; has the striker channel been cleaned during that evolution? This has been known to cause issues, the striker channel on the various Kahrs is just not as forgiving of dirt/debris as that on other striker fired guns.
Regards,
Greg

 

[trimore]

Kahr does not eat the shipping. I have to ship it overnight to them via Fedex. It was about $50.

 

[usp9]

This process can be repeated.

Can you elaborate on how this was duplicated? Did you re-rack the slide and load a different round and have the same thing happen? If so it sounds like your trigger bar became disconnected.

 

[JDGray]

Kahr does not eat the shipping. I have to ship it overnight to them via Fedex. It was about $50.

In this case, you bet they would be eating the next shipping if it fails again.

 

[Nomad]

I would ask them to pick up the shipping if it is under warranty. S&W pays for shipping both ways if repairs are needed. It seems to me a number of years ago Kahr offered to pay shipping on mine going back. I was able to solve the problem without sending it back but maybe their policies have changed.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

It's either a one time failure or an intermittent failure that will recur, but when?

Maybe there's a reason why it's "lightly used"? Perhaps someone else encountered the problem and got rid of it.

Tough call. They ONLY way to gain any confidence in this particular gun is to shoot hundreds of rounds through it without failure.

If it happens again, perform Tap, Roll & Rack in attempt to clear the failure. I also suggest you randomly load a dummy cartridge in every magazine you shoot to ingrain this procedure as an immediate action anytime the gun doesn't fire when you work the trigger.

Good luck.

 

[MacPelto]

Hey, maybe a good cleaning will fix the problem! Seriously. And, of course you can sell it, but if you do, should tell the buyer why.

 

[trimore]

Can you elaborate on how this was duplicated? Did you re-rack the slide and load a different round and have the same thing happen? If so it sounds like your trigger bar became disconnected.

After it occurred, I would rack the slide, then it would eject the unfired round. I would then release the mag and start the process over again. Same exact symptoms occurred at 5 or 6 times. Each time it would only shoot one round.

 

[MCgunner]

Sticky disconnector? Cleaning MIGHT be the solution. I don't even own a Kahr, but it just sounds like the disconnector as you describe the problem. Looks like kahr would have seen that, though.

 

[mfcmb]

I had this problem with my CW9 once. The service note says they "replaced trigger bar". Don't know what that is, but the pistol's been working fine ever since.

 

[MCgunner]

Usually, it's what connects the trigger to the sear and what the disconnector pushes on when the slide retracts to disconnect the sear. Again, don't have a Kahr, but I'm sure it's run of the mill action design.