New Kahr PM9 - I think I'm screwed

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mick53

Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2003
Messages
390
Location
Florida
Please take a look at the photo below.

It is a brand new Kahr PM9 slide from an as yet unfired pistol. It is the blemish on the DLC coating, just back from the muzzle end of the slide, that is bugging me.

I noticed the blemish when I was examining the pistol after picking it up and taking it home from the local FFl holder.

When I saw the blemish I thought, "I'm going to be seeing this every time I clean this. It's ugly. And if I ever want to sell this, it might make the pistol less than desirable to someone.

I called and emailed Kahr, showed them the photo etc. and they said to send the slide in for a replacement.

I got the same slide back with a note saying "The discolorization is normal."

I think they are lying. What do you think?

Thanks.
IMG_0297_zps88755e44.gif
 
Typical Kahr customer service. What ever happened to "the customer comes first"? It looks like a flaw in workmanship from what I can see. I would demand better from them and let them know you are not satisfied , and tell them you will take it to the next level unless they send you a new slide.
 
I too would like to know the next level. Anyone have a direct line to Mr. Moon, who started the company?

In my seemingly endless correspondence with them, this is their latest reply;

"Good morning. I am sorry to hear about your disappointment. I have looked (along with our Customer Service Director) through all DLC slides we have in house and all slides do have this same area. This is where the slides are mounted during the DLC process. We do not have any different slides other than the one currently on your firearm. I apologize for any inconvenience."

I think this is BS. I'm sure I'm not the only guy who would find this unacceptable in a brand new pistol that costs (to me, anyway) a lot of money.

I'm stymied.
 
Custom rainbow job. I like it.

personally... if the pistol runs reliably, I wouldn't give it a second thought. Shoot it 300 rounds and that will be covered in crud anyway. *shrugs*
 
This is where the slides are mounted during the DLC process. I think this is BS.
Click to expand...
I believe this to be true.

The DLC (diamond like coating) is commonly applied by an ark like electrode causing plasma diffusion of carbon molecules.
The heat discoloration is normal at the contact point.

After all, it's inside the slide, out of sight.

So what's it going to hurt??

rc
 
Taking it to the next level

Taking it to the next level. 1- Talk to your dealer. A good dealer will demand better from Kahr. I have used my dealer in this manner with a purchase before. Do not shoot the gun though. 2- If you paid by credit card your credit card company will stand with you on this. 3- contacting the better business bureau in the city where Kahr guns are made will get results, even though it may take time. Consumers who are willing to take it to the next usually get results. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
 
Jeesem Crow, just shoot the damn thing. It's fine... cripes it's under the slide. I don't see this as a big deal.
 
A buddy has a smaller version of the same mark . Shows only on the inside and he has around 1200 trouble free rounds thru it. Clean it up , lube it up well and run it hard .

So many complain'n and so little shooting.
 
Mick53, if you are not happy with it, regardless of the manufacturing process, that is good enough. Take it to the next level and let them know you are not happy with it. There is nothing wrong with your opinion. You are not obliged to like it.
 
Vba, you did not pay for this gun , he did. If he does not like it , that is good enough for him to demand better or a refund. He does not have to march to the same likeness of you or anyone else on this forum if he is not happy with it.
 
Does anyone else here own a black (DLC coated) PM9?

If so, does it have this mark on it?
 
This is where the slides are mounted during the DLC process. We do not have any different slides other than the one currently on your firearm. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Click to expand...

I think the Kahr rep is being perfectly honest with you. This is exactly what came to mind when I saw your photo.

The DLC finish process needs a point to hold the work material while the finish is being applied. My guess is that Kahr picked that spot because it is unobtrusive and the slide will wear there over time anyway from contact with the barrel.

.
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't be concerned about something that in no way affects the function of the pistol, and isn't visible externally. If the gun is sound and functions properly I'd be good with it.
But you're the one that needs to be happy with it. Take it back and buy something else.
str1
 
... just shoot the damn thing. It's fine...
Click to expand...
Superb counsel. +1

Guns are tools.
Like men, their worth is in their function.
Está feo, fuerte y formal -- no greater complement ever needed for either one.
 
Oh so much pot stirring . A negative ground is also needed to aid bonding of the dlc coating.

A good while back Bodycote use to do there coating and may still if it bother you so much see what they can tell you.
 
Hi, there is nothing wrong with the gun, it's like looking at the undercarriage of a car, there are always some sort of marks made from the machines that hold the part for the next procedure, it doesn't show when the gun is assembled. You are the only one who knows it's there, and has no effect whatsoever on how the gun fires.
If you ever looked at the inside of a CZ, or many other guns, they all have some kind of mark someware.
I would not let if bother me unless it somehow effected the use of the gun.
 
I had the same kind of marking on the slide of my SIG P229. It's a pretty normal thing to come up. I ignored it and it's pretty much gone from contact with the barrel hood from thousands of rounds.

Don't worry about it. It isn't going to rust or harm the gun at all.
 
I too would like to know the next level.
Click to expand...

After the initial contact they don't return Email.


It does appear to be only a cosmetic issue, but its also very poor customer support, He paid a premium for the "P" series which should come with better QA/QC. On a CM9 I'd be more inclined to suggest he forget about it.

OTOH I'm done with Karh, if this really bothers him, how would he feel if the frame broke after about 6000 rounds and their customer service is not answering Email? I've switched to S&W Shields and already shoot them better than I ever have done with the Kahrs.
 
vba said:
Jeesem Crow, just shoot the damn thing. It's fine... cripes it's under the slide. I don't see this as a big deal.
Click to expand...
Exactly.

After all it is a working defensive pistol, not a Rembrandt masterpiece.

Heck all my CCW guns now have dings from long use.

A little discoloration under the side is nothing.

Deaf
 
They aren't going to fix it because to them, it isn't a quality issue. For all we know, the gun could be an awesome shooter.

Just go shoot it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

I
  • Locked
New Kahr PM9 with Boron Carbide aka Tungsten DLC
Replies
11
Views
2K
JackDRipper
J
G
  • Locked
Kahr PM9 Complete Dissassembly
Replies
0
Views
1K
Gecko
G
G
  • Locked
Kahr PM9 reassembly problem!
Replies
11
Views
3K
TheFederalistWeasel
T
C
  • Locked
Kahr PM9 impressions
Replies
2
Views
454
Zerodefect
Z
Anna's Dad
  • Locked
Kahr MK9
Replies
5
Views
793
Anna's Dad
Anna's Dad
Back
Top