Question for Kahr owners

[WEC]

I would think this question applies to everyone who is subjected to the heat of the Texas summers, but especially those of us who are near to bodies of water and the added humidity.

I have a Kahr PM9 that I've been routinely carrying IWB during this scorcher of a summer. I noticed a few weeks ago that I am starting to get a bit of rust on my magazine release. I took the mag release out, cleaned it until it looked relatively rust free, and then lubed and replaced it. I looked again a couple of days ago and the rust is coming back. My holster does have a leather backing but the mag release is exposed to my sweat. Just wondering if other Kahr owners are experiencing anything like this, or should I possibly contact Kahr.

[ntexaschl]

HI WEC...I have a PM9 that I occasionally carry. I like it a lot, I just like my MK40 more. Humidity isn't much of a problem in this area. I'm very curious about the rust problem you're having, though. The magazine release on my PM9 is poly. Can poly rust? I might learn something that'll help me ward off any potential problem. So, I'll be watching this thread. Thanks

All this time, I thought that the mag release was poly. Kahr has done a very good job making it blend in with the poly frame.

[Keith B]

My guess is the mag release spring is rusting due to moisture being trapped in between the frame and the release button mechanism. See if Kahr has a stainless spring available or will provide you with some replacements.

[mr.72]

The mag release is metal. It appears to be blued steel but I can't say for sure. It is subjected to rather frequent wear that would wear the bluing off of it. I guess it's possible that at some time in history Kahr used a plastic magazine release but considering how this thing works, that would be very stupid and would wear out in one range session.

The spring in my CW9 appears to be stainless steel. It is the second one. The original one was also stainless AFAICT.

I suspect it's sweat causing the rusting. I don't have this problem with my Kahr but I suspect it's because of my choice of holster which does not put the mag release in contact with my skin.

[WEC]

Thanks for the prompt replies. Having removed, cleaned and replaced the mag release once before, I can confirm that mine is indeed metal, which appears to have a light level of blueing. I also agree 100% that the rust is due to sweat. I wrote an e-mail to Kahr customer support to ask if this is to be expected or if I possibly have a mag release that was not treated correctly to ward off rust/corrosion. I've also been looking on the internet to see if any vendors sell a stainless steel magazine release.

[Cosmo 9]

My mag release is also poly at least the part that you press. I have never removed the mag release for cleaning but now you have me curious. I carry this little thing all the time and fat boys do sweat

[AEA]

My K9 is currently doing duty as a truck gun. Blackened Stainless, so no problems with rust. Heat has not cooked it off yet.

[KFP]

My mag release on my PM9 is also plastic, just like on all Glocks, so I can't speak to the rusting issue. Contacting Kahr is probably the best advice.

[Mike1951]

This is the reason I sent my stainless K-40 to Walter Birdsong to be refinished in Black-T.

No better finish for protection against rust.

There is nothing Kahr can do to help with a rust issue.

[CDH]

No signs of rust on my CW9, but my holster covers the mag release and I have only been carrying it about 3 months. It is definitely metal, as it is magnetic.

[BillC]

This is the reason I sent my stainless K-40 to Walter Birdsong to be refinished in Black-T.

No better finish for protection against rust.

There is nothing Kahr can do to help with a rust issue.

+1 for Black T My MK9 stainless frame and parkerized slide both rusted in less than a week of wear. I promptly had the whole pistol coated in Black T. No more rust. Took a couple months as I recall, but since I think Mr. Birdsong has passed away, may be longer delay.

Keeping it in Texas, I had a Sig coated by Alex Hamilton at Ten Ring In San Antonio and he did a great job. Whatever he uses seems to wear better than Black T, but I carry the Kahr a lot more than the 226

YMMV
Bill

[9mmfan]

I know that shortly after I purchased my used K9, whilst cleaning I removed the grips for some reason, and underneath there was a build-up of some kind of crud. Don't remember offhand if'n it was moisture or oil-based, but, cleaned it off real good and felt much better about it. This should give you better access to the mag release housing/area, and with some Q-tips and some oil might work. Hope this helps.


-Oops, I realize that this did not help, this dawned on me 'bout 1:35 this morning as I snuck out for a smoke break. You have a polymer model. Short of some kind of saw, my assistance was really an irrelevant lack thereof. Need to pay more attention in the future. Good luck.

[Mike1951]

+1 for Black T My MK9 stainless frame and parkerized slide both rusted in less than a week of wear. I promptly had the whole pistol coated in Black T. No more rust. Took a couple months as I recall, but since I think Mr. Birdsong has passed away, may be longer delay.

I didn't know. What a loss!!

I spoke with him last year about having my other K-40 and a 1911 done, but never got around to sending them.

Hopefully, someone can continue to operate his business and maintain his standards.

[shootthesheet]

Maybe you need a non-leather holster that covers that area. Leather retains moisture where the plastic types allow it to dry. Any time I am in a humid area I use a plastic holster. It keeps the gun dry even though it is not as comfortable and doesn't move with me as well as leather. Another thing I do is carry a towel and silicone cloth to wipe the gun down and then protect it with the silicone cloth. Maybe, if you don't already, you can use a silicone cloth on the mag release and see if it helps. I don't know about your gun but it sounds like a moisture retention problem that lasts for long enough to cause rust where none should be. Also, you should store your gun outside the holster if you don’t. Those plastic ones are good for that too.