Bought a used CW40 (Updated)

[cbucher]

In most cases buying a new pistol is a happy time, even if it is slightly used. I am not happy right now. I picked up a CW40 at the gun show this past weekend for a pretty decent price. I decide tonight I would run some function tests before a trip to the range this weekend. It wont cycle at all. Every time I rack the slide to chamber a round it won't go into to full battery. I had to use a dowel to tap the bullet back out just to get the slide to move again. I read a full articles and thought maybe the type of ammo is getting stuck like they suggested. Well, three different brands of ammo and still they same issue. I was wondering if anyone has ever had the same problem and what was the remedy( short of buying a new barrel) to see if it was machined wrong or something. Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[The Annoyed Man]

A-R said that he had trouble with a .40 caliber Kahr several years ago, but it was a early generation or something. My CW45 needed a thorough 200 round breakin, but it is reliable now, and the factory calls for a 200 round breakin. So maybe your gun just needs breaking in?

[Sputz]

Were you releasing the slide using the slide release? If not you need to start using it for it to go into full battery. It states this in the owners manual. Also when you take it apart make sure you do it right or you will bend the spring and you will have your slide stay open after each shot.

Sputz

[gfmun]

Make sure the recoil spring is in right also. It does make a difference if it is backwards. Closed end towards the rear.

George

[OldCannon]

Not likely the ammo. Kahr feed angles are what one might call "higher than normal," and you end up with a firearm that is VERY sensitive to both magazine and feed ramp dimensions. On top of that, the slide stop/disassembly lever screw (which retains a spring) can also become loose in non-obvious ways, making the problem hard to debug.

Your _best_ option is to send it to Kahr. I have no idea how old your pistol is, but it might be under warranty still (5 years, but I can't recall if that's "original owner only").

[The Annoyed Man]

Not likely the ammo. Kahr feed angles are what one might call "higher than normal," and you end up with a firearm that is VERY sensitive to both magazine and feed ramp dimensions. On top of that, the slide stop/disassembly lever screw (which retains a spring) can also become loose in non-obvious ways, making the problem hard to debug.

Your _best_ option is to send it to Kahr. I have no idea how old your pistol is, but it might be under warranty still (5 years, but I can't recall if that's "original owner only").

The warranty is lifetime, but to the original owner only.

[OldCannon]

Not likely the ammo. Kahr feed angles are what one might call "higher than normal," and you end up with a firearm that is VERY sensitive to both magazine and feed ramp dimensions. On top of that, the slide stop/disassembly lever screw (which retains a spring) can also become loose in non-obvious ways, making the problem hard to debug.

Your _best_ option is to send it to Kahr. I have no idea how old your pistol is, but it might be under warranty still (5 years, but I can't recall if that's "original owner only").

The warranty is lifetime, but to the original owner only.

TAM, I believe this policy has changed. My current understanding is 5 years. I don't have a Kahr now in my inventory, so I can't check an owner's manual to verify this.

[The Annoyed Man]

Not likely the ammo. Kahr feed angles are what one might call "higher than normal," and you end up with a firearm that is VERY sensitive to both magazine and feed ramp dimensions. On top of that, the slide stop/disassembly lever screw (which retains a spring) can also become loose in non-obvious ways, making the problem hard to debug.

Your _best_ option is to send it to Kahr. I have no idea how old your pistol is, but it might be under warranty still (5 years, but I can't recall if that's "original owner only").

The warranty is lifetime, but to the original owner only.

TAM, I believe this policy has changed. My current understanding is 5 years. I don't have a Kahr now in my inventory, so I can't check an owner's manual to verify this.

Could be. When I bought my used PM9, I phoned Kahr to see if it had a warranty, and that is what I was told at the time (about 1.5-2 years ago).

[v-rog]

I'd recommend sending it back for repairs. I've read about a lot of people having to do that in order to get it to function correctly.

[JMPJr]

This exact problem is listed on their FAQ page.

Taken from http://www.kahr.com/faq.asp#q10:

"Q. My firearm fails to chamber the first round when I pull back the slide and release it. What is wrong?

A. It is likely you are either failing to pull the slide fully back or you are riding the slide as you release it. We recommend that you lock back the slide, insert the magazine, and release the slide with the slide stop. This will require that you carry a load in the chamber for self defense purposes. However, the passive safety system will prevent the pistol from firing unless the trigger is pulled, even if the gun is dropped. If you would prefer not to carry a round in the chamber, you may remove a round from the magazine. This alters the angle of the bullet and will allow it to chamber even if you ride the slide."

Also:

"Q. How do I get answers to my technical questions?

A. Send your question to service@kahr.com or phone Customer Service at 508-795-3919 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST and someone will get back to you as soon as possible."

and finally:

"Q. My new gun has dirt residue and the barrel shows signs of wear. Could it be used?

A. Kahr test fires every gun it sells. The wear marks on the barrel are simply a top layer of plating being scraped by the action of the slide during test. The dirt residue is caused by the evaporation of the lubrication used during packaging. Unless there is a "U" engraved on the trigger guard, your gun is new and carries a full 5 year warranty."

[JMPJr]

Forgot to mention... we're all hoping for a positive outcome, let us know how it turns out please!

[cbucher]

Thanks for all the input. I have tried just about everything list above except firing the pistol since the slide sticks. I guess it will get sent in for repairs. Just kind of defeats a $300 dollar gun if you have to spend a couple hundred in repairs and shipping. I could have just bought a new one for $50 more. Live and learn I guess. Thanks for the info, it is much appreciated.

[cbucher]

Well, I decided to not give up on this pistol. After talking to a local gunsmith it was decided that the barrel was over polished and out of spec. I didn't really want to spend the money for a new barrel, but I did. Kahr had a 4" ported barrel for 129 so I ordered it and a new spring. I got the barrel yesterday and everything seemed to be working fine so we went to the range. I put a little over 100 rounds and not a single glitch with this gun. I think I'm going to like having this as a carry piece.