Kahr PM40 problems

[KSC]

Kahr is replacing my PM40. Among other problems it started to break followers(originals and replacements) after as few as 40 rounds. Has anybody else had this or any other problems?

[mudguns dot com]

When i worked for a distributer (interstate arms) we stocked many kahr arms and recently have seen some quality issues. I dont know what is happening with them but used guns have gone to dealers as new guns. Before i left i seen many returns for one thing or another.
THey had a recall long time ago regarding that same issue. One thing also is any new polymer kahr has a breaking in period of about 200 rounds before it works more smoothly.
They supposedly have fixed the problem with their P45 feeding JHP ammo.
One more thing to know is when you buy a so called "TEST_FIRE" kahr it is actually a reconditioned gun and it only comes with one mag.
IF you would like to know anything else feel free to visit my site at: http://www.mudguns.com/news.php

feel free to join and post your questions to the dealers and consumers i am sure you will be able to get answers you need. Furthermore there are about 200 recommended dealers i have grown to trust very highly where you can purchase your guns and there is a direct link to them on my site.

[Peter V]

I just purchased a Kahr PM 40 and within 300 rounds two followers both broke. Did they replace your gun? What other problems did you have?

[Jim Reagan]

I have an Auto Ordance 1911-A1, and have close to 1000 rounds through it with no Problems, My Father bought a Kahr 1911-A1 supposedly the same gun and have had nothing but Trouble. Since Kahr took over Auto-Ordance it has gone down Hill Fast.

[KSC]

Peter V The first problem was failure to extract properly. This occurred far too often to be caused by limp wristing. The extractor mechanism was replaced (problem solved). Second problem was stove-pipe jams and broken followers. The entire slide assembly and followers were replaced. Both broke at about 100 rounds. Total rounds fired was 2800+. This gun was replaced and after 328 rounds both followers broke. This gun was sent back and will be replaced with a MK40. It appears that after the break-in period the metal slide no longer "mates" properly with the polymer frame. If you insert an empty mag and gently allow the slide to go forward it hangs up on the follower. If you release the mag the slide continues forward. KSC

[Steve Katona]

Just bought a PM40. Wenting shooting for the first time with it today, one week after buying it. Every time I pull the slide back it catches like it finished all the rounds. This with the mag out. Then with a full mag in the gun, after every shot the slide would catch like it was empty. I would have to use the release after every shot in order for the next round to load up.

Any idea what might be causing this???

[Rick H]

new kahr pm40, jammed from the beginning. broke the back out of my extended mag, then started breaking followers. misfired once every ten rounds. got new extended mag, broke the back out of it. this is a very accurate carry with serious problems. my business partner bought the exact same gun, on the same day. he has 50 rounds through it, surprise..... its breaking followers. Kahr is quick to help you with your problems, but the phone call seemed like no surprise. They are sending me a replacement unit. Good luck, I'm switching to an XD 40 subcompact

[Rick H]

steve from mi, call kahr, your problems have only begun, my pm40 did the exact same thing, I thought I was hitting the slide stop with my thumb, nope, just locks back automatically. My gun dealer told me I was limp wristing. They were right to a certain extent. I shoot a tactical xd and you don't really have to squeeze it. You do have to hold on tight to a pm40. just bought an xd subcompact, it is only 4.9 ounces heavier, but an awesome carry. try it, read about it, springfield has it together

[DSTEWB]

Rick H wrote:

new kahr pm40, jammed from the beginning. broke the back out of my extended mag, then started breaking followers. misfired once every ten rounds. got new extended mag, broke the back out of it. this is a very accurate carry with serious problems. my business partner bought the exact same gun, on the same day. he has 50 rounds through it, surprise..... its breaking followers. Kahr is quick to help you with your problems, but the phone call seemed like no surprise. They are sending me a replacement unit. Good luck, I'm switching to an XD 40 subcompact

TELL ME A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE XD 40 I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT,THANKS

[Aimee]

DSTEWB wrote:

<quoted text>TELL ME A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE XD 40 I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT,THANKS

Go to www.springfieldarmory.com or www.xdtalk.com the springfield series is one of the most reliable gun I've ever use. I have XD9 subcompact and has 2000 rounds through it, not one single problem.

[mudguns dot com]

one more thing is JHP ammo causes this as well, give the ramp a good polishing. Other than that they do have a break in period on the polymer guns. I prefer their steel guns anyway. One more good thing to know is their "test-fired" guns are actually reconditioned guns. dont be suprised if you buy one of these and do a serial check and it had a previous owner. If anyone want to buy one get it off of a dealer that deals with Interstate arms in billerica MA. they have the lowest price out of any distributer

[Steve]

Rick H wrote:

steve from mi, call kahr, your problems have only begun,

Rick from FL, What an experience ... First the slide would like, then both followers went bad, then the slide wouldn't go back to full battery, then a miss fire or 2, and then this past week a stove pipe.

Called or emailed Kahr and they quickly sent out a fix, but damn..... this is a new gun, now with 700 rounds thru it. So far I have had a slide spring replaced, entire recoil assembly (which was a redesign from the original), a new magazine and have polished the feed ramp. Gun works better, but still not 100% reliable. If I could send it back and get my money back I would do it.

I also have an XD9SC and have about 1000 flawless rounds thru it out of the box.

I have not tried to get a refund, but if any has please let me know how you did it. Thanks.

[Ron J]

My KAHR PM40 has been sent back to the manufacturer twice since September, 2006. It jams and the followers break after a few rounds. KAHR has agreed to replace the followers... they have not corrected the jamming problem after two attemps. I shoot factory ammo only. KAHR has told me that I cannot use any stinger ammo and that some hollow point ammo will jam. Last time they had my PM40, they had it over 45 days with no response to my emails asking for updates. I regret having purchased the KAHR. I have since purchase a Glock 23 and I absolutely love it! No Jams! The gun is totally dependable.
Ron J
Spokane

[Steve]

Ron,
Pretty depressing. I have only had mine since the end of September 2006 and am already considering dumping it. Not sure what I can get for it, but if it doesn't settle in soon, I am trading it in.

[Charles]

Purchased a PM40 in 2004. I initially experienced failures to extract and a couple of broken followers. I flaired the ejection port and polished it along with throating and polishing the feed ramp and chamber. After about 600 rounds, I still experienced failures to feed. I sent it to Kahr and they replaced the slide and recoil spring assembly and replaced the magazines. Apparently the tolerances are extremely tight and the mag springs are extra power to compensate for slide speed. I had to redo the new slide (widen the ejection port simular to a 1911) and shot about 1200 rounds through it. Now it's very reliable and noticeably broken in. I send it to Kahr once a year for inspection and replacement of the recoil assembly. No problems to date and love the pistol for back up carry. I wish they'd loosen up the tolerances and widen up the ejection port at the factory. The PM40's ejection port is sloppy compaired to its big brother pistols. I can sent photos to anyone that's interested. Still love the pistol.

[Steve]

I would be interested in photos of what you had to do to correct the problems. I want this gun to work as my carry during the summer months. I just now have a Colt Defender on order to be used as my winter carry. So I look at this PM40 as costing me a boat load of money in order to have a good carry piece.

Thanks..... [e-mail]

[Charles]

Steve wrote:

I would be interested in photos of what you had to do to correct the problems. I want this gun to work as my carry during the summer months. I just now have a Colt Defender on order to be used as my winter carry. So I look at this PM40 as costing me a boat load of money in order to have a good carry piece.
Thanks..... [e-mail]

Steve, I'll photograph my pistol in the coming week. Aside from the gunsmithing, my PM40 works best with 180gr. Winchester Ranger Rounds (rounder bullet nose/no feed jams). The six round extended mags also help with providing a third finger grip. For the summer, I use a Fobus holster. I hope you didn't spend any money on getting your pistol worked on. I did all the work on my own pistol with a dremel tool, 1/2 sanding drum, emery cloth and metal polish, a dark blue sharpie pen and a steady hand.

[Steve]

Charles wrote:

<quoted text>
Steve, I'll photograph my pistol in the coming week. Aside from the gunsmithing, my PM40 works best with 180gr. Winchester Ranger Rounds (rounder bullet nose/no feed jams). The six round extended mags also help with providing a third finger grip. For the summer, I use a Fobus holster. I hope you didn't spend any money on getting your pistol worked on. I did all the work on my own pistol with a dremel tool, 1/2 sanding drum, emery cloth and metal polish, a dark blue sharpie pen and a steady hand.

Charlie,
Thanks. Really appreciate it. I have not spent any money on the gunsmithing ... yet. So far I have done all the work, but it still needs more tweaking. Any pictures that show and describe what you did to get this thing to work correctly would be great. Thanks Again.

[John]

I was considering buying a PM40 to lighten my load. I currently carry a Glock 23. After reading this discussion, I think I'll stick with what I've got!

[Doug]

I just bought a PM40. Took it to the range and started firing. During the first 100 rounds, about ever 5 or 6 shots the round would stick and I'd have to push the slide closed. After 100, the gun started shooting great. I put about 250 rounds through the pistol and it was shooting flawlessly and I was getting very good accuracy on double taps. I've been a big Glock fan for years and often carry a Model 27 concealed, but the PM40 is much more comfortable to carry. I think this is going to be an excellent concealed carry gun. The factory isn't kidding, though, when they say you have to put at least 200 rounds through the gun before carrying it - there definitely is a break in period