Help with my PM40?

[rk246]

I read and read about the PM40 before I bought it, I considered not buying it as I have several extremely reliable glocks, but I wanted a thinner ccw for IWB carry. I bought the PM40 and am having a lot of problems with it now.

I use tetra products on all of my guns, so I brought the PM40 home, stripped it, hit it heavily with tetra degreaser, dried it, hit is real good with tetra CLP, wiped it down, stuck oil on a couple of spots(hadn't seen the lube diagram yet), took it out and put about 100 rounds through it. It failed to return to battery about 90% of the time, with about 10 failure to loads, or failure to feeds. I had to keep pushing the slide forward with my thumb to get it to return to battery.

I brought it back in, hit it good with clp again, wiped it down thoroughly, put a little oil on, let it sit for about a week, went out yesterday and put about 150 rounds through it with about 20 failure to loads, and failing to return to battery about 95% of the time on the first round on a fresh mag.

I really like the size and idea behind this weapon, It is my first Kahr, I really want it to be reliable but don't trust it for ccw carry, I have some time as my milt sparks vm2 is about 16 weeks out. Have I just not given this gun enough break in? the failure to return to battery is really frustrating. Maybe I haven't lubed it enough, as I found the lube chart today I now know I need more spots lubed, but I though the clp would take care of it?

Whats better on this weapon, tetra oil or grease?

How do you guys get in the slide grooves effectively to get everyting out?

Did I clean it enough to begin with? with the degreaser?

I have never needed to lube a gun as much as I have read about these Kahrs needing lube?

Any other recommendations you guys have?

Oh and the ammo I have been shooting through this so far is FMJ, 180 gr, Umc and factory reloads.

Thanks you very much for any help and responses.

[Dandapani]

Did you lube the barrel and barrel hood well? I found that my PM9 failed to return to battery unless lubed well. On the other hand, Kahr came out with a new recoil spring design that was heftier and eliminated this problem. You might check with Dottie at Kahr.

[rockytop]

1. I polished my feed ramp with jewelers rouge on a felt wheel and a dremel rotary tool.

2. Lube, Lube, and LUBE.

3. Be sure you release the slide by dropping the slide lock lever. (I am accustomed to Sigs, and had the habit of racking the slide by hand.) I waited a long time for Sig to build a PM9 size gun, but I really like my PM9.

[rk246]

Thanks for the reply's, I have been putting in the magazine and then using the slide release. I don't think I have lubed it well enough though? I have been afraid of picking up dirt with too much lube? I also have lived by tetra's product dealers saying that you don't need much of their lube to work well, but I will print out the lube chart I found on this web site and lube all of these areas well.

I have never polished my feedramps, difficult to do? What do I use? I would imagine there is probably already a thread on this?

Thanks

[Supercharger]

Sounds like you got a bad recoil spring or you have it on backwards.

The closed end of the spring MUST go on the guide rod or you have a lot of problems.

Keep up informed on what you find.

[flyandscuba]

I use Militec-1 grease on the rails & barrel/barrel hood. Militec-1 oil on the trigger, cam, and striker. I've had zero problems.

+1 on checking to make sure the recoil spring is not installed backwards.

[moondog049]

Originally posted by flyandscuba
I use Militec-1 grease on the rails & barrel/barrel hood. +1
Kahrs run better well lubed

I've got a P45 and found polishing the mag lips helped feeding a lot.

On the feed ramp look for bullet scuffs, take 600+ wet /dry wrapped around an empty shell and working toward the chamber, lightly take off the high spots.

I use JB bore paste to clean and smooth the barrel and chamber on a new gun.

Go slow and don't tinker so much you have warranty problems,
Good luck

[wingsprint]

First get it really clean. I am talking about soaking the entire slide and barrel parts in mineral spirits and then flush it out. Use compressed air or brake cleaner to get it dry. Now get the lube, and get it wet. Use a quality grease on the contact surfaces on the slide and barrel, and oil the rest of it. A new Kahr is VERY TIGHT and needs to be "run wet" until it is broken in.

[rk246]

Thank you all for your replies, I think I have not been lubing it enough. I checked the manual and the recoil spring before I ever used it the first time, so I know that was put back together correct. I do know I have not lubed it much though compared to what you guys are saying to do.

So you think I still need to do the mineral spirits, even though I did the tetra degreaser pretty heavy? Thank you very much for your help. I will let you know, I really want this gun to work good. I already ordered a milt sparks vm2 and I think it is the answer I am looking for to carry comfortable.

[Halojumper]

Originally posted by rk246
Thank you all for your replies, I think I have not been lubing it enough. I checked the manual and the recoil spring before I ever used it the first time, so I know that was put back together correct. I do know I have not lubed it much though compared to what you guys are saying to do.

So you think I still need to do the mineral spirits, even though I did the tetra degreaser pretty heavy? Thank you very much for your help. I will let you know, I really want this gun to work good. I already ordered a milt sparks vm2 and I think it is the answer I am looking for to carry comfortable.

It may not have anything to do with how you are lubing it. I have one that has been doing the same thing and I ended up sending it back to the 3 times. The first time they replaced the recoil spring and polished the feed ramp. The second time they replaced the slide. The third time I don't know about since I haven't gotten it back yet. I really do hope it works. Kahr used to have a stellar reputation and I hope they can get this straightened out. When I get it back, I'll try to remember to post here and let you know how it works.

[rk246]

Please do, I am hoping to not have to send it back, hopefully this week I can lube it better, shoot again and see what happens. If it continues I will then have to call Kahr, maybe starting with a new recoil spring?

Thanks again.

[rk246]

just and update on my problems, I soaked my PM40 in mineral spirits, cleaned it well, lubed it really well as the diagram said on this site, Used tetra oil and grease, not on the same spots. I took it out today and shot it with top notch name brand ammo of 4 different kinds, it did the same thing, I put about 150 rounds through it, it failed to return to battery about 8 times, failed to feed about 30 times, failed to expel about 5 times. I am not sure the exact term for the other thing it did about 10 tims, it shot the first shot then locked the slide back about 3/4 of the way and would not feed the next round? I had to drop the magazine, lock the slide back put the slide back in then release the slide.

I am really discouraged, I really want this to be a good weapon, but I have about 350 rounds through it now with lots of problems. I will call Kahr first thing tuesday and hopefully I have a bad recoil spring and a new one will fix the problem. If it continues I am going to have to get rid of this Kahr and stick with my Glocks.

I have never had one of my Glocks fail that it wasn't my fault, ie didn't push the mag in all the way. I carried a Berreta then a Sig in the service, the beretta was worse than this Kahr for reliablilty. The sig was one of the best weapons I ever shot and carried. I just really like the size of this Kahr and think it would really add to comfortable carry.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

[Colorado4Wheel]

Originally posted by rk246
just and update on my problems, I soaked my PM40 in mineral spirits, cleaned it well, lubed it really well as the diagram said on this site, Used tetra oil and grease, not on the same spots. I took it out today and shot it with top notch name brand ammo of 4 different kinds, it did the same thing, I put about 150 rounds through it, it failed to return to battery about 8 times, failed to feed about 30 times, failed to expel about 5 times. I am not sure the exact term for the other thing it did about 10 tims, it shot the first shot then locked the slide back about 3/4 of the way and would not feed the next round? I had to drop the magazine, lock the slide back put the slide back in then release the slide.

I am really discouraged, I really want this to be a good weapon, but I have about 350 rounds through it now with lots of problems. I will call Kahr first thing tuesday and hopefully I have a bad recoil spring and a new one will fix the problem. If it continues I am going to have to get rid of this Kahr and stick with my Glocks.

I have never had one of my Glocks fail that it wasn't my fault, ie didn't push the mag in all the way. I carried a Berreta then a Sig in the service, the beretta was worse than this Kahr for reliablilty. The sig was one of the best weapons I ever shot and carried. I just really like the size of this Kahr and think it would really add to comfortable carry.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

Send it back to Kahr. I don't know what is up with these PM framed guns. I just lube my TP9 per the sticky with any old oil I have. I don't over do it and I have never had any problems. I don't see why you would want to soak the slide in mineral spirits. It will strip the internals of all oil. That seems bad. Nothing you can't reach with a cloth is going to cause any problems like you describe. Only thing I would check is the slide lock spring to make sure it's not dragging on the slide or not properly engaging the slide lock lever. After that lube per the sticky, but not too much. If that doesn't do it call Kahr. Don't fight it, just call Kahr. Oh, and get a TP9 or P9, ever notice not many people complain about those guns.

[rk246]

I almost bought the p40, but I wanted the smaller frame, I already ordered a milt sparks vm2 for this pm40, hate to try and change that now. I might try a p40 but I don't know if that would make the difference or not? I can't understand why the p9 or pm9 would be anymore reliable than the pm40 or p40?

[Colorado4Wheel]

Originally posted by rk246
I almost bought the p40, but I wanted the smaller frame, I already ordered a milt sparks vm2 for this pm40, hate to try and change that now. I might try a p40 but I don't know if that would make the difference or not? I can't understand why the p9 or pm9 would be anymore reliable than the pm40 or p40?

P size guns have a different recoil spring, a longer and heavier slide. It's a real shame that the PM's have this spotty record. I would much prefer to carry a PM if it was as reliable as my TP. Some are, yours probably will be once you figure out what the "hitch/problem" with it is. Give Kahr a call. Hang in there. BTW, I was a little "toasted" when I recommended getting a new gun. That was unkind.

[rk246]

Originally posted by Colorado4Wheel
P size guns have a different recoil spring, a longer and heavier slide. It's a real shame that the PM's have this spotty record. I would much prefer to carry a PM if it was as reliable as my TP. Some are, yours probably will be once you figure out what the "hitch/problem" with it is. Give Kahr a call. Hang in there. BTW, I was a little "toasted" when I recommended getting a new gun. That was unkind.

Thats alright, I have plenty of guns, just none as small as the PM40 with its kind of firepower. I carry my Glock 27 most of the time, once in awhile the Kimber Ultra carry. I have considered and might get if this PM40 doesn't work out, a Kimber RCPII, or the new Sringfield Armory Defender Lightweight chambered in 45 GAP.

[Halojumper]

Originally posted by Colorado4Wheel
P size guns have a different recoil spring, a longer and heavier slide. It's a real shame that the PM's have this spotty record. I would much prefer to carry a PM if it was as reliable as my TP. Some are, yours probably will be once you figure out what the "hitch/problem" with it is. Give Kahr a call. Hang in there. BTW, I was a little "toasted" when I recommended getting a new gun. That was unkind.

P is not a size. It means polymer. The M is the size component of that model number. It means micro.

[Colorado4Wheel]

Originally posted by Halojumper
P is not a size. It means polymer. The M is the size component of that model number. It means micro.

I meant P vs PM. In that sence P is a size.