New M1 Kahr- won't cycle. Suggestions?

[Hunterpeaks]

Hi all,

 

I have a few NFA items and just picked up a new M1 Kahr made with folding stock as something to play with.

The bolt won't push the bullets into the chamber though.

 

1) The stock 15 rd mags work better, but still won't load every round

2) The 30 rd. mags hardly load rounds at all.(made by Pro-Mag)

3) The 30 rd mags have more 'play' front to back and appear to be smaller from front to back than stock mags.

4) The "ramp" to load the bullets into the chamber appears to be too steep.

5) The Left side bullets on both mags load less than the right side. The 30 round barely loads at all.

6) I did some filing on the back of the 30 round mag and also the sides to 'open' up the top a bit, this seems to have helped but not completely alleviated the issues.

 

Questions:

1) Is this thing a POS and I should take it back for a refund?

2) Should I file the angle of the ramp down leading to the chamber to make a smoother transition?

3) Do I need to continue on my filing mission of the mags to get them right? Or is this a red herring?

4) It's almost as if the spring pushing the bolt forward isn't strong enough to slam it forward. Is there a replacement?

 

HELP!

 

Thanks.

Hunter

 

[RoscoeTurner]

Go with option number 1.

[emmagee1917]

First do number 1 , then use your refund towards a USGI rebuild as per number 4 .

Chris

[StooperZero]

for what they charge for them , it should run 100% out the box.

[j.hayes1942]

Hi, Hunter,

 

I had a similar problem with my A/O carbine. I sent mine back to Kahr with a detailed description of the feeding problems. It came back within two weeks and has functioned as expected ever since. I've messed with many M1 carbines over the years and have learned a little about keeping them running. I would advise you never to file the feed ramp, as polishing it does all you need to aid feeding. Use only 400 or more fine sandpaper on a round form (pencil/marker?) and do it by hand. You want only to smooth the surface, not remove metal. I have had no luck with Promag magazines and will not buy any more of them. I bought and tested some of the Korean magazines from Cheaper Than Dirt before the madness and they worked great in all the guns in which I tried them. Sarco sells a good replacement recoil spring. They offer it as a 'High Speed Recoil Spring.' I have used about a dozen of them in as many guns and they have always worked for me. I like the A/O carbines and fully intend to wear mine out before I die. Good luck with yours. jb

[TSMGguy]

FWIW, the only ammo I've fed my Kahr is 110 gr. Winchester, GI, and the last of my Chinese LC-52, which has been really good stuff, BTW. I've only used original USGI 15 rd. mags in nearly NOS shape. No problems. If I had been using reproduction magazines and hand loaded ammo in my reproduction rifle, I wouldn't have expected much because that would likely a case of one problem compounding another.

 

If reliability is important, then the choice has to be factory loaded ammo in an unmolested original GI carbine.

[james m]

IMO: Exercise Option 1.

Go to a gun show and pick up a USGI carbine. It going to run $600 on up but you can shoot it

and it will still have collectors value. If you are not that familiar with these have someone who is look it over.

I have 3 WWII vintage carbines and they all run flawlessly.

Jim

Edited April 25, 2013 by james m

[emmagee1917]

Did you know that the Chinese stuff is corrosive ? Be sure you stripped the gas system and cleaned with WW2 GI bore cleaner , Black powder bore cleaner , or hot water. Hate to see you have a pitted bbl or gas cylinder/piston.

Chris

[TSMGguy]

Hey, Chris,

 

I've always been in the habit of throughly cleaning my carbines (including the gas piston) after shooting, so no problems with the Chinese stuff. I never even suspected that it might be corrosive.

 

Howard

[emmagee1917]

Corrosive salts must be removed or nutralized . If you removed every speck of salt ( electric sonic cleaner or tanks ) , you're good. Regular cleaning , even if thought to be good , may leave some. Therefore , you're left with nutralizing . Modern cleaners don't touch it beause the need is no longer there for the vast majority of shooters . GI bore cleaner from WW2 or a hot , soapy water cleaning with a clear hot water flush followed by a good oiling is needed.

If you live in a deep desert like me , the salts can lie dormant for years till they get wet , then attack out of nowhere.

Chris

[elvis3006]

I had the same issues with my AO Carbine. I polished the feed ramp, replaced the magazine catch with a USGI one and replaced the return spring with a USGI one as well. After this i no longer had any feed or function issues, she runs great now.