I had a kaabooom today

Nykop · May 26, 2009, 08:29 PM

Well I bought a new Kahr K40 a few weeks ago and took it to the range and noticed the spent shell casings were badly dented at the mouth and it appeared the rim was getting a little ripped up I even posted a few pics on here well as everyone said send it back to kahr so I did. I got the gun back today they even polished it up all nice to look like the elite. They said the extractor was a little tight and fixed it. I took it too the range and fired a few mags of win 165gr target ammo and then a few mags of double tap 155gr I decided to fire up a box of 20 federal 155gr JHP to compare to the double tap and after a few rounds kabooom! in my face and my hand was all black from gunpowder. After making sure I still had all my fingers I inspected the gun and found the shell casing was torn up inside the barrel. Me anda few other guys at the range found all the parts.I also found the primer or "head" of the cartridge. I may look like "head seperation" meaning defective ammo but I dont think so. Well, I will call Kahr tomorrow and see what they say. I hope they dont try a wiggle out of this one. Check out the pics. If it wasnt for bad luck I would have no luck at all.

Brian Pfleuger · May 26, 2009, 08:30 PM

Dang!

Glad you're OK.

How's the gun look? Got any pics?

hoytinak · May 26, 2009, 08:31 PM

Any pics of the Kahr....I love seeing broken Kahrs.

Glad you're ok though.

B. Lahey · May 26, 2009, 08:32 PM

That's Kahr warranty service for you. I have experienced it myself.

Tatsumi67 · May 26, 2009, 08:41 PM

I had a similar issue with the one time I tried a Kahr, minus the explosion. I mean the cases being chewed up. shame, twas a fun gun.

glock199mm · May 26, 2009, 08:41 PM

that sucks about the gun but its good ur ok

CortJestir · May 26, 2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

If it wasnt for bad luck I would have no luck at all.

Au contraire, it sounds like you were very lucky today.

I'm also glad the only things injured were the gun and some ammo.

Aside from bad ammo, what else does everyone think would cause this? Unsupported chamber? Firing slightly out of battery? Curious to know what Kahr will make of this...

Nykop · May 26, 2009, 08:54 PM

Yeah, I am lucky. Always wear goggles guys some shrapnel bounced off them could have been my eye. They will claim to have fixed it and send it back to me and I will put it away like a demon !! Yeah, I have pics its in parts in a box I'm going to ship back tomorrow. Kinda sucks I have the MK40 which I like alot and a K9 I just bought!! My confidence in Kahr is broken!! BTW they are not cheap!! well, back to my glocks! I wonder what would happen if that was a poly gun would plastic parts blow up in your hand? I'm thinking of buying a HK P2000sk now. Like to tell kahr give me back my $$$$$$.

Maligator · May 26, 2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Au contraire, it sounds like you were very lucky today. I'm also glad the only things injured were the gun and some ammo.

Totally agree! Glad your OK. Guns are cheap and replaceable, body parts...not so much!

James K · May 26, 2009, 09:19 PM

Glad there was no injury. Those kind of blowups are usually due to the gun having fired out of battery and normally will destroy the magazine and grips as well as bend the frame.

Let us know what Kahr says.

Jim

rsxr22 · May 26, 2009, 09:21 PM

you cannot go wrong w the hk p2ksk.. It is one of the finest carry guns made and i highly doubt i will ever replace it w/ another carry gun.

Nykop · May 26, 2009, 09:28 PM

Thanks everyone I will keep you informed on what kahr has to say. I dont think I will use the federal ammo I have 5 boxes of that stuff left and after today I'm not taking any risk. I see "gallery of guns" has the HK2000sk now which model V2 v3?

djohn · May 26, 2009, 09:48 PM

Man I hate seeing threads like this I can't help thinking of the worst.Sure glad you aright there sir pretty Dang Scary.

Jim Watson · May 26, 2009, 10:01 PM

I do not concur with the "out of battery" theory.
What happens if you keep the slide from going completely into battery?
The barrel remains tipped down at the breech from where it was unlocked to cycle in recoil from the previous shot, right?
In your picture, the firing pin indention is perfectly centered, meaning the barrel was fully up into locked position, which means the slide was in battery.

Further, the primer is not even flattened as I would expect (have seen) in cases of high pressure from overload or deep seated bullet.

Poor brass or feed ramp cut out into the chamber. .40 is too hot to take any liberties with.

Texpass · May 26, 2009, 10:07 PM

I had a Kahr CW40, for one half range session. I realize if it is man made every company will have a problem. With that being said my Kahr had multiple firing problems. Tooo numerous to mention, plus I had two range instructors...one who was a Kahr CW9 owner and they were all puzzled by the guns bad behavior. I went back to my LGS and traded in for a Glock 23. A much better move.

Alleykat · May 26, 2009, 10:09 PM

So, it's not true, then, that only Glocks KB??

Hellbilly5000 · May 26, 2009, 11:00 PM

Im glad you are in one piece still
Sorry the gun is not
pics possible?

djohn · May 27, 2009, 12:41 AM

AlleyKat,correct its not true only glocks that Go KB,IMO its the 40 cal in general.Take a 180 gr 40 cal w over seating and double the pressure equals cocktail for a KBOOM.I hate that round would not buy a gun chambered for it nor do I trust it, especially in 180 GR.just my opinion though and to each there own.

Ben · May 27, 2009, 01:17 AM

I really don't see how that COULD be the guns fault. Looks like bad ammo to me. It's strange because Federal is a VERY reputable company, and it was a light-middle weight round which is LESS likely to cause a KB.

I need pictures of the gun.

Ben

Hommbs · May 27, 2009, 01:56 AM

If the rims were getting a little torn before it maybe an issue with the gun unlocking too soon while the chamber pressure is still high. That would also possibly cause a case to fail. May be a fitting issue or a design issue.

Sport45 · May 27, 2009, 02:27 AM

Glad you're okay!

What did the rest of the brass look like? The Federal 155gr in particular. Do any of them look "pregnant"?

NWCP · May 27, 2009, 03:37 AM

HK has quite a long relationship with the .40S&W. While anything is possible with pistols you'd be in pretty good shape with the HK. They have a fully supported chamber. It may very well have been a defective round on your Kahr. My PM9 has been flawless since I first purchased it. I didn't get a PM40 because it is just too small a pistol to allow good control with the .40 round, at least the one I fired was a handful. How much damage and what type of damage was done to the pistol?

eb1ch · May 27, 2009, 03:43 AM

let me get this straight

you had a kB and you only posted pictures of the ruptured casing? none of the gun?

thread makes no sense

Dingoboyx · May 27, 2009, 03:54 AM

would like to see pics of the gun too... is it a write off? or are they going to be able to 'fix' it again?

Kreyzhorse · May 27, 2009, 06:40 AM

Dude, that sucks. Glad you are okay though.

May 26, 2009, 08:29 PM	#1
Nykop Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2009 Location: New york Posts: 169	I had a kaabooom today Well I bought a new Kahr K40 a few weeks ago and took it to the range and noticed the spent shell casings were badly dented at the mouth and it appeared the rim was getting a little ripped up I even posted a few pics on here well as everyone said send it back to kahr so I did. I got the gun back today they even polished it up all nice to look like the elite. They said the extractor was a little tight and fixed it. I took it too the range and fired a few mags of win 165gr target ammo and then a few mags of double tap 155gr I decided to fire up a box of 20 federal 155gr JHP to compare to the double tap and after a few rounds kabooom! in my face and my hand was all black from gunpowder. After making sure I still had all my fingers I inspected the gun and found the shell casing was torn up inside the barrel. Me anda few other guys at the range found all the parts.I also found the primer or "head" of the cartridge. I may look like "head seperation" meaning defective ammo but I dont think so. Well, I will call Kahr tomorrow and see what they say. I hope they dont try a wiggle out of this one. Check out the pics. If it wasnt for bad luck I would have no luck at all. Last edited by Nykop; June 20, 2009 at 06:09 PM.

May 26, 2009, 08:30 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	Dang! Glad you're OK. How's the gun look? Got any pics? __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

May 26, 2009, 08:32 PM	#4
B. Lahey Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,857	That's Kahr warranty service for you. I have experienced it myself. __________________ "A human being is primarily a bag for putting food into; the other functions and faculties may be more godlike, but in point of time they come afterwards." -George Orwell

May 26, 2009, 08:41 PM	#5
Tatsumi67 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2007 Posts: 575	I had a similar issue with the one time I tried a Kahr, minus the explosion. I mean the cases being chewed up. shame, twas a fun gun. __________________ "Do what you can, what you want, what you must,feel the hunger inside, just don't lose your trust" - KMFDM, Trust. NRA Member,Minnesota State Safety Certified, Eagle Scout Currently schemeing on an AR-15 build.

May 26, 2009, 08:54 PM	#8
Nykop Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2009 Location: New york Posts: 169	Lucky Yeah, I am lucky. Always wear goggles guys some shrapnel bounced off them could have been my eye. They will claim to have fixed it and send it back to me and I will put it away like a demon !! Yeah, I have pics its in parts in a box I'm going to ship back tomorrow. Kinda sucks I have the MK40 which I like alot and a K9 I just bought!! My confidence in Kahr is broken!! BTW they are not cheap!! well, back to my glocks! I wonder what would happen if that was a poly gun would plastic parts blow up in your hand? I'm thinking of buying a HK P2000sk now. Like to tell kahr give me back my $$$$$$.

May 26, 2009, 08:31 PM	#3
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	Any pics of the Kahr....I love seeing broken Kahrs. Glad you're ok though.

May 26, 2009, 08:41 PM	#6
glock199mm Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2007 Location: louisiana Posts: 227	that sucks about the gun but its good ur ok

May 26, 2009, 09:19 PM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Glad there was no injury. Those kind of blowups are usually due to the gun having fired out of battery and normally will destroy the magazine and grips as well as bend the frame. Let us know what Kahr says. Jim Last edited by James K; May 26, 2009 at 09:32 PM.

May 26, 2009, 09:21 PM	#11
rsxr22 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 1,825	you cannot go wrong w the hk p2ksk.. It is one of the finest carry guns made and i highly doubt i will ever replace it w/ another carry gun.

May 26, 2009, 09:28 PM	#12
Nykop Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2009 Location: New york Posts: 169	Thanks Thanks everyone I will keep you informed on what kahr has to say. I dont think I will use the federal ammo I have 5 boxes of that stuff left and after today I'm not taking any risk. I see "gallery of guns" has the HK2000sk now which model V2 v3?

May 26, 2009, 09:48 PM	#13
djohn Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2009 Location: CT Posts: 507	Man I hate seeing threads like this I can't help thinking of the worst.Sure glad you aright there sir pretty Dang Scary. __________________ Dave.

May 26, 2009, 10:01 PM	#14
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I do not concur with the "out of battery" theory. What happens if you keep the slide from going completely into battery? The barrel remains tipped down at the breech from where it was unlocked to cycle in recoil from the previous shot, right? In your picture, the firing pin indention is perfectly centered, meaning the barrel was fully up into locked position, which means the slide was in battery. Further, the primer is not even flattened as I would expect (have seen) in cases of high pressure from overload or deep seated bullet. Poor brass or feed ramp cut out into the chamber. .40 is too hot to take any liberties with.

May 26, 2009, 10:07 PM	#15
Texpass Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Posts: 85	I had a Kahr CW40, for one half range session. I realize if it is man made every company will have a problem. With that being said my Kahr had multiple firing problems. Tooo numerous to mention, plus I had two range instructors...one who was a Kahr CW9 owner and they were all puzzled by the guns bad behavior. I went back to my LGS and traded in for a Glock 23. A much better move.

May 26, 2009, 10:09 PM	#16
Alleykat Junior member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Posts: 3,668	So, it's not true, then, that only Glocks KB??

May 26, 2009, 11:00 PM	#17
Hellbilly5000 Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2009 Location: RGV, Tx Posts: 787	Im glad you are in one piece still Sorry the gun is not pics possible? __________________ And death climbs the steps one by one, To give you the rose that's been burnt by her son, Point me to the sky above I can't get there on my own, Walk me through the graveyard Dig up her bones

May 27, 2009, 12:41 AM	#18
djohn Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2009 Location: CT Posts: 507	AlleyKat,correct its not true only glocks that Go KB,IMO its the 40 cal in general.Take a 180 gr 40 cal w over seating and double the pressure equals cocktail for a KBOOM.I hate that round would not buy a gun chambered for it nor do I trust it, especially in 180 GR.just my opinion though and to each there own. __________________ Dave.

May 27, 2009, 01:17 AM	#19
Ben Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,633	I really don't see how that COULD be the guns fault. Looks like bad ammo to me. It's strange because Federal is a VERY reputable company, and it was a light-middle weight round which is LESS likely to cause a KB. I need pictures of the gun. Ben

May 27, 2009, 01:56 AM	#20
Hommbs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2005 Location: La Puente, California Posts: 102	If the rims were getting a little torn before it maybe an issue with the gun unlocking too soon while the chamber pressure is still high. That would also possibly cause a case to fail. May be a fitting issue or a design issue.

May 27, 2009, 02:27 AM	#21
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	Glad you're okay! What did the rest of the brass look like? The Federal 155gr in particular. Do any of them look "pregnant"? __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

May 27, 2009, 03:37 AM	#22
NWCP Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Posts: 1,903	HK has quite a long relationship with the .40S&W. While anything is possible with pistols you'd be in pretty good shape with the HK. They have a fully supported chamber. It may very well have been a defective round on your Kahr. My PM9 has been flawless since I first purchased it. I didn't get a PM40 because it is just too small a pistol to allow good control with the .40 round, at least the one I fired was a handful. How much damage and what type of damage was done to the pistol?

May 27, 2009, 03:43 AM	#23
eb1ch Junior Member Join Date: November 3, 2007 Posts: 6	let me get this straight you had a kB and you only posted pictures of the ruptured casing? none of the gun? thread makes no sense

May 27, 2009, 03:54 AM	#24
Dingoboyx Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Location: South East Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,513	+1 glad you are ok would like to see pics of the gun too... is it a write off? or are they going to be able to 'fix' it again? __________________ Muzza If you cant blind them with brilliance, Baffle them with BS Be alert...... there is a shortage of LERTs

May 27, 2009, 06:40 AM	#25
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Dude, that sucks. Glad you are okay though. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson