Make your own guide rod nut for the recoil spring assembly

[wyntrout]

Make your own nut for the guide rod.

During my last trip to the range with my PM45 the end nut on the end of the guide rod of the recoil spring assembly departed.

I emailed Kahr and they mailed me a replacement recoil spring assembly... the whole thing with both springs.

I hate wasting stuff and don't want to be waiting for parts if that happens again. I got to looking around and found some #6 hex nuts... #6-32 in stainless steel that works. use a 5/16" wrench for this nut. I have a lot of stainless stuff from my boating days.

I used one of my 3/8" cordless drills and opened the chuck all the way. I put the nail-head end of the guide rod in the chuck and tightened it. I put one of the nuts on the guide rod and used a file to turn the diameter down. I checked a few times and sanded until I had a good fit... no binding in the outer recoil spring or the hole in the front of the slide. This looks okay from the front of the gun.

I tried to make a little taper on the nut, and I think that I need to further reduce the diameter of the nut so as to absolutely prevent any binding with the spring or its hole in the front of the slide.

I would advise using Red Loctite or Red Permatex Threadlocker to hold that nut on. After proper cleaning and application, the bond is considered permanent after curing. The instructions say to heat the union to 500°F or better and then use hand tools to disassemble before the parts cool. This procedure is easier on the parts than just overpowering them with excessive torque.

There's not much in the way of threads on the front of the guide rod.

The new recoil spring has 1 1/2 more coils than the old one. I'm going to use the new one and save the old one for a spare.

I'll post some larger pictures shortly:

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Kahr%20Recoil%20Spring%20Assembly%20Nut/IMG_0469.jpg

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Kahr%20Recoil%20Spring%20Assembly%20Nut/IMG_0472.jpg

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Kahr%20Recoil%20Spring%20Assembly%20Nut/IMG_0473.jpg

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Kahr%20Recoil%20Spring%20Assembly%20Nut/IMG_0475.jpg

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Kahr%20Recoil%20Spring%20Assembly%20Nut/IMG_0476.jpg

Wynn:)

[Bawanna]

Wow, good stuff Wynn. In a pinch that would sure get the job done as you've already proven. Looks just like factory.

[wyntrout]

I put a drop of my Permatex (couldn't find Loctite) Green Penetrating Threadlocker on the new recoil assembly flange/nut and the one I just made. Then I thought that I had better use the guide rod to turn down a few more nuts... but it was pretty well bonded. And that's the "weaker" stuff, though the Permatex Green is much stronger than the Loctite Green.
At least I have a "spare" now and I have plenty of SS #6-32 nuts on hand.
Wynn:D

[jocko]

has anyone ever ask kahr if they would just sell that end nut. Nice to have a few around, I would think...

[OldLincoln]

I never fail to learn something new around here. All this chatter about that stupid nut but I only envisioned the flange thing on the other end of the rod. I didn't know that end was a nut, but thought it was made that way.

[wyntrout]

A nut would be a lot cheaper than the whole assembly. monsterfastener.com had these #6-32 stainless nuts for about $3.00 a hundred plus shipping... well under $10 mailed, I'm sure.
Of course, you have to turn down the sides and make it fit inside the spring and the hole in the slide.
Wynn:)

http://kahrtalk.com/kahr-tech/3934-make-your-own-flange-nut-guide-rod.html#post37717

[WMD]

Very clever Wyntrount! I have not heard of the nut coming off before but that sure is a good fix in a pinch. Like others...., I didn't realize it was a nut. I thought it was pressed on somehow. I am glad you brought this issue up. Makes me think I want to call Kahr and order an extra recoil assembly just to keep on hand. Much easier then grinding down a nut :D

Do you think that would have an effect on the gun's warranty?

[WMD]

You are probably going to think I am a seriously paranoid dude but.... I was just thinking.... I use my PM9 for CCW. I try to keep it as stock as possible in the event I encounter a high stress situation and need to pull the trigger. I keep the gun stock so as not to give the prosecutor a potential reason to further incriminate me... "He intentionally modified this gun to ensure its use as a "man killer".....

That is why I never carry reloads in my CC gun as well.

Sorry, I am probably over the top on this one but thought I would mention it.

[Bawanna]

That's my thinking also WMD. I never carry reloads in a carry gun. I'm not quite as concerned about gun modifications as I figure I can always play dumb and tell em the gun shop guy said I needed that, whatever that might be.

[jlottmc]

That's about the general consensus. Modify as long as you can defend it in court i.e. smooth action, and grips but leave all safeties alone.

[earle8888]

wyntrout; Great!!! I will give it a go. Still no problems with my BLUE Loctite.

[WMD]

I guess I just like to play it safe and have no mods in my CC gun (except sights). I do not want to leave anything to chance. Again, it is probably my paranoia showing. ;)

[deadhead1971]

It happens; see here http://kahrtalk.com/kahr-tech/863-confounded-flange.html

The first "flange" I had came flying off as reported above. The replacement flange that Kahr sent to me for free has not had any problems, and I am way past the point in round count where the first one came flying off. I do have a spare.

[wyntrout]

Dang, Deadhead, I just posted some info and pictures on Permatex Threadlockers over at that old thread... by accident:

http://kahrtalk.com/kahr-tech/863-confounded-flange-2.html#post38055

Here's the gist of that info:

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Permatex%20Info/PermatexInfoLarger_0480.jpg

Wynn:)

[wyntrout]

Update. So far I've never had to use the "spare" recoil spring assembly, but it's in my range kit. I still use the stock assembly that Kahr sent me as a replacement. I don't throw anything away and have lots of spare parts now... mostly new ones. If something breaks or flies off at the range, I want to go ahead and get the pistol working again while waiting for Kahr to send me replacements.

The only "non-stock" parts I use are the Wolff 5-lb striker spring for lessening the trigger pull a bit... and night sights. And, I carry only quality ammo that is used by major law enforcement agencies... usually Speer Gold Dots... GDSB's of the heaviest weight for the caliber, except for 9mm where I use 124-gr GDSB.

Wynn:)

[RevRay]

That's my thinking also WMD. I never carry reloads in a carry gun. I'm not quite as concerned about gun modifications as I figure I can always play dumb and tell em the gun shop guy said I needed that, whatever that might be.

I'm in 7th Heaven right now 'cause I don't have to play dumb. I didn't understand one thing in Wynn's original post (with absolutely no disrespect meant to Wynn) ... and I pretty much don't understand much else about gun modifications. I guess ignorance truly is bliss!

[LorenzoB]

Awesome Wynn! You are very resourceful!

Like a Kahr MacGyver!

Tinman, please come up with some cool graphic for this!

[Tinman507]

http://www.lexmarknewsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/macgyver.jpeg

[LorenzoB]

Awesome! I knew you could come through! :D

[glenny314]

That is an awesome innovative solution. Great stuff!

[b4uqzme]

Good job Wynn. You might want to try putting a couple of nuts on an old bolt so they won't spin then turn them on a grinding wheel. It should be easy to get it round and then you can finish with a file. It might be easier than rounding them with a file only.

Well done!

[wyntrout]

I just turned that one on the rod in my hand drill using a file and then a little sandpaper. I put a drop of that Permatex penetrating threadlock and I couldn't budge the danged nut, so I left it as is. I had made sure that it fit the hole in the slide, though, and functioned.

I don't throw much stuff away... could come in handy.

Wynn:D

[Southerngunner]

Great fix wyntrout, Being a retired heavy equipment field mechanic I have had to make do with a lot of stuff that shouldn't have worked but did. Many times I was miles away from parts houses out in the boonies and I had to make the repairs with what I had on hand. Good Job
Regards,
Terry