Problem with my Kahr P45

[TNDiver]

Started to notice my Kahr P45 shooting a little low (about 5" at about 20 feet).  I had someone else shoot it and noticed the same issue.  It used to be dead on and it is way past the break in period (probably around 1,000 rounds or more).  Just for the heck of it I dry fired it and noticed the slide and barrel moved up a hair and then dropped when I pulled the trigger.  That would more than account for the drop in my shots.  I sent an email to Kahr to inquire, but does anyone have an idea as to what might be going on?  I can adjust my shot, but worry about whether it will continue.  Obviously becoming greatly concerned as it is my EDC.  I will say I am looking to purchase a SA XD soon.

[SteelHorseCowboy]

Can you post some pics of it fully disassembled, with close ups of the slide stop pivot, barrel recoil lug, top of the chamber, and inside the ejection port?
Also, an approximate round count?
Any of the above parts/areas I mentioned could cause this, and a weak return spring possibly could.

The vertical play in the slide bothers me a bit. Do you notice any vertical play at the rear of the slide? Kahrs are built to what I call "reliability" tolerances. Some call it loose tolerances, implying that they're sloppy. But the truth is that they're built to work, not for bullseye shooting. There should be just enough play to feel or hear when it's assembled without the return spring, and you MAY barely discern a small "click" sort of motion, but no visible jumping around.

[Wizard]

Cowboy has a great answer but it would worry me about a 5" drop in 20'. A 5" drop at 75-100' would be more likely with the problems Cowboy stated. To me, a large drop in 20' is a serious problem. There should not be that much play between the barrel and the frame. Have you checked your sights? Are they adjustable? Having said all the above, most shooters would be happy with a 5" pattern. Heck, most of the range shooters would be happy to hit all rounds in the target.

[SteelHorseCowboy]

^^ that's me. I go for one ragged hole with my 44, CZ 527 Carbine, and Glenfield Model 60. Everything else, I'm going for combat accuracy. If I can get all my shots from my 9mm's in an 8" pie target at 7 yards, I'm tickled pink. On my good days I'll shoot at the 50 yard gong with my LC9s Pro. 3" barreled semi auto.

I missed the round count posted earlier. 1,000 shouldn't be enough to wear anything out, I have about 3,500 through my LC9s and about 5K through my FNS9. But I wonder if that's the case anyway. Now that I'm fully awake and have had plenty of caffeine and nicotine, it dawns on me why you're seeing the slide lift and then drop. That's the lifter raising the striker block. That should NOT cause such a noticeable lift and drop. It shouldn't cause any at all.
Without having it in front of me, I'd say that call to Khar was in order. I hope they make it right, I've heard great things about their customer service.

[TNDiver]

I feel the same way, but I used to be able to have pretty good accuracy (8 ring or better) when I took my time and shot.  So when it started shooting low, that concerns me, especially if you get into an SHTF moment.  Like I said too, how much worse will it get?  Kahr emailed me back sent a form for me to return it, I just don't like that I have to, plus be without my EDC for too long.  Not sure how to post video, but I have a 6 second video that shows what I am talking about. 

[SteelHorseCowboy]

Easiest way I've found is to just create a youtube account, upload it, and link it.
If you have a gmail account, you may already have a youtube account waiting to be activated. I'm very eager to see what's going on.

No one likes to return a gun that they're supposed to be able to rely on. But try not to let it worry you too awful much, Khar does have a pretty good reputation.