I bought a Kahr, was it a mistake?

Are Kahr handguns high quality or should I go with another manufacturer?

  • Yes, I should keep it.

    Votes: 106 80.3%

  • No, they are junk.

    Votes: 26 19.7%
  • Total voters
    132
  • Poll closed .
Here is a tip. A pretty common problem area with Kahr pistols (it has occurred with both of the CM9's I've owned) are the magazine springs. Many times, for whatever reason, the springs are too long (have too many coils). It is easy to tell this - if it is very difficult to load the last round to make a full magazine, then the spring is probably too long. The overly long spring puts excessive pressure against the rounds in the magazine (especially the first round from a full mag) and often causes that round to NOT strip off the mag smoothly. It may even "nose dive" and jamb against the bottom of the feed ramp.

The solution is obvious. If your magazines do exhibit this problem, simply disassemble them and trim the springs. I would advise experimenting with how much to trim. Start with ONE coil, then test the mag. If that doesn't do it, then cut a second coil, etc. etc. Not all of them exhibit the problem to the same degree - and some Kahr pistols seem not to have this problem at all.

So, of course, if you check your magazines and they do not seem to exhibit this problem, then no need to alter the mag springs.

As I said, both of my CM9's exhibited this issue, but, after trimming the mag springs as needed (ended up removing TWO full coils from the 6-round mag springs and FOUR full coils from the longer 7-round mag springs)....they have functioned perfectly. Full break in with both my Kahrs actually required nearly 500 rounds. They now are 100 %.
 
Bongo Boy, how do you like Magnaporting? That's awesome on a Kahr. I have an extended ported barrel on my (from the factory), but Magnaporting is frikken cool.
 
I bought a Kimber Solo awhile back - it works OK, as long as I use Remington Golden Saber 124 grain +P ammo. Two months ago, I bought a new Kahr CM9 for $339.99 at Scheels. The Kahr works perfectly with every 9mm load I've tried in it, from 115 grain to 147 grain. I'd sell the Kimber in a heartbeat if someone made me a decent offer.
 
Bongo Boy, how do you like Magnaporting? That's awesome on a Kahr.
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To the very, very best of my observational abilities, it does absolutely nothing. I had probably 1,000 rds through the gun prior to porting, so I think I was quite familiar with how it feels. Then another 1,500 rds after porting. No perceptible impact--and certainly none that wasn't far overshadowed by growing into the gun.

This is a case where I did it because someone else said it was like some sort of miracle for them on the same gun--and it's complete fantasy as far I can tell. Looks kinda cool, though. With a nice hot load of Longshot, I'm sure it produces spectacular light displays.

 
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Wow. I'm surprised that you think it does nothing. I'm sure it makes the gun louder at the very least! Heh.

I know that porting (internally/through the slide like magnaporting) on my XD 9mm does a lot. I know this because I have two barrel sets (one unported), and I've had time on other 4" XD's without porting and have been able to compare them side-by-side.

I also have extended porting on my Kahr K9 from the additional extended ported barrel I bought from Kahr. I don't think that the extended porting makes much of a difference, but it probably does make some, which is why I was wondering about yours.

I've also been able to compare my XD's internal porting with external porting (until I blew out the ports on the extended ported barrel and got a threaded one). The internal porting is much better in my opinion.

Heh. I'll trade you? Just kidding. I like my 9mm's. If yours was an Elite and in 9mm, I'd be all about trading.

For what it is worth, I think your gun is really cool.
 
In total I have had 2 cw45s a cw9 and a cm9. I still own the cm9 and the cw45 . I have had zero problems with all but 1 the cw9. After the first 150 round that cleared up also. All of those guns were dry fired with and without snap caps thousands of times and they holding up fine. I say put some more rounds thu it. I love mine I carry them regularly
 
Accidentally voted 'no' because your opening line was 'was it a mistake'

take one away and put it in the 'yes its good' section.
 
Although its a little off topic, I've had the same experience with porting. Other than an increase in noise and flash, I could never tell a difference with any guns I've had porting on.
 
Actually, I love the gun. I'm just concerned about running into future problems. They are supposed to be very durable, high quality pistols, but QC just needs some help. Folks that get a good one seem to love them.
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Ignore other people. Put 500 rounds through it to break it in properly. that will tell you all you need to know.
 
I didn't mention what I traded because it was off topic. I was questioning the quality of the gun and looking for replies from folks that have had experience with Kahr firearms. However, I traded an M&P Shield 9 for the Kahr:eek:.Yes, I do regret it. Let the flaming begin!!!
 
Although its a little off topic, I've had the same experience with porting. Other than an increase in noise and flash, I could never tell a difference with any guns I've had porting on.
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Pure snake oil as far as I'm concerned. Wrinkle cream.
 
Shoot a few hundred rounds through it and decide for yourself. My CW9 has worked very well for me but that doesn't mean that every pistol that comes off the Kahr assembly line is perfect.
 
Like others above, my PM9 has been flawless. My P380 failed to feed a few times during break-in, and likes more lube than average. The triggers and accuracy are excellent. The diminutive size and weight are a huge plus. Attaching CT Laserguards added to the fun; they work very well.
 
I traded into a used PM9 a long time ago. It has been very reliable and easy to hit with. I have shot local IDPA matches with it & done way better than one would expect. They are very good pistols. Get yours broken in & enjoy it.
 
I have two Kahrs and they both have problems.
I have five Kel-tecs and no problems with them.
I have five Berettas and no problems with them.
I have one Smith and no problems.
I have many Colt semi autos, and no problems.
I have one Ruger semi auto and no problems.

Oh wait, I have a lot more guns than that... never mind.
 
I've had three Kahrs. Of the three, the plastic framed Kahrs had some problems with cycling and overhand racks. My steel framed Kahr is 100%.

I've had two Ruger semi-auto products. The 22/45 had problems, VQ fixed them. So does the 10/22, but that is my build's fault, not Rugers (or VQ depending on how you see it).

I've had one S&W product; it had problems (986). I still love it and would now consider it reliable.

I've had one Springfield product; it had problems, but after 1,000's of rounds, and it is in current working condition. I'd consider XD's reliable over-all after my extensive experience with them as a type.

I've had one Browning product; I shot and abused 3 parts of a semi-auto rimfire into failure. Hundreds of failures in terms of cycling. It works very well now after 1,000s of rounds and after I sold it for a.... (I am still in touch with the owner.)

Sig Mosquito. 2-3 failure to feed per 10 round magazine with both spring systems with CCI Minimags.

I've had one Duramatic product; shot to failure after 1,000's of rounds.

I've shot one Beretta product; shooting several pins and a rear sight lose after 100's of rounds (1,000s?).

I've had one Rock River product. 1,000's of rounds with no failures, including regular hunting and a carbine class.

I've had one Arsenal product. 100's of rounds with many failures to feed, fire, and defects. Now in theoretically working condition.

I've had one EAA product, semi-auto 10mm variety. Several trips to factory, 2-4 failures to feed per magazine... possibly ammunition related.

I've shot many pump-action shotguns all with user-only induced errors for 1,000's of rounds.

A Walther PPQ that my ex-wife owned ran very well for 100's of rounds.

I've shot 1,000's of rounds out of bolt guns with a variety of wear or age induced errors.

Technically, my Kahr K9 and my Rock River are the most reliable guns I've had trigger extensive trigger time on. I've seen Glocks, 1911's of many stripes, and Diamond Backs choke in my presence, though I didn't put enough rounds through them to consider specific mention. Guns working completely reliably seems to be the exception rather than the rule to guns in general. I'd say it's more of whether you can manage the unreliability of any particular gun.

NOTE: This is the entirety of experience of guns I've "owned." I am cursed.
 
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My friend has a Kahr 9 mm...it did not function...sent it in twice ....returned two times, it would not function ( not even one round)...factory said shoot five hundred rounds through it...friend replied he could not fire even one shot let alone 500...kahr traded a new pistol for the first one...second pistol works ok.
I believe this to be consistant with the experience of many other Kahr owners who like the pistol once it visits the factory a time or two.
 
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