Kahr 9mms

Since people keep asking, I have to keep answering. I have owned 4 Kahrs ( K 9 Elite, PM 9, CM 9, P 380) and none were reliable enough for carry. My P380 was especially bad, even after a trip back to Kahr. The Nines were better, but still too finicky to trust. A design so sensitive to ammo, or to the way it’s held, is a poor choice for carry, especially with the Shield, Glock 43, and Walther PPS M 2 as alternatives. Yes I know some owners are happy, but there are others like me also— I chimed in because they haven’t yet.They may be bored with having to recount their Kahr problems. Kahr is off my “approved” list for sure.
 
Had one, sold it. Too many jams for my taste.

In my experience, you're better off with a Shield if you're looking for a single stack 9.
 
In my experience, you're better off with a Shield if you're looking for a single stack 9.
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Despite being happy with my CW9, I have had it for nearly 10 years. I bought it before the shield came into being. If I didn't have a CCW single stack 9 and was in the market for one today, I would look hard at the S&W Shield. Or the LC9.
 
I have a PM9 that I bought new in ‘09.

It has been flawless.

I carried it every day in a front pocket holster until I decided a Glock 19 IWB was doable under a tee shirt here in West Central Florida.

The PM9 sits now, but if pocket carry ever becomes necessary again, there is nothing better (and I’ve tried all the good ones).
 
I've been carrying a K9 since the mid-1990's.
I can't even seem to induce a stoppage, no matter what crappy ammo I used.
I've NEVER had any kind of stoppage.

Kahr seems to have most of it's few problems with polymer models, especially the micro models. Most standard size steel guns are trouble free right out of the box.
A second problem is that too many people ignore the clear instructions about a 200 round break in, and refuse to use the recommended method of loading the gun by using the slide stop.
When the gun chokes they blame the gun.

When Moon invented the Kahr pistol, the average American cop was carrying a S&W DA revolver.
Moon wanted to offer them a micro-9mm pistol that could shoot hot ammo, would have a trigger that felt like a S&W DA revolvers, and would be as safe to carry as a DA revolver.

Unlike Glock, S&W M&P and other type autos, the Kahr has a long revolver-like trigger pull that's as safe as a revolver trigger.
People either like or hate the Kahr trigger, but if you've learned how to shoot a revolver you'll probably love it. Transitioning to the Kahr from a revolver is easy and fast.
I tell people to shoot the Kahr like it's a magazine fed revolver.

Probably because most buyers these days are set on having an ultra light polymer gun, the steel models are seldom found in gun shops.
Many people want to drop a micro-mini gun in a pocket, and the steel Kahr's are too heavy for that, so they're holster guns.
 
I bought a Kimber Solo a couple years back, and it's never made it through one full mag without a jam of some sort, including Kimber's recommended ammo. A couple weeks later, I bought a Kahr CM9 on sale for a little over half the price of the Kimber. ($339.99/$629.97) They are effectively the exact same size, and I can't find ammo the Kahr will choke on, even the lacquered steel case Russian crap. Everything I've tried, from 115 - 147 grain, has functioned perfectly.

Like Dfariswheel said above,
"I can't even seem to induce a stoppage, no matter what crappy ammo I used.
I've NEVER had any kind of stoppage."
 
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I have the CM9 and CW9. Both have been perfect from day one. The CW has 500 rounds through it, the CM, 200.

My EDC is a Kahr CM45. I also have the CW45. I had a few stumbles with the CM45 when it was new, during the first 50 rounds. I now have 1,300 rounds through it, and its completely trustworthy. The CW45 has been perfect with 400 rounds.
 
basically its a single stack glock with either a ploy or metal frame and a better grip angle.
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Interesting. I initially became interested in them because they point the same as Glocks for me. I haven't measured the grip angle.

I have a P9 and a CW9--7+1, 9mm, poly frame pistols that take the same mags and fit the same holster. I've not had any issues with either of them so far. Bought them both used.
 
basically its a single stack Glock with either a ploy or metal frame and a better grip angle.
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I agree with the other poster that very little is the same beyond they are striker fired and most, if not all, models do not have safeties.

The more time spend around people the more I tend to lean into the 'a heavy trigger pull or safety on an organization issued firearm is a good idea' camp.

One guy at my part time job insists cutting round stock on a band saw without a jig/fixture or even a clamp is safe. As long as you are "careful and hold it really tight".
 
Have read of complaints about the plastic followers breaking for some owners, but none so far on my old PM9, the CW45, nor my CT380.
Bought this new CW9 several months ago, but haven't shot it yet. It looks like a good carry gun, if it performs as well as its brothers.

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The Good and Bad

My Kahr K9 with night sights would not get through a magazine without locking back when I first got it. It also broke a follower in the first couple of magazines. In frustration I put a lot of rounds through it and it continued to give me reliability problems. I modified the slide stop to keep it from locking back and when it still wasn't right called Kahr. They made me pay for a new slide stop because I had tried to fix it myself. When I got the new slide stop it was still not reliable. So what did it take to get mine up and running.

First Kahr uses a crappy guide rod made of soft rolled steel. Throw it in the trash and get a solid stainless replacement. They get chewed up and rough in a few hundred rounds. You may need to take the burs off the hole for the guide rod also. Use the old rod and some polish for this before you discard it. I replaced my followers with lakeline ones that are aluminum. I polished my chamber by drilling a 9mm case at the primer pocket and placing a small bolt placed through the case with a nut to lock it to the case from the rear. Use a little red polishing compound from a dremel kit and a hand drill to spin it in the chamber until it won't stick when you spin it. This will remove the rough spots and allow the gun to function if it has problems cycling the slide or extracting.

Now my gun is 100% reliable with everything but it was a very hard gun to love. My CZ SP01 was flawless from the first shot. The Kahr is a more compact gun for carry however and that's why I got it.

My fried picked up an identical K9 recently and he did not have the out of the box cycling issues mine did but his showed signs of the same problems with the guide rod. Kahr has quality control issues and uses poor quality plastics in the magazines and crappy guide rods. Some may need polishing of the chamber and others may not. I like the Kahr, but quality control may be an issue so inspect your gun carefully before you buy it. rc
 
I have the CW9 and PM45, like both, no issues with either one. Kahr replaced the frame on the PM45, someone before me broke off part of the Polymer on the frame while disassembly, Kahr paid shipping overnight and replaced the frame, it took less than two weeks. View attachment 106459
 
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I own 3, a P9 and two K9s (one stainless). All we bought used from different vendors. All 3 have been totally reliable, no issues at all for any of the 3. I really like them. I'll probably be buying a smaller one in the future.
 
My CM9 has also functioned flawlessly, even with some of my not-so-good reloads. I wish I shot it a little better than I do; currently my J frame occupies my front pocket, but I'll practice some more with it. The trigger pull is looong, but it is also very smooooth.
 
5whiskey said:
Despite being happy with my CW9, I have had it for nearly 10 years. I bought it before the shield came into being. If I didn't have a CCW single stack 9 and was in the market for one today, I would look hard at the S&W Shield. Or the LC9.
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My brand new LC9S broke the first trip to the range.
 
If you like the long, smooth trigger (some don't); they're hard to beat. Very accurate and very compact. I had a K9, but now have 4 (P380, PM9, PM45 and CT380). Last one was for the wife, to keep her from stealing my P380. Comment about the stiff slide is accurate, and she can't rack the CT (or PM9).

They can be problematic when new, but clear up after 100 rounds or so. Cheap/weak ammo will cause problems - mainly stovepipes.
 
Go_Ordnance said:
If you like the long, smooth trigger (some don't); they're hard to beat. Very accurate and very compact. I had a K9, but now have 4 (P380, PM9, PM45 and CT380). Last one was for the wife, to keep her from stealing my P380. Comment about the stiff slide is accurate, and she can't rack the CT (or PM9).

They can be problematic when new, but clear up after 100 rounds or so. Cheap/weak ammo will cause problems - mainly stovepipes.
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Yeah, I can barely rack the slide on my CT380 properly. The CW380 must be a bear to rack.
The CW9 is easy to handle though.
 
One important thing mentioned in the owner's manual. You don't rack the slide, and slingshot a round into the chamber. Lock the slide back, insert loaded magazine, release the slide with the slide release. Let it slam forward chambering the first round.
 
I had a CM9 and a K9

Likes

CM9 was slim and light
CM9 MAY fit in a pocket for people that still pocket carry
(I stopped about 5 years ago)
CM9 was reliable

Dislikes

CM9 trigger is smooth but too LONG for my taste
I was never able to master an accurate double tap
The reset is a MILE away

CM9 exposed slide release spring needs a redesign
CM9 Mags need a redesign (VERY cheaply made)

I was never really accurate with the Kahr as I am with other guns.

I would go to the range and shoot multiple manufactures guns, and I would expect the break to be in a certain place and the reset to be in a certain place.

I think if shoot shoot revolvers well, this may be a great gun for you.

All in all, its a good gun. But........ the Kahrs are now gone
and I went to M&Ps and never looked back
 
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