I'm really glad this subject came up. I was actually looking for a pocket 9mm and had decided on a PM9. Now, I'm rethinking that decision. The problem is, there really aren't good alternatives IF you want a small, light 9mm. In that market, Kahr is really it. The ElsieP comes close (moreso with the LCPs having the improved trigger).
Kahr quality
- Thread starter bspillman
- Start date
The PM9/CM9 seems to be by far the least problematic of the poly Kahrs, though I'm gunshy when it comes to this company now, so I won't ever be buying one. While it's the smallest by a bit, there are several other excellent ultra-slim, single stack 9mm pistols out there, with the Walther PPS, S&W Shield, and Beretta Nano being my three favorites (with the Walther considerably ahead of the last two). Haven't shot the Ruger LC9s yet, but people really seem to like it as well.
Ah, yeah, for pocket carry that's quite a difference. I only carry my PPS IWB, so it's not particularly noticeable to me.
I believe the Ruger LC9s is a few ounces lighter than the PPS. The manufacturers always make it such a PITA to tell whether or not they're weighing the guns with an empty mag, though.
Darker Loaf
New member
From Kahr's Q and A:
"Q. My firearm fails to chamber the first round when I pull back the slide and release it. What is wrong?
A. It is likely you are either failing to pull the slide fully back or you are riding the slide as you release it. We recommend that you lock back the slide, insert the magazine, and release the slide with the slide stop. This will require that you carry a load in the chamber for self defense purposes. However, the passive safety system will prevent the pistol from firing unless the trigger is pulled, even if the gun is dropped. If you would prefer not to carry a round in the chamber, you may remove a round from the magazine. This alters the angle of the bullet and will allow it to chamber even if you ride the slide."
http://www.kahr.com/faq.asp#q10
"Q. My firearm fails to chamber the first round when I pull back the slide and release it. What is wrong?
A. It is likely you are either failing to pull the slide fully back or you are riding the slide as you release it. We recommend that you lock back the slide, insert the magazine, and release the slide with the slide stop. This will require that you carry a load in the chamber for self defense purposes. However, the passive safety system will prevent the pistol from firing unless the trigger is pulled, even if the gun is dropped. If you would prefer not to carry a round in the chamber, you may remove a round from the magazine. This alters the angle of the bullet and will allow it to chamber even if you ride the slide."
http://www.kahr.com/faq.asp#q10
First bought a PM9 and have run about 600 rounds through it. I had five failures to feed through the first 300 rounds but all were with the extended mag. Ditched it and it's run 100% since.
Picked up a PM40 early last year. Where the PM9 felt quite stout to rack, the PM40 was pretty soft right outta the box. Lots of failures to return to battery. Swapped out the recoil spring assembly and it immediately felt like the PM9. About 1,000 rounds through it now. The last 600 or so since the recoil spring swap have been flawless.
Trust them both, alternate carrying them. Kahr's will take more effort than most would be willing to give, understandably. For that reason, I rarely recommend them to the novice especially and when I do it's with caution to break it in.
Picked up a PM40 early last year. Where the PM9 felt quite stout to rack, the PM40 was pretty soft right outta the box. Lots of failures to return to battery. Swapped out the recoil spring assembly and it immediately felt like the PM9. About 1,000 rounds through it now. The last 600 or so since the recoil spring swap have been flawless.
Trust them both, alternate carrying them. Kahr's will take more effort than most would be willing to give, understandably. For that reason, I rarely recommend them to the novice especially and when I do it's with caution to break it in.
Last edited:
Due to my interest in how other Kahr pistols are running, or not, I have followed this topic since the beginning.
If anyone has paid attention to my PM9 story in the past, you might recall that my PM9 has been problematic over the last 3 1/2 years. It has been back to Kahr twice during that period with several part replacements, including magazines.
I basically gave up on it and left it in my safe.
According to my log book, the last time it was fired was 5/2014, it ran 100% for 61 rds.
I was headed to the range today and decided to take the PM9 along. I ran 100 rds. of ball and Winchester 147 gr. PDX-1 SD ammo thru it with 0 malfunctions.
Looking better...
If anyone has paid attention to my PM9 story in the past, you might recall that my PM9 has been problematic over the last 3 1/2 years. It has been back to Kahr twice during that period with several part replacements, including magazines.
I basically gave up on it and left it in my safe.
According to my log book, the last time it was fired was 5/2014, it ran 100% for 61 rds.
I was headed to the range today and decided to take the PM9 along. I ran 100 rds. of ball and Winchester 147 gr. PDX-1 SD ammo thru it with 0 malfunctions.
Looking better...
dakota1911
New member
Only have one. A P9 I bought years ago and it has been 100%, but I do not shoot it a lot.
I have owned two Kahr firearms and had different results with each. The first was a CW45 that I had a few issues with that I believe was a bad magazine. The second was a CW40 and it worked flawlessly from the start. I have since sold both and do not intend to buy another one due to a friend's experience. He also bought a CW45 and his constantly malfunctioned. Kahr refused to even look at it until he had put 500 rounds through it due to their break in period. After the 500 rounds they finally let him send in the gun, on his dime of course, and sent it back fixed. He said that they told him the problem was one side of the slide not being cut right to fit the rails correctly. They made him put 500 rounds through a gun that had a failure every two or three rounds when the problem was bad machining. Since he told me what happened I have tried to stay away from guns that the maker recommends a break in period for, especially Kahr.
speedwrench
New member
had a cw 40; junk.
I went ahead and just bought a police trade in glock 22. After reading all these posts I think I would rather take a chance on a taurus made gun. At least they are cheaper if something isn't working right. And it's gauranteed for life and probably less hassle.
That being said I've never owned a Kahr product so my opinion FWIW is all from reading but I do and have owned several taurus that I shoot regularly and have never had a problem with. Just sayin.
That being said I've never owned a Kahr product so my opinion FWIW is all from reading but I do and have owned several taurus that I shoot regularly and have never had a problem with. Just sayin.
I only have a Kahr K9 (police trade in) - no issues with feeding (slingshot or use of slide stop). I got it used so the previous owner went through the break in process for me. Lucky me, I guess.
I do not like that the top bullet in the magazine angles out making it seem like a bullet could fall out if magazine is carried loosely in pocket ... but I carry my 8 round spare mag in a pouch - so, no issues.
Seems like all the issues of feeding that I have read on the internet are only on the polymer models. The 3-4 polymers I have shot were OK but I have not shot any of them enough to feel confident.
===========
Would I buy another Kahr? -- yes to the K-line but no to their polymer lines.
I wish they made a K45.
I do not like that the top bullet in the magazine angles out making it seem like a bullet could fall out if magazine is carried loosely in pocket ... but I carry my 8 round spare mag in a pouch - so, no issues.
Seems like all the issues of feeding that I have read on the internet are only on the polymer models. The 3-4 polymers I have shot were OK but I have not shot any of them enough to feel confident.
===========
Would I buy another Kahr? -- yes to the K-line but no to their polymer lines.
I wish they made a K45.
Darker Loaf
New member
I have to say that I really think it's the poly-Kahr's that have problems. I've never heard of a steel Kahr having problems, which is really too bad. The poly Kahrs have such a nice form factor. At least Glock is stepping up these days with some single-stacks.
Maybe Kahr's new premium poly guns will run better? I'm pretty tempted by those, too.
Maybe Kahr's new premium poly guns will run better? I'm pretty tempted by those, too.
You see a few complaints about problems with steel Kahrs (at least one earlier in this thread), but not nearly as often as with the poly Kahrs.
And I agree that it really is a shame. My P380 would be a great pocket pistol if it only worked. Feels great in the hand, nice trigger, nice sights, easy to shoot well. I personally wouldn't be interested in the rest of their poly lineup, because I prefer everything about my PPS and because there are too many other good ultra-slim single-stacks out there in the service calibers (not so much in .45, I guess) for me to worry about what Kahr ever does there. But, man, a working P380 would be great.
I don't really view Glock as stepping up to the single-stack plate, though. I guess the G36 is nice for .45, but it's not super-slim. The G42 only makes sense to me as a gun for recoil-averse women; it's basically the same size as all the ultra-slim 9mm pistols.
I have had mixed luck with them. Bought a used P9 that runs flawlessly and is as accurate as any semi-auto I own.
Bought a new P45 that was an absolute disaster. The chamber depth or rifling leade depth or both was off...WAY off. Failures every 2-3 rounds, would not go into battery without a stiff smack to the back of the slide (which in retrospect probably affected bullet set-back and was stupid thing to do). To top it off the second mag they included was for a PM45 and couldn't be used. Crap QC, there is no way they test fired it without having the same problems. Sent it back and they made it right, but not what I expected for a $700 plastic gun.
Then picked up a new CW45 for the car, found one for $280 and decided to take a chance. It has been perfect from round one.
So, I have no idea how to feel about them. Got three that run now. I love the simplicity and genius of the design, and the triggers which IMO are great SD triggers. There are lot of other good single stacks out there now where you're probably not gambling with getting a bad one.
Bought a new P45 that was an absolute disaster. The chamber depth or rifling leade depth or both was off...WAY off. Failures every 2-3 rounds, would not go into battery without a stiff smack to the back of the slide (which in retrospect probably affected bullet set-back and was stupid thing to do). To top it off the second mag they included was for a PM45 and couldn't be used. Crap QC, there is no way they test fired it without having the same problems. Sent it back and they made it right, but not what I expected for a $700 plastic gun.
Then picked up a new CW45 for the car, found one for $280 and decided to take a chance. It has been perfect from round one.
So, I have no idea how to feel about them. Got three that run now. I love the simplicity and genius of the design, and the triggers which IMO are great SD triggers. There are lot of other good single stacks out there now where you're probably not gambling with getting a bad one.