Let's hear about the Kahr's we know & shoot.!
- Thread starter RECTIFIER
- Start date
Pardon me Brian, but why on earth weren't you carrying your Kahr in Condition 1?
Tote my CT380 most of the time (shorts & T-shirt weather here) and the CW45 when wearing jackets..... both in Condition 1 - ALWAYS. Love them both. Gifted my old PM9 to one of my sons several years ago.
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chris in va
New member
I found a new 'special edition' K9 back in 2010 fo $425. Carbon black steel slide, SS frame, 1/2" 'NYC' trigger. It's been quite reliable and is useful as an IWB deeper conceal with Clipdraw. I actually shoot it quite well with the smooh DA pull.
That's one thing I don't like about the manual of arms. It'll jam if you try to load by racking the slide, it has to be chambered using the slide release. That first round tends to nosedive in the weird mag angle.
I did have to file down a few sharp edges, mainly on the backstrap and trigger guard. You could shave with it.
That's one thing I don't like about the manual of arms. It'll jam if you try to load by racking the slide, it has to be chambered using the slide release. That first round tends to nosedive in the weird mag angle.
I did have to file down a few sharp edges, mainly on the backstrap and trigger guard. You could shave with it.
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Stringfellow
New member
I think I had a jam of some sort in the first mag I put through my CW9 - but no troubles in the several hundred rounds fired since.
I am amazed at how comfortable it is to shoot, considering how small it is and since it only weighs ~15oz.
My only gripe is the long trigger pull. I prefer something shorter and crisper.
I am amazed at how comfortable it is to shoot, considering how small it is and since it only weighs ~15oz.
My only gripe is the long trigger pull. I prefer something shorter and crisper.
Independent George
New member
I think the breakin period leads to some great deals, as owners try to get rid of their 'lemons'. I bought my PM9 on Gunbroker for $475 with two extra mags and a Crossbreed minituck. It had some hiccups early, which lead me to believe it was barely shot by the previous owner, because it's been reliable in the last 500 or so rounds since then.
Agree completely on both counts - I went with Talon grips to deal with the second point. The first is much more serious, and is the primary reason I'm re-considering a Sig 290RS even though the Kahr is far lighter and with a superior trigger. If Sig ever made a single-stack 250 subcompact, or put their 250 trigger into a 290 frame, I'd be all over it in a heartbeat.
The trigger is a selling point for me - it feels like a very tuned DA revolver trigger (albeit without re-strike capability). A lot of people (including myself) feel better having that long DA pull on a deep carry gun. I'd prefer DA/SA, but I assume the action is too hard to tune on a gun that small. If Sig or CZ ever puts out a DA/SA with decocker at that size, they'll have the market cornered.
Agree completely on both counts - I went with Talon grips to deal with the second point. The first is much more serious, and is the primary reason I'm re-considering a Sig 290RS even though the Kahr is far lighter and with a superior trigger. If Sig ever made a single-stack 250 subcompact, or put their 250 trigger into a 290 frame, I'd be all over it in a heartbeat.
The trigger is a selling point for me - it feels like a very tuned DA revolver trigger (albeit without re-strike capability). A lot of people (including myself) feel better having that long DA pull on a deep carry gun. I'd prefer DA/SA, but I assume the action is too hard to tune on a gun that small. If Sig or CZ ever puts out a DA/SA with decocker at that size, they'll have the market cornered.
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CW40 on my hip in an IWB holster as I type. It disappears with a tucked in shirt and Dockers. And it goes bang every time, after the break in period. Although during the break in period I did try some of my handloads; 170g lead and 155g lead over Unique. Didn't like them at all for break in, but now I can run the same recipe all day long. The gun has been incident free after about round 150 or so. I've got over 2000 rounds thru mine thus far.
My wife's K9 (police trade-in) has been very reliable. It is my CCW.
It came with a NY trigger which was OK but I changed to the Elite trigger. Also, changed the rubber Grips with checkered wood.
No issues with racking the slide or using the slide stop to load the first round.
I has been reliable with my reloads (BBI 124 flat points, Berry's 124 flat points), 115 Hornady Critical Defense, 147 Federal Hydrashok , 147 Winchester Defend.
It came with a NY trigger which was OK but I changed to the Elite trigger. Also, changed the rubber Grips with checkered wood.
No issues with racking the slide or using the slide stop to load the first round.
I has been reliable with my reloads (BBI 124 flat points, Berry's 124 flat points), 115 Hornady Critical Defense, 147 Federal Hydrashok , 147 Winchester Defend.
In this case, the slide release was used.
This gun was as complete lemon. Would not go through two mags before having either a chambering or feeding issue.
I'm sure Kahr has produced better specimens, but this particular situation which could have turned out to be life or death, pretty much soured my taste for any of their products. At least for SD/HD purposes anyway.
My Kahr CW9 has been pretty good so far. No malfunctions, though I still have less than a hundred rounds through it. My wife and stepdaughter don't much like shooting it, and they like working its slide even less. I've found it to be a decent shooter for a small gun, and the double-action style trigger is better than any real double action trigger I've shot.
It's not nearly as nice a shooter as my Springfield XDm, but I'm still reasonably accurate with it. It will probably be my main carry gun. I may try getting some grip tape, because that "aggressive checkering" on the polymer grip is unnecessary and hurts after shooting a few magazines.
It's not nearly as nice a shooter as my Springfield XDm, but I'm still reasonably accurate with it. It will probably be my main carry gun. I may try getting some grip tape, because that "aggressive checkering" on the polymer grip is unnecessary and hurts after shooting a few magazines.
Right now my EDC is a Kahr Cm40 in each front pocket in a DeSantis Superfly holster and an extended mag for either.
I have Kahr's in 380/9MM/40 and 45 and have had a few FTF's or more likely FTE during the break in period but after that they all have been flawless. I think they are great guns for the price especially the "C" series.
I have Kahr's in 380/9MM/40 and 45 and have had a few FTF's or more likely FTE during the break in period but after that they all have been flawless. I think they are great guns for the price especially the "C" series.
My son, who is a county sheriff, had one for back up that ripped the rails out of the polymer frame. It went back to Kahr and they replaced the gun.
I always liked the Kahr steel frame guns and have always thought they would have been the perfect pistol if they were somehow SA/DA.
I always liked the Kahr steel frame guns and have always thought they would have been the perfect pistol if they were somehow SA/DA.
PatientWolf
New member
I have a PM9 police trade-in. I really don't want to like it as the trigger pull is long and the slide is kind of blocky which makes it harder to cc in my mind. In fact I purchased a Shield I planned to replace the PM9 with.
That being said it is my most common cc, it actually fits in concealed sets in my vehicles that my shield doesn't and as far as reliability, my only problem was when I once installed the recoil spring backwards after cleaning and had a hard time figuring out why I couldn't cycle the slide. Never had a FTE or FTF and accuracy is more than acceptable.
That being said it is my most common cc, it actually fits in concealed sets in my vehicles that my shield doesn't and as far as reliability, my only problem was when I once installed the recoil spring backwards after cleaning and had a hard time figuring out why I couldn't cycle the slide. Never had a FTE or FTF and accuracy is more than acceptable.
I bought a barely used MK9. It looks like the original owner only fired a few rounds for function testing.
My only issues during break in were magazine related. It locks back prematurely when used with the extended 7 round magazine. The other magazine worked fine.
My pistol is also not fussy whether I slingshot or use the slide release.
I'm very impressed with it. The trigger is ball bearing smooth. It stacks a little bit before it breaks, which makes for predictable shooting. Without a manual safety, the longer trigger pull might even be a good thing.
The accuracy is downright impressive. A pocket pistol shouldn't be so accurate, but I guess the Lothar Walther barrel and tight fit make all the difference.
If you keep your nose to the ground, you can probably find a good deal on one of the steel framed models. They are unfashionable and (reassuringly) heavy, so they are hard to move on the market.
My only issues during break in were magazine related. It locks back prematurely when used with the extended 7 round magazine. The other magazine worked fine.
My pistol is also not fussy whether I slingshot or use the slide release.
I'm very impressed with it. The trigger is ball bearing smooth. It stacks a little bit before it breaks, which makes for predictable shooting. Without a manual safety, the longer trigger pull might even be a good thing.
The accuracy is downright impressive. A pocket pistol shouldn't be so accurate, but I guess the Lothar Walther barrel and tight fit make all the difference.
If you keep your nose to the ground, you can probably find a good deal on one of the steel framed models. They are unfashionable and (reassuringly) heavy, so they are hard to move on the market.
I have always manually racked the slide of my CM9, and it has never failed to properly chamber a round. It will not jam if you load by racking the slide, provided you fully retract the slide.
My guess if that the Kahr manual advises chambering with the slide release due to the very heavy weight of the recoil spring. I could see some users inducing malfunctions by failing to fully retract the slide when trying to chamber a round.
t4terrific
New member
Let's hear about the Kahr's we know & shoot.!
50 rounds, at 10 yards.
My PM9 goes in my pocket every day, and has never failed, in seven years.
50 rounds, at 10 yards.
My PM9 goes in my pocket every day, and has never failed, in seven years.
silverstang23
New member
I like my PM 9. It's a great hot weather carry gun. Disappears even under gym shorts.
I kind of have lost my allegiance to Kahr. When they started selling the CM series they changed the trigger in the PM to be the same. The new trigger is a much worse trigger then pre CM models. My gun distributor did a study on this and found a perfect correlation with no exceptions between the release of CMs and serial numbers of the PM with the trigger changed. We spoke with Kahr management and they denied the change. Not really a fan of the current triggers. I really think it diminished the usability and place in the market for the gun.
I kind of have lost my allegiance to Kahr. When they started selling the CM series they changed the trigger in the PM to be the same. The new trigger is a much worse trigger then pre CM models. My gun distributor did a study on this and found a perfect correlation with no exceptions between the release of CMs and serial numbers of the PM with the trigger changed. We spoke with Kahr management and they denied the change. Not really a fan of the current triggers. I really think it diminished the usability and place in the market for the gun.
My wife and I both own and carry Kahr CM9s. Both have been 100% reliable so far through ~400 rounds each.
In the past, I have owned two Kahr PM9s, a P45, a CW9, and a PM40. The PM9s were both 100% reliable, as was the CW9 and PM40. The P45 suffered from light strikes with certain types of ammo. The PM40 was downright unpleasant to shoot. I shot 155gr, 165gr, and 180gr bullets out of it and all hurt my hand after five shots or so.
I may sell/trade my CM9 for another PM9 with the black oxide finish one day, but that's low on my priorities list. My CM9 works just fine. I really like Kahr handguns and have for many years. They are well built and make excellent concealed carry guns. I have seen negative reviews posted about Kahr, but I have nothing but good things to say about them. I also carry one to protect myself and my family, which says a lot.
In the past, I have owned two Kahr PM9s, a P45, a CW9, and a PM40. The PM9s were both 100% reliable, as was the CW9 and PM40. The P45 suffered from light strikes with certain types of ammo. The PM40 was downright unpleasant to shoot. I shot 155gr, 165gr, and 180gr bullets out of it and all hurt my hand after five shots or so.
I may sell/trade my CM9 for another PM9 with the black oxide finish one day, but that's low on my priorities list. My CM9 works just fine. I really like Kahr handguns and have for many years. They are well built and make excellent concealed carry guns. I have seen negative reviews posted about Kahr, but I have nothing but good things to say about them. I also carry one to protect myself and my family, which says a lot.
Many years ago, while in my quest to find the perfect carry gun, I bought the PM9. To this day, it was the best carry gun I ever had, but (here comes the but), I could never get it to run reliable. Even sent it back to Kahr, bought different mags. Eventually sold it.
Over the years, I heard the steel Kahrs were more reliable than the polymers. I just bought an MK40. Much heavier (24oz loaded), but still thin and small.
I'll get back to you all when I have a chance to take it to the range.
Over the years, I heard the steel Kahrs were more reliable than the polymers. I just bought an MK40. Much heavier (24oz loaded), but still thin and small.
I'll get back to you all when I have a chance to take it to the range.