New PM9

[cybersandman]

I read many posts here about the Kahr PM9 and decided to give it a try. I have a Kel-Tec P3AT and wanted something close to the same size, but in a more powerful caliber. The PM9 seems to be the best choice in my price range.

I am impressed with the quality and finish of the pistol. After reading some posts I wasn't so sure the finish would be satisfactory, but it is very good. I cleaned and lubed my PM9. I likely won't be able to do any shooting until next week. I did dry fire the pistol and find the trigger pull is very smooth and not too heavy.

Thanks for all the help that many of the members of this form provided.

[Dandapani]

What is your serial number prefix, two letters and one number, like "VC2"?

[Tough Guy Levi]

In your Kahr owners manual, it is recommended your weapon digest at least 200 rounds for break-in purposes. My Kahr (VA 59XX- purchased new June 05)) has been reliable from get go, others not so lucky. Lube as illustrated in this forum, don't limp-wrist your weapon and have fun breaking in your new weapon.

My weapon's round total is above 6,550 since I put another 50 rounds down the "tube" Saturday. I replaced weapon/magazine springs in the 4500 round range. Now if only my right golfers (don't play golf) elbow wasn't hurting I could shoot more often!! I did shoot more left-handed on Saturday than in numerous prior practice sessions!

Tough Guy Levi
NRA Pistol/Personal Defense Instructor
NRA Life (1967)
SASS# 61430

[BusterDog]

Hi Tough Guy! Remember when we met at the indoor range?

My DLC PM9 is still a best performer. About 2K rounds with 1 FTF and 2 FT lock slide. Better than my other pistols (G26, G27, G19, G23, SW1911, Walther P22...)

Also, I can carry this little thing in any attire, including swim trunks and tank top.

Larry

[cybersandman]

dmobrien2001:

My serial number begins with VC4.

[cybersandman]

Thanks for the reminders on the lube and break in. I hope to begin breaking this pistol in this weekend. I hope it performs as well as the pistols that Tough Guy Levi and BusterDog have.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I wish you luck!

My PM9 also performed 100 percent right out of the box, during and after break in. It's such a sweet gun I hate to see where others have had problems.

[Dandapani]

Originally posted by cybersandman
dmobrien2001:

My serial number begins with VC4.

Thanks. Dottie told one member "VC2" and up have the new "design" eliminating the barrel peening. Keep us posted on your round count and reliabilty issues. Good luck!

[Catbird]

I have a PM9 w/ an older "VA" s/n prefix that has been completely troublefree ever since I've had it.

[VictorLouis]

I just bought one and took it out yesterday. So far, this seems to be the FIRST Kahr product where it may actually require the break-in round-count, LOL. Numerous failures to go into battery in the first box of ball. Then, I oiled the snot out of it and that seemed to help some more. All it required was a nudge forward from my thumb each time, but it was nonetheless disconcerting.

Anyone else go through this with there's? BTW, it has a SUPER high polish to the outside of the chamber, so much so that it almost makes me think it's been nickeled. It's a VA*** series.

[Dobbler]

My PM9 is VB9xxx and hasn't experienced any problems since the first 50 rounds of the break-in. I'd say I have 450 rounds through it so far, mostly WWB 115g.

[Catbird]

~

[Dobbler]

IMO, the problems at Kahr have been a bit overblown.

Are there peening problems? Absolutely.

Has Kahr's service response time been lacking? I've experienced it too.

This company scored big with the PM series and hasn't scaled its production or service department to keep up with demand. I've heard they ship 8,000+ polymer guns a month!

When the NYC issues cropped up, it appears they had inadequate resources to deal with that, and us the general public, at the same time.

Hopefully the path ahead of us sees the QC and service improve and that Kahr scales both of these to meet demand a bit better.

[Los Suenos]

Originally posted by Catbird
I have a PM9 w/ an older "VA" s/n prefix that has been completely troublefree ever since I've had it.

+1 :thumbsup:

[piste]

Originally posted by Dobbler

Hopefully the path ahead of us sees the QC and service improve and that Kahr scales both of these to meet demand a bit better.

Amen to all that Dobbler. I was ready to plunk my greenbacks down a few months ago on a PM9 til I found this forum. IMO I know of no other auto that can compete on the basis of weight, size, form factor, capacity, caliber, and overall ergos. But none of that matters above reliability for me. I hope this all ends up being a blip on the radar and they can correct matters.

[Dobbler]

I would not hesitate to by any Kahr at the moment. My PM9 and MK9 have been flawless. My customer service challenge was all about waiting MONTHS to get an MK9 Elite, and another time a few weeks for an accessories order. I've never had to send anything back to Kahr.

[cybersandman]

I've got 200 rounds of Winchester white box ready for tomorrow. If it doesn't rain I'll give the PM9 it's break in at the range. I'll post how things go -- if the weather allows for some shooting.

It's great to hear from some who have had a positive experience with this pistol.

[cybersandman]

It was raining this morning, but I decided I just had to shoot my PM9, so I went to the indoor range. I shot 200 rounds of Winchester white box and 25 rounds of Remington UMC all without a problem. I wanted to get the break-in period all done in one setting.

The biggest problem I had was loading the magazines -- the springs are very tight.

This pistol has good accuracy for such a little gun.

I am very pleased. Time to look for a holster now :)

[VictorLouis]

Just make sure it feeds your favorite brand of JHP's before you put your FULL trust in it. :)

[cybersandman]

VictorLouis,

That's sound advice. Thanks!

[DrDanO]

I have had a Kahr PM9 DLC, beautiful finish and fit,that I bought new about 7 or 8 months ago, many rounds many types no problems. - had tridium night sights installed, outstanding!!! Great carry pistol for almost all occasions. Last month ran across a Factory refurbished PM9 at my local gun shop, with tridium night sights already installed, roll out price $499... gulp... my original PM9 was about $900 when the night sights price is included... so I had to buy my second one. No regrets! This won is black and silver and just as problem free as my original. I don't really have a need for two of these pistols, but how can you resist almost half price? I'll probably end up giving one of them to my daughter. She currently has a Beretta Tomcat and really likes it (wanted a gun with a safety that would fit easily in a small purse) It's gonna be hard to decide which one I would give up. My primary home defense pistol is a Glock 19 which I had a gunsmith install a safety on, it works great (but only after I took it back for adjustment... the first try made the G19 into a single shot, not what I had really expected, but all is well now and I really like having a safety. I use a carved rubber stop on a small chain behind the trigger on my PM9s for a make shift safety, works fine.

[cybersandman]

Well I went to the range yesterday with a few frieds. Four people of various experience shot the PM 9 with WWB about 80 rounds and a few rounds of Speer Gold Dot 147 grain. Shot accurately and with no problems. I am really impressed with this little pistol.

[ScoPro]

Originally posted by Catbird
I have a PM9 w/ an older "VA" s/n prefix that has been completely troublefree ever since I've had it.

+2 :thumbsup:

[pstmstr]

I got a new one yesterday, cleaned it lubed it, polished the feed ramp a little. Shot 100 rds of Blazer FMJ and 21 rds of 124 gr Gold Dot +P with zero malfunctions. I'll keep shooting it but it looks like a keeper so far.

[Tough Guy Levi]

Howdy:

As of noon today (11-21-06) my Kahr has now "digested" over 7,000+ rounds and is still 100% reliable!


Tough Guy Levi
NRA Pistol/Personal Defense Instructor
NRA Life (1967)
SASS# 61430

[cybersandman]

Tough Guy Levi,

I'm glad to hear your report. I hope to have as much success with this pistol as you are having with yours... 7000+ rounds.

[Tough Guy Levi]

Howdy Cybersandman:

From the get go I've lubed (www.microlon.com) my Kahr as per the diagram depicted in this forum. Sometimes I can "induce" a ftf (failure to feed) by limp-wristing my weapon but it takes some work on my part.

There's a Costa Mesa (CA-South of LA - 40 miles)gun show this Saturday/Sunday and I'm going to look for a MK9 Elite 2003. Will still CCW my PM9 but want the steel version too for CCW/Instructor practice.

Tough Guy Levi

[waterddd]

You guys are lucky. My PM9 is on its way back to the factory. I purchased new about 3 months ago. And has had the same problem since day one after about 30 rounds it fails to feed. Hollow points are even worse it basically just jambs. The gun dealer polished the feed ramp and it did not work any better. I really like the size of the pistol and the way it shoots.

[cybersandman]

waterddd

I sure hope your pistol comes back 100% functional. As you said the PM9 is great shooter in a small package. Best wishes. I look forward to hearing how things work out.