[firestar]

The palstic Kahrs have been out long enough that any problems should be comming to the surface by now. How many people own Kahr P-series pistols and have you experienced any problems with them?

I know all gun companies will let a few bad guns slip through the cracks but what I want to know is, are there any problems that need to be fixed or are they safe to buy?

I am esp. interested in anyone that has over 1000 rounds through their Kahr P series. I know the all steel Kahrs are great so no need to sound off on them. Thanks.

[dsk]

My early-production P9 has the issue where the trigger pin likes to walk out slightly, but I don't care as I simply just push it back in after a range session. New guns and repaired ones have a small cross-pin retaining the trigger pin, but sometimes you can see where the plastic got stressed as the pin was driven in. Look at that area carefully, as I've seen one that actually split slightly.

Aside from that, no other issues yet in close to 1,000 rounds.

[Bren]

Go to TFL and do a search. You will find alot of warped front frame rails and chattereing. This is what happened to my P9 Covert.

The never improved the plastic or beefed the frame up like they said they would (after a long period of denial).

Thats why I didn't by a PM-9,,, although I wanted it bad. :cuss: :banghead: :cuss:

[mini14jac]

I just passed the 500 round mark with my PM9.
No warped anything.

I have the cross pin in my trigger pin, but no damage to the polymer.
I would have to look for the paperwork, but I think I've had mine about 7 months.
I love my gun.

I'm like you though.
I am looking forward to hearing about the first 10,000 or 20,000 rounds to go through one of these plastic fantastic pistols.

[El Tejon]

2 of my P9s are well over 1K mark. No problems to report. I shoot Black Hills +P in them.

[10-Ring]

When they 1st came out, there were reports of reliability problems, haven't seen or heard of any since. As far as torture tests re: the poly Kahrs, I haven't seen or heard.

[Matt Sutton]

I have had no problems with my SN 2XXX PM9. I do think they could do a slightly beter job with the cosmetic appearance of their plastic frames. They should be perfect for the money you pay. The metal fit and finish is flawless on mine.

[firestar]

I have heard a smattering of bad reports on them but not really all that many. They don't seem to be like a Kel-Tec or something. I guess any gun is a risk but I don't want to buy something that isn't 100% yet. I really want a PM9 but I have this uneasy feeling about them.

[HankB]

I had a Kahr P9. Make that a POS-9. I've posted several times the long list of problems that pistol gave me. Kahr tried - repeatedly, and unsuccessfully - to fix it, and failed. They replaced it, and I promptly traded the replacement for a Glock 26. Once a particular gun "bites" me, I won't have another of the same type.

Lots of other folks have reported a variety of problems with polymer Kahrs too . . . many at The Firing Line, and more than a few on Glock Talk.

I guess some work OK, and you may get lucky and get a "good" one. But if your luck is like mine . . .

[dsk]

Hank, maybe you can list the issues you had with yours. There seem to be a lot more folks praising them than cussing them out, so maybe your gun was the exception to the rule instead of mine.

[HankB]

Hank, maybe you can list the issues you had with yours.

1. Slide often failed to lock back after the last round.
2. Slide sometimes locked back prematurely.
3. Trigger didn't work reliably. (Probably wasn't engaging striker.)
4. Slide sometimes wouldn't go into battery.
5. Trigger pin walkout.

About the only problem I didn't have which I've seen reported elsewhere was a warped and/or broken frame.

I've got a number of other pistols which work fine, so I don't think it was a problem with cleaning & such - the gun was just a lemon.

Maybe new production P9's work better - complaints in these forums have dropped off - but I really don't like being a field tester or beta tester for the manufacturer, and being of the "once burned, twice shy" mindset, I don't see another polymer Kahr in my future.

(BTW, my G26 works just fine - not as neat a package as the Kahr, but it actually WORKS reliably.)

[harrydog]

My K9 has yet to show any signs of warpage! Or trigger pin walk. Or anything else. :neener:

[dsk]

I just ran 100 rounds through my P9 again today. Aside from a single dud round, no issues at all. It's the only DA auto that I can shoot just as well as a 1911.

[gbelleh]

I've got about 800 rounds through my PM9 and I couldn't be happier with it. No signs of anything warping, no pins walking out. The only problem I ever had with it was during the first 200 rounds, the pistol didn't quite go fully into battery with 2 rounds (of very old, questionable ammo). Other than that it's been perfect, and way more accurate than that little gun should be!

I wouldn't hesitate to carry it.

[FunYet]

1400+ through my PM9. Still no visible problems.

[popeye]

Friday I went looking for a Kahr. Used P9 (very lightly used) was $449. Upon inspection I noticed the trigger pin protruding abit. Pushed it in with my thumb. I wound up bying a K40 stainless w / nitesites.

[DW]

I own (2) PM9's, no real problems with either one. One has been shot over a 1000 rounds. I just ordered a P9 this weekend and will be picking it up this week.

DW

[mini14jac]

I posted above that I had just passed the 500 round mark with my PM9.
Well, I checked my notes the other night, and I've got over 700 rounds through it!

As far as frames being warped, from what I have read, this was a cosmetic problem, not a function problem.
It was also visible from the start, not something that showed up later.

I haven't read of any frames breaking.

I can empathize with HankB though.
Once I have a gun that is defective out of the box, I usually get them fixed and sell them. I guess I lose faith. :confused:
The only exceptions I can think of, are our KelTec P32s.
Since getting them fixed, they have been stone cold reliable.

Some people won't admit this, but all gun makers let a bad one out the door every now and then.
Glock, Sig, Ruger, S&W, you name it.

As far as I know, every maker of "quality" guns has a service department. :rolleyes:

[Tim Currie]

Not any problems. Shoot, I dont keep track of the rounds..... but less than a thousand and more than.....probably 700. Beautiful little gun.

[mhowardconsult]

I have a PM9 DEFECTIVE out of the box. I was suppossed to be sent a new recoil spring a week ago it has not arrived. Kahr does not respond to emails or faxes. When I call I am on hold or go to voice mail.

I have about a 30% feed failure with all types of factory ammo.

Tech support has told me the springs have a life of 1500 rounds.

I have never had an auto out of the box that was so bad.

The customer service is non-existant. While the size & weight of the firearm is excellent it lacks value except as a paper weight at this time.

Paper weight for sale.

[romma]

+ 1 with my Kahr PM9 I actually decided to carry it today. I usually bring the Keltec, but I am going into a worse area after work. So am upgrading the caliber.

[buzz_knox]

According to Duane Thomas in a recent Guns and Ammo, Kahr has said the PM9 has a life expectancy of 6,000 rounds. This is unverified, but I've thought of asking Kahr directly.

[distra]

P45 had trigger reset issue after the break in period. Kahr fixed it with 2wks and sent a new mag along for my troubles. :D The only other issue has been the sights. I wanted to put Novak rear sights on and finally had to send the slide to Novak due to Kahr changing the dovetail several times in the last few years :banghead: The P45 functions fine now, very reliable and reasonably accurate for such a small pistol. I still prefer my bobtailed commander, but the P45 can be concealed a little easier.

[buzz_knox]

The P45 functions fine now, very reliable and reasonably accurate for such a small pistol. I still prefer my bobtailed commander, but the P45 can be concealed a little easier.

Have you seen Kahr's "large" .45? I just went to the website, and the TP45 will soon be available. Even comes with Novaks.

[distra]

buzz, saw that a little while ago. Commander sized P45, 4.04" length barrel. I like the black stainless slide on the new P45, less flashy. Maybe we can use the 7rd mags in the P45:D

[buzz_knox]

buzz, saw that a little while ago. Commander sized P45, 4.04" length barrel. I like the black stainless slide on the new P45, less flashy. Maybe we can use the 7rd mags in the P45

I presume that 7rd mags with grip extensions will be available for use with the P45. So, we have the possibility of the best of both worlds: a factory direct or "home brew" P45 Covert. This will allow a 4 inch barrel for better ballistics and sight radius, a full length forward grip offered by the grip extension, and a reduced butt signature of the P45 (much like a bobtail does for a 1911) for improved concealability.

[jayp]

I have a PM 40. New out of the box, failure to return to battery in about 50% of the magzines fired, even after the 200 round break in. Returned to Kahr, they noted they replaced the slide and barrel. (It didn't take Kahr long at all- the gun was back in about 14 days.) Took it back to the range- better but not 100%, a few incidences of the slide locking back with rounds remaining in the gun and a couple of failures to return to battery. All easily fixable by racking the slide back. I'm gonna take it back to the range before making a final judgement.

I think it can be said that, if you get a polymer framed Kahr, there is a chance you will have to work with it it get it 100%. Some folks are willing to do that because there is really no other major caliber pistol that is so size and weight efficient.

I also have a S&W 642 J frame .38. No doubt that it will go bang X5 every time.

[Hawaiian]

I have about 600 rounds through my PM9 and it works just like it should. No problems. It is my favorite pocket carry in a FIST Kydex pocket holster.

[foxmoor]

I have a P9 Covert that I just love - accurrate, very shootable, and highly reliable. Great gun - the ideal Kahr (IMO).

Kent

[jlh26oo]

I guess no one can attest to durability yet, with the low round counts that are being reported so far.

[mhowardconsult]

Kahr has a recall on a certain serial number range for barrels. They know of the defect and did not ask for the serial number of my gun :confused: when I called in the first time and explained the feed failure.

The more I find out about this company the worst it gets. Now customer service is blaming bad service on a guy that left a few weeks ago which was before my first call. :banghead:

I just want the company to stand behind the product but I get a run around and I am supposed to recieve the spring this coming week.

Sending this piece of :cuss: back and paying out of my pocket for the honor of having it fixed (maybe) is ridiculous. :fire:

Maybe I should send it to Glock as an example of Kahr quality control since Kahr likes to bang on Glock as a Block. Not that I am a Glock fan since they have their own problems.

I wonder how many Kahr owners actually read the break in and followed it? Since NYPD has approved this I wonder how many cops are walking around with a defective firearm and do not know it.

I continue to carry my mod 36 which has always and will always go bang.

[The Lone Haranguer]

I have a PM9. It required a trip back to the factory -- who replaced the barrel and recoil spring -- to correct a major functioning problem. I only have about 600 rounds through it (250 of those since the repair), but it shows no sign of battering or other excessive wear. It did have a few metal and plastic shavings -- evident when I stripped it down for cleaning -- early on, but none since.

Originally posted by buzz knox:
According to Duane Thomas in a recent Guns and Ammo, Kahr has said the PM9 has a life expectancy of 6,000 rounds. This is unverified, but I've thought of asking Kahr directly.

:scrutiny: Thomas has written some good articles for Handguns in the past, but IMO also has a tendency to repeat rumors and scuttlebutt. What is a "life expectancy"? Is that when the gun self-destructs like the recording tape in the old Mission: Impossible TV show? ;) When it needs major components like slide, frame or barrel replaced? Or when small parts (e.g., springs) start breaking? I don't think, though, that we can or should expect any of these guns to have the "life expectancy" of a military/police service pistol. Any time you put a powerful cartridge in such a small and light gun (especially the .40 which combines .357 Magnum chamber pressure and .45 ACP recoil), it stands to reason you are going to get more battering on things.

[jlh26oo]

Any time you put a powerful cartridge in such a small and light gun (especially the .40 which combines .357 Magnum chamber pressure and .45 ACP recoil), it stands to reason you are going to get more battering on thingsAgreed.

[buzz_knox]

Thomas has written some good articles for Handguns in the past, but IMO also has a tendency to repeat rumors and scuttlebutt. What is a "life expectancy"?

If memory serves, some companies have openly admitted that their weapons are not expected to last beyond X rounds. Beretta reportedly made this statement about the Tomcat.

For what it's worth, Kahr responded to my e-mail on this issue. Authors are told that all the models are tested for 5-6000 rounds but this is not in any way the life expectancy. The article had a missprint and a correction is forthcoming.

[flashman70]

Got a P9 in Sept. and so far have only put 400 rounds through it. Not a hiccup using WWB. I agree w/ earlier post that for the bucks the finish on the frame/rails could be better. Otherwise it is accurate and reliable. Even though my hands are small I liked the longer grip on the P9 to that of the PM9.

[mhowardconsult]

Got the new spring finally after over a month of of phone calls emails and waiting. Functions better but not 100% :mad: so since it has one intended purpose in life (ie concealed carry) it still is of no use.

So now I get to go thru phone hell with customer service to get this pile returned for repair.

[boldkharma]

I had a Kahr P40 fram crack on me first day on the range. I won't own another plastic Kahr. My K9 was rock solid but it is gone now.

[orionengnr]

If your demeanor on the phone with Kahr is anything like the way you come across here, I'm surprised they talk to you at all.

I had a minor problem with my PM9. Talked to Dottie Herold on the phone. I was polite, I had pictures ready to email, and did not make demands or throw a tantrum. She offered to have a look. Slide/barrel/recoil spring (upper half) sent in by USPS (without the frame, it is not a "firearm" and does not require FFL. Cost me about $8 to send it in.

During the time it was gone, she called me twice to give me updates and choices. Entire new upper half was back in my hands a week later.

I immediately took it to the range and ran 150 rounds through it. Perfect.
Then I emailed her back, gave her an update and thanked her for her efforts.

Try a fresh approach--your current one isn't working.

BTW, I also own a Kahr P45--works just great, weighs about 75% of what a 3" alloy 1911 does, and half of a full size steel one.

[mhowardconsult]

I got that kind of run around by being polite. The customer service is very poor. So no I don't bash on them on the phone but do it here so others may be aware of problems with the PM9 and /or Kahr products. Fortunately I always test fire a weapon a few hundred rounds prior to trusting it for anything. In this case it took 2 new recoil springs to get it right and about 700 rounds. It finally is useful for it's intended purpose. :) So yes they FINALLY took care of it. That being said I would not do business with Kahr again.

[ABBOBERG]

My PM9 is OK as a range gun, but when carried, hollow points can get jostled around a bit in the mag. Because of this, in two false emergencies, I had to tried to chamber a round but the slide wouldn't close. It appeared to be rim-lock. This occurred with two different mags (the short one and the extended one). I think that if you want to use the PM9 for concealed carry, every day before you go out, rap the magazine hard so that the case flanges are all aligned. The other option is to keep a round in the chamber and hope that the next one will feed in an emergency. If you are using ball ammo, it probably doesn't matter.

[innerpiece]

CW9 is great here. Win 147gr SXT function flawless out of it.. as has every thing else Ive fired thru it.

ip

[ipscshooter]

P9 Covert. 300 round break in. 400 since. No issues.

TP45 NOVAK on order.

[moondog049]

P45-3000+rds, mostly 185grs, going strong

[iostorm]

PM9 216 flawless rounds.....

[TC-TX]

P9, P40 - BOTH Flawless...

[Keoni]

Won't fire due to light firing pin strike. Barrel hood peen-ed, .033 gap, trigger not resetting and slide closes at mag. insertion. Kahr cust. non-service won't return e-mails. Buying Taurus PT745 this week, half the cost of the Kahr, I doubt it can be worse.

[goon]

I had the problem with the trigger pin walking out in my early P9 but a trip to Kahr took care of that. And eventhough I bought it used the repair was free. While it was there they also changed the slide stop because I was having problems with the slide locking back with ammo still in the mag.
But...
I had already fixed that on my own before I sent it back. And I had smoothed out the exterior to keep it from abrading my thumb. So when I got it back, I had to smooth it out again on the new one. :cuss:

I'm past 1000 rounds since with no malfunctions of any kind.

[Ghostrider_23]

I had a Kahr PM9 series and did not like the way it functioned. I sold it and bought my best carry gun after 22 different pistol, which is the XD sub9. Later I found myself wanting another Kahr, this time I elected to purchase a K series, which is a steel frame. I have to say WOW:what: I love this pistol. With the right holster you don't notice the weight and it's trigger and function are far more supior of that in the P series. Hope this helps.;)

[Ford]

2 PM9's. I beleive I have slightly less than 1k through one and prob a little more than 500 through the other. No problems so far.