Bought new Kahr PM45, I like it.

[CDW4ME]

I'm the new owner of a Kahr PM45, here is my 1st impressions / experiences.
Recoil is not bad, less than the PM40. I shot 140 rounds today with no discomfort to my hand.
I cleaned the pistol prior to shooting, as per owners manual.
Chronological details of shooting:
-10 rounds Remington 185 JHP, no problem.
-20 rounds Fed. 185 JHP, 4 failures to feed (bullet about 1/2 way in chamber, corrected by tapping back of slide).
-25 rounds Fed. 230 gr. HS, no problem.
Cleaned pistol.
-40 rounds Rem 185 JHP, no problem.
-15 rounds Fed. 230 HS, no problem.
-30 Fed. 185 JHP, 1 failure to feed.

The Fed. 185 JHP is the only ammo that I had a problem with during the 1st 140 rounds, it has an agressive hollow point design (seen in pic.) compared to the other two loads which look more rounded.
I already feel comfortable with the 230 HS or the Rem. 185, since they worked without a problem, even though I have not completed the recommended 200 round break in.

Chrono results, 5 shot average:
-Fed 230 HS @ 781 fps
-Fed 185 JHP @ 856 fps
-Rem. 185 JHP @ 889 fps

Summary: I thought I might have a problem with recoil, especially with 230 gr. bullets, but it ain't so. Based on two out of three loads tried during the "break in" I'm thinking the PM45 is going to work just fine. I'm planning on carrying it frequently after I get a holster.
I did all my shooting at 7 yards. The last 25 rounds I decided to shoot slow fire (two hand hold, no rest) with the Fed 185 JHP. I was able to put all 25 rounds into 2.5'' at 7 yards, which I thought was acceptable for a compact, lightweight 45acp.

Here's some comparison pics. with the PM45, PM40, and Glock 36.

 

[h0ss]

Nice pistol. Thats pretty impressive that you only had a few FTF with all that different ammo on your first range trip (impressive for a polymer Kahr, that is). Only 60 more rounds to go for break-in

I own a pm9. I polished the feed ramp on my barrel to help with feeding. I did that even after the 200 round break-in. Made it feed nice. But i bet after the break-in period, you may not have any issues with that same ammo that caused FTF the first time. Im interested to hear if that ammo feeds better after. Keep us posted.

 

[Lou22]

I carry Federal HST 230gr +P in my PM45. They've been 100% reliable. I guess you tried the 230gr Hydra Shoks in yours?

Grouping 25 rounds into 2.5" at 7 yards you're doing real well. I also practice at 7 yards for self-defense and do not too bad. Good enough, IMHO, for the purpose.

Lou

 

[ge0624me]

I'm the new owner of a Kahr PM45, here is my 1st impressions / experiences.
Recoil is not bad, less than the PM40. I shot 140 rounds today with no discomfort to my hand.
I cleaned the pistol prior to shooting, as per owners manual.
Chronological details of shooting:
-10 rounds Remington 185 JHP, no problem.
-20 rounds Fed. 185 JHP, 4 failures to feed (bullet about 1/2 way in chamber, corrected by tapping back of slide).
-25 rounds Fed. 230 gr. HS, no problem.
Cleaned pistol.
-40 rounds Rem 185 JHP, no problem.
-15 rounds Fed. 230 HS, no problem.
-30 Fed. 185 JHP, 1 failure to feed.

The Fed. 185 JHP is the only ammo that I had a problem with during the 1st 140 rounds, it has an agressive hollow point design (seen in pic.) compared to the other two loads which look more rounded.
I already feel comfortable with the 230 HS or the Rem. 185, since they worked without a problem, even though I have not completed the recommended 200 round break in.

Chrono results, 5 shot average:
-Fed 230 HS @ 781 fps
-Fed 185 JHP @ 856 fps
-Rem. 185 JHP @ 889 fps

Summary: I thought I might have a problem with recoil, especially with 230 gr. bullets, but it ain't so. Based on two out of three loads tried during the "break in" I'm thinking the PM45 is going to work just fine. I'm planning on carrying it frequently after I get a holster.
I did all my shooting at 7 yards. The last 25 rounds I decided to shoot slow fire (two hand hold, no rest) with the Fed 185 JHP. I was able to put all 25 rounds into 2.5'' at 7 yards, which I thought was acceptable for a compact, lightweight 45acp.

Here's some comparison pics. with the PM45, PM40, and Glock 36.

thx for your review,i've really been considering, buying me one as well, right now i carry the Keltec pf9 in pocket, and love it, but if i could upgrade to a 45acp pocket pistol that would be even better, since i prefer the 45 more, any malfunctions at all with the pm45? How are you ging to carry it ,if you plan on concealed carry?

 

[CDW4ME]

I'll carry the 230 gr. Federal HS as my 1st choice, with the Remington 185 JHP being in 2nd place.

I'll likely finish the "break in" this weekend; I'll just "have to" shoot the Fed. 185 JHP to see if it still has issues. However, I wouldn't / won't be comfortable carrying it (Fed 185) after the initial failures to feed, regardless of performance in the near future.

I've ordered a Kydex holster, IWB for strong side carry, for the PM45, and I've gotta wait a few weeks for it.
The PM45 snugly fits in the Kydex clip on holster made for my PM40; but, that holster is used for 1:00 (right of zipper) carry with the PM40. I think the PM45 would print due to the extra length of grip if I attempted to carry it offset of zipper. (I'll check this weekend).

 

[Dan-O]

I like mine. I think it is one of the more reliable polymer Kahrs out there. Enjoy yours.

 

[jocko]

and

dan O should know he has put many many rounds down range with his PM45. He was a PM9 fan but as u can see the big hold making kahr won him over.

I don't own anything by 9mm, My PM9 is flawless and if I was going to buy one more gun,it would be the PM45. Theya re just that good of guns. You can read of issues with any gun made but some of the issues we read are also shooter error. Some just never read the owner manual and there are some "key" tips in the kahr manual thatone should follow.

Nice gun,darn nice test report, Normally I would recommend the first 200 rounds to be with 230 fmj ammo which is the cheapest price break in ammo andf then when totally reliable go to the defense round of your choice . You by passed step one and did it all right the first ime. again very nice test to, gives a new owner a guide to work with also.

It is very nice when someone goews tothe effort you did to tell us how ur gun worked etc and had statistics to back it up to. Like one fella said, though, I would give that feed ramp a mirror polish for sure. It just enhances reliability even more.

Thank you for the very nice report. Now u got me excited again--darn it

 

[outerlimit]

I wish they'd come out with a metal baseplate like their other guns, instead of that ugly plastic thing that sticks out.

 

[burningsquirrels]

nice review. i want a pm9 pretty bad but uspsa is sucking every dispensable penny i got lol.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If it runs on the other ammo but not that one, don't use that one. Simple.

I can forgive ammo "preferences" in a little gun firing a big cartridge like this, IF it is reliable with other types.

 

[CDW4ME]

Follow up report:
I finished the 200 round break in this morning.
I started with 10 rounds Win. 230 gr. then switched to the Federal 185 JHP that I had the failures to feed with initally; at first I had 4 FTF within the first 20 rounds and 1 in the next 30 rounds.
I was very happy when the entire 50 round box of Federal 185 JHP ran through the PM45 without a problem completing the 200 round break in.
I shot the last 60 rounds quickly at 7 yards, attempting double taps; I kept all shots in the 10 ring of a B27 target (about a 4.5'' tall and 2.5'' wide group).
Summary: This is a great 45.
I plan on carrying it as soon as my Kydex IWB holster arrives.
Carry load of choice will be the HydraShok 230 or Remington 185.

 

[10-Ring]

Nice to know -- that looks like a nice carry size for that round -- congrats!

 

[jocko]

I had

no doubts your PM45 wold do exactly like u reported. A excellent made high quality pocket rocket indeed.

Nothing in its class IMO, nice gun and u are defnitely good to go.