I'm set on a Kahr cm9

[Esoxchaser]

The three PM series Kahrs I am intimately familiar with 2 9mm and a .40 all had the same issue.
Wouldn't feed off the 7 rd extended mag.
Kahrs answer?
Put tape on the back of the poorly fitting mags to make them not tip forward in the magwell.
Screw Kahr.

 

[C0untZer0]

Here are some similarly sized pistols:

Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 3.7 in
Slide Width: .82 in
Width at thickest part of pistol: .95 in
Weight: 13.5 oz, magazine 1.6 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Boberg XR9-S (Shorty)
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.35 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 4.2 in
Width: .96 in
Weight: 17.5 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kahr MK9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.3 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 22.1 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 14 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Kimber Solo
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.7 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 1.2 in
Weight: 17 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P290
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.9 in - 1.1" w/slide catch (roughly the same width as MK9, Kahr lists the width of the slide only)
Weight: 20.5 oz w/magazine
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: 0.80 in
Weight: 11 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-11
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.6 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 14 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Beretta Nano
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.07 in
Length: 5.63 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 17.67 oz
Capacity: 6+1

SCCY CPX-2
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.7 in
Height: 4.0 in (without mag extensions)
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 15.0 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.87 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: .88 in
Weight: 12.7 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P938
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.9 in
Height: 3.9 in (not counting magazine w/extension)
Width: 1.1 in
Weight: 16.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Ruger LC9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.12 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Slide Width: .90in
Weight: 17.10 oz
Capacity: 7+1

 

[fxstchewy]

I have about 300 rounds through my CM9 and so far i am impressed with it, maybe i just got a good one but i can't say anything bad about it.

 

[kellmark]

While I like my Nano and have had no issues with it, another small 9mm to look at would be Sigs' P290RS. It is also small and pocketable and has been redesigned with restrike capability. I am seriously thinking of adding one of those. This redesigned version of the pistol has good reviews.

Again, for those who like the Kahrs, that's ok for them, but I think that I will pass, with all of their issues recently.

 

[heeler]

Wally,although I would find no joy in having to pay to ship as I had to do that very thing with my Diamondback 380 once.
My take on your particular situation is perhaps Kahr is thinking you used some terrible reloads.
But one thing is certain posting the picture of your broken gun is not going to get it fixed.
Send it back and chances are you will get it repaired or replaced.
I certainly would not hesitate to spend $50 to get my $400+ dollar pistol repaired or replaced.

 

[JimC]

While I don't wish to "jinx" myself, I have to admit, the 7 rd. mag. that came with my PM9 has functioned 100% from day one. I will admit though, it gets less use than my 6 rd. mags. because I use it for the range only.

 

[heeler]

There are a few of the seven round magazines that do work.
But most are promblematic.
Oddly enough if I only load six rounds in mine it works perfectly.
Mine is now employed as a paperweight on my computer table.

 

[guyfromohio]

Look at a PPS from Walther.

 

[340PD]

I just read a very nice post praising the Remington R51 over on the Kahrtalk forum. I would definitely add that gun to the mix of small DA semi's before I laid down my money on a carry gun.

 

[wally]

Wally,although I would find no joy in having to pay to ship as I had to do that very thing with my Diamondback 380 once.
My take on your particular situation is perhaps Kahr is thinking you used some terrible reloads.
But one thing is certain posting the picture of your broken gun is not going to get it fixed.

They have not answered any of my Emails. I will not trust my life to a gun the manufacturer will not stand behind. I will not throw good money after bad.

Dumping Kahr for S&W Sheild.

If you are happy with a gun from a company that won't stand behind their frame, go for it.

You can view this as a loss, I view it as a lesson learned. I was hot to get a CW380 and saw one at a gun show the weekend I after I contacted Kahr via their website. Decided to wait and see how the tech support played out when there was a serious need. Glad I waited, no longer interested in the CW380.

 

[Jlr2267]

They have not answered any of my Emails. I will not trust my life to a gun the manufacturer will not stand behind. I will not throw good money after bad.

Dumping Kahr for S&W Sheild.

If you are happy with a gun from a company that won't stand behind their frame, go for it.

You can view this as a loss, I view it as a lesson learned. I was hot to get a CW380 and saw one at a gun show the weekend I after I contacted Kahr via their website. Decided to wait and see how the tech support played out when there was a serious need. Glad I waited, no longer interested in the CW380.

I'm with you on this one. Their CS is the absolute worst I have ever experienced with *any* company.

Ignoring emails/voicemails from customers is not the mark of a reputable manufacturer.

If I ever get mine back from Kahr, I think I will sell it andmove on. I have an LCP that is 100% reliable so I don't need the headache.

 

[jbrown50]

I own a PM9 and a CM9. They both work fine after break-in.

I've found the main issue with 9mm Kahrs is the magazines. The right front skirt of the magazine follower tends to drag against the magazine catch when going upward. An easy fix for it is to remove the follower and file the right edge of the skirt down a little bit until it no longer drags against the catch.

You disassemble the gun and the magazine, insert the mag into the well, put the follower on top of the spring and move it up and down past the catch and observe how it drags against the latch at it's skirt. You simply file the right front edge of the skirt down until the follower slides freely up and down the magazine while it'd inserted in the well.

Viola....no more having to use the slide release to load the first round into the chamber. Now you can rack the first round in by pulling and releasing the slide without the round hanging up on the feed ramp.

It's so simple I don't know why Kahr doesn't have their magazine producer fix it for them

 

[chris in va]

My K9 has been great, no malfunctions. However I was a bit surprised when the rear sight came loose after the first 100 rounds. At some point I will have a local gunsmith stake it back in place.

 

[utbrowningman]

Hit or miss as with any firearm. Although the CS for Kahr appears to be in need of improvement. Hopefully I will never need it. As far as the magazine problem, I have two of the 7-round and have never experienced a problem with them. In 1,000 rounds, I have never had a FTF or FTE and I purchased my CW9 new. The only problem as I stated earlier was failure to chamber the first round of steel case but that may be attributed to sling-shoting the slide and not using the slide release.

 

[heeler]

Well I certainly would be pretty unhappy with a company that would not return my calls or e-mails.
But if you would send the gun back Wally and get it repaired or replaced you could then just turn around and sell it just like I did my Diamondback.
That's the smart move financially.
At that point you can then scratch Kahr off your list.
The money in my hand would make me feel better than holding a broken gun anyday.

 

[wally]

I would never fix it with the intension of selling it immediately afterwards sticking the buyer with a no warranty pistol who's frame is fundamentally suspect, not that Kahr's warranty is worth much -- same class service as EAA.

Holding the broken gun quickly makes the point to others asking my advice on what to buy, that here is at least one to avoid unless you think having to pay to fix this severe a failure is reasonable.

 

[gym]

Excellent guns, you will find people who like and dislike any gun you post here, that's the way forums are, The majority of professionals who carry these guns as backup or off duty guns, love them, or they wouldn't be carrying them. If you ask for opinions expect to get just that. Kahr has been growing lately by leaps and bounds, they must be doing something right, All gun types break on occasion, show me a gun that never had a problem, and I will show you a gun that wasn't used.

 

[silicosys4]

Excellent guns, you will find people who like and dislike any gun you post here, that's the way forums are, The majority of professionals who carry these guns as backup or off duty guns, love them, or they wouldn't be carrying them. If you ask for opinions expect to get just that. Kahr has been growing lately by leaps and bounds, they must be doing something right, All gun types break on occasion, show me a gun that never had a problem, and I will show you a gun that wasn't used.

Yea, I'd buy that if there weren't so MANY unsatisfied Kahr owners as compared to the amount of them sold.....More than ANY glock i've EVER read about, including .40 Kb's, and how many more glocks have been sold?
Same with Colt...S&W...Sig....etc.
The only other brand that I have seen that compares is Taurus.
For every "I love my Kahr" thread, it seems there is an accompanying "My Kahr sucks" thread....it is literally a one for one it seems.
Look at threads about the Kahrs, notice how many of them are about issues with the guns.
Gun for gun, you have a greater chance of getting a lemon through Kahr than just about anybody else.

"the majority of professionals that carry them love them"
I sure hope so. Why would you carry a gun that you hate?
But what majority of professionals carry them?

I have read more than a few posts from people who say their local gun store won't even carry Kahr because of recurring issues with the guns and refused to carry Taurus for the same reason.
I put Kahr in the same category as Taurus. Great if you have one that works, but don't use your working example to smack down the reality that quality control is an issue and nonworking guns are more frequent than is acceptable.
I have a CW40 that I'll trade away to anyone for their RELIABLE Kahr, if anyone wants to experience Kahr without the benefit of rose colored glasses. An unreliable pm40 and pm9 are already gone, and I was never happier to get rid of a pair of guns.
I know I sure would love to experience this Kahr reliability that people keep touting.

I have spent over $1000 on Kahr pistols, and not gotten a SINGLE working one. I have spent literally HOURS on the internet trying to find solutions for various problems, only to run into many many other people sharing the same problems. By all accounts, Kahr is overdue for at least one recall. If you get a working gun and thats it, you have no reason to research Kahr, try and troubleshoot it, or look into other peoples experiences. You will not have the exposure to the massive amounts of disappointed owners out there, and the various issues people are having. Therefore you might believe that the gun is inherently reliable and there are just a massive amount of whiners gravitating towards Kahr.

In my experiences you just got lucky.

 

[Godsgunman]

Wow, one might think we wandered into a Taurus thread . I actually like the Bull by the way.
I've considered Kahr myself multiple times but never have gotten one because of such issues already stated here. Especially for the price you pay for them there are many others to choose from that have better track records.

 

[xxxleafybugxxx]

I do appreciate everyone's input. I may go back to my original and get the beretta nano. Love the way it looks and it's one of the smaller 9s . It appears they fixed their ftf issue with them. Plus I've heard great things about their customer service. Also toying with the idea of the sccy cpx2.

 

[Pukindog12]

I have two Kahrs and both have been flawless (yes, FLAWLESS) through hundreds of rounds each. They are the guns I shoot the most for they are what I carry the most. I trust them implicitly.

Kahr pistols have an awful lot going for them. You might reconsider them. Not stating the Kahr line is for you, just that the Kahr company is not so nearly inept as a few posters make them out to be. I would bet that satisfied owners of Kahr products vastly out number those who have had a bad experience(s). The squeaky wheel does tend to get the most grease.

 

[kellmark]

A couple of more notes on the Nano.

You can get an 8 round magazine for it, or it may come with an 8 round and a 6 round. (I don't think it looks particularly good, but it seems to work fine). But I like the extra capacity option, as you can carry 8+1 if you like. I use it when I carry it in a bag or the car. For pocket carry I use the 6 round, and it fits fine.

It has an option of trijicon night sights which are easy to install. And you have a choice of several laser sights if you want.

It is also a reasonable price. That was another factor. The overall package works for me.

 

[beeenbag]

Same 5 people chime in on every kahr thread, I have seen that broken frame 25 times. Yeah they have had issues, yeah you own a gun that failed. As a whole, kahr satisfies more customers than they let down, if not, they would have gone out of business by now. I owned a flawless running cm9 2 years ago, traded it on a good trade, then missed it so now I own a second flawless running cm9.

 

[Jlr2267]

Same 5 people chime in on every kahr thread, I have seen that broken frame 25 times. Yeah they have had issues, yeah you own a gun that failed. As a whole, kahr satisfies more customers than they let down, if not, they would have gone out of business by now. I owned a flawless running cm9 2 years ago, traded it on a good trade, then missed it so now I own a second flawless running cm9.

Its not about their guns...it's about how they do or do not stand behind them, and how they deal with customers. If you had no problem with your gun, you have no experience in what "the same 5" are referring to.

 

[gym]

They aren't getting responses to their problem because it takes work to get some of these company's to move their butts. Write letters, post it on the BBB website and it will get done.