Kahr CM9 woes

[GratefulGuy1234]

Shoot it left handed. That will solve the mystery of your thumbs hitting the slide lock lever. You can't hit it if your thumbs are on the other side. What was their explanation for the sights falling off ?? And it was the factory that installed them, and not the gun shop you ordered it from?

I have let someone else shoot it, the rangemaster and he did manage to have it lock back once on him. I also tried it left handed, as recommended by the kahr forum guys and I did have it happen once iirc. Believe it or not, when I told the rep that I tried shooting left handed and it malfunctioned he wanted to go after my grip again... lol.
I hear all you guys talking about the slide stop being locked back by my thumb, but how come I can't make it lock back if I try by pressing up on the lever when shooting? Maybe the violence of the round going off is knocking me off it or the timing isn't right when I try to do it, but it seems odd.
As for the sight issue, they keep putting their head in the sand about it and NEVER once apologized about how ridiculous it was. And yep, this is FACTORY installed both times. So sad! I will definately go at it with some locktite when it gets back. I was just told not to by the tech on the phone because I was sending it back for the issue I was having.

I really wished I'd be one of the ones braggin' about my CM9... maybe I will someday!
Funny how I feel different about it all the time, one day I'm going to sell it the day it gets back... the next I'm planning on keeping it and willing to put some major JHP to 'proof' it.
Time will tell, let's see what happens. I put my contact info in the box and asked that a manager contact me about this experience... I am not holding my breath but would be ecstatic if they at least tried. They have been so mechanical about it, like we're talking about defective printer paper or something, not a $400 + SD weapon.

As for the gent who feels reluctant about his and hasn't shot it - I understand completely. I went into this thinking there could be some risk - and got friggin burned.

At least I found a rebate for $10 on remington JHP golden sabers - check their website. I get to recoup some of my loot - I wish it wasn't limited to $10!!

Scott

 

[ctaylor]

I bought one and had to send it back due light striker hits. The CS dept. at Kahr couldn't have been more professional and paid for shipping both ways. They had the pistol 14 days. They replaced the slide and the barrel. I haven't tested it yet, since I just got it back. I'm hopeful they fixed the issue. I really like the size, the trigger and it seems to be pretty accurate for what it is.

I did a lot of research before I bought. I was looking specifically for a 9MM that I could carry in my front pocket. I saw lots of comments from folks that really liked the CM9. I learned a valuable lesson from this...next time I won't google "CM9 Reviews", I'll google "CM9 Problems".

There are tons of reports on problems with these pistols, some that get fixed with one trip back to the factory and others that never seem to get resolved. Are there more complaints re: Kahrs than there are on, say, Glocks or Kimbers? Nobody can say for sure...not me, and not anyone else either. But since I am still doing research on pocket pistols I will say that there appear to be more Kahrs going back for service than the SIG 238, the Ruger LCP's, etc. Yep, Kahr service is really good service. All in all, though, I'd rather have a pistol I can trust than a service manager that I like.

I want mine to work, too, and maybe it will. Certainly it has a strike against it. It does look as if when you get a good one, you get a really good one. I'd sure rather have a good Kahr than a lot of the other options.

For those of you that did get a good one: congratulations. You hit "black" on the Kahr roulette wheel.

 

[Scott-NC]

I have a PM9. I didn't know about some folks having issues until after my first range visit. It had a couple FTF jams that damaged the cartridge- bent it right where the the bullet and brass meet. I went home, found the kahrtalk forum, saw something about racking the slide 500 times before ever firing it. This turned out to be just what it needed. It was so tight right out of the box. In fact, right out of the box the slide was so tight I could pull it back about half way and slowly let go and it would stick there! So I racked it about 100 times, stripped it down, cleaned and lubed it, and repeated that every night for about a week. Took it to the range and it work perfectly, and has since- a couple thousand rounds.

 

[GratefulGuy1234]

Still waiting on mine... I expect it in the next few days given the past as a predictor of how long they will have it. Funny thing is, I got a replacement font sight in the mail - it was promised to me weeks and weeks ago, more than a month, at least. Not sure what is up, they don't seem to have it together over there and that scares me.

Well, let's see if this thing works when I get it back...

Good luck all.
Scott

 

[franco45]

I hope it works out for you. I am one who has had good luck with my Kahrs. When they are right they are very nice pieces.

 

[GratefulGuy1234]

Well, I was surprised today by a call form Kahr's 'head gunsmith' who apologized for their neglect in not using loctite each of the two times they installed the front sight. I don't suspect I will need to worry about the sight when it gets back. That's great.
I inquired about the functionality of the weapon and he said that he was still going to work on that part. He said that it looked like the slide stop was being pre-loaded by the round that was next up in the magazine, and was causing it to catch occasionally. He did assure me that he would take every step needed to ensure that I would have a fully functioning weapon that didn't need to come back to the factory.

So, I'm happy they called - and I'm glad at least one person has assured me that they will make SURE I don't have an issue going forward.

I'll keep this updated.

Scott

 

[GratefulGuy1234]

Took it out and it failed. Slide locked back prematurely on JHP round 37 or 38. It went on to fire another 50 no problem, but this means I still have not had a failure free range visit - EVER with this thing. They 'polished the slide stop lever', that's what the factory did to resolve my 'intermittent premature slide lock back' issue.

It's going with me to the next gun show to be traded for G26, airweight revolver, LCP, LCR, or sold at a huge loss with full disclosure.

caveat emptor.

Scott

 

[Sgt_R]

I've read a lot of good things and a lot of bad things about Kahr pistols on the internet. I took a gamble on the brand a couple years ago and purchased a PM9 and a P380. After the recommended break-in period (200 rounds), both have been nearly flawless. I only have 2minor complaints:

1) The white "post" inserts in the rear sights fell out of both pistols within the first 500 rounds.

2) I have 3 magazines for the PM9. The baseplate of one of them likes to try to come off during firing (every few mags I have to "reset" it), and one of the other mags doesn't drop free like it should, so I only have 1 100% reliable magazine for EDC (I marked the other 2 for range use only).

So yes, in my experience, Kahr QC could use some work. However, if you get a good gun, they are really good. Both of mine are accurate, soft shooting, and reliable.

I don't know about their CS, because I've never called them (maybe I should... they might replace those 2 bad magazines).

R

 

[Doghandler]

...
1) The white "post" inserts in the rear sights fell out of both pistols within the first 500 rounds.

...

Is that post insert actually an insert or just paint ?, or did your rear sight actually just fall off?

QC seems to be a huge 21st century manufacturing issue. :banghead: Off Topic. Looks like GM is finally coming around.

 

[Sgt_R]

I think the rear sight is assembled in 2 pieces: the white insert goes in the sight body, then the sight body goes on the slide. Both guns still have rear sights, and their accuracy hasn't been affected in any way, but that little white insert is long gone.

R

 

[zbird]

I feel your pain, and I don't even want to bring up my feelings of a weapon that needs 200 rounds through it to function properly. If you bought this gun for personal defence you are making the right move. For me, a personal defence gun that will not be 100% reliable out of the box will get traded or sold for one that will.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I wouldn't say it's a pre shooting whine. It might be perfect. I'm just going by what I've been reading and Kahr's CS. I want to start using this for my carry gun. I'm disabled and that's one of the main reasons I haven't fired it yet. Allot of days I can't get motivated. I have Glock's a Sig and other semi autos that have been flawless. I hoping this CM9 will be another one.

Try not to base ALL of your opinions of this gun on the opinions of others, especially those on the net. Best to make discoveries on your own. I mean, if you ask us what we think, that's one thing. Online review with video? Even better. I try not to take stock in random forum threads. YouTube is not horrible, because the proof is right there on video. FWIW, I've heard, seen and read good things on the CM9.

 

[BBDartCA]

That stinks man. My cm9 has been pretty much flawless. I love it. Maybe I got lucky though.

Same here.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I wouldn't say it's a pre shooting whine. It might be perfect. I'm just going by what I've been reading and Kahr's CS.

And you always see more horror stories than praise stories. Most of us don't run out and write rave reviews when something woks flawlessly. Myself included! I quietly enjoyed my Kahr the entire time I had it despite all the negative comments floating about.

I want to start using this for my carry gun. I'm disabled and that's one of the main reasons I haven't fired it yet. Allot of days I can't get motivated.

Disability or not, no one should carry a gun they haven't shot. It's just dangerous for everyone.

I have Glock's a Sig and other semi autos that have been flawless. I hoping this CM9 will be another one.

You just don't know until you send lead downrange. My gen4 19 is the red headed step child of the glock world according to internet lore. Guess what...well over 5000 rounds and never a single failure. One of these days I may even put in the replacement recoil spring that glock sent me that cures problems I don't have.

 

[elrowe]

If you're using Golden Sabers, I'll bet it's not the ammo - wouldn't spend more to experiment on different loads. My PM9 feeds them without any issues. It also is fine with Win 115 GR FMJ target ammo if you want something cheaper while you work out the bugs. We did have a few FTFs during the break in period, but nothing after about 200 rounds or so. Sounds like you just got either a bad one-off or one of a bad lot. Have you tried comparing a partial serial number on the Kahr forums to see if others with similar SNs have problems?

 

[WRGADog]

I have a PM9 and P380

After the appropriate number of rounds for break-in, they ave both worked flawlessly.

 

[greenlion]

Sorry to repeat what I already said, but you stated earlier that you shot it left handed and "if you recall correctly" you had a premature slide lock. Are you sure you did? You seem unsure, the way you worded it.

I know from experience that it is easy to hit that slide lock from underneath, especially with an unfamiliar gun. I had been shooting my GLOCK 23 for years, and the first IDPA match I shot it in I had 4 or 5 slide lock "malfunctions". Took a while before I realized that I was gripping harder during stress and my thumb rode up enough to activate it. I had no idea I was doing it. I've since changed my grip and no longer have the problem.

I'm not trying to prove you don't have a lemon, you may. Even if they do fix the problems the distrust of that gun will be in the back of your mind. I wish you had had a good first experience with them. I've had a PM9, K9, and P9 and they have all been 100%. You'd like them if you had a good one.