I purchased a new
Kahr PM9049N about a year and a half ago. I have only ever had one problem with it. The first time I took it to go shooting, I fired about 30 rounds through it. Then I let another person with me try it out. Well he fired a couple shots from one magazine, and then it jammed.
The side panel pin (#41 on
diagram) had broken allowing the 3/4 of the pin that was attached to the side panel, and the side panel (#40) to move out away from the frame. The end of the trigger bar (#13) jumped out through the hole in the frame where the side panel goes, wedging itself between the outside of the frame and the displaced side panel.
With some trouble we did manage to push the trigger bar, side panel and side panel pin back in place. The gun continued to function, but the side panel pin would work itself loose, and needed to be pushed back once every couple shots, the trigger bar did not displace itself again though. I'm right handed, and the second shooter was left handed. I think my right handed grip positioned my trigger finger over the side panel, providing some extra force to hold it in place. His left handed grip wasn't providing that extra force.
I sent the gun back to Kahr for repairs as it was under warranty. In addition to fixing the pin they also polished and tuned up some other things on the gun. When I got it back I noticed that the side panel pin was now inserted farther than it had been when I got it new. I took it to the range and put about 250 rounds through it, right handed and left handed, with no problems. I probably have another 750 rounds through it since then without any problems. I don't expect it to have any problems with the side panel pin again.
I'm quite happy with my PM9. For what it is, a small, light, +P 9mm auto with no external safeties I think it's the best around. I would like to see a few changes to it. I would prefer a short Glock Safe Action trigger, instead of the really long trigger pull that it has now. It would be nice if the back of the grip extended up another 1/4” toward the frame, the part of the frame below the rear of the slide is thicker than it needs to be to keep my hand out of the way of the slide. (Does this part of the frame have a name?) Also, I would like it if Kahr rounded off the back end of the slide stop lever, as when I shoot 50+ rounds, I begin to develop a raw spot on my right thumb from it. Finally, its a minor improvement, but while Kahr blackens the slide, trigger, and slide lock, they don't blacken the extractor or the barrel on the blackened versions of their guns.
