Kahr PM9 Check
- Thread starter briang2ad
- Start date
- Status
Voland
Member
Yes, they are reliable. I have one. Love it!
The only thing you will have to get use to is to use the slide stop to release the slide when chambering a round. If you dont, you could have a round that gets lodged part way and not feed. This does not occur when shooting the pistol. I have about 2k through mine and still have not had a single problem.
I believe the warranty is 5 years but I've never heard of any one having problems getting them to send parts or anything like that.
Look for wear points on the plastic. I bought mine used and was questioning the front part of the frame. It looked chipped to me but I called Kahr, sent pics. turns out that's just wear. People on the forums confirmed.
Used they run from $450 to $600... If its clean, $500 is an ok deal. I would do it.
V.
The only thing you will have to get use to is to use the slide stop to release the slide when chambering a round. If you dont, you could have a round that gets lodged part way and not feed. This does not occur when shooting the pistol. I have about 2k through mine and still have not had a single problem.
I believe the warranty is 5 years but I've never heard of any one having problems getting them to send parts or anything like that.
Look for wear points on the plastic. I bought mine used and was questioning the front part of the frame. It looked chipped to me but I called Kahr, sent pics. turns out that's just wear. People on the forums confirmed.
Used they run from $450 to $600... If its clean, $500 is an ok deal. I would do it.
V.
CrankyOldGuy
Member
Good carry pistols. Extremely reliable, well built and a nice light, small package. It has a long but smooth trigger pull. It's also very easy to field strip. Parts, like magazines and springs, are a bit expensive.
I've heard the "use the slide stop" issue that Voland mentioned, but all three of my Kahrs chamber just fine manually (PM9 PM45 and P9 covert) and I've never used the slide stop to chamber the first round. YMMV.
I've heard the "use the slide stop" issue that Voland mentioned, but all three of my Kahrs chamber just fine manually (PM9 PM45 and P9 covert) and I've never used the slide stop to chamber the first round. YMMV.
OP
OP
briang2ad
Member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2005
- Messages
- 683
I had read a thread which says that there were issues with SOME PM9s and soft barrels, etc. Was this during a certain run of SNs?
Also, the throat on this one looks fairly smooth and not deep at all.
I looked at it because I have looked at PF9s for a while now. The one I licked up (new) today had a mag release problem. The dealer said he would not trust a Keltec, so I looked at this used PM9 - it is a bit larger and heavier, but looks good. However, it is almost TWICE the price! Ouch!
Also, the throat on this one looks fairly smooth and not deep at all.
I looked at it because I have looked at PF9s for a while now. The one I licked up (new) today had a mag release problem. The dealer said he would not trust a Keltec, so I looked at this used PM9 - it is a bit larger and heavier, but looks good. However, it is almost TWICE the price! Ouch!
Shawn Dodson
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2002
- Messages
- 3,231
I've been carrying a PM-9 for the last two years.
I load my pistol by seating a loaded magazine with the slide in battery and then retracting and releasing the slide. I encountered an occasional problem with the slide not going all the way into battery when using this method, which went away as I broke the pistol in. (I refuse to use the slide lock for anything other than locking the slide open to unload the pistol or to clear a doublefeed stoppage.) When the slide failed to go into battery a quick palm strike to the rear of the slide easily solved the problem.
Ever since I broke it in my PM-9 has performed flawlessly.
Good luck.
I load my pistol by seating a loaded magazine with the slide in battery and then retracting and releasing the slide. I encountered an occasional problem with the slide not going all the way into battery when using this method, which went away as I broke the pistol in. (I refuse to use the slide lock for anything other than locking the slide open to unload the pistol or to clear a doublefeed stoppage.) When the slide failed to go into battery a quick palm strike to the rear of the slide easily solved the problem.
Ever since I broke it in my PM-9 has performed flawlessly.
Good luck.
Guns and more
member
- Joined
- May 6, 2008
- Messages
- 1,929
IMO, they recommend the slide release to chamber a round because the recoil spring is so darn stiff that it would be easy to "Limp wrist" while racking the slide. (not manly men like us, of course.) It's not a mechanical issue.
I thought the PM-9 was the perfect carry gun until I got my Sig P238. It's a .380 so if you want a 9mm. the Kahr is the best bet.
I don't know that I would agree that they are larger. Might be a smidge heavier. Here are some comparison pics with a Walther PPS thrown in for good measure.
Top to bottom ... Walther, Kahr, Kel-Tec
Left to right ... Walther, Kahr, Kel-Tec
Left to right ... Walther, Kahr, Kel-Tec
I would (and do) trust my life to a Kel-Tec, but I sure would like to have a PM9.
Edit: Kahr weighs 15.9 oz. KT weighs 14.6 oz.
John Wayne
Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2007
- Messages
- 1,133
The two Kahrs I shot were not very reliable (PM-40 and CW9). They were accurate and had great triggers though. Reliability seems to be hit or miss, from what I've read. Massad Ayoob carries one himself, so that says a lot.
I have also shot the Kel-Tec PF9 and Walther PPS, both of which ran great for me. The Walther was definately the most accurate and shootable of the 3, but also the largest. The PF9 and Kahrs felt noticably smaller and recoiled more, but the Kahr was much smoother and more accurate than the Kel-Tec.
The all-steel Kahr K9 has an excellent record, and would probably get my vote if it's an option; I like to shoot my guns a lot. Next would probably be the PPS, PM9, then PF9.
I have also shot the Kel-Tec PF9 and Walther PPS, both of which ran great for me. The Walther was definately the most accurate and shootable of the 3, but also the largest. The PF9 and Kahrs felt noticably smaller and recoiled more, but the Kahr was much smoother and more accurate than the Kel-Tec.
The all-steel Kahr K9 has an excellent record, and would probably get my vote if it's an option; I like to shoot my guns a lot. Next would probably be the PPS, PM9, then PF9.
OP
OP
briang2ad
Member
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2005
- Messages
- 683
Thanks all. Great shots of the guns!
Its a used gun and MUCH more than a PF9, and I know so little about them. Seems like the right form factor, and if I wanted a all steel heavy gun, then I'm back to a Star or Smith CS - better triggers.
This ALL started when looking at a little ASTRA Cub....
I thought, gee, I could REALLY carry thet thing.... but 25 is so....
Then 380, then 9mm, then Keltec (which was "broken on the shelf), then used Kahr...
Its a used gun and MUCH more than a PF9, and I know so little about them. Seems like the right form factor, and if I wanted a all steel heavy gun, then I'm back to a Star or Smith CS - better triggers.
This ALL started when looking at a little ASTRA Cub....
I thought, gee, I could REALLY carry thet thing.... but 25 is so....
Then 380, then 9mm, then Keltec (which was "broken on the shelf), then used Kahr...
I've had both and if the difference in price is not a factor I'd recomend the PM9.
I owned both but sold my PF9 because the PM9 is more accurate, has much less felt recoil, has btter sights (mine has night sights), much better fit and finish and has a much smoother trigger.
Reliability was perfect on both.
I owned both but sold my PF9 because the PM9 is more accurate, has much less felt recoil, has btter sights (mine has night sights), much better fit and finish and has a much smoother trigger.
Reliability was perfect on both.
Jim Watson
Member
Friend of mine has a PM9. I have shot it and it is handy and reliable. I'd give him $500 for it if he would part with it.
True, but in my experience, the Walther is a "smoother" gun than the CW and I own a CW40.
bradfromearth
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2009
- Messages
- 29
I used to have a blog @ mykharsucks.com it was mean and nasty. I had bought a PM40 before I understood that some guns just suck.
I wrote them, sent it back to them shot TONS of ammo trying to find a hollowpoint that it would shoot. It would only shoot ball ammo after it went back to them.
Since then I noticed that they ditched the fab shop that was doing there polymer or at least they had a major redesign of it on the PM series.
I bought a brand new PM9 that I could be certain was the new design. Broke it in and have never had trouble with it. It shoots golden sabres flawlessly.
All I can say is stay away from any Khar other than the 9's in polymer. Get it new or just get any of the steel ones.
This is all assuming you want it to carry. If you want something for fun get any of them.
Last word of advice is consider one of the biger 9's the p series or the CW series. I say this because after a few years carrying and with different guns I think that the difference between the PM and the bigger ones for concealability is minimal and I personally would rather have the full grip. I really have never been able to pocket carry the PM 9 but I did try. I am 6'1 220 and about 10-15 lbs overweight.
I hope this helps you because I sure suffered a lot and lost alot of money on my ordeal with the PM 40.
I wrote them, sent it back to them shot TONS of ammo trying to find a hollowpoint that it would shoot. It would only shoot ball ammo after it went back to them.
Since then I noticed that they ditched the fab shop that was doing there polymer or at least they had a major redesign of it on the PM series.
I bought a brand new PM9 that I could be certain was the new design. Broke it in and have never had trouble with it. It shoots golden sabres flawlessly.
All I can say is stay away from any Khar other than the 9's in polymer. Get it new or just get any of the steel ones.
This is all assuming you want it to carry. If you want something for fun get any of them.
Last word of advice is consider one of the biger 9's the p series or the CW series. I say this because after a few years carrying and with different guns I think that the difference between the PM and the bigger ones for concealability is minimal and I personally would rather have the full grip. I really have never been able to pocket carry the PM 9 but I did try. I am 6'1 220 and about 10-15 lbs overweight.
I hope this helps you because I sure suffered a lot and lost alot of money on my ordeal with the PM 40.
Guillermo
member
I have a PM9 and it is very accurate and reliable.
That said I would not buy it again (actually I didn't want to buy it the first time but that is how a 3 way trade worked out)
The very short grip makes it difficult to handle and shoot well. A P9 is only slightly larger and MUCH easier to shoot well.
That said I would not buy it again (actually I didn't want to buy it the first time but that is how a 3 way trade worked out)
The very short grip makes it difficult to handle and shoot well. A P9 is only slightly larger and MUCH easier to shoot well.
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,717
My PM9 had the infamous "barrel peening" issue when I bought it. I talked to Dottie at Kahr, she asked me to send it in. I asked if I could just send the "top half", thereby removing the need for an FFL or FEDEX. No problem.
I sent in the complete slide, barrrel and recoil spring assembly. Kahr replaced all of them. It has worked perfectly ever since, with any ammo I can fit in the mag.
I carried it for three years until I upgraded to it's bigger brother, the P45, which I am carrying now. I still have the PM9, though--it's not going anywhere. It is (for me) the perfect pocket carry pistol. I am 5"9 and 150 lbs.
My PM9 has a "VA" prefix. IIRC, those were the ones with the barrel peening issues. If I were looking at a used PM9, I would try to test fire it first, preferably with your intended cary ammo. If it is a VA serial and the previous owner contacted Kahr, there is a good chance the "top half" has already been changed out. Perhaps Kahr could even tell you if you call them with the s/n.
I sent in the complete slide, barrrel and recoil spring assembly. Kahr replaced all of them. It has worked perfectly ever since, with any ammo I can fit in the mag.
I carried it for three years until I upgraded to it's bigger brother, the P45, which I am carrying now. I still have the PM9, though--it's not going anywhere. It is (for me) the perfect pocket carry pistol. I am 5"9 and 150 lbs.
My PM9 has a "VA" prefix. IIRC, those were the ones with the barrel peening issues. If I were looking at a used PM9, I would try to test fire it first, preferably with your intended cary ammo. If it is a VA serial and the previous owner contacted Kahr, there is a good chance the "top half" has already been changed out. Perhaps Kahr could even tell you if you call them with the s/n.
- Status
