PM40, deal or no deal?

[BoneDigger]

Local Cabelas has a used PM40, with only one magazine, no box or papers, for $475 plus tax. It hs night sites, but I'm not sure if those are standard or an add on. It is definately used, but appears to be in good shape. I really wanted a PM9 but these run $650 new around here. Good deal or not? Also, how is the recoil on the PM40?

Todd

 

[Zerodefect]

Both prices sound good. Recoil is tolerable, not fun but you should be able to handle it. Won't be shooting tons of rounds through it in one trip to the range, thats for sure.

 

[mormandy1]

I bought one, and it was the most jammomatic gun I have ever laid hands upon in three decades of shooting. The concept is awesome, but the execution was flawed due to faulty engineering. But guns are like people, all different, so anything is possible I suppose. Oh, and no I wasn't "limp wristing". I hold all pistols, especially the small ones with a near "death grip". I developed this grip from years of cutting sheet metal by hand and have one of those handshakes that "hurts" if I am not careful. So no, the tired old, overused excuse of "limp wristing" doesn't apply to my example. And I find the recoil to be no problem at all and could rapid fire it easily and accurately when it didn't jam, which was once or twice per magazine with all ammo, both magazines, and after a full polishing and deburring of all critical parts and surfaces. It was simply a piece of crap, no sugar coating it. If you find one that works right I think it is the most power you can really conceal easily in a pocket, so it would be a dream come true.

But again, I would buy it knowing that it might be a jammomatic, you will be taking a chance. I am far from the only one with Kahr "issues". Do a google search of "kahr problems" or "kahr jams", and you will see what I mean. Some work, some are horrible.

 

[Justice5]

I second the info from Mormandy1. I had a PM40 and it was too a jamomatic. Not to say that yours will be, because I've hears some people do not have problems with theirs. I did though for sure. I hear the PM9 is okay and doesn't have the same problems. I sent mine in to have a new spring installed and they polished the feed ramp. It helped some, but still jammed about every 4-5 rounds. I had the MK40 before that, at it worked flawlessly.

 

[jocko]

Bone digger

ge tthe serial number off that PM40 and then go to the glock talk site and hit on kahr and then hit on serialnumbers and ate of mfg. Yours will show up there somewhere. If it was made int he last two years or so, I t is good to go.

checkthat out first before you do anything..

 

[Kind of Blued]

I have a PM9, but I don't imagine that the felt recoil generated from the PM40 would be unbearable. Just my two cents.

P.S. You're still going to want the Pearce Grip Extensions.

 

[BADUNAME4]

I have a new PM40. When I ordered replacement recoil springs I was asked the serial number. Apparantly the newer version is slightly longer which, I'm guessing, addresses some former issues.
Not a single FTF, jam or anything negative. The recoil is ferocious, but not uncontrollable. As such, it's highly fun to shoot. Although a hefty recoil, the trigger guard doesn't slam into the finger which is a problem I have with other pocket guns. As a result, it's my humble opinion that the PM40 is the "best" pocket gun ever devised. I'll keep it. If it breaks then I'll replace it with something else, but so far so good.
155 grs. are a treat, by the way.

 

[dogtown tom]

BoneDigger: ...I really wanted a PM9 but these run $650 new around here. Good deal or not? ...

Last weekend at the Dallas Market Hall gun show, I saw NIB PM9's for $575 or less. GunBroker has had NIB PM9's go for $575 as well.

I'm a big fan of Kahr. I've bought three used Kahr's (K9, CW9, PM9) and they all run flawlessly. As others have noted, there does seem to be more problems with the PM40. Most describe the recoil of the .40 as a handful. My PM9 recoils so little I could shoot all day.

While you may find a PM40 cheaper, the higher cost of .40 ammo will erase that bargain if you plan on shooting it much.

 

[jocko]

air land and sea

PORT that little sucker, it will shoot like a PM9 then, and trust me you won't ever regret a magna port porting job. They are the best. You should go to their site (magnaport.com) and read up on thier system. They invented it, and I have shot their ported guns for almost 30 years. I never got any of the down side B. S. that alot like to spread about ported guns.

for sure it will tame that PM40 down big time and not take away a darn thing. actually it will make your second shot alot better for the recoil will be alot less, therefore less muzzle flip.

If there is one complaint about the 40 cal kahr polymers it is recoil but again like I tell um. there has to be a trade off for a 15 ounces ultra lite and ultra small gun of this caliber, compared to a kahr of the K9 class that is alot bigger and alot heavier and there fore alot more pleasant to shoot..

I also feel (but cannot prove it) that most issues with the 40 cal polymer kars are shooter related..

You got a dandy pocket rocket there, that is for sure, now just shoot it like u stole it..

Wolffs makes a super 5# strker spring for your PM40 that will not shorten trigger travle but will shorten poundage from about 7.5-8# down to 5#. It is still not a hair trigger at all for the travel is still 3/8" vbut it willmake you alittle better shooter.....

 

[BADUNAME4]

I did get the heavier (20.5 lb., I believe) recoil spring from Wolff which is a nice touch. I do like a heavier trigger, though, but I think the recoil spring idea came from you. Thanks.

 

[Rodentman]

I have never had a problem with mine, which I bought new in 2004. It eats all ammo, including my reloads. IMHO the recoil is quite tolerable.

YMMV.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I was at a gun show in Kalamazoo Michigan last weekend looking for a PM9 and I handled used PM40 with a $699 price tag. My eyes crossed and things got blurry after that. I would venture a guess they still have it.

 

[jocko]

gander mt sellsum

new for $799 and had a used PM40 int he case for $699..

 

[71Commander]

I got one last Tues. A great gun. Not one malfunction, but then I don't limp wrist, causing jams and then come on the net and blame the gun.