Shooting a Kahr CM9

[funnelcake]

After a pretty thorough search & eval I purchased a Kahr CM9 for concealed carry. So far I've made one trip to the range. All went well, but I realized I'm probably not shooting it right.

I'm pretty much a collector. Handgun-wise the only non-1911 type or non-Colt DA revolver I own is a Beretta 92FS. I typically only shoot the revolvers single action. Prior to having kids I spent several years (I'm a pretty old Dad) reloading & shooting. In that context, I got to the point of being able to shoot pretty well.

I've occasionally shot friends striker-fired & DAO pistols, but certainly not routinely. The Kahr is striker-fired, but the trigger is more light DAO. I was staging the trigger (to the extent you can) and while i was accurate enough, I don't think that's the right way to do it. I keep a later Police Positive for HD and (some time ago) shot DA enough to gain a bit of proficiency.

I (think) I've read/ heard you're just supposed to "pull through" the trigger stroke in one, consistent motion. This seems to make more sense & is likely closer to how the weapon would be fired in self-defense. Much the same reason I practiced DA with the PP, and why I've advocated the same to the wife.

I guess I'd like some feedback that this is correct or guidance on the "correct" approach.

Thanks...Funnel

 

[9mmepiphany]

Yes the best way to shoot manage the Kahr trigger is to pull it smoothly from beginning to end...without slowing or stopping to refine your sight picture. It would be the same way you should be shooting a DA revolver. Staging the trigger is just an invitation to jerk the trigger and pull the shot off.

The optimal grip for fast and accurate shooting should look something like this

 

[Tomac]

What 9 said ^^^. My CM9 is my first DAO-style handgun in many years. During my first range trip I was hitting tin cans at 10yds which is *much* better than I would have believed possible w/such a short sight radius and that style of trigger.
Tomac

 

[Roadking Rider]

I know I shot my PM9 much better buy pulling the entire distance of the trigger pull in one fluid motion. Kahr's take some getting used to but there a great pistol. Carried on my hip for almost three years till the XDS9 came out.

 

[340PD]

Work with that trigger system and all your guns will perform better. IMHO, Kahr has a top notch system. My PM9 is a very nice carry gun and it shoots as accurately as any handgun I own.

 

[heeler]

I totally agree with 340PD.
My PM9 is very accurate and has a great trigger.
Just keep practicing.

 

[funnelcake]

Thanks folks. I'll start working on proper trigger discipline with the Kahr. Short-term accuracy might suffer a bit, but long-term both accuracy & defensive capabilities should improve.

Funnel

 

[hardluk1]

What others said . It so smooth and fluid it hard to stage the trigger. Practice is all it takes.

 

[italianbreadman]

I can't really add to what 9mmepiphany said, but I will throw in my opionion that Kahr makes one of the finest long-action trigger systems on any of today's striker-fire handguns.

I actually hated it at first, but realized through some trigger time on a friend's Kahr that it's an excellent design.

 

[VBVAGUY]

I have a Kahr PM9 and when I am not carrying it, I completely empty and clear it, put the magazine in the safe and then practice dry firing it. I sit there watching TV or a movie and reset the slide HOLD IT, PULL THE TRIGGER, repeat. This has greatly improved my shooting accuracy with my Kahr PM9. They say after about 3000-5000 repetition of anything done correctly it will become second nature. I hope this helps. God Bless

 

[funnelcake]

9mm - I think that grip shown is pretty close to what I employed first time out. I'll check and see/ verify. I've got decent sized mitts and was trying to find a suitable grip that would keep the thumbs away from the slide stop. A 1911 style grip is (unfortunately) not viable.

I did notice the pistol would shift in my hand after the first round, but not really move on subsequent shots. So maybe I need to work on the right grip also.

Thanks...Funnel

 

[Coop45]

Be very careful, they are addictive.

 

[9mmepiphany]

A 1911 style grip is (unfortunately) not viable.

I did notice the pistol would shift in my hand after the first round, but not really move on subsequent shots. So maybe I need to work on the right grip also.

Right hand only. It shouldn't shift after the first shot, that is usually indicative that your initial grip is a bit off



The left hand should fill all the exposed grip behind and above the right hand fingers

 

[funnelcake]

Thanks...I'll give it a roll next range visit.

Funnel

 

[hardluk1]

Slap a rubber grip slip on or sticky on it . That does help me.

 

[C0untZer0]

A few years ago I learned the importance of exercise for shooting. I've been shooting since I was a kid and a few years ago something started happening to me at the range that I'd never experienced before. My arms started to get tired.

I could only shoot for 15 or 20 minutes before I could no longer hold a steady sight picture.

So I started working out, focusing on increasing muscle mass in my forearms, and improving grip strength.

I have a more extensive exercise routine now that I use to keep my hands and arms in shape:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=8787137&postcount=31

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=8787169&postcount=32

It has made a huge difference.

I picked up a Rohrbaugh R9 last year and I'd heard from some people how it can be a hard to control, Some owners have said they have to readjust their grip after each shot. But I really haven't had a problem with it. I think it's because I had been exercising for almost 2 years, steadily improving my grip and upper body strength before I started to shoot the R9.

 

[s9601694]

Right hand only. It shouldn't shift after the first shot, that is usually indicative that your initial grip is a bit off



The left hand should fill all the exposed grip behind and above the right hand fingers

9mmepiphany, I am not sure what you are trying to show with those pictures but your thumb placement(s) are recipe for a lot of pain when you pull the trigger. Assuming that you have fired your CW (and seeing the intact state of your thumb skin) i doubt that that is actually how you hold it when you shoot??

 

[funnelcake]

Yea - just like (almost) anything else: you'll be better off if you're in good shape. I eat right and bust my a** 4-days a week including strength training, the bike, and running.

Funnel

 

[C0untZer0]

When I first looked at my grip on the R9 I thought I'd tear up my right thumb the first time I fired it, you can see my right thumb comes up over the slide a bit, but I haven't had a problem.

 

[s9601694]

Scary close but it does look like a very tough in-control grip


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[blitztech]

Maybe y'all could help me with my shooting. When it comes to a rifle I am a pretty good shot and can get very good groups, but shooting my pm9 I end up with holes scattered all over the bottom left of center. Pretty much the same as every pistol I shoot. Are there any videos on YouTube that y'all would recommend for improving my pistol accuracy?

 

[9mmepiphany]

9mmepiphany, I am not sure what you are trying to show with those pictures

I was addressing funnelcake's issue of the frame shifting on the first shot and was showing the gripping method I use properly anchor the frame in the strong hand

... but your thumb placement(s) are recipe for a lot of pain when you pull the trigger. Assuming that you have fired your CW (and seeing the intact state of your thumb skin) i doubt that that is actually how you hold it when you shoot??

That is almost exactly (I loosen the pressure of my fingertips a bit) how I hold it when shooting one-handed. There isn't much depth-of-field in that picture (8yo daughter was helping), but my thumb isn't in line, or even close to the slide stop or the slide. I not only practice with and carry this pistol, I've also competed with it in IDPA matches

As the grip sits in the center of the web between my thumb and index finger, my thumb joint is on the left side of the frame. By relaxing my thumb, it just floats in space...since it isn't needed to establish the grip (my groups shift left it I lower my thumb).

When I add the support hand, my right thumb rides higher (along side the slide) as in Post #4

 

[9mmepiphany]

but shooting my pm9 I end up with holes scattered all over the bottom left of center. Pretty much the same as every pistol I shoot.

Post a picture, or better yet a video of your grip/shooting and we'd have a better basis for comment.

While it is almost always safe to say it is your trigger management, your grip vectors can also have a negative effect on consistent shot placement

 

[s9601694]

I was addressing funnelcake's issue of the frame shifting on the first shot and was showing the gripping method I use properly anchor the frame in the strong hand


That is almost exactly (I loosen the pressure of my fingertips a bit) how I hold it when shooting one-handed. There isn't much depth-of-field in that picture (8yo daughter was helping), but my thumb isn't in line, or even close to the slide stop or the slide. I not only practice with and carry this pistol, I've also competed with it in IDPA matches

As the grip sits in the center of the web between my thumb and index finger, my thumb joint is on the left side of the frame. By relaxing my thumb, it just floats in space...since it isn't needed to establish the grip (my groups shift left it I lower my thumb).

When I add the support hand, my right thumb rides higher (along side the slide) as in Post #4

Interesting! I'll give that a try


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