The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly on the Kahr CM-9
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- Опубликовано: 30 авг 2023
- SORRY IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION I MISSPOKE THIS IS A CM-9 NOT A CW-9. I DO APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
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The three biggest issues were the heavy recoil spring, barrel break-in period (200 rounds) before HP bullets would feed properly, and lastly long trigger travel.
The three biggest pros: Very Made, Cheap Pricing, Very Compact and Comfortably Conceal Carry Pistol.
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.1", conventional rifling; 1 - 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.42"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 14 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Textured polymer
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Black polymer frame, matte stainless steel slide
Magazine: 1 - 6 rd flush floorplate
#bop #bureauofpropaganda #swampfox #swampfoxoptics #gunsmithbeard #brownells #SHOOTINGINNOVATIONS #Kahr #KahrArms #Cm9 #9mm #ConcealCarry #CCW #selfdefense
For the last 15 years, my most common daily carry has been a PM9 Black Diamond. I did the break in during a single range day, which was no problem since I refuse to carry something I have not put several hundred rounds through to learn all of its quirks and handling characteristics. Had a couple of issues over the first two boxes of ammo, then after that not one failure over the next 15 years. Have to be closing in on 2,000 rounds through it. Despite having five other compact and sub compacts to choose from, the Kahr has consistently been my go to.
Kahrs have the tolerances very tight right out of the box which is what causes the initial problems. However that is not limited to just Kahr, since any firearm with very tight tolerances will have issues until it is "broken in". For higher end firearms (multiple thousand $$$) this is often done by the manufacturer so buyers don't realize it. If I bought a new one I would rack the slide a couple hundred times and polish the feed ramp to see if that completely removed any "break in" issues.
This is amazing feedback! Thank you for sharing it, I love reading others experiences and what they did and the results they had.
Great info! I have a PM9 that I bought used. I didn’t know about the 200 round break in period - I’ve probably ran 50 through it, looks like I’m in for a trip to the range. Love my PM9 and it is a good shooter.
That’s awesome thanks for sharing your feedback. I love hearing how other people experiences with their firearms are going. Yeah a lot of people don’t realize that Kahr has match quality barrels in every pistol. I found that out through doing some heavy research which I was super impressed with!
Great review right on! I own two PM9s and love them. I only wish Kahr would come up with a double stack pistol in the same size as their PM9s and CW9s. Great channel please keep eep giving these guns some deserved love.
I really appreciate it. Thank you for the support!
X9 is coming!
@@whatsinaname6745finally and it’s a beaut
I got the CW9 last Friday and I love it. Great firearm for a great price. Under $300 and another huge plus to me is that it's American made. Great video. God Bless from Oklahoma. Also I'm a new subscriber
Thank you, brother. Glad you like the content. Thanks for your feedback also!
Yooo the cuts in the slide look sick! Wish mine had that lol. I love mine. I want it in 45 too cause big bullet lol.
Thanks 🙏🏼
Thanks for the video, agree with all your points, I own the PM9, CM9, S92, P-2 and ST9, they were dirt cheap, and they are in my safe for collection than carry. At one time I remembered they were impossible to find and most people were paying a premium. Still the PM series are over $500 and the metal one scratching Sig prices. They are cool little tools.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. I wanted to show that these firearms are overlooked and if you check around your local FFL's you might find a smoking deal.
... I've always wanted a CM 9, but none we in my area, until two years ago in one of my LGS was a used CM9 for just over 200. It was, as you said, bought by a couple who wanted a small concealable handgun - but put only two mags through it and found the recoil spring too heavy for them to use. They traded it in for another pistol and I snatched the CM9 up, works great for me ( I put a Houge Handall grip on it ) ...
Thanks for sharing! I honestly believe they are very well-made and because of the price they’re at all over the country. I think it’s a great deal.
I have had two Kahrs for some years now, a CM 9 and a CW 380, several hundred rounds through each, night sights and some stippling and Arachna grip on each. I had to do some filing on the extractor on the 380 to round it a bit, to consistently go into battery. These guns are absolute tack drivers. I put MagGuts+1 spring and follower in each of my magazines for each gun. These guns run flawlessly, and they are not sensitive to +p ammo. I have many other carry guns, but these continuously rise to the top.
That’s awesome 👏 Thank you for the feedback! It seems like once they start running they are good to go!
Nice review. I have the CM9 and CW45 and enjoy them both. Both never gave me any problems. And yes both are stiff even after way more than 200 rounds through them. I really love the slide cuts you have done and now I'm starting to think something like that for mine would be fun. I see that MCARBO has some upgrades available for the CM9. Do you think they would be good to do and would they be reliable. So far my Kahr pistols have been totally reliable, just a bit stiff.
The one thing I’ve never seen is a ported vented slide for one of those. It would be kind of cool to have the custom work done. If I ever get access to a vertical mill I can do that kind of work again but right now I don’t have it.
I have owned a Kahr CM9 since 2012. It was a jam-a-matic even after the 200 round break-in. It was disassembled and cleaned in an industrial grade ultrasonic cleaner. Surprisingly, a lot of very small stainless steel machining chips came out of that gun. I don't know where they were hiding, maybe inside the multi-spring recoil unit, or in the extractor channel. After that cleaning the gun has been 100% reliable. No ammo will stop it now. I was a little PO'd at Kahr for not cleaning a new gun but I love the gun now and wouldn't think of selling it.
I love the feedback. Thanks for sharing!
A little tough to work the slide but the slide on the Walther PPQ is a nightmare to rack!! I had a PPQ but sold it because of it's slide. It was awful!
I bought a brand new CW9 and all it took to go through 200 rounds was one trip to the range...I also kept the slide open for 2 weeks before hand. No malfunctions or FTF or any hiccups from round 1 to 200+
I have heard that before, but Kahr did formally recommend that barrel break-in period of 200 rounds. This is why I believe you could purchased this pistol on the cheap because many of the owners refused to do that and ended up trading or selling them.... I am not going to lie, I have got some smoking deals on this pistol because of that fact and essentially getting a brand-new gun for very little money.
I polished all my Kahr feed ramps as well as racked the slide over 100 times. I had issues with flat nose .380 ammo, but no problems with anything else. I own 4 Kahrs and I love them all!
What material did you use the polish your feed-ramps? Cratex works pretty good with a cutting oil.
I start with a couple swipes of 1000 grit sand paper, change to a red rouge polishing compound on a wool felt mandrel dremel tool, then finish with Flitz on the same dremel tool. Ends up looking like a mirror.
I have a pile of Kahrs-K, MK, T, CM, P, and CW series. The only one that had anything approaching a break in period was my CW380
My CM9 was perfect from the start.
WOW!!! That's awesome!!! Thanks for taking the time to give us your feedback.
@@GunsmithBeard My CW380 was so bad I had to send it back to Kahr after the break in. They replaced everything except the frame and sent it back. It was fine until the recoil spring needed replacing at 1000 rounds.
They’re pretty finicky. Ammo sensitive-only likes WWB but does feed hollowpoints.
I bought my PM9 around 1998.It did take a break in period and is picky with hollow points.Hornady Critical Defense shooys perfect in my gun.It has a match grade barrel from factory.When I need to deep conceal this gun is on my person 90% of the time.Anybody who says the trigger sucks or the gun is not accurate needs to spend more time on the range.This gun can shoot like a full size pistol even at 25 yards.Solid gun.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. Always love to hear each and everyone’s experience with different weapons systems. I’ve had really good luck besides a little bit of a break in period with the ones that I’ve owned.
Thanks for the review! I own the PM9, not the CM9, but they're certainly very similar. I was surprised to hear you say most owners give up after only 50-100 rounds, and I guess I'm one of those. Now, I will probably get mine out of the safe and try shooting it some more. But, the biggest problem with my Kahr is that it really hammers my trigger finger. I've not experienced that before with any gun but this one. Any thoughts?
I forgot to mention that point! I am glad you brought that up. I had heard "the trigger shoe sometimes hammers the shooter's finger creating what they call "a pinching feeling"! I have heard that before from a few owners. I had looked into aftermarket companies to see if anyone made a replacement trigger shoe but did not find anyone. It might be worth digging around again to see if that has changed.
It's more like getting the trigger finger "hammered" than it is "pinched." It's like the trigger slams back into position with such velocity and force that it "bangs" the hell out of my finger, and it's rather painful after just a few rounds. However, maybe I just need to tough it out and put a few hundred rounds through it ... finally. @@GunsmithBeard
I bought my then new PM9 in March of 2011. The only issue I recall was having was the slide not staying open on the last round. Kahr sent me a replacement Slide Stop which fixed the issue.
The PM9 quickly replaced my Glock 26 for daily carry. To this day the PM9 is almost always my carry (front pocket) with just an occasional swap out for my P3AT or XDM Compact .45 (appendix).
I'll be 80 years old this coming August and arthritis is becoming a bit of an issue. I can still handle the stiff slide but it has become noticeably more difficult.
That’s good feedback. Thanks for sharing your point of view!
@@GunsmithBeard On another Channel a poster mentioned Talon Grips also having grip tape that fits over and into the slide serrations of many gun models. I checked it out and ordered one for my PM9.
I own two of them and 50 rd break in on one, the other ran great right out of the box. Just terrific, well built firearms. I own many of the new Double Stacks, Sig etc. Yet I carry the Kahr as my EDC.
That’s awesome! Thank you for your point of view and your perspective! Always good to hear! Thank you. 🙏🏼
I have had mine for about 7 years. You're right about the recoil spring i have broken all of my fingers a couple of times from grappling but i can still operate the slide just fine and that it is now a safe queen. The first shot with mine was a stove pipe. I didn't have very many pr
problems for awhile then it started jamming failure to feed. Im not sure how many rounds i put through it but there have been enough to almost wear the 9x19 cw off the slide and the gide rod is tore up. The trigger on it was absolutely garbage. I stitched it out and it's a little better. I think i paid 350 for it. I felt sorry for it so it is my night stand gun for the night.
Thank you for the feedback I love to hear other people's experiences bad or good. The recoil springs tend to be heavy poundage.
I bought a cm9 last week for 250 OTD. Some one bought it and got 3 rounds and gave up . After one box of 50 she's had zero in the 300 I put through it.
Great Deal!!! that is exactly what I was talking about, great find!!!
I just picked up a PM9. I wanted a Sig 938, but it seems like Sig is phasing out those guns. All I could find when I looked were SAS models (which I’m not a fan of) or Legion models that prevent you from running the exact same mag from Springfield’s 911 at 30 bucks less per mag. So that’s a no-go for me.
I remembered looking into Kahr years ago and deciding against a gun with a 200 round break-in, but for something small enough for pocket carry, they seem to be one of the better options again.
I haven’t made it to the range with it yet, but dry firing it has been interesting. The trigger was lighter than I expected, coming in at 5.25 pounds on my gauge. There’s no wall, no grit, and no stacking. Just a buttery smooth pull until it eventually releases the striker.
My biggest issue so far is just the machining. While it is very well done, it would be nice if they broke some of the sharp edges on the serrations in the slide and slide stop.
While I really don’t know crap yet since the range trip didn’t happen yet, my first impressions of Kahr have been mostly positive.
There was a time I wanted the micro Sig Sauer pistols, but didn’t because of the higher cost.
The slide serrations are a bit sharp, I would agree. When it comes to the trigger, not everyone gets the same results. It seems like it’s a bit of a range of what you might get. There’s not a lot of consistency which could be good or bad.
I’ve had several people say that they didn’t need the 200 round break-in period but most owners say it does, including myself.
@@GunsmithBeard I’ve got a P238 and it’s nice, I just want a round with a little more “oompf” if needed for defensive purposes. I wish I went with the 9mm version back then.
It’s interesting how a gun with such seemingly tight tolerances (at least for a striker-fired design) would have an inconsistent trigger pull.
Hopefully I’ll continue to be lucky with this one, it would be interesting to know if any little design tweaks have been made over the… what, 15 years? since the PM9 was introduced.
You’ll be happy with the pm9 I’ve had mine and carried it for 9 years now every day. Ive never had any issues out of mine. Once you get used to the trigger these guns are very accurate for their size
@@Bill308A10 Well, it had to go back to Kahr, unfortunately. The slide was “skipping” over the nub on the trigger bar so the sear wasn’t resetting. This led to the gun behaving a lot like a bolt-action. Fire a round, rack the slide to reset the trigger, pick up the good round you just cycled through the gun, shoot again.
The gun is back and runs like a top now, but the trigger is a little heavier. I’m going to keep working with it and hopefully it will be a decent summer carry once I feel it’s reliable enough for the task.
My PM9 misfired 10-15 times in every box of ammo. Performed the breakin as required, still didn't work. Light primer strikes? Sent it back to the factory. I was told there was manufacturing debris in the striker channel. It works perectly now.
Thank you for the feedback I haven’t heard that one before. Good to know though great to share with others if they’re having a similar issue.
I just picked up a used PM9 in great shape for $240.
Awesome 👏 Good Deal!!! Congrats
I have a CW9 In all honesty I've had no issues with it. It's in my rotation.
That's awesome feedback, I know a few guys who never had an issue with them and they didn't have to shoot 200 rounds before it was "broken in", thanks for sharing.
I have the cm40. It is very ammo sensitive. I have put about 400 rounds through it and it did not help. Even racked the slide open for 2 weeks and it did not help either. I love the size and build especially for a 40. I'm very surprised on the 9 that there would be any problems feeding ball ammo. I could see a problem with the defense rounds. The kahrs do not like any ammo that is flat faced.
I have worked on Kahr barrel for this very reason, the best way to fix the issue is the round the edge of the barrel where the feed ramp and the throw of the chamber start.
Very nice review, although the CM9 is not heavy, it's a very light weight 9mm, it's actually a few ounces lighter than a G43. My CW380 had a few jams early and needed the break in, probably after 75rds ran flawless, my CM9 has been 100% reliable.
That’s awesome! Thank you for the feedback.
One issue is that to feed the top round you have to release the slide, not ease it forward. (I bought aftermarket followers that reduced this issue.) But there's no reason you can't do that, and when shooting that's not a problem.
Also, racking the slide felt a little crunchy at first, and that friction was probably a big part of the reason for the 200 round break in. But I simply racked the slide 200 times and it smoothed out -- and worked pretty well at the range after that. An advantage of the gun being made tight, once you break it in, is that it _will_ be accurate.
As for the strength needed to rack the slide, perhaps you could solder some wings onto the sides of the slide so you can grip the slide more forcefully and not have to rely on friction with the fingers.
Thank you for the feedback I always love reading other peoples experiences with their firearms. I won’t disagree the 200 round breaking period, sucks!
I fired 400 rounds through my P380 to break it in. Racking the slide is still not easy. Sorry I bought it. My Bursa Thunder cost a lot less and not one problem after 400 rounds.
That’s a good point, racking the slide isn’t as easy for arthritic hands.
Can you pocket carry that thing? Especially with the 7 rounder?
I wouldn't but it would depend on the pants, you could. The Glock 42 or Kahr P380 would be a better size for that style of concealed carry/ EDC.
My son has a CM-9. I took it apart yesterday and oiled it, very difficult to do that because of the stiff spring and lack of witness marks on where the slide has to be for removal. Worse yet, the Kahr trigger is horrible, heavy and gritty, worse that a stock Glock trigger. The beauty of all Glock triggers is, they can be lightened & smoothed out DIY, or better yet replaced with excellent aftermarket parts, e.g., those from Johnny Glocks. In this manner, my G42 has a nice smooth 4.5 lb letoff. Part of why Glocks are popular and Kahr pistols are not.
I love the honest feedback that you just laid down! Thank you!
I disagree. Their pedigree brand "P" series was fine...for 20+ years. They made the "budget" CW line to Appeal for more budget minded folks. Think....Taurus.
The budget didn't have the Polygonal barrel. And it was roll marked and not laser stamped. Along with changes in cheaper metal for some parts and you get the CW line....
Thought about getting one How does it compare to a sig p365
The KAHR pistols feels like a Glock in your hand. So it would depend on if you like how a Glock feels, then it would be fine. SIG has a different grip angle so it feels completely different in my opinion.
I own both, both are great guns. The Kahr is a little lighter but also holds 4 less rounds. Can't go wrong with either for EDC.
Experienced magazine issues with a CM9 edition having an oem black finished slide that has been a safe queen for about 5 years. Besides some 6 and 7 round magazines also acquired a couple of 8 shot ones. ( 9 s and 10 s are also available from Khar.) All of these if fully loaded and left ready would pop out 3 or 4 cartridges within a couple of days, (except the one inserted into the pistol ). Its unacceptable to reach for a reload expecting 6 or 7 shots and having 3 or 4 rounds with the rest rattling around in the bottom of the carrier pouch. Researching forums indicated that the fault on 9 and .40 magaazines is the plastic oem follower. Lakeline Precision makes retrofit aluminum replacements to solve this issue and also other complaints about feeding failures and followers breaking when the slide chambers the last cartridge and holds open on an empty pistol. I did not experience those flaws. Have replaced the parts and fully loaded up all the magazines and periodically inspecting that the top cartridges are not peeling off. In a month or so intend to go to the range and shoot them all dry to verify feed and function and do some factory recommended breaking in. The magazine springs are strong enough to use a loading tool. Thanks for the tip about polishing the feed ramp. Hoping for the best, I really like the Khar and was confident in the quality but got turned off by the top 3 rounds jumping out of spare magazines.
I haven’t tried the LakeLine products, that’s a great lead on replacement followers
@@GunsmithBeard I bought 8 followers and they are expensive and very high quality, all magazines mechanically function tested satisfactorily. Since you are a gunsmith you might be in a more advantageous buying tier. I also installed an MCarbo stainless steel striker spring guide rod pin, the oem one is plastic and I did not have faith in it, though I'm fussy about my carry pistols and try to make them as reliable as possible and preventatively fix anticipated flaws.
I never got my PM9 to work properly. It was a stovepipe galore.
Just curious...How many rounds did you shoot through yours? What ammo did you use?
I got the CW40 years ago. It handled any ball ammo but the only HP I had at that time that worked was Gold Dot. I haven't tried the HST I now use for other carry options.
HP bullets hardly ever work until the barrel has the 200 or more round count through them or the barrel's feed ramp has been polished heavily from any sharp edges near the chamber throat.
Another little known ugly!
I'd ADVISE EVERYONE TO CHECK THERE CM/PM 9's (and probably any other kahr).
I purchased my CM9 for the exact reason of...... The G43 did not yet exsist, and I wanted his size back-up weapon. I did my break in and love this micro 9. The department I served did not approve it though, because Karh will not certify outsiders to be armorers, so we had none in house, hence not approved for that reason. Again, love this little 9 and it functioned great......UNTIL it didn't ! THIS IS A WIERD KNOWN PROBLEM (but not well advertised) I FOUND OUT ~AFTER~ IT HAPPENED AND I RESEARCHED IT. No recalls for this either that I could find. Sorry for for the -all caps- but this is important.
T H E I S S U E :::: It is a cold weather problem. I accidentally discovered it after years of owning it, brining my CM9 in from my car on a cold winter night. It was below freezing. Prior to stowing the weapon I dropped the mag, racked the chambered round out, pointed it at the ground and pulled the trigger....... NOTHING ! No click of the mechanisms or firing pin !!! A dead trigger ! I kept racking and pulling the trigger and nothing ! I was still outside in the cold. It really freaked me out of the ramifications of that. I brought the gun in the house and made some dinner, contemplaiting the situation. Some time had passed and I again racked the slide, but this time it functioned as normal. What the heck !?
To keep it short & to the point; I had discovered the malfunction only happened when the pistol was super cold, at or below 32 degerees. I could easily replicate the problem by putting it in my freezer for 30-40 minutes, retrieving it and dry functioning the gun (which would NOT function) WOW! What the heck is that about I thought. I tried that with a few other pistols, and a G43 that I had eventually aquired and ZERO issues with any others.
I went on-line and researched this and found others who discovered this same problem! Since I was the original owner and Kahr has a great lifetime service for us, I contacted Kahr and sent it in with the above story/issue attached. They never denied it was "a thing" for some pistols, and they serviced and fixed the problem. I never got an explanation to what the issue was when it got cold. And of course when I got it back it went right to the freezer to vet it for cold operation without any problems.
So if you have one of these....... DO A FREEZER TEST ON YOUR KAHR !
BE Safe All !
That is very odd. I’ve never heard of the freezer test or cold operation issues.
I’m in California looking at the .380 but they want $699 for it man
😬🫤…Ouch!!!
I got a cm9 is it ok to dry fire it?
Yes, it's perfectly okay to dry fire.
No. Read the owners manual
@@oo7-ro6bu it's not in the box
@@shaneallen683 I could be wrong. I remember reading that. I'll have to find mine and read again.
Looks like a cm9
I misspoke you are correct, it is a CM-9 not a CW-9.
Your good I was just giving you shit have a good1 be safe
@@tshep2az hahahahaha well thank you for bring it to my attention.
I don't trust ANY firearm, or accessory, until it has been through several hundred rounds 🤷♂️
Most/many firearms with very tight tolerances (may) "require a breakin" 😉 Especially if they have a tight barrel to slide lockup and/or slide to frame.
That is a great perspective and point of view! I would agree.
Is this a EZ rack
Sadly no. The slide is very stiff.
It is a CM9.
These guns have no safety??
No manual safety “thumb safety” , “tang/grip safety” etc.. much like a Glock.
The trigger and you are the safety.
Kahr outdated for years now.
What makes it outdated for you?
Reason for failures is the crappy magazines which allow rounds to rock back and forth - pile of junk
Stupid feed ramp has a slot cut out on right sside to allow for silly trigger bar to clear - so hollow points will all ways jam up on the feed ramp - gouging it at times
Trigger is JUNK - causing uneven lateral forces through the gun as you pull the trigger- which will pull the poorly fitted slide and barrel assembly to pull to the right taking you off target every time - so NOT accurate at all - bullets will land where god wants em every time
I wouldn’t sell my crappie CW9 to anyone- I would feel horrible like I ripped someone off
Thank you for sharing your feedback!