I am considering purchasing either a Kahr PM9 or a CW45. Lately, however, I have been hearing some bad stuff about Kahr's specifically as it relates to reliability issues. Are these just isolated examples? I realize that people only post things online when they have problems with a product, but I really don't want to purchase a firearm just to have to send it back to the factory 2 or 3 times. Any input from you Kahr shooters would be greatly appreciated.
"This pistol [PM45] crowds the performance envelope very hard, and the others do the same thing to a lesser degree. I am not attempting to warn any prospective buyer away from a Kahr, but
I would hope everyone understands that there are difficulties associated with using it."
Like any machine that pushes the design envelope, there is going to be less margin for error. When it works, you get a cutting edge machine. But...there is a price to be paid for being on the cutting edge and pushing the design envelope. Kahr is on the very cusp of reliability and durability for small, light pistols that fire powerful cartridges, IMHO. (And yes, I've owned three of them.)
I think this is an excellent article from American Rifleman, looking at the .45 Kahr pistols: Article
Excerpt:
"This pistol [PM45] crowds the performance envelope very hard, and the others do the same thing to a lesser degree. I am not attempting to warn any prospective buyer away from a Kahr, but
I would hope everyone understands that there are difficulties associated with using it."
These .45 pistols are what
Kahr Arms fans wanted, and the
company has produced them. I
consider them to be very valuable
additions to the concealed-carry
handgun scene. :wave:
I've owned a CW9 for almost a year. Put 1000 rounds through it now and never a hickup. Even the break in period went without fail. I carry this primarily now as the Para-Ord Hawg9 prints a lot more since I've put on my winter weight... =p
I've had my CW9 for a few years. Never a problem. Been very reliable with hollow points and FMJ. I have no issues with it at all and rely on it for defense regularly.
My daily carry is a P9. Bought it used, never had any problems that weren't operator errors (read the manual, follow its directions). It is as (or maybe more) reliable as my BHP or Sigs.
I have a PM9 and a P45. The PM9 has been flawless, after a few jams during the break-in. Zero problems in the last 1,000 rounds.
The P45 went back to the factory after numerous jamming problems through about 600 rounds. After coming back from the factory it has been almost flawless through the last 1500 rounds. The only problems it had was with some mild handloads that occasionally failed fully cycle. I won't blame that on the gun, as full power loads and +P loads have functioned perfectly, and I would not use mild handloads for carry anyway.
I would buy, and probably will buy another PM9 without hesitation. (Well, when it fits the budget anyway) My wife liked my PM9 so much that it is now her primary carry. I really like the size and weight of the PM9 for easy concealment in almost any clothing. The size and weight make it perfect for a BUG too, on the rare occasions that I carry one.
I have a K9, and it works flawlessly, and it's accurate too. I really enjoy everything about it.
That said, a friend of mine had a Kahr (can't remember the model, just that it had a polymer frame) that had a bad problem. It had trouble feeding, seemed to have problems now and then closing all the way into battery. He sent it back to Kahr, and when it came back he took it to the range to try out. I was there.
He fired most of a magazine, then it hung up. He ejected the shell and fed a new one in. Fired it. Then when he pulled the trigger again, it fired and the ejected shell came whizzing back and struck the fence in back with a loud SMACK!
Investigation showed the gun could go off when it was out of battery by about a quarter of an inch. He sent the gun back to Kahr through the dealer, and didn't want it back. The dealer gave him a deal on another (non-Kahr) gun.
If you have a Kahr that works correctly, it's a great gun. If you have one like he did, it's an accident waiting to happen.
we have a kahr pm9, its a very nice gun and we will not get rid of it, but what this you tube video shows is true. full back-up mags lose a few rounds in your pocket.
I don't think I have ever heard the words reliable and ProMag in the same sentence. They are usually considered cheap low end mags and any I have ever tried where basically worthless. Now if Mecgar made Kahr mags that would be different. My PM9 does not have the problem chambering rounds by racking the slide this guy describes with the OEM mags so for me its a none issue.
IMO, the polymer Kahrs are not a good choice for anyone new to auto loaders period. If you're wanting a small reliable auto go with one of the mini Glocks G26 or G27. They're a little chunky in the grip, but the reliability and performance is hard to beat!
I like my CW9 big time, but If I was new to autoloaders when I first got it and the round would nose dive when I tried to manually rack the slide, I'd be at a loss too. If this is a mag problem or a break-in problem, for someone new to pistols it could be a trying time to find the confidence needed for the CC of the pistol in question. YMMV
I agree with above quote. I have a CW9 with 350+ rounds thru it, nary a hiccup. I am going to run some Speer Gold Dot thru it, and then it will be one of my carry's, along with a G26.:danceban:
I've run my CW40 through its break-in 200+ rounds (Winchester WB) with no problems. A couple of failuers to fully lock on some hollow point ammo, but I think that may work itself out with more range time, and I'm comfortable shooting a 40 FMJ as a defense round anyway. No complaints about the firearm, and I think for the price it's a good deal (provided yours works like mine). For concealment they'e hard to beat. My only complaint is a personal thing, I guess I just don't like a "plastic" pistol. I won't sell off the Kahr, but if I had a chance to trade up to an all-metal Kahr 40 I'd probably do it. My EDC is still my Commander unless dress options just won't conceal it.
I purchase a CW9 to replace my 357 back up gun and though I was please with it's accuracy I was not please with it dropping the magazine with 1 - 2 rounds left in it. No my thumb was not resting on the mag release. In addition it would fail to go into battery about every 15 - 20 rounds. After 2 trips 3 months Kahr's still failing to correct the issue my dealer gave me a credit toward a Walther PPS. I know there are those who have good luck with the Kahrs and I'm happy for them but I personally can not recommend the gun or the customer service. Sorry but you asked. You might want to check some of the Kahr forums.
I am only experienced with the PM line, but have one of each caliber. All three are excellent carry choices, but the PM9 is the one with me constantly. Great shooter with a really nice trigger and great build quality.
The PM9 is a proven design and you should be really happy with the results. The newer PM45 seems to be having the bugs worked out, but Kahr will take care of you. Mine is still working through a break in period at about 200 rounds.
I hope my post did not offend anyone. I just didn’t like the service or the failure to feed issue. It seems that a lot of people have not encountered the problems I did. If I had not had the problems I would have kept it.
After reading the posts I will most likely purchase another. Although , I hope the Customer service gets better.
I own a Kahr CW40. Great little pistol. Works well. The only problems I have had with it in FTF FTE matters were caused by me. A little good instructor feedback helped me diagnose my problem and correct it.
I have had a problem with one factory magazine; the little metal tab that pushes up the slide stop for hold-open, worked its way out just enough that it wouldn't accept more than one round in the magazine. A little judicious application of brute force got the tab seated correctly and all is well with that magazine ever since.
I also purchased one of the extended capacity magazines and that gives better grip capability so my pinkie doesn't dangle.
I don't carry it much these days, but it gets regular range workouts. The light weight does give it a "snappier than pleaseant" recoil. It certainly is NOT a beginner's gun.
Have a CW9 and bought it because of its slim profile and its value. It's turned out to be a great, reliable gun and I'm happy with it. I've put about 1000 rounds of everything from hardball to hollow point and all have fired without a glitch. The only thing I had to learn with this particular firearm is that the first cartridge in the mag likes to be stripped into the chamber from a locked back slide (by using the slide release button).
I own a CW40, shot everything you can think of thru it, never one single miss fire. now the wife is looking into the pm9. she love's the kahr and the kick is less than the LCP.
Had to send my PM9 back to the shop, as the pistol wouldn't return to battery. After receiving it back from them, it's been flawless. It's my EDC and I wouldn't trade for it. You can't beat the firepower capabilities for the size. It's perfect.
My wife bought me a MK9 for christmas so I can't shoot it until after christmas but my choice was down to 2 guns the MK and a Glock 26 (I already have a Glock 23). I had read all of the negative and complaining about the Kahrs and was even hesitant to give my money to the Moon family but the two people that I talked to that have Kahrs (both K9's) said nothing but really good things about both guns and neither had ever had troubles with either gun. By the way both are very experienced and knowledgable about guns. I have also heard people bitching about buying a gun with a break-in period. I see this as a HUGE bonus since I will have at least 200 rounds to become familiar with every aspect of my gun before I carry it. I think someone is crazy that would go buy a gun and just start carrying it.
BTW: My father is getting up in age and has decided to start liquidating his gun collection and just gave me his Stainless Ruger Super Redhawk with 9.5" barrell and scope does anyone know of a concealed carry holster for it.:image035:
:wave:First Hello to All.....I Carry a CW9 18/7 .Owned it for about 2yrs. Have had pretty good luck with it, but i did a buff & polish first. The first 100rds worked out ok, but did have a few failure's of out of battery, so i buffed some more and cleaned up the plastic guide shavings and took the sharp edge's off the extractor. I can hand cycle it now no problem even slowly.I was disturbed that after carrying for months i had a light strike on the 3rd rd while it was in loaded/carrying for awhile...So i took the slide apart and cleaned/polished the striker channel. I had some flakes/shavings there. I have not shot it much since but plan to shoot a couple hundred more and hope i have no more light strikes(only had one) but that was disturbing cause i had been carrying it like that for awhile.
Personally i like the Poly Kahrs But do think they are overpriced. My New Taurus 709 is machind just as well as my CW9 But they (Taurus) need to make better mags (to thin sheet metal) Stainless would better. Kahr mags could be better in the feed lip area otherwise i like them
.
.
GMan
I have owned my P9 for a little over a month with no troubles. 200+ rounds so far and going to the range tomorrow for another 200.
I love the size of the P9. my LCP is smaller, Glock 23 is nice.
:santaclaus:
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