My CM9 1500+ Rounds (Picture Heavy)

[bapple]

Hey all,

If anyone visiting this forum is on the fence about getting a CM/PM series Kahr, I can tell you with 100% certainty that this gun is my life line. It has had zero failures and continues to run like a top. I absolutely love this gun and will continue to trust my life with it. It spits out anything I feed it, be it hollow points, FMJs, hand loads, or even steel-cased, hard-primered ammo, it runs and runs.

So, I thought during cleaning it that I would get some snap shots of the normal wear on the gun. And it is true what they all say... the more you shoot this thing, the smoother it gets. I can rack the slide and "sling-shot" without the rounds nose-diving, I can easily assemble and reassemble it, and the slide is much easier to rack.

So, I'll start with the frame. I didn't feel a detailed picture was needed here because there is no substantial wear on the frame. Since the slide rides in the steel inserts in the frame, there is no plastic "peening" or shreds as some critics have claimed.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-43.jpg

Now, the barrel - this is where you will see the most wear since the finish is matte. I think it gives the gun some character besides just making it smoother.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-29-1.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-30-1.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-31-1.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-32-1.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-33-1.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-34-1.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-37.jpg

[bapple]

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-39.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-42.jpg

And the slide - there wasn't much wear on the slide either since the metal is so tough. The breechface has crude machining (since this is a CM series) that leaves imprints on some the brass cases, and the machining on the bottom portion of the slide is a bit crude. This doesn't matter to me at all though, since the gun still functions flawlessly and brass is not damaged and still reloadable.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-35-1.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-36-1.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-44.jpg

And also, there have been a ton of threads about reassembly being tough. The easiest way to reassemble the gun is to grip it in this fashion and simultaneously push on the barrel. Since this is a locked-breech gun, the barrel won't drop into the frame without the barrel link so you have to do it manually when the link isn't inserted.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-38.jpg

This is how it is carried for me, with a Tagua IWB holster on a daily basis. This can be carried in pretty much any attire I choose since it is amazingly thin. Be it jeans, kakhi shorts, athletic shorts, or dress pants, this is a very comfortable lifesaver. She carries 7 + 1 with a mixture of Hornady 124gr +P XTPs, Winchester 124gr +P PXD1s, and Hornady 115gr Critical Defense. Hope you all enjoyed!

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-40.jpg

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp257/bigapple828/photo-41.jpg

[JFootin]

Certainly did enjoy it! :) Welcome to the CM9 Owners Club, our symbol being :D, a grin from ear to ear!

[WI carrier]

very nice, i also have a cm9 and it to has been 100%( wish i could say the same for my cw45, but...). yoy pics are good and seem show pretty similar patterns to my 9, good to see.;)

[PYROhafe]

Nice write up! Welcome to the club! :D mine doesn't have quite that much wear yet.... just let's me know I need to shoot it more!

[Replay13]

Nice pictures and write up. Your barrel looks just like mine at over 2k rounds, just some smoothing out and mating. My PM9 is running 100% with everything now that they traded off my 7 round mag for another 6 rounder. I clean mine after every range trip and then I lube it with tetra slide grease. That holster looks really comfortable, I might have to get one now.

Only difference is I place the back of my hand web on the frame and fingers over the top to hold the slide back for take down. But thats not your fault! lol :D
James

[Joe L]

Nice. I will have to do something similar with my PM40, which is 100% and very accurate for a short little pistol.

Excellent.

Joe

[Bill K]

Hey, thanks for taking the time and effort to share with us.

[WilliamG]

Looks great! What grip is that, and is it hard to put on? Definitely interested!

[bapple]

Looks great! What grip is that, and is it hard to put on? Definitely interested!

It's made by Talon Grips. It's adhesive on the back side and wraps around the grip.

http://talongungrips.com/Talon-Grips-for-Kahr-Rubber-Texture-KahrRubber.htm

It takes some of the hard texture off your bare skin and makes shooting it much more enjoyable and comfortable. The grips come with an alcohol pad to prep the surface and full directions of how to install them - a great company to work with! I love mine.

[PYROhafe]

+1 for the talon rubbers! I love mine!

[WilliamG]

Thank you. May have to order that. Hopefully not hard to install straight!

[WilliamG]

Oh quick question! Does the grip interfere with the Crimson Trace attachment? Any pictures with both installed?

Thanks again!

[bapple]

Oh quick question! Does the grip interfere with the Crimson Trace attachment? Any pictures with both installed?

Thanks again!

Well I don't have a CT, but I can tell you from experience that the talon grips are very easy to cut. It would be a pretty simple mod to cut a slight groove where the button sits.

[WilliamG]

So you think those grips are worth it? Do they grip well, or does a sweaty hand cause issues? Just curious how they are compared to the "naked" PM9/CM9. Sorry for all the questions, but depending on the response I'll order one tonight! :D

Thanks!

[bapple]

So you think those grips are worth it? Do they grip well, or does a sweaty hand cause issues? Just curious how they are compared to the "naked" PM9/CM9. Sorry for all the questions, but depending on the response I'll order one tonight! :D

Thanks!

I think they certainly do. There may be marginally more grip with the extra texturing on the stock grip, but the rubber makes it more comfortable and easier to hold tight. I'm glad I got mine, and it's so cheap that you really can't go wrong.

[WilliamG]

Great info. LAST question: Can you remove the grips without leaving gunk everywhere?

[bapple]

Great info. LAST question: Can you remove the grips without leaving gunk everywhere?

I wish I could tell you but I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it! :cool::cool:

[dirtkicker]

Well I don't have a CT, but I can tell you from experience that the talon grips are very easy to cut. It would be a pretty simple mod to cut a slight groove where the button sits.

I installed the CT right over the talon grip w/o any issues. It works perfectly.

[WilliamG]

Awesome, thanks guys. :)

[WilliamG]

Just ordered the rubber grips. Hope they work out! :D

[WilliamG]

Crazy! Already shipped to me. Thanks for all the help, people. :)

[bapple]

Crazy! Already shipped to me. Thanks for all the help, people. :)

What's the verdict? Hopefully you like them as much as I do!

[WilliamG]

Er no.. I mean they're shipped, not delivered. :D Hah!

[Dustypuddle]

The Dealer that sold me my cm9 said if I want to make better he would polish the barrel. Should I let him do it,or will that get my warrenty mess up. Talk to me here.Thanks

[WilliamG]

The Dealer that sold me my cm9 said if I want to make better he would polish the barrel. Should I let him do it,or will that get my warrenty mess up. Talk to me here.Thanks

Make it.... better? I'd not bother, personally.

[AUgrunt]

Good thread to install confidence in new owners , thanks!

[Dustypuddle]

Thank you guys. I just think I need to go another 200 rounds, but im very happy with it.

[bapple]

Thank you guys. I just think I need to go another 200 rounds, but im very happy with it.

I definitely wouldn't spend money polishing the barrel. It isn't made for looks, it's made for function since you're just gonna be concealing it.

Mine has worked just fine and the barrel is really smooth from all the shooting it. Surprisingly, this gun is a lot of fun to shoot and works every single time.

Congrats on your new piece!

[WilliamG]

Got the Talon Grips installed and I like 'em! Was surprised I had to trim the very last piece that wraps around the front of the PM9, otherwise it overlapped the first side you put on. Other than that, I like 'em! Will see how much I like em under live fire when I get myself back to the range.

[bapple]

Got the Talon Grips installed and I like 'em! Was surprised I had to trim the very last piece that wraps around the front of the PM9, otherwise it overlapped the first side you put on. Other than that, I like 'em! Will see how much I like em under live fire when I get myself back to the range.

I had to do the same thing too. They make it just slightly oversized to assure a good fit.

I think you'll enjoy the bare grip not digging into your hands. It's much more fun!

[WilliamG]

I hope so. My hands are generally quite moist when I get hot, so we'll see how they hold up in terms of slickness etc. Either way, very impressed with Talon Grips' service, since they shipped them way quicker than within 24 hours, and even hand-wrote "Thank you, William" on the instruction sheet.

Very nice. Now if only my trimming skills were as good as their service. :D

[chrish]

fwiw, i didn't trim my talons, just let it wrap over...never has come loose. i wrapped it on the opposite side from my palm...righthanded, overlap is on the opposite side and i never notice it.

they are nice though. i've got a couple of backups and even though they'll be too short, think i'm gonna order them for my tp9 as well. it really make shooting nice and they don't add any thickness.

[WilliamG]

Well I followed the instructions and started with the left side, so the overlap is where my fingers curve. :D

I'm sure it doesn't matter, but I fixed the trimming and I do like the grips flush. Either way, curious to see how they perform under live fire!

[RxDoc]

After seeing all the talk and recommendations about the Talon Grips, I just had to test them out on my CM9 too. Received them before I could count to ten, applied as directed, seated them with hair dryer and headed to the range. Excellent!! The grips definitely seem to tame the recoil effect, and are very comfortable, I would recommend them highly also. Thanks, Gentlemen, for the tip.

[pitandkahr]

Great review and phenomenal pics!!!

[pitandkahr]

Well I followed the instructions and started with the left side, so the overlap is where my fingers curve. :D

I'm sure it doesn't matter, but I fixed the trimming and I do like the grips flush. Either way, curious to see how they perform under live fire!

What is this overlap that people are referencing?

[bapple]

What is this overlap that people are referencing?

If you look at either of the last two pictures that I posted you can see the small line I cut on the front of the grip. You can either cut the overlapping part or put it under the other part of the grip. It's designed that way in case the grip starts slipping. For me, it's been fine and I've done a lot of shooting with it.

[pitandkahr]

If you look at either of the last two pictures that I posted you can see the small line I cut on the front of the grip. You can either cut the overlapping part or put it under the other part of the grip. It's designed that way in case the grip starts slipping. For me, it's been fine and I've done a lot of shooting with it.

Perfect...Thank you I've been thinking of getting some of these grips for my XD's and now Kahr...

[WilliamG]

I can't wait to get to the range this coming week and try my PM9 with the grips, and also my new custom CZ that just came in!

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/wgrose/7547b9b3.jpg

[Joe L]

William G--Now THAT is a gun! I have a "heavily modified" 75B SA/DA 9mm converted to SAO and also have a Kadet 22 conversion for it. Excellent full weight, full size gun.

Joe

[WilliamG]

William G--Now THAT is a gun! I have a "heavily modified" 75B SA/DA 9mm converted to SAO and also have a Kadet 22 conversion for it. Excellent full weight, full size gun.

Joe

Nice! I have a CZ Shadow Target 9mm, that is awesome. And I have the 22 Kadet conversion for it, too.

This one is my new 97B with tons of modifications. Very excited to shoot it. :)

[RxDoc]

bapple, I see you carry with the 7rd mag in. Have you had any problems with yours? I have 6, 7, and 8 rounders. The 8rd I only use for the range, or filled for backup at home. I actually like the way the 7rd mag looks and feels better when shooting, but with all the negative talk about the 7rd mags I am a little concerned about reliability when for SD.I've shot about 40-50 rounds through the 7rd with zero problems, but the "negative" talk about them still worries me. Just asking.

[WilliamG]

bapple, I see you carry with the 7rd mag in. Have you had any problems with yours? I have 6, 7, and 8 rounders. The 8rd I only use for the range, or filled for backup at home. I actually like the way the 7rd mag looks and feels better when shooting, but with all the negative talk about the 7rd mags I am a little concerned about reliability when for SD.I've shot about 40-50 rounds through the 7rd with zero problems, but the "negative" talk about them still worries me. Just asking.

I can't speak for Bapple, but I've fired hundreds of rounds through my 7-round magazines (x3), and not had an issue.

[RxDoc]

Thanks, WilliamG, I really like the CM9, actually everything about it, but that concern in the back of one's head worried me. I usually carry a Ruger KLCR .357/.38 loaded with Fed.125gr..357Mag JHP "man stoppers", but wanted a 9mm to carry sometimes, and the Kahr CM9 fit the bill perfectly. Actually I like carrying the CM9 more than the Ruger, and it will probably take it's place as "main" carry soon. Anyway, thanks again for the reassurance, it helps a lot. Take care and be safe.

[bapple]

bapple, I see you carry with the 7rd mag in. Have you had any problems with yours? I have 6, 7, and 8 rounders. The 8rd I only use for the range, or filled for backup at home. I actually like the way the 7rd mag looks and feels better when shooting, but with all the negative talk about the 7rd mags I am a little concerned about reliability when for SD.I've shot about 40-50 rounds through the 7rd with zero problems, but the "negative" talk about them still worries me. Just asking.

People have been complaining about the 7 rounders being faulty, but I have never had a single issue. Luckily when I bought my CM9, Kahr was doing the free mag for any new handgun at the time. But unfortunately for that, I didn't know this until after I had bought a 7 rounder at a LGS. All in all, each mag works just fine and my CM9 is not picky about ammo in the slightest. It works and works with anything, from boxed loads to any handload I can whip up. I am a satisfied customer and a Kahr nut.

[Pappy]

bapple......:)

I like the barrel won't drop into the frame without the barrel link so you have to do it manually when the link isn't inserted.....:D

Great tip....And enjoyed the pics too....Thanks...;)

[talton]

Like the holster checked the site did not see one listed for pm or cm which one did you get

[WilliamG]

Thanks, all, for the Talon Grips tip. I took the PM9 to the range finally yesterday, and the grips were great! I wouldn't say they grip any more or less than the standard gun (well, maybe a tad more?), but in terms of comfort it was much nicer. Less bit into my hand in general.

Talon rubber Grips = win!