New member, new CM9, a few problems

[tarheelcm9]

New member here, haven't stalked too much, but found the post-purchase stickies very helpful!! So I just picked up my new CM9 today, stripped it, cleaned it/lubed it and took it out to shoot some rounds. First of all, I can't believe how incredibly STIFF the springs are in this gun...wow! It was a struggle to get the slide off during the disassembly/reassembly. I was sort of pressed for time today, so I didn't get a chance to rack the slide before shooting it.

The only thing they had at the gunstore was PMC bronze 115gr. roundnose. I hate PMC, but I had to go with what I could get. The problems I had with the gun were 1 or 2 failure to ejects, multiple failure to load, where the round would be "pinched" at an angle in between the slide and the chamber, or no round would be chambered at all. Also, the gun would not lock on empty magazines until the last clip that I shot.

I have some ideas about why I was experiencing these problems, but I would to know y'alls opinion as well. I think the round not properly loading and the failure to lock on empty are stemming from the same issues...strong springs and weak (cheap) ammo. I feel like the slide wasn't able to travel all the way back during the recoil, which prevented the slide from "catching" the next round cleanly. Also, the gun would lock on empty if I manually pulled the slide back, so I feel like the slide just isn't coming back far enough during the recoil.

I did notice that after I shot more rounds, the frequency of these issues decreased. Actually, in the last 2-3 clips that I shot, I don't think there were any issues other than a failure to lock on empty. The gun DID lock on empty with my final clip however.

I know there is a 200 round break-in, and I've only shot about 75 rounds, but I was just slightly concerned because I have seen multiple people have little-to-no issues at all.

Despite these issues, I LOVE this gun, and can't wait to keep shooting it. I've got a Desantis Superfly for my summer pocket carry, and some Talon grips are on the way as well. I'm not sure how much skin is left on my hands after today's light session of shooting :eek:

Also, is it common to see some plastic "shavings" come off onto the frame rails and such?

[Deano]

First, if you haven't already, check out the kahr lube chart sticky and make sure you've lubed it up well. When I first got mine, I did rack the slide about 400 times before shooting and that did loosen up the spring a little.

Second, the ammo could well be your problem. If you can, get some good quality ammo and see if the problems persist. I shoot a lot of federal or winchester, and they feed very reliably. If you can't get it locally, get some on line.

Some people, myself included had some mags that would not feed properly. If changing ammo, a good lube, and racking the slide don't solve the problem, I'd recommend you look at the follower mod thread, and the slingshot mod thread. Those completely solved my feeding problems.

They do come tight, and they will loosen up with racking and shooting.

Finally, I don't know how much shooting you do, but if you're new, you might have someone at the range who is an experienced shooter have a go with it. If that person has none of the same issues, there may be some limp wristing that's to blame.

Those are the things that come to mind.

As for the plastic shavings, it would help if you posted some pictures so we know what you're talking about.

[sharpenit]

While you should certainly try other ammo, I don't think the PMC is your problem. I've put 1,200 rounds of PMC 115-grain fmj through my CM9 and haven't had the problems you describe.

I think you're going through a difficult break-in, which is what I experienced with my CM9. While Kahr says that 200 rounds should break in the gun, with my CM9, it was more like 450 rounds before it started to function reliably. Since then, it has worked fine and I bet yours will, too.

[hardscrabble]

I am new to Kahrs and I learned pretty quick that it is best to be patient and listen to what these experienced owners have to say. I know it's counterintuitive that you buy a pistol that's not really ready to shoot...but there it is. Chances are you're just getting a good dose of the combination new springs/tight tolerances/small package.

I had to send mine back because of light striker hits on the primer. After it came back I haven't had a single issue in almost 400 pops. The trigger has smoothed out and the slide is much easier to rack. Keep shooting. You'll probably be fine.

[Bill K]

Welcome to KahrTalk.

Reads like you've got my kinda luck. 99 out of a 100 of somethings will be without flaw or issue and I'll get the one that is flawed.

You've already gotten good advice. You'll get your CM9 up and running 100% and then never look back.

[tarheelcm9]

Deano, the plastic shavings were just a few bits of plastic that had came of of the rails on the frame. Before I even shot the gun, there were these small flakes of plastic still on the frame. I think its normal, but this is my first polymer gun so I was just curious about it.

[Markis82]

Besides the advice already given, take apart the mag. Make sure the spring was installed in the right direction. The last coil of the spring should be the same angle as the follower's angle. Believe it or not, members here have found their springs installed from the factory backwards. Also make sure the follower has no extra plastic ridge where the mold's joint was. A little smoothing might be called for. I too agree, it does not sound like the ammo. Even though you may not like PMC, it is totally usable ammo. Try using a bit of gun grease like TW25B on the barrel lug, inside the top of the slide where the barrel rubs, and on the rails. Rub it into the metal. Don't just dab it on. During break in, the grease seems to work better. You can also leave the slide locked open a day or two. That might help the spring ease up. I hope this helps.

[jocko]

continue on with the "bang" thing and they guj will smooth itself out.

[Deano]

Deano, the plastic shavings were just a few bits of plastic that had came of of the rails on the frame. Before I even shot the gun, there were these small flakes of plastic still on the frame. I think its normal, but this is my first polymer gun so I was just curious about it.

Mine had some of those "hanging chads" here and there. I just took an exacto knife and some sand paper and made 'em as smooth as I could.

[tarheelcm9]

thanks for the advice everyone! I'll just continue to shoot the gun and will ask if I have any more issues.

[tarheelcm9]

quick question, so I've been racking my slide whenever I get a chance to try to loosen the spring up. I've been leaving the pistol with the slide locked back for a few hours a day. I'm hoping this should help loosen the recoil spring as well...what do y'all think?

Also, does it hurt these guns to dry fire them?

[Markis82]

quick question, so I've been racking my slide whenever I get a chance to try to loosen the spring up. I've been leaving the pistol with the slide locked back for a few hours a day. I'm hoping this should help loosen the recoil spring as well...what do y'all think?

Also, does it hurt these guns to dry fire them?Yes that should help. You can leave the slide locked open over night. You can dry fire it all you want, no worries.

[Infidel proud]

One of my things "to do" when I get a new kahr is to leave the slide locked open, usually do this the night before my first range trip. So yeah that could def help a bit.

Also, I have shot quite a bit of pmc through my CM9 without any issue. Not sayin your CM9 likes it but I think you are just experiencing how friggin tight a new kahr can be, my two cents would be to keep shooting until your past the breakin phase before you start worrying...

Congrats on your new piece by the way, they are sweet and they keep gettin better and better...

[jocko]

all those pre-bang things help the gun but nothing gives a recoil spring it desired set better than the BANG THING: So themore ushoot the smoother the gun will work to..

[tarheelcm9]

thanks again...I am really pleased with this gun so far. i'm sure it will make a great CCW gun once it gets broken in.