Chambering a round in the PM9

[Boylerman]

I just picked up a PM9 this evening. It is secondhand, and the prior owner put approximately 200 rounds through it. The pistol looks brand new. I haven't had an opportunity to shoot it yet, but I did load up a magazine and chamber a round. My question concerns how easy/difficult is it typically to chamber a round with this handgun? Initially, I racked the slide an inch or so and released it, and the slide got stuck clambering the round. I've found that the bullet does not chamber nearly as smoothly as my other 9mm a Ruger SR9c. I have to really rack the slide aggressively to get the bullet to chamber consistently.

Is this behavior typical, or might there be something amiss?

Thanks,

Kent

[Tilos]

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6943

[Gangplank]

Use the slide release. Works everytime on my TP9

[Boylerman]

Glad to know its not a malfunction. Can't wait to take it to the range tomorrow.

[MW surveyor]

Please, please, please read the stickys in the new member area!

[mser]

Page 16 of the owners manual. Very specific instructions regarding loading the psitol.

[DeeDubya]

My PM40 is the first pistol I have owned that specifically states to use the slide lock instead of pulling the slide. The concern normally would be that this will cause wear on both the slide lock and the notch in the slide. Over time it could wear to a point of not reliably holding the slide open. Mine is already very smooth and releases with little pressure. Maybe this is normal, we'll see.

[JFootin]

Welcome to the forum, Boylerman! :) There is a wealth of valuable information in the New Member Area (http://kahrtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=56) and the Kahr-Tech (http://kahrtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27) sections of the forum.

Hand racking can be done with proper technique after breakin. The recoil spring is very strong on these pistols and there is hardly any play at the end of the stroke. So if you don't get it back that last mm or 2, or if you ride the slide back forward at all, it won't load successfully. The Kahr rule is not a commandment, just intended to ensure loading with no problems, especially when new. After a few hundred rounds, the recoil spring loosens up a bit. Also, using proper technique is important for a successful hand rack: use an over the slide grip, push forward with your strong hand while pulling the slide back very vigorously (the push/pull method) with your other hand, letting your hand slide backwards off the slide when it comes to a stop (no riding it as it goes forward). Practice this method and you will have no problem hand racking your pistol.

[wyntrout]

The slide locked back and release by slide lock is to overcome the tendency of many people to "ride the slide" and decrease the forward momentum of the slide in chambering a round. These Kahrs are VERY Tight when new and a really good rack is proper to chamber a round reliably.

If you use the weak hand to grip the slide aft of the ejection port with the thumb and palm aligned pointing aft on the left side of the slide with the fingers over the top and aft of the ejection port, you can get a better grip than the thumb and trigger finger. Then give a vigorous rack while pushing forward with the gun hand until the slide is ripped from the weak hand. This gives a clean release and maximum rack force to chamber a round. This procedure can give better results than a slide release chambering most of the time... and in the .45's overcome the lack of bevel on the lower breechface of the slide... the stripper. That's another story, but the bevel allows the breech face/stripper to get behind the top round in the magazine and use the slide-locked-back chambering suggested by Kahr. Sometimes the bevel has not been done during manufacturing and the stripper part actually comes to rest on TOP of the case rim and does not allow the cartridge to be pushed forward for chambering. That's easy to check. Lock the slide back and insert a loaded magazine. Then look and see if the top cartridge is fully in front of the breech face... so that the top round can be pushed forward and chambered.

This is not a problem with the 9mm as there is plenty of room behind the magazine/top cartridge.

http://i42.tinypic.com/307ltw2.jpg

This "Tip" and many others can be found in the New Members Welcome area and the under "Kahr-Tech" sub-forum:

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1612

Wynn:)

[jocko]

I just picked up a PM9 this evening. It is secondhand, and the prior owner put approximately 200 rounds through it. The pistol looks brand new. I haven't had an opportunity to shoot it yet, but I did load up a magazine and chamber a round. My question concerns how easy/difficult is it typically to chamber a round with this handgun? Initially, I racked the slide an inch or so and released it, and the slide got stuck clambering the round. I've found that the bullet does not chamber nearly as smoothly as my other 9mm a Ruger SR9c. I have to really rack the slide aggressively to get the bullet to chamber consistently.

Is this behavior typical, or might there be something amiss?

Thanks,

Kent

get the hangof it realfast, welcometo the forum, now two good stickys to read.

#1 kahr lube chart

#2 propper preppingof ur kahr,

lots of good tips there. Kahrs have very stout recoil springs, takes sometime and practce to hand rck properly. In the meantime use the slide lock lever to load that first round , as the manual also tells you.

If u ride the slide, it will more than likely malfunction..

[Ikeo74]

I don't think riding the slide home is the problem, the problem is not pulling the slide "back" far enough to catch the round in the magazine. Listen for the tell-tell "click/clack of the slide sounds as you pull the slide back. If you hear that click/clack sound you can sucessfully ride the slide home to load that first round. Try if for yourself, be sure to get the sound. It works for me every time. If I don't hear it, it does not bring a bullet from the magazine and I have to re-rack the slide.

[jocko]

u might be right but either way it is a malfun ction that will not happen if one uses the slide lock lever to release. Some are just not good at hand racking. That is a fact. More of a fact with kahrs as they are more difficult than most semi's. Alot has to do with size but also kahrs recoiols system is indeed stout.Both can be mastered IN TIME, but if u can use the slide stop lever and get proper functioning but not by hand racking, then it is nott he guns fault. I have been around guns for over 50 years, certainly no pro but still been aorund um a longtime and I never had any gun as hard to hand rack as my P380. None, even close. As the gun got broken in more and as I got more used to its quirks I can hand rack it failry easy, but in a SHTF situation, I sure in hell hope I do not have to clear a bad round and hope that my hand racking is perfect. Might just be me to,but on this forum we have seen hundreds come forth and compalin aobut the hand racking the slides, so I don't feel alone in saying it is difficult for many. I can assure u most women can not hand rack a kahr.It is what it is..

[Ikeo74]

Difficulty in racking the slide is exactly why I keep a round in the chamber all the time unless I am cleaning the gun. If I have any problem racking the slide I want it to be when I don't need the gun in a defense situation. Kahr guns are the safest guns I know of that have no accidental discharges due to the gun itself. I feel confident that I can have it loaded without fear of it discharging without me pulling the trigger. Thats my "Safety"

[wyntrout]

Most new Kahrs are too tight for that and MOST people can't rack worth a damn. Some can be racked slowly, but that's not a good habit to get into. You want a robust rack, cleanly released to fully chamber a round. You can't take most Kahrs and do the "movie" slow, quiet rack... betting your life on the outcome. You'll most likely JAM the pistol in the worst possible moment. That's why MOST knowledgeable people carry with magazine capacity + 1... a round in the chamber. You will most likely be assured of two shots... if the first round was fully to the rear in the magazine when it was inserted! Loading the first round is where most "malfunctions" occur... not the best thing when your life depends on that critical first step! Racking the slide gives a very audible alert to any BG where to shoot first! And that doesn't take into consideration having TWO free hands... not fending off a BG with a knife or holding packages, breaking your fall in a dive for cover... or a lot of other scenarios that may preclude turning your "rock" into a usable weapon... quickly enough!

Dang! I get carried away. I didn't mean to turn this into a discussion of carrying a "really loaded" weapon!:rolleyes:

Wynn:D

[DeeDubya]

Difficulty in racking the slide is exactly why I keep a round in the chamber all the time unless I am cleaning the gun. If I have any problem racking the slide I want it to be when I don't need the gun in a defense situation. Kahr guns are the safest guns I know of that have no accidental discharges due to the gun itself. I feel confident that I can have it loaded without fear of it discharging without me pulling the trigger. Thats my "Safety"

Agreed. I feel the long trigger pull is just as safe as Glock's (and others) so-called "safe trigger". Or, compare it to a double-action revolver.

[wyntrout]

Uh... the Glock's trigger is TOO short and easy to pull... when compared to the Kahr... for SAFETY! And, Kahr didn't give you a box with a big dowel-thingie to push the trigger over and fire LOADED GLOCKS when putting them back into the case! THAT was a wonderful idea!:rolleyes:

Wynn:D

[muggsy]

Once you gun loosens up a bit you should be able to chamber a round using the slingshot method with no problem. See the vid to learn how to employ the slingshot method properly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjLbFOw8sow

[wyntrout]

Now that's the video I wanted. I think I "lost" it somewhere, but just saved it again. That's a good video... none of the wimpy pinch with weak thumb and index finger stuff.

That method gives a better rack... a much better grip, especially for women and people, as I, who don't have a lot of strength in their hands.

Wynn:D

[jocko]

i think one would play hell doing that with a P380. Just sayin.

[wyntrout]

I use that method! The P380 is really tight, as are most of my Kahrs. Some can be gently racked and chamber okay, but a good rack to begin with, is preferable!

Dang! I need to get away from this computer and get out of the house... need to go to Costco... yeah, I know... and get some goodies... including one of those rotisserie chickens for supper... and another meal in a few days.

Wynn:)

[jocko]

I would thinkit wold be very har dto clear a jam on the P380 with that method for ur hand is gonna cover the ejection port area,or other wise one is gonna get a very crappy hold on just tthat small part ofthe back area of the slide. Just sayin. I know I cannot rack it propelry with the cupped hand methond on the P380. Just no way..

[Boylerman]

Wow... a lot of good advice in this thread. Thanks for taking the time to help a new guy out.

I took the gun to the range this afternoon and put about 75 rounds through it using a variety of bullet brands, and it at everything I fed it. I was very pleased with how tight the groupings were as well. I think I have a new favorite CC gun!

[wyntrout]

Aw, c'mon, Jocko, my hands aren't THAT big. I just tried that method with no problem. I use it with the P380 all of the time. I just have the three fingers over the top of the slide without covering the ejection port. My pinky is hanging out there like when you're drinking "High Tea". I can get a good grip that way. My pistol can stay pointed down range, too... unlike the "pinch" method!

Wynn:D

[340pd]

This is redundant, but a very slight modification to the magazine follower should fix any issues you have. Ten minutes to do three mag followers using a pencil and 600 grit sandpaper. I can hand rack my PM9 in SLOOOOW Motion ant it chambers every time with all ammo and no hangups. Six and seven round mags work equally well.
Shoot another couple of hundred rounds first, then try reshaping one follower slightly and give it a try. There is a YouTube video showing the results also.

Post #11 I sanded half as much as they did. Just lengthening the transition point a bit. YMMV.

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6943&highlight=follower+mod&page=2

There is a YouTube video showing the results also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogM036r016M

[DooSPX]

After break in, I can chamber a round by racking the slide with no modifications to the followers.

[Popeye]

I would thinkit wold be very har dto clear a jam on the P380 with that method for ur hand is gonna cover the ejection port area,or other wise one is gonna get a very crappy hold on just tthat small part ofthe back area of the slide. Just sayin. I know I cannot rack it propelry with the cupped hand methond on the P380. Just no way..

I'm with you Jocko I'd never get away using that method on a pistol the size of the P380. Personally with as sharp as the cuts are on the slide serations of my PM9 I have no problem just grabbing it with my finger and thumb. Maybe it's because it also has a few thousand rounds through it and it's pretty broken it. Mine also has no problem slingshotting a round into the chamber. It never did as long as I did my part correctly.

[jocko]

I di my PM about the same way as u stated also. It is so so smooth today that it is not an issue. At first I had issues trying to hand rack even my PM9. Maybe I need to trade my harley and buy a real mans bike like a goldwiner, to tuffenme up. U think Popeye. Just sayin

[Popeye]

Oh good grief NO. I rather own Victory than a wing.:D Just kidding I could care less what anyone rides. If you want to become a Wing Dinger go for it my friend. Only thing I can say is that old 2004 Roadking isn't going anywhere. We've got way to many miles and smiles together to part company. I tried hand racking my PM9 but it just never felt right doing so because I'm left handed, and if there is a shell in the chamber it ejects right into my hand. With all my semi auto pistols I just push with the left hand and pull back hard and fast with the right until it pulls out from between my thumb and finger and let the slide slam foward.

[muggsy]

i think one would play hell doing that with a P380. Just sayin.

I do it with my P380, Jocko, without any problems. Of course a ham handed Harley ridin' gentleman such as your self might have a problem. I was taught how to rack the slide of an auto by my father and he taught me the same method that Flick shows in his vid. I've been doing it in that manner since I was eight years old. Works for me.

[KoolBreeze]

I guess I lucked up and got a great one. My CM9 only has 75 rounds through it and I can just grab it with my thumb and forefinger and rack a round into the chamber without issue. I also don't have any issues field stripping it. The first couple times I field stripped it I had to tap the slide release lever with the butt of a screw driver, but now I can just push it out with my thumb no problem.