PM40 range report

[tcb]

Just put 200 rounds threw my new PM40. I was really surprized that it ran so well after hearing all the stories. I did the rack it a bunch thing and cleaned it out real good before shooting it and there were very little issues. I had a couple of failure to return to batteries and the slide didn't lock back once on an empty mag. but otherwise no worries. I was really happy that the recoil was not nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be (it's like shooting an airlight .38 with p+ loads). I was expecting a serious rocket but it's not, it's got more snap that the PM9 I've shot but not so much as to make it over the top. I let a woman who works at the range and who has a PM9 shoot it and she was really surprized that she could handle it. I think if I start to carry it alot a magnaport job would make it a dream to shoot, (strong hand only was ok but weak hand only was pretty rough and accuracy began to fade). I was shooting at 7 yards and it is absolutly combat accurate just blowing threw a mag. and if you get a good sight picture and practice proper trigger technique it will shoot nice little groups. It's not a gun I really want to shoot all day at the range (you Airlight S&W guys know what I'm talking about) but I'm very happy with it.

By the way how are the A grips for these? And has any one had any experience with the Speer gold dot 180gr for short barrel in a PM40?

[gb6491]

Good report; thanks for posting it:)
Regards,
Greg

[at_liberty]

I had a couple of failure to return to batteries and the slide didn't lock back once on an empty mag. but otherwise no worries.

I wouldn't carry that gun until those issues were gone. Those are deal breakers.

[Frankhenrylee]

I didn't do the Agrips, but I put a Hogue on there and almost immediately took it back off due to the extra width. I put a few clips through it with the Hogue on there and it seemed OK, then I took it off and noticed there was not much difference in comfort at all. The front and rear serrations on the Kahr are really aggressive and do a good job at keeping your grip tight IMHO. Just something to consider, to each his own.

[jocko]

could also be shooter fatigue ..... just guessing, especially on the PM40. lot of gun for such a small gun. 200 rounds in one session out of a PM40 willc ause fatigue and one may not realize it. grip changes slightly,

I would certainly give it more rounds down range before I would say "it is OK to go".

[tcb]

Yes, My hand was definatly getting tired there by the end. As for the failures it seams like only 3 is pretty good for the 1st 200 rounds in the break in period. I think the next time out I'll put another 100 threw it and see what happens. So far so good as far as I'm concerned.
A failure now and then dosen't bother me that much, as long as you know how to clear them and train for it, they are really not too dificult to deal with. I want it to go bang every time but as a backup gun or a CCW as long as it will go bang for a mag or two right off the bat consistantly... I'm good. I dont think a PM40 is the gun your really going to grab for an extended fight and I dont expect to have more than a mag or two on me for it anyways.

[gb6491]

...A failure now and then dosen't bother me that much, as long as you know how to clear them and train for it, they are really not too dificult to deal with...
Excellent point; we all wish our firearms could be 100% reliable, but failures happen and the prudent shooter should know how to deal with them (add quickly and efficiently if carried for self defense).
Regards,
Greg

[at_liberty]

Excellent point; we all wish our firearms could be 100% reliable, but failures happen and the prudent shooter should know how to deal with them (add quickly and efficiently if carried for self defense).
Regards,
Greg

The variable should be the ammo, not the condition and functioning of the gun.

[jocko]

Yes, My hand was definatly getting tired there by the end. As for the failures it seams like only 3 is pretty good for the 1st 200 rounds in the break in period. I think the next time out I'll put another 100 threw it and see what happens. So far so good as far as I'm concerned.
A failure now and then dosen't bother me that much, as long as you know how to clear them and train for it, they are really not too dificult to deal with. I want it to go bang every time but as a backup gun or a CCW as long as it will go bang for a mag or two right off the bat consistantly... I'm good. I dont think a PM40 is the gun your really going to grab for an extended fight and I dont expect to have more than a mag or two on me for it anyways.

to also know what you are doing to, and that helps alot in trouble shooting any issue. I think you have a good handle on the situation. Nice report, more rounds will smooth everything out, including the shooter.

[tcb]

Yup, I think with some more trigger time on this and some more rounds down the pipe it will be a sweet little shooter. Any mechanical devise is prone to some hickups now and again. If you need a defence weapon that is 100% reliable, carry a knife and know how to use it, those things are scary in the right hands close up.
Does any one know if Magnaporting will bring the 40 closer down into the 9 range or just take a bit of the snap off? It's not bad now but if thats the case I think the PM40 is a no brainer choise for a sub compact.

[Bawanna]

Yup, I think with some more trigger time on this and some more rounds down the pipe it will be a sweet little shooter. Any mechanical devise is prone to some hickups now and again. If you need a defence weapon that is 100% reliable, carry a knife and know how to use it, those things are scary in the right hands close up.
Does any one know if Magnaporting will bring the 40 closer down into the 9 range or just take a bit of the snap off? It's not bad now but if thats the case I think the PM40 is a no brainer choise for a sub compact.

I'll let you know in about a week or so (I hope) I sent my K40 off to MagnaPort yesterday for the very reasons you mention. Full report forthcoming immediately upon it's return and an urgently needed range trip.
I do believe its one of the few things that Jocko considers the cats nuts or some part of a cats anatomy. I have high hopes for it. Exactly as you state its not bad and I'm not recoil sensitive but in a carry gun I'd like to tame it down a bit.

[at_liberty]

If you need a defence weapon that is 100% reliable, carry a knife and know how to use it, those things are scary in the right hands close up.
Why do you make light of a gun that exhibits a defect, even if possibly temporary during break in? When it goes bang, it needs to be ready to go bang again. The slide needs to close all the way and it at least needs to lock open when empty, helping you reload or even know you need to. I am just saying it is not yet ready for carry duty. We don't use revolvers because a good pistol works just as well. Make sure that's true, or you would be better off with a little revolver. When you know it's not working, you fix it rather than make excuses for it. Sorry to stick a pin in your balloon, but reliability is rather important. At least allow the comment.

[jocko]

the truth of the matter is that a perfect working gun can default on the very next shot. We never know when that time is either. I would not put alot of emphasis on what I would call my break in rounds for a particular gun, but it would not be my carry peace until I myself trust it, even though it could default on the first time I needed it. As far as not locking open on the last round, that would be the least of my worries over a gun not going bang. Many small pocket semi's don't even have an automatic lock open feature. I don't carry a spare magazine so it is not a necessity for life and death. But the Bang thing certainly is. A shooter has to mate up with the particular gun he is carrying also. I think alot of guns have quirks that the shooter must learn. a good example on kahrs is that many accidentely hit the slide lock lever and prematuraly engaging the slide stop. I feel this is due more to the smaller size of the gun itself, so grip position is very important. Not the guns fault but maybe something that a shooter has to over come before feeling good about carrying it.Some people have enormously hugh hands and it could be an issue with them more than others or even other guns models..

[KAHRX9]

tcb: I just purchased my used PM40 the other day and I love it. I proofed it with Remington UMC 180gr FMJ without a hitch. Today I ran (2) boxes of Speer GD Short Barrel 180gr ammo thru my PM40, can I say match made in heaven. The Speer GD feed flawlessly, were amazingly accurate, moderate recoil, and low flash. It is my carry round of choice. By the way, I never thought I would say this but I prefer the 5rd flush mag without the Pearce extension. I added a piece of inner tube on the grip because the checkering was a little abrasive.

[KAHRX9]

Here is a picture of the little beast.

IMG_0095.JPG

[olympicmotorcars]

Were you using the extended magazines when it failed to return to battery?

[tcb]

Whoa there, all comments are allowed and appreciated. I don't remember what mag was in it at the time. I'm not trying to step on any ones toes here. Just saying that a couple of ftf's in a brand new pistol does not worry me that much in the big picture. I think that there are more variables than the gun it's self (ammo, grip, etc...) to get all worked up about it at this point in the game. I've never had a gun that didn't jam at least once over the years (except revolvers as you pointed out) and my 870 come to think of it but that dosen't ride well in the waist band. To me it's best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, just my 2c. Can't wait to hear how the K40 comes out with the Magnaporting.

[jocko]

Whoa there, all comments are allowed and appreciated. I don't remember what mag was in it at the time. I'm not trying to step on any ones toes here. Just saying that a couple of ftf's in a brand new pistol does not worry me that much in the big picture. I think that there are more variables than the gun it's self (ammo, grip, etc...) to get all worked up about it at this point in the game. I've never had a gun that didn't jam at least once over the years (except revolvers as you pointed out) and my 870 come to think of it but that dosen't ride well in the waist band. To me it's best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, just my 2c. Can't wait to hear how the K40 comes out with the Magnaporting.

so right do. You seem to know what your doing. I sold guns for 40 years and sent revolvers back do to out of time, so it just can happen to anything man makes..

[Bawanna]

Whoa there, all comments are allowed and appreciated. I don't remember what mag was in it at the time. I'm not trying to step on any ones toes here. Just saying that a couple of ftf's in a brand new pistol does not worry me that much in the big picture. I think that there are more variables than the gun it's self (ammo, grip, etc...) to get all worked up about it at this point in the game. I've never had a gun that didn't jam at least once over the years (except revolvers as you pointed out) and my 870 come to think of it but that dosen't ride well in the waist band. To me it's best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, just my 2c. Can't wait to hear how the K40 comes out with the Magnaporting.

Yup, good call, takes a spell to get mated up and everything on track. I no tolerance for failures in a carry gun but stuff happens and you gotta be ready for it. Do what we can to make them 100% but if they fail we do what we have to do. I'm doubling up on my patience medicine. K40 left monday, what the heck is taking so long, been 3 days. (wonder if they even got it yet?)

[tcb]

Thanks guys, not trying to start a whole big thing here. These Kahrs sure are fun little pistolas. I shoot with both thumbs up and just barley contacting the slide, I think the PM40 may be a bit more sensitive to that than my 1911's, XD45 or G19. Who knows only time and rounds will tell. Thanks for the feedback on the Speer short barrel in a Kahr, I keep that in my snubbie's. Good stuff.