Modifed/Customized/Bubba'd my CM9 *UPDATED*

[gb6491]

http://i40.tinypic.com/30aurft.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/353d3dt.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/o0pi4m.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/331ojv6.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/2wolxxl.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/qovfo8.jpg
If there's any interest in the particulars or rationale for what I've done I'll try to give an appropriate response:nerd:
See post #37 for update (pg. 4)
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Nice job on the stippling. Makes a very nice positive difference don't it?

Good grip but no bite.

Well done.

[Tinman507]

Greg,

I don't consider anything YOU do to a firearm to be Bubba'd. No matter what you have done. Nice job!

[yqtszhj]

Do I detect a little slide melt, corner rounding there???

[CJB]

I think I do too... that only spot I really don't like on a stock Kahr slide, where the ejection relief hits the cut for the port and its damn near like a knife. Mine all got rounded there. Also the edge of the port at the extractor looks a little smoothed. Ditto, my own. Upper edges of slide too... very nice. Is that some smoothing to the slide release as well? Excellent workmanshp, excellent concept.

[JFootin]

Nice subtle improvements all over that make it that much sweeter for CCing. Well done, Greg! :third:

[RevRay]

Beautiful look. Boy I wish I knew how to do that kind of stuff ...

[gb6491]

Nice job on the stippling. Makes a very nice positive difference don't it?

Good grip but no bite.

Well done.

Thanks Boss:) This was my first attempt at stippling and I'm satisfied with how it came out. I didn't have any intentions of doing it, but was not happy with the frame on this CM. You might remember the thread where a gent posted about his frame having a crack, but we all said was a mold mark, well I believe the correct answer in that thread was this (posted by HarleyJack): "This is not a cracked cavity witness mark. If you look at the parting line it's geometrically perfect and the same line exist on the opposite side of the frame (faintly). And if you take a look inside the frame you can clearly see how the mold was constructed and that these are parting lines. This is just a mismatch caused by the mold setup guy."
On my frame, the upper portion actually overlaps the lower portion on one side and vise versa on the other side. I didn't envision any way to trim that/clean it up without it looking like crap, so I tried the stippling.
http://i44.tinypic.com/21mvuv7.jpg

Greg,

I don't consider anything YOU do to a firearm to be Bubba'd. No matter what you have done. Nice job!
Thanks and I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I surely did "Bubba" this one.
I had several stoppages where rounds had taken a nose dive and gotten stuck under the barrel ramp. Pretty much as this gent describes here: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=17906
I figured I would try building the barrel ramp up and reshaping it. That actually worked (top before, bottom after welding and reshaping):
http://i41.tinypic.com/nczclz.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/2nq5g0x.jpg
Problem is, I couldn't leave well enough alone. There was small void in my weld on the bottom of the lug and I tried to touch that up. Unfortunately, I reached the limit of my skill or that of my HF flux wire machine and FUBAR went the barrel. I probably should have sent it back to Kahr for repair as the nose dives seemed to have caused some damage to the extractor (though it still works fine, a new one is on the way)
http://i39.tinypic.com/fvzf6.jpg
My not so skillful solution: order and installed a PM9 barrel. Works great and no more rounds trapped under the ramp.
fHBdi8tzGvg


Do I detect a little slide melt, corner rounding there???
You have good eyes sir; yes, there is some corner (and edge) rounding there.


I think I do too... that only spot I really don't like on a stock Kahr slide, where the ejection relief hits the cut for the port and its damn near like a knife. Mine all got rounded there. Also the edge of the port at the extractor looks a little smoothed. Ditto, my own. Upper edges of slide too... very nice. Is that some smoothing to the slide release as well? Excellent workmanshp, excellent concept.
Ditto the good eyes and correct on all counts!



Nice subtle improvements all over that make it that much sweeter for CCing. Well done, Greg!
Thanks JF!


Beautiful look. Boy I wish I knew how to do that kind of stuff ...
RevRav,
Thanks. I have to admit that first soldering iron touch was made with much trepidation.

Regards,
Greg

[muggsy]

Real nice job and with me compliments don't come easy. Everything looks like it was done by a professional gunsmith.

[gb6491]

Real nice job and with me compliments don't come easy. Everything looks like it was done by a professional gunsmith.
Thanks muggsy, I appreciate that.
Regards,
Greg

[Buckshotshorty]

First off Greg, I must say your stippling is the best I have ever seen! Congrats on that.

I do have two questions: did you polish your barrel and is that only the Trijicon front sight...stock rear? How do you like it?

[gb6491]

First off Greg, I must say your stippling is the best I have ever seen! Congrats on that.

I do have two questions: did you polish your barrel and is that only the Trijicon front sight...stock rear? How do you like it?
Thank you for the kind comment Buckshotshorty:)
I did indeed put the barrel on the buffer for a light polish.
Yes, that is only the front Trijicon with a stock rear sight. I removed the white paint on the rear and like that better with the Trijicon than dotting the "i". My other Kahrs have complete Trijicon sets and I may switch the CM9 to that at some point, but this works pretty good.
Regards,
Greg

[Popeye]

Very nice Greg. I'm not a big fan of stippling myself, but you did do a very nice job. Unlike some pistols I've seen stippled you were smart enough to know when to stop,and not ruin the natural appearance of the pistol. :yo:

[downtownv]

Very clean job! Kudos to you, sir!

[yqtszhj]

Notice how he can now "ride the slide" when chambering the round and it works now. Very nice.

[wyntrout]

Nice work, Greg. You don't do "Bubba" level work. :D

Yesterday I saw a link about installing sights on a PM9... from 2009... where the guy had borrowed a friend's sight pusher and had really buggered the sights... from the left side on installation. I guess he had gotten frustrated and then just beat them into place with a hammer and punch after bending the the pusher! You need to look for good instructions... like from which side to move the sights in or out. The dovetails aren't all parallel or equidistant throughout the groove! Kahrs seem to be tighter on the left side and should be removed from left to right and installed from right to left!

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=5&f=35&t=76099

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/ShepherdPIctures/Jack-edUp.jpg

Tools... note the BIG Hammer!:eek:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/ShepherdPIctures/WorkStation.jpg

Wynn:D

[Rangemeister]

Great job on the CM. The stipppling is very well done

[gb6491]

Very nice Greg. I'm not a big fan of stippling myself, but you did do a very nice job. Unlike some pistols I've seen stippled you were smart enough to know when to stop,and not ruin the natural appearance of the pistol. :yo:

Very clean job! Kudos to you, sir!
Thanks Popeye and downtowntv!


Notice how he can now "ride the slide" when chambering the round and it works now. Very nice.
Thanks for noticing that:), I did modify the follower and polish the feed ramp a bit.


Nice work, Greg. You don't do "Bubba" level work. :D

Yesterday I saw a link about installing sights on a PM9... from 2009... where the guy had borrowed a friend's sight pusher and had really buggered the sights... from the left side on installation. I guess he had gotten frustrated and then just beat them into place with a hammer and punch after bending the the pusher! You need to look for good instructions... like from which side to move the sights in or out. The dovetails aren't all parallel or equidistant throughout the groove! Kahrs seem to be tighter on the left side and should be removed from left to right and installed from right to left!

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=5&f=35&t=76099

Tools... note the BIG Hammer!:eek:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/ShepherdPIctures/WorkStation.jpg

Wynn:D
Thanks Wynn!
LOL, I have some of the same tools.
http://i46.tinypic.com/2niz6ev.jpg
I do like to use a punch to remove Kahr rear sights:
http://i51.tinypic.com/20h0vo4.jpg

Great job on the CM. The stipppling is very well done
Thanks!

Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

I'm no longer allowed to possess hammers that large anymore.

I am the original much copied but never duplicated Bubba. I'm getting to where I spend a little more time figuring before I start beating on stuff but still happens from time to time.

Usually at work of late. Violets don't cha know.

I do love that anvil Greg, that's a beauty. Less resistance when you beating on stuff.

bubba

[gb6491]

...

I do love that anvil Greg, that's a beauty. Less resistance when you beating on stuff.

bubba
LOL, your no "bubba" bubba:)
That anvil does come in handy.

I appreciate the comments about my stippling, but I got to see the work of someone who really knows what he is doing with that recently. Folks might want to check out his website (he's over your way TucsonMTB): http://www.weaponworx.com/#
The pistol I saw was Dave's on the testimonial page.
Regards,
Greg

[deputy tom]

Very nice execution on all counts. What slide release is that? I inquired to Kahr re: P9 release in a CW9 or CM9 and they said no go. tom.

[wyntrout]

I have a similar anvil... 15-pounder from Harbor Freight... still in the box. After seeing yours I opened the box to see what mine looks like... the same thing... maybe, but mine hasn't been out of the box. I can usually get by with using the small "anvils" on my several vises. I've had the anvil for maybe a decade... have no idea when I bought it. I may use it one of these years... sure didn't pay much for it. I put the oil paper back on the top flat surface.

Wynn:D

[gb6491]

Very nice execution on all counts. What slide release is that? I inquired to Kahr re: P9 release in a CW9 or CM9 and they said no go. tom.
Thanks:)
That's a PM9 slide stop (028PM9 Slide Stop (https://www.kahr.com//Pistol-Parts/Kahr-028PM9-Slide-Stop.asp)). I have "P" series slide stops in my CW9 and 45 as well (as I like their profile better); never had an issue with any of them.
Regards,
Greg

[jocko]

Nice work, Greg. You don't do "Bubba" level work. :D

Yesterday I saw a link about installing sights on a PM9... from 2009... where the guy had borrowed a friend's sight pusher and had really buggered the sights... from the left side on installation. I guess he had gotten frustrated and then just beat them into place with a hammer and punch after bending the the pusher! You need to look for good instructions... like from which side to move the sights in or out. The dovetails aren't all parallel or equidistant throughout the groove! Kahrs seem to be tighter on the left side and should be removed from left to right and installed from right to left!

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=5&f=35&t=76099

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/ShepherdPIctures/Jack-edUp.jpg

Tools... note the BIG Hammer!:eek:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/ShepherdPIctures/WorkStation.jpg

Wynn:D

I have had thatsamesight pusher for over 5 years, bestbucks I have ever spent. sofarworks on everythingI needit to work on..

[wyntrout]

I think that guy would have had an easier time if he had installed from right to left!

Wynn:D

[jocko]

Greg,

I don't consider anything YOU do to a firearm to be Bubba'd. No matter what you have done. Nice job!

if u wanna see bubba work, u should see ol jocko's. well probaby not. that is nice work. My grip stipplying is all over,greggs is neater and probably juwst as functionalas mine. I love my stippled PMJ9 but greggs work on his is not detracting, where as mine looks like sh!t but does what designed to do.

:Amflag2:

[Tinman507]

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/CA357/BubbasTacticalShotgun.jpg

[gb6491]

I received the extractors I'd ordered to replace the damaged one in my CM9 yesterday. The ones I ordered were "PM9" parts. They seemed a different color from the one still in the pistol and, upon installation, I found that they are indeed different. The "CM9" extractor appears to be a "MIM" part while the "PM9" extractor does not. In defense of the MIM part, it did continue to function without issue even though it was damaged.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2lwgab.jpg
I'm going to try to test the new extractor today. I also want to verify a sight tweak as I finally put it on paper after replacing the sights and think it was biased a little to the right (as shot offhand at ten yards):
http://i42.tinypic.com/2iqxteb.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Well if I'm within 10 yards of you and most likely 50 yards of you, I give up.

Blame it on the wind, gets windy down there in the desert don't it. Real consistent wind.

[gb6491]

Well if I'm within 10 yards of you and most likely 50 yards of you, I give up.

Blame it on the wind, gets windy down there in the desert don't it. Real consistent wind.
It do get windy here every so often:eek:
http://images.onset.freedom.com/yumasun/ma4bgs-ma4b9t0910storm6310web.jpg
http://images.onset.freedom.com/yumasun/ma4bgr-ma4b9s0910storm6292web.jpg
Neighbor's tree on my truck:(
http://i43.tinypic.com/311mmxj.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Well two out of three the wind was blowing the right way to match your target, so pure possibility it were the culprit.

Little sight adjustment to compensate for the wind and all will be good.

I still give up.

[deputy tom]

Thanks:)
That's a PM9 slide stop (028PM9 Slide Stop (https://www.kahr.com//Pistol-Parts/Kahr-028PM9-Slide-Stop.asp)). I have "P" series slide stops in my CW9 and 45 as well (as I like their profile better); never had an issue with any of them.
Regards,
Greg


Thanks Greg. tom.;)

[gb6491]

Thanks Greg. tom.;)
You're welcome sir.

I got to put in some range time after tweaking the sights a little bit and think it's good to go now. I have to say I'm really warming up to having the rear sight "blacked out".
http://i41.tinypic.com/2uhbwba.jpg
The CM also fits nicely in the FIST holster for my G27 (actually quite a few subcompact/compact pistols work well in this holster:))
http://i41.tinypic.com/2jcxyiq.jpg

Totally unrelated: while out for a walk today, I noticed one of my neighbors has added some bling to their front yard wall.
http://i44.tinypic.com/2lnkb5t.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/2hnrj35.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[yqtszhj]

It do get windy here every so often:eek:
Neighbor's tree on my truck:(
http://i43.tinypic.com/311mmxj.jpg
Regards,
Greg

I hate it when that happens. I cleared all of the pines out of my yard because they were leaning toward the house. Good riddance. The squirrels planted 2 oaks in their place that are now about 12 ft. tall. My neighbor likes his toothpick pines and they are right on the edge of my yard where I park 2 cars. :( I wish lightning would hit those things.

[RevRay]

You're welcome sir.

I got to put in some range time after tweaking the sights a little bit and think it's good to go now. I have to say I'm really warming up to having the rear sight "blacked out". Regards, Greg

Could you please point me to a thread or whatever about the "blackened out" rear sight you refer to? I looked around but I couldn't seem to find what you were referring to. I'd like to learn more about it.

[gb6491]

I hate it when that happens. I cleared all of the pines out of my yard because they were leaning toward the house. Good riddance. The squirrels planted 2 oaks in their place that are now about 12 ft. tall. My neighbor likes his toothpick pines and they are right on the edge of my yard where I park 2 cars. :( I wish lightning would hit those things.
I agree, but it could have been worse.
The tree just missed the house as the brick fence and truck held it up some.
The truck is an old 89 Dodge Dakota that has seen a lot of work. It came out from under there with only minimal damage to a lumber rack and the bed. The bed just needed some shims to bring everything back to plumb.
Insurance covered the fence.
I liked the tree as it gave my yard plenty of shade in the morning. My neighbor is a good guy (USMC WWII vet), so I'm glad everything worked out well.
I have a big Mesquite on the other side of my house that is kind of close. It gives me some concern whenever we get a big wind, but shade is at a premium here so I live with it and keep my fingers crossed.

Could you please point me to a thread or whatever about the "blackened out" rear sight you refer to? I looked around but I couldn't seem to find what you were referring to. I'd like to learn more about it.
RevRay,
I don't care for the "dot the i" style sights. Some folks here feel likewise and have used black paint/marker to "black out" (cover up) the white post on the rear sight. I think there was someone who just turned their rear sight around to achieve similar results. (FWIW, Kahr and Dawson do offer plain rear sights.) As I had the rear sight off to blast the slide, I just dropped it in some acetone to remove the white paint:
http://i42.tinypic.com/2zs7jwm.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[gb6491]

Major modification under way:75:
Here's a teaser:
Re3HK45iEBk
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Need close ups.

Did you slip a 40 barrel in that thing?

[Bawanna]

Yup I stop framed and that magazine looks off. Different gap between top and second round. Sure looks like 40 bullets too. Flat nose. Looks like Speer TMJ 40 to me.

[gb6491]

Need close ups.

Did you slip a 40 barrel in that thing?

Yup I stop framed and that magazine looks off. Different gap between top and second round. Sure looks like 40 bullets too. Flat nose. Looks like Speer TMJ 40 to me.
You're good!:amflag:

It is indeed .40 caliber ammo (180gr stuff at that).
Here's the deal (BTW: the following information is intended to show how I did something. It is not intended as a “how to” article. Proceed at your own risk!) :

I saw this on an auction site and got to wondering. Buy It Now and shipping was $135, so I figured I wouldn't get hurt on that if things didn't work out and I sold the parts off separately.
http://i43.tinypic.com/w2ke4l.jpg
Top ends: the PM 40 slide is slighty wider on the outside, but it's internal area is machined to the same width as the CM9 slide. Barrel lugs are nearly identical as well.
http://i39.tinypic.com/107kv2u.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/4rf9jp.jpg
The .40 slide stop is different from the 9mm and needed a slight amount of material removed (see red arrows) to clear the cut out in the CM9 frame. This does not affect the contact area for the follower (see green highlight).
http://i39.tinypic.com/35cgyhd.jpg
Speaking of followers, there is also a marked difference in the metal shelf insert between the 9mm and 40. I bought a PM40 magazine, but it was a tight fit in the CM9's mag well. I haven't looked at this yet, opting to just put the 40 follower in a CM9 magazine tube.
http://i42.tinypic.com/21b2dkk.jpg
PM40 slide installed on the CM9 lower. I have about 100 rounds of 180gr and 25 of 165 gr.. ammo through this setup without a single issue.
http://i41.tinypic.com/2eocnrr.jpg
For reference the CM9 slide installed:
http://i39.tinypic.com/2po9tah.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Damn I'm good. I thought the recoil was a bit brisk in the first shots, that's what made me want a better look at that mag, plus you holding it up prominently at first, that was what we call in LE a "clue".
Maybe I ain't so good as I thought.

Who'd a thunk.

Maybe should be a disclaimer, you know something like Kids, don't try this at home?

I think I got lucky on this one. Your good at figuring this stuff out, that's a sure fact.

[TucsonMTB]

http://i39.tinypic.com/107kv2u.jpg

Nice project, Greg! And, I am not just saying that because I like the PM40 . . . although that helps. ;)

So, Bawanna, have you scheduled that Detective's qualification exam yet? Don't waste time. When you're hot . . . you're hot!

Edited to add: Well, you know how much we like to try to follow in your footsteps, Greg. I saw a similar collection of PM9 parts on GunBroker and thought, "What the hey! Might as well bid."

That was before I checked out prices on "cheap" 9mm ammo. Wow! They are getting more for FMJ rounds than I paid for Winchester Ranger JHP the last time I bought ammo.

Not a good time to add another caliber! There goes another plan right into the crapper. :o

[gb6491]

Nice project, Greg! And, I am not just saying that because I like the PM40 . . . although that helps. ;)

So, Bawanna, have you scheduled that Detective's qualification exam yet? Don't waste time. When you're hot . . . you're hot!

Edited to add: Well, you know how much we like to try to follow in your footsteps, Greg. I saw a similar collection of PM9 parts on GunBroker and thought, "What the hey! Might as well bid."

That was before I checked out prices on "cheap" 9mm ammo. Wow! They are getting more for FMJ rounds than I paid for Winchester Ranger JHP the last time I bought ammo.

Not a good time to add another caliber! There goes another plan right into the crapper. :o
Thank you sir! It was a fun project and I learned a few things along the way. It's also nice to have some spare parts around.
I hear you about ammo prices:(.
Regards,
Greg

[magtf388]

Nice job on the stippling. Great job overall.....fun thing to see....