I want a Reliable CM40

[Ranger SVO]

I purchased my CM40 back in March and this weapon has proven to be very unreliable. With 200 rounds, the CM40 has Failed to Feed 16 times and Failed to Fire twice.

The CM40 was sent to Kahr and they replaced both magazines (I knew one had a problem), they reworked the trigger and replaced the trigger bar.

I want the CM40 to be as reliable as my Taurus PT709 or my Colt 1911A1.

After reading a few posts here, I first polished the feed ramp, then I registered here. What else needs to be done to the CM40 to increase its reliability?

I've also noticed that its ammo sensitive. I have figured out that it does not like Corbon 40 S&W 165gr JHP. It does like the Hornady 40 S&W 165gr Critical Defense.
(Personal Defense Ammo Problem Solved)

I need a recommendation for target/practice ammo. It does not like Federal Premium or Federal American Eagle.

So two questions
1. What else do I need to do to improve this gun?

2. What target/practice ammo should I try to use?

[scosgt]

I think you got a lemon. Mine feeds literally everything except Fiocchi BEB which has a weird bullet shape.

[jocko]

I purchased my CM40 back in March and this weapon has proven to be very unreliable. With 200 rounds, the CM40 has Failed to Feed 16 times and Failed to Fire twice.

The CM40 was sent to Kahr and they replaced both magazines (I knew one had a problem), they reworked the trigger and replaced the trigger bar.

I want the CM40 to be as reliable as my Taurus PT709 or my Colt 1911A1.

After reading a few posts here, I first polished the feed ramp, then I registered here. What else needs to be done to the CM40 to increase its reliability?

I've also noticed that its ammo sensitive. I have figured out that it does not like Corbon 40 S&W 165gr JHP. It does like the Hornady 40 S&W 165gr Critical Defense.
(Personal Defense Ammo Problem Solved)

I need a recommendation for target/practice ammo. It does not like Federal Premium or Federal American Eagle.

So two questions
1. What else do I need to do to improve this gun?

2. What target/practice ammo should I try to use?

still having these issues since u sentit in and got it back??? It should shoot all American brand ammo IMO. I can tell u , you have a real hand cannon there to, so propper grip is so so important. I would suggest keeping ur shooting sessions low and not try to pump a 100+ rounds at a session. the gun can take it but the shooter can get tired and not know it and then things startto go south. If u have not hit on the propper prepping thread, please do so, and review some of the many tips members have given. they apply to all kahrs. Youmight wantto let anutter shooter try out the gun to and see if he can duplicate the issues thatur havin. I am not sure u have any issues either. Range time does wonders, ur kahr might just betight as hell and it needs rounds down range to smooth things out.. Keep this forum posted, theseguys here are here to help all that they can.:Amflag2:

[hardluk1]

Also try another seasoned small pistol shooter if you know one. It does pay to let someone else have a run with a problem to see if any blame can be spread around some and just to get a fresh look. I tend to shoot 50 max anymore with a cm 9mmwith +P loads. After that I go to heck.

[Ranger SVO]

still having these issues since u sentit in and got it back??? It should shoot all American brand ammo IMO. I can tell u , you have a real hand cannon there to, so propper grip is so so important. I would suggest keeping ur shooting sessions low and not try to pump a 100+ rounds at a session. the gun can take it but the shooter can get tired and not know it and then things startto go south. If u have not hit on the propper prepping thread, please do so, and review some of the many tips members have given. they apply to all kahrs. Youmight wantto let anutter shooter try out the gun to and see if he can duplicate the issues thatur havin. I am not sure u have any issues either. Range time does wonders, ur kahr might just betight as hell and it needs rounds down range to smooth things out.. Keep this forum posted, theseguys here are here to help all that they can.:Amflag2:
I will be going to the range either this weekend or next. Im not sure just yet. Me and my wife typically go to the range for one hour. We both each shoot 50 rounds through our guns. You may be right, it may still need some break in time.

Actually another person did fire the CM40 before it was sent to Kahr. An Abilene Police officer said he was considering one for a back up weapon. I let him fire 5 rounds, it failed to feed on #4. At that time it was a brand new gun and had less than 100 rounds through it

Kahr did replace both magazines, hopefully that fixed the problems

But if you have any suggestions let me know. I'll keep everyone posted.


Also try another seasoned small pistol shooter if you know one. It does pay to let someone else have a run with a problem to see if any blame can be spread around some and just to get a fresh look. I tend to shoot 50 max anymore with a cm 9mmwith +P loads. After that I go to heck.

The range I go to has many guns for rent. http://www.abileneguns.com/ I choose the CM40 after renting a CM9 and firing it. It performed flawlessly. I just wanted a bigger bullet.

[CJB]

Your Pt709 and your CM40 will never be as reliable as your 1911. Can't say how reliable the CM40 will be against the Taurus, but... for EDC it will be reliable enough with proper care.

The CM40's have stiff recoil springs. Your reliability should increase with heavier bullets. You might find a very firm grip helps.

On the other hand, it might not be for you.... I'm convinced that certain shooters and certain pistol designs are just.... not gonna be good company. No fault of either, just the way it sometimes works out. Gotta understand, you're got the smallest 40 on the market, and small pistols can be finicky...untill they limber up some.

[Ranger SVO]

Your Pt709 and your CM40 will never be as reliable as your 1911. Can't say how reliable the CM40 will be against the Taurus, but... for EDC it will be reliable enough with proper care.

The CM40's have stiff recoil springs. Your reliability should increase with heavier bullets. You might find a very firm grip helps.

On the other hand, it might not be for you.... I'm convinced that certain shooters and certain pistol designs are just.... not gonna be good company. No fault of either, just the way it sometimes works out. Gotta understand, you're got the smallest 40 on the market, and small pistols can be finicky...untill they limber up some.

Worded well.

The guy at the gun range said the same thing, it needs to limber up.

I'll work on my grip and lose some of the bad shooting habits that developed because of my Colt, but I've shoot this 1911 for over 31 years. In Fact, I'll just quit taking the Colt to the range for a few months and get to know this Kahr the way I know the Colt.

[TucsonMTB]

You might find a very firm grip helps. +1 . . . I am very happy with my PM40, which is mechanically the same as your pistol. Light recoil 135 grain Winchester Rangers feed no mater how I hold the pistol. Literally.

Hotter stuff requires that I hold on tight or I experience failures to feed. Years ago, I had anther "fotay". It behaved the same way. In fact, the company that made it stopped producing them because they had so many returns for feeding problems despite there being NOTHING wrong with the pistol itself.

Any one of the several rubber grip sleeves will make it easier to hold onto.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=103&pictureid=616

[DooSPX]

My CM40 has been 100% reliable and feed all my Federal and Win ammo.

[bigdave622]

It will loosen up. I've got 800+ rounds through mine. After I took care of the feed ramp issue I'm consistantly hitting FBI milk bottle targets at 25 ft. Remember, 2 inch groups would really be a stretch for a CM40

[jocko]

+1 . . . I am very happy with my PM40, which is mechanically the same as your pistol. Light recoil 135 grain Winchester Rangers feed no mater how I hold the pistol. Literally.

Hotter stuff requires that I hold on tight or I experience failures to feed. Years ago, I had anther "fotay". It behaved the same way. In fact, the company that made it stopped producing them because they had so many returns for feeding problems despite there being NOTHING wrong with the pistol itself.

Any one of the several rubber grip sleeves will make it easier to hold onto.

http://www.kahrtalk.com/picture.php?albumid=103&pictureid=616

love the dlc finish on kahrs.:amflag:

[TucsonMTB]

thatsure is a purdy kahr.
love the dlc finish on kahrs.:amflag:Thank you, sir! We try to liven up the threads with a picture or two whenever we can.

[jocko]

Thank you, sir! We try to liven up the threads with a picture or two whenever we can.

WHERE U CARRY A SPARE BULLET BE4HIND THAT TRIGGER??? i NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE. dOES IT FEED WELL FROM THAT POSITION??? i MIGHTTRY THAT :amflag:ON MY pmj9

U DAMN KAHR GUYS ARE JUST SO darn smart anymore.:amflag::D:D

[TucsonMTB]

http://home.mindspring.com/%7Ejustsomeguy/icon_lol.gif Still woriking on getting that 454 Casull cartridge loaded into the magazine. http://home.mindspring.com/~justsomeguy/icon_lol.gif

[Ranger SVO]

I know this is an old thread, but it needs an update.

Today was the first chance I had to take the CM40 to the range since I got it back from Kahr.

I fired 60 rounds and only one Fail to Feed (and I may have Limp Wristed). Compared to previous range visits, this improvement is huge. This gun preformed very well.

I bought a box of Winchester White Box 165gr as suggested by Glock23, fired 60 rounds and I was impressed.

I hope to fire another 50 or 60 rounds next month and we'll see how it goes

[TorvaMessor]

What about the crappy magazines? Is Kahr doing anything about the followers failing? I just got back from the range with my new CM40. I HATE IT!! FTF problems. The slide hangs up when attempting to bring another round into battery. I hand cycle the slide and it picks up a round and chambers it. 2-3 rounds later I repeat that process. THEN I decide to try out the 5 shot mag that comes with the pistol. I fire one mag successfully (with one FTF) and then the follower pukes. I pick up my handy 40-6 magazine I bought from Midway (but it's in Kahr packaging). It makes it quite a while but sure as dickens IT breaks the follower. I had been using a 7 round mag I picked up for plinking. I had to finish shooting for the day with that one. At least IT didn't break a follower. I suppose 150 rounds is an unfair sample but at this point I'm almost ready to throw this boat anchor away and go get a Shield or something like that. UGH!!!

[Ranger SVO]

Good Quality control is NOT high on Kahrs list of priorities, but they will take care of the problem if you contact them. My experience with Kahr Customer service was outstanding. Definitely five stars.

Please read this post
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20113

Before I contacted Kahr with my problem, I took a picture of each and every failure. I attached the pictures to my email to them. I was both polite and firm in my correspondence. They sent me a prepaid Fedex Label and I sent it to them.

They replaced both of my magazine (one was obviously broken, I didn't see any problem with the other).

I got it back in early July, but I've been busy and finally got to the range. It actually surprised me. The CM40 performed much better than I expected.

But I do agree with you, even during break in it should perform well. Give Kahr service a chance.

[TorvaMessor]

Thanks, Ranger. I will do just that. I sent support a "nastygram" about my disappointment and Jay Dandrea responded. It appears that they are concerned about fixing the problems and making me happy. Let's just wait and see. Jury still out.....

[TorvaMessor]

Kahr received my improperly functioning CM40 on 08/13 with two broken follower magazines and one good mag. On 08/15 I asked how long this type of service takes. 2-3 weeks was the reply. Just checked today for an update and "there is no update". NIIICE!!! Glad I shelled out >$400 for a pistol that (a) doesn't function properly and (b) I don't even have in my possession anymore and (c) can't get an accurate timeframe for when I MIGHT get a functioning firearm {not to mention two broken magazines}. What have I gotten myself into? Even my two Kel-Tek pistols never caused my this much anxiety. And those are supposed to be "throw aways". IF the CM40 works flawlessly I'll acknowledge that but I doubt there will be any other Kahrs in the stable. What I hear Kahr say to me is "yeah, we got yer pistol and we'll get around to it but it's not a priority". :mad:

At a minimum after 2 weeks I expect SOME sort of update. "Fred has it at his bench" or "it's been fired but we haven't determined what's wrong" or SOMETHING........

[b4uqzme]

Patience grasshopper. :o

I'm sure they are swamped and, hopefully, everyone's pistol is a priority. I know it's tough but hang in there. It will be worth the wait. Soon you will be singing Kahr's praises with the rest of us.

[TucsonMTB]

Patience, Grasshopper.

Six weeks is the usual estimate from Kel-Tec, when you send in a pistol. In my experience, they have seldom been much quicker.

One of my PM40's visits lasted a little over 4 weeks. At one point I did inquire about progress. As I recall, the location of the gun was uncertain, but it showed up at my house a day or so later.

Guess I could have just waited myself that time. ;)

Edited to add: Hmmm . . . great minds do think alike. I did not see Mr. b4uqzme's post before sending mine.

[b4uqzme]

Patience, Grasshopper.

Edited to add: Hmmm . . . great minds do think alike. I did not see Mr. b4uqzme's post before sending mine.

Mine's barely adequate.

[berettabone]

I purchased my CM40 back in March and this weapon has proven to be very unreliable. With 200 rounds, the CM40 has Failed to Feed 16 times and Failed to Fire twice.

The CM40 was sent to Kahr and they replaced both magazines (I knew one had a problem), they reworked the trigger and replaced the trigger bar.

I want the CM40 to be as reliable as my Taurus PT709 or my Colt 1911A1.

After reading a few posts here, I first polished the feed ramp, then I registered here. What else needs to be done to the CM40 to increase its reliability?

I've also noticed that its ammo sensitive. I have figured out that it does not like Corbon 40 S&W 165gr JHP. It does like the Hornady 40 S&W 165gr Critical Defense.
(Personal Defense Ammo Problem Solved)

I need a recommendation for target/practice ammo. It does not like Federal Premium or Federal American Eagle.

So two questions
1. What else do I need to do to improve this gun?

2. What target/practice ammo should I try to use?
Try some Fiocchi.................I used it to break my Kahr in, and never a hitch..............seems a little snappier than the other 115 gr. ammo.

[kevin1597]

My CM40 has proven very reliable. It seems to like CCI Blazer either 180 or 165 grain. My weapon as you stated also likes Hornady and I use Critical Duty 175 grain for carry. Fiocchi JHP also works on mine as as one stated.Hope this helps.

[TorvaMessor]

Patience grasshopper. :o

I'm sure they are swamped and, hopefully, everyone's pistol is a priority. I know it's tough but hang in there. It will be worth the wait. Soon you will be singing Kahr's praises with the rest of us.




I SURE hope the patient wait is worth it. Both my PF9 and P3AT were notorious P.O.S. pistols but honestly they function 100% and at common distances I can group like they're a natural part of my body. I tried break in period with different bullets and they ALL FTF randomly. Probably in the 30% range would fail to engage the next round. IN ANY event.....Thanks to all for the replies and positive feedback. I'll try to keep an open mind. Peace out.......:Amflag2:

[TorvaMessor]

I got the CM40 back from Kahr and took it out to the range. It functioned well enough but honestly.... I don't trust it. When will the follower fail again? Will it FTF right when I need it most? I had two FTF during my "retry" session but that could have been from any number of reasons. Bottom line is I'm a no go on the kahr bandwagon.
Hate to admit it but a buddy loaned me his Glock 27 G4 for the weekend and I put the two of them side by side for a comparison. The Glock wins by a mile. I sold the Kahr and a Glock is now in the stable. Not throwing stones at you folks that love your Kahr. I wish my experience would have been different. I'm not saying the Kahr is crap....just that I had a MUCH more positive experience with the Glock. Be well and play safe out there........

[jocko]

I got the CM40 back from Kahr and took it out to the range. It functioned well enough but honestly.... I don't trust it. When will the follower fail again? Will it FTF right when I need it most? I had two FTF during my "retry" session but that could have been from any number of reasons. Bottom line is I'm a no go on the kahr bandwagon.
Hate to admit it but a buddy loaned me his Glock 27 G4 for the weekend and I put the two of them side by side for a comparison. The Glock wins by a mile. I sold the Kahr and a Glock is now in the stable. Not throwing stones at you folks that love your Kahr. I wish my experience would have been different. I'm not saying the Kahr is crap....just that I had a MUCH more positive experience with the Glock. Be well and play safe out there........

will your car maybe die on thge freeway???. Buy a glock be happy:banplease:

will u wake up tomoorow to see the sun rise????Life is also a crap shoot,
Asu well know Glocks never give issues. It is called Glock perfection..

I own a G19 andlove it. I calledit Mrrs.Safe Queen. If one would just take some time to pullup some wilkepedia sh!t and read of all the mods, glock has made over the years, It will blow your mind. Normally mods are not made when we are talking about perfection.jUST SAYIN