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View Full Version : First report (including at the range) on my new Kahr CM9 - she's a keeper!



Bang_button
12-05-2013, 11:17 PM
First of all, thank you to all the great folks on Kahrtalk for the excellent advice. Special thanks go out to Jocko, for his prepping thread. I followed it to a T.

One thing, the CM9 isn't a Glock, of which I own three (17, 26 and 30s), but I knew that before purchasing it. I confess a bit of real trepidation with the tightness of the gun. So I went about researching everything I could before it was in my hands.

One negative for me is the stinking oil that Kahr uses on the gun. Simply awful. The stench got on my hands, but Brakleen rescued me from that foul stuff. I thoroughly cleaned it per Jocko's suggestions, and once I got the slide stop pin out, put some "No. 7 Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound" which is used to clean and restore dull car finishes (not too coarse in spite of the name) on the rails of the slide and the frame and proceeded to rack the slide back and forth probably 100 times. Hit that with Brakleen and cleaned it all out, and then oiled the critical points of the gun per the instructions in the thread for that.

The magazine had that foul odor too, so Brakleen was employed to get rid of the oil, some of it congealed, that was on and in the mag. The mag spring was in backwards, so corrected that and put everything back together.

Then I think I probably racked the slide 400 times. That's really a chore, in case you didn't know. I also loaded up some Remington UMC 115 grain hollow points and cycled them through the mag first, and then loaded them back up and cycled them through the gun. I was able to do it, probably because of the vigorous racking motion used. Repeated. They all cycled fine.

Then off to the range.

Due to my large hands, this gun isn't exactly a pleasant one to shoot two handed, but I did alright. Took some adjustments, but by the time I got to my last 10 rounds, I had figured out how to aim this gun. I shot at 21 feet. The small silhouette target (No 6). Those last 10 shots I shot slowfire, at the head of the target, which is probably an inch narrower than my fist. Every shot hit that, and the overall group was probably around 3 inches. I'm happy, especially considering getting a good sharp sight picture isn't possible for me due to my age and the distance from my eyes to the front sight when I'm wearing normal glasses for distance. As this isn't a target gun, I didn't try to do this with lenses that would give me a really clear front sight, and I wanted to approximate what might happen in a self defense situation.

I forgot to mention that I had no FTFs or anything like that, and I did slingshot the slide several times and it always worked for me.

This gun, when I shoot it two handed, is something of a punisher, at least over time. The bottom tip of the trigger can be painful, and a knuckle or two took a beating. Onehanded the gun is not too painful to shoot.

I confess to liking my Glock 26 way more, but this gun is much smaller, will handle all the same loads, and is much more easily concealed, which is the real reason I bought it -- for those times when my G26 or G30s (45ACP) are not doable for me.

Shot it at 50 feet too, and that will take some more work. Suffice it to say I hit the overall paper target only 5 out of 7 times, not good enough in my book. But I'll get there.

I haven't modified the gun in any way, with the exception of drilling out the white dot in the front sight and filling it in with Glow Inc.'s Gun Sight Formula (UGGUN) glow in the dark paint. This stuff's good. Light it up with a bright flashlight and if it was applied correctly (1/8" thick) it is visible to eyes that are accustomed to the dark for 5 or 6 hours easily. It almost works like a big dot XSSight.

Tomorrow I'm headed back to the range to put another 100 or 150 rounds through it. If it's anything like it was today, I"ll be very pleased.

Thanks for reading!

mr surveyor
12-05-2013, 11:48 PM
Nice. Very good first range report. You done good.

jocko
12-06-2013, 07:10 AM
great report, two different swize guns in the glock and the kahr, Ur not gonna pocket carry that glock, U CAN POCKET CARRY THAT CM9. IMO u went beyond the call of duty if u took the trigger pin out even. really not necessary and we recommend not doing it, as u know they can be a bugger toget back correctly, but u did it and it is fine, so just shoot the fokker like u stole it.

I love my G19 alot but my pMJ9 is in my pocket 24/7 and has been for over 5+ years. to me that is the real difference of a defense gun. IF IT AIN'T WITH U, THEN IT CANPT HELP U PUT UP A DEFENCSE. Just sayin

garyb
12-06-2013, 07:30 AM
Good luck with it!

plateshooter
12-06-2013, 08:49 AM
I would suggest keeping an eye on your mag followers and the nut on the end of the recoil spring assembly. My CM9 is very reliable and accurate for me but had some issues with the followers and recoil spring assembly, none of which has impeded the operation of the gun. It is my favorite carry gun and I trust it to make holes in whatever I point it at.

Bang_button
12-06-2013, 09:03 AM
I checked the mag follower for clearance of the slide stop. It was close but not touching. Is there something else I should be on the lookout for?

About the nut, I didn't even notice it. Is it likely/probably that it might loosen and come off?


I would suggest keeping an eye on your mag followers and the nut on the end of the recoil spring assembly. My CM9 is very reliable and accurate for me but had some issues with the followers and recoil spring assembly, none of which has impeded the operation of the gun. It is my favorite carry gun and I trust it to make holes in whatever I point it at.

Bang_button
12-06-2013, 09:14 AM
Thank you, Jocko. Actually, I mistakenly wrote "trigger pin" but meant "slide stop pin". I didn't do anything to the lower half of the gun in terms of removal of parts with the exception of the slide stop pin. This gun looks to be slightly complicated on the lower side, unlike the Glock that I am very familiar with. And I haven't exactly seen too many videos showing how to disassemble and reassemble the lower half of the Kahr. So for now, as everything down there is fine, I'll just let things be, and trust Brakleen to do the work.

Yes, I can pocket carry the CM9. That was the main reason I bought it. And it's in a full 9mm, not 380. I had a Ruger LCP but it proved to be unreliable, and a real pain for me to shoot, so I sold it some time ago. The CM9 is a great pocket gun, that can pack a real wallop with the right ammo.



great report, two different swize guns in the glock and the kahr, Ur not gonna pocket carry that glock, U CAN POCKET CARRY THAT CM9. IMO u went beyond the call of duty if u took the trigger pin out even. really not necessary and we recommend not doing it, as u know they can be a bugger toget back correctly, but u did it and it is fine, so just shoot the fokker like u stole it.

I love my G19 alot but my pMJ9 is in my pocket 24/7 and has been for over 5+ years. to me that is the real difference of a defense gun. IF IT AIN'T WITH U, THEN IT CANPT HELP U PUT UP A DEFENCSE. Just sayin

rjt123
12-06-2013, 10:17 AM
The CM9 is a great pocket gun, that can pack a real wallop with the right ammo.


Yep. You probably know that all Kahr pistols are rated for +P ammo, so you can pick your favorite hot load to really "bring the hurt". I absolutely love the Underwood Ammo rounds in +P. Very hot stuff! :D

jocko
12-06-2013, 10:30 AM
I checked the mag follower for clearance of the slide stop. It was close but not touching. Is there something else I should be on the lookout for?

About the nut, I didn't even notice it. Is it likely/probably that it might loosen and come off?

with the nut part.Ifit is put on right at kahr it will have been locktited. Ifit was not put on right, it will more than likely come off, but if u try totighten it, u then ruin the locktite. U will be Ok there:Amflag2:

as far as what u checked for clearance, close is OK, sounds like ur good to go. Just sayin

Bill K
12-06-2013, 11:20 AM
As much as I liked my Glock 26, bought years before getting my PM9, it didn't take long to find that I was carrying my PM9 way more than my G26. Wound up replacing my G26 with an XDM compact .45 ACP.

jocko
12-06-2013, 11:48 AM
I just think even with the G26 that most people really don'
t expect topocket carr it. Not sure Glock ever advertised it that way. It is more concealalbe than any utter glock. But it s whatit is. I thik kahr took the utter approach with their single stack guns . they are pocketable no doubt, they are smaller no doubt

Kindainterestin to hear that glock is gonna come out with a single stack sub compact 9 . evidently glock felt this was a market that they were really never in and tey have seen that market area grow alot. I am glad to se ethem intorduce one to.. Their normal short stroke triger I think might still scare me for pocket carry ,but for many it might be OK.

I just have zero issue or suggestions for making my PMJ9 a bettter pocket gun.I try not to get ovberly paranoid with ccw either. One mag in the gun is enough for me. Just sayin

Bang_button
12-06-2013, 11:49 AM
As much as I liked my Glock 26, bought years before getting my PM9, it didn't take long to find that I was carrying my PM9 way more than my G26. Wound up replacing my G26 with an XDM compact .45 ACP.

My Glock 26 is a good bedside gun, especially with the 17 round mags in it. Undeniable firepower. It's also just fine in a Galco ankle sleeve, depending on the trousers I'm wearing, or IWB. Plus I shoot really well with it. When we move up to 45ACP, my Glock 30s with XSSights w/ tritium is good to go concealed with a 9 round mag. That combo is only 4 inches tall. And the 13 round mags for the G21 fit right in there nicely. So, I have several options depending on circumstances. There are other options, but with my acquisition of the CM9, I feel pretty good.

jocko
12-06-2013, 12:30 PM
In asmuch as I see glock going to a single stack ultra compace, I also see kahr in the future going to a double stack "sumpin". To me makes some sense as some people are not thinking in anywya of p9cket carry and would like the option of 12 to 15 rounds in a still cw style kahr for waist band carry.
I would be very surprised to see it in an all steel version. Just sayin

I have no inside information on this so don't quote me but we can dream though. I dream often of Hillary jumpng out of a plane and her shut not opening and when she hits the reserve, up pops a big photo of Monica with the caption. "Bill's all mine now"

Bill K
12-06-2013, 12:34 PM
My Glock 26 is a good bedside gun, especially with the 17 round mags in it. Undeniable firepower. It's also just fine in a Galco ankle sleeve, depending on the trousers I'm wearing, or IWB. Plus I shoot really well with it. When we move up to 45ACP, my Glock 30s with XSSights w/ tritium is good to go concealed with a 9 round mag. That combo is only 4 inches tall. And the 13 round mags for the G21 fit right in there nicely. So, I have several options depending on circumstances. There are other options, but with my acquisition of the CM9, I feel pretty good.

I kept going back and forth between getting the G30 or the XDM. It was the slide shape (narrower at the top) that tipped the scale for me getting the XDM as I felt it would carry just a bit more comfortable appendix IWB. The XDM is about the biggest/thickest I would want to go carrying IWB.

MBSL500
12-06-2013, 04:11 PM
If you get the chance, investigate and shoot an FNS-9.
Best full size 9mm I've ever owned.
It won the Golden Bullet handgun of the year.
Just something to consider.





I kept going back and forth between getting the G30 or the XDM. It was the slide shape (narrower at the top) that tipped the scale for me getting the XDM as I felt it would carry just a bit more comfortable appendix IWB. The XDM is about the biggest/thickest I would want to go carrying IWB.

got2hav1
12-06-2013, 05:32 PM
If you get the chance, investigate and shoot an FNS-9.
Best full size 9mm I've ever owned.
It won the Golden Bullet handgun of the year.
Just something to consider.

Great gun the FNS-9. I had one and loved it. I ultimately gave it up for the Walther PPQ. Which is also a fantastic gun, but I still may get another FN. I think I want the hammer version though FNX9 seems to have a better trigger.

nickE10mm
12-06-2013, 07:26 PM
You guys have heard about the fabled new Glock that is pending release, right? Single stack 9mm Glock.... (G41 or G42 or something?)

Bang_button
12-06-2013, 10:49 PM
Did you look at the standard G30 or the G30s? The G30s has a slimmer slide. It's the same thickness of the G19 slide. And the gun overall has basically the same dimensions of a G19.

The G30s is also about 4 ounces lighter than the XDM compact 45, if I've read the charts correctly.

The G30s is just fine with an IWB holster. I carry it both IWP appendix (both sides), and at 4:30. I should add that it's good to go for me with the 9 round flush mag, not the standard 10 round mag. Much more concealable.


I kept going back and forth between getting the G30 or the XDM. It was the slide shape (narrower at the top) that tipped the scale for me getting the XDM as I felt it would carry just a bit more comfortable appendix IWB. The XDM is about the biggest/thickest I would want to go carrying IWB.

Bang_button
12-06-2013, 10:54 PM
I have an FNP-45, the forerunner of the FNX-45. Basically the same gun, with some minor tweaks for the FNX.

That said, there is no comparison between the FNP-45 trigger and the FNS-9. The FNP is a DA/SA, and the SA side of it is excellent. The FNS-9 examples that I looked at in gun stores, 3 or 4 of them, had a terrible, gritty trigger. I've read that the grittiness disappears with time. However, between the FNS-9 and a Glock 17, I'll take the Glock anyday.


Great gun the FNS-9. I had one and loved it. I ultimately gave it up for the Walther PPQ. Which is also a fantastic gun, but I still may get another FN. I think I want the hammer version though FNX9 seems to have a better trigger.