New CM45

[Giortire]

I finally got my new CM45. I plan on putting it into my EDC rotation with my old trusted CM9, and my 1911 Officers Model.
I followed protocol and cleaned, and then Froglubed the new CM45. I racked it at least 200 times in front of the TV. Today I took it to the range and got through the first 100 rounds with no problems (I will say that 100 rounds was plenty for me). I fired a combination of ball and SD. After finishing, I decided to see about ejecting live rounds, as I had read of problems. I had the same problem which others have described where the live round gets jammed. This is somewhat of a problem for me, as I normally unload my carry gun when I get home for the day. I guess this is not a necessity, but it is what I am used to. My question is what to do about it. I know that many have stoned/polished the hood area, but I am not comfortable with doing this. Is this the type of thing which Kahr will correct if I send back?
Overall I am extremely pleased with this gun, as it was reliable and accurate, and nice sized, but I would like it to be perfect for me. I think this could be the ultra compact .45 ACP I have been looking for, once I get this issue corrected.
Thank you, in advance, for your advice.

[b4uqzme]

I betcha they will. I did mine and it was pretty easy. But I can understand if it seems intimidating. I hadn't even noticed BC I've been either shooting it empty or leaving it loaded in the nightstand. But it should be done. BEARDOG talked some sense into me.

P.S. I agree with you totally that this is one neat, small, light package in .45. It still kinda amazes me.

[O'Dell]

As he said, I'm sure they will. I had the same problem with my CM45 and hollow points, so I just used some 400 grit sandpaper and slightly beveled the corner of the barrel hood. Problem solved.

[ScottM]

Some light stoning of the barrel hood fixed mine: http://youtu.be/Qjdj3Ilq5yM

I've run 100 rounds since doing it, or about 250 total and the gun is reliable, accurate and able to eat ball and Critical Defense ammo without issues.

[Giortire]

Thanks all. Maybe I will give it a shot, and just go slow, and easy, with testing after each bit of stoning.

[BEARDOG]

Kahr should make it right for you. But it is a really easy fix that we can help talk you though if you want to avoid the hassle of returning your gun.
Here is a thread with some info and pics to help.
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?26062-Impressions-of-the-CM45&p=330925#post330925

B4uqzme glad to hear you got yours fixed up!

[Pointblank]

I do believe home gunsmithing voids your warranty. Why risk it?

[ScottM]

I do believe home gunsmithing voids your warranty. Why risk it?

I'm certain it does. For me, it's enjoyable to fix, tune, tweak, restore or otherwise improve something with my own hands when there's an acceptable level of financial risk. But then again I rehabilitate old motorcycles, so my risk tolerance might be a little higher than a more sensible person's. [emoji1]

[marcinstl]

I had a CW45, never have played with the CM45. you get home with a loaded gun, one in the tube. to make it safe for laying around the house, you remove the mag and manipultate the slide to clear the chambered round? I gather there is a problem with hp's not cleanly ejecting, they catch in the slide and barrel? ok, I watched this video-- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjdj3Ilq5yM&feature=youtu.be first of all, the gun works at the range, bang and the fat .45 case goes flying, repeat, repeat, unless you get tired and start limp wristing.
the guy in the video is not manipulating the slide properly, the Kahr and it's recoil spring is not some whimpy gun designed for little girls. drop the mag, get a good grip on the handle and thumb on the slide lock lever, with the other hand go over the top of the gun and get a full hand grip on the slide. push both hands together (work those pecs!) and lock the slide. after some practice you should end up with the slide locked open an a bullet in your hand. a little gentle filling and polishing never hurt a gun, it's part of owning the gun. I like to relieve the sharp edges around the opening in the slide so the gun doesn't tear up a holster. Kahr doesn't have a robot that does final fitting and finish, so have fun with your assembled parts kit.

[ScottM]

I'm that guy [emoji16]. The point of handling it that way was to visibly show improved ejection. I also had cases where a round failed to eject and had to be removed with a screwdriver - it was that tight even after 200+ rounds. I couldn't be happier with the mod.

[marcinstl]

ScottM,
I can grab the cocking serrations on a Tokarev, Ruger P-89 decock levers, anywhere on the slide of a Kel-Tec and cause the slide to move back for locking or chambering a round(pull the slide with one hand while pushing the grip with the other). the Kahrs(CW45,CW9, CM9) require me to use the hands in opposition, pushing exercise I explained above. parking the gun(empty) in a safe place with the slide locked open will help train the mighty spring. 500-1000 rounds will get everything working good. by that time all of the other problems encountered should be corrected too. anyway, glad to see your having fun with your home gunsmith tools, keep up the good work. working on old *** bikes or the dreaded Brit bikes?

[ScottM]

You could be right Marc and I hope I haven't introduced slack prematurely. I think I've probably just accelerated what would have smoothened out over time, though mine really was tighter than I've ever seen in 20+ years of pistol ownership. We'll see - I'll be the canary in the mine! [emoji16]

*** bikes so far - '85 CB700SC top-end and cosmetic redo, a '76 CB125 and now a '66 CB77. I really like bringing these old classics back to rideable condition.

[Giortire]

Just an FYI. I spoke with Kahr today, and they said I could do it myself without voiding the warranty, as long as I didn't go overboard and grind way too much. He said if this didn't work, to send it in, as it is a common problem with the CM45.

[ScottM]

Dude you rock for calling and sharing what you found out. Thank you!

[BEARDOG]

You could be right Marc and I hope I haven't introduced slack prematurely. I think I've probably just accelerated what would have smoothened out over time, though mine really was tighter than I've ever seen in 20+ years of pistol ownership. We'll see - I'll be the canary in the mine! [emoji16]

*** bikes so far - '85 CB700SC top-end and cosmetic redo, a '76 CB125 and now a '66 CB77. I really like bringing these old classics back to rideable condition.

The Nighthawk S !!!;) It was my 1st street bike. I bought it after my high school graduation. Does that make me an old classic???:cool:
I had a beautiful red 84' (you probably know they only made them 3yrs 84-86) I thought it was so cool with that little quarter fairing. It only had about 12000 miles on it when I traded it in on a brand new 97 GSXR 600.
It was in such good shape when I traded it (my bikes are extremely well kept) I actually made money on it even after all those years... But the joke was on me as the dealer told me he sold it the very next day to some guy that only came in for parts for something else, but he just had to have my Nighthawk S...I didn't even ask how much he made on the sale LOL.

[Giortire]

I managed to take the dremel tool, and a very fine stone, and got just enough material off to solve the problem. I really took very little off, and then polished it. I really think I am going to love this gun now.

[BEARDOG]

I managed to take the dremel tool, and a very fine stone, and got just enough material off to solve the problem. I really took very little off, and then polished it. I really think I am going to love this gun now.

Good! I knew you could do it :D

[ScottM]

Ditto, yay!

[Giortire]

Thanks everyone for your advice and support!

[ScottM]

The Nighthawk S !!!;) It was my 1st street bike. I bought it after my high school graduation. Does that make me an old classic???:cool:
I had a beautiful red 84' (you probably know they only made them 3yrs 84-86) I thought it was so cool with that little quarter fairing. It only had about 12000 miles on it when I traded it in on a brand new 97 GSXR 600.
It was in such good shape when I traded it (my bikes are extremely well kept) I actually made money on it even after all those years... But the joke was on me as the dealer told me he sold it the very next day to some guy that only came in for parts for something else, but he just had to have my Nighthawk S...I didn't even ask how much he made on the sale LOL.

That's what is so cool - with only 3 years of manufacture, you just don't see many of these bikes, or run into people who owned them in any venue! They are a hell of a great bike by any standard.

I bought my '85 S for $450 two winters ago as an ugly but all-complete non-runner. I paid the seller's friend $70 to haul it to my place in a snow squall and started the diagnosis process that night. By the next weekend I had a service manual and parts in hand for a total top-end job - the first I'd ever done - and a full carb restoration.

You may know how hard those quad carbs are to remove - I had to pull them no less than 8 times before I finally resolved my fueling issues. New rings, valve lapping and reloaded hydraulic lifters, plus a new battery and cleaned electrical connections got her running, and a carb sync brought out just the right music.

I had a shop install Pirelli Sport Demon tires while I stripped, sanded, primed, painted, sanded, painted, sanded, painted, sanded and 2K clear-coated the tank and body parts. I went with a red cafe homage without chopping anything since the original paint scheme had been violated long ago.

In the end, she turned out better than I expected, especially it being my first real bike rehabilitation. She is hesitant to start in the cold but quick to settle in a choked idle, then leaned out, strong and smooth through 5k RPM, then an extra kick in the pants above 6k up to its 10.7k redline and SO smooth throughout. She's a bit heavy at walking speeds and tends to eagerly drop into turns so you gotta be on your toes, but otherwise has modern I4 sport bike manners.

I enjoyed it for a year then sold the bike to my buddy last summer to give him something to ride while I looked for a next project (the CB77). I do have first right of refusal in case he decides to part with it. What a great bike!

[BEARDOG]

That's what is so cool - with only 3 years of manufacture, you just don't see many of these bikes, or run into people who owned them in any venue! They are a hell of a great bike by any standard.

I bought my '85 S for $450 two winters ago as an ugly but all-complete non-runner. I paid the seller's friend $70 to haul it to my place in a snow squall and started the diagnosis process that night. By the next weekend I had a service manual and parts in hand for a total top-end job - the first I'd ever done - and a full carb restoration.

You may know how hard those quad carbs are to remove - I had to pull them no less than 8 times before I finally resolved my fueling issues. New rings, valve lapping and reloaded hydraulic lifters, plus a new battery and cleaned electrical connections got her running, and a carb sync brought out just the right music.

I had a shop install Pirelli Sport Demon tires while I stripped, sanded, primed, painted, sanded, painted, sanded, painted, sanded and 2K clear-coated the tank and body parts. I went with a red cafe homage without chopping anything since the original paint scheme had been violated long ago.

In the end, she turned out better than I expected, especially it being my first real bike rehabilitation. She is hesitant to start in the cold but quick to settle in a choked idle, then leaned out, strong and smooth through 5k RPM, then an extra kick in the pants above 6k up to its 10.7k redline and SO smooth throughout. She's a bit heavy at walking speeds and tends to eagerly drop into turns so you gotta be on your toes, but otherwise has modern I4 sport bike manners.

I enjoyed it for a year then sold the bike to my buddy last summer to give him something to ride while I looked for a next project (the CB77). I do have first right of refusal in case he decides to part with it. What a great bike!

Sounds like you did right by it, and showed it some much needed love!

Mine never needed anything other then the normal stuff,fluid/filter changes,tires and batteries. I kept it all stock, I even left the black chrome dual pipes on it. I know I had a hard time parting with mine, I really loved that bike.
I would post a pic, but I don't think I have a single digital one of that bike, I was still using another classic back then my Nikon 35mm LOL

But, I am glad I moved on to modern sportbikes, the Nighthawk was a great bike for sure, but they really turned up the performance levels of sportbikes in the late 90's my GSXR was light years ahead of my Nighthawk S in power and handling. It felt like I moved from riding a motorcycle, to flying jets! I had the 97 GSXR 600 then 2 Ninja 900's and finally the finest motorcycle I ever had, a 99 blue Yamaha R1. I still have it, It also still looks like new...I guess it could be considered another classic at this point???