New PM45 hits the range

[WMac19]

Long time coming for this one. Bought it mid February on Gunbroker, delivered to my FFL on 2/20 and it's taken all this time for the judge to sign off on it to have it added to my license. Man, I'm so sick of NY...

Anyway, prepped the PM45 as per the awesome recommendations here, racked, cleaned, lubed, etc.

Although I brought over 200 rounds of ball ammo with me, I really only intended to shoot 100. But I was so happy with its flawless functioning and was loving how it shot so much that I kept going.

I ended up firing 220 rounds: 100 WWB, 50 AE, 50 Blazer Brass, and 20 Critical Defense.

Went bang every single time without any hangups or failures of any kind. Only had one incident when reloading a fresh mag the slide released on its own. Still went bang and it was just the one time.

I really, really like the way it shoots. This is actually my first .45. I'd read that the recoil of the PM/CM45 was more of a push than the snappy flip of the .40 S&W. While I can't really speak to that sensation, I can say that I found the recoil to be surprisingly tame with very minimal muzzle flip. Another surprise, I'm noticeably more accurate with it than my PM9 or PM40. Follow-up shots too, quick and accurate.

I'm not too big into the range. I like to shoot but other passions steal my attention. I only buy carry guns so I don't own any that would be considered a range gun. I'll typically hurry through the break-in and then shoot a box or two every 4-8 weeks or so. But shooting the PM45 was as close to having fun at the range as I've ever had.

I usually like to put 300-400 rounds through a gun before I'd declare it my EDC but one more trip like this and it's in the bag, so to speak.

One other thing... that was the DIRTIEST clean-up post range. I put more rounds through other guns in one session but I guess that .45 ACP packs plenty of powder!

Love it, so glad I got it.

[oio]

I've shot 40rds of .45super through one of my PM45s a few years back...kicked HARD but no issues

[el_presidente]

Congrats on your purchase, and great write-up! I too love my new PM45 and shoot it even better than my CM9. It's currently back at Kahr getting a tune up to work properly with hollow points, but can't wait to have it back.

[b4uqzme]

... But shooting the PM45 was as close to having fun at the range as I've ever had...

It does feel good, don't it? Good write up. Glad you are happy with it.

[WMac19]

Thanks guys. I thought that I may prefer a Handall Jr. for the PM45 like I have on my PM40 but I decided to first try Traction Grips. I cut a piece to also cover the backstrap cheesegrater. 😉

Wasn't too sure if that would give me enough of a handle on the PM45 but it was perfect. Much preferred wrt concealed carry so another reason to like it.

[wyntrout]

Great writeup. I got mine over 5 years ago and took one look at the cheese graters and decided to try the bike-tube grip cover route BEFORE my first trip to the range. I used a 1.75" bike tube and wound up putting one on all of my Kahr polymers... .380 through .45. The first one I made was a bit small, so it went on my PM9 instead of the PM45. I like the feel and it's cheap! I have replaced a few of the grip covers due to stretching and slipping, but I still have about half the bike tube left.

Wynn :)

[Higgy Baby]

+1 on bike tubes.....thats what is on my CT380.

I have used padded tennis racket tape too.

[WMac19]

Thanks Wynn, I've often considered the bike tube. I noticed tonight that the Talon grips on my PM9 are starting to fail. Might serve as just the excuse to finally try the tube.

[wyntrout]

Careful where you cut the tube... there's talcum powder inside and can get messy. Also, I washed the tube inside and out after cutting and dried it before use. I found that my tube looked better when turned inside out, too. Cut long and trim... keeping the areas around the mag release and the bottom of the grip clear. The tube can encroach on the mag release or actually slide down to impeded mag insertion and release. I used those little curved nail-cutting scissors for final trimming around the mag release, etc.

Smooth, non-jagged cuts will prevent tearing as you stretch the rubber to get the tube on.

Wynn :)

[diablo53]

I really, really like the way it shoots. I'd read that the recoil of the PM/CM45 was more of a push than the snappy flip of the .40 S&W. While I can't really speak to that sensation, I can say that I found the recoil to be surprisingly tame with very minimal muzzle flip. Another surprise, I'm noticeably more accurate with it than my PM9 or PM40. Follow-up shots too, quick and accurate.


I agree with this 100%. It does seem to be more of a push than flippy, I feel it in the web of my hand. I am also a little more accurate with my pm45 than with my pm9. I have a handall JR on both the pm9 and pm45. The pm45 doesn't really need it, but my pm9 is so small in my hand I need the extra bulk on the grip to controll it better.

[WMac19]

Careful where you cut the tube... there's talcum powder inside and can get messy. Also, I washed the tube inside and out after cutting and dried it before use. I found that my tube looked better when turned inside out, too. Cut long and trim... keeping the areas around the mag release and the bottom of the grip clear. The tube can encroach on the mag release or actually slide down to impeded mag insertion and release. I used those little curved nail-cutting scissors for final trimming around the mag release, etc.

Smooth, non-jagged cuts will prevent tearing as you stretch the rubber to get the tube on.

Wynn :)
Wow, thanks for the great tips, Wynn. Very much appreciated!

Yeah Diablo, I'm so impressed now with the caliber that I can't help but think to add a CW/P45 to the mix. With a properly functioning 1911 mag, I could gain 2 more rounds of capacity over the PM45. Will alway want the PM45 for such easy concealment, just making excuses for more toys now. 😋

[Bawanna]

Those 1911 mags will work in your PM45 as well. Course don't let that stop you from getting more toys.

My Wilson 8rd 1911 mags run fine unmodified in my PM45. Kind of nice to have spare mags that fit both carry guns.

A plus/plus you might say.

[WMac19]

Those 1911 mags will work in your PM45 as well. Course don't let that stop you from getting more toys.

My Wilson 8rd 1911 mags run fine unmodified in my PM45. Kind of nice to have spare mags that fit both carry guns.

A plus/plus you might say.

Thanks and for a spare mag, I'd do just that and carry one for the PM45. But I'm drawn to the CW/P45 because those mags will seat flush. Yeah, I'd buy a new gun just for that. :-)

[el_presidente]

1911 mags work in the PM45? Holy **** you guys just made my day. Now I REALLY can't wait for it to come back from the factory.

[berettabone]

Sometimes, when you shoot .45, you never go back to anything else:)

[WMac19]

Sometimes, when you shoot .45, you never go back to anything else:)
Yeah, I may be jeopardy of just that. Before reaching my usual 300-400 rounds before EDC, I carried it all day today. Just jumped on my belt, eager 'lil cannon. 😉

[rocketgeezer]

Mac, my condolences for having to live in NY, I was lucky enough to get out years ago, early 80s move to TN, my wife and I have had out carry permit for a few years now, and have been back twice in 32 years, upstate Binghamton/Endicott area, here theres no dip**** stuff like there, Friday night after work I went to my local gun shop/range they got my PM9 in, took about two mins for them to punch it into the computer and the answer came back before I could go to the mens room, it was ok so between Friday night, sat, and this afternoon we probably ran 500+ rds though it and found if cleaned and lubed properly and has good ammo, no Tula crap, it runs like a swiss watch

[WMac19]

Mac, my condolences for having to live in NY, I was lucky enough to get out years ago, early 80s move to TN, my wife and I have had out carry permit for a few years now, and have been back twice in 32 years, upstate Binghamton/Endicott area, here theres no dip**** stuff like there, Friday night after work I went to my local gun shop/range they got my PM9 in, took about two mins for them to punch it into the computer and the answer came back before I could go to the mens room, it was ok so between Friday night, sat, and this afternoon we probably ran 500+ rds though it and found if cleaned and lubed properly and has good ammo, no Tula crap, it runs like a swiss watch
Good on ya, RG. And best of luck with your PM9. Mine has been flawless too, about 600 rounds or so through that one.

And the days of calling NY home will (hopefully) soon come to a close. House is going up for sale next month and we'll be headed to the Raleigh, NC area.

Son goes to NC State, daughter will too in the fall and they both want to stay in the area post graduation, as of now. Funny how it worked out, we've planned to move there for over a decade and never influenced the kids with their choice of college.

Home is where the heart is and that's wherever they are.

[rocketgeezer]

Good on ya, RG. And best of luck with your PM9. Mine has been flawless too, about 600 rounds or so through that one.

And the days of calling NY home will (hopefully) soon come to a close. House is going up for sale next month and we'll be headed to the Raleigh, NC area.

Son goes to NC State, daughter will too in the fall and they both want to stay in the area post graduation, as of now. Funny how it worked out, we've planned to move there for over a decade and never influenced the kids with their choice of college.

Home is where the heart is and that's wherever they are.
Well it wasn't exactly flawless it bought it Friday after work shot a half a box or so of armscore 124 grain had 2 or 3 light strikes, came home, cleaned it oiled it, went back sat, same sort of issues cheap tula steel ammo was junk, gun did not like it at all, did sort of ok on federal and wwb, but still had light strikes, then after some more research last night I find out that the Kahr seems to do better with a dry firing pin channel, clean but dry, no oil so I thought what the hell it cant hurt, as at the time I was about to trade it off, so clean and dry it is, just a drop or two of oil on the rails and trigger bar pin safety, but the channel, pin, spring dry as a bone, my granddaughter and I ran almost 400 rounds through it today with only one misfire, it was 50-60 rounds into the run, this was all federal, wwb, and blazer brass, wanted to try some aluminum but did not have any, a couple rds of corbon +p+ carry ammo, (dam that stuff is stout) and I am now confident enough to carry it, as a bug in my pocket, as my Kimber compact 45 is always on my hip,........ that's another thing did I mention we can open carry if we want, in some resturants it tends to freak people out but have never had any real trouble.........and on your going to NC that's funny we have friends in the Raleigh area, that moved there about two years ago from Tioga County NY, I don't know all of the NC rules and regs, but I'm sure nobody honor's a NY permit, just as they honor nobody elses, if your really into guns your going to be like a pig in stuff down here I don't know about NC but here we sometimes have two major gun shows a month

[WMac19]

RG, The prep recommendations here maybe saved me from similar with my PM9. Just compressed air into the striker channel resulted in a surprising amount of liquid pouring from both ends. Very little from my PM40 and some from the PM45 but the PM9 had the most.

As for the Raleigh area, yeah lots of fleeing NY's end up there. Hence the acronym for Cary, NC in particular, "Containment Area for Relocated Yankees." 😊

We actually had an apartment in Cary for a year while my wife checked out a new job ahead of the intended move. So we're guilty! Job wasn't up to her tough criteria but area was great. I'm a golfing fool and there are plenty of really nice courses to keep me happy.

As for pistol carry, NC honors the NY license and I also have a HR-218. But the eased process for purchasing will be greatly appreciated!

[rocketgeezer]

RG, The prep recommendations here maybe saved me from similar with my PM9. Just compressed air into the striker channel resulted in a surprising amount of liquid pouring from both ends. Very little from my PM40 and some from the PM45 but the PM9 had the most.

As for the Raleigh area, yeah lots of fleeing NY's end up there. Hence the acronym for Cary, NC in particular, "Containment Area for Relocated Yankees." 

We actually had an apartment in Cary for a year while my wife checked out a new job ahead of the intended move. So we're guilty! Job wasn't up to her tough criteria but area was great. I'm a golfing fool and there are plenty of really nice courses to keep me happy.

As for pistol carry, NC honors the NY license and I also have a HR-218. But the eased process for purchasing will be greatly appreciated! Cool, please keep in touch, and in case your wondering RocketGeezer comes from my bikes, a Harley Ultra Classic and a Turbocharged Hayabusa

[WMac19]

Cool, please keep in touch, and in case your wondering RocketGeezer comes from my bikes, a Harley Ultra Classic and a Turbocharged Hayabusa
Back atcha. Great handle and great bikes! Many of my friends have Harleys but a lifelong promise to my dear old mom has kept me from motorcycles. She lost a couple of friends when she was young and had me swear them off.

Shame because I love them but I love keeping promises to momma more! 😉

Just as well, I had a very unhealthy need for speed when I was younger. Who knew that a 1991 Jeep Wrangler could push 120 mph fairly easily?

I'm not that dumb anymore and pray my kids didn't get that dumb gene. 😊

[Dbholfo]

NC isn't perfect but after 40 years I've adjusted. Very 2A friendly and if you treat everyone with respect they'll reciprocate. My son attended NC State and after 2 years he got some school spirit. Now he gets to go back to job fairs and recruits for his company. He plinks with his S&W M&P 22. Come on down. Getting your CCP is relatively easy at your Sheriff's office.
Average wait is an average of 45 days and by law less than 90. You renew every 5 years.

[WMac19]

NC isn't perfect but after 40 years I've adjusted. Very 2A friendly and if you treat everyone with respect they'll reciprocate. My son attended NC State and after 2 years he got some school spirit. Now he gets to go back to job fairs and recruits for his company. He plinks with his S&W M&P 22. Come on down. Getting your CCP is relatively easy at your Sheriff's office.
Average wait is an average of 45 days and by law less than 90. You renew every 5 years.

Thanks, really is a nice place and nobody has said "bless your heart" to me yet. ;-)

My son loves State and my daughter can't wait to go. And good news over the last two days, my son secured a summer internship with a fantastic engineering company. Bad news is he'll be trained to climb those 500'+ communication towers. He loves giving mom and dad more things to worry about. ;-)

And my daughter just received a $2,000 scholarship with the possibility of another $3,000. Every dollar helps, proud of her.

Congrats to your son, the school really supports its students and the area is fertile ground for graduates seeking employment. Great place to start a future for the kids and for the wife and I to settle down.

[Dbholfo]

Not to hijack the thread but congrats to your son too. There are a lot of great companies open to State students. If he works hard and makes a good impression he'll find it easy to get work after graduation. And to your daughter as well. We love to see women succeed in engineering endeavors. We need more.

My son still has friends at Alcatel-Lucent where he interned. They were really good to him.

Should you find yourself in my area contact me by private message and we'll shoot on the farm over in Union County.
12460

[WMac19]

Not to hijack the thread but congrats to your son too. There are a lot of great companies open to State students. If he works hard and makes a good impression he'll find it easy to get work after graduation. And to your daughter as well. We love to see women succeed in engineering endeavors. We need more.

My son still has friends at Alcatel-Lucent where he interned. They were really good to him.

Should you find yourself in my area contact me by private message and we'll shoot on the farm over in Union County.
12460
Thanks so much, Db. Although my son admitted to wanting NC State since 10th grade, my wife and I were sold on the strength of the engineering program, the tremendous support and the business opportunities in the area.

We had independently researched the area as a future destination for ourselves long before any thought of the kids' college. So living in NY, I'm amazed that both of my kids picked the same school and in the same area where we planned to move. If all goes according to plan, we'll be there within a year.

I wish my daughter had the passion for engineering like her big brother but she's drawn toward hungry little minds. She wants to be a teacher. So School of Education it is for her.

I'm just a humble retired cop (NYPD) with barely any college credits to speak of, I'm so proud of both in their determination, ambition and work ethic.

Thanks for the offer, it would be great to meet up one day. Beautiful piece of land. All the best to you and yours!

[XPD]

I've had a PM45 for several years and never had a malfunction of any sort. Currently have a deposit on a PM9, black finish, and I am waiting for a purchase permit in this crappy state I live in. The PM45 is a bit too big for summer pocket carry and the PM9 may well take its place as the new EDC for this old retired guy. Critical duty 135 grain in NJ and 147 grain HST out of state.

[WMac19]

I've had a PM45 for several years and never had a malfunction of any sort. Currently have a deposit on a PM9, black finish, and I am waiting for a purchase permit in this crappy state I live in. The PM45 is a bit too big for summer pocket carry and the PM9 may well take its place as the new EDC for this old retired guy. Critical duty 135 grain in NJ and 147 grain HST out of state.
As the weather gets warmer and I gravitate toward pocket carry, my PM9 will certainly see more of the world outside the safe.

There's really not that big of a difference between the PM45 and PM9 when in-hand but the pocket shows plenty difference indeed.

Best of luck with yours once you get it.