Break-in of new PM9 today

[kahrinca]

Did substantial prep of a new Kahr PM9 over the past week. It paid off, and thanks again to jocko and other members, including but not limited to, gb6491 (Greg).

First outing: shot 150 rounds range ammo (115gr FMJ) consisting of 100 Freedom Munitions and 50 of Federal Champion Aluminum-cased.

Only 1 FTF- a nose dive, with the 7-rd magazine shooting Freedom. Just pulled back on the slide a bit and it fed in. There were no other issues.

Back home, I sanded a bit more off the follower of that magazine. There is a specific area on the right leading edge of the follower that passes through the open side window on
the magazine. That open side window has been referred to as the 'magazine latch window'. Confirm the area on follower that passes through that window best as you are able.

Do not sand the entire right side of the follower. Instructions are in 'Proper prep of a new Kahr' under 'Magazine Fix' at end of post #1. I performed the recommended test there and all three magazines initially failed. All my magazines now pass jockos test as described in that paragraph.

There is also a photo of the area in this thread: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?1612-CW45-(and-other-poly-45)-issues-and-fixes . Scroll down to 3rd and 4th set of photos in post #2, but I did not find it necessary to cut away any area on the follower. I just sanded the whole area that he cut away as well as the area he rounded. Greg duly notes that after those photos and states: "*If you are doing this mod to eliminate nose dives, you may not need to remove as much material as shown here. Try removing just enough material to allow the follower to pass the magazine latch without issue. You can usually see where the latch is being scrapped by the follower...".

I do believe the magazine test is not essential or mandatory but there's little doubt in my mind that had I not sanded down the followers on these mags it would've been a far less enjoyable range session. It is likely, though, that this issue would work itself out merely by breaking in of the gun, but it might take a while. So I do recommend doing jocko's 'Magazine Fix' test (http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?1521-Proper-prep-of-a-new-kahr ) prior to the first range session and if mag(s) do not pass it go ahead and sand the followers.

And do heed the proper orientation of the magazine spring when it is attached to the follower. See, post #6 in this thread: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?9193-Is-my-magazine-spring-in-backwards-from-Kahr

Used the three magazines that came with the firearm- two 6-rd, and the 7-rd. Shot more or less equal number of rounds out of each.

LOVE the pistol!

Thanks!

[skiflydive]

Good choice. I have a CM9 that's been pretty much trouble free. It's a great shooting pistola.

There's been speculation by some that when you apply grip pressure to the mag extension with your ring or pinky finger it cocks the mag in the mag well and may cause some of the nose dive issues. The are some here who don't use the 7-rd mag for that reason. YMMV

[kahrinca]

Thanks. I intend to use 7-rd mag at the range, only. Even if I had complete confidence in it I don't see it for carry or as a spare when carrying.

Was happy that gun came with two 6-rd magazines and the 7-rd mag as well.

[kahrinca]

For benefit of newbies and those who are curious as to prep that I performed:

Read and reviewed owner's manual
Cleaned and degreased PM9
Heat-treated with FrogLube
Racked slide a couple of hundred times
Performed #6 slide lock test in 'Proper prep of a new Kahr'
Stored gun overnight with slide locked backed (do for a minimum one or two nights- I did it for five nights)
Did another FrogLube heat treatment.
Racked slide again numerous times
Took apart magazines and performed jocko's magazine 'test' as described in 'Magazine Fix' in 'Proper prep of a new Kahr', end of post #1 here:
(http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?1521-Proper-prep-of-a-new-kahr ).
Sanded magazine followers until each passed the test.

Range session consisted of FMJ ammo only- concentrated on functionality over accuracy

[OvalNut]

Awesome! Very glad that you are having a good experience with your PM9. Welcome to the club so to speak!!

I wouldn't trade my PM9 (PM9193) for ANY other single stack carry gun.

FYI, my PM9193 came with two 6 round, and one 7 round mag. I bought two more of each size to make range trips more fun, then also got 4 Pearcy pinky grip extensions and installed them on all the 6 round mags. I shoot relatively a lot. In my mind I somewhat concentrate on using the 6 rounders with the extensions since that is my carry solution. The 7 rounders are more for less reloading at the range.

I get the concern about pulling on the mag and causing a jam, yet that has never been something I have experienced. FYI.


Tim

[Stingray]

What's the purpose of racking the slide all those times? I have a fairly new PM9 but I never read the new gun thread, I found this site after mine was already broken in. I've never had any issues of any kind so far after about 1000+ rounds so I assume I'm good to go. Even the first 200 rounds didn't have any issues. All I did was clean and lube it before the first range session.

[kahrinca]

What's the purpose of racking the slide all those times?
I believe to loosen up the recoil spring and mate slide to frame, thus accelerating break-in. Others more experienced may chime in.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Alfonse]

What's the purpose of racking the slide all those times? I have a fairly new PM9 but I never read the new gun thread, I found this site after mine was already broken in. I've never had any issues of any kind so far after about 1000+ rounds so I assume I'm good to go. Even the first 200 rounds didn't have any issues. All I did was clean and lube it before the first range session.

Yeah, you're good to go. That's the method I use with a new pistol as well and it has been fine on more than a handful of Kahrs.

[kahrinca]

Ovalnut-

Thank you for your comments.

[Bobshouse]

What's the purpose of racking the slide all those times?

Gives you something to do while your not on the range actually enjoying your new firearm. I guess it also strengthens your grip and arm muscles which are required to prevent stovepipes.

In the end though, it's actually because nobody can hardly afford to shoot the actual ammo required to do it properly.

[kahrinca]

I don't know about y'all but I've read numerous stories on the internet and over the years where certain Kahr owners felt it necessary to send their pistols in to Kahr for repair. Some complain they had to send the gun in two or three times.

I did the prep because I had the time and wanted to minimize the chance of frustration and malfunctioning of the firearm. Someone who has yielded 35,000 shots fired from a single PM9 must know something and made these prep recommendations, presumably with the agreement of seasoned Kahr shooters on this forum.

Moreover, I used to own a CW9 and did have some initial problems with it. I had not done the full prep. Never had to return the pistol to Kahr, but my gunsmith had to be paid to install a stronger magazine latch spring because the mags would drop, sometimes after shooting only one or two rounds. I also had cycling problems with the 8-rd magazines.

I had that CW9 for five years and was happy with it.

I wanted to avoid potential issues with the PM9, which for some reason, I had believed was more prone to failure than the CW9.

No regrets.

[yqtszhj]

Kahr 9's are some sweet pistols. The .45's aren't bad either.

[b4uqzme]

I don't know about y'all but I've read numerous stories on the internet and over the years where certain Kahr owners felt it necessary to send their pistols in to Kahr for repair. Some complain they had to send the gun in two or three times.

I did the prep because I had the time and wanted to minimize the chance of frustration and malfunctioning of the firearm. Someone who has yielded 35,000 shots fired from a single PM9 must know something and made these prep recommendations, presumably with the agreement of seasoned Kahr shooters on this forum.

Moreover, I used to own a CW9 and did have some initial problems with it. I had not done the full prep. Never had to return the pistol to Kahr, but my gunsmith had to be paid to install a stronger magazine latch spring because the mags would drop, sometimes after shooting only one or two rounds. I also had cycling problems with the 8-rd magazines.

I had that CW9 for five years and was happy with it.

I wanted to avoid potential issues with the PM9, which for some reason, I had believed was more prone to failure than the CW9.

No regrets.

Just plain and simple good thinking right there...well done. I'm OK with everything you said except the Jocko part. Like anyone really agrees with him. :rolleyes: Seriously, I do the Jocko prep on every gun purchase...new or used. Just makes sense for the same reasons you mention.

Thanks!

[kahrinca]

Thanks for your comments, b4uqzme-

I am convinced the PM9 is the best pocket 9mm available for sale new in my State, where choices are limited. Very pleased with it!

[Alfonse]

There is nothing wrong with doing the prep as you did. I enjoy cleaning a new pistol and fondling it before firing it. It is kind of a getting acquainted thing. I also run them with quite a bit of lube and make sure and clean and prep every magazine as well. After that, if there are problems, I like to figure them out. Kahr, and usually most of the manufacturers these days, just don't seem to allow me the joy of having problems to solve though. Congrats, nothing wrong with doing things your way, particularly if it works!

[kahrinca]

Thanks, Alfonse-

Inasmuch as I use FrogLube, and polymer pistols are supposedly self-lubricating, at least in part, I do not follow the Kahr Lube Diagram, though I did with my CW9. But that was before I started using the FrogLube. I like the stuff.

[skiflydive]

Thumbs up on the Froglube. The stuff is great!

[Bobshouse]

Slip 2000 is the stuff. Froglube ain't nuttin but old French fry oil with a little mint in it.

[skiflydive]

Slip 2000 is the stuff. Froglube ain't nuttin but old French fry oil with a little mint in it.

Maybe so (I doubt it) but it works great.

This very comprehensive analysis, which has been referenced before on this board, would indicate that your favorite doesn't even come close to mine.
http://ronkulas.proboards.com/thread/274/review-comparison-gun-care-products?page=1&scrollTo=711