Tomorrow's range tests. PM9 Lakeline mag followers and Shotgun laser sighting

[adman]

When I go to the range, I like to set some tasks, as I can get off track easily. Tomorrow's trip has two tasks: one is to performance-test my two new PM9 mag followers from Lakeline, LLC in combination with my new 10.5 lbs. PM9 Wolfe recoil spring with +P 124 grain rounds. If all goes well, I will be pleased with my new carry situation. I shot +P 147 grain and was not as accurate, so I'm seeking a solution. I think this one is the best test. If not, I can easily go back to the original recoil spring quickly.

I will shoot 50 rounds of 9mm Federal HST 124 +p as well as 100 rounds of 9mm WWB. I'll let you know.

(The other task is to sight-in a TLR-2 tactical light-laser combo on a 12-gauge shotgun using slugs. I don't look forward to this because I don't generally use slugs but the range demands it. I don't shoot 12 gauge for pleasure. And I use #1 or 0 buck for self defense. But I won't get off-category here with too much discussion.)

As far as cycling the PM9 with the Lakeline followers, I can attest that the pistol cycles by slingshot without much effort now. This was a miss and match thing before, with many nose-dives with HST with the factory followers. It was important to me to smooth out this issue. I will follow-up with the real-world cycling results. Happy hunting.

[rowdy115]

I have Lakeline followers in all 4 of my CM9 mags and 147 grain HST runs flawlessly without a hiccup. Sling shoting rounds works perfectly on my 2 six rounders and my 1 seven rounder, but for some reason, not my 1 eight rounder mag. That's OK though, the eight rounder is just a back up...All 4 mags cycle great when shooting with ball and hollow points. Overall I am extremely satisfied with the Lakeline followers

[adman]

Okay, here's the results. I shoot the 2006 "blunt nose" PM9 at 8 yards: it's the length of my garage and the longest realistic home-based shot; it's the length of my hallway to the various house entrances. It is the length I feel most comfortable from a CCW standpoint (although this is not my home protection gun). The maximum interior shot I can take under an extremely odd situation would be 17 yards, but that would be rare.

The Lakeline followers were flawless. ;) It didn't matter if I sling-shotted or dropped the slide. It was the same. There were no problems in 150 rounds of ball and JHP (HST) rounds. Period. I endorse them. They are great without a doubt. Buy them now before they get a big head. Tell Kahr to source them as OEM and make them rich. Okay. Really. They're great.

I also highly recommend the 10.5 recoil spring from Wolfe Gun Springs. I've always felt the PM9 "wanted" a higher-pound spring (exterior spring). Perfect.

Rangewise, I feel this PM9 pistol is at its best with a manageable load. Frankly, I was initially pulling technique-wise, but I got over this; the DAO is manageable, the trigger is smooth, and like I said, I got all over it quickly. The truth is, I should seek a 115 or 124 regular pressure loading for this pistol if possible. I've shot the HST 147, 147 +p, and now the 124 grain +p. After shooting 100 rounds of premium ammo in the latter, I rounded out the range trip with 100 rounds of WWB 115. The 115 accuracy was far superior, accuracy-wise. I will likely try 124 grain regular pressure and then move to Gold Dot in 115 if that does not work. The HST consistently shot low. That said, the pistol was a joy at a 115 loading and was very accurate out to 10 yards. That said...

If you're a shotgunner, the TLR-2 tac light was a joy on the Mossberg 500 Tactical 12 gauge. The TLR-2 combines a light with a laser. I use a Brownell's 25mm picatinny cog with it. It isn't pleasant shooting slugs, period. Nonetheless, the laser, initially set using the bead, was close enough to start at 5 yards. The shooting range I use specifies we must use slugs for shotguns. So what the heck, that is what I used and the results were great, using the Federal 12-gauge slug load. Very accurate.

** Being fair, I shot the HST 124+p after shooting 5 rounds of 12-gauge slug. So keep that in mind. Of course, I could suck as a shooter too ...

[b4uqzme]

You guys are killing me with your PM(J)9 blunts. It's probably the only gun currently on my "want" list. Good report and enjoy it.

I still haven't pulled the trigger on a home defense shotgun. My BILs (2) bought a couple of tactical Mavericks at the gun show last weekend for just over $200 each: plastic stocks and extended magazines. Seems like a good idea and they didn't seem like bad guns despite their low price. Adding a laser and light is even better. Bad guys beware!

[JustinB60]

Thanks for the update! I think I'll order a few of these followers for my new PM9. Kahr, in my opinion, has the best super slim pistol design out with the PM9... it would be amazing if they came with these followers from the factory so they could improve their feed reliability with slingshot method.

[adman]

You guys are killing me with your PM(J)9 blunts. It's probably the only gun currently on my "want" list. Good report and enjoy it.

I still haven't pulled the trigger on a home defense shotgun. My BILs (2) bought a couple of tactical Mavericks at the gun show last weekend for just over $200 each: plastic stocks and extended magazines. Seems like a good idea and they didn't seem like bad guns despite their low price. Adding a laser and light is even better. Bad guys beware!

In shotgun. I use #1 buck. My gun looks like a zombie gun; the range guys double-checked me. LOL. Nonetheless, LE guys love slugs. I am torn, so much so, I ordered two more boxes of slug to try out. These new ones are Remington in 7/8 ounce instead of 1 ounce. I will likely stay with buck, but I like the predictability of these slug rounds.

The laser is key. You can watch You Tube all you like about pistol grip 12 gauge shotguns, but if they are mounted with a laser, they are deadly accurate, in the dark (near dark, etc)... otherwise, be good with the iron sights.

[adman]

Thanks for the update! I think I'll order a few of these followers for my new PM9. Kahr, in my opinion, has the best super slim pistol design out with the PM9... it would be amazing if they came with these followers from the factory so they could improve their feed reliability with slingshot method.

The Lakeline followers were amazing and perfect. They won't look like new after a few hundred rounds (no biggie) but they performed well. Honestly, Kahr should make them the their out-sourced follower company.

[adman]

I have just ordered 100 rounds of HST 124 grain and 100 rounds of 115 grain Gold Dot. I want this pistol to suit me and I will find the sweet spot. :)

[b4uqzme]

^^^ it will and you will.

[OvalNut]

The sweet spot for me with my PM9 is Federal HST 124gr standard pressure. Outstanding terminal ballistics and as accurate as anything I have shot from this pistol. Never had an interest in any 115gr rounds due to prior experience. I also tried 147gr HST standard pressure (they are as rare as hens teeth too). Stellar terminal ballistics, though a bit too much pop for comfort in such a small pistol, for me at least. Your mileage may vary, certainly.


Tim

[adman]

The sweet spot for me with my PM9 is Federal HST 124gr standard pressure. Outstanding terminal ballistics and as accurate as anything I have shot from this pistol. Never had an interest in any 115gr rounds due to prior experience. I also tried 147gr HST standard pressure (they are as rare as hens teeth too). Stellar terminal ballistics, though a bit too much pop for comfort in such a small pistol, for me at least. Your mileage may vary, certainly.


Tim

I have a feeling the 115 to 124 will work for me and my pistol. I have just purchased 100 rounds of each (115 in Gold Dot and 124 in HST). Until they arrive, I am using 147 grain HST standard pressure.

[Bills1873]

I reload 115 XTP, the little pm9 gobbles them up and is accurate to boot. I haven't found any ammo, even cheap wally stuff, that doesn't shoot well.

[adman]

The sweet spot for me with my PM9 is Federal HST 124gr standard pressure. Outstanding terminal ballistics and as accurate as anything I have shot from this pistol. Never had an interest in any 115gr rounds due to prior experience. I also tried 147gr HST standard pressure (they are as rare as hens teeth too). Stellar terminal ballistics, though a bit too much pop for comfort in such a small pistol, for me at least. Your mileage may vary, certainly.
Tim

Your observations seem very similar to mine and I hope the 124gr HST standard pressure works out. I've pretty much tested through all the HST offerings except this one. I use HST 230 +P in my Sig P220 stainless and it's very accurate. I'm not wanting to use lighter 115 grain ammo, but accuracy has to win out. The 115 Speer Gold Dot tested well in a gel test I saw, so that's on the list and also in the next parcel from UPS.

[adman]

I reload 115 XTP, the little pm9 gobbles them up and is accurate to boot. I haven't found any ammo, even cheap wally stuff, that doesn't shoot well.

The XTP is what I use in my SIG .380. Maybe I'll try it in the PM9. I gel tested the XTP some years ago and it penetrated better than any other at that time so it became my carry load for the .380. I've now seen recent gel tests online that agree as well. However recently, I have begun alternating it with Hornady's FTX.