New CM9 Three Months In

[antifa]

Hi. I shopped around for a pocket 9 and made up my mind after considering all the reviews, and was especially convinced by what Hickock45 had to say about it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=hickok45+kahr+cm9&oq=45+kahr+cm9&aqs=chro me.1.69i57j0l2.12027j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

My luck was on the upswing because Kahr was bringing the updated models on the market (fancy sights), and a local shop was able to get me a discontinued one for just $320. It showed up new, in box with all the wrapping intact. They took a trade-in of an old Baretta 21A mouse gun for a credit of $75, as well. 20 minutes later, background check completed, and no carry license required in VT, I walked out with it.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2b8aHpWKebaTGNjOUEzODEzSEU/view?usp=sharing
Initial inspection: Everything looked perfect except for a barely noticeable nick on the top of the slide which didn't bother me a bit. Maybe it's a defect in the machining.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2b8aHpWKebaUURvN21wcnVhMHM/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2b8aHpWKebaODFaUngxRGpHRmM/view?usp=sharing
I fed it Winchester 115gr white box ball and 147gr jhp. At around #75, the slide failed to lock back when the magazine emptied. That was the lone failure through the first 350 rounds.

Extra capacity mag:From the outset, I had wanted an extra capacity magazine. The place that sold me the Kahr said they ordered one for me, but I never heard back from them. This is the typical kind of customer service that they are reputed for. I did find a 7 round mag in another shop which they admitted had been in their stock for over a decade. It fit and appeared to be exactly the right pattern, but the finish on the metal looked very different from the mag supplied with the gun. And the price was cheap. They promised to take it back if I had any problems with it. ....and I did. There were 2 nosedives in the first 25 rounds. I'd seen enough. I brought it back and they traded me a standard 6 round mag for it. Another couple of hundred rounds (mostly Blazer Brass 115gr ball) later, and absolutely no hiccups, I am one very pleased and secure-feeling concealed carrier!
Overall: I like the lines, and think the stainless slide and black receiver make it an attractive piece. No need to feel embarrassed by it at the range. I like the feel of it drawing from my cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster, the fit and "rightness" of it in my hand, and putting it on target. i love the sights, and having let more experienced shooters try it out, I know that it's more accurate than I am. It pretty much disappears in the front pocket of everything except my Levis. Oh, and I love the DAO trigger. They put a lot of thought and top-notch materials and design into this gun.
Racking it is still very stiff, but that has to be expected, and is not a bother to me. I thought that the grip was a tad slippery, so I tried out putting a short piece of scrap bicycle tire tube (mountain bike size) over the grip and think it's much improved, especially if I'm sweaty. I think I'll leave it on. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2b8aHpWKebaN21EcFMzVGF2Mnc/view?usp=sharing

[bugs]

I must be one of the lucky ones regarding functioning 7rd. mags; I had been shooting four 7rd. mags in my CM9 from the start, w/o feeding issues in practice and IDPA matches, until IDPA reduced the BUG box size. one 7rd. mag will still fit IWB or pocket carry w/o any issues and one 7rd. mag w/Lakeline +1 baseplate on the belt. 6rd. mags w/reduced pinky hook are now used for practice/matches only. after 6000 rds. racking is very stiff also. (good spring).

NRA LIFER
IDPA BELEIVER

[antifa]

The age of the magazine is probably a factor of its lousy performance. There's no telling how it may have been mishandled, or if the specs changed ever so slightly. A factory fresh clip might have worked perfectly.

[berettabone]

The spring orientation of the magazine may have been a factor along with limp wristing. Also 115 gr. is a bit light for break in. A few factors that cause nose diving of the round.

[King Rat]

I have a Bersa 22. Very finicky gun. Need High Pressure ammo. But also the installation of the recoil spring, I found out to be very important. I found out the gun performed much better if the flanged end was inserted toward the top as you are loading it. Also the rear as well. Have no idea if this is one reason I have not had any problems so far with the Kahr, but it is shooting fine. I have alway's for years advocated that I believe a huge majority of problems with pocket Pistols in particular is "LIMP WRISTING". Especially among first time and inexperienced shooters. Indeed, I have been to the range numerous times and come across a shooter having problems with malfunctions, only to take the gun and it shoot fine. Even to the day, I have to be careful when I have shot many rounds through a pocket gun and start to get tired. If I get a malfunction, either time to start to refocus or go home.

[antifa]

Hey, thanks everybody. I considered my grip as a potential factor. Both my grip and the ammo worked perfectly with the short stack mag. The only variable was the magazine, and it,scared the hell out of me. Put the other 6 rounder in and it works perfectly with the same ammo and my usual solid grip.
I'm convinced it's that particular magazine.
I really appreciate your thoughtful suggestions! This is a great community.

[antifa]

Update:
I've been pocket holster carrying my CM9 every day, almost all day. Today I took it to the range after carrying it for about a month, without inspecting it or cleaning it, or making sure that the cartridges were lined up right in the magazine. Pulling it out, I could see pocket lint stuck to it, especially in the trigger mechanism. Since it's summer, and it's been secreted in my pocket, exposed to sweat and the elements, I was pretty doubtful that it would chamber and fire after the first round.*
Wouldn't you know it, it sent the whole magazine, and every one after that down range with perfect reliability.
Good to know! After all that jostling in my pocket, etc, every bullet went to battery like a champ.*

Bonus - my buddy brought along 3 Colts: a 1911 10mm, a 1911 45, and an AR15. The 10mm has a 5 inch barrel, and I learned how much difference a little extra sight radius can make with accuracy.
Fun day at the range!

[MMyers1970]

I am unsure how I feel about someone with the name "ANTIFA" posting in a firearm forum. I'd be equally uneasy about "KLANSMAN" or "ISISFAN".

I hope you're being facetious.

[tony k]

I am unsure how I feel about someone with the name "ANTIFA" posting in a firearm forum. I'd be equally uneasy about "KLANSMAN" or "ISISFAN".

I hope you're being facetious.

I had the same reaction. Maybe his real name is something mundane and boring like Eric Clanton or Yvette Felarca.

I've got a CM9 that runs like a top too. I have the original 6 rounder, an additional 6 rounder I bought on GunBroker for $1, and 2 8 round mags. They all run great.

I would have kept that old 7 rounder. Kahr magazine problems are usually pretty easy and cheap to fix.

[Cubby]

The spring orientation of the magazine may have been a factor along with limp wristing. Also 115 gr. is a bit light for break in. A few factors that cause nose diving of the round.

I used 124 gr. Nato to break mine in. It has worked perfectly for three years!

[antifa]

Hi, Folks.
MY thanks to everyone for your input. There's a lot of good information being shared in this forum. I'm glad to be part of it.
Since the issue has been raised, I will ask for your forbearance as I try to address it from my perspective.
I can understand some people's reservations about the handle, "antifa," given how much disinformation is out there. Try to bear in mind that the designation has honorable roots going back to a period in Europe when a powerful, educated counterbalance to fascism was widely embraced. It's not unreasonable to conclude that our current circumstances here may present the same challenges.
Fundamentally, Antifa's goal is to contribute to the defense of folks who are the target of militant right-wing violence. Almost all of the people I know personally who are involved are highly-disciplined and committed to never initiating violence. I do know a handful of people who look for opportunities "to punch a nazi." I distance myself from them, and they know to not invite me to their meetings.
There's also a long and well-documented history of the US police state infiltrating lefty groups with agents provocateur who commit acts that are staged to generate maximum public backlash against those groups. I'd be VERY surprised if that's not the case with Antifa. Please keep that in mind.
There's also this:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.newsweek.com/alt-right-conspiracy-theories-blame-antifa-mass-shooting-las-vegas-677075%3Famp%3D1&ved=0ahUKEwjGn-qcodfWAhWj5IMKHWDuCngQiJQBCCAwAQ&usg=AOvVaw31AfV56hw1DUYWKwjJjOrY&ampcf=1

Thanks for indulging me with your patience, and for raising an important issue without making it a smack-down.
These are interesting times.

[tony k]

I don't doubt that you have good intentions, but fascism is as fascism does. Black Bloc tactics, riots, vandalism, assaulting people with bike locks, shouting down people vwho disagree with you, and suppressing free speech and open dialogue. Sorry my friend. Antifa is the fascist movement. It's kinda hard to blame "government infiltrators" for stirring stuff up when those things are fundamental to you organization.

Just because a group calls itself antifacist, doesn't mean they are actually against fascism, just as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is neither Democratic, run for the benefit of it's citizens, nor is it a republic.

[Bawanna]

Lets talk CM9 Three Months In and leave Antifa behind. I never heard of it myself, I don't get out much.

If live is easier for you Antifa with a new screen name, let me know, myself or one of the other mods can make that happen. Been a long time since I done it but I know it can be done.
I'm not requiring you to do so unless it continues to create political talk or soils our gun talk or happy family atmosphere.

[antifa]

Hi Bawanna.
Thanks for being proactive.
I'm counting on people here to keep the conversation on-track with the forum's rules, so I don't see any need to change my screen name.
If it's okay with everybody else, I'm going to read up on how to disassemble the slide without losing pieces and getting frustrated...
Bill

[Bawanna]

Check the stickies, there's some good stuff and pictures. Search for Ripley Retractor, that should point the way nicely.

It's simple once you've done it once and see how it works. It's very glockish but not quite as easy. Same moves, just tighter fit.

Life is far too short to get frustrated, no need to go there. Spent far too long figuring that out myself, maybe I can save you some time.