Shooting high with my new-to-me PM9

[Noway]

At least with Blazer 115 gr I ‘m consistently hitting 3-4 inches high when I center my front sight on the bullseye. When I use a VERY low 6 o’clock hold I hit the center.

Good groupings, just too high. Nice little gun, also.

Anyone know a supplier who carries taller front sights?

[Ed M]

Before you swap sights, you might want to try 124 gr ball ammo.

If that doesn't help, the folks at Dawson Precision might be able to help you out.

Good luck.....

[Noway]

Before you swap sights, you might want to try 124 gr ball ammo.

If that doesn't help, the folks at Dawson Precision might be able to help you out.

Good luck.....

Thanks, it's worth a try. Also need to run some JHP through it.

Curious how the height of the factory sights compares with the DP sights, even some increment may make a big difference.

[Ed M]

I think they have different height sights.

If you find you're say 3" high consistently, they'll suggest the correct size for you.

Those folks are really good at this type of thing.

A phone call is probably a good idea.

[Noway]

Yes. Was out to the range again today, shooting 115, 135 +P and 147 and no real difference among them (aside from +P recoil). Wondering if the former owner didn't change out the front sight at one point...

[Noway]

This is useful: https://dawsonprecision.com/sight-calculator/

[kenemoore]

I replaced the stock front sight on my PM9 with a Kahr stock Night Sight. It too shoots high, but not as high as yours, out of all of my Kahrs it is the only one that requires a 6 o'clock hold. All the others are spot on. Does your PM9 had standard or night sights? (Mine is the old style slide, wonder if that's a factor?)

[Noway]

I replaced the stock front sight on my PM9 with a Kahr stock Night Sight. It too shoots high, but not as high as yours, out of all of my Kahrs it is the only one that requires a 6 o'clock hold. All the others are spot on. Does your PM9 had standard or night sights? (Mine is the old style slide, wonder if that's a factor?)

Factory sights, on the rear at least. I assume the front sights are factory too.

[oldtimer]

Perhaps your pushing down with heel of shooting hand, very small gun, we tend to grip tight and anticipate recoil on a 14 oz gun. Just a thought before spending dollars.

[Noway]

Perhaps your pushing down with heel of shooting hand, very small gun, we tend to grip tight and anticipate recoil on a 14 oz gun. Just a thought before spending dollars.

Thanks. I'll check that next time at the range, but on two sessions shooting a variety of ammunition the offset has been virtually identical. I've never had this issue before with any handgun I can think of, including not a few 9x18s that kicked like the dickens.

[oldtimer]

Thanks. I'll check that next time at the range, but on two sessions shooting a variety of ammunition the offset has been virtually identical. I've never had this issue before with any handgun I can think of, including not a few 9x18s that kicked like the dickens.

Over time I've had problems with new handguns, it's amazing what a change in grip can do, one thing I've done is in using hogue grips with same feel.

[Noway]

Using the Dawson Precision sight calculator I need a front sight .230” high; stock is .180”. Or figure out a different hold.

or maybe buy aftermarket sights and just be done with it.

[Noway]

So, installing TruGlo TFO sights. Rear sight comes out okay, although there appears to be a tiny bit of rust in the dovetail cut. Seated the new sight with no problems at all.

Front sight, working with a Wheeler sight tool, the front sight blade shears completely off leaving the remaining base firmly seated in the dovetail. The break looks like pot metal to me, large rough crystals. It's also soft so my attempts to punch it out are just deforming the metal without moving it. I hope this was not a Kahr sight but maybe an aftermarket, given the quality of the material.

Now to find a way to get this thing out without damaging the slide... :mad:

[Bawanna]

Take a dremel with a cut off wheel and carefully just cut the base about the middle cross ways to the slide.
The heat build up a lone will help a little. Can't cut all the way through but close and you should be able to punch it out.

[Noway]

Take a dremel with a cut off wheel and carefully just cut the base about the middle cross ways to the slide.
The heat build up a lone will help a little. Can't cut all the way through but close and you should be able to punch it out.

Thanks, that was my inclination (guess), but I had to stop for the night as I was getting irritated and the garage is about 95 degrees... This will require some cautious deliberation.

When you get to that point time to sleep on it... ;)

[gb6491]

On the chance that the front sight had thread locker used on it, I'd give it some heat before going to the punch and hammer again.

[Bawanna]

Probably wise, maybe heat and a little Kroil. Might penetrate in there and loosen things up since he found rust on the rear.
Then careful deliberation with the cutter.
I have a hard time stopping when I get irritated, it is the smart thing to do to call it a day and try again another day, just not good at it.

[Noway]

Got the dovetail base out after making the cut.

Now, install from the left or the right (strong hand side or weak hand)?

There are a few YT videos on installation, but nothing particular to the Kahr...

I'm going to oil the new sight a tad, so I don't get a repeat of last night. Sheesh.

[Bawanna]

Usually right to left muzzle forward on everything I've done.

[Noway]

Usually right to left muzzle forward on everything I've done.

Yes, I guess it's common-sense, but at that point I was being very wary.


Success, although the dovetail is a wee bit on the loose side. Will take it to the range and see if it holds zero, if not a few dimples on the underside should tighten it up.

Found the sight blade; boy that thing was in there TIGHT!

[340pd]

You didn't say at what distance you are shooting. Distance will have a major effect of POI.
I shoot most of my SD guns at 30-50' figuring that is most likely the distance they will be needed. Personally I like my guns to have a POA just below the POI as it allows me to see the intended target better. All my "target guns" have their sights set to allow me to see the entire black of a standard bullseye target as opposed to covering half of it with the front sight.
Assuming you are shooting at say 30', why worry about having the sights align perfectly POA=POI?
BTW increasing the wt. of the bullet usually results in a higher POI at 50'.

[Noway]

Installed the TFO sights, but the front sight base does not sit flush on the slide in the dovetail. For some reason it has positioned itself about 1/2 mm up so there's daylight visible between the sight base and the dovetail floor. The sight itself is clearing the slide by about 1mm, so it's not like it's hung up there. Puzzling. By rights the sight should be sliding down into the wider part of the cut on its own, but it seems to have settled into this weird elevated position. I'm betting it will pop out when I start sending rounds.

I'll have to try to take a photo...

[Noway]

TFOs were a no-go as the front sight did work out of position when I shot it. Groan. I have replaced beaucoup sights in my day, but never as problematic as with this gun... :(

[topgun1953]

I wonder if it will set down where it’s supposed to if you file some material off of the bottom.