Potential new owner of a P series

[Vector]

I have been contemplating buying a compact .45 for some time and came to the conclusion that it would either be a Glock 36 or a P series Kahr. The PM seems too small, and the price is more than what I've seen the P45 selling for a few months back.

Anyway someone offered to sell me their P45 with two mags, stainless upper and polymer lower for $550 They supposedly have fired 100 rounds through it and it is "like new" condition.
However they said the reason they are selling it is it is unreliable because it will jam with certain types of ammo.

My newbie questions are as follows.

1)Is $550 a good price in todays market for this gun?

2)Is jamming a common problem with this model, and if so why should I buy a Kahr vs. a Glock 36 that does not have said jamming issues? (no offense intended with that question)

3) Can the jamming issue be easily fixed if you all still recommend the buying it?

4) Since I am buying it 2nd hand, does Kahr have a warranty I can use, or am I stuck if it has a major failure?

5) Once I get use to it on the range with inexpensive ammo, what are the best defensive rounds this gun will fire with absolute reliability? (I am sure there must be some otherwise you all would not have bought it.)

TIA

[Indigo]

There is a break in period of at least 200 rounds or more before it's reliable. Rem golden sabers are a great moderately priced HP that spin through there smoothly. I would offer 500 and see where that goes. If it is as new as they claim then they haven't completed prep and break in hence their results. I'm not sure about the warranty they come with 5 year but I don't know if it's transferrable a quick call to kahr will get you an answer from the horse's mouth. Somewhere on here is a thread explaining how to find when gun was built by serial number so that you can verify age. A 5 year old gun likely has more than 100 rounds through it. My P45 won't shoot win ranger but the golden sabers are definitely reliable. Others here have no issues with any ammo. I prefer to stick with one brand.

[deuce]

Have you thought about a CW45? Not much size difference and a steal at $450 new.

[Vector]

Have you thought about a CW45? Not much size difference and a steal at $450 new.

I thought the P was shorter and lighter than the CW. Also I think the P comes with two mags, at least this one does. Any other differences that I am not aware of that make the CW more appealing?

[jocko]

I thought the P was shorter and lighter than the CW. Also I think the P comes with two mags, at least this one does. Any other differences that I am not aware of that make the CW more appealing?

a dandy with the P45, almost the same size as the cw45 to but the P comes with two mag, polygonal rifled barrel, dovetailed front and back sights, forged slide stop leveralittle more ingraving on the slide area... internals on each are the same, quality wise theya re the same, jsut a few more bells and whistles on the P series. You have a much larger variety of night sights that will go on the P series.

No ne can argue the price point of the CW series, a super gun for the money

[jlottmc]

I have a P45, and positively love it. Not one issue, just feeds and fires everything I put through it, then comes back for more. I paid exactly what you are for mine. Only problem I can think of aside from the slide stop (all Kahrs) is the fact that I like it so much, I don't want to carry it for fear of losing it if I should use it.

[Allblackedout]

Go with a new gun for less and a warranty. Im pretty sure the warranty is non-transferable and if something is wrong with the gun your out $550. I would go with the CW 45, an extra mag is only $40, and I see them around $450 new, some even lower. Kahr's usually dont have any problems past the intial break-in period and are a very reliable gun. Good luck trying to conceal carry a Glock comfortably for an extended period of time vs a Kahr. I like Glock, but not for a CC gun.

[Vector]

I went ahead and bought the P45 with two mags for $500 which I think is a good price considering no tax was involved.

Now my main thought is what type of inexpensive ammo to use at the range to break it in and become familiar with it?

Then I will want to carry the best HD ammo in it without fear of a feeding issue. I was considering the Federal HST or Winchester Ranger T series rounds, but have no idea if they will feed correctly or not?

What recommendations do you all have for those two needs?

[deuce]

In my CW45 i use Win. White 230 gr target ammo. In Ohio, I can get the 100 ct box for $32 and my gun loves it. I suggest the Fed. 230 gr hydroshok for personal protection ammo but you'll just have to shoot some to see what you think. I have shot Remington 185 gr +P golden sabers thru mine and it did well but most of what I've read,people seem to like the heavier rounds in the 45. I'm definately not an expert and I'm sure there are many on this forum that can help you on this.Check out this site. Lots of good info.....Ammunition For The Self-Defense Firearm (http://www.chuckhawks.com/ammo_by_anonymous.htm)

[pm9az]

In general: Clean, lube & hand-rack the slide about 500 times. It sounds like a lot, but doesn't take long.

My guess is that the pistol may not be ammo-finicky, but just not fully broken in.

I personally prefer to do the break-in with the least expensive factory ammo I can find.
Once practice ammo is working well, move on to SD ammo.

For SD, start with what you like. If it works, great. If not, move down the list.

If you still have problems, call Kahr to verify whether it is still under warranty. Odds are, if it is under 5 years old, they will honor the warranty, even though you do not have the original paperwork.

IMO, you made a good choice, but you should know for sure pretty quickly.

[kahrseye]

I ran 200 rounds through my PM45 all at one range session without incident. I think I have 300 rounds through it now with no problems. As far as the PM being too small? I don't think so, I think its perfect. I ususally carry it on my side but on occasion I pocket carry it. I certainly understand the cost aspect of buying any weapon, but I love the size of this gun. Again it all comes down to personal preference.

[jocko]

life is not cheap either. buy the very best you can afford to carry. Prove it to be reliable and then just stick with it... 99.995% who carry probably never have to draw or use it in anger or defense, . BUT for damn sure if you have to use it, you want to know that the gun is perfect, the ammo is perfect in your gun.. They just don't come any smaller in a 45 than the PM45. I guess also that is why it is so damn popular..

[dusty10]

I used Speer Lawman 230 grain FMJ for my breakin period on my PM45 and subsquent range visits. Haven't settled on a SD round yet.