Got My First Kahr - CM9

[Smoking Rib]

First post, but I've been reading here for awhile. I had my eye on the PM because most brands paled in comparison according to alot of reviewers. However, the price backed me off. Then I found out about the CM, and it was a no brainer.

I kept checking Buds and Kentucky Gun Co (I've ordered from both in the past) but they were always out of stock. Late one night when I checked Buds it showed in stock and I ordered. The next day I received an email telling me there was a problem with the internet inventory count and the gun was actually not in stock :confused:. I called and spoke with someone who offered to credit my account back. The other option was to wait on a shipment. I asked for an ETA, and he said he would have to pass my info to someone else (in shipping I think) to check.

To make an already long story short, I received another email in a couple of hours saying that they located one from a distributor :D, and all I had to do was wait a couple of days for them to get it and they would ship it out. All in all took about a week.

It's my first Kahr and if all Kahrs have a trigger like the CM9, it won't be my last. I'm only an amatuer (at best) but this little gun squeezes off with a very even pull from start to finish. This is paramount for someone like me that has a somewhat less than steady hand. Helps me to be much more accurate. Like everything about it and I would have bought the PM a long time ago knowing what I know now.

I've got a Fobus paddle holster for the range, an 8 rd mag, and a Pearce extension for the 6 rd mag on order. With bigger than average size hands I wanted to try a longer grip when targeting, but it's not at all uncomfortable to shoot right out of the box. I've only ran a couple dozen rounds through it, but so far I love it.

[crazymailman]

Welcome and congrats on your CM9. Oh, and yeah all the Kahrs have that great trigger!

[GOOFA]

Congrats on your first Kahr!

[Chowser]

Congrats. I am waiting for my CM9. I only ordered it a few days ago, but the distributor said out of stock, but more coming soon. I am going to hit up a local gun store and pick up a another 6-rd mag and a 7-rd mag and a pocket holster for the CM9.

I figured I'd pocket carry with the 6-rd mag and have the 7-rd mag as the spare.
I'd keep the extra 6-rd mag in the car. Then again, maybe I'll just pick up two 7-rd mags.

It's a pain in the butt whenever I go to the dealer for work, I have to take out all my magazines from the door pocket.

[ATF]

Congrats on your new purchase; you will not be disappointed!

[fjc]

Congrats on your new pistol! I'm new to Kahr myself (only had my PM9 for a week now), but I'm very impressed. The trigger reminds me of one of my S&W revolvers that has a great trigger job - long but smooth pull.

[MERCTECH]

congrats and welcome to the kahr world.

[joe d]

Welcome ! The CM9 was my first Kahr as well...

[dh2683]

Congrat's & Welcome. Also new to the Kahr family & love my new CM 9 also.
I think It's the perfect CC 9 . Have 250 flawless rounds through mine so far.;)

[94zcar]

Just got a cm9 also, got hooked on Kahrs with the cw9. Mighty fine pistols.

[jocko]

u first time kahr owners sure picked what I feel is the super model of the kahr line,

[Smoking Rib]

Alright guys, I've put about 75 rds though it and not one problem with function. Comfortable to shoot, sweet trigger, and more accurate than I am. I do have a concern though, and need some input.

Does this 200 rd break-in period include substantial wear and tear? I mean, when I broke the gun down to clean, I found polymer material in side the gun. One piece was the size of a red pepper flake. Also, at the rear of the slide, the frame is "boogered up" (for lack of a better word). Check out the pics.......

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/BigTone32/Kahr%20CM9/100_1279.jpg



http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/BigTone32/Kahr%20CM9/100_1283.jpg



http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/BigTone32/Kahr%20CM9/100_1281.jpg



I own about 8 guns of various brands and I've never had something like this occur. Is this a safety issue? Should it be returned? I haven't contacted Kahr as of yet. Anyone else experienced this?

[BEARDOG]

I would not worry about what you are seeing at the rear. Its normal IMO. If you want to get rid of the little poly hairs along the edge, pass a lighter quickly across them and they will be gone.

[jocko]

I would send that photo to ikahr, at attn: Jay. No safety issues IMO but fromthe photo the backkend doesn't look right either.

[g2wvu07]

Guys, I picked up my brand new CM9 last week. I havent even got to prep it for break in yet, but........

The rear of my pistol out of the box looks a little like this one. The polymer at the rear of the pistol (especially on the left rail) isnt flush with the slide. It's kind of protruding and not flush. Almost like something went wrong in the molding process or it just wasnt a quality mold.

I have heard so many good things about Kahr and dont want to be discouraged.

What should I do?

Thanks

[Bawanna]

I'd do the prep, bond with it and love it more and more each day. It's only cosmetic and from what I can see on the pictures not very noticeable.

I don't see it causeing any kind of malfunction or mechanical problem.

I've not heard any bad issues with these at all.

[g2wvu07]

Sounds good. I'll prep it, shoot it a couple hundred times and get back to everyone with a range report. As long as I dont have any mechanical problems I'll be satisfied.

[Bawanna]

I have no doubt you'll be satisfied. Use some decent ammo to start with, don't waste any of the expensive carry stuff till you get a couple hundred through it. If you want to shoot a mag or two during that time of the good stuff and it's running it won't hurt a thing either. Usually the good stuff will work even when the practice stuff balks.
Nothing but good reports so far so yours should be no different.
We'll anxiously await your after range report. Pictures are always a welcome thing if you can. Haven't seen nearly enough pictures of these things yet.

I wish you all good luck, although I don't think you'll need it either.

[jocko]

g2w: listen to the GREAT ONE, he speaks with no forked tongue.

[TheTman]

Welcome to the forum Smoking Rib and G2......, glad you all are enjoying your purchases. I'd be sure and pay attention to Jocko, he really knows his stuff.
Happy Shooting!

[eklipto101]

Alright guys, I've put about 75 rds though it and not one problem with function. Comfortable to shoot, sweet trigger, and more accurate than I am. I do have a concern though, and need some input.

Does this 200 rd break-in period include substantial wear and tear? I mean, when I broke the gun down to clean, I found polymer material in side the gun. One piece was the size of a red pepper flake. Also, at the rear of the slide, the frame is "boogered up" (for lack of a better word). Check out the pics.......

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/BigTone32/Kahr%20CM9/100_1279.jpg



http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/BigTone32/Kahr%20CM9/100_1283.jpg



http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/BigTone32/Kahr%20CM9/100_1281.jpg



I own about 8 guns of various brands and I've never had something like this occur. Is this a safety issue? Should it be returned? I haven't contacted Kahr as of yet. Anyone else experienced this?


My PM9 was just like it and I sand it down with 400 grit sand paper....Shot it about 300 round and it has not shown any bulging. It scared me too. Have not had a single problem, knock on wood (removing my hat), my 0.02 worthhttp://kahrtalk.com/images/icons/icon11.gif

[Cornel]

I noticed the same thing on mine. It looks like they didn't see this lack of 'detail' on them.

You could see it somewhat on post # 14 http://kahrtalk.com/showpost.php?p=69996&postcount=14

So the look could be quite better, but so far it's been flawless. Although I only have put 250 rds so far.




Alright guys, I've put about 75 rds though it and not one problem with function. Comfortable to shoot, sweet trigger, and more accurate than I am. I do have a concern though, and need some input.

Does this 200 rd break-in period include substantial wear and tear? I mean, when I broke the gun down to clean, I found polymer material in side the gun. One piece was the size of a red pepper flake. Also, at the rear of the slide, the frame is "boogered up" (for lack of a better word). Check out the pics.......

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/BigTone32/Kahr%20CM9/100_1279.jpg



http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/BigTone32/Kahr%20CM9/100_1283.jpg



http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae337/BigTone32/Kahr%20CM9/100_1281.jpg



I own about 8 guns of various brands and I've never had something like this occur. Is this a safety issue? Should it be returned? I haven't contacted Kahr as of yet. Anyone else experienced this?

[Smoking Rib]

Update: Sent an email to Kahr service department explaining what I've encountered with the CM9 and Jay replied back. Anyway, here it is....


"Good morning. Thank you for the question. I have reviewed your pictures along with one of our gunsmiths and your firearm is completely normal. Our firearms are the only firearms on the market with a 100% polymer frame. Because of the polymer frame, it is common to see the slide wearing into the frame and leaving behind edges as you see here. This is normal for our firearms and is one of the reasons Kahr firearms have such a superior fit and finish. I hope this information helps and if you have any other questions please feel free to email or call anytime.

sincerely,
Jay
Kahr Customer Service"


So it sounds like this is nothing new to the Kahr brand. Just seems like I would have ran into this issue while reading the umpteen reviews I read before I made the purchase. Since then, I've done a little looking and in fact found discussion on this in another forum. It was just like mine, and believe me it's more than just a few "hairs" you could burn off with a lighter.



I responded to Jay with this:

Hi Jay,

First I'd like to thank you for the speedy reply. It's apparent that customer service is important at Kahr Arms. Not too surprising, because I've read allot of good reviews prior to purchasing the CM9.

I did do a little research and familiarized myself with the anatomy of Kahr firearms as well as other brands to compare. It appears that some other manufacturers incorporate steel parts into the polymer where moving parts make contact. They are often black and integrate in with the polymer. Usually where it's hardly noticeable This is logical being that when one material is much harder than the another, and friction occurs, the harder material will wear away the softer material even when lubricated. Common sense.

If I understand correctly, you are telling me that the damage I'm seeing to
the polymer will not affect the operation or longevity of the pistol. That
any damage the action of the gun inflicts to the polymer material simply
takes away from the aesthetics of the gun, and nothing more. I've read
where some folks have ran thousands of rounds through their Kahr's with no issues so I don't doubt the design or the function of the CM9. However, I will have to dispute the claim to superior fit and finish. The term fit refers to the way the parts "come together". The flushness of seams, the uniformness between parts, and the smoothness of edges. Finish usually refers to discoloration, or lack of, and also smoothness. Kind of like a good paint job on a car. When my Kahr was taken from the box, the fit and finish seemed excellent. Now, not as good. Had I seen this gun in a gun shop looking like it does now, I would not have purchased it as new.

However, I can overlook the flaws as it stands at this time. As long as the gun continues to function properly, and no more damage is incurred to the polymer material, I will be satisfied. It really is a nice shooting gun.

Please let me know if any pervasive issues arise with the CM9. I realize it is mostly a tried and true PM, but it's also new to the market.

Thanks again

[jocko]

wonder where jAY GETS this information. What the hell is glocks, Smioth, Ruger lowers made of??? Jelley.

to me a very poor reply back , heh u might be able to sell some of those p-eople at kahrs someocean front property in arizona, if they believe what they told you.

[WilliamG]

My PM9 has some wear on the rear of the polymer frame as well, same as the above pictures, though perhaps not quite as bad. The little notch on the rear right (when looking from the back) definitely has some wear. The larger polymer piece on the left doesn't, though. 300 rounds in. I figured it's because the slide isn't going to move back exactly straight.

Here's a picture of my rear. :D

For Jay to say this is superior fit and finish is... well... wtf?

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/wgrose/07319145.jpg

[WilliamG]

I would send that photo to ikahr, at attn: Jay. No safety issues IMO but fromthe photo the backkend doesn't look right either.

Looks the same as my back end!

[jocko]

yuyp it sure does. It's probably alright but for such an expensive handgun,I would think they could do better. My PM9 with 31,000 orunds through it certainly doesn't look like that or show any signs of slide to polymer wear. I just got lucky, I guess.

[WilliamG]

yuyp it sure does. It's probably alright but for such an expensive handgun,I would think they could do better. My PM9 with 31,000 orunds through it certainly doesn't look like that or show any signs of slide to polymer wear. I just got lucky, I guess.

Maybe. But I'm used to things just never being perfect in the handgun world. My PM9 slide has a few imperfect edges in the barrel area, too, out of the box (before I even fired it). I just deal with it because it shoots so darn well.

[94zcar]

My CM9 looks exactly like yours, There must be to much polymer there and when you shoot it it get pushed back. I just gonna sand it off. These guns are really tight so I am not surprised to this.