PM9 slide question

[sport.pilot]

This last weekend I was able to get to a local range and shoot the PM9 and a Sig Sauer P238 (380 ACP). I noticed that the slide on the PM9 was very stiff and difficult for me to lock in the open position. I have had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and they are not the strongest. However, I noticed that racking the slide on the Sig 380 was easy. I also have no problem with my XD9. The person that was letting me use the PM9 said he has put about 2500 rounds through the gun, and that the slide had always been stiff, with little change/improvement even after all the rounds. I have seen other comments on this forum about the slide stiffness on this gun and also on the KAHR 380 as well.

So, my question is are all the KAHR PM9 and KAHR p 380 slides hard to rack? Is there a way to fix this/make it easier to pull back? I really liked the PM9, and it fit into my front jean pocket just fine. But, if it is going to remain this difficult, perhaps I should consider the Sig P380, or the Ruger LCP? I would rather stick with a 9mm if possible, and that is why the KAHR PM9 is an attractive option for me. I tried the Ruger LC9, and found it to be way to heavy for pocket carry, my intended use of the PM9 if I go that route. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jocko]

larhs are not easy to rack, if ur hands are weak due to the surgery, then maybe a PM9 is not for you. Have u tried the cw9 the little bigger version. there is more to get ahold of. They will loosen up somewhat in time but kahrs seem to remain very tight, just their nature. I wold say using the slide lock lever to load that first round like the kahr manual states would get your buy with no issues and after more time with you and the gun you will master the hand racking portion. I wouldnot recommend the P380 kahr, it is hard to rack, it is so damn small to to get any good hand hold, but again if u use the slide lock lever to load as the manual so states, that is one little super 380. although IMO the PM9 is mall enough to go about anywhere and fire power is certainly there. Not much u can do in the line of going to a lighter recoil springs as no one makes recoil springs for the new modle PM9 other than kahr and that is only in their factory weight of 18#.

ur condition might just warrant u to hav eto look for another gun other than a kahr.

[Rainman48314]

This last weekend I was able to get to a local range and shoot the PM9 and a Sig Sauer P238 (380 ACP). I noticed that the slide on the PM9 was very stiff and difficult for me to lock in the open position. I have had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and they are not the strongest. However, I noticed that racking the slide on the Sig 380 was easy. I also have no problem with my XD9. The person that was letting me use the PM9 said he has put about 2500 rounds through the gun, and that the slide had always been stiff, with little change/improvement even after all the rounds. I have seen other comments on this forum about the slide stiffness on this gun and also on the KAHR 380 as well.

So, my question is are all the KAHR PM9 and KAHR p 380 slides hard to rack? Is there a way to fix this/make it easier to pull back? I really liked the PM9, and it fit into my front jean pocket just fine. But, if it is going to remain this difficult, perhaps I should consider the Sig P380, or the Ruger LCP? I would rather stick with a 9mm if possible, and that is why the KAHR PM9 is an attractive option for me. I tried the Ruger LC9, and found it to be way to heavy for pocket carry, my intended use of the PM9 if I go that route. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

I have both the P238 and a PM9. I've come to like them equally well. The P238 was more trouble to get broken in.

My initial reaction to first shooting the Sig, was Wow, this is great. It operated easily, recoil was mild, and ergos were great. I find it easy to drop a mag or work the safety. It does seem to like frequent cleanings and surely requires a firm grip to avoid malfunctions. For defensive rounds, Sig recommended Speer Gold Dot LE 53606, they run about $0.86 / round to my door in qualities of 150-200. Several FMJ rounds work fine for range practice. Be sure to buy a unit with the 3rd gen mags, second gen slide and 2nd gen recoil spring. This will also be a post recall unit by default.

My first reaction to the PM9 was more like Yikes, what did I get into. I did like the trigger despite generally liking SA better. The coarse texture of the front strap soon was forgotten, although I shot half of the break-in with two golf gloves. It kicks more, as it should. The slide is very very stiff but got a little better after 250 rounds. I just got a new recoil spring set and it is again stiff. The original lost its end cap/screw and was cheerfully replaced by Kahr.

There is plenty of info on the PM9 all in one forum, right here. Good luck.

[Rainman48314]

Not having any expertise whatsoever on your medical situation, I'll just throw out a thought. Semi-autos of the pocket variety need a firm grip to avoid jamming. If all went well at the range, ignore this, otherwise, consider a small S&W 38spl with a 2" barell. It won't jam..you can shoot it through a jacket pocket all 5 times without a jam. It will save $250 over a PM9. If cost is a consideration, the new CM9 saves $180 over the PM9, same inerds.

[sport.pilot]

Jocko - thanks for the reply. I even had somewhat of a hard time getting the slide to lock back on the PM9. I was able to get the hang of it after some practice, but it just seemed inordinately stiff. This will not be my regular range gun, but only a pocket carry gun that I would use when I cannot easily conceal my XD9 subcompact. So, although I will not shoot it all the time, I plan to shoot whichever gun I decide on regularly so as to remain proficient with it. So, if possible, I would like a gun that is not a struggle for me to rack. It shot fine, it was just the slide thing that caused me some issue. I did like the Sig, but I would have to get use to its **** and lock carry and also get used to flipping the de-cocker when I want to fire - lots of practice. And, I would like to remain with 9mm. I did not look at the CW9, only because it is slightly larger than the PM9. I need to do some more research and thinking about it. Thanks again.

[Rainman48314]

Jocko - thanks for the reply. I even had somewhat of a hard time getting the slide to lock back on the PM9. I was able to get the hang of it after some practice, but it just seemed inordinately stiff. This will not be my regular range gun, but only a pocket carry gun that I would use when I cannot easily conceal my XD9 subcompact. So, although I will not shoot it all the time, I plan to shoot whichever gun I decide on regularly so as to remain proficient with it. So, if possible, I would like a gun that is not a struggle for me to rack. It shot fine, it was just the slide thing that caused me some issue. I did like the Sig, but I would have to get use to its **** and lock carry and also get used to flipping the de-cocker when I want to fire - lots of practice. And, I would like to remain with 9mm. I did not look at the CW9, only because it is slightly larger than the PM9. I need to do some more research and thinking about it. Thanks again.The Sig P238 does not have a de-cocker. It does have a safety a la 1911 style, and, yes, you need to train with it. It is designed to carry in Condition 1.

[sport.pilot]

I do not mind cleaning and I did not mind the extra snap of the pistol. Considering it was my first time, I shot it well, all within the black of the target. As I say, it will be a pocket gun and I want it to be functional and reliable. I will shoot it regularly, but not as much as my XD9. As I say, I liked the Sig, but did not really want to change from 9mm if possible. I would probably reload the 380 for range firing, and purchase my self defense ammo. Thanks for the info. I probably could get used to the slide on the PM9 with some practice, but I just wanted to inquire about if that was normal and if it improved with use. Thanks.

[sport.pilot]

Rainman - My hands lack grip strength. I had a revolver, and never really liked it as much as I like my semi-autos. I like having the extra rounds available that the semi-auto gives me, and I enjoy shooting them more overall. Thanks for the suggestion - excellent thought.

[WilliamG]

I think the PM9 has one of the hardest slides on any gun I've ever used. Pulling it back to slide lock manually is incredibly tricky. It's just one of those things. I don't have to do it too often, and it doesn't bother me really, but my wife simply cannot pull it back. And she's tried several times.

This will be very subjective, of course, but the PM9 has one stiff slide.

[jim3597]

Sport: I have problems with my hands also. For all my pistols I put 3M traction tape over the slide cocking cuts and they work great.:cheer2:

[sport.pilot]

Sport: I have problems with my hands also. For all my pistols I put 3M traction tape over the slide cocking cuts and they work great.:cheer2:

Jim - I looked up 3M Traction Tape on the internet and all I could find was 1 inch by 36 inch rolls for about $100 per roll. Am I looking at the wrong stuff? Do you have a link for the stuff you use? Thanks.

[jim3597]

I just went to home depot and bought a roll for about $8.00. I can never use it up in a lifetime, although I am going to try. It might be listed under safety tape, it has grit on one side and adhesive on the other. Clean the slide off good with isopropyl alcohol and apply. You can always remove it if you don't like it. Some people just apply a rectangle piece over the whole area and others cut strips and apply only to the groove area.

[jim3597]

sport, here is the link.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100132176/h_d2/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&keyword=3m+safety+tape&jspStoreDir=hdus&Nu=P_PARENT_ID&navFlow=3&catalogId=10053&langId=-1&ddkey=Search

[Bawanna]

I don't have the grip tape applied to anything at the moment but have used it in the past. The squares seem to hold up much better than the piece between the c0cking serrations. The pieces between definitely look nicer though for what that's worth.

The grip tape along with an overhand grip where you can push your hands together rather than a sling shot action only using thumb and finger might be way better on your wrist.

[mightymouse]

...along with an overhand grip where you can push your hands together rather than a sling shot action only using thumb and finger might be way better on your wrist.
Currently healing from a complete wrist fusion on my strong right side, cast off mid month, needing a partial fusion on my left. Its been a long time since I've shot using both hands :mad: I'm one of those who always racked with gun pointing well away from my body, slingshot style, but became very difficult due to positioning. I have found I can easily rack my CM9 using the method Bawanna mentions above. Please keep the finger off the trigger as I'm sure more than a few unintentional lead elbow injections have been made this way. This is round three on right wrist, so I've been there and back with the weakness. I spend a lot of time with a stiff thera-putty and those spring hand squeezers to maintain / regain strength which really helps with stubborn slides.

[jocko]

bawanna way is the normal accepted method, in ur case u are going to have to adapt to what ever works best for ur wrist condition.

[Bawanna]

bawanna wayu is the normal accepted method, in ur case u are going to have to adapt to what ever works best for ur wrist condition.

Bawanna does something that's normal?:eek:


I think thats the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Sniff, sniff.:o

[jocko]

DON'T EXPECT IT EVERY DAY, sniff, sniff!!