CM9 Disappointing

[nmkahrshooter]

Finally traded in th CM9. Really was disappointed with this pistol. Love the CW9 and have had not one problem with it but wish I could say the same for the CM9. I know that I should have sent it back to Kahr but when I spend $500.00 for a gun, I expect it to work! I looked at all the models out there and bought a Ruger LC9. So far no problems. Like I say really liked my first Kahr but have nothing nice to say about the CM9.

[gilfo]

Sorry to hear about yours. I have 180 rds thru mine so far, only 1 hiccupp at rd 15, slide did not lock back on last rd.

[MLESa7990]

What was wrong with it?

[bonjorno2]

^^^^ this

[nmkahrshooter]

Constant nose dives, jams, with different ammo and just not comfortable to shoot. Really disapointed after good luck with CW9. This pistol should run perfect for the price Kahr wants. I fired 400 rounds thru this firearm.

[MLESa7990]

I personally think you should have given Kahr a chance to even look at it. plenty of things that could cause ftf's...even user error...my PM9 has been phenomenal so far. Doesn't seem to like hornady critical defense ammo, but whatever

...to each his own though. good to hear you enjoy the CW9 atleast

[OldLincoln]

nmKahrshooter, and did you do the thorough Prep and Lube? Seems a lot of folks tatke that as optional, and well, it is optional if you don't care if your gun doesn't have problems. But no matter, you traded it in and are moving on. I don't begrudge you for it as you gotta do what you think is right for you the same as me. I do wish you well and truly hope you find the perfect gun you are looking for.

[Rainman48314]

Finally traded in th CM9. Really was disappointed with this pistol. Love the CW9 and have had not one problem with it but wish I could say the same for the CM9. I know that I should have sent it back to Kahr but when I spend $500.00 for a gun, I expect it to work! I looked at all the models out there and bought a Ruger LC9. So far no problems. Like I say really liked my first Kahr but have nothing nice to say about the CM9.How would you compare the triggers between the CM9 and the LC9?

[TheTman]

The trigger on the LC9 is nowhere as smooth and light as the triggers on my Kahrs. (CW40 and 45). I pulled the trigger on a CM9 at the LGS, and it was much like my CW's, very smooth and light, hard to anticipate when it was going to break. The LC9 cocks the hammer, so it takes a little more effort, which threw off my accuracy a little, but I think practice will take care of that.

[nmkahrshooter]

Yes, did lube according to Kahr. Also after every 50 rounds pistol was cleaned and lubed. This wasn't my first rodeo, spent 22 years in military and am quite familar on keeping firearms clean. All I am saying is a $500.00 gun should work without having to send it back for service after a short period of time. Used several brands of ammo except russian stuff and pistol failed with all brands. Not knocking Kahr at all but maybe they need to look at pistol more carefully since there has been a few problems with this line.

[sfla99]

Kahr really should look at all these threads, what happens to the countless number of people who never make it to this site to read the pre-prep & lube threads?

These folks have no idea about all the potential pitfalls and how to rectify them, they just hit the range and start firing a fresh un-cleaned / un-racked (pre-prepped).

If I was not a research maniac I would not have come to find this forum and get all this great info, I ordered mine even knowing of all the possibile issues I could face - Like they say " Knowing is half the battle " hahah.

Cheers!

[Avenger]

It is unfortunate that it didn't work out for you, but I am glad that it has so far for me.

I was able to take mine out this past weekend and put 238 rounds (Federal, 115 grain, FMJ) through it with just two FTFs that were caused by operator error (not securing the magazine correctly). Other than that, it was super.

I did take mine through the suggested prep (and then some) and clean and lube, but you probably did as well.

[Bill K]

"A mans gotta do what a mans gotta do." Best of luck with your new piece, may you never have to use it for SD or HD.

Of my 4 semi-automatic pistols 3 needed some work to get them running reliably. With all three guns I was able to get them right using info from more experienced forum members (here and elsewhere) and without having to send them back to the "Mother Ship". My PM9 had two issues out of the box but is now being carried more than my other carry guns combined.

[OldLincoln]

nmkahrshooter. Sorry, didn't know your background. I agree that Kahr does have some quality issues. Some of us have offer to volunteer to quality and fluff & buff their production guns but shipping and legal nonsense wouldn't allow that. It's not that they are that bad, it's that we love doing the work, and retirement is SO boring!

I know they are working on the quality stuff and many of the issues are such that they don't show up until fired a bit more than the test round at the factory. Kahr doesn't even see the mags per se', as they come in plastic bags that just get put into the box. Mags account for quite a few of the issues and Kahr is working with the vendor but I wish they would hurry.

A good buff on lube point 6 eliminating most of the break-in friction of the slide and it's barrel drop feature and better polish of the feed ramp and chamber mouth would just about round it out.

So yes they need to do better. These issues are mostly easily corrected by the user or Kahr but it would be nice to have them that way from the factory. I did the work on my PM9 and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

So, I'm sorry to loose you but you go with good thoughts and best wishes.

[Bear549]

I have to admit I felt the exact same way with my CM9 when I first got it. Nose dives with Blazer ammo and mags would not drop free. However, I like to tinker so I stuck with it and now I am very happy with it. I cannot blame you for getting rid of it and I also believe that a firearm should not have these issues.

[Thunder71]

They may have some issues, but they also have a 5 year warranty to get them fixed - for free.

If you want a gun that doesn't need some effort on your part, the Kahr probably isn't for you, it's tolerances are too tight. Get a Springfield, Glock, something made to looser specs (and larger sizes). It's a lot of gun to pack into a small package.

[Quickdraw]

So what is a reputation worth? I know many people here get real defensive when others say that they expect more from an established pistol manufacturer. The primary reason for these pistols are self defense. Most people don't buy a subcompact pistol as a range gun. For a pistol to stake your life on many of these fall short. Even 1 malfunction is 1 too many. What would it take to get better quality control out of the factory? Spraying the slide with some brake cleaner and a little lube? Having a good quality mag manufacturer from day 1? My CM is running pretty good in a perfect world but when SHTF and I need to depend upon it to save my life then there is only one kind of reliable and that is reliable 100% of the time, or at least damn close to it. The factory is the one responsible for that kind of quality control not the guy on the street trying to stay alive. If you expect anything less then....

[nmkahrshooter]

No problem Oldlincoln Kahr has not lost me yet. I still own a CW9 and a CW45. Both of those pistols have ben flawless. Just wish CM9 would have worke out. It was easy to carry here in the hot southwest. I do carry everyday and I need something that I feel is 100%. But seriously between the CM9 and their 380 Kahr has had a few problems. Maybe they need to look at quality control a little bit, its their reputation at stake.

[Rainman48314]

The trigger on the LC9 is nowhere as smooth and light as the triggers on my Kahrs. (CW40 and 45). I pulled the trigger on a CM9 at the LGS, and it was much like my CW's, very smooth and light, hard to anticipate when it was going to break. The LC9 cocks the hammer, so it takes a little more effort, which threw off my accuracy a little, but I think practice will take care of that.Of the two, I prefer the Kahr trigger. I sold my LC9 after about 400 flawless rounds. That trigger was longer than War and Peace. I still prefer a SA. I shoot my Sig P238 much much better, ditto for my 4.25 inch 1911 and also my HK P7. The PM9 has become a backup I seldom take out of the house.

[Rainman48314]

... I agree that Kahr does have some quality issues.

I know they are working on the quality stuff and many of the issues are such that they don't show up until fired a bit more than the test round at the factory. Kahr doesn't even see the mags per se', as they come in plastic bags that just get put into the box. Mags account for quite a few of the issues and Kahr is working with the vendor but I wish they would hurry.

..... So yes they need to do better. These issues are mostly easily corrected by the user or Kahr but it would be nice to have them that way from the factory.Who are you and what have you done with OldLincoln?

[OldLincoln]

Well, I had a talk with the old guy and thought perhaps I was a bit harsh in a recent post or two. I do agree Kahr is not perfect and I still remain a fan but when someone has made the decision to move on for whatever reasons it's time to let go. I believe Kahrshooter is sincere and while memory is getting shorter daily, I don't recall him going all over the place crying "the sky is falling".

He is a man that deserves respect and I want him to know that while mine may be a different decision I respect his. Someday he may want another Kahr and be back.

Linc

[Russ]

nmkahrshooter. Sorry, didn't know your background. I agree that Kahr does have some quality issues. Some of us have offer to volunteer to quality and fluff & buff their production guns but shipping and legal nonsense wouldn't allow that. It's not that they are that bad, it's that we love doing the work, and retirement is SO boring!

I know they are working on the quality stuff and many of the issues are such that they don't show up until fired a bit more than the test round at the factory. Kahr doesn't even see the mags per se', as they come in plastic bags that just get put into the box. Mags account for quite a few of the issues and Kahr is working with the vendor but I wish they would hurry.

A good buff on lube point 6 eliminating most of the break-in friction of the slide and it's barrel drop feature and better polish of the feed ramp and chamber mouth would just about round it out.

So yes they need to do better. These issues are mostly easily corrected by the user or Kahr but it would be nice to have them that way from the factory. I did the work on my PM9 and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

So, I'm sorry to loose you but you go with good thoughts and best wishes.



If Kahr realizes the mag is the cause of most of the issues why can't they try someone else. I watched a video last night don the new Nano and from what I saw the magazine looked of better quality. I just don't understand why the loyalty? Kahr must be spending a load of money in shipping fixing mag problems. I know in my case they paid both ways three times. The freight alone must have eaten up most of the profit on the gun.

[OldLincoln]

I also wish they would switch. I don't know who their vendor is now but I wish they would talk with Checkmate Industries who make very good mags for more then 15 gun manufacturers.

From their FAQ page:
"We take pride in the fact that we are an OEM supplier to some of the most respected companies in the industry including more than fifteen of the world’s finest handgun and rifle manufacturers. We also respect the proprietary nature of these relationships and for this reason do not individually name any."

[TheTman]

I'll keep the LC9 around, I like something I can put on a manual safety and drop in my pocket without a holster. Manaual safeties can and do fail, but I think the chance of that happening is slim. I think the accuracy will come with practice. That Kahr trigger is so smooth I would never let it ride in my pocket unholstered. I've heard some do, but thats not a chance I want to take.

[Rainman48314]

I also wish they would switch. I don't know who their vendor is now but I wish they would talk with Checkmate Industries who make very good mags for more then 15 gun manufacturers.

From their FAQ page:
"We take pride in the fact that we are an OEM supplier to some of the most respected companies in the industry including more than fifteen of the world’s finest handgun and rifle manufacturers. We also respect the proprietary nature of these relationships and for this reason do not individually name any."I noticed from the Patent Number and the match to pictures on the CheckMate website, that my SIG 1911 RCS uses their 7 round magazines. So far, they work as well as Wilson Combat and better than Chip McCormicks whose welds blew out in the baseplate.

[Zebulun]

Sorry to hear this. My CM9 is flawless. Remember Rolls Royces don't break down, they simply fail to proceed.