New PM9 Range Report - At Long Last!

[MikeyKahr]

Well, I finally got to take my PM9 to the range yesterday for the first time and it's time for my report. Thanks to all of the others for such great reports as of late!

Bought my PM9 new from Bud's with Crimson Trace - great price, great service! Waited patiently. Waited some more. Got phone call, picked up from FFL. Read through many forums/threads on KahrTalk.com while waiting for arrival. Read manual online, re-read, and then once again read manual upon arrival. Cleaned and lubed and prepped to (and beyond!) "specification" (thanks Jocko and all for this immense help!!). Hand curled and disfigured briefly due to hand-racking so much. Lubed again.

I found the best shooting instructor in my area and asked them for brief instruction prior to shooting my break-in period, which he happily agreed to. For you see, this is my first handgun and other than a few shots with a .22 as a teenager, I had zero experience shooting a handgun. I could not have asked for better instruction nor a better first experience overall. First thing instructor had me do after instruction was to take off my Crimson Trace prior to any shooting - said it's best for me to learn with sights only, and then add laser at some point in time later on. Sounded like good advice. Once instructed and prepared, how else could I say it, but I shot it like I stole it (with supervision, of course!)!

First target - see first pic below - 50 Remington FMJ 115 grain
6 @ Bushido Tactical logo in upper right hand corner (5 feet from target)
7 @ Head (10 feet from target)
7 @ Head (15 feet from target)
14 @ Center Chest (21 feet from target)
7 @ Center Chest (25 feet from target)
6 @ Center Chest (35 feet from target)
3 @ Center Chest (50 feet from target)

I would not have shot my PM9 at such a great distance for my first shots and initial break-in (on the board here, I hear 7 yards or under all FMJ, right?), but my instructor asked me to so he could prove to me a point: if I do my job (stance, grip, sights, etc.), the gun will do it's job, even a small polymer (Bawanna says tupperware!) like the PM9 from a longer non-self-defense distance. PM9 functioned flawlessly through first 50 FMJ. Recoil much lighter than expected. Grinned from ear to ear due to the great first experience. Conclusion: Ecstatic that I chose the PM9 (after much deliberation), need more rounds downrange for break-in, need even more rounds downrange to get some groups!! But very happy for first 50 shots downrange from a 9mm (at least they all hit body!)

Second target - see second pic below - 50 Remington FMJ 115 grain, 50 Winchester FMJ 115 grain, 6 Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection Short Barrel GDHP 124 grain +P, 6 Remington Golden Saber JHP 124 grain (JHP just for kicks)
14 FMJ @ Head (10 feet from target)
19 FMJ @ Center Chest (15 feet from target)
19 FMJ @ Center Chest (21 feet from target)
19 FMJ @ Center Chest (25 feet from target)
19 FMJ @ Center Chest (35 feet from target)
10 FMJ @ Center Chest (50 feet from target)
12 JHP @ Center Chest (25 feet from target)

Again, PM9 functioned flawlessly through these 112 rounds and I am very thankful indeed for that. Recoil again much lighter than expected. Noticed very slight difference with JHP but not much at all. Conclusion: Still ecstatic that I chose the PM9! Thankful that I can actually see some groupings with my shots! Okay, I realized I'm no Annie Oakley (i.e. there are a few fliers especially at longer distances where my mistakes are magnified), but at least I didn't think that I embarrassed myself too badly! Also realized I still need more rounds downrange to complete break-in and select and test my carry ammo. But happy for first 162 shots from PM9 so far. Looking forward to next range session to continue break-in and practice, practice, practice! Also looking forward to upcoming CCL class sometime soon and then carrying in DeSantis Nemesis in pocket and Silent Thunder IWB (reports coming soon!).

Many thanks go out to all of you here at KahrTalk (especially you regulars and you know who you are!) for helping to make my first time out with my PM9 what I would consider a success! It would not have been so without this forum and the many lessons learned and shared.

[Dietrich]

Hi Mikey,there`s nothing that makes an instructor look good like a student who is ready to listen and learn.I don`t think anything makes the people in this forum happier than to read a glowing report such as yours.Congratulations on purchasing a fine handgun and having the good sense to get good instruction.Let us know how things progress as you finish your break in period and start the search for your self defense rounds.If there`s any way we can be of help,let us know.Glad you found the forum and hope you hang around and enjoy yourself.

[DKD]

MICKEY, Sounf Logic and even better execution. You are on the road to sucess. Hop on in anytime your feeling froggy, enjoy and share your sport & welcome.

[MikeyKahr]

Thanks a lot for your well wishes and kind comments, Dietrich and DKD. I know where to go when I need help with my PM9.

I know that some new owners on here have been having issues with their new purchases (sorry RogerP9Fan!!). I almost feel guilty posting a successful update, but thought it best to share to help keep things balanced. Took my CCW class and finished up the live fire portion - my third time shooting a handgun.

Shot 50 rounds of Remington FMJ and 50 rounds of Remington JHP.
All shots fired from 20 feet.
12 rounds two-handed from holster in 20 seconds.
12 rounds two-handed from high ready position in 20 seconds.
8 rounds (four fired with strong hand one-handed, four fired weak hand one-handed) from holster
12 rounds (six fired two-handed normal, six fired two-handed with weak hand primary) from holster
6 rounds fired one-handed strong hand from holster
Instructor graded after 50 rounds, went through this twice for total of 100 rounds.

See attachment for picture of the target from the live fire portion. PM9 shot like a dream again, I'm up to 360 rounds through her with no problems whatsoever.

Now I'm off to get licensed and my next round of shooting will be to test carry rounds. Gold Dots are up first as I got a few boxes on sale. However, when I test-load them into my PM9, I found the Gold Dots to be mighty tight and too close for comfort to the slide stop spring - I'm a bit worried that they may prematurely lock the slide back early (seen that issue on this forum before). May need to go to something a bit smaller than the Gold Dots but I guess we'll see...

[jocko]

your groups are awesome. Nice report and just shoot it like you stole it and you will even get better as you and the gun mate up even better. Kahrs do get smoother with more rounds down range to.

[Bawanna]

I can't say anything better than has already been said. I'm weeping with happiness for you. You done good in all respects and your targets are proof of that. I gotta go find another beach towel, I'm so happy, and thanks for the excellent report. You rock.

[MikeyKahr]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, jocko and Bawanna45cal. O and put away the beach towel, no need to get all weepy, my friend. We prefer "regular and normal" Bawanna45cal (never thought I'd use those two words for you!). Plus, you got enough to carry and haul around anyways!

I'm looking forward to taking my PM9 out to the range again soon, this time to work on carry rounds. I learned a lot from my instructor...but I've also learned so much here, especially on the intricacies of these wonderful weapons named Kahr. I've learned of what things to do at all costs, and things to avoid like the plague. Had I not found this place we call "home", I know my experience with my PM9 would have been much different than it has been so far, and most likely not so nice. Thanks again for all of your words of wisdom and advice from experience, what can I say but I'm a happy camper! Now it's off to practice, practice, and more practice.

[Bawanna]

"O and put away the beach towel, no need to get all weepy, my friend. We prefer "regular and normal" Bawanna45cal (never thought I'd use those two words for you!)."

Darn, me neither. I gotta share this with the guys. Bawanna "regular and normal". Almost like learning a foreign language.


Your on track my friend, get out there and keep practicing.

[jocko]

MickeyKahr: PM sent, enjoy your PM9, it is the best of the best..