Kahr PM9

[IAmASensFan]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

I have to agree that is a concern to me too, as I train utilizing the slig shot method. But this little small gun can't pull it off.

I guess I better hope for the best and not have to reload under stress with it. But lets face it with a firearm like that, if you are reloading you should be running!

If I do have to reload than I hope I can pull off remembering to utilize the slide STOP "lever".

LOL

[libertarian]

You *can* slingshot it. Sometimes it works, depending on the ammo (shorter OAL seems to help). You can slingshot it and then smack the mag and it will go into battery (don't ask me how I figured that out), but the slide stop lever is the 'more reliable' way to do it and the way the manufacturer recommends.

Lots of people just file off the sharp edge on the mag release, but mine isn't sharp enough to really matter.

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by libertarian

You *can* slingshot it. Sometimes it works, depending on the ammo (shorter OAL seems to help). You can slingshot it and then smack the mag and it will go into battery (don't ask me how I figured that out), but the slide stop lever is the 'more reliable' way to do it and the way the manufacturer recommends.

Lots of people just file off the sharp edge on the mag release, but mine isn't sharp enough to really matter.

Yeah it does work. At least mostly. I think the problem when the slide goes to slide lock, the slide is pretty much at the end of it's travel distance. By sling shotting you are not picking up any extra spring tension. There really is little extra give in travel. MAYBE 1/8 inch?

I find a tap on the back of the slide is all it takes to make sure it goes into full battery.

I have to be honest when I use it at the range. I still slingshot it. But I am a reblel like that!

[stunned_gunner]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

Not sure if that will help your issue. BTW manual says nothing about +p ammo. But yes they do cite a break in period of 250 rounds IIRC. "I think 400 to 500 before you carry it"

Yes the Kahr PM series of handguns are the only ones that I have heard of that state you must use slide stop lever. This is good advice as it won't go into battery reliably sling shoting it.

The slide stop lever is very sharp on the PM9. Not sure why they don't do something about it.

I think a gunsmith visit might be in order. I don't think there is a drop in part that will solve your issue.

This sounds like it could have a serious impact on failure drills. I don't sling shot it but rack the slide back with an overhand sweep. Functionally, I don't see where that would be any different from sling shotting it unless the slide release is performing some other unknown function in which case I probably won't be comfortable with the PM9 as a carry gun.

[stunned_gunner]

I just tried a brief experiment with the pm9 using 1 snap cap in a magazine. 10 for 10 reliability feeding using the slide release, 10/10 reliability feeding using sling shot, 10/10 reliability using an overhand sweep of the slide.

Extracting the snap cap was another story 9/10 overhand sweep and 3/10 slingshot (with more skin from my thumb than I'd normally care to leave on the slide serrations)

Also, I'm still having problems with the magazine not falling free when I thumb the mag release.

[libertarian]

Originally Posted by stunned_gunner

I just tried a brief experiment with the pm9 using 1 snap cap in a magazine. 10 for 10 reliability feeding using the slide release, 10/10 reliability feeding using sling shot, 10/10 reliability using an overhand sweep of the slide.

Extracting the snap cap was another story 9/10 overhand sweep and 3/10 slingshot (with more skin from my thumb than I'd normally care to leave on the slide serrations)

I find aluminum snap caps sometimes get chewed by the extractor and stop working. Use live ammo instead!

Originally Posted by stunned_gunner

Also, I'm still having problems with the magazine not falling free when I thumb the mag release.

Weight?

[stunned_gunner]

Originally Posted by libertarian

I find aluminum snap caps sometimes get chewed by the extractor and stop working. Use live ammo instead!

Yep, that could be it. I'm definitely seeing extractor bite marks on the case.

Weight?

Well, magazines with 1-6 rounds in them eject fine. I think it has more to do with the magazine spring being able to push that magazine out beyond the grasp of internal catch that otherwise seems to drag over the magazine. I was hoping normal wear would take care of it. I sent an e-mail off to kahr for advice but it's been 10 days now and I've heard nothing back from them. Time to follow up with a call I guess.

[HKWINGER]

Originally Posted by JerichoGirl

The slide release on my Kahr PM9 chews up my thumb. Locking the slide back is very difficult. Kahr sent me a slightly larger one and I replaced it but I still think it's too narrow. Anyone know of another slide release that will work?

I will also be attending the Ventura County Gun Show this weekend to see if any of the dealers has a solution.

I had some work done at cylinder and slide on my PM40. They put on a really rounded slide release. But when I fired it the slide did not lock back using ball ammo. Oddly enough, it worked perfectly with hollow tip. When I looked at the part it was for a PM9. At my request, they did send me the original piece that was on the gun so I just switched it back and the gun works just fine now with hollow tip or range ammo. Anyways, if you want to try out the slidestop, it is really rounded off. I have no need for it. Just PM me.

[Glock32]

Originally Posted by IAmASensFan

Huh? Thats why there is a knurled, serrated thicker section to that slide lock...so you can use your finger to release it!






The only problem I see with that method is that on the reload, you now have a much more exaggerated motion to release the slide if you have to pull back on it, rather than move your fingers an inch to disengage the slidestop.

but yeah, if you train your whole life one way, it doesn't always make sense to change...but it doesn't mean I need to continue taking the 5N to 55N to 91E to get to Corona rather than the 241.

If there is a faster more convenient way to do the same job, i'm going to learn it.


:lol:

the people I take my training from disagree with you. As I said before 'in my world'. I did not use the words right or wrong. There is a reason for that. I have found a way that works for me. Nothing more, nothing less.

[JerichoGirl]

Originally Posted by HKWINGER

I had some work done at cylinder and slide on my PM40. They put on a really rounded slide release. But when I fired it the slide did not lock back using ball ammo. Oddly enough, it worked perfectly with hollow tip. When I looked at the part it was for a PM9. At my request, they did send me the original piece that was on the gun so I just switched it back and the gun works just fine now with hollow tip or range ammo. Anyways, if you want to try out the slidestop, it is really rounded off. I have no need for it. Just PM me.

Your rounded slide release sounds perfect for my PM9. I sent you a PM. Thank you!

[stunned_gunner]

Originally Posted by stunned_gunner

Well, magazines with 1-6 rounds in them eject fine. I think it has more to do with the magazine spring being able to push that magazine out beyond the grasp of internal catch that otherwise seems to drag over the magazine. I was hoping normal wear would take care of it. I sent an e-mail off to kahr for advice but it's been 10 days now and I've heard nothing back from them. Time to follow up with a call I guess.

I got a reply from Kahr. . .

"We have designed the gun that the mag will drop to a certain point
What we have found in the past when the mag drops completely to the ground it damages the follower and base."

My next question to them was if the factory could fix this "feature" for me so that the mag is released when I hit the mag release. If it hits the ground its because my hand wasn't in place to do a tactical reload and I'm most likely intentionally dropping it. To my way of thinking a mag release should release the mag consistently. It shouldn't retain an empty mag forcing me to claw it out by hooking the base plate with a finger in one instance and then drop a full or partially loaded mag in another instance.

I'm also interested to see if we'll get a consistent answer on the slide stop vs. slingshot method. I'm wondering if the problem is just that the slide stop method consistently eliminates operator induced problems like momentarily riding the slide forward during slingshotting.

[hygyliac]

Originally Posted by stunned_gunner

I'm also interested to see if we'll get a consistent answer on the slide stop vs. slingshot method. I'm wondering if the problem is just that the slide stop method consistently eliminates operator induced problems like momentarily riding the slide forward during slingshotting.

"Gross motor skill" versus a "fine motor skill"
Use the method that you train with and feel the most comfortable with.

[stunned_gunner]

They must have shaken off the holiday backlog and they're getting back to me fairly quickly. First off they'll fix my issue with the magazine drop

They've been checking some forums and are aware that people are using the slingshot method. Their opinion is that it can be done reliably even though the owners manual recommends against it.

Since the PM9 is a real compact firearm, it was designed to use the slide stop as contrasted to a 1911 which has a longer slide and additional leverage to rack it.

The other complicating factor according to Kahr is the mag's tight fit. There is no more room in the mag to compress the rounds. It's possible for the slide to skate over the round as it comes behind it to feed. In some some cases this will cause a FTF.

So it looks like I'll be sending the PM9 back to correct the mag drop issue. Since it has to go on a trip, are there any other factory modifications that I should consider?

I can live the sharp slide stop. I figure if I ever have a FTF, I can just twist my arm 45 degrees and wave the PM9 gansta' style, instantly transitioning to an edged weapon.

So while I contemplate what else (if anything) to modify on the PM9 when I send it back, I've got another Kahr to take to the range this weekend-- a NIB M1 carbine which looks to be almost too much fun.

[Glock32]

Originally Posted by stunned_gunner

I can live the sharp slide stop. I figure if I ever have a FTF, I can just twist my arm 45 degrees and wave the PM9 gansta' style, instantly transitioning to an edged weapon.
.

Make sure to have them install the Homeboy Sight System. That should work just fine for you.

The Gun Zone -- Glock Gag Photo

[stunned_gunner]

Originally Posted by Glock32

Make sure to have them install the Homeboy Sight System. That should work just fine for you.

The Gun Zone -- Glock Gag Photo

Awesome! I'll need two sets to make it ambidextrous