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Question for Kahr PM9/CM9 Owners

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whatsit:
Summer is approaching. I'm looking for a pocket carry option. The PM9 (and the cheaper CM9) are looking pretty attractive. I have one concern, though.

In several reviews, I've seen people mention that when you load a new mag, you should use the slide-release lever to load the first round into the chamber. The problem is that I'm left-handed and the way I typically work around a right-handed slide release is to slingshot the slide forward (pull back to disengage the slide stop and let go). This, apparently, isn't the manufacturer-recommended way to chamber a round.

So, my question is: do any of you PM9/CM9 owners use the slingshot method to chamber a round? Does it really cause problems? As a lefty, I can handle a right-hand-only mag release, but I'm going to have to do some interesting finger work and some re-training to work the slide release.

Your responses are appreciated!

SemperFiGuy:
whatsit:

I've have two (2) Kahr PM9s, both w/Crimson Trace LG-437 red lasers.   Nice CCW setup.   Use them for summer pocket carry  [Glock33/.357Sig for winter].   They don't take up much room and if you don't like the small 6-round magazine, you can get a 7 (w/Pearce extension) or an 8 rounder.

The Kahr factory admonition about a 200-round break-in requirement is a firm fact.    You can help punch through that hurdle by repeatedly racking the slide on a newly purchased PM9 that has not been fired (50-60 times, in several sets.)   It still takes a while for the parts to all work smoothly.   Tight tolerances [ain't no Rock Island 1911].   

They are sturdily built little guns and will spit out whatever you put into them.   However, they have a steep, offset feed ramp and can be picky about feeding and chambering just any old rounds.   Especially on the very first loading round.   I've learned to tap the bottom of the magazine sharply whenever the nose of a cartridge sticks on the feed ramp.   Always fixes the problem, but that kinda thing might make some folks nervous.

Also, I always slingshot the first round from a fully closed slide unless it's during a reload situation where the slide is already locked back.   In that case, I release the locked open slide w/my left thumb, maintaining a full control grip on the handgun w/my right hand.

Never could figger out that "use slide-release" thingy that Kahr so seriously espouses.    What's the difference whether I pull the slide all the way back and release it or whether I release a slide that's already all the way back.   It's all the way back, either way.    Perhaps Kahr is concerned that the user will pull the slide only partially back, not far enough to chamber a cartridge, and then release, failing to load.   Just dunno.

It's a rugged little sucker.   I've put 7-8000 rounds through one of mine and never had a mechanical failure.    Further, it's a barker, meaning that it jumps a bit when shooting, making double taps something that you can do but have to work on.   In addition, it does tend to tear up my sissy professor hands somewhat, such that I now put on the band-aids at the range before shooting, not after.   Over the previous scars.

All the above notwithstanding, I luv my Kahr PM9.   But then, I used to romance with slightly neurotic women and I've owned two Jaguars.   [Common Theme:   Lovely, but with special needs and maybe some extra care required. ]


After I bought the Kahr PM9 there were times I wished I had gotten the PM40 for more muzzle energy and firepower.   Also, after I paid about $650 for the Kahr PM9, they came out w/the CW9 and CW40, which are a coupla hunnert dollars or so less expensive.   For the life of me, I can't see the difference.

And--if you're gonna get a 9mm, better look at the Ruger LC9, which is Ruger quality, also considerably less expensive.

Me??   When you see me downtown, you'll see my right hand in my right pocket.    Could be holding a Kahr PM9.

sfgIf you live in Omaha or nearby and want to shoot mine for a while to see what they're like, you're welcome to do so.   Just gimme a PM.

whatsit:
SFG, great post. Thanks!

I appreciate the offer to shoot your gun. I'm in Lincoln, so I think I'll run over to Big Shots and see if I can test-drive their rental.

The Ruger LC9 looks nice, but that tiny safety switch on the wrong side of the gun is a problem for me. That's the same reason the S&W M&P Shield got knocked off of my list. Manual safeties suck... my fellow south-paws, can I get an AMEN! :)

The Walther PPS is on my list because it's ambidextrous, but it's a tad bit bigger than the PM9... anyway, I'm off track.

Anyone else want to chime in on the CM9's ability to chamber a round? SFG has two PM9s that work fine with the slingshot method... any more?

cckyle:
I'm not really sure how much of a difference there is between the two but I have a CW9 that I carried for awhile.  I bought it used and haven't put a whole lot of rounds through it.  I never had a malfunction or problem with it that I can remember though.  Come to think of it I usually did use the slide release to chamber a round before putting the magazine in to carry 6+1, then I also carried a 7 round spare magazine.  It does feel like a sturdy pistol.  The only negatives for me about it is only 6 or 7 round mags, and I don't prefer the long DAO trigger on it.  I stopped carrying it when I got a G19 because I like the trigger a lot better and can carry 15+1 and a spare 17 round mag.  I don't find the G19 much harder to carry nor difficult to conceal.  I may switch to the Kahr from time to time in the summer depending upon the situation, not sure. 

I have a friend who has a CW40.  He doesn't carry with a round in the chamber and chambers a round by racking the slide (doesn't use the slide release.)  I am not sure if it is related but he had a problem with the spring on the slide release.  Not sure exactly how it was re-arranged but somehow it kept the slide release stuck up with or without an empty magazine in the gun and every time the slide was pulled back it would stick open, even with a full magazine when you attempted to chamber a round.  The slide would stay back with every shot and you would have to pull down the slide release each time.  He re-arranged the spring or bent it back and fixed it however and it has been fine since as far as I know.  He also had/has a problem with the magazine dropping without intentionally hitting the magazine release. 

Wilson:
I have the PM40 and love it! I carry in my pocket, in the waistband, and in my sport coat chest pocket. When I wear cargo shorts in the summer, it doesn't pull my shorts off...good thing huh!

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