PM9 slide stop and spring questions.

[jws360]

New PM9 owner here with a few questions, if I could.

Put 200 through it to start break in and noted while cleaning afterwards that unlike my friend's CM9 which appears to be fixed, the slide stop pin on the PM rotates. I minor FTF at 50 rounds and good to go thereafter.

1)Is it normal for the slide stop pin to rotate?

2) I noticed on both my PM and my friends CM that reassembly after breakdown sometimes sees the open end of the recoil spring want to "pop out" of the slide instead of staying put. There is a closed end, but it is oddly only on the inside part of the spring assembly. The manual specifically cautions to install the spring ONLY in this way. Any thoughts on how to avoid the spring pop?

3) What kind of life are the more experienced here seeing? 1000? 2000? Kahr told me to replace around 1000 +/-.

Thanks to all!

jws360

[gb6491]

The slide stop on "C" series pistol is one solid part. The slide stop that came on your PM9 is made of three pieces: the lever, the large pin that goes into the frame, and a small pin that holds the lever on the large pin. Some folks with this style stop have reported that the lever rotates independent of the pin, others have said theirs doesn't. None (that I've read) who said theirs rotates has said that function was affected.

I don't have a Kahr with the dual spring recoil assembly, but I'm sure someone will be along to address your concerns in regards to the longevity of it and the end popping out.

Regards,
Greg

[Tinman507]

New PM9 owner here with a few questions, if I could.

Put 200 through it to start break in and noted while cleaning afterwards that unlike my friend's CM9 which appears to be fixed, the slide stop pin on the PM rotates. I minor FTF at 50 rounds and good to go thereafter.

1)Is it normal for the slide stop pin to rotate?

2) I noticed on both my PM and my friends CM that reassembly after breakdown sometimes sees the open end of the recoil spring want to "pop out" of the slide instead of staying put. There is a closed end, but it is oddly only on the inside part of the spring assembly. The manual specifically cautions to install the spring ONLY in this way. Any thoughts on how to avoid the spring pop?

3) What kind of life are the more experienced here seeing? 1000? 2000? Kahr told me to replace around 1000 +/-.

Thanks to all!

jws360

1. I have a CM9 but no one who has a PM9 with the 3 part slide stop has reported any issues. It is what it is.
2. When you get recoil spring protrusion, simply rotate the spring 180 degrees and reassemble. I always make it a point to have the free end of the spring pointed at the barrel when assembling.
3. Kahr recommends
A. Carry Pistol - 1000 (I had 1500 embeded in my brain.)
B. All others, when you experience problems.

It's important to note, Kahr is in the parts business. I have over 1000 rounds through the CM9 and have had no issues. I think it's a matter of personal preference. It surely can't hurt to have a spare on hand in the gun box.

[jws360]

Good points. I've already ordered spare parts!

1. I have a CM9 but no one who has a PM9 with the 3 part slide stop has reported any issues. It is what it is.
2. When you get recoil spring protrusion, simply rotate the spring 180 degrees and reassemble. I always make it a point to have the free end of the spring pointed at the barrel when assembling.
3. Kahr recommends
A. Carry Pistol - 1000 (I had 1500 embeded in my brain.)
B. All others, when you experience problems.

It's important to note, Kahr is in the parts business. I have over 1000 rounds through the CM9 and have had no issues. I think it's a matter of personal preference. It surely can't hurt to have a spare on hand in the gun box.

Although my PM9 has all of 220 rounds through it I've already ordered a spare new style recoil spring to fit my new style PM and most other springs in the gun to keep in my parts box.

My friend managed to scratch his brand new CM when putting his slide stop pin back in for the first time. Seems that is an easy thing to do where the half circle shaped piece goes in. I avoided it (for now) on my black PM. I wonder if that can be fixed for him, not that it really matters for a gun used as a tool instead of a show piece.

[JimC]

Congrats on choosing the PM9, it's the best of the best in the Kahr lineup for a discrete carry gun.

FWIW, the slide stop on my PM9 does not turn or rotate. I've not read anything about this before with the PM9.

As to the end of the recoil spring popping out of the slide...see my post about this. I had never experienced this with my PM9 and apparently Kahr felt strongly enough about it to send me a new recoil assembly.

There are many other comments about this in the PM9 and the CM9 pistols.

PM9 Let Me Down

As to the life of the recoil assembly...this is what Jay @ Kahr advised me when I inquired about it.

Good afternoon. Thank you for the question. If the firearm is used as
a carry weapon, we would recommend changing the recoil spring every
1200-1500 rounds or every couple of years (whichever comes first) as
preventative maintenance. If this firearm is just used for range use, we
would recommend changing it whenever you start to see failure to feed or
return to battery issues. I hope this information helps.
sincerely,
Jay
Kahr Customer Service

[BEARDOG]

When you re-insert the slide lock pin to keep from scratching the slide... Start it at the 4:00 o'clock position and rotate it up to 3:00 and push it in. I think this is in the manual.

[jws360]

Yes, it is in the manual, but buried.

When you re-insert the slide lock pin to keep from scratching the slide... Start it at the 4:00 o'clock position and rotate it up to 3:00 and push it in. I think this is in the manual.

I did this on my PM, but my friend did not on his CM. I found the manual needlessly complex as it covers pretty much every model. I'd prefer to see shorter, model specific manuals instead of what resembles a multi-page run on sentence. I'd also like far better lubrication instructions and specifics from the manufacturer, but that's just me.

In any event, I already downloaded and printed relevant sections for the PM only so I can add it to my gun binder for future reference.

[Markis82]

Along with the free end of the spring nearest the barrel when assembleing, take a small pliers and open up the free end of the spring just a bit. This should cure that problem.

[Chogers]

along with the free end of the spring nearest the barrel when assembleing, take a small pliers and open up the free end of the spring just a bit. This should cure that problem.

^ +1 ^