I'm Concerned About Quality

[Dore]

My CM40 started off a little rocky with a broken mag follower, but Kahr did me right and sent me a couple more. After replacing it, it's ate everthing I've fed it 100%, no problems. Even crap like Tula.

[paul3156]

First I would like to say thank you for all of the prompt and encouraging replies. I realize no gun (or anything else for that matter is 100 perfect). I also realize that it is human nature to complain loudly when something does not work correctly and say nothing when it does - possibly explaining the critical comments in this and other forums. I think I may give it go - still have to do some more research. Again thank you for your support and encouragement.

[Bawanna]

You ain't seen nothing yet. Buy one and if you have problems, that's when the help and support will really come through. We got some pretty sharp cookies around here and a lot of folks ready to help.

I'm ready to help too, just hope someday to be a sharp cookie too but time is short ya know?

[Frayed Knot]

I also realize that it is human nature to complain loudly when something does not work correctly and say nothing when it does

You hit the nail on the head. I'm seriously thinking about getting my third Kahr and I completely trust the two I already have (CW9 & CM9).

[downtownv]

I have 2 Kahrs they always Bang, when I squeeze the trigger. My recommendation for you is to look elsewhere, as You already have a tainted view. You will never be happy......

[TheTman]

I've been pretty happy with my 2 Kahrs, a CW40, and a CW45. The CW40 has been fine from day one, I had some problems with the way I held it which caused it to jam. Once I corrected my shooting technique it's been flawless.
My CW45 on the otherhand, is on it's 2nd trip to the factory, trip number 1 was the trigger quit resetting after firing a shot, and they fixed it and had it back in my hands in exactly 1 week, and it's been very reliable. I did have some trouble with some +P rounds, and a new recoil spring fixed that. It's back to the factory for the 2nd time, due to it not working with the 7 round magazines. That's not that big of a deal, but if they offer 7 round mags, instead of 6, I'd like to carry a 7 round as my spare mag.
So my experience with Kahr, is that if you do have a problem, they are very quick to resolve it. I've never sent a gun in for repair and had it fixed and back in my hand in a week before. I was very impressed by that. They are also picking up the shipping again on the 2nd trip to figure out why it won't feed from the 7 round mags.
The PM9 and CM9 seem to have a very good track record, with many good range reports and very few problems. All brands of pistols have problems, none are perfect. Even revolvers, I've had to send 1 revolver in for service, a Charter Arms .44 that was getting light strikes on the primer, and am getting ready to send a Smith and Wesson 686 in for a loose front sight, which I can probably fix myself, but I'd just as soon S&W take care of it rather than risk my marring up the barrel.
If you're leery of Kahr, Beretta has their Nano, S&W has their Shield, Kimber has their Solo, all are newer designs than the PM9, so not sure of their long term reliability. What I am sure of is that Kahr's customer service has been great to me.
One of our members has over 30,000 rounds through his PM9 and it's still running fine.

[pocket pistol]

I'm not the guy that says everything I got is great. You know the guy I'm talking about. I'm honest about the stuff I buy. I have the CM9. I had like 2 jams in my first 150 shots. I'm over 500 rounds now and haven't had a problem since those early 2. I love the pistol. It's my daily carry. If I didn't trust it I'd carry one of my other pistols.

Buy one. You wont be disappointed. I think most of the problems were early on. Most of the more recent buyers I think have had good results. I want you to get one, do the prep and lube, and get your first hundred rounds through it, and get on here and brag about it.

[jmek]

Hello and buy that PM9. My first was a P9 which was flawless from the get go. I sold it years back and always regretted it. I then purchased a P45 about 8 months ago and after 150 rounds is also flawless.

[JFootin]

IMO, don't buy the PM9 thinking that the CM9 must be some cheap POS. Definitely get the PM9 if you have to have the black DLC finish. But if matte stainless works for you, get the CM9. It is built with every bit the same quality as the PM9, just with a few cosmetic changes to lower the price.

[paul3156]

JFootin - Thanks for your input but if I decide to go with a Kahr it will be the PM9. I prefer the black and would like to go with the polygonal barrel. I don't mind spending a couple hundred more for something this important that will last a long time.

I really do appreciate everyone's input - this forum is great and its members appear to be honest, reputable, and devoid of the bickering I see on on forums - an example for others to follow.

[Longitude Zero]

My CW45 and CM9 are fantastic performers.

[CJB]

Three flawless Kahrs here!

[DKD]

I am going to jump in here and offer my two cents worth. Yes I tend to be opinionated, old school old fart and as such really don;t give a rats ass what many others think especially when it comes to the, weekend warriors who couldn't find their ass with both hands and a search warrant, on line complainers...boo hooo my pistol is this or that.....now that we got that out of the way.
One thing first.....I have been around firearms all of my life and like many on this board have had our share of pistols from many manufactures. Surely I can't be that lucky over the past 40 or so years. Please keep in mind this is based upon my personal experience and that of many people around me over the years. I feel very comfortable in saying 75% of all the complaints I have seen and read about can be tracked down, back to the user or operator error. These small pistols are in fact more prone to failures to feed, and or extract than full sized autos and that is a function of design. You as a shooter need to beon your game and do your part, be it proper prepping, maintanance, and shooting form for things to be near 100%. When you add the compactnness factor with very tight spec tolerances is when you start stacking the deck against yourself if you don't do your part. I feel comfortable in saying that most of these smallish pocket pistols really should not a persons first firearm. I would recommend that one start with a good revolver then progress to an automatic and a larger one at that. Just my take on things.

[JFootin]

JFootin - Thanks for your input but if I decide to go with a Kahr it will be the PM9. I prefer the black and would like to go with the polygonal barrel. I don't mind spending a couple hundred more for something this important that will last a long time.

Good for you! Read it again and you'll see that you agree with my advice. That black DLC fininsh is ultra cool! You can also get factory installed night sights on the PM9.

The polygonal rifled barrel over the conventional rifling (read: normal and in the very large majority of guns ever produced) is a wash, IMO. I have yet to see anyone prove any increase in velocity or accuracy through those 3" barrels. In fact, what I have seen is the opposite - greater speed with the conventional barrels in these Kahrs.

I wish you good success with your PM9! Here is your smily! I reserve the wide grin smily () for CM9 purchasers because, on top of knowing what a fine weapon they have purchased, they have the added pleasure of knowing what a great price they paid for such a perfect CC weapon!

[paul3156]

I just got back from my LGS. I went there to rent a Glock 26 and a PM9. The Glock 26 was very nice and fit my had well. It was accurate at the range and I was pleased with its and my performance. The Kahr PM9 was a different story. When I held it I was suprised how light it was but at the same time it didn't fit my hand as well as the Glock. I also was unable to fire it as the rental unit was out for repair. The helpful woman at my LGS seemed frustrated when she said it just needed a spring but they couldn't get any parts - it always has to be sent out. Now I know you're thinking rental guns are used and abused and that's probably true but it still has to be sent back to Kahr. If this happens to me a couple / few times do I need a backup gun for when it decides to fail or just needs routine maintenance? When I asked her when she thought it would be back she said "she had no idea - it's been out for a while". It seems my LGS has made my previous point for me. I do not want a gun that's not reliable or available (sent back home for repair). Glock has won this one. I still do appreciate everyone's input and advice here - I just have one more question - Given my situation what would you do?