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Hey all - new Kahr owner here, thanks for all of the posts - they have been helpful in not only choosing the PM9 but also cleaning, maintenance, etc!
So i found a really good deal on a used PM9 at a local gun shop, was really looking to buy the CM9 as i didnt want to shell out the big(ger) bucks, but I ended up getting this PM9 for about the same price. It reeked of old oil, and needed a good cleaning, but was in great shape - frame and slide were practically flawless. I was able to shoot it before I bought it - although being dirty it cycled a mag of hand loads without a problem, so I now own it. Also the store owner agreed to take it back within 30 days if i had any issues with it, that sealed the deal.
Last weekend I put about 250 rounds through it, only one FTE - I was shooting Win white box. Had some issues slingshotting the 7 round mag, but after the 3rd run through even that went flawlessly. Also, the mags dropped right out on pressing the release - not sure if it was modded or if the older models didnt have the issue of the mag sticking in place.
Come to find out based on the serial that this pistol was made in 03/04ish. In talking with the shop owner, he said he knew the owner and it had maybe a few hundred rounds through it then sat in a safe. I believe it too, the gun was practically mint.
So after shooting it some i decided to detail strip the slide to check out the striker channel, as this is going to be my new EDC. To my disgust, it was horrible, caked with residue. I cant believe, in the condition it was in, that it performed so well! Thats a tip of the hat to Kahr. But it seemed like the previous owner sprayed some oil into the striker channel because all of the parts had some sort of lubricant on them, and a nasty tarry residue (probably where the 'old oil' smell was coming from). The striker block spring looked almost solid...sick. Image:
To clean everything, I used Ballistol. I know...some folks hate it, and i'll probably catch some heat here. But to clean everything i gave the parts a Balli-bath, then wiped everything down excessively to make sure I left no residue on any part. Ran a Qtip with Balli through the striker channel, and pushed a patch-piece through the extractor channel. Again I wiped everything in the striker channel down thoroughly, and ran a piece of a dry patch and about 8 clean Qtips down the striker channel (of course not leaving cotton behind). Clean image:
I know CLP break free or NC brake cleaner is preferred to spray into the cleaner hole for basic maintenance (obviously wouldn't use Ballistol for that). Some folks say to use alcohol, others say not to. I tend to use Ballistol for everything related to cleaning my firearms. So a question for the group is, if you use Ballistol to clean all the parts and the striker channel, AND make sure to thoroughly wipe everything down, will the issue of 'gunk' associated with lubricants come into play? Obviously I dont think so as I used it, but being a n00b in the Kahr world (and this is my first striker-fired firearm) im curious as to what the group has to say.
The only thing i've noticed being different since having detailed the slide is where the striker resets. Before i heard a dull click as the slide went forward and the striker reset (during slow racking), but now its a sharp and good sounding click. Regardless the gun is proabaly .5 ounces lighter now sans residue
. I'll post my range report, should be about to get out and fire it this weekend. It was nearly flawless last time, I dont really expect more than that.
Anyway, thanks in advance for any comments, and for such an informative community.
So i found a really good deal on a used PM9 at a local gun shop, was really looking to buy the CM9 as i didnt want to shell out the big(ger) bucks, but I ended up getting this PM9 for about the same price. It reeked of old oil, and needed a good cleaning, but was in great shape - frame and slide were practically flawless. I was able to shoot it before I bought it - although being dirty it cycled a mag of hand loads without a problem, so I now own it. Also the store owner agreed to take it back within 30 days if i had any issues with it, that sealed the deal.
Last weekend I put about 250 rounds through it, only one FTE - I was shooting Win white box. Had some issues slingshotting the 7 round mag, but after the 3rd run through even that went flawlessly. Also, the mags dropped right out on pressing the release - not sure if it was modded or if the older models didnt have the issue of the mag sticking in place.
Come to find out based on the serial that this pistol was made in 03/04ish. In talking with the shop owner, he said he knew the owner and it had maybe a few hundred rounds through it then sat in a safe. I believe it too, the gun was practically mint.
So after shooting it some i decided to detail strip the slide to check out the striker channel, as this is going to be my new EDC. To my disgust, it was horrible, caked with residue. I cant believe, in the condition it was in, that it performed so well! Thats a tip of the hat to Kahr. But it seemed like the previous owner sprayed some oil into the striker channel because all of the parts had some sort of lubricant on them, and a nasty tarry residue (probably where the 'old oil' smell was coming from). The striker block spring looked almost solid...sick. Image:
To clean everything, I used Ballistol. I know...some folks hate it, and i'll probably catch some heat here. But to clean everything i gave the parts a Balli-bath, then wiped everything down excessively to make sure I left no residue on any part. Ran a Qtip with Balli through the striker channel, and pushed a patch-piece through the extractor channel. Again I wiped everything in the striker channel down thoroughly, and ran a piece of a dry patch and about 8 clean Qtips down the striker channel (of course not leaving cotton behind). Clean image:
I know CLP break free or NC brake cleaner is preferred to spray into the cleaner hole for basic maintenance (obviously wouldn't use Ballistol for that). Some folks say to use alcohol, others say not to. I tend to use Ballistol for everything related to cleaning my firearms. So a question for the group is, if you use Ballistol to clean all the parts and the striker channel, AND make sure to thoroughly wipe everything down, will the issue of 'gunk' associated with lubricants come into play? Obviously I dont think so as I used it, but being a n00b in the Kahr world (and this is my first striker-fired firearm) im curious as to what the group has to say.
The only thing i've noticed being different since having detailed the slide is where the striker resets. Before i heard a dull click as the slide went forward and the striker reset (during slow racking), but now its a sharp and good sounding click. Regardless the gun is proabaly .5 ounces lighter now sans residue
. I'll post my range report, should be about to get out and fire it this weekend. It was nearly flawless last time, I dont really expect more than that. Anyway, thanks in advance for any comments, and for such an informative community.
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