PM9 and point shooting & maintenance

[Jayman]

Folks,

I am a newb with kahr.

I am also new to handguns in the past yr.
I started out with a ruger sr9, full sized, went to a s&w bodyguard 380, then sold the ruger and purchased a kahr pm9 for cc.

Since I am a newb I use it every 2 weeks, it has night sights and I love it!
Every 2 weeks I put 200 rounds through it at the range. I have had it 4 months. I believe someone like me needs to "shoot it a lot if I plan to carry it a lot" too. It is my only range gun in the winter, I may go back to the bodyguard in summer. I am enjoying myself but have a few self defense questions.

- I am reading about "point shooting". What I read makes sense for in close reaction / point and shoot scenarios. What I am questioning is the article I read says use your middle finger on the trigger, not the index. This doesn't seem right to me with a small gun like a pm9??? If I do this my index finger is going to be in the wrong pace I feel like. I am looking for feedback here.

- Also I have about 2k rounds through it, plus or minus. Should I really be changing the recoil spring every 1k rounds? is this the only part I need to change on a regular basis? The only thing I have noticed is the shells don't seen to eject as far up and away as they initially did. Comments pls?

Also I have been reading many comments here in the past year and there is a wealth of knowledge here. especially the break in thread etc.
I love the pm9, it is well made, reliable and my best purchase to date.

thanks,

Jayman

[sas PM9]

Folks,

I am a newb with kahr.

I am also new to handguns in the past yr.
I started out with a ruger sr9, full sized, went to a s&w bodyguard 380, then sold the ruger and purchased a kahr pm9 for cc.

Since I am a newb I use it every 2 weeks, it has night sights and I love it!
Every 2 weeks I put 200 rounds through it at the range. I have had it 4 months. I believe someone like me needs to "shoot it a lot if I plan to carry it a lot" too. It is my only range gun in the winter, I may go back to the bodyguard in summer. I am enjoying myself but have a few self defense questions.

- I am reading about "point shooting". What I read makes sense for in close reaction / point and shoot scenarios. What I am questioning is the article I read says use your middle finger on the trigger, not the index. This doesn't seem right to me with a small gun like a pm9??? If I do this my index finger is going to be in the wrong pace I feel like. I am looking for feedback here.

- Also I have about 2k rounds through it, plus or minus. Should I really be changing the recoil spring every 1k rounds? is this the only part I need to change on a regular basis? The only thing I have noticed is the shells don't seen to eject as far up and away as they initially did. Comments pls?

Also I have been reading many comments here in the past year and there is a wealth of knowledge here. especially the break in thread etc.
I love the pm9, it is well made, reliable and my best purchase to date.

thanks,

Jayman

J:

I have no comment on the point shooting question but I did find this reply from KAHR C.S. on the springs question.

******************************
******************************
I asked this very question of Jay @ Kahr CS awhile back.
Here is his answer to me.

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
__________________
Jim
NRA Life Member since '69

************************************
************************************

So, it looks like if you are having failure to feed or failure to return to battery issues then you need to replace your springs.

On the other hand for a pistol on which you trust your life you might do some preventive maintenance and change them at 1500 rounds.

HTH.

-steve

[340pd]

Buy a new spring for carry and use the old one for range work.

As for point shooting, that is the only way I ever shoot my carry guns. Why I spent a $100 for Ameriglo sights for my Shield, I will never know. I guess they look great in the dark.

[Bill K]

Welcome to KT!

I'm a firm believer in practicing point shooting in addition to sight shooting. As a matter of fact I practice more point than sight shooting.

The idea behind the index/pointing finger on the frame is so that you're using your pointing finger to... well point at where you want to hit. Just my thinking that at the distances you're likely to deploy point shooting there is no big advantage. I wouldn't discourage you from trying the technique but would suggest that this technique not result in other than a smooth, quick draw from concealment. It would not work for me with my PM9 pocket carry and the way I push off my pocket holster - I've tried it.

[muggsy]

I practice point shooting with my carry guns, but I do it in the conventional manner using my index finger on the trigger. I'm pointing the gun instinctively, not my finger. This is for close work and it takes time and a lot of practice to master. Start out with the target at 3' and slowly work you way out to twenty one feet as your shooting improves. Don't expect small groups. What you're trying for is two hits center mass.

[AFDoc]

I have "point shot" my PM9 with my index finger on the frame and middle finger on the trigger. Works for me both for range shooting and dry firing from my holster. Don't have a range I can live fire from my holster. Like anything, something one has to practice. I've never gotten pinched by the slide but I have smaller hands so YMMV.

[Jayman]

Thank u guys!

I thought for sure u would say don't use my middle finger on the trigger for this handgun.
But I will try it with a full sized silhouette and shoot for center mass hits next trip to the range.

I will also order a new spring soon too.

[JohnR]

All the point shooting instructors I know laugh at the middle finger thing. You don't need to do it.

[JimC]

All the point shooting instructors I know laugh at the middle finger thing. You don't need to do it.

^^^exactly right^^^

[garyb]

Do what ever works for YOU. If you want to get good pointing your gun more accurately, put a CTL on it. Dry Fire Practice with it. Point your gun without squeezing the CTL button, then squeeze it and your trigger to see if you would hit where you point. Great dry fire practice without firing a round. You will get the "Feel" of the gun in your hand(s) to operate it more accurately instinctively....because you can practice it much more often from home, then carry this practice over to the range. JMO.

[muggsy]

How you grip the pistol is very important. Your grip must be secure and it must the same every time. If your grip doesn't repeat neither will your point of impact. I wouldn't grip a revolver with my index finger extended along side of the cylinder. If you think that you can control the recoil holding the gun with just your thumb and last two fingers give it a try.

[340pd]

I would not use my second finger for the trigger pull. Bad, and necessary habit to put into you memory banks. Point shooting is instinctive and fast. I have had instruction in close combat shooting and I know I am not good enough to change fingers consistently.

A SIRT practice pistol

http://www.shop.sirttraininggun.com/...FecRMwodMksAaw

or LaserLyte cartridge will help a lot. Especially for hip and out of position shooting.

http://www.laserlyte.com/collections/lts