Kahr polymer... how is yours holding up?

[root]

Was going to go out to the range and do the rest of my 'break in' of my new CM9, but due to snow and my need to do other things today it was postponed until next weekend. I figured I'd clean my Kahr, even though it was cleaned after last week's outing but I wanted to snap some pics of the polymer to compare to older, more used Kahrs on here.

If possible, please disassemble your firearm and post photos of your polymer wear. This will be good for new and old Kahr owners alike figure out what to expect down the road...

This is after only 110~ rounds. I forget the total count, but it's around there. I'm not complaining but I am slightly concerned about what it'll look like after 1,000 rounds, 5,000 and so on...





This is my first polymer pistol so I really have nothing handy to compare it to. Just wondering if this sort of wear on a pistol that is this (hardly) used is normal, and hoping you guys/gals can show pictures of your polymer frame and round count so I sort of have an idea as to what to expect later. I'm not used to rough edges and 'frame wear' on any of my other pistols, because they're built like tanks out of metal.

Thanks for reading/looking/helping.

[zamboni]

Mine has 10 times as many rounds down range and looks 10 times better than yours. Sorry, I know that is not the answer you wanted to hear.

[GROTMAN]

Sorry as well. Have to say, I have a pm9 and yesterday passed the 4000 round mark and mine never, ever looked even close to that. Matter of fact never had any shaving/wear at all.

[root]

Well hell. What suggestions do you have for me?

Would Kahr do anything about it? Should I just ignore it and hope it does not get progressively worse? Sell it off and make it someone elses problem? Now I'm a tad concerned.

[GROTMAN]

root. I wouldn't be too concerned yet. Wait until Jocko, Bawanna or someone else with more experience takes a look at the pics. Will probably tell you it's normal and shoot it like you stole it. I believe some others have posted concerns about some wear... and were told it's ok and won't effect anything.

[root]

root. I wouldn't be too concerned yet. Wait until Jocko, Bawanna or someone else with more experience takes a look at the pics. Will probably tell you it's normal and shoot it like you stole it. I believe some others have posted concerns about some wear... and were told it's ok and won't effect anything.

I'm hoping this is the case. Like I've said, I've only shot it once but after that one time I told myself I'd keep it. I like how it feels. It shot reliably straight from the factory (even if I did some breaking it in at home and cleaned/lubed it nice beforehand). I like how it feels and went ahead and ordered 3 extra magazines, Talon grips, a pocket holster and IWB holster for it.

I'll await a response from some of the others.

[root]

It's also possible that some of that may be there due to hand racking the slide several hundred times in an effort to assist in 'breaking it in' while sitting at home.

Here is why I think that (gun is unloaded):



Note the gap. Regular shooting/firing wouldn't have any friction there to cause the wear on the frame. Handracking, however, can. I've not always been pulling from the back of the slide as most normally do. When trying to 'break it in' I'd handrack the slide back and forth by gripping it from the middle of the slide. Doing it like this means there may be some downward pressure, too, which wouldn't exist in a normal motion of the slide from shooting it. I'm just going to assume that this downward pressure caused the slide to rub in that area whereas it normally wouldn't?

I'm hoping that's what the cause is, my own mistake. But still, even handracking it can't be nearly as 'hard' on the pistol as actually shooting it. I've not slammed it back and forth nearly as hard as what would happen during actual operation of the firearm at a range or something.


Another picture (also unloaded)


Unrelated/just-for-fun

[Bawanna]

I'll bow to others far wiser than I but the tupperware is basically just a handle and holder for the metal inserts, slide rails etc.

Some will show far more abuse (not really abuse just more wear). I'd scrape off the slivers with like an exacto knife but you don't even really need to do that. It will just make it look better which is important to me.

It will reach a point where it will just stop getting any more chewed up and all should be fine.

It can be deceiving looking at a picture, sometimes they make them look worse than they are and sometimes better than they really are.

Personally I go with you have nothing to worry about but no harm in sending those photo's and concerns to Kahr CS and hearing it from them, the may see something that we're missing here.

Kind of a politician answer I apologize for. If it was mine seeing what I've seen I'd run it some more but you have to do what is comfy to you.

[Rubb]

PM9 - over 2000 rounds, no wear to speak of.

[muggsy]

I've never touched the polymer on my CM9 and it looks as clean the day that I bought it. I have well over 1k rounds through it. I send those pictures to Kahr Service and get an opinion from them. Your gun looks like a beaver was chewing on it.

[12GA]

Sorry as well. Have to say, I have a pm9 and yesterday passed the 4000 round mark and mine never, ever looked even close to that. Matter of fact never had any shaving/wear at all.

Same here-1000's of rounds thru my PM9 and the polymer looks as new as the day I took it home.

[root]

Emailed Kahr, we'll see what they say. I'll update the thread with their response when it is made.

It's the weekend so I'll be happy to get a response by Wednesday, seeing as Monday is a Holiday.

EDIT: For the curious, I added my email to them and will add their response.

Hi there,

I am hoping this email is seen by the proper individual. Two weeks ago I picked up a brand new Kahr CM9 from my local gun shop here in <City>, <State> called <LGS>. I went there looking for a post-recall XDS, which they had... but their price was too high above retail for me to comfortably go that route. I was left with several options, including a S&W Shield (Which I have other Smiths), a Ruger LC9 and the Kahr. I can't say what made me decide Kahr, but I had read nothing but great things about their reliability, excellent trigger, and I was happy with supporting an American made product so the decision wasn't a hard one for me.... I chose the Kahr.

Last weekend I finally got the chance to shoot it, and put about 110 rounds of factory ammo (American Eagle, Winchester, Federal and Hornady) down the pipe and it went 'bang' with every pull of the trigger and functioned flawlessly. This will eventually be my primary warm weather carry pistol after I have broken it in and have gotten used to it. Prior to shooting it, I was unsure if I would want to keep it or not. After shooting it, I ordered 3 new magazines, Talon Grips, Galco pocket holster and IWB holster from N82 Tactical. So if that says anything, it tells you I wanted to keep it.

Well, after doing some clean up I noticed that the polymer frame is surprisingly... wore out... keep in mind that this is a -brand new- firearm, with only around 110 rounds through it. Technically, it's not even to the 200 round break-in point yet.

Please see the images below:

http://i.imgur.com/iclSspO.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/T7S6G66.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/xmGUv1s.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/RqioJPe.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/DwJw3ke.jpg?1

This is my first polymer framed pistol, so I can not compare it to my others as they're all metal framed. Is this normal wear for such a young pistol? If it's this wore out now, what is the expected life span of the frame? I can't imagine what it will look like after 500, 1,000 or more rounds through it. I like to do a lot of shooting when the weather is nice, I'll certainly be training with this since it is a 'recruit' for a new carry pistol.

Please let me know if this is to be expected, and what options I have to correct or fix this if it is not normal.

All the best,
-<My Name>

In hindsight I should have provided the serial number to them too, just so they could see if any mentions were made from anything in the same batch.


Maybe they'll just give me a black PM9 with night-sights instead? (A guy can dream, right? Hahah)

[12GA]

I've dealt with Kahr customer service in the past for an issue that PM9's had around 10 years ago. At that time, Kahr was instructing owners who were experiencing FTF and FTE issues to return the barrels so they could polish the feed ramps and return them. Service was quick and at no cost and I've not had a problem since. I'd give Kahr customer service an A+ rating based on that experience and hope that they will do right by you, root. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[kerby9mm]

A little over 2 years ago was my last experience with Kahr CS and after reading posts all this time I will guess that they will tell you all is good since the gun functions as you stated. If you search recent Kahr CS posts on this forum you might get some idea of what to expect.

[JERRY]

That looks fairly boogered up for so few rounds....