Bawanna's PM45 Preflight Report

[Bawanna]

Well at long last the much anticipated and desired PM45 arrived yesterday at my NEW FFL! He emailed that it was there and I made a 25 minute drive in aproximately 17 minutes even after being diverted around a car fire about 5 blocks from his shop.
On initial examination everything looks just fine, everything present, finish,sights, slide movement trigger, all good. I got a stainless with standard sights anticipating a set of XS's in the future.

SOOO, this morning in a nice leisurely fashion with a nice cup of coffee at hand and my attitude in a positive karma mode I decided to do the very wise jocko and company prep for your new Kahr deal. I read the manual yesterday at work and again at home and there's some good stuff in there that reinforces much of what we talk about here. It pays to read the book, some big words in there but deal with it.

Right off the bat I felt the grip surface was a bit rough, mostly on the front strap, cheese grater to my hawaiian good luck finger, the fleshy part closest to the hand. Reluctant to put a Wynn innertube on an expensive gun I decided I'd knock the sharpness off with a file and sandpaper. I didn't get too aggressive and it's difficult to tell for sure but I think we're gonna be fine. My finger is so sore from holding it already that I can't tell if it's still too rough or my finger is just sore???? I'm gonna do the tube deal for the initial range session tomorrow just in case. I don't want to mess with the grip much till I know we got a keeper and its gonna run for me.

I decided to do the whole upper end take down and see just what if anything was left in the striker channel, also clean everything up inside and out. My striker channel was spotless, not a speck of debree of any kind. All was lightly oiled and very pretty. I just about left it as is but cleaned and relubed anyhow. The extractor and chain of goodies behind it were all accounted for, fit well and came apart and went together very easy. No flying springs, (used the old bent coat hanger trick, dang I love this place). I utilized the very well done lube chart that works so well on all auto's and was proud to realize that it's precisely all the places I've always lubed so another feather in the cap.

The much talked about notch on the front of the slide is very minimal and as quality as everything else looks on this gun a bit of a dissapointment but I'm not gonna mess with it prior to break in, want to see if it's enough or will need a bit of opening.

The stripper that picks off the top round in the mag is I find not beveled very much, hardly at all but in loading a full mag with the slide locked back it does kick the top round forward enough to create the "gap". I suspect the stripper may have to be beveled just a bit but I'm gonna go for launch as is and see what develops. The stipper itself is smooth as a babies back side, much prettier than some I've seen. The gun takes down and goes together somewhat easier than my K40. So far so good. I'm gonna go see if I can find the neighbor kids bicycle so I can get an inner tube (kidding, derelicts in wheelchairs have lots of innertubes). I think we're ready for break in trial and eval hopefully tomorrow. Never know if I'll feel 108 or 12.
The freshly magnaported K40 will also experience it's maiden range session so I'll share my thoughts on that tomorrow as well.
Aren't you guys glad this arrived so you don't have to listen to me powerwhine about wanting one all this time?

[jocko]

ur gonna be good to go bawanna, the PM45 willdo what it is supposed to do. You prepped it right, I would not mess with that cut out IMO. Just get out and shoot it like u stole it. Give it the break in rounds before panicking and wheeling off a cliff. You know what your doing and that helps alot as u well know to.

[Bawanna]

The next lesson I learned in this adventure is that wheelchair tube ain't even close to big enough to go over a gun handle? 1". I just saw the neighbor kid ride off on his bike, he'll be back shortly and I'll remedy this situation. I found an old Hogue grip in my stash but it's a bit too large for the kahr, close but no cigar.
I also just discovered that Tiny won't ride in my ankle holster for the K40, that's dissapointing but I guess not suprising. Wider bullets, require a slightly wider slide so ain't gonna happen. I did find it fits pretty well in a Beretta 92 belt slide holster I have, that was suprising. Anyhow the saga continues.

[Bawanna]

ur gonna be good to go bawanna, the PM45 willdo what it is supposed to do. You prepped it right, I would not mess with that cut out IMO. Just get out and shoot it like u stole it. Give it the break in rounds before panicking and wheeling off a cliff. You know what your doing and that helps alot as u well know to.

Well sniff sniff, thank you Mr. Jocko, sniff, I think that's about the nicest thing anyone ever said to me. sniff I'm thinking you lifted the curse on me? I don't know for sure that I know what I'm doing but I do my best to baffle with BS when in doubt. I and many others here have you to thank for alot of good stuff here.


If this dog don't hunt I'm coming over and flattening the tires on your Harley.
Damn, give a boy a 45 and he starts thinking he's tough or something. Sorry, I'll go back to my introverted shy and humble self.

[Bawanna]

OMG !!!!!! TURBO BUCKET MOUTH GOT A PM45 !!!!!

I go away for a couple of weeks and the whole damn universe changes !
Well it's about time BAWANNA.

2 Things Bawanna: if you don't want the inner tube thing. Then go get a HOGUE HANDALL JR. stick it in boiling water for a minute or two. Then stretch that bad boy on there. I did that exact thing to mine. Filed & sanded a little of the cheese grater off/ then slapped on the Hogue. It fits the pm45 like it was made for it. PERFECT!

ALSO.: if you decide that you want to go with XS big dot. I have a set , less than 1 yr. old that KAHR installed on my PM45. I decided I did not like them. I had them removed and relpaced with Trijicon Novak set. Which I LOVE. I WILL SELL YOU MY XS SET FOR 1/2 PRICE IF YOU WANT THEM. I WILL PAY POSTAGE TOO.

Let me know if you are interested. We can work out the details.

I am happy for you that you finally got your PM. I just wonder what the heck you are going to Jack Your Jaws about now ?????

I'm interested for sure. I was gonna go standard dot but I wanted to try the big dot. PM me with the deal, you don't gotta pay postage and I'll count my marbles. I rummaged around and found another bigger innertube that worked perfect. Still looks like a nice gun with an innertube on the handle but it feels good. I mainly wanted it to try tomorrow, afterwards I'll see what I can do to make it right. I'd rather stay slim and avoid the bulk of the Hogues but that could be the answer.
As far as my jaw jackin you know something will come up to talk about, always seems to anyhow.
Things continueing to improve down in your neck of the woods. Saw Tim McGraw and his lovely wife on the news, quite a mess down there for sure. Hope all is well in your world.

[jfrey]

Bawanna - quit sniffin and go shoot the silly thing. Let us all know how wonderful it did and how happy you are with your new toy. We'll all be holding our breath to hear back on your report. Life is always better with a new Kahr.
Good luck
jfrey

[Michael W.]

Really looking forward to the Sunday Evening Report! Take lots of pics

The build up has made this nothing less than an epic event! Wooohoooooo!

M-

[wyntrout]

Ahhh, he'll be back to whining again... wishing he had gotten the DLC finish.
I'll bet he likes it better than the 'ported .40, though. He had better have a S.E. Grin, too!
Wynn

[Bawanna]

Really looking forward to the Sunday Evening Report! Take lots of pics

The build up has made this nothing less than an epic event! Wooohoooooo!

M-

Dude, yours was the quint essential epic event we all waited for. I felt like I was along for the ride as you were in search of yours. Texting back and forth with much anticipation, stopping here to check, no love there, back on the road again. It was great fun. I doubt my report will hold a candle to yours but an effort will be made and thoughts shared. Will do what I can on the pictures, not sure about the range allowing it but I will know tomorrow.
I'm kind a feeling punk today but staying at it, I'll be up at the range tomorrow if I'm on life support. I got a good feelin.

I just put a buffing wheel on a bench grinder I found and tryed polishing the K40 in a copycat act of Copper&Black, I can't say we're even on the same planet yet but it is shinier than it was. I still haven't connected with the super fine sandpaper which is apparently a key ingredient in the formula. Course polishing compound and even the bench grinder ain't makin it yet. Time is on my side.........................

[O'Dell]

Bawanna's PM45 Preflight Report

Well at long last the much anticipated and desired PM45 arrived yesterday at my NEW FFL! He emailed that it was there and I made a 25 minute drive in aproximately 17 minutes even after being diverted around a car fire about 5 blocks from his shop.
On initial examination everything looks just fine, everything present, finish,sights, slide movement trigger, all good. I got a stainless with standard sights anticipating a set of XS's in the future.

SOOO, this morning in a nice leisurely fashion with a nice cup of coffee at hand and my attitude in a positive karma mode I decided to do the very wise jocko and company prep for your new Kahr deal. I read the manual yesterday at work and again at home and there's some good stuff in there that reinforces much of what we talk about here. It pays to read the book, some big words in there but deal with it.

Right off the bat I felt the grip surface was a bit rough, mostly on the front strap, cheese grater to my hawaiian good luck finger, the fleshy part closest to the hand. Reluctant to put a Wynn innertube on an expensive gun I decided I'd knock the sharpness off with a file and sandpaper. I didn't get too aggressive and it's difficult to tell for sure but I think we're gonna be fine. My finger is so sore from holding it already that I can't tell if it's still too rough or my finger is just sore???? I'm gonna do the tube deal for the initial range session tomorrow just in case. I don't want to mess with the grip much till I know we got a keeper and its gonna run for me.

I decided to do the whole upper end take down and see just what if anything was left in the striker channel, also clean everything up inside and out. My striker channel was spotless, not a speck of debree of any kind. All was lightly oiled and very pretty. I just about left it as is but cleaned and relubed anyhow. The extractor and chain of goodies behind it were all accounted for, fit well and came apart and went together very easy. No flying springs, (used the old bent coat hanger trick, dang I love this place). I utilized the very well done lube chart that works so well on all auto's and was proud to realize that it's precisely all the places I've always lubed so another feather in the cap.

The much talked about notch on the front of the slide is very minimal and as quality as everything else looks on this gun a bit of a dissapointment but I'm not gonna mess with it prior to break in, want to see if it's enough or will need a bit of opening.

The stripper that picks off the top round in the mag is I find not beveled very much, hardly at all but in loading a full mag with the slide locked back it does kick the top round forward enough to create the "gap". I suspect the stripper may have to be beveled just a bit but I'm gonna go for launch as is and see what develops. The stipper itself is smooth as a babies back side, much prettier than some I've seen. The gun takes down and goes together somewhat easier than my K40. So far so good. I'm gonna go see if I can find the neighbor kids bicycle so I can get an inner tube (kidding, derelicts in wheelchairs have lots of innertubes). I think we're ready for break in trial and eval hopefully tomorrow. Never know if I'll feel 108 or 12.
The freshly magnaported K40 will also experience it's maiden range session so I'll share my thoughts on that tomorrow as well.
Aren't you guys glad this arrived so you don't have to listen to me powerwhine about wanting one all this time?

Hey Bawanna,

Try the "What-A-Grip" tennis racket grip I mentioned in a previous post. It's much thinner than a tube, so it doesn't change the grip profile, but does knock off the sharp corners.

When I got my PM45 back from Kahr the notch was very small, and it was hard to see the beveling on the pickup rail, but it all worked. I think they gave me a new slide, which should be the same as yours.

[Bawanna]

Hey Bawanna,

Try the "What-A-Grip" tennis racket grip I mentioned in a previous post. It's much thinner than a tube, so it doesn't change the grip profile, but does knock off the sharp corners.

When I got my PM45 back from Kahr the notch was very small, and it was hard to see the beveling on the pickup rail, but it all worked. I think they gave me a new slide, which should be the same as yours.

Thank you, thank you, I remembered that very post talking about that stuff and knew it was something a grip, thought it was get a grip. I recall its for like a tennis racket or some such thing. I got a tube on there for tomorrows test drive but I'll be getting me some What A Grip for trial and eval for future reference. I'm tempted to go light this thing off in the back yard, aching to see how she runs. Legal but don't want to rile the neighborhood. Not sure why not, I'm good at riling people.

[kahrseye]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, my friend Bawanna, I am so happy for you. You gotta be happy just to hold it in your hand......the PM45 that is. I can't wait for you to shoot it. You're gonna be surprised and impressed with that little beast. I look forward to your report.

[wyntrout]

Well, the big day is here... finally. I wonder if Bawanna' got any sleep last night. I guess he should be up by now and loading up all of his shooting gear, including bullets and a camera, I hope.
I'm going to have to get busy around here sweatin' pretty soon. I just took the back door off the garage so I can get the generator (15Kw) after I dismantle its shelter and put new wheels on it. I hope that's not a problem. I want to do all of this maintenance at once... lube, valve job, oil and filters change.
I have the John Deer lawn tractor and my van's oil to change, too. Maybe by the time I get through playing with all of that -- I hope -- Bawanna' will have a good report and maybe some pix.
I had better get going. It's about 87° and will get a little wrmer. i'll drag a big fan out to the garage.
Wynn

[Bawanna]

Well, the big day is here... finally. I wonder if Bawanna' got any sleep last night. I guess he should be up by now and loading up all of his shooting gear, including bullets and a camera, I hope.
I'm going to have to get busy around here sweatin' pretty soon. I just took the back door off the garage so I can get the generator (15Kw) after I dismantle its shelter and put new wheels on it. I hope that's not a problem. I want to do all of this maintenance at once... lube, valve job, oil and filters change.
I have the John Deer lawn tractor and my van's oil to change, too. Maybe by the time I get through playing with all of that -- I hope -- Bawanna' will have a good report and maybe some pix.
I had better get going. It's about 87° and will get a little wrmer. i'll drag a big fan out to the garage.
Wynn

Precisely correct. Range opens in about an hour, I just finished loading up the bags and I should be there when the doors open. Waiting for my kids super camera to finish charging, I thought he did it last night but he apparently FORGOT! No matter, it's trigger time we seek and it's trigger time we shall have. I have food for the magnaport 40 test, lots of 45 for Tiny (800 rds including reloads which I hope work) and a test run for my Glock 21 grip reduction modifications and texture.
As a side not, I mentioned the discomfort on my fingers on Tiny's grip, but I've determined my finger is already sore from assembling fishin lures (my new 3rd job). So it may not be so bad were it not for the already sore fingers. No matter, I got the tube on there, alreadys knocked off some of the roughness and will get some of the "What a Grip". SOOOO, all systems are go, if the "F" word van starts (it usually does) I'll see ya in a few hours.

OK bye.

[cgo99]

Is Bawanna back from the range yet?.................................What about now?????