CM9 first range report

[mxguy]

Well I finally broke down and bought a CM9. Been eyeing it for a while and bought it for pocket carry. I previously carried a Glock 27 and once in a while my Keltec P32. I bought this gun to fill the gap and replace the inadequate .32 caliber. I picked up a seven round mag and took it to the range for my 200 round break-in and didn't do anything to it beforehand (no cleaning or working the slide). I shot about 150 Winchester white box rounds and about 50 +p JHP rounds. I started to have some problems feeding at about the 6th magazine through it. The slide would stick open and the top round in mag was pointed downward. It seemed to have more issues with the six round mag than the seven round mag. After about three malfunctions, I noticed the follower on the six round mag was broken, which caused it to stick a little while feeding. I quit using that mag and used the seven rounder for the rest of the time (pita to reload every seven rounds). Had a few more malfunctions, but some of it may have been because I was slingshotting the slide when reloading. I also discovered loading six rounds in the seven round mag was completely reliable. All in all the gun was decently accurate, but I'm not sure I totally trust it yet. I have worked the slide at least 500 times since shooting it and it feels much better. I have also stored it with the slide locked open and used the slide release to drop the slide on a loaded mag about 50 times with no malfunctions. I tried to get a hold of Kahr for a new follower, but they won't answer their phone. Called numerous times with no luck. Is there a secret to get them to answer?

[DavidR]

Broken follower is not a good sign. Most of the time the gun has to be sent back to Kahr. Lots of people have trouble getting them to answer the phone.

[yqtszhj]

Welcome to the forum.

After shooting the gun through the breakin, a good cleaning should take care of anything not follower related. Sling-shotting the slide can be tricky if the slide is rode the least bit going forward. I polished all metal to metal surfaces of mine and it will sling shot OK but I'm up to 1000+ rounds too.

Sorry to hear about your initial trouble with the follower. It happens sometimes. Get in touch with Kahr. They may send you a follower to ask you try it one more time. If it breaks again they should fix it for you. Some folks have fixed the issue their self but that would be up to you. If you're 7 round follower looks OK with no dings or dents it may not be the gun but the mag.

When you replace the follower make sure the mag spring is oriented correctly when putting it back together (high part of the spring toward the front of the mag.) It may have been backwards when you got it which can cause issues.

Let us know how it goes and if you have any questions just ask. The CM9 is a really nice sub-compact pistol and a good shooter too. Hang in there and you'll like it. Mine is 100% reliable since the first outing of 100 rounds.

[root]

Broken follower is not a good sign. Most of the time the gun has to be sent back to Kahr. Lots of people have trouble getting them to answer the phone.

And answering emails!

I sent an email on the 16th. I'd call but I highly prefer email correspondence so I have a documented record of our conversation. No response, yet.

[mxguy]

Thanks. I'm gonna try to call them again tomorrow and send an email if I can't reach them. I like this gun and hope I can get it sorted out. I went through a lot of bs to get one in Ca.

[berettabone]

Well I finally broke down and bought a CM9. Been eyeing it for a while and bought it for pocket carry. I previously carried a Glock 27 and once in a while my Keltec P32. I bought this gun to fill the gap and replace the inadequate .32 caliber. I picked up a seven round mag and took it to the range for my 200 round break-in and didn't do anything to it beforehand (no cleaning or working the slide). I shot about 150 Winchester white box rounds and about 50 +p JHP rounds. I started to have some problems feeding at about the 6th magazine through it. The slide would stick open and the top round in mag was pointed downward. It seemed to have more issues with the six round mag than the seven round mag. After about three malfunctions, I noticed the follower on the six round mag was broken, which caused it to stick a little while feeding. I quit using that mag and used the seven rounder for the rest of the time (pita to reload every seven rounds). Had a few more malfunctions, but some of it may have been because I was slingshotting the slide when reloading. I also discovered loading six rounds in the seven round mag was completely reliable. All in all the gun was decently accurate, but I'm not sure I totally trust it yet. I have worked the slide at least 500 times since shooting it and it feels much better. I have also stored it with the slide locked open and used the slide release to drop the slide on a loaded mag about 50 times with no malfunctions. I tried to get a hold of Kahr for a new follower, but they won't answer their phone. Called numerous times with no luck. Is there a secret to get them to answer?

Sure glad you read the manual and followed all the instructions....you know, like cleaning it and lubing before shooting.

[mxguy]

I inspected it and made sure it was oiled properly. Came from the factory dripping wet with oil but was clean. No reason to clean a gun that isn't dirty.

[berettabone]

I inspected it and made sure it was oiled properly. Came from the factory dripping wet with oil but was clean. No reason to clean a gun that isn't dirty.

If you would have read the manual, it states that there should be no slingshotting, and the slide release should be used. If it was test fired from the factory, it wasn't clean.

[MBSL500]

If you would have read the manual, it states that there should be no slingshotting, and the slide release should be used. If it was test fired from the factory, it wasn't clean.

His follower should NOT have broken. Period.
They are not breaking due to sling-shotting, how well they are being cleaned, how they are held when fired, or the phase of the moon.
They are breaking because there is either an engineering or manufacturing problem with the guns.

[berettabone]

His follower should NOT have broken. Period.
They are not breaking due to sling-shotting, how well they are being cleaned, how they are held when fired, or the phase of the moon.
They are breaking because there is either an engineering or manufacturing problem with the guns.

I realize this, but not following instructions from the start makes one hesitant to believe and actually, I am surprised that you still own one. You haven't liked them from the start. Must be from the Glock threads............

[MBSL500]

I realize this, but not following instructions from the start makes one hesitant to believe and actually, I am surprised that you still own one. You haven't liked them from the start. Must be from the Glock threads............

This is an obvious problem that has not been corrected and nobody after spending $350 + for a new gun, should not have to send it back in order to make it function properly.
With all due respect, if you believe what Kahr (CM9) is sending out the door is acceptable, that's your choice.
I don't.
And the implication that had he followed directions and cleaned the gun prior to firing it might have prevented the broken follower is insulting to anyone who has had a CM9 follower break.

[berettabone]

I'm not an apologist for Kahr.
This is an obvious problem that has not been corrected and nobody after spending $350 + for a new gun, should not have to send it back in order to make it function properly.
With all due respect, if you believe what Kahr (CM9) is sending out the door is acceptable, that's your choice.
I don't.
And the implication that had he followed directions and cleaned the gun prior to firing it might have prevented the broken follower is insulting to anyone who has a had a CM9 follower break.

This is why, there are numerous members, who will take these terrible firearms off of your hands for $100. We will have the patience to work through these issues. Not like this is the only firearm or manufacturer to have problems. When you don't follow instructions from the get go, your integrity is at question immediately. I never stated that his problem was caused by lack of reading or cleaning............just his reading ability, and his inability to follow instructions. Contact Kahr, and they will fix the issue. This isn't blood plasma, or a new liver, it's a firearm..........we'll all get over it, believe me. If you can't, sell it, and find a new firearm.

[MBSL500]

This is why, there are numerous members, who will take these terrible firearms off of your hands for $100. We will have the patience to work through these issues. Not like this is the only firearm or manufacturer to have problems. When you don't follow instructions from the get go, your integrity is at question immediately. I never stated that his problem was caused by lack of reading or cleaning............just his reading ability, and his inability to follow instructions. Contact Kahr, and they will fix the issue. This isn't blood plasma, or a new liver, it's a firearm..........we'll all get over it, believe me. If you can't, sell it, and find a new firearm.

You're telling me that there are members who will give people $100 for a gun they paid $350 + for?
How can you not be completely overwhelmed by that kind of generosity?

[berettabone]

You're telling me that there are members who will give people $100 for a gun they paid $350 + for?
How can you not be completely overwhelmed by that kind of generosity?

That's a good question..................just trying to help bail someone out, who doesn't like their firearm Seriously, the members here try to help as much as possible, but when you see the same problems.............I would hope that they look back at other's posts concerning the same types of issues, and maybe get some answers or help. I also understand that people need to vent, when they are disappointed in their firearm. I have never had a problem with ANY firearm I have owned. Lucky? Maybe............but I also read the manual, clean the firearm, and read about other's experiences before I purchase, or take a firearm to the range. Reading the manual, reading the info on this forum, and following instructions, eliminates problems that could be caused by the shooter. Then you can more easily narrow down issues. When someone immediately starts complaining about their firearm, but doesn't read the manual, starts slingshotting, doesn't bother cleaning the firearm because it looks clean and oily.....well, not a good start.

[mxguy]

This is why, there are numerous members, who will take these terrible firearms off of your hands for $100. We will have the patience to work through these issues. Not like this is the only firearm or manufacturer to have problems. When you don't follow instructions from the get go, your integrity is at question immediately. I never stated that his problem was caused by lack of reading or cleaning............just his reading ability, and his inability to follow instructions. Contact Kahr, and they will fix the issue. This isn't blood plasma, or a new liver, it's a firearm..........we'll all get over it, believe me. If you can't, sell it, and find a new firearm.

My integrity is in question because I didn't clean a firearm that had one round test fired through it? Yeah ok bud. Second, every other gun I own is perfectly fine slingshotting the slide. In fact it's a poor tactic to use the release. All of this is irrelevant to my follower breaking. I've carried a gun every day for the last 15 years and have never had an issue with anything breaking except for some cheap Promags. I know how to properly clean a weapon. I didn't come on here bashing the gun. I came on here with an honest first time review. Take it or leave it. Like I've said, hopefully all the bugs get worked out because I like this gun.