How to get a clean mag drop on CM9/PM9

[Joe L]

Devo6684--At least worth checking on your gun. Keep in mind that 0.005" difference in magazine width is all it takes to be the difference between drop clean and drag. This seems to be the result simply of the tolerance during manufacture of the mag when the lips are formed. I think this is why some mags drop and some don't. The tolerance in the gun's magwells seems to much tighter--every Kahr gun I tried my mags in behaved exactly the same--a slightly wide mag dragged in every gun, one under 0.490 always dropped. Note also that my calipers are not machine shop quality, so just measure yours and squeeze it 2-3 thou from your starting point and try it in your gun. Also take some 600 paper wrapped around a screwdriver shaft or punch and smooth the surface of the mag catch where the mag makes contact when being inserted.

Joe

[OldLincoln]

Something to look at when putting the squeeze on your mags is bullet wiggle. If they wiggle side to side excessively before the squeeze it should tighten them up a bit in the process, for as you know, "Loose Lips Sink Ships."

Not just a funny.... those who leak rounds in their pockets might find this helps keep them where they belong.

[jb7304]

Joe L

Did you remove the follower and spring when you squeezed the mag in the vice?

[Joe L]

Joe L

Did you remove the follower and spring when you squeezed the mag in the vice?

Nope, just pushed it down 1/2 way with a toothbrush handle.

[gb6491]

Nice DIY and great photos...

I agree; very well done Joe L
Regards,
Greg

[k421incubus]

This worked perfectly. I just picked up a CM9 today, and the magazine wouldn't come out without a firm pull.

After a couple small adjustments, the mag drops perfectly now. Thanks a bunch!

[Joe L]

I'm glad I was able to help. Just trying to help others here as I have been helped. This is a great forum that has been a lot of help to many people. If I can come up with about 20 more good ideas, I will be getting closer to repaying the more experienced people here for all their help.
Joe

[Sgt_Rock]

I picked up a CM9 about a month ago. The mag that came with it would not drop without pulling on it. I checked the clearance on it from top to bottom of the mag well and it was smooth until it got to the top by the receiver. I just sanded the inside of the well from the top side being very careful and it then dropped free.

Next I bought 2 more new 6 rd mags. They dropped free also without any further modifications. I wanted to be able to accept any mags without having to modify each magazine so that is why I modified only the mag well.

What I noticed on my original mag was that it had good clearance until the last 1/2" of the top inside the magwell so I dont believe the magazine was "flared" so much as the magwell is tapered. Also I noticed that when fully inserted the clearance between the walls of the well and the magazine itself were not even even with the release depressed. I guess that is what you get with plastic.

[jocko]

nice job..

[stumprat]

Glad I found this thread. I had been irritated that all 3 of my CM 9 6 round mags would stick when released.
Took a look at them tonight. And sure enough. A noticable swell at the feed lips. Gave the mags a pinch with some chanelock pliers. Problem solved!

Great post!

[Ressom]

With this mod to the magazines (sqeezing slightly) are the magazines falling completely out of the magwell? I haven't done the mod, but when I press the mag release, my magazines fall about an inch and then I need to pull them out. Is that normal?

[bobthegunslinger]

thanks!my 6 round mag that came with my cm 9 was not quite drop free;so after just squeezing the mag towards the top near the feed lips with pliers and a rag with mag disassembled just squezzing a little bit did the job!after reassembling the mag it is now completely drop free!i have two 7 round kahr arms k820 mags on the way from tsgcom(the gun source)for $64.97 shipped and i will check these as well!

[garyb]

Good thread Joe L...and should be a sticky. All my mags drop and I'd expect that if someone's mag did not drop freely, they might try your solution. Then again, some may not care about the tactical advantage.

Even if Kahr farms out their mag production, they "should" QC check all mags before leaving their factory so they would have one less complaint about their product. However, this problem is not exclusive to Kahr. My handgun trainer has the same problem with one of his Glock mags. I will make him aware of your solution.

Helpful info to the forum and thanks for sharing and this needs to be a sticky!

[jocko]

my one G19 mag stick, kinda hard to squeeze plastic. I can live with it, as I don't carry a spare mag ever..

[Joe L]

Glad to see some of our new members have seen and used some of the fixes presented here. Carry on. I can shoot a camera better than a pistol sometimes.
Joe