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Range Report - PM45
Hi Folks. First post, new member. I just purchased a new PM45, based on my positive experiences with my PM9. I put 350 rounds thru it this weekend, and here's my report:
1. It packs a wallop! More recoil/movement than the PM9. Wore me out shooting 350 rounds, combination of 230 grain FMJ, 230 grain hollowpoints, etc. In fact, the rear left corner of the frame, that fits in the web between your thumb and forefinger, battered the initial knuckle of my thumb. Had to put a bandage there after about 200 rounds. I'll have to figure out a slightly different hold, so that corner doesn't keep rubbing. I sanded it down a little, but it will still whack my knuckle.
2. Reliability: In the first 200 rounds with FMJ, I had 3 failures. One failure to extract, and 2 failures to chamber. All within the first 50 rounds. After that, the FMJ rounds fed flawlessly.
The hollow-points were a different matter, however:
- Hornady TAP 230 grain rounds won't chamber. There is no real leade in the barrel, so this long 230 grain hollowpoint contacts the polygonal rifling before the round can fully chamber. Net: slide does not fully lock and the gun won't fire. One round got stuck in this position, and I could not cycle the slide to remove it. Had to hold the slide and really WHACK the frame forward with my hand to free it. I guess I'll use all my TAP ammo in my other 45s.
- Speer Gold Dot 230 grain fed better, but not 100%. Their different shape doesn't contact the rifling too soon, but they will periodically touch the slide stop and push it out slightly. Similar result, gun won't fire.
- Remington (green box) 230 grain hollow point seem to do the same, but more frequently. Won't buy any more of these.
I talked to Rich at Kahr, and he indicated that the PM45 was really designed for FMJ ammunition. After some discussion, he agreed that the smaller 185 grain hollow points would probably feed more reliably than 230 grain hollow points. I have some Corbon on order, will let you know how that works. I really want to carry hollow points for my self defense loads.
3. Accuracy: I was VERY impressed with how accurate this little gun is. Much more accurate than my PM9. From 21-30 feet, it consistently shot to point of aim with all ammo. By the end of the session, I had a single 3-inch hole from all 350 rounds. All shooting was done off-hand. Some with a two-hand hold, some one-handed.
4. Feel: The trigger is smooth. In fact, it feels like a nice S&W L-frame pull, but perhaps lighter. The pull is looong, and the reset is loooong too. So follow-up shots are not as quick as with a Glock or Springfield XDM. And for sure it doesn't shoot as fast as my 1911s.
The textured of the grip is pretty aggressive, but I like that. The night sights are nice and vivid, and the sight picture in outdoor light is crisp. My only issue is where the back left corner of the frame whacks my thumb knuckle.
But you can't beat it's concealability. The PM45 fits all my PM9 holsters, sot that will save me some $$ too.
Next step is to find a self defense round that feeds reliably. I'm looking forward to carrying something this small but in such a large caliber.
Let me know if you have any recommendations for self defense ammo...
1. It packs a wallop! More recoil/movement than the PM9. Wore me out shooting 350 rounds, combination of 230 grain FMJ, 230 grain hollowpoints, etc. In fact, the rear left corner of the frame, that fits in the web between your thumb and forefinger, battered the initial knuckle of my thumb. Had to put a bandage there after about 200 rounds. I'll have to figure out a slightly different hold, so that corner doesn't keep rubbing. I sanded it down a little, but it will still whack my knuckle.
2. Reliability: In the first 200 rounds with FMJ, I had 3 failures. One failure to extract, and 2 failures to chamber. All within the first 50 rounds. After that, the FMJ rounds fed flawlessly.
The hollow-points were a different matter, however:
- Hornady TAP 230 grain rounds won't chamber. There is no real leade in the barrel, so this long 230 grain hollowpoint contacts the polygonal rifling before the round can fully chamber. Net: slide does not fully lock and the gun won't fire. One round got stuck in this position, and I could not cycle the slide to remove it. Had to hold the slide and really WHACK the frame forward with my hand to free it. I guess I'll use all my TAP ammo in my other 45s.
- Speer Gold Dot 230 grain fed better, but not 100%. Their different shape doesn't contact the rifling too soon, but they will periodically touch the slide stop and push it out slightly. Similar result, gun won't fire.
- Remington (green box) 230 grain hollow point seem to do the same, but more frequently. Won't buy any more of these.
I talked to Rich at Kahr, and he indicated that the PM45 was really designed for FMJ ammunition. After some discussion, he agreed that the smaller 185 grain hollow points would probably feed more reliably than 230 grain hollow points. I have some Corbon on order, will let you know how that works. I really want to carry hollow points for my self defense loads.
3. Accuracy: I was VERY impressed with how accurate this little gun is. Much more accurate than my PM9. From 21-30 feet, it consistently shot to point of aim with all ammo. By the end of the session, I had a single 3-inch hole from all 350 rounds. All shooting was done off-hand. Some with a two-hand hold, some one-handed.
4. Feel: The trigger is smooth. In fact, it feels like a nice S&W L-frame pull, but perhaps lighter. The pull is looong, and the reset is loooong too. So follow-up shots are not as quick as with a Glock or Springfield XDM. And for sure it doesn't shoot as fast as my 1911s.
The textured of the grip is pretty aggressive, but I like that. The night sights are nice and vivid, and the sight picture in outdoor light is crisp. My only issue is where the back left corner of the frame whacks my thumb knuckle.
But you can't beat it's concealability. The PM45 fits all my PM9 holsters, sot that will save me some $$ too.
Next step is to find a self defense round that feeds reliably. I'm looking forward to carrying something this small but in such a large caliber.
Let me know if you have any recommendations for self defense ammo...
THATS LIKE SAYING IF YOU GET A FISH HEAD in the mail it is the same as a horsehead. and as u know that is just b.s..
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