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Range Report - PM45

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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...

  • #2
    My PM45 eats Speer Gold Dots without issue. Maybe it will improve on it's own.

    I do not agree with Rich at Kahr that the PM45 was designed for FMJ only. That is absolutely insane. I'd not spread that around, pure foolishness.

    You might try Winchester SXT, it has a pretty forgiving bullet shape and works well in mine also. I still run the Gold Dot 100% of the time and I use only the 230 grain. Bricks for me, not pebbles.

    I'm glad your is working well for you in most other respects. It is a great little gun and well worth a little effort to make it work for ya. Nothing compares in the size weight ratio.
    http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium#!
    In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
    Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
    Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
    Cue sound of Head slap.

    RIP Muggsy & TMan

    Comment


    • #3
      Ditto, Bawanna'. I carry with Gold Dot Short Barrel 230-grainers. I shoot nothing but 230-gr in my .45's... what they were designed for.

      You might touch up the slide lock actuator a bit with sandpaper/polisher, and polish the throat of the chamber and the feed ramp.

      For the cheese grater grip... I tamed mine with the bike tube sleeve... quick, cheap, and it works great, without detracting from the gun's looks.

      350 of anything but .22 will cause sensitive areas, but the .45 can get tiring or painful after a few hundred. I usually limit my .45 to 200 or 250... it just goes so quickly, but only hurts my pocketbook!

      One area that used to bother me was the magazine release button, but I cover my right thumb with my left thumb and have no problems at all... other than having to stop to reload after my 6 Kahr and half dozen or so Officers model 1911 mags that I'm always testing, are emptied.

      Welcome to the forum and Happy Shooting your "Boomer".

      Wynn
      USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
      Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
      Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf

      Thomas Jefferson said

      “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
      and

      "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

      Comment


      • #4
        u know

        Originally posted by Bawanna View Post
        My PM45 eats Speer Gold Dots without issue. Maybe it will improve on it's own.

        I do not agree with Rich at Kahr that the PM45 was designed for FMJ only. That is absolutely insane. I'd not spread that around, pure foolishness.

        You might try Winchester SXT, it has a pretty forgiving bullet shape and works well in mine also. I still run the Gold Dot 100% of the time and I use only the 230 grain. Bricks for me, not pebbles.

        I'm glad your is working well for you in most other respects. It is a great little gun and well worth a little effort to make it work for ya. Nothing compares in the size weight ratio.
        bawanna we tend to get some pretty strange sh-t from inside kahr people, who basically IMO can't even zip up their pants without catching some thing in the zipper. That has to be the dummest statement I have heard in a long time..
        . My PM9 has over 34,000+ rounds through it, and runs much better than an illegal trying to get across our border


        NRA BENEFACTOR MEMBER


        MAY GOD BLESS MUGGSY

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by jocko View Post
          bawanna we tend to get some pretty strange sh-t from inside kahr people, who basically IMO can't even zip up their pants without catching some thing in the zipper. That has to be the dummest statement I have heard in a long time..
          Agreed, if I could hear I'd call him and tell him to think before he lets his vocal cords run rampant without control. I know it happens to me alot so I can't fault him but learn from this.

          I think it happens when one tries to sound like he knows more than he really does and kind of fakes it. Maybe rushed, who knows. Definitely not anywhere close to the mark, that's for sure.
          http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium#!
          In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
          Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
          Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
          Cue sound of Head slap.

          RIP Muggsy & TMan

          Comment


          • #6
            Thanks for your replies, fellas. I'll take a peek at the slide stop, and see if any "tweeking" is in order there. I don't have problems with the Gold Dot 230 grain round feeding...just interfering with the slide stop. And I'll let you know my experience with any 185-grain rounds I buy.

            Great idea on the bike tube. :-)

            Comment


            • #7
              ur just

              Originally posted by Bawanna View Post
              Agreed, if I could hear I'd call him and tell him to think before he lets his vocal cords run rampant without control. I know it happens to me alot so I can't fault him but learn from this.

              I think it happens when one tries to sound like he knows more than he really does and kind of fakes it. Maybe rushed, who knows. Definitely not anywhere close to the mark, that's for sure.
              to fokking kind to DI=KHEADS!!! 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..
              . My PM9 has over 34,000+ rounds through it, and runs much better than an illegal trying to get across our border


              NRA BENEFACTOR MEMBER


              MAY GOD BLESS MUGGSY

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by lliden View Post
                Thanks for your replies, fellas. I'll take a peek at the slide stop, and see if any "tweeking" is in order there. I don't have problems with the Gold Dot 230 grain round feeding...just interfering with the slide stop. And I'll let you know my experience with any 185-grain rounds I buy.

                Great idea on the bike tube. :-)
                The bike tube works really well. I went bike tube, then Hogue. When I put a CTC laser on (thanks again Phooey), it interfered with the Hogue so I went back to the bike tube, works fine.
                Another option I intend to try is the qwikgrip, nicest looking rubber grip I've seen. As soon as they get to where they take a CC or paypal (not that I like paypal much) I'll be ordering one for my PM45.
                http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium#!
                In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
                Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
                Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
                Cue sound of Head slap.

                RIP Muggsy & TMan

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by jocko View Post
                  to fokking kind to DI=KHEADS!!! 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..
                  I hear that alot, it's a pretty common accusation. I try to be mean and hateful, I really do but it just don't work too good for me. Been a door mat all my life, too late to change now.

                  What if Rich @ Kahr wants to be my friend? Wouldn't do to call him and call him dumb and stupid, this wouldn't be a good way to start a relationship ya know? Man can't have too many friends.
                  http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium#!
                  In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
                  Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
                  Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
                  Cue sound of Head slap.

                  RIP Muggsy & TMan

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    have u tried parting the waters lately??? Friends don't let friends vbuy kel teks--humm wonder where I read that at?????
                    . My PM9 has over 34,000+ rounds through it, and runs much better than an illegal trying to get across our border


                    NRA BENEFACTOR MEMBER


                    MAY GOD BLESS MUGGSY

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by jocko View Post
                      have u tried parting the waters lately??? Friends don't let friends vbuy kel teks--humm wonder where I read that at?????
                      I have kibashed a couple kt purchases in a nick of time. Just couldn't allow it to happen. They really weren't even friends, just the right thing to do.
                      If anyone carries these leave the flame throwers in the closet, they serve a purpose and some like em, just not for me and even though I'm not a rich man I can surely afford "better stuff".

                      I'm not tried the water parting recently, maybe I'll go down to the river at lunch and give it a go. Only a couple minutes away.
                      http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium#!
                      In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
                      Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
                      Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
                      Cue sound of Head slap.

                      RIP Muggsy & TMan

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Makes me wonder what kind of chowderheads Kahr is hiring lately, I think they are in deep sheet about some felon they hired stealing a gun, Then there seemed to be a rash of CW45 problems. Now this guy saying a gun obviously designed for SD, is designed for FMJ? When did they get the military contract the demands FMJ? Sounds like someone is full of bull puckey to me.
                        At least the P380 problems seem to be on the decline, or else people aren't buying them.
                        Tom
                        Live today, tomorrow may not come!
                        Boberg XR9S
                        Kahr CW40
                        Springfield Armory 1911
                        Dan Wesson Revolver

                        HY*NDAI is to cars, what Caracal, Hi-Point, and Jennings is to handguns. The cars may or may not run ok, but the corporation SUCKS.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I'm reluctant to toss out the whole barrel for one bad apple. And I don't think he's bad really. I think the best of the best occasionally slip up and make a statement that is so totally absurd that its beyond comprehension. I suspect that's what happened here.
                          I'm sure Rich is a stand up guy that just goofed. Or maybe there was something lost in the translation that we're unaware of too.

                          Far as the felon on the payroll, that could happen anywhere pretty easily too. Makes me sick that Kahr had to pay that money (if they really did) to the Brady folks. How communist is that?

                          The sad part of this whole deal is comments like the FMJ deal get on the internet and spread like wild fire and many will take it as gospel, Kahr said it, it must be true right? So everyone will think I need FMJ's for my Kahr.

                          Hope this was nipped in the bud, but I'm sure there was some damage done obviously.
                          http://bawanna45.wix.com/bawannas-grip-emporium#!
                          In Memory of Paul "Dietrich" Stines.
                          Dad: Say something nice to your cousin Shirley
                          Dietrich: For a fat girl you sure don't sweat much.
                          Cue sound of Head slap.

                          RIP Muggsy & TMan

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Welcome to the Forum. The best part about being here is watching Bawanna and Jocko go back and forth. The next best thing is all the good info and helpful folks if you have a question. You don't even have to post it in the right area. You'll get an answer anyway
                            The only thing better than having all the guns and ammo you'd ever need would be being able to shoot it all off the back porch.

                            Want to see what will be the end of our country as we know it???
                            Visit here:
                            http://www.usdebtclock.org/

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I enjoy my PM45 far more than I ever thought I would!! It is like a small package of dynamite!

                              It weighs nearly 12 oz less than my Sig 245...

                              OP, thanks for the write-up!




                              But wait, I alway thought that Sigs Rule... I am SO confused!!




                              Bill
                              - PM9
                              - Sig 245, P6's, 228
                              - Colt 1903 & 1908

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