CM9 troubles

[Hognutz]

It sure seems to me that there have been a whole lot of people with problems with their CM9's. Seems like every other thread is dealing with it in one way or the other. Any thoughts? While I have the floor, there is another thing that is on my mind. Why does Kahr have so many problems with their magazines? In the big scheme of things, you would think that the mags would be a slam dunk. The springs are too long, the mags don't fall out easily, they are dirty from the factory, they may allow the top shell to hit the slide stop...etc. I don't understand how this can happen on an ongoing basis. Any thoughts on this, as well?? Thanks, Mike :7:

[LordJ]

My only guess would be that maybe they are selling shitloads of them now, and usually if people buy a gun and are happy with it they are pretty silent on the matter. Now, if you spend almost $500 and your gun is messing up most people will turn to the internet for advice/venting. Or it's possible there are a lot of lemons, who knows? As far as mags go, yes they are crap, and Kahr could do better.

[Seanh100]

SIZE MATTERS... Am I wrong, or don't all of the "pocket" pistols have their own sets of issues.. the keltec pf9, the kimber solo, the ruger lc9, etc... My guess would be that with an instrument meant to contain an intensely violent explosion, propel a searing hot hunk of metal faster than the speed of sound, eject another hunk of metal a completely different direction and reset it's starting position all by itself; all while staying within extremely acute& precise tolerances, you're bound to have issues when you shrink it down to something smaller than your hand... THat being said, I think the CM9 is an extremely reliable and accurate pocket 9mm, that in my opinion, outshines it's competition in it's trigger, feel, functionality, looks, and price. Most of the problems people are having w/the CM9 are tertiary, and normally a visit to google and a couple clicks of the mouse will have most everybody's CM9 100%. On the other hand, I will say that Kahr needs to read it's own criticisms on these blogs so that they can get these problems taken care of and addressed by their QC before they leave the factory.

[OldLincoln]

Actually, Hog, the CM9 has done well. There are some hitches now and then, but you read time after time about "another boring CM9 range report." I'd say of those with issues, a good percentage of them haven't followed the proper prep routine or are reporting normal conditions like the notch in the front rail. If you followed each new gun owner through their threads you'll find most turn out well once they gain some knowledge and experience.

As for the magazines, I agree with you. You must realize Kahr does not manufacture their mags and you can imaging them working to improve them, but it's taking a long time. For the interim, the forum has developed workarounds to alleviate many of the problems.

When you look at any product specific forum you will find problems gravitate toward it. I looked for a new washing machine and found that to be true, same with cars, even the Lexus forum. Same for most gun forums, from low end to high - that's $300 to $2500.

I guess I have concluded that's the nature of the mechanical beast. Perhaps that's why space ship cost so much. They don't have many second opportunities to get it right. But not many would pay a couple million dollars for a 9mm pistol.

[Ressom]

It sure seems to me that there have been a whole lot of people with problems with their CM9's. Seems like every other thread is dealing with it in one way or the other. Any thoughts? While I have the floor, there is another thing that is on my mind. Why does Kahr have so many problems with their magazines? In the big scheme of things, you would think that the mags would be a slam dunk. The springs are too long, the mags don't fall out easily, they are dirty from the factory, they may allow the top shell to hit the slide stop...etc. I don't understand how this can happen on an ongoing basis. Any thoughts on this, as well?? Thanks, Mike :7:

Actually, I think I've seen more of these types of posts ^ than actual problems with the CM9.

I could tell you that my CM9 now has 1183 flawless rounds through it, but that is not as interesting as reading about peoples problem CM9's.

[jocko]

OLD LINCOLN I guess I have concluded that's the nature of the mechanical beast. Perhaps that's why space ship cost so much. They don't have many second opportunities to get it right. But not many would pay a couple million dollars for a 9mm pistol

If one is looking for the perfect pistol, KEEP LOOKING...



but how many times have we read where launches have been delayed due to a fault issue or how many people have died fromn space launches

[JimC]

IMO, it seems pretty simple to me, the CM9 wasn't/isn't ready for prime time yet.
Kahr should have done more in depth testing of the pistol before putting it out for consumption by the general public.
I haven't seen as many negative reports on the PM9 as the CM9.
There are those who will view the CM9 thru their rose colored glasses but the truth of the fact is, there are CM9 buyers with problems right out of the box and these problems should not be happening.

[jocko]

well I guess we are entitled to our opinions..

[JimC]

well I guess we are entitled to our opinions..

Yes we are, especially those opinions formed by reading the obvious.

[Hognutz]

I do agree that a lot of the problems that are encountered with the CM9 are, in fact, self inflicted. I do believe that the CM9 is a worthy weapon. I was just curious as to why there were so many CM9 problems, and so few self inflicted problems with the PM9. Now as far as the magazine problems, they need to be addressed. The quality control needs to be looked at, whoever makes them. The Kahr name deserves better..JMHO..Mike

[rclAlaric]

IMO, it seems pretty simple to me, the CM9 wasn't/isn't ready for prime time yet.
Kahr should have done more in depth testing of the pistol before putting it out for consumption by the general public.
I haven't seen as many negative reports on the PM9 as the CM9.
There are those who will view the CM9 thru their rose colored glasses but the truth of the fact is, there are CM9 buyers with problems right out of the box and these problems should not be happening.

I have been reading (not much posting) the forum for quite a while. I do remember many stellar reviews of the CM9. In fact, many posted how they thought that this gun may not have some of the problems that the PM9 had.

Now we see postings of people with problem CM9s.

But isn't that the fact of forums? You get more posts from people with problems (squeaky wheel syndrome).

Those of us without problems chime in here from time to time, but mostly read these forums.

BTW, my CM9 has been flawless ever since the 200 round break-in period. I haven't had the chance to clean the gun in a few weeks and she still shoots flawlessly, with a couple of hundred more rounds through her.

Great gun!

[hoghunter]

As a footnote, please note that there is me, HOGHUNTER, and the OP of this thread HOGNUTZ. We are two different people.

As far as the question, I can tell you that I have not put this much effort into a pistol to get it right- EVER. In a very strange way I feel more attached to this little CM9 than I ever have with any of the old pistols I have since traded away. I guess when you own a pistol that you take to the range and it fires as normal you don't get that "bonding" time. I have learned this CM9 inside and out. I never got to know any of my Glocks, S&Ws, Rugers, CZ, etc. the way I have this Kahr. Kinda like an old friend now- even though I've only owned it for less than 2 months. Seems like the more effort I put into this relationship the tighter the bond. OK- that was weird, I'll admit it. Hopefully someone out there understands what I mean.

[Ikeo74]

Lube at the factory, end problems.

IMO only, Kahr is selling so many of these CM9 pistols at probabaly the fastest rate of any previous pistol that we are only hearing complaints because of new Kahr first time buyers like me. I just bought a CM9 also and I love the gun. I think the only problem with the gun is that Kahr is not lubeing the gun at the factory good enough. Then they recommend that the new owner break it down and oil it up. There lies the problem. New Kahr owners are not putting the springs back in correctly and this causes the problem of malfunctions. This problem could be solved if Kahr lubed the gun at the factory to a redy for the 200 round break-in procedure. Then you will see all these malfunctions dissappear. It's as simple as that, come on Kahr, you have a big winner here, lube it at the factory and end complaints. Repeat, I love my new CM9 and it's my new carry gun.

[OldLincoln]

A very long time ago when I was breaking in my new PM9, I investigated to find where problems lay. I toyed with the action without a spring to see what mechanisms did what and how it could be improved. Bawanna encouraged me to buff some places so I got a cheap rotary tool from Harbor freight and polished the ramp & chamber. I had noticed the upper inside on the slide was discolored from heat and it was gouged, so I polished it smooth to a mirror finish. I found where the top front of the barrel shroud was burred so I smoothed and polished that. There were wear marks on the barrel so I polished that. I continued polishing all the shiny parts such as the cams, rear rails, striker assembly, and even the outer recoil spring guide. I polished the mags and modified the mag lips to feed better and the mag well do let them fall freely. All in all I did a lot of fun (not work) and had a ball. Bawanna called it "fluff and buff" which is accurate and appropriate.

The gun was perfect from then on. I wrote about my fun here and offered to fluff & buff guns for free just because it's fun to me, but unless they lived in my town it's unlikely to happen because they don't know me and shipping with legal stuff is costly. I asked why Kahr doesn't do that before shipping, and was told that it's expensive and adding more to the price would hurt sales too much. I agree I spent a lot of time on mine.

I wish so much there were a way for Kahr to do the Fluff & Buff but reality is they can but would you, the customer, pay for it. Jocko made a valid point that not everybody needs or cares to have it done, but those that do can send it to Cylinder & Slide and they will do it. Point is if you want it you can buy the service.

I looked around and found several name brands have similar issues. Their forums talk about one problem or another with new guns and many related to the break in activity.

Kahr has since begun polishing the ramp which was the number one issue at the time. Mine is a black slide and that inside upper was coated, which I think was the main cause of the friction there. I don't know if they still coat that or not.

So they have to break in which is messy and a PITA but think of them like a puppy that you have to housebreak and clean up accidents, take outside to do their business, etc. But better, once your Kahr is housebroken, it's yours to command.

[Russ]

IMO, it seems pretty simple to me, the CM9 wasn't/isn't ready for prime time yet.
Kahr should have done more in depth testing of the pistol before putting it out for consumption by the general public.
I haven't seen as many negative reports on the PM9 as the CM9.
There are those who will view the CM9 thru their rose colored glasses but the truth of the fact is, there are CM9 buyers with problems right out of the box and these problems should not be happening.

Jim

I sent my Cm9 back. After the second night sight breaking off in 50 rounds I gave up. I loved how the gun concealed in my front pocket but three trips to Kahr in three months of ownership was enough for me to wring my hands and say I'm done. Stinks I really liked the Cm 9 until I started shooting it. I hate not having a concealed gun. I am really hoping Beretta Nano will be the answer. If the Ruger LCR was a little smaller I would bag the idea of a pocket semi auto for a trusted snub nose revolver.