PM9 chronograph results

[JimC]

I got in a short but productive range session today after some early morning rain.
I’ve wanted to see for myself what the MV of the Speer 124 gr. +P short barrel load is out of my PM9. This is my current SD load.
I was also curious about the Win. 127 gr. +P+ load thru the short 3” PM9 bbl.

Here are my results:

Speer Gold Dot # 23611 124 gr. +P short barrel.

Avg. 6 rds. – 1116.6 fps
ES – 15.1 fps

Avg. 6 rds. – 1121.2 fps
ES – 31.7 fps

Winchester Ranger # RA9TA 127 gr. +P+

Avg. 6 rds. – 1117.4 fps
ES – 21.6 fps

Winchester NATO # Q4318 124 gr. FMJ

Avg. 6 rds. – 1045.1 fps
ES – 73.4 fps

Avg. 6 rds. – 1056.2 fps
ES – 58.3 fps

As one can see, the 127 gr. Ranger +P+ load is just about the same as the +P 124 gr. Speer load. I actually believe that the +P+ load looses velocity out of the 3” Kahr barrel.

After 1,114 rds, thru my PM9 since July, I decided to swap out the recoil assembly. I used one of the new units direct from Kahr that is reported to have 15 coils on the outer spring but mine can barely come up to 14.5 coils and that’s giving it the benefit of the doubt.
I ran 78 rds. thru the PM9 with the new unit with only 1 FTF and I don’t know why. It was not a “nose dive” but rather just a failure to feed from the mag. I've never experienced a "nose dive" with my PM9 or even a FTF.
Other than that, it’s GTG with a new recoil assembly. Included in the 78 rds. were 20 rds. of my SD load, the Speer 124 gr. +P short barrel, they ran 100%.

[94zcar]

Good results for a 3 inch barrel. Gold dots always seem to be loaded pretty hot.

[green02crew]

Have you ran any 147gr rounds through? I would be interested to see a +P 124gr vs a 147gr same brand/type ammo and see the differences in speed from this short a barrel.

[JimC]

That's on my list of thing to do.
I just bought 500 rds. of the Win. Ranger Bonded 147 gr. JHP ammo (RA9B) that I want to test.

[guido4198]

What was the reason for swapping out the recoil assembly...???

[JimC]

What was the reason for swapping out the recoil assembly...???

I did so because Kahr recommends that the assembly be changed in a carry weapon every 1,200 to 1,500 rds. or every couple of years, which ever comes first.

1,114 rds. was close enough to 1,200 and I was there with the new assembly on hand plus I intend to carry my PM9 on regular basis more than shoot it so I changed it out and test fired it...it's GTG.

[guido4198]

Thanks Jim.
I've seen this recommendation to replace the recoil assembly @ 1500 rds. I understand the wisdom of following the manufacturer's recommendation for your carry weapon. I'm sure I'll do the same. My CM9 is nowhere close to that point yet, although at a couple of hundred rounds every week-end...it won't be long..!!
On that topic though...I'm glad you mentioned it. I'm curious to know what functional manifestations might occur at that level of use to signal that it's time to swap.
Is the 1500 rd. swap universally observed, or has someone run their's well over 1500 and can share their experience..??

One can imagine any number of "issues" which might arise from continuing to fire SD rounds with a recoil assembly that has "aged"(weakened..?) from use. Of course, simple failure to function might be an immediately observable signal that one has pushed the envelope a bit too far. A more insidious issue might be that continuing to fire hot SD rounds with a weakened recoil system could begin to allow FRAME DAMAGE.
Anyone...????

[jocko]

that new recoil spring will take a pre designed set soon and it wil funciton perfeclty., save the old assembly. nice report

changing recoil springs is usually in the eyes of the beholder. Alot of times the gun itself will let you know when it is time to change springs, failure to lock open is usualy a good indication that it might be time, FTRB is also another sigh. Different guns will tell you different things. Kahr used to sell us the outter recoil spring for the pM series guns but now they I guess want to rip us off to buy the entire $25 system which is just not needed. A shame IMO. Eventually wolffs will get some springs out for the cm9 and new slide style PM9 and PM40.

For some owners also 1500 rounds is alot of time shooting. My guess is that most gun owners don't shoot a 1000 rounds out of their guns. But we also know in these new cm9 and new slide style PM9, that when onj e replaces his recoil springs that sometimes he has one hell of a time getting that new set even on, do to the over all strength and length of the outter spring. This will for a few rounds give failure to lock open and possably feed issues. once the spring takes its designed set, all will be well. Some as u know to have clipped off a quarter coil and had zero issues after that to, so travel at ur own speed, remember when u clip u also lesson some spring strength to and IMO a quarter coil off is more than likely NADDA loss..

[WMD]

Interesting results! Just thought I would mention...., the Kahr pistols are not rated for +P+ ammo. Be careful!

[JimC]

Here is the e-mail response from Kahr that I based my decision on to replace my assembly when I did. I figure the cost of the replacement is a small price to pay for peace of mind with my EDC.

You may feel differently and that is by all means you choice.

Good afternoon. Thank you for the question. If the firearm is used as
a carry weapon, we would recommend changing the recoil spring every
1200-1500 rounds or every couple of years (whichever comes first) as
preventative maintenance. If this firearm is just used for range use, we
would recommend changing it whenever you start to see failure to feed or
return to battery issues. I hope this information helps.
sincerely,
Jay
Kahr Customer Service
508-795- 3919

[JimC]

Interesting results! Just thought I would mention...., the Kahr pistols are not rated for +P+ ammo. Be careful!

I'm well aware of that but thanks for reminding me.
I'm of the mindset that a few +P+ rounds now and again will not damage the pistol.

[jocko]

IMO if one needs to

shoot that +P+ stuff in a 9mm , why not just buy a 40 cal and be done with it. I trust that my PM9 would shoot +P+ ammo, but if I have zero intentions of ever carrying it or what ever, then why push the envelope

[OldLincoln]

I may be wrong, but wasn't Kahr originally rated for +P+? Seems like it was then the advertising was changed but I do not recall a warning not to shoot it. I suspect it was the Buffalo stuff that made a lot of folks rightly shy away from +P+ and I won't shoot it in mine for sure. And as you saw the +P+ tested doesn't make a hair's difference to the bad guy.

I do carry +P mainly because it's pushing a 147gn HST and didn't cost any more than the standard when I bought it. I've been rightly accused of trying to mimic a 45, but if I had one I'd be carrying it with a +P HST also. So would I then be mimicing a .50? I sure won't carry one of those around.

[jocko]

I have never read it. Many shy away from saying it is OK for as u know +P+ really has no indfustry accepted standards. I think from the legal standpoint they are not ging to tell one to shoot +P+ like u stole it.. I have no doubt kahrs can take +P+ ammo, how long is another story. I don't know of to many who shoot +P+ for range fodder either, so for ccw carry more than likely it is gonna go bang every time. It seems some (not u of course) want to always push the envelope with things, not just firearms either..

[Bill K]

Thanks for the interesting data.

The spring issue is one reason I have two Kel-Tec .380s, one with a laser for mostly training/practice and a second for mostly carry. Hate to discover in a SD situation that I should have replaced the guide rod springs. Using the same reasoning maybe buy a CM9 as a mate for my PM9?

I don't get the part about replacing based on a time interval, can someone explain that to me? Thanks...