Anyone familiar with Kahr (esp. PM45)

[1sailor]

I carried a J frame 357 for several years but as I've gotten older it's become harder to shoot well. I have a Shield45 that I've taken out a few times and I shoot it pretty well. I've been carrying it for about a week but I'm just not as comfortable with it as I am with my J frame. The Kahr's got my attention just because they have a more revolver like trigger which both cocks and fires the gun. I no nothing at all about Kahr. Never even knew anyone who had one. They've been around a while though so I'm hoping some of our members here might have some experience with Kahr in general but in particular the PM45. Thanks.

 

[Mike in Reedley]

I have a CW9, P9 and a PM9. They’ve well made, but to me, the trigger pull is longer and has a slower reset than that of a J frame. I believe I can shoot the J frame faster, but the Kahr more accurately. I quit shooting the Kahr all together when I got my hands on an Sig P365. I have no experience with their .45.

 

[blockislander]

I have a Kahr PM 9 and shoot it well. The trigger is very revolver like as you mentioned. I think they are well made. The 45 will he a handful I suspect. I also switched to an Sig p365 or a S&W 442 for carry.

 

[Bruce51]

I don't believe that I would enjoy shooting 45 in such a light short pistol.

Having shot a Colt Officers in 45 I found even in a heavy all stainless pistol I need a longer grip to control recoil.

I do have a PM9. Easy to shoot and control for follow up shots.

Light and easy to carry. There are two things which apply to the PM9 that may be the same for the PM45.

The manual shows the proper recoil spring orientation for function. Put in wrong the spring can slip out the front. Yes I did that once.

Second I cannot rack a round into the chamber. Lock the slide open, insert magazine and then drop the slide release. It will feed hollow points every time that way. Otherwise racked the round nose dives into the feed ramp.

That's it. Not so much about the PM45 but something you might need to know.

Bruce

 

[Telecaster]

I love Kahrs, and had a PM 45 for a while. Great little gun. Recoil is snappy, but not horrible. The CM45 is cheaper and identical in most ways that matter.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Also have a PM-9.
Trigger is like shooting a Revolver Double Action.
6 round single stack flush mags, also have some 7 and 8 rounders.
I would prefer the model with a longer grip. Not as concealable but more to hold on too!
Just saw on YouTube Kahr has double stackers inbound.
And they can use Sig 365 and Hellcat mags!!
I recall one failure to return to Full Battery while doing new gun break-in,
Otherwise no problems.

 

[hardknocks]

PM45

I've had several over the years, currently have the PM45 it's pretty snappy.
I also have a K9 and PM9.
All the kahr guns I had were great, but I had a PM 9 that broke followers I had to shorten the feed ramp I did that in my garage. It even ran with the front of the follower broke ?
I have read many posts where people have had bad luck with kahr.

 

[dsf]

I have the PM40 and the PM45. The PM40 is my EDC when out of CA. The PM40 and PM 9 are the same size. The PM45 is larger in the grip but barely larger in the slide. MyPM40 and PM45 fit in the same model DeSantis speed scabbard.



I did a bit of fiddling with mine, really didn't change the basic function of that long "double action" trigger pull. Which is the specific reason I bought the guns and use them.

The striker fired stuff is fine, I have my share. They have FP blocks - great. "Trigger safety" - OK, but it's not for me either. I like the long, DA revolver like pull, and that when the trigger is at rest so is the FP spring. The Kahr has a sort of pivoting sear that depresses the FP spring and releases the striker.

Kahr magazines aren't all that expensive and the larger capacity mags fit the shorter PM series.

I've had a LTC or CCW for almost 50 years. The PM and a J frame Model 638 are pretty much what's best for me 99% of the time.

 

[4T5GUY]

I have a P380, (bought first,) 2, (different,) PM9’s and a PM45 and regularly carry them all depending.

Obviously I think highly of them. I don’t notice any trigger issues but I’m used to them and like them.

The PM45 easy to control but gets uncomfortable after rapidly firing several magazines. The bore axis is lower and it seems that makes a difference in recoil and muzzle rise. The polygonal rifled Carl Lothar match grade barrels make the PM series very accurate. Lead bullets, even extremely hard casts cannot be used though. Trust me.

Jim

 

[LVSteve]

I have a CW9. I had to change the mag followers to stop it tossing rounds out the top. I found the gun soaks up recoil very well, probably because it has a very heavy recoil spring. The shape of the trigger and the length of my fingers had me shooting low. I need to fit an aftermarket straight trigger. Pull weight is fine.

 

[1sailor]

Thanks for the quick replies. After carrying my Shield for a few days I've decided that's about as large as I want to go in size and weight. I wish there was someplace I could go to compare some of the Kahr models. Unfortunately doing that would end up being an all day affair as I'd have a 3 hour drive ahead of me each way at least. From their specs even the P45 and the CW45 are smaller than my Shield but paper specs don't always tell the whole story. I do not believe in "dressing for the gun", at least not for an EDC so any carry piece has to work with my every day street clothes.

 

[otis24]

Great pistols. Love the ergonomics and the smooth trigger pull. Don’t forget about the T9, which is about an inch longer and taller than the K9. Very well made pistols!

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I have a CM40.

The Kahr's DA trigger in surprisingly smooth, if not long.

They seem to have slides that are a little harder to rack than other brands.

Since they're generally smaller pistols this, combined with harder racking, might be a consideration if your hand strength isn't what it used to be.

At one LGS I asked why they don't carry any new Kahrs & they said one reason is because they're harder for older people to rack the slides.

Something to double-check if you get to play with one.

.

 

[RedCardinal]

I have a Kahr MK9 Elite 03. It is NIB so I have no experience on how it shoots. It seemed to be a perfect CCW at the time I bought it for my collection. If you are interested in a deal, send me a PM. Just posted it in the classifieds.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

PM 40 here, with a Viridian R5 Laser and their Reactor holster...

It is the "smallest with the mostest" as far as I'm concerned!. Go to Handgun Hero for a size comparison ( M&P Shield 45 vs. KAHR PM 40).

Their 380s are REALLY small. IMHO their triggers are outstanding for a striker fired pistol: if there was a double action revolver with that kind of "feel" it would corner the market!

Cheers!

P.S. The excellent suggestion by Bruce in Post #4 goes for all the KAHRs.

 

[pjpjr]

Kahr PM40 here, small, reliable, accurate and powerful! What's not to like...it's my EDC and I'm very happy with it! Many miles traveled with this pistol!!
I know many comments on the snappiest and difficult to shoot etc., I keep the gun and it intended use in focus. It is a defensive pistol, not target gun, so it works quite well with that in mind!

 

[brendonjames65]

I’ve owned a Kahr P45 (slightly larger than the PM45) for a dozen years and I really like it. It’s been very reliable, accurate, easy to shoot and a pleasure to carry concealed. I tend to carry a hi cap Glock 9mm nowadays but still carry the Kahr P45 on occasion. I have read of some reliability issues with the Kahr’s on occasion but I’ve zero problems with mine, the only Kahr I’ve owned.

 

[mtgianni]

I have a PM40 and find it controllable when shooting 145 or 175 gr bullets. It is more accurate than I expected it to be.

 

[pharmer]

I have the P9, no issues with it at all. I prefer the 7 rd mag to the 8 rd but that's just me. A great CC choice. Joe

 

[hardluk1]

Depending on your hand size and strength the CM series can test your ability . I bought a cm9 years ago but found my hands where more suited to the CW series pistols and a the cw45 will use most 1911officers mags and with spacers long higher cap full size for back up . MY cm9 is my youngest daughters now . The cwis my older daughters and the TP40 is her husband's today . I still have a ct45 full size 4" barrel and using 1911 mags too . trigger pull is not revolver DA long or heavy .

My Kahr CT45 has a 4lb 12oz ultra smooth stock trigger pull weight and for defensive short shooting maybe out to 15 or 25 yards depending on skills you should be sweeping the trigger while at 5 yards and less your more than likely slapping it . Save the short reset follow the reset trigger skills for target shooting or shooting a tuned up 1911 .

Now If you consider a s&w 340pd as a small handgun check out how a CW45 compares at Handgun Hero - link below . With a flush fit +1 1911 officers metal base mag mag over the kahr mag while the height difference is less than a 1/4" with the flush fit 1911 mag , small over all length difference of .02 and thinner but it is 21oz and thats not a bad thing in 45acp . Kahrs accuracy regardless of more is purdy darn good .

You can more the handguns around in the Table Top Comparison section .

Kahr CW45 vs Smith & Wesson Model 340 PD size comparison | Handgun Hero