Reliability of Kahr Pistols

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rodwhaincamo

New member
After looking over the many slim sub compact pistols for my GF the Kahr's just seemed the overall best choice for the $. The more and more I read and looked at them the more I was set on them being the ideal CC for her (after renting the options).
I signed up at Kahrtalk and find that they seem to be fairly problematic. It makes me think of Taurus...a gamble.
I can look past the break-in period as it could have tight tolerances or such. No biggie. But to have triggers not reset, slides not lock back, or lock back early, followers catching on the mag release, parts working loose, etc. is not something I'd feel comfy relying on to protect her.
Of course every manufacturer has problems from time to time. And I have no idea what the level of sample I'm hearing of is.
Would you trust a broken-in Kahr with your life?
 
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RetiredMajor

New member
I trust my Kahr PM9 every time I carry. I've had it for 3 years now and have at least 2000 rounds through it. I've shot it at IDPA matches,too. I had a few failures to feed in the first 200 or so rounds (that was a long time ago) and that was it.

I've experienced absolutely no problems with my Kahr and I trust it completely.

Best of luck with your choice,
Major
 
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camsdaddy

New member
Debating a CW45 myself. I can tell you they spend some cash on advertising. They are highly rated and often written about. Hard to deny the large Kahr ads close by. I've been researching awhile. Seems most owners are pleased and vocal. Accuracy, dependability etc.
 
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KyJim

New member
I recently purchased a CM9 and have put about 250 rounds through it (more rounds through it later this week). I think you absolutely have to break these pistols in. At least with the small ones, have a nice firm grip on them. But that's on just about any of the small semi-autos. Also, keep in mind that those with problems are more likely to post about them.

I started carrying mine this past week, both in a pocket holster and IWB holster. So, that answers your question about trusting your life to it.
 
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rodwhaincamo

New member
I thought most seemed more than pleased after their break-in. But now I'm reading of lots of problems.
I still consider them an option. Especially the CM9. Nothing else out there that size for that cost. And they seem to have high velocities despite their short barrels.
Next up would be the LC9 or 250sc
Are the High Standard Back Up's worth a look see?
 
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orionengnr

New member
I own a Kahr PM9 which experienced the "dreaded barrel peening", which was characteristic of a certain serial number range. Kahr fixed it quickly and correctly, first time, on their dime. I carried it every day for 3 1/2 years, and shot it at least once per month during that time.

I own a P45 that has worked perfectly from round #1. I carried it for a year and a half, and shot it at least once a month during that time.

I owned a PM45 that I hoped would be the perfect compromise between the PM9 and the P45. It worked great (but really showed me no advantage over either) so I sold it to a friend who disagrees with my assessment and carries it every day.

I plan on buying a P380 and selling my LCP.

Edited to add: If you are in TX and want to try one or more of mine, pm me.
This offer is not limited to the OP. :)
 
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rodwhaincamo

New member
"Also, keep in mind that those with problems are more likely to post about them."
I figure you only hear about less than 10% of the good ones as not many owners take the time to join a forum, yet many will quickly join to raise the alarm.
 
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franco45

New member
I own three Kahr pistols. A CW9, a CM9 and a CW45. Both 9mm guns have been flawless. Over 1000 rounds through the CW and about 250 rounds through my new CM. The CW45 had 3 ftfeed in the first 200 rounds but has been perfect for over 500 rounds now.
I think you will find that when one does experience a problem with a gun they will go to the forum for that gun to get information. Many who have no problems don't post.

Sorry Kyjim, I just noticed that you already made the point about gun forums.:eek:
 
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TX15

New member
The 9mm's run without issue for the most part. The 45's have issues. I've owned 2 and know of 4 more with similar faults. I really wanted to trust them but I had jamming issues on both. I've been told that it was magazine issues and that they've corrected it.
 
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Willieboy

New member
I own a PM9 and a K9. I've carried the PM9 every day this summer. I have 800 rounds through it and it's been perfect with the 6 round magazines. i traded in the 7 round magazine, which was not reliable, for another 6 rounder.

The K9 has been perfect and is one of my favorite handguns.
 
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rodwhaincamo

New member
Another thing that keeps me interested is a Covert conversion. Especially the photos I saw in which the backstrap is cut to fit the magazine with finger extension flushly. Cool. I had always wanted a Kimber Compact or Safari Arms (oly Arms now) Enforcer with the 4" barrel as I had carried a Hardballer for quite awhile, though it was a bit much for my scrawny frame.
 
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Sgt Pepper

New member
I have a P45. I acquired it used a number of years ago with an unknown round count. It has never failed in my hands, but I have only put a couple hundred through it. It may very be the perfect .45 acp carry gun. Thin, light, compact, smooth consistent trigger, soft shooting, and really, really accurate. It is the gun that I always had wished Glock would make.
 
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Johannes_Paulsen

New member
Have an MK9. Had an FTE in the first 200 rounds. After that, no issues, other than one or two more FTEs -- but both of those were from a suspect box of 100-rd Winchester White Box that caused FTEs in other pistols, too.
 
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MLeake

New member
I had to do a slight fluff-n-buff on my PM9, especially on a part of the polymer frame where the edge had a burr. I also had to stop using the 7rd magazine.

Once I did those two things, I had no further feed issues with the gun. I had almost given up on it, but it has turned out to be a good gun ever since.

Most rounds I've put through it in one day has been 400; it had no failures.
 
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Billy Shears

New member
CW9. Two years. 1,500 rounds of all different types of ammo including lots of handloads. Zero malfunctions of any kind. Ever.

Mine goes with me almost everywhere. It's an ideal concealed carry pistol for me.

Had a CW40 for a while too. It was flawless but I preferred the 9mm so I sold the .40.

They really are great firearms. Give 'em a try.
 
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GDCooper

New member
MK40 and PM9, both have been flawless and are favorite carries.

Also have a Sig P238 that lots of shooters have had problems with, while I've had none.

Maybe I've been REALLY lucky??

Or more likely, there's an occasional lemon out of thousands like anything else, plus "operator error" that gets blamed on the gun.

Regardless, I have no hesitation in recommending the Kahr models I have. Really like the MK, great workmanship.
 
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AustinTX

New member
Just received my P380 from its third vacation to warranty service since mid-April on Tuesday. It will be taking its fourth trip tomorrow afternoon.
 
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BerettaBuckeye

New member
In my experience the 9mm guns are the best and their .45 are the worst.The K9 has a great reputation and the P9/CW9/PM9/CM9's are known as pretty reliable too. I personally think the CW9 is one of the best 9mm carry guns out there. Of course I carry a 1911 in .45 but that's a whole 'nother topic
 
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