| Kahr PM Series | |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Justin Moon |
| Manufacturer | Kahr Arms |
| Variants | See article |
| Specifications | |
| Barrel length | See article |
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| Caliber |
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| Action | short recoil locked breech |
| Feed system | 5, 6, and 7 round magazine |
| Sights |
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The Kahr PM series is a product line of double action only (DAO) hammerless, striker-fired, short recoil operated, semi-automatic pistols manufactured by Kahr Arms in Worcester, Massachusetts.[1] The target market for the PM (Polymer Micro)[2] line is the civilian concealed carry firearms market, as well as being intended as backup weapons for Law Enforcement officers.[3]
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When the first Kahr pistols appeared on the market in 1994 they were constructed entirely of carbon steel.[3] Early Kahr models such as the K9 were praised as well-made and solidly constructed,[4] but criticized for their excessive weight which is a disadvantage in a weapon intended for concealed carry. Kahr attempted to address these concerns by introducing pistols which were physically smaller, as well as a line of polymer framed models. The PM series combined both these approaches, introducing polymer framed pistols that were also the smallest Kahr models ever produced.[5]
As noted above, PM series pistols are manufactured with stainless steel slides which ride on steel inserts within the polymer frames,[5] preventing the wear which would otherwise be inherent with metal slide to plastic frame contact.[6] Available ammunition chamberings include 9x19mm Parabellum (PM9), .40 Smith & Wesson (PM40), and .45 ACP (PM45); magazine capacities vary between 5, 6, and 7 rounds depending on model and caliber. PM series pistols are noted for being very no-nonsense and utilitarian in appearance,[3][5] with black plastic grips and a brushed stainless or blackened Tungsten TLC stainless slides. Produced by applying a thin but tough protective coating, the TLC patina was labeled "Black Diamond" in early production, and is valued for its lack of attention-catching light reflection in dim surroundings. TLC coatings also serve to protect the slide from oxidization, nicks and scrapes.[5] PM pistols are known for having very smooth and consistent DAO trigger pulls[3] of approximately six pounds,[4] and large and easy to see sights in various configurations including night sights.[3][7] Simplified controls exemplified by the lack of a manual safety lever are also positive attributes and contribute to a desirable package for concealment use.[4] The PM series is noted for having a fully enclosed trigger transfer bar and the engineering design work necessary to fit it inside the cramped space of the receiver resulted in several beneficial lockwork changes. One such change was that the cartridge feed ramp had to be offset, which in turn allowed the overall receiver design to be thinner,[3] it also permitted the slide to be more squat with a low bore axis, resulting is less muzzle rise and flip. The PM barrel configuration boasts polygonal rifling, which in theory will wear longer and gather less fouling.[6] Overall, an important innate advantage of the Kahr pistol design is that it is identical in function and trigger action across virtually all Kahr models, meaning that once a user becomes familiar with the handling characteristics and ‘feel’ of one model, the learning curve for mastery of other Kahr firearms is much shorter.[3]
While highly regarded overall, reviewers have offered various criticisms of the PM series. The entire PM product line is known for requiring a 'breaking-in' period. Kahr Arms has indicated that its products are to be broken in with at least 200 rounds fired initially, as is the case with most firearms.[4] In addition, though the 9x19mm Parabellum PM9 has the reputation of being controllable with some minor modification of firing techniques,[2] the .40 and .45 caliber variants are known to produce gun-handling difficulties in rapid fire due to their heavier recoil and resulting muzzle rise. In response to this criticism, some reviewers have observed that very small and light large bore pistols in general share this reputation, suggesting that they are best wielded by experienced and proficient shooters who practice regularly.[4][5] Other known PM series deficiencies include excessive trigger travel, and a magazine release which occasionally fails to allow magazines to fall freely on the PM40 model.[7] The magazine release and recoil springs on the PM40 pistol have also been known to occasionally break.[8]
9x19 Parabellum caliber. Weight 15.9 ounces, length: 5.3 inches, width: .90 inches, height: 4.0 inches, 3.0 inch barrel with 1:10 right hand twist, drift adjustable white bar-dot combat sights/optional tritium night sights, two magazines - one 6 round flush fit, and one 7 round extension.[9]
The following accuracy results were documented for the Kahr PM9 pistol in The American Rifleman magazine:[5]
| Ammunition | Velocity (ft/s) @ 15 feet | Energy (ft•lbs) | Smallest group size (inches) | Largest. group size (inches) | Avg. group size (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Hills 124-gr. JHP | 1068 | 315 | 1.75 | 2.75 | 2.15 |
| Federal147-gr. Hydra-Shok JHP | 845 | 233 | 1.38 | 2.25 | 1.85 |
| Hornady115-gr. XPT JHP | 1030 | 272 | 1.88 | 2.63 | 2.08 |
.40 S&W caliber. Weight 16.9 ounces, length: 5.35 inches, width: .94 inch, height: 4.0 inches, 3.08 inch barrel with 1:16 right hand twist, drift adjustable white bar-dot combat sights/optional tritium night sights, two magazines - one 5 round flush fit, and one 6 round extension.[11]
An accuracy test of Kahr’s PM40 published in Shooting Illustrated magazine yielded the following results:[7]
| Ammunition | Group 1 (inches) | Group 2 (inches) | Group 3 (inches) | Group 4 (inches) | Group 5 (inches) | Avg. group size (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester 155 grain Silvertip hollow point | 4.25 | 4.5 | 3.25 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.8 |
.45 ACP caliber. Weight 19.3 ounces, length: 5.67 inches, width: 1.01 inch, height: 4.49 inches, 3.14 inch barrel with 1:16.38 right hand twist, low profile white bar-dot combat sights/optional tritium night sights, two 5 round magazines.[13]
The following accuracy test of the Kahr PM45 was published in Shooting Illustrated magazine:[6]
| Ammunition | Velocity | Group size (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hills 230 JHP | 766 | 1.29 |
| CorBon 160 DPX | 1094 | 1.53 |
| CorBon 165 PowR Ball | 1089 | 1.33 |
| CorBon 230 HP +P | 885 | 1.45 |
| Hornady 185 JHP XTP | 932 | 1.26 |
| Hornady 230 FMJ | 708 | 1.17 |
| Remington 185 Golden Saber HP | 872 | 1.48 |