Kahr PM40 Owners - Info Please!

[PackinMama]

I'm supposed to be trading my Marlin 336 rifle for a Kahr PM40 today.....if all goes well. I am wondering who has (or had) one and what you think about it?

This one is used, 300 rds. down the tube, and supposedly no problems at all with it. I have been reading some horror stories about these......along with a lot of praise as well. I've read that some of the earlier models had some major problems and you either got a good one or a bad one. The one I'm trading for was made in 2004. I'm wondering if that's considered an "early" model or not?

So if you have one of these, or if you've had one in the past, tell me your experience with them. If you know the year it was made, that would be helpful as well!

Here's a list I found of the serial number ranges and dates of manufacture so you can tell when yours was made. This is for the Kahr 40's only:

40 S&W SN's

BB0xxx - MK40 Elite98 - Sep 2003

BB0303 - MK40 Elite98 - Date unknown

DB04XX - K40 - Feb 1996 matte stainless

DB11xx - K40 - Jun 1997

DF04xx - K40 - 1998

DF08xx - K40 - 1998

DF17xx - K40 - date unknown

DF28xx - K40 - Aug 1998

DF33xx - K40 - 1998

DF50xx - K40 - Jul 2004

DJ02xx - K40 - 1998

DJ0xxx - K40 Elite 98 - Jun 2003

DK0015 - K40 Covert (stainless) - Date unknown

DK090xx - K40 (Steel Covert 1 of 75) according to Kahr produced April 1999

DK11xx - K40 - date unknown

DK14xx - K40 Covert - Jan 2001 (disc., scarce; poster's example RIP)

DL03xx - K40 - Apr 1999

FD267x - CW40 - Jan 2009

FD34xx -MK40 - date unknown

HA0xxx - MK40 - May 1999

HA16xx - MK40 - date unknown ('99 manual)

HA25xx - MK40 - Dec 2003 (Stainless Steel)

HA26xx - MK40 - Jun 2004

HA27xx - MK40 - Jan 2005

HB01xx - MK40Elite03 - Oct 2007

SD02xx - CW45 - Jan 2008,

TA00xx - T40 - Oct 2003

TA015x - T40 - Oct 2004

WA00xx - PM40 - Jul 2004

WA02xx - PM40 - Aug 2003

WA05xx - PM40 - date unknown

WA1xxx - PM40 - Apr 2004

WA12xx - PM40 - Date unknown

WA20xx - PM40 - Apr 2004

WA21xx - PM40 - Feb 2004

WA303x - PM40 - Jun 2004

WA34xx - PM40 - Feb 2005

WA44xx - PM40 - Dec 2005 (Black Diamond)

WA64xx - PM40 - Feb 2006

WA65xx - PM40 - Mar 2006

WA72xx - PM40 - Oct 2006

WB07xx - PM40 - Sep 2007

ZA00xx - P40 - Date unknown

ZA17xx - P40 Covert - Jun 2001

ZA25xx - P40 - Jun 2003

ZA38xx - P40 - Dec 2004

ZA74xx - P40 - May 2006 (black slide)

ZA82XX - CW40 - Sep 2006

ZA89xx - P40 - Nov 2006

ZA96xx - P40 - Dec 2006

ZB28xx - CW40 - Date unknown

ZB31xx - CW40 - May 2007

ZC000x - P40 Covert - Dec 2002

ZC06xx - P40 Covert - Sep 2003

ZC08xx - P40 Covert - Jul 2003

[lowbud]

to me... the PM40 is the best feeling, shooting, most comfortable concealed carry gun I have had to date. It's the only one I have not sold nor even thought of trading. I bought it.. kept it.. and carry it every single day. Mine is a recent production serial JA3xxx.

The first mag I ran through it had one FTF. After that it's had ~500 flawless rounds down the pipe. Half of those being speer gold dot and hornady critical defense JHP. It's run everything I put in it perfectly.

Edited January 16, 2010 by lowbud

[crnchy]

I bought a PM40 at the show last weekend

WA55xx - placing it made at the very end of 05 or beginning of 06.

It was filthy when I got it - I was on the way to the range so I attempted to shoot a couple magazines.

The gun could not make it through five shots in a row without jamming. I took it home and cleaned it thoroughly and it still jams (although significantly less) It seems to have trouble properly seating the round around the third or fourth shot.

I haven't decided my next course of action. I just wanted to give you my experience.

So far my opinion is not a good one even though I really wanted to love this gun.

Its significantly smaller than my Walther PPS and I was excited to have it for an ankle bug

[Raoul]

I bought one about 18 months ago. I had one ftf in the first mag. No other problems. I have about 800 rounds through it and no problems. It's a great size and a good shooter. It's my usual daily carry piece.

Maybe yours needs a visit back to the mothership.

My serial # is JAXXXX

Edited January 17, 2010 by Raoul

[andersmg]

I own the Pm40, black diamond model, purchased it used and mine has been flawless. I have also owned the PM9 and it was flawless as well as the CW40 I am currently carrying.

The thing with the kahrs from what I understand is sometime you get one that does not want to run right, but I have not had that problem.

If the guy will let you shoot it you should try it out.

[PackinMama]

Well....the trade didn't go down today. The guy was supposed to call me after lunchtime and I've still not heard from him. I tried to call him and got his voicemail. I talked to him for about 45 minutes last night and he totally seemed legit.....seems like a great guy actually. He told me that I could take the gun and shoot it after we trade and if anything was wrong with it, he'd swap the rifle back with me for it. I'm hoping something just came up and he'll call me tonight or tomorrow. I figure if it doesn't happen, it just wasn't meant to be. We'll see what happens and I'll keep you posted.