Kahr PM series

The Kahr PM series (Polymer Micro) is a series of double action only (DAO) hammerless, striker-fired, short recoil operated, semi-automatic pistols manufactured by Kahr Arms. The target market for the PM line is the civilian concealed carry market, as well as being intended as backup weapons for law enforcement officers.

Development
When the first Kahr pistols appeared on the market in 1994 they were constructed entirely of carbon steel. Early Kahr models such as the K9 were praised as well-made and solidly constructed, 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.

Design features
As noted above, PM series pistols are manufactured with stainless steel slides which ride on steel inserts within the polymer frames, preventing the wear which would otherwise be inherent with metal slide to plastic frame contact. The PM is available in 9x19mm (PM9), .40 S&W (PM40), and .45 ACP (PM45). The series is noted for being very no-nonsense and utilitarian in appearance, with black plastic grips and a brushed stainless or blackened Tungsten DLC (Diamond-Like Coating) stainless slides. Produced by applying a thin but tough protective coating, the DLC patina was labeled "Black Diamond" in early production, and is valued for its lack of attention-catching light reflection in dim surroundings. DLC coatings also serve to protect the slide from oxidization, nicks and scrapes. PM pistols are known for having very smooth and consistent DAO trigger pulls of approximately six pounds, and large and easy to see sights in various configurations including night sights. Simplified controls exemplified by the lack of a manual safety lever are also positive attributes and contribute to a desirable package for concealment use. The PM series is also noted for having a fully enclosed trigger draw 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, 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. 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.

Criticisms
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. In addition, though the 9x19mm PM9 has the reputation of being controllable with some minor modification of firing techniques, 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. 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. The magazine release and recoil springs on the PM40 pistol have also been known to occasionally break.

PM9
The Kahr PM9 is chambered in 9x19 Parabellum. It comes standard with either a black frame and stainless slide, or fully matte black. Additional features available on some models are tritium night sights and Crimson Trace laser sights.

A special model also features a manual safety and a loaded chamber indicator. These added features make the pistol approved for sale in Massachusetts.

PM40
The Kahr PM40 is chambered in .40 S&W. It comes standard with either a black frame and stainless slide, or fully matte black. Additional features available on some models are tritium night sights and Crimson Trace laser sights.

A special model also features a manual safety and a loaded chamber indicator. These added features make the pistol approved for sale in Massachusetts.

PM45
The Kahr PM45 is chambered in .45 ACP. It comes standard with either a black frame and stainless slide, or fully matte black. Additional features available on some models are tritium night sights and Crimson Trace laser sights.

A special model also features a manual safety and a loaded chamber indicator. These added features make the pistol approved for sale in Massachusetts.