Kahr PM9 recoil spring.... can we reduce the tension?

[achmeds_dead]

Hi All,
Question, I've bought a Kahr PM9 for the wife. The recoil spring is very tough. I see that the factory pressure is 20 lbs. Prior to purchasing I read that after 100 to 150 rounds the spring will relax to a more comfortable pressure more adapt for the wife. Well, we put more than that through and it is still one tough cookie to ratchet.
I looked at Wolff Gun springs and they show an 18 lb. spring is not available but a 20.5 is!
Anyone have any suggestions? Really like the Kahr, and don't really want to sell it, since if we could just relieve the spring pounds we both would love it!
Thanks for you're help.

[G-forceJunkie]

Unless you planning on shooting underpowered ammo, its not wise to reduce the recoil spring pressure. Accelerated slide velocity can effect reliability, and the gun is going to take more of a pounding. Have either of you have formal instruction pistol instruction? How to properly use the larger muscle groups to charge a pistol should be part of any pistol class. Proper technique really helps.

[ramathorn]

Kahr has really good customer service, send them an email and ask if they have any recommendations. It should break in over time but that could take a while and a bunch of ammo.

[achmeds_dead]

Thanks G-Force and ramathorn. You make a good points. We took shotgun as well as revolver classes, but not pistol.... hmmmm. Guess we'll be on the phone tomorrow.
And Kahr service as well.
Definitely don't want to beat up the PM9!

[Sir Stunna Lot]

why do you have a need for a softer recoil spring?

i think the strong recoil spring is there to help the gun cycle by making feeding more reliable, and to reduce the "snappiness" when fired

[Suvorov]

I wouldn't do it. The only issues I have had with my Kahr pistol has been a tendency for it not to go back into battery fully. Gun started doing it and Kahr sent me a new spring. Seems the design is such that it needs a strong recoil spring to operate well.

[achmeds_dead]

Yes, you are right, we do not want to change the engineering of it, just thought it would be nicer to have an easier pull. I can see now that it just isn't the right solution.
I can see the benefit of the pistol classes. We may just be missing our leverage on the operation.
When we were shopping for the small 9mm for her, there were wonderful reviews, as well as strong support for it here.
Love the gun, but live and learn.
Thanks to all!

[paul0660]

How does she rack it? Overhand will work when slingshot does not.

[Suvorov]

Yes, you are right, we do not want to change the engineering of it, just thought it would be nicer to have an easier pull. I can see now that it just isn't the right solution.
I can see the benefit of the pistol classes. We may just be missing our leverage on the operation.
When we were shopping for the small 9mm for her, there were wonderful reviews, as well as strong support for it here.
Love the gun, but live and learn.
Thanks to all!

Kahr came out with a "Lady Kahr" some years back that was supposed to have an easier to rack slide. I don't know what all they did to it and it didn't last long on their lineup. I never played with one.

The very fact that the Kahr is so hard to chamber is the primary reason I have not used it as my wife's training gun. She has a hard enough time racking a Beretta or Sig slide and just lacks the hand strength and the will to handle the Kahr.

At the risk of flip flopping. You could certainly try a lighter spring and see if it helps. Your gun may not have the return to battery issues mine did and the spring only runs about $5. Just plan on shooting enough to make sure it is reliable. If it works then great, if not then you are only out the cost of the spring. It will in theory increase the beating that your frame takes, but Kahrs are well built and the number of rounds the AVERAGE gun owner puts through a gun is far less than they are designed to shoot. Unless you end up shooting thousands of rounds a year through it, I wouldn't worry.

[JNunez23]

I would also leave the springs alone. I own a Kahr MK9 that I purchased lightly used from my boss, who originally purchased it for his wife. After 500 rounds I've put through it..still the same. Stiff tensioned like crazy.

I actually decided to clean it last night and was fighting the pistol just trying to take the slide stop off. Great shooting gun though.

[SIGman Freud]

No offense, but unless the wife is very familiar with semiautos, I wouldn't recommend the PM9.

That said, get on the phone with Kahr.

Good luck.