{ "apiVersion": 1, "kind": "work-order", "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.", "firearm": { "slug": "kahr-cm9", "name": "Kahr CM9", "manufacturer": { "id": "kahr", "name": "Kahr Arms" }, "category": "pistol", "action": "striker-fired-short-recoil", "calibers": [ "9x19mm Parabellum" ], "alsoKnownAs": [ "PM9", "CW9", "Kahr P-series" ], "coversAlso": [ "Kahr PM9", "Kahr CW9", "Kahr P9 and P-series pistols" ], "page": "firearms/kahr-cm9.html", "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/kahr-cm9.json", "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29" }, "notices": [ "Kahr Arms limits owner disassembly: Field strip only: slide, barrel, frame, magazine, slide stop, recoil spring with guide.", "This work order is written for the Kahr CM9. It is reported to cover Kahr PM9; Kahr CW9; Kahr P9 and P-series pistols — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.", "No torque values are recorded for this firearm. Get them from the manufacturer or a gunsmith; do not estimate." ], "disclaimer": { "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.", "points": [ "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.", "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.", "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.", "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.", "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.", "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.", "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.", "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material." ], "page": "disclaimer.html", "legal": { "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.", "page": "legal.html", "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md" } }, "sourcing": { "confidence": "medium", "verification": "community-reviewed" }, "manufacturerDisassembly": { "status": "limited", "limit": "Field strip only: slide, barrel, frame, magazine, slide stop, recoil spring with guide.", "statement": "Kahr says to disassemble the pistol only into its main components (slide, barrel, frame, magazine, slide stop, recoil spring and guide); going further may create an unsafe condition and affect the warranty.", "source": { "title": "Operating Instructions, Kahr Semi-Auto Double Action Only (DAO) Pistols", "publisher": "Kahr Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf", "page": "17", "pdfPage": 17, "pageUrl": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf#page=17", "quote": "DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE PISTOL FURTHER THAN THE MAIN COMPONENTS DESCRIBED ABOVE (except Magazine). To do so, may create an unsafe condition and affect the pistol’s warranty." } }, "recalls": [], "shopTier": { "tier": 2, "group": "pistol", "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's", "reason": "Only 42 parts and no timing, but Kahr flags two orientation traps on rebuild (the slide stop has to go in at a set clock position under its spring, and the recoil spring only works one way round), the slide stop pin is a tight drift, and Kahr tells owners not to go past the main components.", "confidence": "low", "partCount": { "value": 42, "kind": "line-items", "covers": "Parts List for the CT, CW, CM Series, CM and common rows (6 CT/CW-only rows omitted), per this page's transcription; complete pistol incl. magazine.", "basis": "manufacturer-parts-list", "source": { "title": "Operating Instructions, Kahr Semi-Auto Double Action Only (DAO) Pistols", "publisher": "Kahr Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf", "page": "8–9", "pdfPage": 8, "pageUrl": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf#page=8", "quote": "41 Side Panel Screw" } }, "painPoints": [ { "issue": "The slide stop has to be started at the 4 o'clock position and turned to 3 o'clock so its spring catches the landing; inserted any other way it does not hold.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "Operating Instructions, Kahr Semi-Auto Double Action Only (DAO) Pistols", "publisher": "Kahr Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "CAUTION: Keep the Slide Stop in the 3:00 o’clock position to allow the Slide Stop Spring to catch the top of the landing on the Slide Stop." } }, { "issue": "The recoil spring works one way only; the small closed end must face the guide flange or the gun is damaged.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "Operating Instructions, Kahr Semi-Auto Double Action Only (DAO) Pistols", "publisher": "Kahr Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "THE RECOIL SPRING IS DESIGNED TO WORK ONE WAY ONLY. THE SMALLER DIAMETER CLOSED END MUST BE AGAINST THE FLANGE ON THE REAR OF THE RECOIL SPRING GUIDE." } }, { "issue": "The slide stop pin is a tight fit that may need a non-marring hammer to drift out, and only comes out with the witness marks exactly aligned.", "during": "disassembly", "source": { "title": "Operating Instructions, Kahr Semi-Auto Double Action Only (DAO) Pistols", "publisher": "Kahr Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Push the pin of the Slide Stop out of the pistol from right to left. (Use a light, non-mar- ring hammer or plastic screwdriver handle if necessary)." } }, { "issue": "Kahr limits owners to the main components.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "Operating Instructions, Kahr Semi-Auto Double Action Only (DAO) Pistols", "publisher": "Kahr Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE PISTOL FURTHER THAN THE MAIN COMPONENTS DESCRIBED ABOVE (except Magazine). To do so, may create an unsafe condition and affect the pistol’s warranty." } } ], "minutes": { "strip": 20, "rebuild": 30, "basis": "estimated", "note": "Slide (striker, striker block, extractor, sights) and frame (trigger, trigger bar, cocking cam, slide stop); rebuild longer for slide-stop and cocking-cam springs.", "source": null }, "stripScope": [ { "assembly": "Slide", "removes": [ "striker and spring", "striker block and spring", "extractor (front/back pins) and spring", "rear sight", "front sight" ], "tools": [ "pin punches", "sight pusher" ] }, { "assembly": "Frame", "removes": [ "slide stop and spring", "trigger and pivot pin", "trigger bar and spring", "cocking cam and pivot pin", "magazine catch and leaf spring", "side panel screws" ], "tools": [ "non-marring hammer" ] } ], "hardware": { "pins": 4, "springs": 13, "detents": 0, "basis": "counted from the manufacturer's parts list (one per key number unless a quantity is given)" }, "specialTools": [ { "tool": "non-marring hammer", "usedFor": "Slide stop pin" }, { "tool": "dovetail sight pusher (or brass drift and padded vise)", "usedFor": "Removing and refitting dovetailed sights for coating" } ], "fitOnRebuild": [ { "check": "Recoil spring orientation", "why": "Closed end against the guide flange; reversed it damages the pistol", "source": { "title": "Operating Instructions, Kahr Semi-Auto Double Action Only (DAO) Pistols", "publisher": "Kahr Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "IMPROPER REASSEMBLY WILL CAUSE DAM- AGE TO THE FIREARM AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE USER." } }, { "check": "Slide stop seated under its spring", "why": "If the spring does not catch the landing the slide stop walks out", "source": null }, { "check": "Function check: trigger reset, sear/striker engagement, safeties", "why": "Standard post-reassembly check on any pistol whose fire-control parts were removed; a mis-seated spring shows up here, not on the bench", "source": null } ], "assessed": "2026-10-29" }, "videos": [ { "title": "Kahr Academy: Disassembly of a Kahr Pistol", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3NJPsIePHM", "platform": "youtube", "embedUrl": null, "shows": [ "field-strip" ], "appliesTo": "Kahr pistols generally (title/description: 'your Kahr pistol'; CM9 not named)", "published": "2023-09-07", "note": null, "channel": { "id": "UCs_x5EptAOGZ-iyJ9k7VVPw", "name": "Kahr Firearms Group", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@KahrFirearmsGroup", "owner": "Kahr Firearms Group (parent of Kahr Arms, Magnum Research, Auto-Ordnance)" }, "accessed": "2026-10-15" }, { "title": "Kahr Academy: How to Maintain Your Kahr Pistol", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQnAcetrVTs", "platform": "youtube", "embedUrl": null, "shows": [ "cleaning", "maintenance" ], "appliesTo": "Kahr pistols generally (CM9 not named)", "published": "2023-10-10", "note": null, "channel": { "id": "UCs_x5EptAOGZ-iyJ9k7VVPw", "name": "Kahr Firearms Group", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@KahrFirearmsGroup", "owner": "Kahr Firearms Group (parent of Kahr Arms, Magnum Research, Auto-Ordnance)" }, "accessed": "2026-10-15" }, { "title": "Kahr Pistol Disassembly & Reassembly", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2cZgVg_SwA", "platform": "youtube", "embedUrl": null, "shows": [ "field-strip", "reassembly" ], "appliesTo": "Kahr T, TP, P, CW & PM Series (per the video description); CM series not named", "published": "2008-07-22", "note": null, "channel": { "id": "UCs_x5EptAOGZ-iyJ9k7VVPw", "name": "Kahr Firearms Group", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@KahrFirearmsGroup", "owner": "Kahr Firearms Group (parent of Kahr Arms, Magnum Research, Auto-Ordnance)" }, "accessed": "2026-10-15" }, { "title": "Kahr Academy: Disassembly of Kahr Pistol Magazines", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7OH6Rqqakw", "platform": "youtube", "embedUrl": null, "shows": [ "maintenance" ], "appliesTo": "Kahr pistol magazines generally", "published": "2023-10-03", "note": null, "channel": { "id": "UCs_x5EptAOGZ-iyJ9k7VVPw", "name": "Kahr Firearms Group", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@KahrFirearmsGroup", "owner": "Kahr Firearms Group (parent of Kahr Arms, Magnum Research, Auto-Ordnance)" }, "accessed": "2026-10-15" } ], "configurations": [], "tools": [], "phases": [ { "id": "clear", "title": "Clear and make safe", "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.", "partsFreed": [ "Magazine" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Retract the slide fully to eject any chambered round and lock it open." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Visually inspect the chamber and magazine well, then physically feel the chamber to confirm it is empty.", "warning": "Look and feel. Both, every time." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Remove all live ammunition from the work area." } ], "videos": [] }, { "id": "disassemble", "title": "Disassemble", "videos": [ { "title": "Kahr Academy: Disassembly of a Kahr Pistol", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3NJPsIePHM", "platform": "youtube", "embedUrl": null, "shows": [ "field-strip" ], "appliesTo": "Kahr pistols generally (title/description: 'your Kahr pistol'; CM9 not named)", "published": "2023-09-07", "note": null, "channel": { "id": "UCs_x5EptAOGZ-iyJ9k7VVPw", "name": "Kahr Firearms Group", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@KahrFirearmsGroup", "owner": "Kahr Firearms Group (parent of Kahr Arms, Magnum Research, Auto-Ordnance)" }, "accessed": "2026-10-15" }, { "title": "Kahr Pistol Disassembly & Reassembly", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2cZgVg_SwA", "platform": "youtube", "embedUrl": null, "shows": [ "field-strip", "reassembly" ], "appliesTo": "Kahr T, TP, P, CW & PM Series (per the video description); CM series not named", "published": "2008-07-22", "note": null, "channel": { "id": "UCs_x5EptAOGZ-iyJ9k7VVPw", "name": "Kahr Firearms Group", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@KahrFirearmsGroup", "owner": "Kahr Firearms Group (parent of Kahr Arms, Magnum Research, Auto-Ordnance)" }, "accessed": "2026-10-15" } ], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "field-strip", "title": "Field Strip", "level": "field-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and let the slide forward." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Retract the slide until the witness marks on the slide and frame align.", "tip": "The marks are small. Good light helps." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Push out the slide stop from the frame and withdraw it.", "warning": "Thumb pressure or a light tap. If it resists, the marks are not aligned.", "partsFreed": [ "Slide stop" ] }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Ease the slide forward and off the front of the frame.", "warning": "The recoil spring is strongly compressed.", "partsFreed": [ "Slide assembly" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Lift the recoil spring assembly out of the slide.", "partsFreed": [ "Recoil spring assembly" ] }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Lift the barrel out of the slide.", "partsFreed": [ "Barrel" ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "refinish", "title": "Refinish", "components": [ { "name": "Slide stop", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 3 }, { "name": "Slide assembly", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Recoil spring assembly", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 5 }, { "name": "Barrel", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 6 } ], "manufacturerPartsList": { "parts": 42, "scope": "\"Parts List\" for the CT, CW, CM Series (p. 8; schematic p. 9). Kept CM and common rows; omitted 6 CT/CW/CT380/CW380-only rows (5, 5, 5a, 6, 6, 41a). Separate T/K/MK, P/PM, P380, ST/S lists in the manual omitted." }, "partsDiagrams": [], "materials": [ { "component": "Frame", "material": "Polymer", "finish": "Black", "appliesTo": "CM9 / CW9 / CT9 (9MM Polymer Specifications)", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Kahr Arms — C Series Handguns, 9MM Polymer Specifications", "publisher": "Kahr Arms (Kahr Firearms Group)", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/c-series-handguns/", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Finish Black Polymer Frame, Matte Stainless Steel Slide" } }, { "component": "Slide", "material": "Stainless Steel", "finish": "Matte Stainless Steel", "appliesTo": "CM9 / CW9 / CT9", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Kahr Arms — C Series Handguns, 9MM Polymer Specifications", "publisher": "Kahr Arms (Kahr Firearms Group)", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/c-series-handguns/", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Finish Black Polymer Frame, Matte Stainless Steel Slide" } }, { "component": "Grips", "material": "Textured Polymer", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "CM9 / CW9 / CT9", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Kahr Arms — C Series Handguns, 9MM Polymer Specifications", "publisher": "Kahr Arms (Kahr Firearms Group)", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/c-series-handguns/", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Grips Textured Polymer" } }, { "component": "Sights", "material": "polymer", "finish": null, "appliesTo": "CM9 front sight", "note": null, "source": { "title": "Kahr Arms — C Series Handguns, 9MM Polymer Specifications", "publisher": "Kahr Arms (Kahr Firearms Group)", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/c-series-handguns/", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Drift adjustable white bar-dot combat rear sight, pinned in polymer front sight" } } ], "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked." }, { "id": "reassemble", "title": "Reassemble", "videos": [ { "title": "Kahr Pistol Disassembly & Reassembly", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2cZgVg_SwA", "platform": "youtube", "embedUrl": null, "shows": [ "field-strip", "reassembly" ], "appliesTo": "Kahr T, TP, P, CW & PM Series (per the video description); CM series not named", "published": "2008-07-22", "note": null, "channel": { "id": "UCs_x5EptAOGZ-iyJ9k7VVPw", "name": "Kahr Firearms Group", "url": "https://www.youtube.com/@KahrFirearmsGroup", "owner": "Kahr Firearms Group (parent of Kahr Arms, Magnum Research, Auto-Ordnance)" }, "accessed": "2026-10-15" } ], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "reassembly", "title": "Reassembly", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Set the barrel into the inverted slide and seat it fully forward." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Seat the recoil spring assembly into the cut in the barrel lug and press it down into the slide channel.", "tip": "It seats in the lug cut, not on the barrel itself." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Set the slide onto the frame rails and push it rearward until it seats." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Return the slide stop to its locked position.", "warning": "Confirm the slide stop is fully returned before the pistol goes back into service." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Rack the slide several times and perform the function check." } ], "instruction": null } ] }, { "id": "torque", "title": "Torque", "coverage": "none-recorded", "manufacturer": [], "reported": [], "notes": null }, { "id": "function-check", "title": "Function check", "checks": [ "Verify the pistol is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each check.", "Rack the slide and press the trigger. The striker should release cleanly.", "Hold the trigger to the rear, rack the slide, then release slowly and confirm the reset.", "Press the trigger again to confirm the striker releases.", "Confirm the slide locks open on an empty magazine and the magazine drops free.", "Cycle dummy rounds by hand to confirm feeding before carrying the pistol." ], "videos": [] } ], "troubleshooting": [], "sources": [ { "n": 1, "id": null, "title": "Kahr Arms Pistol Owner’s Manual", "publisher": "Kahr Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": null, "accessed": null }, { "n": 2, "id": "kahr-cm9-parts-manual", "title": "Operating Instructions, Kahr Semi-Auto Double Action Only (DAO) Pistols", "publisher": "Kahr Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf", "accessed": "2026-09-27" }, { "n": 3, "id": "kahr-specs-1e5591", "title": "Kahr Arms — C Series Handguns, 9MM Polymer Specifications", "publisher": "Kahr Arms (Kahr Firearms Group)", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.kahr.com/c-series-handguns/", "accessed": "2026-10-03" } ] }