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Work order — Kahr CM9

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: medium.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

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. 42 parts (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.). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~20 min, rebuild ~30 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• non-marring hammer — Slide stop pin
• dovetail sight pusher (or brass drift and padded vise) — Removing and refitting dovetailed sights for coating

Watch for:

• 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. (reassembly; Kahr Arms)
• The recoil spring works one way only; the small closed end must face the guide flange or the gun is damaged. (reassembly; Kahr Arms)
• 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. (disassembly; Kahr Arms)
• Kahr limits owners to the main components. (both; Kahr Arms)

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.
3. Retract the slide fully to eject any chambered round and lock it open.
4. Visually inspect the chamber and magazine well, then physically feel the chamber to confirm it is empty.
   Warning: Look and feel. Both, every time.
5. Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Manufacturer's video: Kahr Academy: Disassembly of a Kahr Pistol (Kahr Firearms Group)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3NJPsIePHM
Kahr Pistol Disassembly & Reassembly (Kahr Firearms Group)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2cZgVg_SwA

Field Strip

1. Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and let the slide forward.
2. Retract the slide until the witness marks on the slide and frame align.
   Tip: The marks are small. Good light helps.
3. 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.
4. Ease the slide forward and off the front of the frame.
   Warning: The recoil spring is strongly compressed.
5. Lift the recoil spring assembly out of the slide.
6. Lift the barrel out of the slide.

3. Refinish

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.

The manufacturer's full parts list (42 parts) is on the reference page.

4. Reassemble

Manufacturer's video: Kahr Pistol Disassembly & Reassembly (Kahr Firearms Group)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2cZgVg_SwA

Reassembly

1. Set the barrel into the inverted slide and seat it fully forward.
2. 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.
3. Set the slide onto the frame rails and push it rearward until it seats.
4. Return the slide stop to its locked position.
   Warning: Confirm the slide stop is fully returned before the pistol goes back into service.
5. Rack the slide several times and perform the function check.

5. Torque

No manufacturer torque values are recorded for this firearm.

Fit or check on rebuild

• Recoil spring orientation — Closed end against the guide flange; reversed it damages the pistol
• Slide stop seated under its spring — If the spring does not catch the landing the slide stop walks out
• Function check: trigger reset, sear/striker engagement, safeties — Standard post-reassembly check on any pistol whose fire-control parts were removed; a mis-seated spring shows up here, not on the bench

6. Function check

• 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.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

Sources

1. Kahr Arms Pistol Owner’s Manual — Kahr Arms primary
2. Operating Instructions, Kahr Semi-Auto Double Action Only (DAO) Pistols — Kahr Arms primary
   https://www.kahr.com/PDF/Kahr-Manual-1295KMM.pdf
3. Kahr Arms — C Series Handguns, 9MM Polymer Specifications — Kahr Arms (Kahr Firearms Group) primary
   https://www.kahr.com/c-series-handguns/

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

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.