Pocket Pistol Kahr pm9 questions

[thegreyman]

I have a Kahr CM9; I have fired over 500 rounds through it including Federal American Eagle RN 115 and 147 FP Ball, Winchester 147 Ranger, and 124 Gold Dots. I have had zero malfunctions and find it user friendly. Helps to load first round as recommended by Kahr.

[SiGfever]

Carried a PM9 with safety as my pocket pistol for a couple of years, as I'm usually in a suit. Ended up going with a Glock 43. The PM9 is difficult to shoot well, especially with the tiny grip--almost akin to shooting .38 snub noses with full power loads. The trigger also changes based on the # of rounds you have in the magazine--the initial round is light but the last round will be significantly heavier due to the magazine's pressure against the slide. Never had a malfunction with mine, but I know some PM9s had case-hardening issues with the barrel.

Would I recommend it? Not anymore. Try the Glock 43 and the PM9 before you decide.

My experience exactly.

EDIT: My PM9094NA required a 500 round break-in period before I trusted it to run. YMMV

[ggammell]

I’d have to say the only way to go with a PM9 now is if a G43 etc does not fit in your pocket. I don’t particularly like how it pocket carries so I never went down that road.

[Beat Trash]

I bought a PM9 in about 2005. Kept it for about 5 years. I had a low round count on that gun, about 900-1,000 rounds.

It was reliable when fired. Carrying a spare magazine in the pocket of shorts and found that rounds would slowly pop out of the magazine. On one trip to the zoo with my kids, I ended up with just one round left in the spare magazine by the time I had a chance to go to the restroom and check the issue out.

The gun was a lot like shooting an alloy framed J-Frame. Quality control barrier from gun to gun. I ended up selling the gun. One of the few guns that I have sold in my life that I have no regrets selling off.

Today, if given the choice between a PM9 and a Glock 43, I wouldn grab a Glock 43 in a heartbeat.

[m4brian]

Bought mine used about 10 years ago. Never had a problem. It’s what I like to carry in church. You can forget about it and while a round can get lose, I just check before I Carry. Light, slim, controllable, reliable, accurate. Not the gun to do courses with and shoot several thousand rounds, but I think durable enough, and great CCW.

As usual, our friend nails it:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sirRpCHlscw

[dreamcrusher8307]

I've had a CM40 for about 5 years now. Probably 1000 rounds through it. Carry it half the time in an IWB and half the time in a pocket nemesis.

I didn't have any teething issues with mine, but like others have said, not the most fun to shoot for long periods. The trigger is super silky smooth! Reminds me of a well used DA revolver.

I would agree though, that nowadays there are better options.

[Ed L.]

I've had good luck with 2 Kahr PM-9s. Neither needed breaking in beyond the first magazine or two. It is a 9mm with a 5.3" overall length that lends itself well to pocket carry in dress slacks or a suit (though many pairs of dress slacks and suits need to have the pockets deepened by a tailor to make sure that it doesn't print. I bought one in around 2003 and another in 2017. I probably have about 2000 rounds through the 2 guns combined.

I have heard a some stories about them that would give me pause if I were considering buying one. But I have had a very good experience with both of my Kahr PM-9s.

[butlers]

A primer for those trying to interpret all the Kahr models; sticking with just those chambered in 9x19mm for now:

C/CM/CW/CT series = budget line
K/MK/P/PM/T series = "premium" line

MK9 = micro
CM9 = subcompact (Glock 26-esque)
PM9 = subcompact
CW9 = compact (Glock 19-esque)
K9 = compact
P9 = compact
CT9 = full-size (Glock 17-esque)
T9 = full-size

P.S. While I realize that Kahr Arms' ideological/religious background is not relevant for some (many?), it is undeniably...different from that of Colt, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, etc:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ers-are-armed/

[m4brian]

I am likely tremendously at odds with the Kahr founder theologically, but he is not a threat to me the same way as say an Islamist government is. I don’t mind buying their guns. I don’t mind buying JMB stuff either and likely have large theological differences with him also. Maybe the most patriotic denomination out there.

They also have a new series, the ST. Rail and 2 mags. Nice guns and according to reports don’t need breakin. I have the Tig model and it shoots very well OTB.

[Bret]

I have a Kahr CW40 that I bought back in 2010. I've fired 354rds through it. It's reliable, but it's just too small/light for 40S&W. If I had to do it over again, I'd buy a 9mm. However, I won't do it over again because I really don't like the trigger. It is smooth, but it's like shooting a revolver.

My present subcompact is a Walther PPS, which I can recommend wholeheartedly. Particularly in summer, my PPS is almost my primary carry using a Galco ankle holster.

+1 The Walther PPS is a joy to shoot and a much better gun on many levels versus the Kahr. I'd also recommend the S&W Shield, but the PPS is better than the Shield in my opinion.