I haven’t bought a gun in over a year, and yesterday had an uncontrollable hankering to visit the local gun shop. I was last there about 5 months ago, and the selection was abysmal. I was curious to see what was there with the apparent current buying frenzy.
As I was driving to the shop, I was trying to rationalize a purchase. I have no ideal concealed carry handgun in my arsenal, the smallest being a Glock G19. I like the G19 as it‘s a lot of gun in a fairly compact package. But unless I dress like a clown, it is definitely not for concealing on my 165 lb frame. I was thinking of a “battle plan” for pistol selection, depending on availability, as I drove.
First choice would be a G26, as I’ve been begrudgingly growing fond of my 9mm Glocks. Then a subcompact XD 9mm, as I like my big ugly 5” XD45. A Ruger LCP, I told myself, would be my third choice, and if all else failed a Kel-Tec .380. My ultimate backup plan was a 2” .357 SP101 if they had the bobbed hammer version. I once had a 3” .357 version that was an awesome if heavy little gun, and fun to work up hand loads for. I told myself over and over that I’d walk right past any Springfield EMP or Kimber Ultra CDP if they had them. I’ve been lusting after those two, big time (1911 platform pistols are my favorites), but they are a little above my budget and I didn’t think I’d want to subject such nice looking pistols to holster wear right from the get-go. And despite the reliability that my full-size Kimber has demonstrated, I've heard of too many issues with the pretty little Ultra.
So I got there, and they did have a couple G26’s (and thankfully no EMP‘s or Ultra CDP‘s), but a couple polymer-framed single-stacks caught my eye - a Walther PPS and a Kahr PM9. I held them both. The Walther felt awesome in my hand, super slender but fully “three-fingerable” (at least with the magazine that was in it). But it was also longer and taller then the Kahr, and was the only pistol that I’ve ever held that was even uglier than my XD. The slide was TALL.
The PM9 felt pretty good despite the two-finger grip. I liked the sights, the trigger-reach, and really loved the dimensions. Aesthetically, it had the no-nonsense look of the Glocks. I appreciate the lack of "forced styling" on a utilitarian pistol.
I then held the G26. In truth it didn’t feel all that much more concealable than my 19. I was a little disapointed in it's bulk after holding the single-stacks. If I had to use a two-finger grip using my short and somewhat scrawny fingers, I figure at least the single-stack would allow for a better hold.
So despite not ever researching the PM9, or ever even thinking much about any Kahr, I bought the PM9. In fact, I was up until recently thinking that Kahr and Kel-Tec were one and the same and have pretty much ignored them. But this little pistol looks to be very well made. The polymer frame looks better molded/finished than that of my Glocks and XD. I just hope ends up being sufficiently reliable.
How do you PM9 owners like this little Kahr and how are you carrying them?
As I was driving to the shop, I was trying to rationalize a purchase. I have no ideal concealed carry handgun in my arsenal, the smallest being a Glock G19. I like the G19 as it‘s a lot of gun in a fairly compact package. But unless I dress like a clown, it is definitely not for concealing on my 165 lb frame. I was thinking of a “battle plan” for pistol selection, depending on availability, as I drove.
First choice would be a G26, as I’ve been begrudgingly growing fond of my 9mm Glocks. Then a subcompact XD 9mm, as I like my big ugly 5” XD45. A Ruger LCP, I told myself, would be my third choice, and if all else failed a Kel-Tec .380. My ultimate backup plan was a 2” .357 SP101 if they had the bobbed hammer version. I once had a 3” .357 version that was an awesome if heavy little gun, and fun to work up hand loads for. I told myself over and over that I’d walk right past any Springfield EMP or Kimber Ultra CDP if they had them. I’ve been lusting after those two, big time (1911 platform pistols are my favorites), but they are a little above my budget and I didn’t think I’d want to subject such nice looking pistols to holster wear right from the get-go. And despite the reliability that my full-size Kimber has demonstrated, I've heard of too many issues with the pretty little Ultra.
So I got there, and they did have a couple G26’s (and thankfully no EMP‘s or Ultra CDP‘s), but a couple polymer-framed single-stacks caught my eye - a Walther PPS and a Kahr PM9. I held them both. The Walther felt awesome in my hand, super slender but fully “three-fingerable” (at least with the magazine that was in it). But it was also longer and taller then the Kahr, and was the only pistol that I’ve ever held that was even uglier than my XD. The slide was TALL.
The PM9 felt pretty good despite the two-finger grip. I liked the sights, the trigger-reach, and really loved the dimensions. Aesthetically, it had the no-nonsense look of the Glocks. I appreciate the lack of "forced styling" on a utilitarian pistol.
I then held the G26. In truth it didn’t feel all that much more concealable than my 19. I was a little disapointed in it's bulk after holding the single-stacks. If I had to use a two-finger grip using my short and somewhat scrawny fingers, I figure at least the single-stack would allow for a better hold.
So despite not ever researching the PM9, or ever even thinking much about any Kahr, I bought the PM9. In fact, I was up until recently thinking that Kahr and Kel-Tec were one and the same and have pretty much ignored them. But this little pistol looks to be very well made. The polymer frame looks better molded/finished than that of my Glocks and XD. I just hope ends up being sufficiently reliable.
How do you PM9 owners like this little Kahr and how are you carrying them?
But, others have other priorities. 
