Kahr PM9 Experience?

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WrongHanded

WrongHanded

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All this 30SC discussion, along with talk of pocket pistols has me wondering about the Kahr PM9 specifically.

I currently have a G42 for pocket carry (non dominant side) as a BUG. The PM9 appears to be slightly shorter in the grip, but otherwise similar in dimensions and with the same capacity. That's pleasing from the point of view of concealment. The biggest benefit is how cheap and available 9mm ammo is for practice, because I'd like to do more BUG work at the range. I don't want even a slightly larger pistol like the G43, because whilst even my G33 fits in my pocket, my hand doesn't fit in there with it very well making drawing the gun hard to do.

Does anyone have person experience with the this model? If so, I'd like to hear what you think of it.

Thanks!
 
I have a cw9 same thing jus a little lighter. it is my edc has been for several years. I have never had any issues with it and shoots as accurately as any compact I have shot. will eat almost anything I feed it.
 
I owned a PM9 for about 5years. Kahrs are the only striker fired pistol that I ever liked the trigger on. Compact enough for a jacket pocket, large enough for a good grip. I liked and trusted it enough to pass it on to my daughter.

A friend has a CM9, which is more or less the 'base model', and it's just as good, though we both felt that the extra money for the PM9 was worth it.
 
PM9 is a fantastic carry gun IMO. About as small as you can get with a shootable 9. 380s are smaller and I pocket carry an LCP but the PM9 is doable for the right person with the right pocket. The I dot sights are great, the trigger is smooth and perfect for defensive carry IMO, and the pistol is accurate and fun to shoot. You only get 6 or 7 plus one, but for the size it’s a winner IMO.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
I enjoy shooting my PM9 but I didn’t really care for pocket carrying it. To me it was a little too heavy. I’ve swapped out to a Sig 365 and am happy pocket carrying that.
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Size is more a concern for me than weight. I've held and dry fired a P365, and it's simply too small for my hands. The G42 with a grip wrap (the shaped stick tape-like stuff) is about as small as I can go. Which is one of the reasons I'm not considering the P365.

I'm basically in an awkward position where I want a gun no larger than a G42, but also not really smaller. At least the same capacity, and chambered for cheaper and more available ammo with better terminal performance.
 
WrongHanded said:
Size is more a concern for me than weight. I've held and dry fired a P365, and it's simply too small for my hands. The G42 with a grip wrap (the shaped stick tape-like stuff) is about as small as I can go. Which is one of the reasons I'm not considering the P365.

I'm basically in an awkward position where I want a gun no larger than a G42, but also not really smaller. At least the same capacity, and chambered for cheaper and more available ammo with better terminal performance.
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If you haven't handled a PM9 be sure to do so before you buy, then. I can't imagine a P365 would be smaller, so if the P365 is too small, the PM9 is likely to be too small for you. I haven't handled them back to back though so my info is speculatory. You might want to look at a Shield or Shield plus.
 
I have a P9 and also thinking of adding a PM9. I’m very happy with the P9 and have never had any issues. If I do decide to pick up a smaller handgun I’ll stick with a Kahr.
 
1KPerDay said:
If you haven't handled a PM9 be sure to do so before you buy, then. I can't imagine a P365 would be smaller, so if the P365 is too small, the PM9 is likely to be too small for you. I haven't handled them back to back though so my info is speculatory. You might want to look at a Shield or Shield plus.
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Thanks for the heads-up! I have handled one at some point years ago, but it's been a good long while since I've even seen one in a store. I'm mainly basis grip size (and overall size) on comparisons from handgunhero.com. Based on the guns I have directly compared, the site comparisons look accurate.

My issue with the P365 was two fold. One was the grip depth, which is a big deal. The second was the trigger pull. It's actually too light for my tastes.

But I agree. Handling one first would be best. I'll have to go have a looksie at a few stores.
 
Carried a pm9 for a while but switched to a CW9 OWB for the added pinky room on the grip and more rounds.
I am hooked on the DAO of Kahr's safety aspect but have been looking at SCCY-CPX-2, also a no safety/DAO with a 10+1 capacity.
CPX-2 | SCCY | A White Lion premium WordPress theme.
Lots of vids on utube on that gun.
If DAO is not your game, nevermind.
jmo,
.
 
WrongHanded said:
Thanks for the heads-up! I have handled one at some point years ago, but it's been a good long while since I've even seen one in a store. I'm mainly basis grip size (and overall size) on comparisons from handgunhero.com. Based on the guns I have directly compared, the site comparisons look accurate.

My issue with the P365 was two fold. One was the grip depth, which is a big deal. The second was the trigger pull. It's actually too light for my tastes.

But I agree. Handling one first would be best. I'll have to go have a looksie at a few stores.
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If you don't like the 365 trigger you may like the PM9. It's like a nice revolver DA trigger with no wall. Just a smooth rolling pull.
 
1KPerDay said:
I don't have a 365 but I can snap some pics of LCP, PM9, PF-9, and Shield 1.0 if you want. I don't have a G42 though.
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That couldn't hurt now could it. :D Please do!

1KPerDay said:
If you don't like the 365 trigger you may like the PM9. It's like a nice revolver DA trigger with no wall. Just a smooth rolling pull.
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I've always been a fan of DA triggers, so I'm guessing you're right.
 
I have a CM9 and besides being well designed and built, I really like the size and weight of it, as well as the DAO trigger. It's much like the triggers on my two S&W J frame revolvers so there's not a big difference when I transition between the guns for CCW.

Not a big fan of pocket carry as it's sometimes very difficult to get the gun out cleanly. I much prefer an IWB holster like the DeSantis SOF-TUCK.
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I've got a PM9 - it was my weak hand front pocket gun for a long time.
Shooting one hand weak hand the PM9 had less felt recoil with +P than a LCP 380.
A Sig 365 is now my weak hand front pocket gun, which is 2nd option (carried in addition) to a Glock on belt.
The PM9 still sees duty as "best I can do" handgun when push mowing the yard or jogging.
 
CDW4ME said:
I've got a PM9 - it was my weak hand front pocket gun for a long time.
Shooting one hand weak hand the PM9 had less felt recoil with +P than a LCP 380.
A Sig 365 is now my weak hand front pocket gun, which is 2nd option (carried in addition) to a Glock on belt.
The PM9 still sees duty as "best I can do" handgun when push mowing the yard or jogging.
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As someone who owns both a PM9 and a Sig P365, what's your opinion on the difference in grip size and feel? I know everyone is different, but your perspective would be appreciated.
 
I bought a PM( many years ago. I will not go into all the details) but after 3 trips back to the Moonies. It finally worked. I spent a small fortune in factory ammo. "break in" and testing before it worked. I still have it and it is extremely accurate. It is very well made and the only 9mm handgun that I have tried that will actually fit in my pocket of Docker type shorts (not cargo shorts) Trigger is very good for a carry gun.

Gotta hold on to it when shooting!;) It's snappy!
 
Rule3 said:
Gotta hold on to it when shooting!;) It's snappy!
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Snappiness of the 9mm in very lightweight guns with so little real estate does have me somewhat concerned. I can hold onto my G33 weak hand only, but there's a lot more grip to be grabbed on that gun.
 
I have two primary CCW pistols. One is a G26 that I carry IWB and the other is a CM9 that I carry in my front pocket, depending on what I am doing and what the weather is. The CM9 fits in a jeans front pocket in an Uncle Mikes holster. I also sometimes carry it in my back pocket where it fits fine (wearing Carhart work pants). The CM9 shoots fine for what it is and is relatively easy to shoot. I also have a Ruger LCP 380 but I quit carrying it as the CM9 isn't much bigger and of course, is a 9mm. I prefer the Glock trigger to the Kahr, but the Kahr trigger is smooth enough. It point shoots and hip shoots pretty well.
 
I have owned my CM9 for about 8 years now. It is a wonderful gun, very well made! For me it is too big to pocket carry. I have a Diamondback DB9 which is a better size for a 9mm pocket gun but other than size the CM9 is a nicer gun in pretty much every way. My XDs 3.3 in .45 is just a bit larger than the CM9 so if I want to carry a gun of that size I will opt for a .45. I find the CM9 very controllable and not harsh to shoot. My DB9 is my most brutal pistol due to its light weight, small size and 9mm round. The CM9 is very sedate in comparison. I can pop off a few boxes through the CM9 and not think much of it. After a few magazines through the DB9 I have had enough. Both my CM9 and DB9 have been 100% reliable since day one. When I purchased each of these new I cleaned them so they were completely dry. Reassembled and racked the slide many hundreds of times then cleaned them again before sparingly oiling them. I found neither needed any "break in" period before starting to function 100%. The CM9 is kind of a reference gun for me. I know anything larger than a CM9 will be too big for me to to pocket carry (i.e. P365, Hellcat).

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I had a PM9 when they first came out years ago. It was a terrible jammer. It wasn't worth playing with so I sold it. Are new ones more reliable, others can chime in on that.
 
GEM said:
I had a PM9 when they first came out years ago. It was a terrible jammer. It wasn't worth playing with so I sold it. Are new ones more reliable, others can chime in on that.
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I have thousands of rounds through my CM9 (Which is just a PM9 with cheaper manufacturing) and not a single malfunction since (and including) day 1. I have owned my CM9 for about 8 years now.
 
GEM said:
I had a PM9 when they first came out years ago. It was a terrible jammer. It wasn't worth playing with so I sold it. Are new ones more reliable, others can chime in on that.
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This is purely based on what I've read elsewhere on the internet. But I heard a lot of people have had issues feeding the first round from a magazine. Apparently Kahr saw it as significant enough of an issue, to address chambering in the manual. And that was to say something akin to "lock the slide back, insert the full magazine, depress slide release lever."

Was yours jamming sporadically?
 
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