Kahr CM9 reliable enough?

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edwardcii

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this is a little long winded, so what I am really asking is:
Kahr CM9 (or any Kahr) - give it a try, or stay away due to reliability or customer service issues?

I carry either a G23 or G26 IWB wherever it's lawful to do so. However, when I have to sit against a chair for a while, the thickness of those two are very noticeable.

I've been looking at getting something a little thinner, either in 9mm or 40 due to the combination of size and capacity.

My search has put 2 at the top of the list - the Kahr CM9 and shield. On paper, the CM9 really fits the needs (I have handled a CW9, and am going to handle a CM9 before purchasing).

However, just like many other brands and models, the internet is full of complaints on Kahr's reliability. Most Kahr owner's don't have an issue, but enough seem to have concerning reliability issues. What makes it worse is Kahr's warranty - 5 years, and may require the owner to spend $30 to $60 to overnight it to Kahr for repairs, even if such repairs are under warranty. Some users seem to get prepaid labels, way too many don't.

If I got a Ruger for instance, and it needed repairs, I have had great experiences with their customer service. They email me a prepaid label in minutes, and I will typically get it back within a few weeks. So while I don't have full confidence in Ruger products, I do have full confidence in their willingness to make sure my firearm works properly (at no cost to me).

With Kahr, it seems that I might be out of pocket another $30 to $60 each repair, which really takes the CM9 out of the equation. That is way too expensive, especially if it is a problem with quality control.

So my question to you all is, as noted above, should I even consider a Kahr CM9? I like the size, but reliability and customer service (and a good warranty at no cost to me for repairs) tell me I should probably stay away. Problem is, the other comparable 9mms (LC9, PF9, etc) may be even worse in reliability, although the Customer Service is better. If glock made a thin, single stack 9mm/40, that would be perfect. Shield gets me close, but would still prefer something a little thinner at a decent price.
 
My CM9 has been 100% reliable right out of the box, regardless of the ammo I've fed it (various factory loads by Speer, Hornady, PMC, Winchester, and Federal, both HP & FMJ).

It's a fantastic little pistol - very well-made and a surprisingly soft shooter, considering the size.
 
I have heard of a few small issues with the Shield but it sounds like S&W takes care of their customers that have issues. I honestly have heard very few issues about the LC9. I just hear complaints about the LC9 concerning the "extra" safeties built into them. The people that have perfectly functioning Kahrs LOVE them. The people with "lemons" seem to sell them off after 1-2 trips back to Kahr. Personally, if I found a GREAT deal on a Kahr I would go for it but if I'm going to save for it I would look for a Shield.
 
The people that have perfectly functioning Kahrs LOVE them.
Click to expand...

It seems that the vast majority of problems I've read about regarding Kahrs involve the .40 or .45 caliber pistols. It would seem that the 9mm pistols are much more reliable in general. As I mentioned above, mine has been perfect.

My father also owns a 2002 production-year MK9 (similar pistol to CM9, but with a steel frame and polygonal rifling) and his has been 100% reliable as well.
 
A used pm9 and new cm9 have been flawless for me. Kahr did have to mail me a spring assembly after the retaining nut worked its way loose and was lost at a range. Mailed for free. A well documented issue.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2
 
The CM9 has been perfect for me now for several months. If you go to the Kahr forum and follow the initial cleaning procedure, you will eliminate any initial failure problems
 
ED you could go out and buy a kimber or berreta 92 or kahr and till you shoot it enought to know its reliable, until then assume something may go wrong somewhere.

Most problems relate to the ammo used followed buy the owner firearm skill level. I bought a kahr cw9 from a shooter than was the cause of his piece of stinky stuff. He could not get it to shoot a mag full of ammo . So I bought it cheap and read the manual , learned how to take it apart, cleaned and lubed and shot 600 rounds and ordered a CM9 and shot 600 more round . ZERO problems. 2200 rounds now, zero problems. What dependable??

Sound like you have talked your selk out of a Kahr so go by a ruger.
 
Your Glock is utterly reliable. IMO, I don't think you have to change your weapon. You just need to change your clothing. Wear loose "Hawaiian" shirts which break the outline of the gun. Use IWB hoster, it keeps the gun closer to the body and minimizes printing. Also, honestly, people don't care what you wear or even look for CCW carriers. They just don't pay attention. Those who even care to llok are CCW holders or LEO's. Otherwise, just because you want a new gun:D (I'm like that:p), you may not need a new one.
 
It depends who you talk to. Some people love them and claim 100% reliability, while others like me have had such a poor experience that they feel the guns can't be trusted. I had a PM9 that I couldn't even get through the "break-in" period because it wouldn't feed anything. It also suffered from a trigger that wouldn't reset, so I would have to pull it 3-4 times before it would fire. Sent it back to Kahr and it came back without the trigger problem (as far as I could tell), but it still wouldn't feed anything. Long story short, I ended up selling it.

I've handled a few since then, and every time I thought to myself, "Holy crap is this thing tight." IMHO, they are just built too tight for their intended purposes as concealed carry (defensive) handguns...or any handgun for that matter. I mean when you rack the slide you can literally feel the slide and barrel sticking and grinding against one another. Common sense tells you that this is not a good feature for a carry pistol. Kahr does fantastic machine work on their guns. However, just because they have the capability to make a tight-fitting gun doesn't mean they should.

I'm not saying every single gun they make is too tight to function, because others have shown their Kahr can be reliable. I'm saying that right off the bat, your chances of having a finicky or unreliable gun are increased due to the tight machining tolerances Kahr tries to pull off. If you get a good one, consider yourself a lucky owner and enjoy it. If you get a bad one, well, wouldn't surprise me one bit.

I think anyone who considers buying one should get it from a gun shop that they trust and know would back up the product 100%, even as far as paying return shipping to Kahr in the event that it needs to be sent in. Only under that condition would I personally recommend one to a friend.
 
The PM9 has been out long enough to work out the issues the early ones had. The CM9 benefitted from it and you don't hear many issues with it since it has been introduced. My PM9 had over 2000 flawless rounds thru it because I used the slide lock to load it like it states in the owner's manual. That seems to be the biggest issue, those who refuse to use the slide lock to load it and then blame the gun. It is what it is so accept it or don't get one.
 
I was looking for a similar handgun. I previously had some FTF issues with a CW9 that Kahr fixed but I just didn't feel comfortable with it afterwards. In my research, there are tons of satisfied Kahr owners, which made me think a bit about getting another, but my choice came down to the Bersa BP9cc or the Shield. It was a tossup but I went with the Bersa as it was $100 less, but there are many are also impressed with the Shield. I have no regrets with the Bersa, except that it's difficult to dissassemble to clean.
 
I carry a P 45 or a P 380 depending on what I'm wearing. Both have never had any issues at all, no matter what they're fed. I just do my normal detail cleaning and lubing when new.

I like them because I'm an old revolver guy, and the trigger pull is perfect for me. And they're flat and carry easily.
 
I have a CM9.

Has it been perfect? No. No gun I have ever bought has been perfect. This includes my DD M4V3 all the way to my old Sig P6. But I've kept them and they run fine - make them right for me. The one and only gun I bought new that I had to give back (for a full refund, I might add) is the S&W Bodyguard .380. That thing was pure garbage. But I digress.

My CM9 was very, very tight. They do break in. As I recall Kahr says a minimum of 200 rounds to break in. It seemed to take longer on mine. Now I'm over 1500 rounds and it runs just fine. It shoots hot 9 +p+, but since it's small and light, it is snappy with hot ammo, but not uncomfortably so. I've read some issues about the mags not feeding perfectly(?) I don't think the main issue I've read about the CM/PM9 is the reliability, it's the trigger pull. It's very smooth, but it's a bit long by design (as it should be!). I don't mind it, but it's not for trigger punchers - good technique and lots of practice and it's an accurate little gun.
 
700 through my NYPD trade-in K9, no failures. Just got back from the range a few hours ago and I'm at 300 since last cleaning or lubing it (not my usual protocol, just was curious if it would). From dirty today, the first magazine at 15 yds. using my front rifle rest it shot spot on into approx. 1 1/4".

My father's CW9 has been perfect and accurate as well. Both have excellent triggers and both are carried.
 
My CM9 is my summer carry gun and it has been flawless since new. Reloads using 115 gr JHP, lead reloads 125 grain and factory ammo.
 
I carried a Glock-36 for several years and finally opted for a Kahr PM-9 in a pocket holster. Mu PM-9 has been totally reliable from day zero, It is als very accurate considering it's short barrel size - I can easilly place 7 rounds in a 3 inch group at 7 to 10 yards.
 
I have both

I have a glock 23 and just bought a cm9. I bought the cm9 because I wanted a smaller package to carry. The glock was too thick and printed more, and wasnt as comfortable to wear. The cm9 hides better. I've had it two weeks and put 300 flawless rounds through it. It seems totally reliable and I will start carrying it. I also just added crimson trace laser guard and will sight them in today. I lovely glock and will still carry it or go to it first in a home defense role but the cm9 makes carry easier.
 
call from Kahr

I just got a call from Kahr and they are sending my PM40 back asap as it had a minor flaw.

I sent it back on their dime and its repaired and sent back to me the same way.

I should receive it tomorrow and look forward to taking her out for T&E asap.

I love the size and quality of it,if that matters.

Their service seems to me to be VERY good.
 
my cm9 has ran like a champ right out of the box. Never had any issues out of it, well except the slide didn't lock back on an empty mag once. Its an accurate little gun and carries comfortably any way you decide to carry it. Ive been well pleased with my cm9, its actually one of my favorite guns in the collection now.
 
Your Glock is utterly reliable. IMO, I don't think you have to change your weapon. You just need to change your clothing. Wear loose "Hawaiian" shirts which break the outline of the gun. Use IWB hoster, it keeps the gun closer to the body and minimizes printing. Also, honestly, people don't care what you wear or even look for CCW carriers. They just don't pay attention. Those who even care to llok are CCW holders or LEO's. Otherwise, just because you want a new gun (I'm like that), you may not need a new one.
Click to expand...
Admittedly, I'm a big guy but I can conceal a full size Glock 17 in an OWB holser under a loose fitting shirt. The OPs original issue was not concealment, however, but comfort. Glocks, even the subcompacts, are thick and chuncky pieces of metal. I can see where in his situation a thinner single-stack 9mm might be appealing, and heck everyone needs a new gun once in a while!
 
.

All companies produce a bad firearm from time to time. Thats just gona happen when production is pushed to maxinmum Or companies get broke down do to consolidation. With small light weight pistols ammo and the owners are also on the need to be replaced and fixed list some times. But we tend to only here about it with lower cost firearms. I wonder why the people with higher dollar cost firearms tend to keep them even if they won't cycle HP or have to be fixed.

I to wish glock made a real compact or sub compact but they don't, so my kahrs carry on.
 
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