CM9 Versus LC9 Range Report

[BBDartCA]

Had them both out to the range, side by side. I'm no expert, but here are my impressions nonetheless.

Trigger
CM9 is very crisp and relatively short for a DAO. The LC9 trigger is very, very, very long. Almost unbearably long. For this reason I sold my LC9 and bought a CM9.

Accuracy
Both are the same as far I am concerned. Excellent accuracy.

Functioning
Kahr Cm9 Ran about 350 rounds of a large variety of ammo through it (hot and cold handloads, subsonic commercial 146g, +p gold dots and run of the mill American Eagle, Remington, etc. range ammo). CM9 had three failures to feed the 1st round. I think this may be mostly due to my sloppy loading of the cartridges in the mag. Happened only on handloads. Had one instances where it would not leave the action cocked (open) after firing the last round, but this is when I was shooting with the off hand, one handed (i.e. very limp wrist). Basic opinion is the Kahr seems pretty rough, or tight. Maybe that's why they say you need to run 200 rounds in it to break in. The Kahr was also a pain to remove mags sometimes, and they would never drop out.

Ruger LC9 fed very well. Same ammo as the above, Had one FTF (commercial ammo). Had to drop mag to clear it. Very smooth running gun.

Recoil Control
The Kahr really wore my wrist out, while the LC9 was more forgiving to shoot. A really noticeable difference to me.

Handling
The fit of the guns, sights and feel of the guns are different, but both exceptionally positive to me. I like the Ruger sights better. Overall, this is a very personal opinion.

Noise
I would swear the Ruger is louder. Both are loud guns, especially with Power Pistol handloads.

Carry-Ability / Conceal-Ability
The Ruger seems to print less. Feels less bulky when in my jacket pocket. Maybe due to way its contoured compared to the blocky-ness of the Kahr. The Kahr is smaller on paper but feels bigger when IWB or jacket pocket.

Safeties
You can read about the Ruger online. The one that bugs me is the keyed lock. I do not like as I'm not always 100% sure I left unlocked.

Bottom Line
If the Ruger had the Kahr's trigger and deleted the keyed lock, this would be the perfect mouse 9 for me.

 

[jimbo555]

It sounds like you should have kept the Ruger! I put functioning at the top of the list for a semi-auto.I compared them both and chose the Ruger because it fit my hand better and held 1 more round in the mag.But the kahr is pretty and looks and feels like quality.I'm used to revolver triggers so the Ruger trigger is long but feels smooth to me.I haven't touched the internal lock,so i don't think about it.

 

[Princi]

If you ever get a chance to try the trigger on a Kimber Solo, I'd be interested to know how it compared to the CM9.

This is the first I've heard about the CM9; guess I need to get out from under my rock more frequently.

I like how light the Hellcat is in my pocket, and although it is only 380 ACP, I do carry it frequently because I don't feel it in my pocket.

 

[Itsjustme]

I shot a PM9 (CM9 with more detail and polygonal barrely rifling) and a LC9 this weekend also. I HATED the trigger pull on the LC9, but wasn't a huge fan of the Kahr's long trigger pull either. Recoil was similar for both. I have fairly big hands, so I really liked the pinky extension on the LC9 magazine. The LC9 was more comfortable to hold, but I preferred the sights on the Kahr. Accuracy was also similar, although I seemed to be more accurate with the Kahr. The car had one FTF malfunction, the Ruger had zero issues. I'm going to keep looking for a tiny 9 - neither are for me. If it weren't for the LC9 trigger, it would be my choice - but that trigger is long and stiff. I have a Ruger SR9c and I think the trigger has spoiled me a little. I also plan to try out a Diamondback DB9 and a Kel Tec PF9 - I hope I like one of those more than the CM9/PM9 and LC9, becasue I would really like to have a smaller 9mm for ccw.

 

[jimbo555]

There is the Beretta nano out now although i haven't seen one yet!

 

[Burnie]

The trigger becomes less of an issue if you don't use the sights at all. I realize this doesn't make sense but look up "point shooting". This is especially true for ccw with fast action and close range. Also Tallon Grips help with the ergonomics.

 

[verdun59]

But the trigger can be modified to take out that loooooong pull, just go to Galloway Precision.