^^^ true-dee-true-true and when folks are not happy about something there are more complaints posted then complements which has been my reading experience and I genuinely base my firearm purchases on those real time experiences but YMMV ... and I'm not intent to turn this into a urination-contest or bash any products as I am sure there are those that love their Kahrs ... and Taurus firearms for that fact, but ... they are not for me.
Back on task;
and yes, that is why there are product specific/firearms websites and general forums such as this one. But when you read posts over-and-over-and-over-and-over-and-over again-and-again of / nose dives, recoil spring problems, the same models eat some ammo < I said the same model firearm like a CM that some will and some will not eat the same boolits in the same model firearm of the same manufacturers boolits "get it" >, having continual FTF, FTE, or just plain FTW and then you call their CSD and they say "ya that is a common problem with those just send it in through your FFL and we will get it taken care of ... oh and by the way ... NO we will not pay for shipping to and from." and your reply is "Well I did that twice already and it's still doing it!!" And now add insult to injury Kahrs are not an inexpensive firearm so it seems your are not getting what you are paying for this time. And for crying out loud Kahr or anyone else whom makes stuff that's meant to work, if you know your products have a common problem why not just fix it like most everyone else does?????? That's a great selling point of reliability for a self defense firearm that I want to stake my life on!! Oh we know it might not work so send it back and we might be able to fix it so it does and if not send it back again and we will try to fix it again.
So the OP said they were looking at the Kahr CM9 which MSRP is $565. and the Ruger LC9 which MSRP is $443. and the PO typed they didn't know much about Kahrs and was "Gun Shy" about the Kahrs and wanted some feed back. Well if they are content on one of those two I would get the LC9, * but * if it were me personal I do not care for all the Custom California Features on the LC9 so that one I would not buy, and like I suggested forget any Kahrs. But I would consider a KelTec PF9 which MSRP is $333. which gets a lot of good ink ... yes it is a bit rough around the edges so you give it a little TLC and it can be very very very reliable and if you have a problem KelTec's CS is second to none, they even send you free replacement parts most of the time if you ask nice.
Now too add to the confutation, Beretta is a boot to flood the mini-9 market with their new Nano which MSRP is $475. and I'm on my LGS's waiting list for one and they quoted me $380. OTD and we all know how reliable a Beretta can be, and yes new products do have some gremlins sometimes but with Ruger being Ruger the LC9 didn't get much if any if bad ink, so my guess is Beretta's Nano should be * I said should be * ok too. After all it is a Beretta.
So what would you get? Your street prices may vary so shop around
CM9 for about $425. +FFL +BGC
LC9 for about $365. +FFL +BGC
Nano for about $350. +FFL +BGC
PF9 for about $250. +FFL +BGC
YMMV