So I saw some people suggesting the Kahr CM9 in threads on different forums recently. I have always concealed when I carry but I have never been too concerned about it if I print a little. I now find myself carrying in a situation where it is more important to be inconspicuous. I want something smaller than my old XD-40 or Taurus PT-111 G2. However I really don't want to go down to the P3AT or LCP size as I really don't like shooting them. If you have experience with the budget friendly Kahr please share it with me. I keep reading posts by people saying they pocket carry them. Will this work? Would I have to wear cargo pants? Please enlighten me.
Kahr CM9?
- Thread starter Mike J
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Fine Figure of a Man
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My sister has one. I like it but it is too small for my hands.
The Ruger LC9s is more "shootable" for me and conceals easily.
The Ruger LC9s is more "shootable" for me and conceals easily.
It's been my EDC for a few years now. I've put about 2000 rounds through it and I enjoy shooting it better than my shield. I like Kahr triggers, which is a personal preference thing. I pocket carry in the front pocket with a Galco pro 460, and it looks like I'm carrying a wallet in my front pocket even in mid weight khakis.
If I was to shop for a single stack 9mm suitable for pocket carry, the CM9 and the G43 would be on my short list.
If I was to shop for a single stack 9mm suitable for pocket carry, the CM9 and the G43 would be on my short list.
1KPerDay
Member
The PM/CM9 would be my first choice in a pocketable 9 that is fun to shoot and accurate and reliable. The Glock is a little bigger and also a good pistol. I prefer the Kahr trigger for a pocket gun.
RON in PA
Member
I pocket carry mine in a holster in my Wrangler jeans. It has been 100% reliable with ball and hollow point ammo. I like the trigger, very DA revolver like. So two thumbs up.
bannockburn
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I alternate between pocket carry and IWB. I have a DeSantis Nemesis holster for the pocket and a SOF-TUCK model for IWB. Very comfortable and easy to carry with either holster. What sold me on the Kahr was it's smooth double action trigger and great design ergonomics. Was the perfect complement to my other favorite concealed carry revolvers, a S&W Model 649 and a Model 638.
If 9 seems too big they make a nice .380, I was carrying mine yesterday inspecting a home my daughter would like to buy. And as for printing with a concealed gun, there are other ways to carry than IWB or pocket. I carry in an airline type shoulder holster. I completely forgot I was carrying until I picked up a ladder under my arm and hooked it on the gun. Can't do that even tho it was helping.
I can tell you that shopping with front pocket carry you bump up against counters and fixtures on occasion and it's also a tell. I prefer shoulder carry when deeper concealed which avoids leaving marks on khakis. The holster has to be rotated further under the arm so my phone doesn't stick out more than normal.
For the most part I think we are more picky about it than the public which is a good practice.
I can tell you that shopping with front pocket carry you bump up against counters and fixtures on occasion and it's also a tell. I prefer shoulder carry when deeper concealed which avoids leaving marks on khakis. The holster has to be rotated further under the arm so my phone doesn't stick out more than normal.
For the most part I think we are more picky about it than the public which is a good practice.
Elkins45
Member
I have had nothing but good luck with the Kahr pistols. I pocket carry a PM9 (same size) all the time.
Sistema1927
Member
I pocket carry a PM9 (same size as CM9) using a BORAII "holster" http://www.boraii.com/
My PM9 also has a CT laser. It doesn't print in jeans or khakis.
My PM9 also has a CT laser. It doesn't print in jeans or khakis.
bassjam
Member
I’ve put several mags through a CM9 and it never clicked with me. While I love the size, I actually get better groups with my LCP. So my LCP or S&W442 do pocket duty for me. My buddy who owns the gun loves it though. I suggest trying before buying if possible.
Shoulder carry wouldn't work for me. The reason I want something I can conceal better is I am on the security team at church. We don't really want anyone aware of the guns. It is a more difficult place to discreetly carry because people come up & hug you, etc. Casual dress is okay where we go so I have been wearing a loose fitting untucked shirt & carrying OWB but I want to be as discreet as possible. This would also allow me to dress a little nicer hopefully.
Thanks everyone for the replies so far. Please keep them coming.
Sistema1927
Member
As a pastor, I fully understand what you are facing. Our church is a hugging church as well.
I can pocket carry the PM9 most of the time at church since I normally wear khakis, dress shirt, and sports jacket. HOWEVER, weddings and funerals are a completely different story when I have to wear a suit. Most men's suit trousers are very thin material, and the PM9 pulls down and prints. In those cases I downgrade to a Kel-Tec P32, also in a BORAII "holster".
I have a PM9 and my wife has a CM9. Put 200 rounds thru both as per Kahr manual. The CM9 had a couple FTF in the first 30 rounds but
nothing afterwards. The PM9 was perfect from round 1. Easy to pocket carry and I use as a backup to my SIG M11A1 that way. We both
pocket carry them. Just no skinny jeans and use a good holster. I like the Alabama Holster pocket holster. It's kydex, molded to fit the leg
and not print 'gun'. I usually buy my pants one size larger for IWB carry so this usually gives me plenty of pocket room and room in the pants.
If you're fashion prone, I'd try AIWB. It works for me with the Kahr but I just can't get over the idea of the barrel pointed at the twins and/or
the femoral artery so I don't carry that way.
Dano
nothing afterwards. The PM9 was perfect from round 1. Easy to pocket carry and I use as a backup to my SIG M11A1 that way. We both
pocket carry them. Just no skinny jeans and use a good holster. I like the Alabama Holster pocket holster. It's kydex, molded to fit the leg
and not print 'gun'. I usually buy my pants one size larger for IWB carry so this usually gives me plenty of pocket room and room in the pants.
If you're fashion prone, I'd try AIWB. It works for me with the Kahr but I just can't get over the idea of the barrel pointed at the twins and/or
the femoral artery so I don't carry that way.
Dano
Ramone
Member
I'm a 1911 guy, born and bred.
the PM9/CM9 has the best trigger I've ever pulled in a DA/Striker fired pistol.
the PM9/CM9 has the best trigger I've ever pulled in a DA/Striker fired pistol.
Here is my review of it...
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/review-of-kahr-cm9.754205/
I haven't had any problems to feed, fire, eject or return fully to battery. My opinion of the little gun is that the recoil is light for such a small pistol and the gun is manageable. Its also surprisingly accurate.
I think the MK9, PM9/CM9 are the least finicky about ammo off all the micro-nines. I shoot cheap 115gr practice ammo out of mine all the time, but it also eats 147gr Gold Dot, 147gr Ranger "T" Series, 147gr HST and 147gr bonded Golden Sabers.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/review-of-kahr-cm9.754205/
I haven't had any problems to feed, fire, eject or return fully to battery. My opinion of the little gun is that the recoil is light for such a small pistol and the gun is manageable. Its also surprisingly accurate.
I think the MK9, PM9/CM9 are the least finicky about ammo off all the micro-nines. I shoot cheap 115gr practice ammo out of mine all the time, but it also eats 147gr Gold Dot, 147gr Ranger "T" Series, 147gr HST and 147gr bonded Golden Sabers.
Edcnh
Member
Good info as I am looking for a small gun that can be carried in a pocket during the warm weather. I carry a 9mm Shield but it is a little too big for pocket carry.
I agree that the Shield is just barely too big for most pocket carry situations. It's also got a noticably heavier slide than the CM9. Nonetheless, the OP might want to check them out because you can get a screaming deal on them right now.
Aside from a huge difference in the triggers, (huge difference imo) the backstrap of the CM9 is flatter and the shield backstrap is more oval. I prefer the feel of the Kahr because it distributes the recoil better.
Otherwise, I think the shield has a little bit more refined feel to it. Mags integrate into the grip better, slide stop isn't so bulky, and the slide serrations are nicer to me.
If it had a slightly shorter grip and a better trigger it would be a great pocket gun. Oh wait... that'd be a Glock 43
The blocky, and IMO, sharp slide stop on the Kahr 380 pistols is one reason I didn't buy the P380 or C-variant. On the 380s the slide stop lever gouged my thumb. You can take a Dremel to it, flatten it some and round out the edges, but I didn't feel like messing with it, but here is an example from someone on KahrTalk who did it, although I think the gun shown here is a CM9 if I remember correctly:
Remington came out with the RM380 so it came a moot point for me.
The slide stop lever on the CM9 doesn't bother me - although I did lock the slide back once while firing because I was inadvertently putting upward pressure on it.
Remington came out with the RM380 so it came a moot point for me.
The slide stop lever on the CM9 doesn't bother me - although I did lock the slide back once while firing because I was inadvertently putting upward pressure on it.
Okay so I wanted to come back & touch base on this thread. I bought a CM9 about a month ago. I finished the 200 round break in yesterday. I fired 100 rounds American Eagle 9mm fmj, 45 rounds blazer brass fmj, 50 rounds Reminton UMC fmj, 25 rounds WWB fmj & a magazine of HST JHP ammunition between two range trips.
The good. I like the trigger & I can shoot it well enough out to 15 yards. The pistol didn't have any mechanical malfunctions at all out of the box.
The bad, There just isn't much real estate there to put your hands on. I can grip it well enough but I did have once the slide didn't lock back (pretty sure that one was because of my thumb). I also had one time I unintentionally hit the magazine release. I got the deal with 2 magazines & a Tagua belt slide holster. Initially the 6 round magazine wouldn't let me load but 5. A few minutes with a pin punch to take the floorplate off, remove the spring & follower & put it all back together & it has worked fine since. I like this little gun.
The good. I like the trigger & I can shoot it well enough out to 15 yards. The pistol didn't have any mechanical malfunctions at all out of the box.
The bad, There just isn't much real estate there to put your hands on. I can grip it well enough but I did have once the slide didn't lock back (pretty sure that one was because of my thumb). I also had one time I unintentionally hit the magazine release. I got the deal with 2 magazines & a Tagua belt slide holster. Initially the 6 round magazine wouldn't let me load but 5. A few minutes with a pin punch to take the floorplate off, remove the spring & follower & put it all back together & it has worked fine since. I like this little gun.
Kingcreek
Member
I've carried a PM9 for years with no problems or complaints. Usually IWB but sometimes front pocket in a desantis nemesis depending on clothing. I also bought a cw9 in a bargain deal and it's been fine. My wife is shooting it more.
The kahr trigger takes some getting used to but they are excellent once accustomed.
The kahr trigger takes some getting used to but they are excellent once accustomed.
I agree the huggy part of church life will out a pistol in a shoulder holster. It will also out a belt carry, too, as many have posted. So you pocket carry - or - use a inside the waistband and under the belt holster, commonly known as the "thunderwear" type.
I was researching that carry method recently and completely forgot my shoulder holster does that - remove strap, change the length, wear over the shirt then zip up and buckle the pants belt. I'd spent an hour surfing online just to circle back directly to the holster I already had - makes you wonder about getting older.
Anyway it doesn't have to be pocket carry in a deeper conceal environment. Below the belt line carry has been around for more than 15 years, some forums just don't embrace it as the standard of copying LEO carry is all the rage.
I was researching that carry method recently and completely forgot my shoulder holster does that - remove strap, change the length, wear over the shirt then zip up and buckle the pants belt. I'd spent an hour surfing online just to circle back directly to the holster I already had - makes you wonder about getting older.
Anyway it doesn't have to be pocket carry in a deeper conceal environment. Below the belt line carry has been around for more than 15 years, some forums just don't embrace it as the standard of copying LEO carry is all the rage.
Kingcreek
Member
IWB at about 3 oclock, right where I can drop my right shoulder and elbow to cover it as my left arm goes high for the tactical hug position.
Maybe it works for me because I'm over 6 feet tall but try it a few times. Nobody slips their arm inside my strong side arm and holstered weapon.
Maybe it works for me because I'm over 6 feet tall but try it a few times. Nobody slips their arm inside my strong side arm and holstered weapon.
Snejdarek
Member
CM9 is my go to gun when I feel like going "light". IWB or pocket carry both work well. Appendix IWB is actually comfortable to the point its on par with being unarmed (while you will mostly be aware of its presence in the pocket due to the weight distribution within the pants.
As most posters above me I can only add good experience as regards reliability - it has been flawless actually. Now with 2.000 rds+ the plastic in the back of the slide is a bit out of shape to the point that the slide does sometimes not come back completely - it rests a tiny bit back, however during the trigger pull it moves back to its place completely (it would be unnoticable to someone not accustomed to the gun) and otherwise still works flawlessly. I am thinking about replacing it with another PM9/CM9 model, especially now that the Czech gun legislation will permit lasers from August 2017.
Apart from absolute reliability I especially like the long trigger with pull just between what I have on my DA/SA CZ 75 (CZ 75 Compact and CZ 75 Stainless alternate as my primary carry guns). I would hate to have either safety pistol (i.e. small 1911 type) or no-safety single action alike trigger firearm for concealed carry (i.e. Glock 43). I have tried quite a few small pistols and this really works well for me (most that don't fir either of the two discarded categories have SA like trigger with really heavy pull).
Shooting the gun is not pleasant nor the opposite, my biggest problem being large hands. When I do longer runs at range (i.e. more than 30 rds - it is subcompact after all) I prefer to switch to single handed shooting. It is definitely more pleasant to shoot than my GF's Smith & Wesson Bodyguard... which we just returned due to FTF/FTE occurring every 10 rds (that after the shop "repaired it" - which actually partially helped, since we have previously had extreme FTF - the slide would not jam while loading round to chamber, but completely jump the round and lock unloaded - absolute nightmare scenario with DA gun that was at the time also suffering from light strikes).
That being said...
I would NEVER chose subcompact, Kahr or any other, as my go-to gun in case I would either be in situation of higher danger (be it due to place or other circumstances) or should I be entrusted with other people's security. The combination of low round count, lower precision (you can get to the same precision on the range, however it does not point naturally the way a full size gun does, and you do need much more time to get to the same level of precision as I would do with full size CZ 75) and especially more tricky follow up shots (due to long trigger pull and less natural point of aim).
As I said I alternate between full size CZ 75 Stainless and compact CZ 75 Compact D. The Compact covers nicely IWB when I have jacket on, full size prints a bit but not to the point that anyone would notice unless they are knowledgeable. Keep it 3 or 4 o'clock and you can hug anyone as you like, unless they go down with their hands onto your butt they won't have a chance to get to the gun.
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