Kahr MK9 or PM9

[m_kirk2001]

I am looking at buying a Kahr MK9 or PM9. I am thinking that the MK9's metal frame will reduce recoil (which is important to my wife) and I also like the fact that Crimson Trace has a nice laser grip for it that the PM9 does not. But, the PM9 is less weight which becomes important if I am going to be carrying it around as much as I intend to and I want my wife to like it.

 

[m_kirk2001]

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[Kind of Blued]

If its for pocket/ankle carry, get the PM9. For any and every other purpose, get the MK9.

Assuming OWB/IWB carry, I'd actually prefer the heavier MK9. I've left the men's room a few times while carrying my PM9 IWB and had to physically feel for the gun with my hand or arm to make sure I didn't forget it. It's that light.

To be honest, for IWB/OWB carry, I would actually suggest the larger K9 over either of the sub-compacts. I think most people (myself included) find that they don't like carrying the sub-compacts with the flush-fitting magazines. Once the extended magazine or a grip extension is added, you would have been better of getting the K9 with the non-chopped grip. The extra bit of barrel to increase sight radius and to help your bullets do their job is a bonus as well.

Whichever subcompact you go with, I'd highly recommend the Pearce grip extensions for the 6-round magazines, and if you get the PM9, I'd recommend the Hogue Handall Jr. slip-on grip.

They're all great guns.

 

[geronimo509]

I have an MK9 which I pocket carry everyday. It might be a little heavy to pocket carry, but it is not that bad. The extra weight is worth it when it comes time to shoot it.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Also, I don't consider the PM9 difficult to shoot at all. Even with my 147gr. +P carry loads, its easily controllable for me. If it had a 3lb. single-action trigger, I might notice it being slow to get back on target, but with its long smooth trigger, I can get back on target as fast as I can fire the gun.

 

[ak-kev]

I have both and it would be very difficult for me to choose one over the other. They both have been flawlessly reliable and very accurate too. For pocket carry, obviously I would recommend the PM9, but I carry OWB alot and the MK9 disappears with a beltman belt and a Don Hume 721 open top. I have become quite fond of these little guys. Kevin.

 

[benderx4]

Over the years, seems like the metal framed Kahrs have had less "issues".

 

[willbrink]

"the PM9 is less weight which becomes important if I am going to be carrying it around as much as I intend to and I want my wife to like it."

There's no gun too big and too heavy when your life is at stake, and there is no gun too small and too light when you have to carry it around all day. You have to decide what's most important, but comfort is secondary consideration for me. Guns are not supposed to be comfortable, but comforting. Me, I pick the gun I plan to carry then do my best to make it comfortable and well concealed, but I won't give up my advantage by making comfort the number one concern. I have an MK9, and MK40, and they are great guns. I don't like plastic in guns period, but that's me. The GF has a MnP .40 compact, and it's been a very good gun, but no where as small as the Kahrs. I CCW a Ti framed commander 1911 90% of the time, and the Kahrs when I'm forced to due to some CCW related issue.

 

[jocko]

both great guns

exactly the same internals, u won't go wroing with either. that being said the PM9 is 14 ounces, which has to carry alot of weight when carrying. Mine rides in my front pocket 24/7 and I neve rknow it is there. recoil wouldbe less witht he MK due to weight but the recoil of the pM9 is just so gentle that I don't even feel it is worth discussing. Accuracy of both should be the same.

if your gonna waiste band carry, the MK 9 will suit you well,if your gonna pocket carry the PM9 is the way to go. ankly carry, I personallty don't think you will stay with that type of carry very long--most don't.

neither seem to give issues today also. My PM9 has 21,000 rounds through it and not one issue, just goes bang every time, as does my K9 with around 4500 rounds, but it is my range and home defense gun, certanly not my carry peace.

I would not let a survey sway you one way or the other, try renting both, try borrowing both if possable, let the little woman shoot both, let her make the decision, not you...

 

[RyanM]

Poly Kahrs don't have much recoil at all. I've shot a CW9 before (which is polymer), and recoil was about like standard pressure .38s in a steel framed snubnose. Very light recoil. On the other hand, metal ones are quite heavy for their size. My MK40 weighs just as much as my Glock 23, with empty mags. And that's because my Glock has a tungsten recoil spring guide rod, if it were bone stock, the Kahr would be 1 ounce heavier! But it's nearly as easy to control as the G23. And the MK40 isn't too heavy for me to put in a pocket, as a primary carry piece. Have to wear a good belt, though. And really, it only weighs an ounce or two more than a Walther PPK, which was one of the premier pocket guns before more modern designs came along. I probably carry the Kahr 75% of the time.

Is this going to be a primary carry piece, or a backup? For a primary gun, I'd recommend a Glock 19 if you're going to waistband carry, or the Kahr PM9 for anywhere else. As a backup, the PM9 for sure.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

MK for holster carry, PM for pocket.

 

[denfoote]

A picture is worth a thousand words.



Need I say more???

 

[doctorxring]

.

If it means the MK9 will stay in the drawer and not be carried,
then get the PM9.

If weight does not matter then get the MK9.

These points are really axiomatic as the heavier gun will handle
"better".


But I tell you with full assurance and experience that the Kahr PM9
handles amazingly well, even with +P ammunition. I could hardly
believe it the first time I shot one. The Kahr design is very refined
with a low grip to bore axis. This helps keep the felt recoil pulse very
low. The PM9 was so comfortable to shoot that I ended up getting
a PM40 and a P40 which also handle extremely well for their power
to weight ratio. But I would not recommend them in your case at
this time. Maybe later.


I think if you start your wife out with regular pressure ammo in 90 or
100 grain loadings and work up, she will be in love with the PM9
by the 2nd or 3rd range session, if not the first.

.

 

[jocko]

doc: ur dead right about the 40 cal kahrs in polymer. kicking little fools arent' they??? If I owned one, I would definitely magna port it...

 

[ezenbrowntown]

I went through the same debate before I made my Kahr purchase. I went back and forth, back and forth. For me each had their pro's and con's (compared to one another). I wanted to be able to pocket carry, which I considered weight to be a crucial qualifier/disqualifer. Recoil wasn't near as big of a concern for me. So, I went with the PM9. I don't think either is a bad decision.

Everyone is different, but my experience is the Kahr takes a little getting used to. I also bought both the Pearce Grip Extension and the Hogue Handall Jr. as well. The Pearce extension is more optional in my opinion, as the "pinky dangling" doesn't affect my shooting too much one way or the other. However the Hogue Handall Jr. has made a dramatic difference in the recoil from the pistol. The polymer nubs on the back side of the grip were tearing a blister in my hand, making the it uncomfortable to shoot. If you buy one accessory for the Kahr, I'd advise it would be the one to get.

FIY, they do make a Crimson Trace laser for the PM9 as well. Here's a link to one I googled.
http://www.shooters-resource.com/KAR/LG-437.html

 

[UnTainted]

Either! You'll love them. I bought the MK9 after shooting both, and carrying both. I don't mind pocket carrying the MK9 even for more than a few hours. I prefer IWB, but it's nice to put it in the pocket. I use an IWB tuckable holster, and it really does disappear with a dress shirt or longer t-shirt tucked in.

The size of the MK9 and PM9 will look like you have a really thick iphone in your pocket or some other book or something. They're square enough, though, that they don't print like a revolver.

I'm not dissatisfied with the weight such that I'm motivated to buy a PM9, but I may still do that in the future just 'cuz.

 

[doctorxring]

Jocko

They don't kick that much. I kind of like it to tell you the truth.

In comparison to an M29 S&W they are pussycats. Having that
point of reference makes a difference.

dxr






Quote Jocko -- doc: ur dead right about the 40 cal kahrs in polymer. kicking little fools arent' they??? If I owned one, I would definitely magna port it...

 

[yongxingfreesty]

mk9! I just got mine today and it looks beautiful! i haven't shot it yet, but I will this weekend

 

[fourwedge]

I love the MK9 it is a little heavier but I think it makes it much easier to go to the range and practice if you have a gun that isn't too snappy. I love the pm9 for pocket carry but the MK is the same size and fits in the pocket too. I loved the feel of the K9, it was just bigger then I wanted for a CCW.

Here is my MK9 with my 229 SAS gen 2

 

[Ben86]

I say go with the pm9. I don't see the point in lugging around the extra weight. While the extra weight of steel does reduce recoil, so does the flex of the polymer frame. Either way it is a nice, thin sub-compact.