Kahr PM9 or Kahr PM40?

[duncan]

I'm looking for a real pocket gun in a major caliber. For real active wear like biking or running.

One of my local dealers has both the PM9 for $559 and a PM40 for $549.

Standard stainless steel slide - no night sights.

Data shows that the PM9 weighs 14 ounces compared to the 15 ounces of the PM40. Seven rounds in the PM9 and six rounds in the PM40. And the slide on the PM9 is a tad thinner on the PM9.

But people seem to really like their PM9s and shooting them.

I shoot a lot of 9mm and 40sw in several guns.

Heck I reload both 9mm and 40SW so cost of ammo is not an issue.

Go with the gun you will probably enjoy shooting more - the PM9?

Or go for the heavier bullet and ballistics of the 40SW in the PM40?

Insight?

 

[Matt Sutton]

I've never shot a PM40, but I have a PM9 and consider it a great balance between size, weight and power. The PM9 is quite comfortable to shoot. I imagine the extra power of the 40 chambering would cost you some of that comfort and control.

 

[Mercury]

duncan,

I have a P40 and a PM9 and like them a lot.

Before I shot the P40 I couldn't wait for the PM40 to become available. However, after shooting it I really appreciate the longer grip to help with the recoil. It is snappy but controllable and accurate!
I think that the PM40 would be a handful. Definitely not a gun to shoot all day long at the range. It is a major caliber though.

I do agree with Matt, the PM9 is a great balance between size, weight and power. It is also very accurate.

If you do your part with shot placement, caliber is not an issue. The 9mm has one more on tap and less recoil.

Either way, I think that you'd be satisfied.
Regards...Mercury

 

[Jeff OTMG]

I have shot an MK40 and I have a P9 Covert. I don't think that I would be interested in shooting a PM40, give me the PM9.

 

[wunderkind]

Original format

I've always bought guns in the design's original caliber. I like Glocks in 9mm, S&W k-frames in .38 , and 1911's in .45.

The entire concept and design parameter of the Kahr family was based around the 9mm.

I would be willing to bet if a P9 and a P40 were put to a 'fire to failure' torture test the .40 would experience mechanical trouble or breakage first. (It would probably be tens, if not hundred of 1000's or rounds-they seem very well made!)

Just food for thought.

 

[denfoote]

The entire concept and design parameter of the Kahr family was based around the 9mm.

Wonderchild,

Almost, but not quite true. While Justin Moon used the same design CONCEPTS, the 10mm kurz pistols were redesigned from the ground up, so to speak. They are not just 9mm pistols with a .40S&W barrel and breachface!!

My guess would be just the opposite. The 10mm kurz guns would pass the torture test along with the 9mm's.

As touching the original posting, I would go with the 9mm, only because I have a MK9 and like the caliber more than the other. But with that said, what the PM40 lacks in the number of cartridges, it makes up for in leaving a bigger hole!! Also, the P40 magazines will fit the smaller gun just as the MK9 will accept the K9 mags!!

 

[10-Ring]

I'm not a fan of the 40 S&W & for that reason, I'd go w/ the PM9

 

[mini14jac]

I have a PM9, and it is a lot of fun to shoot.
Throw in Walmart ammo at $10/100rds, and you can practice a lot.
With +P Gold Dots, I think I have an adequate carry round.
(The +P ammo is not too bad to practice with, either.)

See if you can find a PM40 to try out.
I'm betting it would be no fun at the range.

 

[duncan]

Well, I bought the PM9.

One of my most trusted gun shop buddies HAD a PM40 and felt the recoil was brutal and this guy loves mag behind his calibers. He switched to a PM9.

So ... her is my range report on my newly purchased Kahr PM9.

First, I got an awesome deal on mine. Around Seattle some dealers actually thought they could sell the base PM9s for as high as $579. I bought mine at Ben's Loans in Renton, WA for $529. My favorite gunshop since they ahve a great selection of new and used guns. YMMV on the purchase price though. Glenn my fav saleman there warned me to make sure I had a firm grip on that PM9.

Second, a Kahr rep told him that many of the PM9 failures were due to limpwristing and a poor grip on the gun so the slide didn't operate as designed and FTE, FTF result. And another part of the failures was due to out-of-spec ammo either too long or too short. I know I cannot fit the 115 grain Powermax Gold Dot +P+ ammo in my PM9. But with the possibility of slide peening - no way. So I'm only shooting standard velocity with occassional +P carry loads in my PM9.

Third, I took it home and did the usual fluff and buff. Cleaned it. Mirror polished the feed ramp which was no big deal since it was 85 percent there from the factory. Added Tetra gun grease to the rails and the barrel's locking lug and the inside of the slide near the top barrel opening. Thin coat of BreakFree and wipe off.

Finally, took it to the Seattle Police Range and practiced outdoors. Light misty rain. But covered shooting positions so no big deal.

Absolutely no failures in 400 rounds shot in one two hour session at 8 yards. All ammo delivered tight COM groups within 3 inches even with fast fire and slow double taps.

100 rounds of 147 grain copper plated Berry's bullets with 3.8 grains of TiteGroup at 1.14" OAL. Very accurate and extremely light recoil. Pleasurably.

100 rounds of some old Winchester white box 147 grain FMJ. Accurate and pleasant.

100 rounds of some 115 grain Montana Gold JHPs loaded with 4.5 grains of Universal to 1.13" OAL. Some good recoil and thump to those rounds. Accurate but not as pleasant as the 147s.

40 rounds of some 147 grain standard velocity Hydrashoks - very accurate and a plasure to shoot. About 1.15" OAL.

40 rounds of some 124 grain standard velocity Hydrashoks - pretty pleasant to shoot. About 1.13" OAL.

20 rounds of some 124 +P Gold Dots - my planned carry load. Accurate, easy to COM, pretty tight groups. I'll carry that load.

But for my next box of carry ammo I will look at the 147 Gold Dots standard velocity since I seem to prefer shooting the 147s out of my PM9.

So that was my break in session.

Five different bullet profiles
Three different bullet weights
Different overal length loads
Standard pressure ammo
+P ammo
Reloaded ammo
Factory ammo
Different rates of fire
No issues - no problems!

Just cleaned it up. No slide peens, just normal break in wear on the metal parts.

My only wish would be that the slide rails to have more metal on them. Oh well.

So that is my report on my PM9 from the Fall 2003 crop.

Glad I have it - yes!

It's a keeper.

Plan to slap some XS big dot tritium 24/7 night sights on it soon. Anybody have any feedback on those?