Kahr PM9 or PM40 for Pocket Carry??

[Braden]

For reasons that don't matter in this thread, I can no longer carry my G22 OWB to work like I used to be able to do. As a result, I am looking for a good pocket pistol.

I know the Kahr PM9 is very popular for pocket carry so I am giving it some serious thought (by the way, is it pronounced "car" or "care" or what??).

Another option I'm considering is the PM40.

Dimentionally, they're almost identical with the PM40 being 0.05" longer and having a slide width that is 0.04" thicker. The height of both is the same at 4.0" per Kahr's website.

The PM9 has a capacity of 6+1 and the PM40 has a capacity of 5+1.

I'm looking for comments from people who have experience with either or both of these guns. I'm probably a little more interested in the PM40 since the .40 is a little more potent, but I think it may also be a bit hard to handle.

Your thoughts on either of these two guns for pocket carry are greatly appreciated.

 

[wally]

I really like my Kahr PM40. But I find its a little heavy for my pockets, so I usually use one of those cheap IWB clipons. Its very easy to handle compard to my other hot weather favorite -- S&W SC360 "Scandium" .357 Magnum J-frame, weighing in at 15.5 ounces fully loaded with 158 gr hydrashoks.

--wally.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have been carrying a Kahr (sounds like "car") PM9 with night sites in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster for a couple of years now. The recoil is "brisk" enough that I don't know whether I would want to fire a PM40 on a regular basis.

That said, the PM9 gets fired quite a bit, I can get 14 shots on paper in short order, and it feels right. I carry it 6+1 and carry the 7 round magazine in the off side pocket inside the leather sleeve that came with a Wal-Mart $4 sharpening stone. My pistol has functioned 100% since just before round 200. I had a couple of failures to feed during the break-in period, but none since. The pistol gets stripped, cleaned, and re-lubed weekly, and I find that it likes to be a bit "wet" in the lube department.

I haven't had to adjust my wardrobe, and the Kahr is equally at home in jeans, dockers, dress slacks, shorts, etc.

Note that the PM9 was original seen as a compromise carry choice by me, due to the fact that New Mexico originally had a CCW requirement that you could only carry the exact combination of action type and caliber that you demonstrated proficiency with. Since my instructor would only allow 3 combinations in the original class, I settled on .32 auto (KT P32), .38 revolver (S&W 642 or 37), and 9mm auto (Glock 26, Glock 17, Kahr PM9). With a change in the law, you can carry up to the highest caliber for each action type, and even though my CCW now states .45 Auto/.45 revolver I find that I normally carry the PM9 since it rides so well. Better to have a 9mm in the pocket than a .45 in the gunsafe.

 

[Lou22]

I agree with Sistema1927. My PM9 goes in just about any pocket. Mine is loaded up with Ranger 115gr +P+, which is about the hottest I can still shoot fast and accurately with. I also have a Taurus PT145 .45 that I love to shoot, but stays in the safe most of the time because it's a little big for most pocket carry.

Lou

 

[Braden]

Sounds like the PM9 is probably the way to go even though I like the punch of the .40. Having owned the subcompact Glock in .40 I KNOW the kind of recoil a small .40 caliber can have, and the Kahr is considerably smaller and lighter than the Glock 27.

 

[honkeoki]

+1 for PM9

I've had two Kahrs, a PM9 and a P40 Covert. Neither worked for me but the P40 had more recoil than I liked.

A PM9's recoil is (near as I can remember) about equivalent to an S&W Airweight with 158-grain +P 38 Special loads.

My Kahrs were way more ammo-picky than any other handguns I've ever owned, so I highly recommend putting several hundred of your chosen defensive load down the pipe before you carry it.

 

[made2cut]

I've bought a bunch of good CCW guns - USPc, Taurus PT145, G30, S&W model 60, Sig 245, Sig 229 and the one that keeps getting carried is the PM9. You just can't beat it for carry comfort and since getting broken in it's been completely reliable. I carry it in a Galco U.S.A IWB tuckable holster which I highly recommend over pocket carry. Yes the recoil is a bit snappy but I didn't buy this gun to fire thousands of rounds at the range. I sure would like to give the P45 a try someday.

 

[Andiceman]

I love my PM9

I've had the blackened stainless model for almost a year now and carry it either in a Hedley leather pocket holster (jeans or khakis) or in a DeSantis Nemisis pocket holster (cargo shorts). The Hedley isn't as bulky so it works better in tighter garments like jeans. The DeSantis is wider and has a "sticky" rubber material on the outside so it doesn't flop around in very large shorts pockets like the Hedley does.

I carry Corbon +P ammo in mine. I haven't had problems with any ammo but of all the "personal defense" ammo I've tried Federal Hydra-shok (standard and low-recoil), Speer Gold-dots, and a couple of others the Corbon grouped best. I've been meaning to pick up some Corbon DPX and Corbon Pow'rBall to try but have not yet had the opportunity to do so.

I'd strongly recommend it.

 

[coylh]

It's quite heavy for pocket carry. If your pants stand up by themselves (jeans, canvas, wool) it will probably work, but I think dress pants/dockers don't give enough support.

 

[Sistema1927]

It's quite heavy for pocket carry. If your pants stand up by themselves (jeans, canvas, wool) it will probably work, but I think dress pants/dockers don't give enough support.

Well, my Dockers get washed regularly and my suit slacks get dry cleaned regularly (they don't stand up by themselves!), and I have no problem with the PM9 in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. YMMV.

 

[ezypikns]

My PM9 is a Pocketful to Carry.....

and a handful to shoot. Seriously, the PM9 conceals wonderfully in a DeSantis Nemesis holster, and just disappears in my Crossbreed IWB holster (very comfortable!) I don't think I'd like to shoot a .40 in the same package, at least not very much anyway. My PM9 is very easy shooting though. I can go through a couple of boxes of 9mm in a session without any discomfort.

Whichever you decide on though, be sure and get a couple of Pearce Grip Extensions for your magazines. They really help controllability.

 

[Lancel]

After carrying a PM9 for 2 years, I'm still very happy with it.

It's very reliable with all kinds of ammo.

Those who say the PM9 is "quiet heavy" may be thinking of something else, the MK9 perhaps. The PM9 weighs only 15.9oz with magazine. I find it carrys well in a jeans pocket just using an Uncle Mike's pocket holster.

It also goes very concealed in a SmartCarry but most often in a Comp-tac C-tac holster.

I prefer DoubleTap 9mm +p 124gr Gold Dots. IMO when compared to that kind of ammo, a .40 has only a marginal advantage but then yields the advantage to less control and one less shot.

Larry