PM9 or larger Kahr Gun?

[desert gator]

I have a question I want to gather some info on. My friend wants to get a kahr and is debating between the pm9 or a p/cw9. They plan on carrying IWB, and not really intreseted in pocket carry. Is there any reason he should go with the a pm9 over the larger sizes if he isnt going to pocket carry?

 

[GIJOEL]

I handled the PM9 and the P9 and chose the P9, one more round (not much but hey), and my WHOLE hand can take a grip, I have big hands (mens XL or XXL) and pocket guns are too small to shoot well for me, the P9 is the smallest gun that I can confidently shoot with full power SD ammo and keep "A zone" hits with. The PM9 is only a half inch smaller long and high, that might make a difference if your a small framed person. If a characteristic of a weapon makes said weapon more effective then thats what is more important. For me accuracy comes before size.

 

[Wagon]

I have a PM9 , it is my EDC, currently speaking. If I'd do it all over again... and if I'm fixed on Kahr and would not consider any other, I'd go with P/CW 9.

Especially if it is NOT intended for pocket carry, the extra length in P/CW made absolutely NO different in conceal IWB carry (just get a quality IWB, such as Mitch Rosen, HBE, Alessi, and the like..). The narrow width of Kahr makes it perfect for IWB.

Your friend has big hand? The longer grip in P/CW does make a HUGE different in shooting.. the very short grip in PM is already too short for my smallish hand (and the ugly gap between the grip and the mag base plate pinches my pinky).

Rent both, let the hand tells the truth.

 

[maxxborist]

just got myself a pm9 and i love it. ordered a crimson trace for it and cant wait to install it. very happy with my purchase.

 

[owlhoot]

The price difference between the two pistols is considerable. I purchased a CW9 a couple of years ago new from a local gunshop for $389. The PM9 was almost double that. Unless your objective is front pocket carry, there is little to be gained from buying the more expensive PM9.

 

[Wagon]

I purchased a CW9 a couple of years ago new from a local gunshop for $389. The PM9 was almost double that. Unless your objective is front pocket carry, there is little to be gained from buying the more expensive PM9.

Agreed, no gain to pay more for a PM9, if carry mode is IWB.

Do not agree on the price difference.. my plain jane PM9 was ("only") $575 in Sept 2009, while CW9 was $420, so, is far from "almost double". There are places selling it for less, too. You might be looking at a diamond black slide with night sight? or was it a PM9 Elite?

 

[desert gator]

Thank you for the imput guys, I will direct him toward the larger gun than. Here is question number 2. Is the price difference of the P9 and CW9 worth getting the P9?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Is there any reason he should go with the a pm9 over the larger sizes if he isnt going to pocket carry?

None that I can think of. When drawing from a belt holster you will get a more secure grip on the gun if you can wrap all your fingers around it. You can also do this with a PM by adding a finger extension (aftermarket or the standard spare magazine), but this makes it as long as the larger gun anyway.

I got my own PM9 specifically for pocket carry.

 

[usp9]

Here is question number 2. Is the price difference of the P9 and CW9 worth getting the P9?

Because you said he planned to carry the gun, my answer is; yes, the price difference is worth it. I say this because;

* The polygonal barrel will give you a little higher velocity, a good thing. Not better accuracy however.

* Front dovetail cut for night sights, instead of a screw hole. Not a big deal but more conventional and adjustable if need be.

* No MIM parts if that's a concern.

* The slide comes in black if desired.

* you get the extra magazine.

FWIW...I would have recommended the larger gun too. I've never owned a PM sized Kahr, but I've had all the others. The larger guns, T and TP, have been especially nice guns.

This is the official comparison.

 

[lions]

P9 goes for around $600
CW9 goes for around $400

For $200 I decided to get the CW9. I looked at the same comparison usp9 just posted when I was deciding and the differences just weren't worth it to me. I'm completely happy with my CW9.

 

[Zerodefect]

If your friend is comfortable and somewhat experienced with larger P9, CW9 sized guns, then I would recommend the PM9.

The PM9 is a bit more "interesting" to shoot due to its smaller size but is a fine shooting CCW with a excellent DAO trigger. Much better than a Keltec PF9 or P11 trigger.


I like the Pm9 and p380 for subcompact CCW's, but for larger compact CCW guns, I strongly believe that the Glock 19, 23 have that size range locked down. I wouldn't buy a P9 or CW9 without renting a midsize Glock first. Every range has them.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

The PM9 is a bit more "interesting" to shoot due to its smaller size...

I agree. I ended up installing a Pearce grip extension on my battle carry magazine and carrying a +1 factory mag, which extends beyond the magazine well for the pinky finger to rest on, as a spare. This made it less "interesting" to shoot. I load it with Speer 124gr +P Gold Dot.

I carry my PM9 appendix style using a modified Milt Sparks Summer Speciall II IWB holster. When I lived in Washington state I carried a Glock 19 for years. When I moved to Florida a couple of years ago I got the PM9 because I wasn't comfortable CCW'ing the G19 with light-weight, hot weather clothing, especially on breezy days.

Good luck to you friend. I hope that whatever he (assuming he's a "he") chooses works well for him.

 

[bdb benzino]

I have 2 CW series Kahr's and think they are sweet for the $. I personally would stick with the CW over spending $200 or more on the P series. It is still great quality and I dont think that conventional rifling has anything wrong with it. FWIW you can add a machined slidestop for around $30 and nightsights for $80 and still be over $100 less than the P series. Don't get me wrong, if you can afford it the P series is awsome, but I do not see any difference in build quality and preformance lost with the CW series. The biggest difference between the two is the barrel and the writing and machining on the slide, and to be honest neither of those two things was worth $200+ to me. YMMV.
Good luck in whatever you choose!

 

[bamiller]

I sold my LCP and purchased a PM9 because I didn't like the two finger grip and sights on the LCP and wanted a 9mm for pocket carry. Well...got the 9mm and better sights BUT still have the 2 finger grip because when putting a Pierce grip on the PM9 to get a 3 finger grip it's too long to draw out of jean pockets. Not sure the extra $300 was worth it.

 

[Ala Dan]

Another "happy camper" and owner of a Kahr CW-9~!

 

[desert gator]

ok one last question. Is the K9 trigger pull longer than the cw/p?

 

[Guillermo]

I own a PM9 and I too would go for the P9 if I had a choice (I didn't, the deal was complex and it is CLOSE with the extended magazine)

 

[Wagon]

ok one last question. Is the K9 trigger pull longer than the cw/p?

To be precise: yes. Standard K9 are equipped with "NYPD trigger" which is, reported, just a tad longer than the "Elite" trigger found in all polymer Kahr.

Some claimed that they cannot tell the different. me no comment coz I have not even seen a K9 in person, let alone pulling the trigger for comparison.

K9 will be quite a bit heavier than CW/P series.... 1/2 lb different.

 

[G.A.Pster]

PM9, if you want more mag capacity just buy a 8 round K9 mag it’ll work in a PM9.

 

[Jermz1987]

I would go with the CW9, for the price you cant beat it. I absolutely love mine.

 

[usp9]

ok one last question. Is the K9 trigger pull longer than the cw/p?

Some claimed that they cannot tell the different

I've got both the standard 1/2" long pull K9 trigger and a K9 with the short pull, 3/8" Elite trigger, and I can tell the difference. I much prefer the short stroke.

Pull weight feels the same.

For some reason the K9 trigger feels better than the same trigger on my "P" Kahrs. On paper they are the same. Maybe it's me, but I'd swear the K9 Elite is smoother.

 

[iblong]

I have a PM9 and A CW9 like them both a lot,If I never planned on pocket carry I would carry a cw,p or TP over the Pm.Better grip,longer sight plane,more rounds and all are easy to carry (IWB).
Bob.

 

[NinjaFeint]

I personally prefer the PM9 for carry because it conceals better for me. If I could conceal a P9 just as easily I would have got that though.

 

[Ben86]

If he is not interested in pocket carry he ought to go with the CW9. It is less expensive and easier to shoot. Use the left over money for more practice and maybe an extra mag.