Review of Kahr CM9

[C0untZer0]

I purchased a CM9 a few weeks ago.

Before I received my CCL, I was transporting my Rohrbaugh R9 in a 5.11 Select Carry Pistol Pouch. A weird distinction in Illinois that allowed people to transport an unloaded firearm in a container or pack - for people who aren't familiar with it.

I still throw my R9 in the 5.11 Select Carry Pistol Pouch when I'm going for a jog or a bike ride. Here is my review of the 5.11 Select Carry Pistol Pouch and the Ka-Bar TDI pack:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=740978

Because of the weird Illinois FCCA, I've either left the loaded R9 in my car when entering places that were posted, or I would unload, put the unloaded R9 in the pack, and when I got back to my car, I would reload. I believe that the Illinois FOID Act allows people with a FOID card to transport firearms in some places (not schools, court houses or post offices). Unloading and reloading got tiresome so I decided to get a second firearm that I can keep in a pack. That way I don't have to be loading and unloading my R9 so frequently.

I purchased the Kahr CM9 from Grab-A-Gun for $319.99 plus $5.99 shipping, so I paid $325.98 total for the gun. I paid 20 bucks for the transfer.

The CM9 comes in a plastic bag, in a cardboard case. It was pretty oily when I took it out. It's not a big deal, I certainly don't want a rusty gun, but for whatever reason, it is the oiliest gun I've ever purchased. Also not a big deal because I was going to clean and lube it anyway. I was just thinking maybe Kahr is slathering on the oil for these little guns to deal with those people who take a gun straight out of the box and shoot it.

I also purchased a DeSantis Nemesis holster for the CM9.

I didn't buy the CM9 for pocket carry but the first thing I did was put it in the Nemesis holster and try it out in my pocket. I think it is a pocket pistol. I definitely could tell a difference with the CM9 versus the R9, but my sense right now is that I could pocket carry the CM9 in jeans. I'm not sure if I could pocket carry it in business slacks or light shorts, but for regular jeans I think it will work.

I noticed that the CM9 looked a lot bigger in my pocket than the R9 – bigger than the pistol measurements would seem to account for. So I got out a ruler and I discovered that the OAL measurements for the CM9 are larger than what is published on Kahr's website.

Kahr gives the overall length of the CM9 as 5.42” If you measure just the slide from the rear to the muzzle end, the slide is 5.4375” So it is closer to 4.4” than it is to 4.2”. But that isn't really the OAL of the CM9. Putting the gun in a box, and putting the top of the slide against one wall of the box and sliding the gun until the rearmost part of the pistol touches another wall of the box, and measuring from there, the Kahr is actually 5.625” long. This is similar to how guns are measured with the IDPA box test if people are familiar with that.

Here are some side by side pictures of the CM9 and the R9:

 

[C0untZer0]

The second thing I did was weigh the CM9. The gun itself came out to be slightly heavier than Kahr states on their web site, but not significantly. My scale said the CM9 weighed 14.1 ounces. I weighed it a number of times and checked the accuracy of the scale with a 1 ounce weight. On the other hand, the magazine turned out to be lighter than what Kahr has on their website. Kahr states that the magazine weighs 1.9 ounces and my scale had it at 1.5 ounces. The CM9 loaded with 7 rounds of Winchester RA9T weighs 18.9 ounces. When the holster is added, the whole thing weighs 20.8 ounces.

My R9 disappears into a regular jeans pocket and I wanted to see what the CM9 was like. Here are some comparison photos with 2 different brands of generic jeans. I didn't fiddle with the pockets or anything, I put the holstered gun in the pocket, walked down a flight of stairs, sat down , stood up, walked up a flight of stairs, and moved around slightly to actually take the photos. I did the same for each gun.

Here is the R9:

Here is the CM9:

When I say my R9 disappears into my front pocket – it really does, and I noticed that when I put the holstered CM9 in my front pocket, I could look right down and see the butt of the gun. The CM9 holds the pocket open slightly – about ¾ of an inch.

I think this is because the R9 sits 2” deep in the pocket, while the CM9 only sits in the pocket a 1/4” deep. With the CM9 there is only 1/4” of space from the top of the gun to the opening of the pocket. I think because the CM9 doesn't sit in the pocket very deep, it sort of holds the pocket open by about 3/4”.

Here is the R9 in my other pair of jeans:

And the CM9:

 

[C0untZer0]

I did almost everything that Jocko on kahrTalk recomends doing for break in. I cleaned the CM9, including using non-chlorinated brake cleaner in the striker channel. The brake cleaner partially erased the paint on the rear sight. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought Testers Bright White paint and repainted the rear site with a toothpick. I manually cycled the slide 500 times. Yes I actually manually cycled the slide 500 times.
One of the things that you are supossed to do is double-check to see if the magazine spring is inserted correctly. When I looked at the magazine I noticed that I could see the spring coils. It wasn't until I took the magazine apart and a plastic piece fell out that it dawned on me that the reason I could see the spring coils was because the follower was broke. Yep I received a magazine from the factory with a broken follower. Kind of ironic that they test fire the gun at the factory and the test firing breaks the follower and they don't notice it and ship it out broken anyway. But obviously they're not test firing the gun to make sure it doesn't break followers, they firing it to make sure it feeds, fires and ejects. Maybe they should add another thing to their test checklist "Look at the follower after test firing"

Jocko at KahrTalk recomends using FMJ at first and I had read on the KahrTalk forum where users had trouble with some 115gr ammo during the "Break In" phase, and read where guys who were using hotter ammo didn't have problems, so I decided to use "NATO" ammo for the first few hundred rounds. When I say NATO - I mean 124gr FMJ rated at or near 1200 fps from a 5" barrel. That is a little hotter than the average and quite a bit hotter than the rather anemic 124gr Blazzer Brass rated at 1090 fps. Fifty rounds of the Winchester Ranger RA9124N (NATO) and 200 rounds of the Georgia Arms 124gr "NATO" I considered those 250 rounds the "Break In" rounds and I've begun firing other stuff like 10 rounds of 147gr Federal HST and 40 rounds of 115gr Winchester "Target" FMJ.

I am at 300 rounds through the CM9 with no problems other than the followers being broke.

I did have an instance on my first time out with the gun where the slide didn't lock back on the last round but I think now that it was because my thumb was pressing down on the slide stop. Other than that and the broken followers, I have 300 rounds through the CM9 without any problems to feed, fire, eject or return fully to battery.

 

[C0untZer0]

I like the fact that it will eat cheap 115gr practice ammo - it shoots it pretty accurately too. For some reason that I don't know, I make fairly large shot groups with Federal HST.

I've shot all "NATO" 124gr FMJ through it up till now - (meaning 124gr FMJ rated at or near 1200 fps from a 5" barrel) and the other day was the first day I shot premium SD ammo from it. I got very different results from the 147gr Federal HST. I know the HST target is a 10-round shot group, but even still, my first 3 shots made a 3" triangle.


IMO, the CM9 is surprisingly easy to shoot, I expected it to be a lot snappier than it is, and it is accurate for what it is. These targets were at 21 feet.

I didn't change my anything about my shooting but the 147gr HSTs produced a much larger pattern than the Georgia Arms 124gr NATO or 115gr Winchester "Target" FMJ

I did some shooting at 50 feet because someone on a forum asked if the CM9 can put rounds on an 8" plate at 50 feet, and I made one 5-round shot group that was 3.5"

I was very impressed with that. I could spend a day at the range with my 17L shooting at 50 feet and not shoot that well. I think I got lucky, but hey, I'll take it - I still have the target. I had two targets where I had a round not hit the paper, but hey, with my eyes the target is mostly a blurry dark blob at 50 feet anyway.

 

[jimbo555]

Great review, thank you. How does the accuracy of the cm9 compare with the r-9?

 

[C0untZer0]

I shoot the CM9 more accurately than I shoot my R9. I think it is because the R9 has fairly simple iron sights, a slightly shorter sight radius, a little less to hang on to, and a slightly heavier trigger pull.

 

[jimbo555]

I'm interested in both of these guns. In your opinion is the price of the r-9 worth the size difference? In other words, do you think the cm9 can perform the job just as good or better than the r9 for less money invested?

 

[C0untZer0]

The R9 is easier to carry in a pocket, it is more comfortable, and it is easier to draw from a pocket. I have pocket carried the CM9 and I don't forget it is there, and while wearing jeans, at least with a Nemesis holster, if I have my shirt tucked in, someone standing right beside me could see down into the pocket and see the butt of the CM9 whereas with the R9, it sits deeper in a jean pocket and really almost disappears.

It is quite a premium for that slightly smaller size and slightly less weight.

It might be a moot point since Remington group has purchased Rohrbaugh Firearms. It seems like the last of the actual Rohrbaugh Firearms are going up in price, maybe they're becoming collector's items.

I have heard rumors that there is a design change in the works for the R9 - nothing major but it will be a different gun, I don't know if those changes will be implemented before the first production run under Remington or not.

 

[Hometeached1]

Very well written review.

Have you shot the S&W Shield? If you have how does it compare?

Thanks.

 

[C0untZer0]

I haven't shot the S&W Shield.

 

[bannockburn]

COuntZerO

Great review, especially with your detailed account of your break-in procedure and the different bullet weight results.

 

[CNobbe]

HomeTeached,

I have a PM9, made in 06 and has countless rounds through it as well as a Shield 9mm with maybe 400 rounds through it.

How do they compare? They're apples and oranges. The Shield is more of a compact whereas the PM/CM are sub compacts. A Shield is going to be a challenge for pocket carry just because of the size of it. I think for most folks use the Shield as an IWB gun.

As far as shooting, again totally different. Shield is very similar to a Glock trigger and is surprisingly good unlike the other M&Ps..

The Kahr trigger is basically a true DAO pull and though it is a longer pull, it is very smooth and very predictable. Doesn't take a lot of practice to get used to, but it's nothing like the Shield..

Recoil, I'd say my PM9 is a little bit snappier than the Shield, but it's not bad at all. They've both got beefy double recoil springs in them.

I guess it boils down to what you want the gun for. In winter I carry a P239 in .357 Sig. In fall, I carry the lighter Shield, and in summer depending on what I'm doing or where I'm going I pocket carry the PM9 or CW380 as they just so slim and light.

That said, I ordered a Walther CCP as I'm too excited about design relation to the H&K P7..

 

[C0untZer0]

I forgot to add that I also did a lot of dry firing of the CM9 before my first range trip, probably around 300 times, I was practicing 20 times a night with it for about 2 weeks.

One thing I don't like about the CM9 is the slide stop. It is sharp and it gouges the inside of my shooting thumb. Probably a non-factor in a SD situation, but it is irritating after a few magazines so I wear a shooting glove when I take it to the range.

I really have never had the thought "I wish I had gotten the PM9 because the barrel is sooo much better than the CM9's"

The magazines could be nice but with the money I saved I got an 8-round mag, which doesn't come with the PM9.

I can't say the simple roll marks on the slide bug me or I long for more aesthetically appealing engraved marks of the PM9

 

[ddc]

...One thing I don't like about the CM9 is the slide stop. It is sharp and it gouges the inside of my shooting thumb. Probably a non-factor in a SD situation, but it is irritating after a few magazines so I wear a shooting glove when I take it to the range...

I've had that problem with several Kahr's now. Just taking the slightest edge off with an emery board or something similar has made a big difference.

 

[Hometeached1]

CNobbe, thanks.

There are a lot of Shields around here, but no cm9/PM9 and looking at the measurements I could not get a good idea of size.

 

[CNobbe]

My PM came with three mags and I traded the shop the 7 round extended for another flush magazine. I prefer the dovetailed front sight on the PM as I put night sights on everything.

The slide stop on the CM is a MIM part vs milled and some filing will smooth it out.

 

[C0untZer0]

If I get a Dremel 3000 for Father's Day I plan on rounding off the slide stop on my CM9

I am borrowing pics from gb6491, a moderator at KahrTalk, hopefully I can make my stop look like this:

Here is his thread:

http://kahrtalk.com/showpost.php?p=15672&postcount=5

 

[JDGray]

The CM9 comes in a plastic bag, in a cardboard case. It was pretty oily when I took it out. It's not a big deal, I certainly don't want a rusty gun, but for whatever reason, it is the oiliest gun I've ever purchased.

Have you ever opened a new CZ from its oily bag? OMG!

 

[boricua9mm]

My CM9 came in a decent plastic case, which now lives in a closet along with all the rest of the plastic cases

My CM9 has been great so far. I have 400rounds through mine. It happily feeds my current defense load of choice, the Winchester PDX-1. I guess I got lucky because mine does not break followers and it will feed rounds if I slingshot the slide, or even if I ease the slide down. These guns are surprisingly easy to shoot, especially compared to something like an Airweight J-frame revolver (642, 442, etc.)

My pistol is a "blemish" model, but the only glaring blemish is a letter B on the left side of the frame forward of the trigger guard. I gave my CM9 "brushed flats" with a flat block of wood and some 1000 grit sandpaper from the auto parts store. I also added a Trijicon front night sight.

I've been pocket carrying the Glock 26 for 10 years, but these days they make pants with pathetic pockets. The CM9 has taken the place of the Glock 26 as an EDC pistol. I carry it in a DeSantis SuperFly, because I've found it to be tougher and more sticky than the Nemesis. After a few years the Nemesis seems to lose its tackiness inside the pocket.

The person responsible for the "skinny pants" fashion really needs to be drawn and quartered!

 

[Fishbed77]

I did almost everything that Jocko on kahrTalk recomends doing for break in. I cleaned the CM9, including using non-chlorinated brake cleaner in the striker channel. The brake cleaner partially erased the paint on the rear sight. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought Testers Bright White paint and repainted the rear site with a toothpick. I manually cycled the slide 500 times. Yes I actually manually cycled the slide 500 times.

I didn't do any of this stuff and my CM9 has run flawlessly from the moment I took it out of the box. Over 2000 rounds now without a single failure of any kind.

 

[CNobbe]

How does the night sight install on the CM9? I have the CW380, front sight is staked in as opposed to dovetail on my PM9. My old PM9 though it has been reliable as the tide might be due for replacement (local hardware store has a sale on CM9s for $299 and might snap one up to swap frames with my PM) but have never seen night sights on a CM

 

[boricua9mm]

The front sight for the CM9 has two posts that extend into the slide for mounting. The Trijicon uses a screw to secure one of the two posts. It's similar to how aftermarket front sights are secured on the Glock pistols. I used red Loctite on the screw threads, for what it's worth.

Kahr sells the sights. They used to only be like $45, but they've gone up in price. I think the ones they were selling at a lower price were already 5 years old. These are brand new production (14).

 

[340PD]

Mice work guys. I have shot the R9 and own and carry a PM9. I found the Kahr had much less felt recoil, thus producing a much more accurate gun for me to shoot. A good pocket holster and the Kahr will carry nicely in a pair of lightweight wool dress slacks.

 

[hardluk1]

One of the best written reviews done by anyone. I have not shoot a single round of 147gr in ether of my 9mm kahrs . I stay with 124gr gold dot or there bonded unicorn loads from Georgia arms or underwood. They shoot as well as the reloaded fro GA or mine. canned heat. I also have a tp but in the 40 cal. O am now reloading Buyou Bullets HY-TEC coated bullet and I find they leave no residue behind in ether barrel. I don't see a up grade barrel worth the money.

With the right holster and pants pocket think for the cm9 as a ole mans wallet in the front pocket. You know the type , ya carry everything you never needed and ain't seen in years. That's your little cm9 !! Get a skinny wallet for what you need for the back pocket. HA Last , My cm9 Is the slickest pistol to hand rack rounds I own. It will chamber a round moving the slide as slowly as you can control and hardly feel it pick up and chamber a round.

You really screwed up now. You'll have to buy a cw/p class for small iwb needs and maybe a ct/tp class pistol for when a commander sized pistol works.