S&W 642 or Kahr PM9

[tdgator]

Alright, I know everyone gets sick of these types of posts but I've got a problem. I need a good, reliable gun for pocket carry here in the hot weather of Florida. I don't want to settle for anything less than a .38. I narrowed it down to the 642 and PM9. I was set on the PM9 until reading of the problems many people have (feeding, broken springs). All I here are good things about the 642 (comfort, reliable etc.) but when I naturally line up the sights on it, they point high for me. Maybe I'm just not used to J frames.

Any advice or comments. Are the PM9s really that bad or is it just Kahr bashers? Is the 642 worth the 2 less rounds and maybe a little extra power?

Thanks in advance.

 

[deadhawg]

A little searching will lead you to numerous posts on this exact subject.

When I worked in the auto repair industry, it was a given that a satisfied customer will tell five people, a dissatisfied customer will tell 20 people. I think that applies to guns also. I have both a PM9 and a 642. I've seen a lot of negative comments about the PM9, but mine has been flawless, after the recomended break in. I have around 2,000 rounds through it now, and it had fed everything I have put through it, from wwb fmj's to Spear gold dots to mild fmj handloads to +P handloads.

It's much flatter than the 642 and for me that makes it much easier to conceal, either in a good iwb holster or a pocket. I also like 6 or 7+1 better than 5 and a much slower reload time.

Anyway, here's the standard advice you will likely hear from more people than me: go to a range that rents them both and shoot both of them. Buy the one that feels more comfortable to you and that you can shoot well. They are both well made, good quality guns.

Ron

 

[Kind of Blued]

As an owner of both, I'd say:
642 if it's a BUG.
PM9 if it will be the only thing on you.

If you can feel comfortable with a 5-shot revolver and a reload, go with the 642. I just can't hit a darn thing with it and suck at reloading revolvers quickly. But that's why it's my back-up. I don't expect to have to shoot past 10 feet with it.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The PM holds two more rounds of a more efficient cartridge, has real sights, a smoother trigger pull and points better. I shoot it far better than any snubnose revolver I've tried. The more rounded/streamlined contours of the revolver do make it easier to draw, especially from tighter pockets.

 

[mountaindrew]

I can echo previous posts. I have had great experiance with my pm9. The most important is that I can naturally and accurately shoot it. I have tried for years to accurately shoot several different snubbie revolvers, with limited success, but my first time out with the PM9, I out did anything I had ever shot, even some full size guns. The PM9 is very slim, and for me has almost a perfect grip fit and angle. also, it has proably the best trigger on any gun I have ever handled (double action of course) It is much easier to shoot than the airweight snubbie. That and 2 extra rounds of a slightly more powerful cartridge, PM9 is the hands down winner for me.

 

[ronto]

If you want reliable, stick with a revolver...I carry the DAO 2 1/4" 357 Ruger SP101 in a Mika pocket holster all day every day....no problem with weight...If 5 rounds of 357 Magnum are not enough...You had better get yourself somewhere else in a hurry.

 

[Mountie855]

Having both a PM9, and the 642, I have yet to completely decide which is best for me.

Part of this uncertainty is the trouble I had with the PM9 in the early stages of ownership; 3 trips back to Kahr to resolve issues of 8" high x 10" groups at 10 yds; inability to get through a magazine without ftf. ftc.

The PM9, since its last trip to Kahr, has been 99% reliable, and shoots 2-3" groups almost at poa at 10 yds. Problem is I don't yet completely trust it, especially if I were injured and unable to maintain a firm grip. That is a concern with most any small semiauto handgun.

The 9mm is a better performer in short barrels, PM9 faster by some margin (depending on the operator) to reload; trigger is excellent, accuracy very good.

I think the current crop of PM Kahrs is better than when I bought mine.

The 642 performed flawlessly right out of the box, just as accurate as the PM9, shoots 158gr ammo to poa at 10 yds. Trigger is very good, maybe not quite as nice as the PM9. 5 rds vs 7. PM9 is flatter, somewhat easier to conceal. When I bought my Kahr (black slide, nite sights, 4 extra mags) it was quite a bit more $$ than the 642; haven't compared prices lately.

In my undecided state of mind, I have been carrying the 642 or a 640/357.

 

[Mountie855]

A follow-up thought, which really doesn't address your question, but which I am growing to like:

We have a pair of 940 S&W's in 9mm, which use moon clips. Chrono shows the 9mm outperforming the 38Spl by a considerable margin in the 2" bbls. The 940's are accurate, just as quick to reload, and more powerful than the 642. In fact, with 115/124 +P+ ammo, the 9mm in the 940 is right on the heels of the 357 in my 640.

Downside is the 940 weighs 24 oz vs. the 642's 15 oz.

 

[psyopspec]

If by "Kahr bashers" you mean someone who owned one, shot several hundred rounds through it, and it failed at a completely inopportune time, then count me in.

If you can afford a new PM9, you could be in the market for a S&W 340, with CT laser grips if it suits your fancy. Speer Short Barrel .357 GDHP x5 is a rather potent load. In the end, I agree with the above posters who say that you need to go with what works for you and no one else.

 

[philbo]

Owned and carried both a 642 and PM9. Sold the 642 and kept the PM9 as it was thinner, easier to conceal, held more rounds, reloaded faster, had a better trigger, and accuracy was better than I could get with the 642. Close to a year and over a thousand rounds through my PM9 and it has been 100%. I will caution that you may find the revolver is easier to get a good grip on if you have large hands.

 

[bps3040]

I guess I will buck the trend. I felt like the PM9 looked like a brick in my pocket....and that was without the holster. I carry a 642 in a mika holster daily and love it. It conceals better, because only the cylinder is thicker,but the rest of the gun is smaller than a PM9 at least to me. I have 1200 rounds thru it. I also have dry fired with snap caps over 2500 times. Trigger is nice and worked in. It is very accurate. My buddy had never shot one and shot mine.....he could not believe how accurate it was. He also never I was carrying.....I never told him. I wanted to see if he would notice my gun. He is buying one now...he loves how easy it is to conceal and how sweet it shoots. Good Luck.

 

[dbracin]

I have a S&W 442, Kahr PM-9, North American Arms 32 & mini revolver, Seecamp 32, Keltec P-32 & P3AT and a Rohrbaugh. The Kahr PM-9 with night sights is my ALWAYS go to gun.This is my preference based on my experience. Of all the gun listed, I can shot the best with the Kahr.