I have been considering picking up one of these small 9mm for a while now. Went to the gun store and they had this tiny thing under the glass. Felt good in my hand, pointed well and seemed to be a breeze to conceal. Any thoughts on this gun before I take the plunge?
Thoughts on Kahr PM9
- Thread starter guajiro
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Use the search function here and you'll find lots of experiences and opinions. I just bought one myself however it seems like there are an unusually high number of "lemons" in this model where people have issues of failure to feed, the slide locking back prematurely, etc. Everyone that has one that works out of the box seems to love it and find it very reliable. There isn't much else in 9mm that competes with it as far as size and width go so I went ahead and rolled the dice. We'll see how it works out. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. Feels great so far and the trigger is smooth.
bc
bc
IMO, one of the finest made handguns on the market. They don't have issues anymore. Youcan go back a few years and the PM series kahrs had some minor issues. but the sign of a good company IMO is that they took care of them.
I trust my PM9 with 18,350 rounds through it 24/7 every dayin my pocket.
My k9 kahr is simply flawless also and I bought it used even and have over 4000 rounds through it.
I like to relate my experiences with my kahrs over what other people seem to read on the internet and continue to repeat as fact, when they don't really know. Rumors spread faster than facts sometimes.
I trust my PM9 with 18,350 rounds through it 24/7 every dayin my pocket.
My k9 kahr is simply flawless also and I bought it used even and have over 4000 rounds through it.
I like to relate my experiences with my kahrs over what other people seem to read on the internet and continue to repeat as fact, when they don't really know. Rumors spread faster than facts sometimes.
I dont expect the gun to be perfect out of the box. I understand that there is often a trade off between small size and reliability in the begining, hence the 150-200 round break in period. I wonder if some of the reports of problems with this gun arose from not following the instruction manual?
I require a gun that would totally dissapear by means of IWB carry, pocket carry and SMART CARRY.The PM9 still seems to be my best option for a 9mm in this size.
I require a gun that would totally dissapear by means of IWB carry, pocket carry and SMART CARRY.The PM9 still seems to be my best option for a 9mm in this size.
There has been an issue with "Barrel Peening" on the PM40. Looking at the data and pictures though, it seems like the easy preventative measure would be a little proactive slide shaping where the slide opening at the chamber meets the barrel. A slight ramp seems to be in order to prevent the slide from slamming the barrel hard enough to peen. That, or a stronger recoil spring.
Jocko - the problems that some people have had with FTF and FTE does not seem to be a thing of the past. Search "Kahr" or "PM9" here or at TFL or any other forum and you will find plenty of people that have issues. These aren't rumors - these are real people saying things like "my gun jams on me" etc... Not "I heard about some guy who had a friend whose gun jams." I'm not knocking the gun... I just bought one myself but we can't let your own bias cloud the facts that that lots of people have had and continue to have issues with them. I just hope mine works out well.
Being objective is good for everyone. There's no reason to take it personally.
brad
Being objective is good for everyone. There's no reason to take it personally.
brad
Kind of Blued
Member
I found it to be less than ideal for pocket carry personally. It has been put on "uber discreet IWB" duty for when I can't afford to carry anything more substantial.
Given my schedule, however, this means I carry it 90% of the time; Unfortunate for everyone but the PM9.
I still prefer J-frames for pocket & ankle carry. When I have to draw the PM9 from my pocket, the top of the slide sits an inch or so above the top of my hand, giving me more "width" which needs to come out of my pocket. The way I grip a hammerless J-frame (high), the gun that comes out is no wider than my fist. While the PM9 may print less due to its thin width, it still prints, and it looks more like a gun in your pocket than a revolver, with which the cylinder creates an unidentifiable lump of "something". The Kahr really shines for discrete IWB, crossdraw, or smart carry due to its width.
I've also been experiencing some "bite" on my ring and pinkie fingers, stronghand, while shooting. The short mag (6 round) isn't completely flush (like most guns) and can bite you a little depending on your grip.
Nevertheless, the power/bulk ratio is too good to get me to sell it. Having 14 rounds of 147gr. 9mm +P via a fast reload, in a package that I can conceal in damn near anything is pretty sweet.
P.S. You HAVE TO use the slide release to chamber a round. You'll also need to put 200 rounds through it for break-in, which I thought was an "excuse" until this gun. I had one failure on round #23 or so, but none since. I've never seen a gun change so completely in 200 rounds. They're really tight from the factory.
Given my schedule, however, this means I carry it 90% of the time; Unfortunate for everyone but the PM9.
I still prefer J-frames for pocket & ankle carry. When I have to draw the PM9 from my pocket, the top of the slide sits an inch or so above the top of my hand, giving me more "width" which needs to come out of my pocket. The way I grip a hammerless J-frame (high), the gun that comes out is no wider than my fist. While the PM9 may print less due to its thin width, it still prints, and it looks more like a gun in your pocket than a revolver, with which the cylinder creates an unidentifiable lump of "something". The Kahr really shines for discrete IWB, crossdraw, or smart carry due to its width.
I've also been experiencing some "bite" on my ring and pinkie fingers, stronghand, while shooting. The short mag (6 round) isn't completely flush (like most guns) and can bite you a little depending on your grip.
Nevertheless, the power/bulk ratio is too good to get me to sell it. Having 14 rounds of 147gr. 9mm +P via a fast reload, in a package that I can conceal in damn near anything is pretty sweet.
P.S. You HAVE TO use the slide release to chamber a round. You'll also need to put 200 rounds through it for break-in, which I thought was an "excuse" until this gun. I had one failure on round #23 or so, but none since. I've never seen a gun change so completely in 200 rounds. They're really tight from the factory.
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Dig Me, I do read every kahr forum I can find and it is not pandfemic as you might suggest. Course I guesss it whether the glass is half full or half empty in how you derscribe it to.. I don't consider my self bias, just like I said I base my opinions on my two kahrs not what someone prints in the internet. what ever????
ar15.com and glock talk is where I mostly read my kahr info.
ar15.com and glock talk is where I mostly read my kahr info.
I'm repeating my experience with Kahr again. My PM9 was junk. I had about 50 failures in less than 400 rounds. Back to Kahr it went....at my expense of almost $60.00. They refused to cover the shipping. The turn around was amazing. 5 days. No more jamming. It just wouldn't feed a round after they worked on it. I tried my best to make it work because I loved the size and feel. But, knowing I could never trust it I dumped it. At a big loss I might add. I had to be upfront with the dealer that bought it at a local gun show. I know Jocko has had great luck with his and I'm not one to just post complaints but in 45 years of extensive experience with handguns the Kahr was the only one I'd consider junk. I handled the P380 at the shot show. Great feel. But it's a good thing one of their reps didn't approach me.
wow
I sold guns for 40 years for a living, I would have to say jennings, lorcin, AMT when they first came out were much higher on my list by far, never was in business when kel tec came out or they would have taken a higher position to. Nor was kahrs around much at that time either.
No doubt some people have had issues that for some reason never got right. not good for any gun company.
I guess I must have gotten the only two good kahrs made, and one even used to boot... For me certainly the best ccw gun I ever had or carried...
I sold guns for 40 years for a living, I would have to say jennings, lorcin, AMT when they first came out were much higher on my list by far, never was in business when kel tec came out or they would have taken a higher position to. Nor was kahrs around much at that time either.
No doubt some people have had issues that for some reason never got right. not good for any gun company.
I guess I must have gotten the only two good kahrs made, and one even used to boot... For me certainly the best ccw gun I ever had or carried...
Kind of Blue, when you say you have to use the slide release, what do you mean.
Say for example, if there is not one in the chamber and then you insert a loaded mag, could you not just pull back the slide and let it go? If not, why not. I am just looking for more info on this aspect. Thanks.
Say for example, if there is not one in the chamber and then you insert a loaded mag, could you not just pull back the slide and let it go? If not, why not. I am just looking for more info on this aspect. Thanks.
12 many
PM sent.
yup ur right, some tend to ride the slide to battery therefore slowing down the cycling action needed to run that first round ouf of the magazine.
Yo hav eto remember when the magazine is fully loaded, that top round is very tight compared to may half full.
But yes,u can master the slingshooting, many do, kahr just recommend one use the slide lock lever.
PM sent.
yup ur right, some tend to ride the slide to battery therefore slowing down the cycling action needed to run that first round ouf of the magazine.
Yo hav eto remember when the magazine is fully loaded, that top round is very tight compared to may half full.
But yes,u can master the slingshooting, many do, kahr just recommend one use the slide lock lever.
Jocko - if you go back and read my original post I didn't take any biased stance, or what you called "the glass is half full or half empty" (ie "bias"). I just reported things as they are. Sometimes the 8oz glass has 4oz of water and you report it as such. If I viewed it as half empty then I obviously would not have purchased a PM9.
Guns and more
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IMO, the best small IWB carry 9 out there.
DAdams
Member
I
Like the form factor of the PM9 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and if I hadn't bought one two years ago I'm sure it would still be on my short list as a subcompact semiauto pocket carry candidate.
The fact is I did purchase one two years ago. Series VC73XX. I had some Fail To issues; sent it back to Kahr, they replaced most of the major components and it has been fine since. Peening has never been an issue and manifested very early on with the 9 and I'm not familar at all with the trials of the PM40.
I put the PM9 in the "must have" category along with a J Frame, a Seecamp, a 686, a 1911...whatever you long for.
My top three pocket carry handguns depending on dress, locale, weather etc. and not in order of preference:
PM9
S&W M&P 340 (38/357) Revolver/J Frame with Crimson Trace 405s.
Seecamp LWS .380.
I eventually would like a PM45. I'm going to give that a couple of years.
Like the form factor of the PM9 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and if I hadn't bought one two years ago I'm sure it would still be on my short list as a subcompact semiauto pocket carry candidate.
The fact is I did purchase one two years ago. Series VC73XX. I had some Fail To issues; sent it back to Kahr, they replaced most of the major components and it has been fine since. Peening has never been an issue and manifested very early on with the 9 and I'm not familar at all with the trials of the PM40.
I put the PM9 in the "must have" category along with a J Frame, a Seecamp, a 686, a 1911...whatever you long for.
My top three pocket carry handguns depending on dress, locale, weather etc. and not in order of preference:
PM9
S&W M&P 340 (38/357) Revolver/J Frame with Crimson Trace 405s.
Seecamp LWS .380.
I eventually would like a PM45. I'm going to give that a couple of years.
I'm in the same boat with my CW9. I took it to the range on Monday and had about 20% light strikes over 200+ rounds. I called them and they sent Fedex to pick it up yesterday morning (their dime). They have it now. I'm guessing either a bad, short striker or a weak striker spring. It did shoot very accurate and I was keeping groups that I can normally only get with my XD at 14 yards. I am very optimistic about it being good to go when it comes back.
I found the Kahr CW40 to be a very reliable piece. I put over 1100 rounds through it with no major malfunctions. The only thing I would recommend is; try before you buy. After all this time and a pretty large round count I finally gave up and traded the Kahr to purchase another firearm.
I do not in any way blame the CW40 for my own shortcomings not being able to master it's trigger.
I do not in any way blame the CW40 for my own shortcomings not being able to master it's trigger.
Dollar An Hour
Member
I got rid of mine after it would not reliably feed JHP ammo, even after a trip to Kahr. I'm back to the no-nonsense reliability of a J-Frame.
It is too bad, because the PM9 is much more pleasant to practice with than a J-Frame, has better sights, and more capacity. If you get a good one, it's hard to beat as a small carry piece in a respectable caliber.
It is too bad, because the PM9 is much more pleasant to practice with than a J-Frame, has better sights, and more capacity. If you get a good one, it's hard to beat as a small carry piece in a respectable caliber.
orionengnr
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A PM9 has been my every day carry for about three years.
Mine had the barrel peening and was within the identified range. Kahr took it, fixed it (quickly and right first time) and I've been carrying it (and shooting it) ever since.
The vast majority of the posts I read are recounts of old problems, repeated over and over again. Very few are recent/current problems.
Mine had the barrel peening and was within the identified range. Kahr took it, fixed it (quickly and right first time) and I've been carrying it (and shooting it) ever since.
The vast majority of the posts I read are recounts of old problems, repeated over and over again. Very few are recent/current problems.
Ringer
Member
This is how I would describe the PM9. I've had mine for a few years, back when they had the barrel recall. I did have initial issues with premature slide lock. That was taken care of with one adjustment and things have been fine since. I've fired various types of ammo both FMJ and HP and never had a single feed, fire, or extraction issue.
It's not my primary carry but when I need optimum concealment and/or comfort my PM9 in my VM-II is unbeatable. In contrast I tend to carry a G19 or M&P9. I'm about to pick up a P9 for that in between time.
So those are my thoughts on the Kahr PM9!
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