Traded Glock 43 for Kahr PM9

[Tallball]

Never carried the Glock. It's a little too large for a pocket pistol. If I'm going to carry a belt pistol, I prefer the G26 or polymer CZ75 compact. I had it for something like five years and never carried it once. It's not really a fun range toy, either.

I have two of the little Kahrs in 40 caliber. I really like the trigger. The steel one is fun to shoot, but it's a brick. My dominant hand is slowly recovering from an injury, and the polymer 40 caliber is a little too lively for me to shoot well right now. I'd read that the 9mm Kahr is actually a little smaller than a Glock 43 and was kind of curious.

Today I saw that the proprietor of the LGS had a Kahr PM9 in his case in very nice condition. The trigger was good (if you like Kahr triggers). It was indeed a little smaller than a 43. I wondered if he thought a Glock 43 might move faster than the Kahr. He suggested that a Glock plus $75 would probably move along quite well. I asked if he could perhaps waive an FFL fee he was about to charge me for another gun, and thus the deal was struck.

The Glock was in nice shape and I had an extra mag. I'm guessing that the Kahr hasn't been shot much, but I'll know more after I strip and clean it tonight or tomorrow. It came with the case and an extra mag (extended) and the locks and papers and all of that.

I'll take it to the range with me on Friday. If I can shoot it okay, it might be occasionally carried if it proves to be reliable. It's smaller in every dimension than the j-frame I usually carry. I may also look for a pinky extension and another short magazine to try with that. The extended magazine is easy to shoot with even with the 40, but it sticks out so dang far that there's no point in having such a small pistol in the first place.

So was the deal good, bad, or indifferent? I know my friend's having a slow month, so I didn't mind giving him the $75. I don't know if the Kahr is a worse pistol than the Glock in general, or if the Glock was worth considerably more. I normally carry a revolver anyway, but now the Kahr can be the 9mm pistol I don't carry, instead of not carrying a Glock.

Advice on holsters and ammo and pinky extensions would be much appreciated.

 

[lee n. field]

So was the deal good, bad, or indifferent?

OK. I picked up a used CM9 last year (I think), with holster and extra magazines, for $250. The PM9 is the nicer version of that. I'd say, comparable to the G43.

It shoots OK. Good holsters are harder to find. The pictured one is a DeSantis Slim-Tuk, which shouldn't be difficult to find.

And I don't like that Kahr magazines cost.

I haven't carried it, but could. I'd rather have the CW9, the next step up size-wise.

 

[InTheSwamp]

So was the deal good, bad, or indifferent?

Bad. Kind of like trading Monroe for Kardashian.

 

[Tallball]

Apparently it's the fanciest polymer version. Funny how that barely matters once they're used.

It's the exact same size as the 40 caliber polymer one. Somehow I thought I would be able to shoot the 40 comfortably with the flush magazine. That's called hubris.

 

[lee n. field]

Apparently it's the fanciest polymer version. Funny how that barely matters once they're used.

It's the exact same size as the 40 caliber polymer one. Somehow I thought I would be able to shoot the 40 comfortably with the flush magazine. That's called hubris.

I ended up with both a CM9 and CM40. I can tell you those are not the exact same size. The CM 40 does not fit into a closely molded holster for the CM9. The CM 9 only fits loosely in one for a .40.

The .40 is "barky".

 

[Tallball]

Mine are both PM's. Yeah, you're right. When I look at them super close, the 40 caliber has a slightly thicker slide. They fit in the same holster, but it's not a tight one. If you look at them (very carefully) barrel-first it's much easier to see the difference.

I ordered a couple of Pearce pinky extensions. If I can't handle the PM9 with a flush grip (hoping I can), that will add just a little length to just part of the grip. I already know that the PM40 flush mag needs one!

 

[JohnKSa]

If it's a gun you can shoot and will carry, then it's a better gun for you than a gun that you won't carry. That makes the deal a good one, for you.

This is a very small, light gun for 9mm, so you will need to make sure you can shoot it well. It's smaller than I will go in a polymer 9, but my self-imposed limitations are likely not the same as yours.

 

[drobs]

Seems like a reasonable trade to me.
However, you traded a gun with a cult following for a gun made by an actual cult - the Moonies.

 

[1KPerDay]

Never carried the Glock. It's a little too large for a pocket pistol. If I'm going to carry a belt pistol, I prefer the G26 or polymer CZ75 compact. I had it for something like five years and never carried it once. It's not really a fun range toy, either.

I have two of the little Kahrs in 40 caliber. I really like the trigger. The steel one is fun to shoot, but it's a brick. My dominant hand is slowly recovering from an injury, and the polymer 40 caliber is a little too lively for me to shoot well right now. I'd read that the 9mm Kahr is actually a little smaller than a Glock 43 and was kind of curious.

Today I saw that the proprietor of the LGS had a Kahr PM9 in his case in very nice condition. The trigger was good (if you like Kahr triggers). It was indeed a little smaller than a 43. I wondered if he thought a Glock 43 might move faster than the Kahr. He suggested that a Glock plus $75 would probably move along quite well. I asked if he could perhaps waive an FFL fee he was about to charge me for another gun, and thus the deal was struck.

The Glock was in nice shape and I had an extra mag. I'm guessing that the Kahr hasn't been shot much, but I'll know more after I strip and clean it tonight or tomorrow. It came with the case and an extra mag (extended) and the locks and papers and all of that.

I'll take it to the range with me on Friday. If I can shoot it okay, it might be occasionally carried if it proves to be reliable. It's smaller in every dimension than the j-frame I usually carry. I may also look for a pinky extension and another short magazine to try with that. The extended magazine is easy to shoot with even with the 40, but it sticks out so dang far that there's no point in having such a small pistol in the first place.

So was the deal good, bad, or indifferent? I know my friend's having a slow month, so I didn't mind giving him the $75. I don't know if the Kahr is a worse pistol than the Glock in general, or if the Glock was worth considerably more. I normally carry a revolver anyway, but now the Kahr can be the 9mm pistol I don't carry, instead of not carrying a Glock.

Advice on holsters and ammo and pinky extensions would be much appreciated.

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I made this exact swap, trading my brother a new Glock 43 for his lightly used black PM9. I vastly prefer the Kahr trigger and sights. It’s been very reliable and to me actually feels like it recoils a tad less. I don’t carry it though; I use it for range demos and teaching people who want to CCW. Great pistol. Very accurate.

 

[tominboise]

I carry my PM9 in a cheap uncle mikes pocket holster. It shoots pretty well. I prefer Glock triggers.

 

[bannockburn]

Tallball

The deal's is okay in that you moved a gun you weren't using and getting something decent in return that you can use. As long as both parties were satisfied with the transaction overall, I would rate it as a good deal.

I had a Kahr CW40 for awhile but had problems with the polymer frame along with the felt recoil and muzzle flip being a bit much. Some years later and I'm looking at the CM9 for my CCW rotation; the other two guns being a S&W Model 649 and a Model 638. I really liked that the DAO trigger on the Kahr was a good match with the S&W snubbies. I was also pleased with the lower cost of the CM9 versus the higher priced PM9 (but I still think Kahr could also include a spare mag for the CM9).

Since then I have added several new participants to the group, namely a SIG P365X, Glock G43X, and a S&W M&P9 Shield Plus.
The CM9 is still in the rotation and is on call should I need a truly small micro 9mm. sometime.

For holsters I like the DeSantis SOF-TUCK IWB model.

 

[Tallball]

Wow, @bannockburn !

I still have a Ruger LC9s pro if I want something just a little bigger than the Kahr. I prefer the Ruger to the G43, actually.

IIRC, the PM9 costs more because it has polygonal rifling, drift-adjustable sights, milled slide release, a fancier slide, and an extra mag. I wouldn't personally pay a couple of hundred extra for that on a 3" pistol if I were buying new.

Yeah, it fits in the back pocket of my Levis with room to spare. If it functions and shoots well for me, it could be a good back-pocket pistol in the right holster. I don't know if I'm getting fatter or skinnier, but the 642 has been peeking out of my back pocket lately.

 

[lee n. field]

Tallball

. I really liked that the DAO trigger on the Kahr was a good match with the S&W snubbies. I was also pleased with the lower cost of the CM9 versus the higher priced PM9 (but I still think Kahr could also include a spare mag for the CM9).

Except that's part of how they make that price point. Simpler machining on the top end, one year warranty (vs lifetime) and one mag (vs more).

(After the last time looking at this thread I did a little looking at the usual places I look at, for Kahr 9mm mags. No budget sources for anything. Over $30 for a 6 round magazine.( Except Promag, and I'll pass on that.))

 

[Dan-O]

Think you came out ahead.

Kahrs are sweet thin carry guns that actually shoot extremely well.

I too like the super tuk, especially since it has an open bottom, so I can carry my pm9, or tp9, in the same holster. It’s almost too good at hiding the little pm9.

 

[Dan-O]

Dang pictures weren’t loading

The pictured holster is a desantis super fly. I cut the velcro off the front, never used the “flap” anyways. I sweat like a pig, and it was getting things swampy.

 

[Charlie98]

I've got both a CM9 and a PM9... both are quite reliable, and a good choice when absolute concealment is desired. As far as the trade, as Bannockburn says, if you trade something you weren't using for something you will use, then it's all good. I traded a Kahr P45 for another CW9 some years ago... while it didn't look good on paper, I now have a pistol I use every day, vs a safe queen.

I have 3 basic holsters I use for my Kahrs... a simple Galco IWB clip holster...

The one on the left is new, and with the thumb break, still. The one on the right is the one modified by my Blue Heeler... necessitating replacement. I normally just trim off the thumb break... there is enough tension wearing it to hold the pistol, and removes the complexity of the thumb break.



Additionally, I have an Alessi IWB that I really like. It's actually for a K9, not a CW/CM9, but it still works, and well. The downside to it is it's quite bulky, with the layers of leather, and the clip. The upside is, it's quite rigid, so I can reholster without going through gyrations.



My favorite holster, however, is an OWB HIgh Noon. I like the High Noon because it carries the pistol up quite high on the belt, and my particular model has the slide guard. This is the same model holster I use to carry my .45 as well.






As far as magazines... I've seen 3 different varieties for the CM/PM9's... those are the flush fit, the pinky extension, and the extension w/no pinky...

Note the R mag is, essentially, a CW9 7rd magazine with some sort of filler grip, vs the 6 rounds of the standard CM mags.







I've pretty much quit carrying the CM9. Why? Because it's hard for me to draw and present reliably because of the small grip size. The magazine adapters help when shooting the pistol, but not so much with draw and presentation. And, FWIW, if you are going to carry the CM9 with an extended (CW 7 or 8rd) magazine, you might as well just get a CW9... even with the pinky grip. So, these days, if I have to carry the CM9, I do so with the flush mag, and carry the no pinky extended mag as an extra. Also, I believe the pinky extensions are aftermarket (I don't know, I got them that way in a trade.) They tend to slip off, which is probably not the hot setup for SD carry. The pinky extension DOES work, however, and my accuracy improves markedly when I shoot with the extended grip(s.)

Yes, I really like the Kahrs... this is only 3 of the 6 I currently have... all 9mm.

 

[Charlie98]

I was also pleased with the lower cost of the CM9 versus the higher priced PM9 (but I still think Kahr could also include a spare mag for the CM9).

I agree... with both points. Selling a semiautomatic with only 1 magazine is kind of a smack, but it is what it is.

Comparing the CM9 to the PM9... while the PM is a nicer pistol, with the blacked out slide, the night sights, and the upgraded barrel, they both shoot the same when it gets right down to it. There are other differences as well, but, again, they both carry and shoot the same. Take the money you save on the CM9 and buy 3 good magazines and a few boxes of ammos...

 

[red rick]

I like the night sights of the P series and the trigger is better than a j frame . But I like the trigger better on a striker-fired pistol . I wish I could find that deal for my P9 and a 43x .

 

[Plano11]

Tallball

The deal's is okay in that you moved a gun you weren't using and getting something decent in return that you can use. As long as both parties were satisfied with the transaction overall, I would rate it as a good deal.

I had a Kahr CW40 for awhile but had problems with the polymer frame along with the felt recoil and muzzle flip being a bit much. Some years later and I'm looking at the CM9 for my CCW rotation; the other two guns being a S&W Model 649 and a Model 638. I really liked that the DAO trigger on the Kahr was a good match with the S&W snubbies. I was also pleased with the lower cost of the CM9 versus the higher priced PM9 (but I still think Kahr could also include a spare mag for the CM9).

Since then I have added several new participants to the group, namely a SIG P365X, Glock G43X, and a S&W M&P9 Shield Plus.
The CM9 is still in the rotation and is on call should I need a truly small micro 9mm. sometime.

For holsters I like the DeSantis SOF-TUCK IWB model.
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Very cool !!!

 

[Tallball]

Got two Pearce pinky extensions today and installed them. The PM9 will obviously be shootable for me with one of the extensions. I can get my whole pinky on it. I'm guessing I can probably shoot the PM40 okay with one, too. Curious to see how well I can shoot the PM9 without an extension.

Thank you for all of the holster recommendations. That's next on the list.

 

[Dan-O]

I like the night sights of the P series and the trigger is better than a j frame . But I like the trigger better on a striker-fired pistol . I wish I could find that deal for my P9 and a 43x .

…..well the kahr is striker fired…..

 

[red rick]

…..well the kahr is striker fired…..

Yes , but a very different feel , more like a double action feel to me .

 

[Armybrat]

All mine had nice triggers, long & smooth, and were easy shooters.
Gifted them to my kids and grandkids.
CW45, PM9,
CW9, CT380.

 

[Shipwreck]

Tallball

The deal's is okay in that you moved a gun you weren't using and getting something decent in return that you can use. As long as both parties were satisfied with the transaction overall, I would rate it as a good deal.

I had a Kahr CW40 for awhile but had problems with the polymer frame along with the felt recoil and muzzle flip being a bit much. Some years later and I'm looking at the CM9 for my CCW rotation; the other two guns being a S&W Model 649 and a Model 638. I really liked that the DAO trigger on the Kahr was a good match with the S&W snubbies. I was also pleased with the lower cost of the CM9 versus the higher priced PM9 (but I still think Kahr could also include a spare mag for the CM9).

Since then I have added several new participants to the group, namely a SIG P365X, Glock G43X, and a S&W M&P9 Shield Plus.
The CM9 is still in the rotation and is on call should I need a truly small micro 9mm. sometime.

For holsters I like the DeSantis SOF-TUCK IWB model.
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Of all your photos, I like the Shield Plus the best.

I had a Kahr PM9 over a decade ago. When the original Shield came out, I bought it and sold the PM9 the vert next week.

But, if the OP is satisfied, that is all that counts

 

[LeftyRed]

I don’t care what gun it is are who makes it, if you are not going to carry it or shoot it the trade it off for something you will. That’s my thoughts at least.

Always thought Kahrs were well made pistols, and the ones I had were always good shooters.