CM9 for travel

[rsu11]

I recently traded my Ruger LCP for a CM9, joining the PM9 already in my safe. Why have both models? Well, I fly for a hobby so I'm big on backup systems but some recent planning for a couple airline trips brought up a second problem...handing over my gun to the TSA and the airlines when I travel. The LCP has been the choice to be lockboxed and declared for two reasons: it hides well under a light shirt and is cheap - in case it just happens to get legs while in the loving care of the folks behind the baggage belt. But carrying that tiny .380 felt inadequate when traveling. The PM9 fits the bill fine except it's not cheap and I'd really hate to lose it. I know the odds are small for that happening, but the peace of mind factor for both loss and protection made the CM9 the best option along with the fact that it operates the same as my PM9 and fits the same holsters.

So the CM9 now has the role of a backup & travel gun, or at least it will when I finish breaking it in. So far so good, following the Kahr break-in ritual, cleaning & lube, a 200 round trip to the range resulted in only 1 fail-to-feed and two failures to lock the slide. My PM9 actually did worse than this on break-in and now it's as reliable as any carry gun I have. Another range workout, including more +P JHP ammo, will likely qualify it for my carry holster. So I'm looking forward to better traveling protection and a little less worry about sticky fingers behind the baggage belt. Don't mean to imply that the CM9 is a throwaway gun, it's not, but losing it would be less painful than my PM9 or other carry guns.

Anyone else have a travel gun? One where the pain of loss is less, but still a decent carry piece?

[Ikeo74]

There hasn't been many replys to your question so here is my thoughts on the subject. CM9's can be bought for $400. Cheaper guns will run you aroung $300. So we are talking $100 for a reliable gun and your personal safety while traveling. I am sure the safety aspect is worth a lot more than the $100 difference. Your CM9 will give you 100% reliability. Other brands may or may not be that reliable. So fo $100 extra you have peace of mind. Dont gamble your life for $100, it's worth a lot more than that. :third: I trust my life to my CM9!

[jocko]

Probalby I tink had the cm9 been available when I bought my PM9 5 years ago. I would have the cm9, as all I wanted is a dependable smallass gun. The cm9 and PM9 are IMO of equal quality. The cm9 is a super buyThere is always gonna be a $100 plus difference between the cm and pm series but compared to any 380, 9mm trumps every day..

[Chowser]

My travel gun is my Glock 33. I use the CM9 as my back-up to the Glock 33. When I fly, I only bring one gun, so it's the 33. Both cost the same, so I'm going to bring the gun with the larger mag capacity. This is only when I fly. If I'm driving, then it's the Glock 32 with the CM9 as my pocket gun.

At work, I carry the 33 on my body armor and the CM9 in pants pocket.

[Smith10]

rsu11 sounds like good thinking on your part. i too feel better armed with a pocket 9mm over a pocket .380 .