CM9 vx. PM9

[Leafy]

I've searched and I have read. I know the difference between the two models in terms of features. Reliability is my concern. Tomorrow I will leave my local gun shop with a CM9 or a PM9. This will be a summertime shorts and t-shirt pistol. I'm only going to use the short 6 rd mags so the additional 7 rd mag included with the PM9 is not a draw for me. Likewise if the pistol proves reliable I will be swapping out for night sights so the plastic sights on the CM9 doesn't phase me. If the PM9 is more reliable I will not hesitate to pay the extra couple hundred bucks. If the difference for all practical purposes is roll markings and one less mags the CM9 would be fine. For what it s worth I usually carry a Glock 26 in a MTAC. Thanks!

[Ken_K]

I researched both for a long time and ended up with the CM9. It's been completely reliable and VERY accurate. I just don't see the higher price of the PM9 worth it, to me anyway. I also didn't care about the 7 round mag, polygonal rifling, roll marks, or dovetail front sight.

[crazymailman]

You won't notice any difference.

[toddmog]

I'll add to the get the CM9 trend. Mine has been flawless through 219 rounds. Yes, 219...I'm OCD like that. Follow the break-in thread and you should be good to go.

[kerby9mm]

I personally like those extra features on a gun to make it a little more snazzy. The pm9 also has the forged slide stop pin. In 1911 circles a forged slide stop is considered part of customizing the gun. Not that mim pins break a lot just nice to have for that I guess fuzzzy feeling. As far as the front sight being pinned in the cm compared to dovetail on the pm9 all my guns have the dovetailed in sights so I can't speak on that. Bottom line. Get what you want and enjoy it.

[Popeye]

Both good guns are at good price for what your getting. Which one you end up with usually depends on how much money you have to spend. If you like the CM9 and one mag the natural colored slide, standard barrel, and the way the sites are set in the slide then that's probably the one you should buy.
If you like the all black pistol or the choice of colored slides with two mags, sites that are interchangable, or nite sites from the factory, a match grade polygonal barrel, then the PM9 is your best bet. Like I mentioned both great guns you just have to buy what fits your needs, wants and budget.

Hard to go wrong either way.

[jsmith6541]

I think the PM9 is worth the extra money.

With that said, I bought the CM9 because I didn't have the extra money. I love the CM9.....not even a hiccup....have about 300 ruonds thru it, and never a problem. MUCH more accurate than I expected for such a small pistol.
I'm very happy that Kahr decided to manufacture a more affordable version of the PM9 for guys like me that can't afford more expensive pistols but want a reliable and accurate weapon for concealed carry.
KUDOS to Kahr

[sidekick]

For carrying with a sport coat, which I do 6 days a week (IWB or OWB), the blackened diamond finish slide of the PM9 is the only way to go. The only time I have ever been "made" was when I had my stainless-colored S&W 340SC catch the eye of a co-worker when my coat was swept open by the wind. That has never happened when wearing a black or blued gun. No glint, shine, or reflection to draw attention...even if they could catch a glimpse, the gun and black holster just look like a shadow inside my coat.

[Hognutz]

I have the Black PM9 with night sights, and my nephew fell in love with it and bought a CM9. Both are amazingly accurate, sport the same smooth as butter trigger, are easily hidden, and shoot anything you run through them. You will not go wrong, either way. If money is not an issue, I would buy a black PM9. Night sights would be optional..

[oldjarhead]

I also have a black PM9, with the night sights. The main difference for me was that the PM9 has a match grade barrel and the CM9 does not. For a short barrel, the accuracy question was very important. That is why I choose the PM9.

[Bill K]

Welcome to KahrTalk.

Please, get the CM9... It'll add to the snob appeal of my PM9. :p :)

[muggsy]

I also have a black PM9, with the night sights. The main difference for me was that the PM9 has a match grade barrel and the CM9 does not. For a short barrel, the accuracy question was very important. That is why I choose the PM9.

How much accuracy do you need from a defensive pistol at 21'? My CM9 will place five shots inside of a 3" circle at 21' rapid fire. Polygonal rifling isn't any better in the accuracy department, but you do gain a slight edge in velocity. With the conventional rifling of the CM9 you can shoot lead bullets which are not recommended for use in the PM9.

[chrish]

Had the C series pistols been around when I bought my PM9 and then my P9, probably would have strongly considered them. But then again, at the time I wasn't fond of the black DLC finish that was just coming out and now I like it alot. I eventually want a P9 in the DLC.

All that being said, if I had to choose now, even at the killer deal and quality of the C series, I'd spend the extra for the PM9 in DLC, but that's just me.

[Popeye]

I bought the PM9 because the CM9 was not around in August 2009. Having said that though and knowing what I know now from owning the pm9 for a couple of years I'll share this thought and why I would buy it again today. First, My pm 9 is all black (all my guns are all black)it's what I prefer for daytime no glare shooting. It is also a very tough finish. I like the polygonal match grade barrel it's just a better barrel all the way around and is much easier to clean and keep clean. Now mine has the Tru Dot nite sites from the factory. These are excellent and work great on these tired old eyes in low light conditions. (I highly recommend them)There brightness IMO is perfect. There not to dim for low light conditions and not to bright in dark conditions as to flood each other out. There very crisp and clear in all light conditions with the black slide. I like the CM9 and I'm glad to see they were smart enough to bring a more reasonably priced pistol out for the Kahr fans. Like I've said more than once there both great guns. If I already had other pistols knowing what I know now, and could wait and save for the PM9 that's what I would do. I say this not to sound like a gun snob, Trust me I'm anything but. but because it just works better for me and in the long run I think is the better deal. JMHO. Popeye.

[Leafy]

I purchased the PM9. I waffled back and forth at the gun shop for over and hour. The manager, who is a freind of mine, let me handle one then the other, carry each around the store, and even field strip each pistol to look at the differences. What finally tipped the scale for me was the dovetailed front sight. I'm sure the staked on front sight of the CM9 is adequate but I just didn't like how it looked on the underside of the slide. That is the kind of thing that would eat at me, always wonderin if the extra couple hundred bucks should have been spent on the PM9. I cranked off about 75 rounds on Saturday with the only malfunctions being on the second or third round from the seven shot magazine nose diving into the feed ramp. The six round magazine was flawless. I tried not to let it bother me since my research prior to buying the pistol had warned me of the seven round magazine. This morning I modified the mag followers so they wouldn't catch on the mag release and will do some more shootong tomorrow. Shooting conditions weren't ideal but I was consistently hitting 2 to 3 inches low at 12 yards. Is this common? I'll experiment with my technique tomorrow. I compete in IDPA and IPSIC (or whatever it is called now days) and am a NRA HM in Service Rifle so I suspect it isn't just me. Thanks for your help. :)

[jocko]

Leafy: u miht have to just adjust your sight picture to see more of the frot sight to riaise ur shots. I wold not worry to uch about 2 inches at 12 yards either. It ain't a target gun, it will shoot better than u can make it shoot, but it is a gun tha tyou will carry all the time and trust it to. My advice is POA shooting at 10 yards and under get damn good and damn fast at 7 years. 12 yars is OK but IMO to far, ur not in the danger at 12 yards like u are atr 5 and 7 yards, so get good there, get fast, see the front sight clearly and all esle will fall in place. The front sight on the cm9 is not muych diffrer3ent than the glock front sights and they seemt o do very well. Personaly screw that 7 round magazine even if it works, u bought a ccw gun and why stick an extnded magazine out of a small gun, I guess rang euse is ok but again practice the way ur gonna fight with the gun, the 6 rond flush fit will feel differently in ur hand than the extended magazine will.. ur good to go though and u made a great coice in the PM9,. mine has not let me down in 32K rounds, actually the cm9 would have done the same thing..

get some snap caps and throw a half dozen in with 30 rounds and let someone load the magazine for you and it will show any shooter errors real fast. dry firing is OK but it doesn't produce the bang thing and that is what causes shooting errors--anticipation. If this is ur first kahr u are now finding out it has a looooong but so so smooth trigger system that just takes getting used to. It ain't a SA gun so the more rounds down range the better ur gonna get with it to...

weloce to ths forum to.

[Popeye]

Great choice. It's a pistol you'll probably own a lifetime. Give yourself some time to get used to the pistol. Accuracy will come around the more you shoot it.

[Leafy]

I just returned from the range, 34 degrees and windy! Fired approx. 150 rds of fmj, Win PDX, and Federal 147 gr. Hydrashocks using both the 6 rd and the 7 rd mags. Sometimes I would top of a round sometimes just what was in the mag. Zero malfunctions, no FTFs, no FTEs. POI/POA wise it seems to shoot to the center of the white dot on the front sight. For center of mass shooting it works well but when I tried to hit 2 inch circles at 25 yds I would have to cover the circle with my front sight making precise hits hard. Maybe that is just the way it is to be. Thanks again!

[Zertek]

I bought a new PM9 Feb 6, 12 and it didn't last through 1 range session the top rear of the 6rd mag split down both sides the mag and the gun has been at Kahr ever since, haven't heard a word about it, hope you have better luck.:(

[jocko]

Leafy 25 yards is a long way to shoot that kahr accuractely, IMO.

[wagon]

I just returned from the range, 34 degrees and windy! Fired approx. 150 rds of fmj, Win PDX, and Federal 147 gr. Hydrashocks using both the 6 rd and the 7 rd mags. Sometimes I would top of a round sometimes just what was in the mag. Zero malfunctions, no FTFs, no FTEs. POI/POA wise it seems to shoot to the center of the white dot on the front sight. For center of mass shooting it works well but when I tried to hit 2 inch circles at 25 yds I would have to cover the circle with my front sight making precise hits hard. Maybe that is just the way it is to be. Thanks again!

Wow .. my aging eyes can't see 2" circle in 25 ft, let alone shooting it @ 25 yd with a PM9. I'm JEALOUS!!!!!!!!!

All power to you!

[Popeye]

Accuracy at 25yds with a 9mm shot from a 3" barrel is asking a bit much. Heck with my eyes I be happy to hit anything other than air before I hit the back drop at 25yds using my PM9. 25 ft now that's a different story I could hurt some BG pretty bad at that range with groups big enough to get the job done. Still don't think they be anything to brag about though.;)

Just tellin it like it is.:cool: I yam what I yam..Popeye.

[BrewerGeorge]

If I take my time, I can put all 7 shots in an 8" circle at 25 yards. The CM9 (mine at least) is shockingly accurate.