Kahr CM9 Review and Range Report

[awpk03s]

I have been carrying Kahr pistols for a couple of years now. I bought and sold a couple of PM9s and P380s before finally settling on the all stainless MK9. While I love the MK9 for it's accuracy, reliability, and compact size, I longed for a pocket gun. Don't get me wrong, the MK9 is easily carried in a pocket size-wise, and depending on what pants/shorts/jacket you are wearing, it does fine weight-wise as well. I wanted something that would work with anything and everything 100% of the time. I tried another P380, ended up selling it as well - I had some reliability hiccups that I am confident could have worked out, but in the end it was too small for me to really shoot well and feel well armed with.

So, I picked up a Kahr CM9 in the past month or so. $399 + tax, not bad. The primary differences between the CM9 and PM9 are:
- Polygonal rifling (PM9) vs Standard rifling (CM9)
- 2 mags (PM9) vs 1 mag (CM9)
- More slide bevel and machining (PM9)
- Machined bar stock slide stop (PM9) vs MIM slide stop (CM9)

Polygonal rifling is nice, but not a must for me. I wasn't bothered by one mag, since I already had plenty of spares with my MK9. As for the slide stop, I am sure the MIM one is fine... but a machined bar stock slide stop is only $24 from Kahr if that bothers you.

To me, all of these things are a fair trade-off for the price difference between the CM9 and PM9. The only modifications I have made, is I did spend $24 and put a PM9 machined bar stock slide stop in it, and also the Trijicon night sights.

The CM9 is delightfully transparent when carried IWB. I have a Comp-Tac CTAC and an Occidental Leather Stronghold Phoenix both IWB holsters that work greatly with it. I use a Tuff Products pocket holster, and it does a great job of concealing the gun deep in a pocket, and also keeping it still without a great deal of movement within the pocket as you move/walk around.

I haven't put a great many number of rounds through this, but today I put 50 rds of 115gr FMJ and 50 rds of 124gr +P JHP (Gold Dots). It was 100% reliable. Went bang every time I pulled the trigger. Recoil was pretty light for a 15oz 9mm. I wasn't trying too much for accuracy today, but was satisfied with what I got (my arms were already fatigued from shooting other guns at this point).

Here are some pictures of the gun, and a size comparison to the next closest thing I own, a Glock 30.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03641.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03642.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03643.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03645.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03647.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t310/mba656/guns/DSC03648.jpg

[KosherNRA]

Sweet. I love mine! Where did you get the night sights?

[awpk03s]

Sweet. I love mine! Where did you get the night sights?

Direct from Kahr, online. $80. Super easy to install too.

[JFootin]

That really looks nice with the night sights. :)

Welcome to the CM9 Owners Club! :D Our official symbol is the wide grin smily because we are so happy with our purchase that we can't wipe the smile off our faces! So, here is your club badge.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Smilies/BigSmily.jpg

[awpk03s]

Thanks guys. I do have to mention, that compared to all of the other polymer Kahrs I have owned, this was the most nicely finished out of the box that I have seen. No polymer burrs or stringers anywhere - every surface was completely smooth and just how it should be. I had a feeling this gun would be 100% good to go right out of the box, and I'm glad I was right.

[les strat]

Congrats on a great gun! Mine has been perfect since I got it broken-in. The polygonal barrels do not really matter on such a short barrel gun. I have been pleased with my CM9 and have turned a few people on to Kahr when they held it, shot it, and felt the quality that Kahr puts in their little pistols.

[flieger67]

Congrats on the new pistol. I think the little Kahrs are truly excellent micro 9's. Beretta can't compare to the tigger travel on their Nano versus the CM9/PM9 in my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

[bandrich]

Thanks awpk03s for the great report and the great pic's. Like it has been said a picture is worth a 1,000 words ( I think thats how it went.) :):D:)

[PCollen]

I've had my CM9 for about 9 months now, and it has been 100% reliable since day 1. Never had a jam, nosedive, FTF or FTE. But I still occasionally have a down and left problem when I shoot it; I know it's me and not the gun.

[snatiep]

I too love my CM9 and it's been 100% for it's first 100 rounds.

Mine did have some "ragged" polymer shavings under the slide out of the box. There were also some steel shavings in the slide grooves. A litttle sanding with some fine sandpaper fixed the polymer issue, and a very small steel punch removed the pieces of steel shavings.

I love my CM9 and am trying to talk a few of my friends into getting one.

My only problem has been finding a nice OWB holster for it.

Nate

[pgabdo]

The CM9 is soooo Sweet :D

[JFootin]

I too love my CM9 and it's been 100% for it's first 100 rounds.

Mine did have some "ragged" polymer shavings under the slide out of the box. There were also some steel shavings in the slide grooves. A litttle sanding with some fine sandpaper fixed the polymer issue, and a very small steel punch removed the pieces of steel shavings.

I love my CM9 and am trying to talk a few of my friends into getting one.

My only problem has been finding a nice OWB holster for it.

Nate

Nate,

These CM9s are the BEST! :D What kind of OWB holster do you want? Leather or kydex? Two wide spaced belt loops or a more compact one? Let me know and I can give you some suggestions.

John

[snatiep]

Nate,

These CM9s are the BEST! :D What kind of OWB holster do you want? Leather or kydex? Two wide spaced belt loops or a more compact one? Let me know and I can give you some suggestions.

John

pm sent John! Thanks for offering to help!

Nate

[itsthelaw]

Welcome to the CM9 :D club! I have 2 of them. I am waiting to be the lucky receipient of your castaway P380 mags one day. Enjoy!