PM9 differences from year to year

[DNzig]

Howdy,

I've been researching sub compact pistols, long story short is that I'm kind of digging the PM9. I like the trigger, the size, default sight setup seems appealing. Anyway, whenever I'm in the market for something new I tend to look around for the model I want used. Not that I won't buy a new one, I have just gotten some sweet deals on used guns which brings me to my question.

In looking at auction sites and pictures online, near as I can tell there seem to be two distinct slide profiles. One with a pretty much flat business end and what appears to be the current design. These seem to be purely cosmetic differences, but it got me wondering if there are other elements about the model that have changed over time, like specific improvements from older generations to the current generation that are maybe not obvious but are desirable vs. models that are older that may or should factor into the decision to pick up one over the other.

I hope that makes sense, basically is there anything to be aware of when considering an older model that is either positive or negative? Also, for the flat muzzle models, about what years were they produced generally speaking?

Oh, new to the forum and I've picked up some decent info so far so thanks for that. I welcome any information you good folks care to share.

D

[jocko]

buy the blune nose if u can find it., internals are all the same, the newer version is a tad longer and a tad heavier, both truthfully are excellent guns. I just get a real bon*r when I see a blunt nose PM9, so I have 2 of them. Just sayin. kinda of a double bon*r in laymans terms. Just sayin

[DNzig]

There's a guy that knows what he likes! So one vote for the blunt nose. Technical advantage = gives double bon*rs... Point taken, thank you Jocko:)

[jocko]

well as modest as I am, I thank you. at my age any bon*r is a good day.. wehave a blunt nose club patch here somewhere. Tinman will be along shortly, heis our club "jester"


Just sayin. and welcome aboard. do visit the newbie section and read wyn's newbie thread (general discussion thread). and then tool on down to the kahr tech section and hit on the lube chart and propper prepping of ur kahr, u can learn alot before every buying.

[Tinman507]

Two Thum...er well you know...up for the blunt nose PM9

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o542/tinman507/pm9merikey.jpg

[JFootin]

Welcome to the forum! :) IMO, for the price of a used PM9, you can get a new CM9 with factory warranty. Same gun, same quality, same internals with some unimportant, mostly cosmetic differences to lower the price. Now, if you want the DLC Black Stainless finish and/or factory night sights, the used PM9 is the way to go. Though, at the price difference for new ones, you could do those things to the CM9 cheaper. Personally, I think the strait lines of the CM9 slide look ultra sharp with a little mirror polishing applied! :D

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/My%20Custom%20CM9/KahrCM9PolishedLSwMagandBullets.jpg

The whole Slideshow (http://s1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/My%20Custom%20CM9/?albumview=slideshow).

[DNzig]

Thanks for the feedback fellas.

JFootin, just looked up the warranty. Wow.. Only 5 years. Do you have a specific reason for suggesting that owning the warranty might be an advantage? Or do you mention it from a peace of mind perspective?

Thanks again?

D

[jocko]

is 5 years not enough??? Just sayin.

[DNzig]

Jocko, I don't know. JFootin mentioning a warranty as an advantage just got me thinking about it, mainly because he put it out there specifically. Which prompted me to look it up. I was just curious if he mentioned it because of a perceived likelihood that there could be a problem with a used Kahr, or if from his perspective it was just nice to have 5 years of coverage all to himself.

I only have warranty experience with S&W which is lifetime, and from my experience it's for the gun as I wasn't the original purchaser. Not sure how common a lifetime warranty is with a firearm, and I wouldn't necessarily expect it. I'm sure glad my deal with S&W worked out well in my favor though. And it would just factor into my decision potentially if I felt like I would be stuck with a paperweight if I happened to buy an older model that had an issue and it was out of warranty. Generally speaking if it's out of warranty and it works I don't much care. But if it's out of warranty and Kahr has a tendency to strictly follow the duration, and I happen to pick up a problem, I probably won't enjoy it so much if I'm likely to be hosed. That is if the situation would come up. It's not even that I wouldn't buy a Kahr, but if they tend to be warranty sticklers and obstinate about not fixing things I would probably be most comfortable with buying a new one like JFootin suggested. That's all.

[jocko]

understand, I have said in the past, if ur kahr is out of warranty, kahr will to my knowledge fix the gun for u, if u have not abused it or moded it, but u might hav eto pay the postage at leastone way. I have never seen or heard ofkahr charging an owner of a kahr, evne when the gun is out of warranty. Lifetime warranty is a nice thing but I would think after a time to that the maker would require u to sendthe product to them and they will take care of it from there. beit a gun, or what ever. S& w is an excellent company, they do stand beind their product, but I slso feel kahr does to. that is the nice thing today about the internet and the use of pictures etc. One can photo his defective looking gun and the maker can determine what to have u to do. Course clucks like me can't even post photos so I amn still screwed. I have bought 2 used kahrs with zero regrets, none have had to go back and the expried warranty thing didn't bother me a nadda. Life is a gamble every day, u don't know if tonight is ur night or not..

[DNzig]

True enough sir. I mean Jocko. :) Just trying to get my head around whether or not I would really be comfortable buying a used one, your impressions are very helpful. I thank you again

[jocko]

I always felt buying anythingused was just buying someone else's troubles but two used Kahr purchases shot that theory in the ass. I bet most of our wives were used before we came along to, but heh they still work.

[JFootin]

Thanks for the feedback fellas.

JFootin, just looked up the warranty. Wow.. Only 5 years. Do you have a specific reason for suggesting that owning the warranty might be an advantage? Or do you mention it from a peace of mind perspective?

Thanks again?

D

Nothing specific. The CM9 has had a very successful record from day one. Just look at the number of delighted owners, and more and more of them, who post successful break-ins and range trips here on the forum. It's older brother is the PM9, which has been a reliable performer for a lot of years. But it's like deciding whether to buy a new car or a used car. You might be inheriting someone else's problems. They might have damaged it in some way. I have never bought a used gun that was messed up, but you are taking a little chance. Just sayin'...

[Ljutic]

I'm another blunt nose fan. P380 and PM9 are just better looking to me than the chiseled snout.

[JimBianchi]

I am the 3rd owner of my K9, it is about 10yrs old.

The previous owner had work done by some idiot-shmoe-gunsmith.

Kahr fixed it up for free, I only paid postage, one way. (all new springs, extractor and buff-polish)

Runs like a champ now and I love it.

I am very happy with the way-out-of warranty work Kahr did for me.

[cobrasjp]

... it got me wondering if there are other elements about the model that have changed over time, like specific improvements from older generations to the current generation that are maybe not obvious but are desirable vs. models that are older that may or should factor into the decision to pick up one over the other.

D

Sometime in the past, Kahr changed the size of the dovetail slots for the sights. Slides with the newer style dovetails have a small dimple machined into the underside of the slide near the rear. Click on the link below to see a comparison of the two dovetail slots from XS Sights' website.


http://www.xssights.com/help/pix/kahr-newslidestyle.jpg

I can't think of any other changes in the PM over the years.

[jocko]

that dovetail thing has been some years back to. darn hard to find a kahr today with the old style dovetail. except mayb e in the K series which was kahrs first gun. can't remember when they made this change but it has been well over 7 years ago.

Not realy much changes in the kahr internals since day 1. they did make a change to all polymer kahrs someyears back to the all MIM part mag release. I have an old style about 8 years old with the polymer mag release and everything works perfect in it, soI have no intentions of changing it to the now metal part. One nice thing ab out the polymer mag release is that it doesnt rust. Really no wear to thepolymer release either as the release is polymer but the actual insert that makes contact with the steel mag is a steel insert in the polymer release. I kinda figured kahr went tothe MIM one peace pasrt over what I would think is a more expensive two peace polymer version. I dont think those got any more out of spec either than the MIM release today. I think also the early versions polymer kahrs had a one peace pin that held that side plate on. I think now they have went to a torx screw to hold that in. Neither one ever will give issues.

dont be afraid to buy a used kahr, if the price is right, but just remember ur warranty as far as kahr paying postage both ways is no longer honored. tey will fix most any kahr out of warranty but u gotta get it there.

[DNzig]

Good stuff guys, thanks for your help.

[DNzig]

Just to update those who participated. After weighing the input, going back and forth on the merits of the CM9 vs. the PM9... A long time. The CM was the winner. Based on features and what a PM would cost I just couldn't justify the PM. It just seemed like quite a bit of pistol for the money. Thanks again for the input guys. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/24/gu3a4e7y.jpg

[Starbug]

You won't be disappointed. I too was originally going for a PM9, but in the end opted for the more affordable CM9. I don't regret it at all. I adore my little pistol. Just follow the prep and lube sticky threads, and read the manual that came with your CM9. Then take it to the range and break it in. Have fun!

[Sage]

Two Thum...er well you know...up for the blunt nose PM9

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o542/tinman507/pm9merikey.jpg


Thanks for the post. I wondered what Jocko looked like ever since I've been a member here.