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View Full Version : Which Kahr 9mm to buy?



AC7880
12-05-2012, 07:51 PM
Background: I have owned a Kahr K9 since 1999 (primarily house/rv protection) and have had a FL CCW permit reciprocal in 41 states since 2010, but never carried the K9 on my person (only in an RV). We are full time RV travelers and transit and stay in many states.

In the past weeks I bought a strong 1.5" wide gun belt, and a high end Ritchie Stakeout holster and a Remora friction sticky holster as well, and have started carrying the K9 for 10 hours a day and for 2.5 mile walks.

The K9 (23 oz unloaded no magzine, about 30 oz loaded) is "bearable" with the higher end belt and holster, but lighter still seems like it would be "nice". I want to be able to walk/hike up to 4 miles carrying a 9mm, and begin carrying in cities etc (where my 41 state CCW reciprocal is legal).

I called Ft Huachuca AZ military exchange today - they have a Kahr CM9 $403 out the door, and at Davis Monthan AFB a all black P9 is $660 out the door. I can likely also order a PM9 or CW9 for a decent price.

I (will) have 4 holsters designed for P9/K9/CW9, all designed for IWB. Remora, Horseshoe leather, Ritchie Stakeout (same as Alessi PCH), and delivered tomorrow a TT Leather Mikes Special EC.

The PM9 and CM9 'should' securely fit and retain in these existing holsters as well, with just a longer holster length than actually needed.

I'm starting to lean towards a CM9 and keep the K9, or perhaps a P9 then selling the K9 if the new P9 pistol is 100 percent reliable and makes me happy enough. I can take the 2 best holsters (Ritchie Stakeout and TT Mikes Special) with me to test fit the CM9 in them.

A P9 alone would likely satisfy me, and be lighter for carry than the K9. A CM9 alone may not likely make me happy enough, thus keeping the K9 - with both pistols working in my existing holsters. (maybe add a dedicated pocket holster if I buy the CM9)

As a full time RVer, one pistol for self protection is probably really enough. Keeping the K9 I'd need to buy the less expensive CM9 or CW9. If planning on eventually selling the K9 I could buy the P9 or PM9 without hitting the savings account to hard.

I'm not sure I will like the two finger grip length of a CM9/Pm9, and if not I'll then need a extended magazine or magazine extension.

I need to research and see if my K9 7 round mags will also work in the CM9 (though not a good grip addition to the CM9).

Decisons decisions. Any thoughts to help me figure it out?

WR Monger
12-05-2012, 08:00 PM
If this is for SD, I would go for the CW9. Another round, light weight, easy to carry.

mr surveyor
12-05-2012, 08:00 PM
keep the K9 and buy the CM9. Remember, it's a carry/SD pistol...not necessarily a pleasure/range gun. The K9 can fill your needs for the house gun/range gun, but there's nothing better in my experience for lightweight - mid power handgun carry than the compact CM9 (or PM9 if you have, or want to spend the extra money). The CM9 is more than capable of SD accuracies, even with it's "two fingered grip".

Two is better than one, considering the quality you have considered.


jmo

surv

Ikeo74
12-05-2012, 08:04 PM
Keep the K9 for the RV and buy the CM9 for concealed carry. Get a pocket holster.;) 2 is better than 1

Deano
12-05-2012, 09:16 PM
+1 for the CM9. Love mine. Pocket or IWB carry. Prefer IWB, but sometimes circumstances dictate pocket, and it does just fine there.

joshh
12-05-2012, 09:36 PM
I love my pm9 (with safety) and pocket it daily but if this is just going to be a self defense gun, go for the cm9. I would have gone for that if it was an option here...

espresso
12-05-2012, 10:21 PM
I have a CW9 and a K9. I love the K9 but the CW9 is noticeably lighter to carry. Cool thing is they both feel very similar in the hand, point the same, use the same mags and same holsters. I really like both but If I had to only have one I think I'd have to hang on to the CW9 even though she's not nearly as sexy as the K9.

wyntrout
12-05-2012, 11:41 PM
There were about half a dozen or more P9's for sale in our Marketplace... where I got mine. I really like the size... like my K9, but half a pound lighter and with the metal base plates for concealed carry, it hides about as easily as my PM9.

See my pix here: http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15749&highlight=9mm+barrels

Wynn:)

Barth
12-06-2012, 03:19 AM
Background: I have owned a Kahr K9 since 1999 (primarily house/rv protection) and have had a FL CCW permit reciprocal in 41 states since 2010, but never carried the K9 on my person (only in an RV). We are full time RV travelers and transit and stay in many states.

In the past weeks I bought a strong 1.5" wide gun belt, and a high end Ritchie Stakeout holster and a Remora friction sticky holster as well, and have started carrying the K9 for 10 hours a day and for 2.5 mile walks.

The K9 (23 oz unloaded no magzine, about 30 oz loaded) is "bearable" with the higher end belt and holster, but lighter still seems like it would be "nice". I want to be able to walk/hike up to 4 miles carrying a 9mm, and begin carrying in cities etc (where my 41 state CCW reciprocal is legal).

I called Ft Huachuca AZ military exchange today - they have a Kahr CM9 $403 out the door, and at Davis Monthan AFB a all black P9 is $660 out the door. I can likely also order a PM9 or CW9 for a decent price.

I (will) have 4 holsters designed for P9/K9/CW9, all designed for IWB. Remora, Horseshoe leather, Ritchie Stakeout (same as Alessi PCH), and delivered tomorrow a TT Leather Mikes Special EC.

The PM9 and CM9 'should' securely fit and retain in these existing holsters as well, with just a longer holster length than actually needed.

I'm starting to lean towards a CM9 and keep the K9, or perhaps a P9 then selling the K9 if the new P9 pistol is 100 percent reliable and makes me happy enough. I can take the 2 best holsters (Ritchie Stakeout and TT Mikes Special) with me to test fit the CM9 in them.

A P9 alone would likely satisfy me, and be lighter for carry than the K9. A CM9 alone may not likely make me happy enough, thus keeping the K9 - with both pistols working in my existing holsters. (maybe add a dedicated pocket holster if I buy the CM9)



As a full time RVer, one pistol for self protection is probably really enough. Keeping the K9 I'd need to buy the less expensive CM9 or CW9. If planning on eventually selling the K9 I could buy the P9 or PM9 without hitting the savings account to hard.

I'm not sure I will like the two finger grip length of a CM9/Pm9, and if not I'll then need a extended magazine or magazine extension.

I need to research and see if my K9 7 round mags will also work in the CM9 (though not a good grip addition to the CM9).

Decisons decisions. Any thoughts to help me figure it out?

If you're not going to pocket carry carry?
You should go ahead and get the full grip P9/CW9/TP9.
There isn't that much weight difference and you get more capacity and better grip.
http://www.kahr.com/GetDynamicImage.aspx?dir=itemImages&path=P91676.jpg&w=326&h=278
http://www.kahr.com/GetDynamicImage.aspx?dir=itemImages&path=CW91679.jpg&w=326&h=278
http://www.kahr.com/GetDynamicImage.aspx?dir=itemImages&path=TP91674.jpg&w=326&h=278

ripley16
12-06-2012, 05:01 AM
If the goal is a lighter gun to carry, and replace the K9, then either the P9, CW9 or TP9are suitable answers that force little change in your shooting style. My favorite Kahr is the TP9, but as a CCW I'd go for the black P9. I avoid the "C" line because the available sights are limited on that line.

jocko
12-06-2012, 10:48 AM
not many sights now that kahr offers and other offer to that will not fit on the c series. Just takes time for these sight companies to pick up thesenewmodels etc. Dawson makes great sights for the c series. XS has um now to, Mepro and others...

hardluk1
12-06-2012, 12:04 PM
The cm/pm pass's as a pocket pistol many times and makes for a better than most iwb but just for iwb carry the cw and p do it the best offereing the longer grip and barrel . I can conceal with a botton down tucked shirt or just a loose t-shirt tucked or polo type shirt. The tp is on my want list but is not a small pistol and with the grip lenght might be a chalenge hideing with out dressing for it. I have a cm9 and cw9 that are my rotatation

AC7880
12-10-2012, 09:21 PM
I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and advice. I bought a CM9 today, and will likely keep my K9 as well.

CM9 thread about purchase and intial trial: http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16073

mr surveyor
12-10-2012, 09:57 PM
Dan

I think you'll be very satisfied with your choice.