PM9 or CM9 Decision?

[KennMoses]

I've been reading posts on this forum for a week or so. I am new here and need to make a decision as to the purchase of a used PM9 (sn# ID8xxx , $570), another used PM9 (s# IB0xxx, $530) or a new CM9 for $400.

I've read many threads and posts here but still not sure whether to go new or used. The two available used PM9's I guess could be considered "broken in" but there is no way to determine their reliability history or why they were traded in. The new CM9 is less money but will I be having to deal with a long and frustrating break-in period of hundreds of rounds before feeding issues and FTE's are past?

I have a Glock 19 and an M&P 9C that have never, ever, exhibited one single failure after multiple hundreds of rounds fired. They've both had trigger work and shooting them is a delight...on the range. In every life I mainly choose to carry an LCP because it's small and easily concealed. Unfortunately I hate the LCP trigger and shooting it is anything but fun. Thus the consideration of a Kahr PM or CM in 9mm for concealed carry.

To go with a used PM9 or a new CM9 for concealed carry is the question. All suggestions welcome. Thanks.

[RRP]

Welcome, KennMoses.

The short answer is you can't go wrong with either the PM9 or the CM9. And you won't have to spend a fortune on ammo to get them to the operate reliably. These models have been mostly trouble-free.

Some folks buy a CM9 because it's cheaper, and then spend a bundle on upgrades to make it more like a PM9. If you are that type of person, you might as well go for the PM9, right off the bat.

[gmcjetpilot]

The price between used and new in your example is small.... go new because Kahr only warranties the gun for 5 years to the original owner.... The warranty is not transferable....

HOWEVER if the gun was bought new recently and never registered, you buy it used, you can register it. Others who bought used Kahrs have sent their gun into them or asked for parts under warranty, and the gun was fixed and/or parts sent no questions asked. I bought a used CM9 that was in new condition. If it had 50 rounds through it I would be shocked. It came with box and all the original stuff unopened. It was never registered so I registered. I paid almost $400. So if you can get a new one for $400 that is a good price.

The $150 more for the PM you get an extra magazine ($30 value), different markings and barrel rifling. You get a plastic box I think as well.

I personally would go $400 for the new CM9....


I like the looks of the markings of CM9 better than the PM9, which does not look better to me,


I don't keep any of my guns in the factory box it came in; I have other options for storage and transportation.


The barrel rifling I doubt makes much difference, at least in a 3" barrel. I shoot very tight groups fairly fast with a CM9. It's not quite as good (accurate/speed) as my Glock. I just doubt the PM9 would get better accuracy than a CM9. It is a matter of the overall gun, size, weight, trigger, not just the barrel.


I don't use an extra Mag in the Kahr CM9, because it is not a range or competition gun. I shoot it at the range, but loading the magazine is no issue. I might buy an extra magazine at some point so I can rotate them in duty. You can always go buy an extra magazine outright.*
* I do have 5 magazines for my Glock 26, 10rnds, 12 rnds (2 rnd extension), 15rnds (G19 mag with X-sleeve). It came with three magazines. I don't do competition, so I really don't need all these magazines. I do rotate them, so I don't slack the spring in one mag. An extra magazine is nice, but you can buy one out right when ever you want.

[kwh]

Bought my CM9 new. Had maybe a total of 5 FTE's with 115 gr bullets during the first 36 rounds fired. No problems ever with 125 gr. Hundreds of rounds later, 0=zero problems with any ammo. I did slide racking prep work first before going to the range. I would go with the CM9. Best all-around pocket pistol available.

[KGNickl]

Buy the new CM9 and take the money saved and buy a few extra mags and better sights. Plus you get a guaranteed warranty.

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[CJCM9]

I went with a new CM9. I followed the prep http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1521 and don't over oil it. They come drenched in oil. Clean it and clean it well before use. I used almost a full can of non-chlorinated brake fluid on it's first cleaning.

I have about 220 trouble free shots then one FTF, then 30 more trouble free shots. I was feeding cheap ammo and I would bet that the one FTF was a bad round.

It is small but shoots great. Compared to my M&P40c, it conceals great and about half the weight.

[Matthew L.]

I've had my PM9 for about 2 years now. Put around 400 rounds through it without a single failure, at least not that I remember. I'm sure a CM9 is a great gun as well. If you want a nice fit and finish then go PM9. If you want reliability and a well functioning gun then the PM9 is perfect and I'm sure the CM9 is right there with it.

[MarkT]

I bought a new pm9 last month. The break in period isn't too bad. I spent an hour putting 200 rounds down range and didn't have a single issue. Love the gun, very easy to conceal and comfortable. You can't go wrong with either one in my opinion. Good luck with the purchase.

[b4uqzme]

Welcome. I'd go with one of the PM's if it is a blunt nose just because I think they look better. Otherwise I'd be happy with a CM. Don't let the break in scare you. We only hear about the rough ones. For every one of those there are thousands of flawless pistols.

[deadeye]

Bought a new CM9 in January. Have put a little over 1500 rounds through it. Any brand I was lucky enough to find. Not 1 glitch. Nothing. Dependability? No question.

[mikemc53]

I bought my CM9 new and have run over 400 rounds through it in a little over two months. Not one FTF, FTE, slide lock-back issue...nothing. I don't know anything about "break-in" problems. As far as I can tell, there is no such thing.

[JERRY]

there is some poor guy with some youtube videos shows his atrocious cw9. I never seen one that bad.

id recommend the pm9 instead of the econo version.

[JimC]

When I bought my PM9 the CM line was not yet out. Had it been I would still have gone with the PM9.
I had a specific reason for wanting a smaller CCW pistol and after much research, I decided on the PM9 in all black w/night sites.
I don't care much for two tone handguns any longer.
The CM line is not currently available from Kahr in all black. As far as I know, the CM line is not currently available w/night sights.
I like the fact that the FS on the PM line is dovetailed, not pinned in.
After the couple of problems that I had with my PM9 were corrected by Kahr, mine runs 100%.
Very accurate and easy to conceal.
I would recommend the PM9 highly but if the new gun warranty is what you are concerned with, by all means go with the CM9. It will most likely meet your needs.
I've seen and handled the CM9 and still like my PM9 better.

[muggsy]

I'm not for buying another man's problems. Unless they allow you to test fire the used PM9, I'd go with a new CM9. You don't know how the PM9 was used or abused and why the original owner got rid of it.

[skiflydive]

I bought my CM9 new two years ago. I had about 5 FTFs in the first 100 rounds and then it's been flawless in the next 1000 or so. Buy the CM9. You won't be sorry and you'll enjoy learning about the gun as you break it in.

[dirtkicker]

I purchased the CM9 and had maybe 3 or 4 ftf during the 'break in period'. I'm very pleased with mine and carry it often. And, if you've never shot a Kahr it may take you a minute to get used to the trigger. It took me a couple hundred rounds to really get my accuracy down. I was initially low/left quite a bit. So really the break in period serves 2 purposes. It did for me anyway.

In regards to your LCP I recently purchased one of the new production models and the trigger is vastly improved. I am not trying to steer you off the CM9 by any means. 9MM is greater than 380. Good luck!

[KennMoses]

The input is awesome. Thanks! The new CM9 is looking better and better. It isn't easy to dismiss the used PM9 with serial #ID8xxx, 7 round mag and 3 dot sight for $570 although as muggsy has mentioned I could be buying another man's problem.

Once again thank you for all the replies to my original post. Really appreciated!

[codegeek]

I have the CM9. Love it. She eats everything I feed it. Do have to remind her to say 'scuse me when she burps.

My CM9 was breaking the magazine followers. Sent her back to Kahr and returned in 10 days, all fixed.

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[RRP]

Corvette or Chevette?

[KennMoses]

Corvette or Chevette?

Well, never tried a Chevette but I did own a used '91 Corvette a few years. Loads of fun to drive but too many problems. So you'd favor the used PM9?

[b4uqzme]

I'm not for buying another man's problems. Unless they allow you to test fire the used PM9, I'd go with a new CM9. You don't know how the PM9 was used or abused and why the original owner got rid of it.

Almost every firearm I own was bought used. Another man's problems don't intimidate me. A person I respect highly said something like: I can get any firearm running correctly with a little patience and persistance and mechanical ability. ;)

[jocko]

Havingf owned a PMJ9 for over 5 years and love it dearly, had the cm9 been available then I would have bought it. What little difference there are back then for todayt kahr has bettrer sights fgor the cw seri3es and cm series than when they rist introduced them. Internals are really the same, I can do wthout some of thge laZer engraving etc. inever considered my kahrs as show guns anyhow. they are service guns that will save ur life...

[JimC]

Well, never tried a Chevette but I did own a used '91 Corvette a few years. Loads of fun to drive but too many problems. So you'd favor the used PM9?

I would inspect the used PM9 closely and IF nothing were to jump right out, I would definitely buy it.

I've purchased many fine used guns over the years and have had very few that had problems. Many shooters trade in guns for various reasons and not all are prone to problems.

[Jules Winnfield]

My advice: if round count can't be verified go new. This is after all a tool you may one day use in a life and death situation. As far as PM or CM goes, I went PM. I initially rented a CM9 and shot okay with it, but wasn't able to obtain the tight groupings I expect of myself. Shortly after I purchased the PM9 and shot it better than ANY other firearm I've handled. On my first range outing I was putting round after round in the 9 and bullseye....often in the same holes. If this is on account of the polygonal rifling I can't say, but I'm inclined to think the extra $$$ was worth it.


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[jocko]

My advice: if round count can't be verified go new. This is after all a tool you may one day use in a life and death situation. As far as PM or CM goes, I went PM. I initially rented a CM9 and shot okay with it, but wasn't able to obtain the tight groupings I expect of myself. Shortly after I purchased the PM9 and shot it better than ANY other firearm I've handled. On my first range outing I was putting round after round in the 9 and bullseye....often in the same holes. If this is on account of the polygonal rifling I can't say, but I'm inclined to think the extra $$$ was worth it.


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doubtifit is due to the polygonal rifling.Ur just agood shot. give credit where credit is due. Now that being said,I truly thinkthis polygonalvsstandard rifling stuff is more add hye than anythingelse. My god we hav ebeen shooting standard rifled barrels for years and accuracy is out of this world.In a 4"bbl gun like akahr I see no accuracy advantage in either barrel.

U can never verify round count,just can't be done. Persoanny for me roundsout of akahr are agood thing, for many it saves what many call break in time and sometimes headaches just getting the gun running right. Buying used in many waysshould tellu in one magazineif the gun is OK. I have over 32K rouns through my pMJ9 and I can assure u buy looking at this gunb, it shows not anioutta of wear and tear. I just don't think u can shoot out a good gun. In kahrs case they even get better with rounds down rangeto. Once they hit that total smoothed out area, thegun will ot change any. I don't normally buy used but I bougt aused K9 some years back from a NY cop and it lookedgreat and it has never belched yet on me. great gun,I saved big bucks in doing it.

Nodoubt if it was a $100 giveor take less to buy used, I would buiy new, that 5 year warranty is woprth supin IMO. U just never know.

[muggsy]

Almost every firearm I own was bought used. Another man's problems don't intimidate me. A person I respect highly said something like: I can get any firearm running correctly with a little patience and persistance and mechanical ability. ;)

There's nothing wrong with buying used as long as you know what to look for. Most gun buyers don't. I can see no point in buying a used gun and then finding out that you have to put the difference in price into making it shoot right. I've bought a number of used guns, but then my father was a gunsmith and I learned what to look for from him. If you buy from someone known to you and know the history of the gun there is little danger. Most who buy a used gun are buying a pig in a poke.

[MBSL500]

Based on the number of people I read on forums who write that they "dumped" their bad gun and bought another one, is reason
enough to stop me from buying a used gun.
I'll spend the extra $ and buy a new one.
Just my opinion.......

[Rubb]

If the CM was around when I bought my PM...I woulda got the CM.
The CM series has killed the resale value of the PM IMO.
I've seen a lot of PM's for sale recently and they're not moving..
Why buy used when you can get basically the same thing new for the same $??

[jocko]

There's nothing wrong with buying used as long as you know what to look for. Most gun buyers don't. I can see no point in buying a used gun and then finding out that you have to put the difference in price into making it shoot right. I've bought a number of used guns, but then my father was a gunsmith and I learned what to look for from him. If you buy from someone known to you and know the history of the gun there is little danger. Most who buy a used gun are buying a pig in a poke.

a pig in a poke or a lamb in ol jocko's home. either one, "U COULD GET FOKKED". jUST SAYIN

[Cjohnston]

I always prefer buying new over used if I can. But that's almost entirely because of warranty. I've bought one used pistol because the price was too good to pass up. No problems at all. I think most used guns are on the market not because someone had trouble with it but because someone saw and had to have the "latest and greatest".

I also strongly considered the PM9 before buying my CM9. I realized the only thing I liked better about the PM9 was the all black. A look I prefer. But I also hate "blueing" because it's a weak finish and eventually rubs off. Kahr calls it "blackened" but I think it's the same as Blued. I could be wrong on this?

Anyway, while I like the two tone less than the all black, I also really love the look of my CM9. And I figured if I just had to have it black, I'd get the slide cerakoted one day down the line. I've seen a few done all black except the mag base, the trigger, the slide release and the barrel all still being stainless and to be honest THAT is beautiful and the look I want mine to eventually have. Maybe one day. For now in very happy with my CM9 as is.

All that to say. I paid 399 for my new CM9 and I suggest you do the same :)


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[jocko]

naw ur wrong, it is a DLC finish, much tuffer than any blueing. very similar to glocks tennifer finish. U can google up DLC finsih and get the low down. It is exztremely strong.

Its not a cheap ass finish. It s a personal choice but IMO unless ur gonna showcase the gun, I think the PM kahrs are made to be carried and not ever seen.:Amflag2:

[Cjohnston]

naw ur wrong, it is a DLC finish, much tuffer than any blueing. very similar to glocks tennifer finish. U can google up DLC finsih and get the low down. It is exztremely strong.

Its not a cheap ass finish. It s a personal choice but IMO unless ur gonna showcase the gun, I think the PM kahrs are made to be carried and not ever seen.:Amflag2:

Good to know. I'd still rather have the CM


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[jocko]

10-4

[Grapenut]

http://grabagun.com/catalog/product/view/id/19893/category/27/

Got mine about a month ago from these folks in Coppell, Tx. What a great pistol. No problems right out of the box. And it has a way of dissolving from consciousness when concealed.

Nut

[KennMoses]

Thank you to everyone who contributed information and suggestions. With a special discount the store was offering today I was able to purchase a new CM9 for $377. Their regular price was $420 which was a little high anyway. Best price I saw anywhere else in town was $400.

I have to say the first time dis-assembly/re-assembly was a rare treat. A little more difficult than Smith's and Glocks and the recoil spring does not help. I wore some leather gloves to ease the process. As was mentioned by others there was a liberal amount of oil spread around...and now cleaned up.

Thanks again.

[O'Dell]

Quite a few of my purchases over the years have been used, and several were ex-police pistols. Were else can you get a near perfect HK USP 40 with excellent night sights and three mags for $400? [picture below] I haven't been "bit" yet. Over the last 15 or 20 years, I have had four problem guns - a KelTec, 2 Tauruses [I should have known better], and an XD. All were purchased new.