First day with a CM9

[Hawkeye911]

As I looked for a final piece to my concealed carry "arsenal" puzzle, I spent several months lurking on this forum researching the CM9. When Grabagun had their special pricing on the CM recently, it was too much to resist, and I "pulled the trigger!" Picked it up at my FFL today.

I got home, stripped the Kahr apart, and cleaned all the oil and crud from production from the gun and magazines. Sprayed the oil from the striker channel, and wiped everything clean. Did the full "Jocko Prep Program," except for sanding the magazine lips. After getting the key spots properly lubed, I went out to shoot... and... the first round... failed to extract!

Everything looked all right, so I tried again. The next 76 rounds of Federal FMJ cycled and fired like clockwork until my partial box of ammo was empty. I think things are off to a very good start.

I've re-cleaned and re-lubed it, and after the next shooting session I believe it will be ready to press into duty! Nice little gun, I think.


I was shooting for function rather than groups, but was really pleased with how many cans and old bowling pins I hit, and how very manageable the recoil was. I was not expecting such a small firearm to feel so nice to shoot...

I have a Springfield XDs .45 and a Keltec P3AT to carry with my brand new license (Illinois was just the 50th state to FINALLY pass CCL legislation), and the CM9 fills the gap in the middle from both a caliber and size standpoint. Feel like I'm ready for any weather and clothing variables... and the process has been FUN!


Thanks to all here for the help and knowledge you've shared.

[leftysixty]

Glad to see that your new toy is working out.

Enjoy! Stay safe.

[kwh]

Agree.CM9 nicely fills in the gap you mentioned and is my EDC in front pocket.

[hardluk1]

You know your going to wanting to replace the xds with a comparable kahr cw45 and then maybe a t or tp for better long range accuracy. And might as well have a 380 version. Dam them kahrs.

[pbagley]

You know your going to wanting to replace the xds with a comparable kahr cw45 and then maybe a t or tp for better long range accuracy. And might as well have a 380 version. Dam them kahrs.

Agree, but I recommend you hang onto XDS instead of replacing. I started with a CM9. Then a CW45. Then I finally was lured to the dark side by an attractively priced CM40. Eying a CW380...

Enjoy the CM9. My version had a few more FTF's early on, but now that it has over 1000 rounds through it rarely fails to cycle, even when the rounds are loaded down low enough to not consistently lock the slide back after the last round. It is a challenging gun to shoot well due to the size, and my version is a little ammo sensitive when it comes to accuracy. Critical Defense 115gr. has been very accurate for me, much better than the 115gr round nose practice ammo I've tried.

[smo79]

I have to say that I pretty much carry my cm9 exclusively anymore. Pants, shorts, and jeans seem to handle it just fine without any problems.

[C0untZer0]

Hey Hawkeye911


I normally pocket carry a Rohrbaugh R9, but as you know there are places in Illinois were we can transport a firearm, but not carry it, but that involves unloading the firearm and putting it into an enclosed container. I have a 5.11 Select Carry Pistol Pouch that I use for that. But I got sick of the unloading and re-loading. I decided to get a second gun to keep unloaded in a "container".


When I saw the $319.99 price for the CM9 on Grab-A-Gun I bought one. So when I encounter a posted location I lock the R9 up in the car and strap on the fanny pack with the CM9 in it. No more loading and unloading in my car. The R9 stays loaded all the time and the CM9 stays unloaded in the pack all the time.

[jackinelgin]

Glad it's working out for you C0untZer0. I too was surprised by the recoil on the CM9-much less than I expected. I see you posting on IllinoisCarry sometimes. I'm more of a lurker there-Day 90,no prints.

[C0untZer0]

I posted my initial impressions of the CM9 in the Walmart thread at Illinois carry and on the Rohrbaugh forum, not here because I can't post pictures here.


I now have racked the slide on my CM9 500 times.


I've done most of the stuff in Jocko's thread except polishing and checking that the mag spring isn't in backwards.


I haven't gone to the range yet, I am going on Tuesday. I'll be shooting 124 and 147 grain ammo through it - Lawman TMJ. Some of what I am going to try is what Georgia Arms calls "NATO" but it really isn't nearly as hot as military M882 ball ammo.


I really hate to get any malfunction at all in a carry gun. It really really bugs me. So I am hoping that all the prep work and using ammo that should cycle the new gun will help the CM9 to have a flawless range outing.

[hardluk1]

Georgia arms has good ammo that tend to meet advertised velocity but a 3" might be a bit less. I used there canned heat 124 gr from breaking in most of our handguns Never had any issues. You might order some of there new speer 124gr +P for carry too.


Run your pistol wet at first and when you can no longer control it well enough to shoot decent groups ?? Stop. Might only be 75 to 100 rounds is a max .


And old used 1.75 inner tube free at bike shops makes for a nice grip aid . Cut to cover more grip area than factory slip ons too. Holds up well and can be built up for a palm swell if wanted. Enjoy.

[C0untZer0]

Thanks Hardluk1


We'll see how it goes, I am going to the range tomorrow with my CM9 and a bunch of Georgia Arms "NATO" ammo.

[Hawkeye911]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I have handled the CM9 enough now to decide I will pocket carry it some. Hope to order an Alabama or PJ Kydex holster pretty soon.


You know your going to wanting to replace the xds with a comparable kahr cw45 and then maybe a t or tp for better long range accuracy. And might as well have a 380 version. Dam them kahrs.

Maybe, hardkuk, but I don't think so. I really love my XDs and the way it shoots and handles. It is about to come back to me after having a set of Diamond Speed Sights installed, and I suspect it will be a valuable tool for a long time for me.

If I had had this CM9 experience BEFORE I got the P3ATs (bought one years ago hoping my state would someday get CCL legislation accomplished, and found a deal on a second I got as a back up), I think I would have preferred a CW380 from what I see. But... the little Keltecs run very well, and I doubt I will take the financial hit it would take to go to Kahr's better trigger and sights.

I think I will start another thread to cover it, but the only thing I wish was better on my CM9 is the mag release. I plan to just give it some "shooting in" time before doing anything, but sometimes it takes concerted effort to get the release pushed so it lets go of the magazine. Other times, it is much better. I'll post a bit more on a new thread...

Thanks for what you all have taught me so far.

"Too soon old and too late smart"

Daryl