So I found this wonderful forum. Now it's decision time.

[P7rancher]

My New Years resolution was to CCW every day. Did great until hot July arrived and then not so good. I was drawn to the Kahr P380 from reviews and gun shop talk but understand there can be issues, mainly ammo and improper breakin. Now I'm hearing a lot about the PM 9 and researching this platform. Reliability seems to be better but it's a little bit larger and weighs about 4 or 5 ounces more. But, 9mm beats .380.

I'm around 6'2" and 210 pounds. I have gone almost exclusively to 9mm but I want a true pocket gun that is light enough and small enough to be carried in hot weather. I wear quality gun belts. So give me your thoughts? Is the PM 9 a contender against the P 380 for pocket carry? I wear jeans not cargo pants.

Thanks in advance
Steve aka P7rancher

[CPTKILLER]

My MK9 could be but you should look at one and decide.

[dustnchips]

The 380s are much better than the reviews would make you think. My CW380 has been perfect for over 1500 rounds since the first 100. I have a PM9 but carry the 380 almost all of the time due to size and weight. There are a lot of good people here to help you if you do have problems. Remember that everyone that has a problem posts, but those that do not have problems are seldom heard from.

[markman]

I have both a CM9 & a CW380. Sometimes I pocket carry the CM9, but sometimes it's too much and I carry the CW380. I like having both so I have a choice!

[MMyers1970]

My CW380 required a trip to Kahr after 300 rounds of break in to become reliable. I believe the newer production runs are better, but Kahr's customer service is top notch,and I would happily buy another one. Once it was running properly, it's become one of my favorite pistols to shoot. It has outstanding sights for such a small pistol, and has the excellent Kahr trigger.

I also have a CM9. Once I broke it in properly---and you can find the information on this forum---it was reliable. I've run 200 rounds through it, and haven't experienced a single malfunction.

I usually carry them both. CM9 IWB, and the CW380 in my pocket. And the nice thing about Kahrs is the various models all have the same trigger. So you can have a K9 or MK9 for range use and carry their polymer doppelgangers. My MK9 gets more range time than my CM9, but trigger time with the MK9 directly translates to improved skill with the CM9

Why not carry the MK9? Ounces equal pounds, and it's a heavy little chunk of stainless.

[texasm77]

I would carry a 9 rather than a 380. I want all of the advantages I can get.

[boscobarbell]

Everyone's experience will differ, I'm sure. FWIW, I've owned two CW380s. My first turned out to be problematic, but even after selling it I was obsessed with the model and finally succumbed to the promise of what I believe, at least in terms of potential, is the best micro-.380 on the market. Turns out my first pistol wasn't a fluke...my second has proven to be a bit problematic, too, although my last time out it shot FMJ very consistently. You can't beat its trigger, sights, and feel in the hand for a pistol that size

By contrast, both my MK9 and PM9 were wonderfully successful purchases. My MK9, used, was a joy right from the beginning, without a single malfunction. It also makes the 9mm round feel like .380. My PM9, purchased new, had 2 failures within the first 120 rounds, and since then has been flawless. It isn't as soft a shooter as the heavy MK9, but it is easier to carry.

Good luck with your choice....

[mark7mod0]

Two thumbs up for a CM9. If you want an up close and personal self defense gun IMO the CM9 fits the need 100%. Does not have the cosmetic frills, sight choices and the polygonal barrel, but is still very accurate, especially in the 7-15 yard self defense range. Also can put a fiber optic on the front sight if you desire. CW 380 is smaller and a very good gun also. The cost of 380 acp ammo vs 9m, and the ability to have a slightly better round of the 9mm for self defense are worth thinking about. Overall cost of the CM9 compared to the higher priced Kahr 9mm (PM9 , MK9 ) pistols makes it a very affordable highly dependable and concealable CCW.

[dsk]

I'm around 6'2" and 210 pounds.

You're big enough that you should be able to carry a small 9mm in your pockets without much difficulty. Little guys like me carry .380s because even pocket-sized 9mms are too big for anything but holster carry.

[Bawanna]

Jocko, a well known long term member of dubious back ground pocket carries a PM9 nearly every waking moment in jeans.

I don't know just how big he is, seen a picture but never met the legend in person. I'd guess he's in the 5'10'' range based on the Hooters girls he had in the picture with him.

I don't think you'd have any issue carrying a CM9 in your pocket. I'm not a pocket carry guy, never have been and never will be but to many that's the only option.

I'm also not a 380 guy so there's no question at all as to which I would choose between your considerations.

[Armybrat]

Since I have a serious case of Dunlap's Disease, pocket carrying (in pants) anything bigger than my CT380 is not an option. However, my new CW9, which is not much larger that the CT380, appears to be a good candidate for IWB carry in the Remora clip holster I ordered on the 24th of August. After an unexpected weather delay, it should be here by the end of next week, so I'll update my opinion.
The Remora folks have had a bit of a time recovering fully from a visit by a nasty ****** called Irma who swept through their fair city recently. Their shop came through with little damage, but some of the employees lost their homes.

[tony k]

I pocket carry both my Cm9 and my cw38 in relaxed fit Carpenter jeans, cargo pants, and khakis no prob. Im I'm 5'9 175. Yes, you can tell I have some in my pocket, but the holster obscures the shape. IDGAF if someone "makes" me.

I'd skip the P series in favor of the CW/CM. P series are very nice, but other than saving a few grams of weight, they don't offer much better functional features.

I had to modify the extractor on my Cw380 to get it to feed certain ammo fiocchi ammo. Shoots all the SD ammo I've tested. I had my first stovepipe jam in my CM9 last month. It was in my very first IDPA match. I was nervous. The other competitors said they could see that I was limpwristing leading up to the jam. I've shot thousands of rounds through it without fail up to then, and I've shot hundreds of rounds since then without issue.

[bugs]

tony k
stick with the IDPA matches;your fellow competitors will be amazed what you can do with your CM9. I get as nervous as a 'ho in church when I shoot a match. stay nervous, you want to be able to preform when the poop hits the prop.

NRA LIFER

IDPA BELEIVER

[P7rancher]

Thanks to all for the replies. I finally got to see and hold a PM9 and was really impressed with the build quality and such a nice trigger👍👍. Still trying to find a P .380 to hold. Anyone actually weight both the PM 9 and P 380 loaded?

Appreciate the replies. Thank you!

[dustnchips]

The weights are out there on the web. Empty the 9 weighs about 50% more. Very noticeable so I usually carry my 380 instead of the 9.

[JethrosDad]

Yeah the weights and dimensions of all the guns are posted on Kahrs website. Great for comparisons.

[mark7mod0]

I do not see a vast amount of difference in the size between the CW 380 and the CM9. I admit the 9 is larger, and yes the weight is more , but for carry I see no great amount of either to limit me carrying the CM9. Then again, I do not pocket carry, so yes that could be alot of difference. Still, I am much more satisfied with my CM9 than the CW380.

[1stnamebassist]

Well I'm about 6'1" tall about 220 lbs. I can pocket carry my CM9 but I favor appendix carry for this weapon. I also have a CT380 which is very close to the same length and height of the CM9, but the width and weight are a bit less. I pocket carry that one in a sticky holster in my weak side back pocket as a backup with no issues. I really don't even notice it there. When I'm out I wear strictly blue jeans, much to my wife's dismay! I have also pocket carried my S&W Shield in the past, but soon realized getting it out of a pair of jeans with any speed at all was pretty much impossible so it too gets carried between 12 and 2 o'clock.

[Reasonable1]

I, unfortunately, own a p380. It is a poorly designed weapon. The recoils springs are cut from the factory on the muzzle end and capable of protruding and seizing the slide. The rear aspect of the top of the polymer frame is bowed inward. I have many failures to feed. Kahr CS had had the gun for over a month and they still have not gotten to it. Keep away from it. I would depend on an LCP II or a TCP over this gun.

Sent from my SM-S727VL using Tapatalk

[RonW]

I would look hard & long at the CM9. It carry's well in a Desantis nemesis pocket holster. For reference I'm 5' 11" @ 175lbs and my CM9 disappears in cargo short pockets or pants with large pockets. It carries comfortably IWB in either a Alien gear cloak tuck or Desantis cozy partner ( which I like better than the AG).

[SlowBurn]

I'm a believer in the p380 and cw380. Great shooting pocket pistols. I agree the P is not worth the extra money, unless you get a great bargain. Pocket carry is all I can do every day. If I carried IWB it would be something bigger.

[bugs]

P7rancher, I would go with the CM9; mine CM9 is my EDC, sometimes pocket (easily), sometimes IWB (prefered)/OWB ; one very important thing to remember is the cost of 9mm v 380. the more ammo will cost you the less you will eventually practice. the little guns are underrated at extended range (70/120ft.) but even at closer ranges practice is needed to consistantly control recoil and deal with that short (very small margin of error) sight radius. if you can,do a IDPA match; it will be a real eye opener of how you and your Kahr do, and will be fun besides!

NRA LIFER
IDPA BELEIVER