I need my fellow Kahr owners to help me decide on something.

[Kahrfan78]

So I'm in a bit of a dilemma here I'm trying to decide to sell one of my PM45'S to buy a PM40. I sold my PM9 to buy this PM45 but now am trying to decide on if I should sell the PM45 #2 to buy a PM40. I'm thinking the PM40 is a slightly smaller gun for carry but is it that much smaller than my PM45? I know the PM40 alise is a little longer And thicker than the PM9 slide.

What would you guys do would you keep the PM45 and buy a PM40 later or just keep it as it's not that much bigger than the PM45? I originally sold my PM9 because the PM45 is barely bigger. Thanks for opinions and input on this guys. Also if anyone has side by side or a PM45 on top of a map that would be great too.

[JohnR]

I'm a .45 fan and have never owned a .40, so my answer is keep the .45.

[Bawanna]

I would without question keep the PM45. I have a K40, much heavier than the PM40 and it's a fire breathing dragon. Too much flip even magnaported. I like 40, just don't like it in a tiny tupperware framed gun.
With two, you can have one on your ankle and one on your hip. Couple spare mags and your ready for prit near anything that comes along.

I have a PM45 and like it a lot. Wore it everyday when I was working at the PD. On my ankle. Wasn't supposed to have a gun being an office puke ya know.

[yqtszhj]

I have a PM45 and a CM9. I want a PM40 too. I’m a bad influence so you better not ask me…:rolleyes:

[Kahrfan78]

I appreciate the replies so far. As far size goes it looks like the PM40 is only smaller than the PM45. According to handgun hero the PM45 in only .35 inches longer and,the PM45 is 1.1" wide were as the PM40 is 0.94" wider, exactly how much wider is that? And if course the PM40 has a slightly shorter in the grip. Which probably isn't an advantage when it comes to shooting the PM40.

So as far as concealment goes so you guys think I'm gaining anything by getting a PM40? The measurements don't seem like a whole lot. Of course my PM9 was smaller by not drastically so which is what led to my decision to sell it to finance this PM45. It's seems like what little if any concealment advantage is gained by the slightly smaller PM40 is negated by it's lack of control over the PM45. Still I can't help but what one. I'm a real odd ball I guess.

[dao]

Insofar as carrying concealed goes, small fractions can have a disproportional effect on comfort. And ease of draw, at least when considering IWB or pocket carry. For OWB not so much. By the same token, and for the same reason a gun that is not enjoyable to shoot (and potentially painful), is the one that gets left behind. I've owned 3 .40S&W Kahrs. I only have one left, and it is the heaviest of the three. I would rather shoot .45acp than .40 these days, though in my younger years when I was a strong lad recoil did not bother me at all. And recoil is a very subjective phenomena. If you're a big, strong lad then it may not bother you.
If you get the featherweight .40 and you come to feel uncomfortable with the recoil then its lighter weight will work against you, rather than making it marginally easier to carry, because your first inclination might be not to carry it. I have no qualms about shooting my PM45, even now in my later years. My all steel MK40 doesn't see the light of day, let alone a holster much.

[Kahrfan78]

It seems like the PM40 may not be worth selling a PM45 to find it. Don't get me wrong I like the PM45 but I'm thinking like you've said small size here and there does matter. Anyone here have a PM40 they would trade for a new in box unfired PM45?

[dao]

Personally, I wouldn't sell a PM45 to fund a PM40. If you're patient and keep an eye on GB or somesuch you can find a PM40 for a very good price. The 40 caliber is not exactly in vogue at this time.

Also, if you have med-large hands the PM40 would require an extended mag to fit your hand, and that would remove the shorter grip as an advantage over the PM45. I carry my PM45 in my cargo style shorts pocket from time to time. It's just not that much larger than the PM40.

Here's what you'd be looking at

[Kahrfan78]

Dao wow that's not much size difference at all. I'd read the PM45 is .35 inches longer than the PM40 I'm not expert on using measuring tape but that doesn't seem like a whole lot. Also the with of the PM45 is 1.1" the PM40 is 0.94" in with again probably not a lot wider than a PM40.

Also to answer your question I have i guess you'd say normal sized hands I wear a large sized glove.whwn I had my PM9 it was two finger grip unless 3used the extended 7rd magazine or had a Pearce pinky extension on a magazine. So your right there as to the shorter grip of the PM40 being an advantage. The PM45 is a very small lightweight gun, especially for a 45. I pocket cEey it a lot and it fits a holster made for a PM40 I have so I guess it is a lot closer in size.

[JohnR]

My PM45’s grip felt like the perfect thickness to me. My CM9’s grip feels too thin. Except when concealing it, of course.

[getsome]

I’ve never had a PM45 but would much rather have 2 PM45’s than a .40 in that size gun……I comfortably pocket carry a PM9 which is my second one……I traded my first PM9 for a PM40 thinking it’s a very close size gun and bigger is better right…….Well after shooting the PM40 with full power carry ammo I soon found out that there is a limit to how much recoil and muzzle blast you can stand and to me the PM40 is brutal to shoot and no fun at all and it’s the one you will soon learn to hate shooting IMHO………If you really want a .40 well go ahead but I think you will be sorry, I was………..

[dao]

A two finger grip on a PM9 is a different kettle of fish than it is on a PM40. The PM45 allows for a three finger grip for all but the largest hands, and as JohnR mentioned it is just enough thicker to make it feel right (and good), in hand. This is one of the areas where small increases or decreases in size affect our experiences disproportionately. The .40 is a fast, and somewhat brutal round to fire. In a small and light gun all of that comes to light. For some, it's not a big deal. For others it translates into something more significant.

[kenemoore]

If at all possible, try to rent or borrow a PM40 and try before you buy. I recently acquired a K40 and love it, but would not consider a PM40. The .40 round is just too snappy.

[Kahrfan78]

Hey thanks everyone for the replies it's really got me thinking about things. And i agree with another here who said a two finger grip on a PM9 is a different story,I agree when I had a PM9 I shot it with the flush fit mags all the time with +O ammo it was still controllable. I think if anything I would get another PM9 not a PM40. I know the size isn't that much of a difference between the PM45 and PM9 I had but it's seems like just enough that I might get another PM9. I think the 9mm is more than adequate for self-defense. I'd rather have the smaller lighter thinner PM9 with 7 rounds of +P 9mm.

[Kahrfan78]

Hey my fellow Kahr fans and owners,I've because of your informative feedback and advice about my post here this one in particular.

I've decided to keep my other PM45 instead of selling or trading it to acquire a PM40 or another PM9. The PM9 was and is a great gun. However thanks you some of you who offered your thoughts and feedback on this. I realized and remembered why I sold my PM9 to fund another PM45.

Im am much happier with the PM45 and as one poster pointed out,the PM45 is in fact barely bigger than the PM9/PM40 and It shoots nicer than the PM40. I know this because I owned an MK40 elite 03 about 10 years ago. That gun was 100% reliable and while I found it controllable, probably due to the extra weight of the steel frame. I also recalled thanks to this post that I did in fact briefly own a CM40 the same time I had the MK40. I actually traded that CM40 for P9 specifically because I felt that the MK40 was the better more controllable of the two .40S&W Kahr's. It's funny how life blurs memories sometimes LOL.

The more I'd thought about it the PM45 is a VERY small and concealable gun. Especially for being a 45acp. It's like I read on the S&W forums it's hard to appreciate just how small and lightweight the PM45 is until you actually hold one.
So enclosing I'm keeping my PM45 and I'm thinking I'll be patient and simply find a great deal on another PM40 or better yet an MK40 down the road. Thanks again guys for your help and advice one of the many reasons I love this forum.

[dao]

If you can only carry 6+1, .45acp in a lightweight and relatively soft shooting gun is a good way to go. Carried mine yesterday, in my shorts pocket.

[getsome]

Yep, ^ what he said……good decision!

[gb6491]

If you can only carry 6+1, .45acp in a lightweight and relatively soft shooting gun is a good way to go. Carried mine yesterday, in my shorts pocket.
What were you carrying dao?:confused:

[187911]

So I'm in a bit of a dilemma here I'm trying to decide to sell one of my PM45'S to buy a PM40. I sold my PM9 to buy this PM45 but now am trying to decide on if I should sell the PM45 #2 to buy a PM40. I'm thinking the PM40 is a slightly smaller gun for carry but is it that much smaller than my PM45? I know the PM40 alise is a little longer And thicker than the PM9 slide.

What would you guys do would you keep the PM45 and buy a PM40 later or just keep it as it's not that much bigger than the PM45? I originally sold my PM9 because the PM45 is barely bigger. Thanks for opinions and input on this guys. Also if anyone has side by side or a PM45 on top of a map that would be great too.

I have the MK9, K9, MK40, and K40. I've also own the M&P Shield 9mm, 40s&w, and 45acp. I don't recognize any more flip nor is the 40 all that much harder to shoot vs the 9mm IMHO. It's all relative.

Also, know that a lot of people are 45acp fans and will choose that caliber no matter what. 40s&w ammo comes in a variety of grains, velocities, muzzle energy aka foot pounds, low flash/recoil offerings, so on and so forth, so when people make a blanketed claim that a gun chambered in that round flips or is uncontrollable, take it with a grain of salt. There are many 9mm rounds that are higher velocity higher than 40s&w and there are several factory 45acp offerings that are also in 165gr and 185gr* just like 40s&w can be had in that have more or simular velocity and muzzle energy as 40s&w, yet everyone throws out canned responses whenever 40s&w is mentioned. Take it all with a grain of salt because it's not the black and white binary difference that people make it out to be.

As far as your question goes while ignoring caliber, you can akways make the smaller gun bigger, but you can't make the bigger gun smaller. If I was in your case I'd go with the smaller gun because it's more versatile. You can deep concealment and even pocket carry it when need be, or you can use a standard mag with a pinky extension or an extended magazine when you don't need the extra concealablity but want a full grip.

*There are several commercial range and self-defense 45 acp offerings in 185 grain that compare to or exceed the commercial range and self defense of 40s&w in 180 gr velocit and muzzle energy, yet most would, without thinking about it, tell you that 40s&w will kick more and have more muzzle flash just as a programmed canned response. Whether 9mm, 40s&w, or 45acp is snappy or not depends on the specific ammo choice in that caliber that you go with.

[dao]

What were you carrying dao?:confused:

PM45 in an Azula soft leather pocket holster :)

[berettabone]

I have the MK9, K9, MK40, and K40. I've also own the M&P Shield 9mm, 40s&w, and 45acp. I don't recognize any more flip nor is the 40 all that much harder to shoot vs the 9mm IMHO. It's all relative.

Also, know that a lot of people are 45acp fans and will choose that caliber no matter what. 40s&w ammo comes in a variety of grains, velocities, muzzle energy aka foot pounds, low flash/recoil offerings, so on and so forth, so when people make a blanketed claim that a gun chambered in that round flips or is uncontrollable, take it with a grain of salt. There are many 9mm rounds that are higher velocity higher than 40s&w and there are several factory 45acp offerings that are also in 165gr and 185gr* just like 40s&w can be had in that have more or simular velocity and muzzle energy as 40s&w, yet everyone throws out canned responses whenever 40s&w is mentioned. Take it all with a grain of salt because it's not the black and white binary difference that people make it out to be.

As far as your question goes while ignoring caliber, you can akways make the smaller gun bigger, but you can't make the bigger gun smaller. If I was in your case I'd go with the smaller gun because it's more versatile. You can deep concealment and even pocket carry it when need be, or you can use a standard mag with a pinky extension or an extended magazine when you don't need the extra concealablity but want a full grip.

*There are several commercial range and self-defense 45 acp offerings in 185 grain that compare to or exceed the commercial range and self defense of 40s&w in 180 gr velocit and muzzle energy, yet most would, without thinking about it, tell you that 40s&w will kick more and have more muzzle flash just as a programmed canned response. Whether 9mm, 40s&w, or 45acp is snappy or not depends on the specific ammo choice in that caliber that you go with. I couldn't agree more. Always trying to scare people away from .40. Size of firearm and ammo and shooting technique have always mattered.

[gb6491]

If you can only carry 6+1, .45acp in a lightweight and relatively soft shooting gun is a good way to go. Carried mine yesterday, in my shorts pocket.


PM45 in an Azula soft leather pocket holster :)
Nice! The 6+1 threw me off the scent a bit:blushing:

Speaking of which (and FWIW), a P45 (6+1) with a flush fit magazine is only slightly taller than a PM45 with it's plastic base plate. I still think Kahr should offer a metal base plate option for their .45 magazines.
https://i.postimg.cc/K82nYsNn/Untitled-copy.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Above image from https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/kahr-p45-vs-kahr-cm45
https://i.postimg.cc/FKfcC5sX/betterpm45.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Regards,
Greg

[yqtszhj]

I never realized how close the P45 and PM45 were in size. I wonder if the PM45 slide would work on the P45 frame? A P45 6+1 frame with a flush mag and a PM45 slide might just be something… I may have to test fit later.

[Kahrfan78]

Hey guys great advice and info here. I also like the idea of P45 slide on a PM45 frame with a steel base plate. I to would love it kahr offered a steel base plate for their 45 magazines. Any chance maybe we could organize a group buy maybe we can have some 3D printed even? I know nothing about 3D printing can something even be 3D printed from metal? I would think a good machine shop would be able to make some easily even?

Does anyone here know of Ny other gun makers 45 caliber magazines have steel base plates that would reliability interchange with the kahr arms 45acp magazines?

At Ny rate guys I'm really greatful for the advice given in this post as it helped me reach my decision on keeping my PM45.