paul34
06-10-2011, 03:53 PM
Hi folks. I recently purchased and received a new CM9. I took it to the range a couple of days ago.
First impressions when I first took it out of the bag was: quality. I was really impressed with the general "feel" and quality of things, especially all the machining on the slide (even though the CM9 is the humbler version of the PM9).
Also, I really love the slide lock! To be honest, for the price, this pistol is an unbelievable value.
A little about my background with pocket pistols: I was originally wanting to get a Kimber Solo back in Feb/March. Kimber couldn't keep their commitments to their local dealers and so, no one had any. I was quite frustrated at the time, but as luck would have it, it indeed turned out to be a good turn of events.
Fastforward a couple of months later. I really wanted a pocket pistol, so as a compromise I bought a Diamondback DB380. I had read about the issues but also read the later serial numbers had their issues ironed out. As I learned, that wasn't quite the case, although it was somewhat true. The DB380 turned out to be quite picky with ammunition. Combined with the insane price of .380 ammo, I spent a good amount of money, and stressed over this little pistol. Everything about it was absolutely great, except for the fact it was so picky with ammo.
Eventually, I figured out it liked Blazer CCI Aluminum. Nonetheless, I was ready to move on. I shot two boxes of the stuff through it and that was it. Diamondback was close to releasing their DB9. I was quite excited about that. I tried, almost obsessively, to get my hands on one. Turns out the typical delays that happen at the beginning of any new product launch happened, and I couldn't get one.
Again, I was frustrated. But, again, that turned out to be a fortunate happening. I then stumbled across the CM9. I had forgotten about it. I took a hard look at the dimensions and hey, for about $50 more, a bit more thickness, and a few more ounces, I could get something that is definitely highly regarded, has excellent fit and finish, a slide lock (I missed that on my 380), and hopefully, very reliable with a wide variety of ammo!
So after some hem hawing, the CM9s suddenly showed in stock at Bud's. I snagged one as quickly as I could punch in my CC number, remembering my past experience with the DB9 - I had put in my number and pressed "order," only to have it show zero in stock - it had sold out that fast! :eek:. I was determined not to have that happen to me with the CM9.
I got through. Good thing, too, because only a few hours later, it was out of stock again. Even right now, the CM9093 still shows as out of stock at Buds. So fortunate I got one then, otherwise I'd still be out of luck right now!
Anyway, broke it down and cleaned it up (including the magazine) according to jocko's procedures, racked it only about 150 times though instead of 500. Took it to the range, and ran the following:
Sellier & Bellot (115 gr FMJ) 18 rounds that was purchased two years ago (for $17 according to the price tag HAHA - oh, to be a gun newbie and a reminder of the run on ammo a couple of years back)
Federal Champion aka Blazer Brass from WalMart (115 gr FMJ) 50 rounds
Federal HST 147gr JHP, standard pressure 15 rounds
83 rounds total.
All... FLAWLESS! I could almost hardly believe it. I think I had been scarred by my 380. I was almost expecting malfunctions to start out of nowhere at some point and ruin my range day.
Granted, I still have to keep testing to declare this pistol righteous, but so far, I am quite optimistic. I am sooo happy!
I noticed I have to push up on the base of the magazine all the way in order to eject the magazine. I am used to this from my XD, except that i still have to push up even with the slide locked back (not the case with the XD). I am willing to be ok with that, except sometimes it still does not eject and I need to take a few seconds break, and apply a good amount of pressure upwards on the magazine, THEN press the release fully and firmly. Then it'll eject.
But I think it is loosening up as time goes on. I also noticed the round on top sits at a pretty different angle compared to other magazines in other weapons, so I was careful to make sure I set that properly. It does that automatically as long as you push the round ALL the way to the rear, which I was careful to do.
So, all in all, great! :D:D:D:D:D:D
Now some pictures. You'll see my XD45 Service compact and DB380 in some of the pictures.
Brand new, after cleaning:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x95/paul344/IMG_0777.jpg
First impressions when I first took it out of the bag was: quality. I was really impressed with the general "feel" and quality of things, especially all the machining on the slide (even though the CM9 is the humbler version of the PM9).
Also, I really love the slide lock! To be honest, for the price, this pistol is an unbelievable value.
A little about my background with pocket pistols: I was originally wanting to get a Kimber Solo back in Feb/March. Kimber couldn't keep their commitments to their local dealers and so, no one had any. I was quite frustrated at the time, but as luck would have it, it indeed turned out to be a good turn of events.
Fastforward a couple of months later. I really wanted a pocket pistol, so as a compromise I bought a Diamondback DB380. I had read about the issues but also read the later serial numbers had their issues ironed out. As I learned, that wasn't quite the case, although it was somewhat true. The DB380 turned out to be quite picky with ammunition. Combined with the insane price of .380 ammo, I spent a good amount of money, and stressed over this little pistol. Everything about it was absolutely great, except for the fact it was so picky with ammo.
Eventually, I figured out it liked Blazer CCI Aluminum. Nonetheless, I was ready to move on. I shot two boxes of the stuff through it and that was it. Diamondback was close to releasing their DB9. I was quite excited about that. I tried, almost obsessively, to get my hands on one. Turns out the typical delays that happen at the beginning of any new product launch happened, and I couldn't get one.
Again, I was frustrated. But, again, that turned out to be a fortunate happening. I then stumbled across the CM9. I had forgotten about it. I took a hard look at the dimensions and hey, for about $50 more, a bit more thickness, and a few more ounces, I could get something that is definitely highly regarded, has excellent fit and finish, a slide lock (I missed that on my 380), and hopefully, very reliable with a wide variety of ammo!
So after some hem hawing, the CM9s suddenly showed in stock at Bud's. I snagged one as quickly as I could punch in my CC number, remembering my past experience with the DB9 - I had put in my number and pressed "order," only to have it show zero in stock - it had sold out that fast! :eek:. I was determined not to have that happen to me with the CM9.
I got through. Good thing, too, because only a few hours later, it was out of stock again. Even right now, the CM9093 still shows as out of stock at Buds. So fortunate I got one then, otherwise I'd still be out of luck right now!
Anyway, broke it down and cleaned it up (including the magazine) according to jocko's procedures, racked it only about 150 times though instead of 500. Took it to the range, and ran the following:
Sellier & Bellot (115 gr FMJ) 18 rounds that was purchased two years ago (for $17 according to the price tag HAHA - oh, to be a gun newbie and a reminder of the run on ammo a couple of years back)
Federal Champion aka Blazer Brass from WalMart (115 gr FMJ) 50 rounds
Federal HST 147gr JHP, standard pressure 15 rounds
83 rounds total.
All... FLAWLESS! I could almost hardly believe it. I think I had been scarred by my 380. I was almost expecting malfunctions to start out of nowhere at some point and ruin my range day.
Granted, I still have to keep testing to declare this pistol righteous, but so far, I am quite optimistic. I am sooo happy!
I noticed I have to push up on the base of the magazine all the way in order to eject the magazine. I am used to this from my XD, except that i still have to push up even with the slide locked back (not the case with the XD). I am willing to be ok with that, except sometimes it still does not eject and I need to take a few seconds break, and apply a good amount of pressure upwards on the magazine, THEN press the release fully and firmly. Then it'll eject.
But I think it is loosening up as time goes on. I also noticed the round on top sits at a pretty different angle compared to other magazines in other weapons, so I was careful to make sure I set that properly. It does that automatically as long as you push the round ALL the way to the rear, which I was careful to do.
So, all in all, great! :D:D:D:D:D:D
Now some pictures. You'll see my XD45 Service compact and DB380 in some of the pictures.
Brand new, after cleaning:
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x95/paul344/IMG_0777.jpg