CW9 vs. P9 vs PM9

[SuperGlide]

This has probably already appeared in an earlier thread, but please forgive this newbie. I own a S&W 64 and Ruger SP101, but with my CCW permit about one month away (90 day wait here in SC), I really want/need a small carry handgun that's easy to conceal. Some modest research has led me to the Kahr line of pistols and this forum. The CW9 seems like the way to go (for the money), but can anyone convince me to seriously consider the P9 or PM9? What would the $200+ premium for the P9/PM9 get me over and above the CW9?

[Thunder71]

CM9, if you can find one... or the PM9 if you want polygonal rifling, and in my opinion, better sights and machining.

[BuckeyeBlast]

The PM9 is quite simply one of the greatest CCW firearms made. A drawback for many people has been the price. Kahr has recently introduced the CM9 at a lower price point. I'd give it a good solid look before making any final decision. Also consider whether or not you would plan to add night sights. If you do, it may be worth the extra money to get the PM9. Otherwise, the CM should work well and allow you more money for the most important CCW accessory... range time and ammo.

[crazymailman]

A few months ago I was in the same boat as you. As I has previously owned Kahr P9, I bought another with the intent to carry it. Normally the P9 would be perfect, but as summer approached, it was obvious to me that I wanted something smaller. I ended up with a PM9 and couldn't be happier. It conceals in a pocket or under a t-shirt and I don't feel the need to dress around it. Since you mentioned the cost of the P & PM series, and as others have mentioned, the CM might be the perfect option for you. You'll save $200 and have the same size pistol as the PM.

[BEARDOG]

This has probably already appeared in an earlier thread, but please forgive this newbie. I own a S&W 64 and Ruger SP101, but with my CCW permit about one month away (90 day wait here in SC), I really want/need a small carry handgun that's easy to conceal. Some modest research has led me to the Kahr line of pistols and this forum. The CW9 seems like the way to go (for the money),
A CW9 is great choice for IWB carry and provides a full grip. A CM9 is the same size as a PM9 and better for pocket and IWB carry.It's also priced and built like the CW9.

"but can anyone convince me to seriously consider the P9 or PM9"

Nope.

"What would the $200+ premium for the P9/PM9 get me over and above the CW9?"

Nothing that really matters. Really, they are almost exactly the same gun. Why spend more $ on the gun, when it can be put towards holsters,sights, laser, ammo, etc. you know, needed useful carry gun things.
http://www.kahr.com/PDF/CM9093r2.pdf

[BEARDOG]

Also consider whether or not you would plan to add night sights. If you do, it may be worth the extra money to get the PM9.

???
Night sights are readily available for the CM9 and the CW9 from Kahr (Trijicon), and Dawson Percision (they sell the front and rear separately).
The Dawsons front sight($49) is an easy install and requires no pusher.
I am going with front only Dawson NS on my CW9 and CM9.

[ripley16]

...can anyone convince me to seriously consider the P9 or PM9? What would the $200+ premium for the P9/PM9 get me over and above the CW9?

IMHO, the main reason to purchase a "P" Kahr over a "CW" is the fact that only the P comes in a black finish, allows your choice of night sights, and has the polygonal barrel. The other differences are of little or no importance. If none of these three differences is a feature you need or want, then the CW line is the obvious choice. I prefer the P because of the color and sight issue.

The sights are important to me on a carry gun. I do not like Kahrs standard sights. If I were to carry a CW, I would at a minimum change the sights.

The size of the gun is a personal choice. I prefer the larger grip and longer barrel, but depending on how you carry, a smaller gun, a PM or CM, may be best. It's up to you. I don't think the small Kahrs are best suited for pocket carry, (I prefer very small guns in thet regard, ie: Seecamp), but your opinion may differ.

[jocko]

buy the PM9, carried my PM9 in jeans fron pocket for over 4 years. Not a fast draw area but a gun that requires no special dress to carry either. The P series gives u the sight mods tha tyou might want and also the black dlc finish which IMO is very nice. function wise the cw is gonna do everything the P or m guns will do. internally they are the same. I could take or leave the polygonal barrel but it is a perk on the PM andP series guns. what u outta do is try to find a cw and a p series kahr to do some test shooting with. we can only state our preferences which for each of us could be biased..

[Bill K]

Welcome to KahrTalk!

Relative new guy to Kahr (PM9) so take my advice with a grain of salt. If pocket carry (maybe even ankle carry) is in your future then I'd recommend the CM & PM over the CW and P.

[eklipto101]

???
Night sights are readily available for the CM9 and the CW9 from Kahr (Trijicon), and Dawson Percision (they sell the front and rear separately).
The Dawsons front sight($49) is an easy install and requires no pusher.
I am going with front only Dawson NS on my CW9 and CM9.


Exellent choice, I just installed a front one on the PM9 and I like it a lot, Dawson's sights are great for daylight acquisition and it works great with the existing rear sight, plus at night it's not a distraction with any other dots (rear):yo:

[Bawanna]

Only thing I haven't seen mentioned is the CM comes with 1 mag, the PM comes with 2. A very easy fix that will only influence the price difference by 30 bucks or so.

Everything else is pretty much put in front of you for your perusal and decision making use.

If you reload and wanna shoot lead, the CM or CW's are a good choice for their standard rifling.

[SuperGlide]

Thanks, fella's, for all the great feedback and opinions. I do want night sights, and if they can be installed on a CM or CW, as BEARDOG states, that's the way I think I will go. The polygonal rifling and cosmetics are secondary, for me, on the P and PM series. Since this will be my CCW pistol, all of your comments regarding concealability have persuaded me to seriously consider the shorter frame of the CM. It's like BuckeyeBlast said, the CM will "allow you more money for the most important CCW accessory... range time and ammo."

[toptog]

If I could do it over I would go with the CM9.

As much as I love my PM9 (impulse buy after a great range session with my P380) I didn't feel like waiting for the CM9 to come out.

The barrel and machining really doesn't make any difference to me.

In hindsight, the price difference is what would have.

PM9 or CM9, I think you'll love either

[JackRyan]

but a gun that requires no special dress to carry either. So jocko is a chick? What do chicks do to CWC in a dress?

[JackRyan]

The detailed difference between the CW9 and the P9 Is the P9 usually has one more mag, Poly rifling, and the slide is engraved lettering instead of roll stamped, and also the P9 has a finished slide with sharp edges and corners slightly finished smooth. The barrel is slightly more accurate and 50-70 fps more velocity than conventional barrel. You won’t know any difference between either if you carry and shoot both.

[Bawanna]

but a gun that requires no special dress to carry either. So jocko is a chick? What do chicks do to CWC in a dress?

Jocko is definitely not a chick. Watch your back, maybe sleep with a metal garbage can over your head so he can't get at your throat.
I'll pray for you;)

[wally1]

Lots of used ones out there of either model, just sayin'.

[berettabone]

I'd carry, and I do, the SP101...………………………………………………...:p

[Linthead]

but a gun that requires no special dress to carry either. So jocko is a chick? What do chicks do to CWC in a dress?



Holy dead thread resurrection!

[Armybrat]

Well, I’ve seen a few chicks at Wallyworld that do bear a striking resemblance to Jocko.
Just sayin’. :)

[NotSoFastEddie]

say what you will about the barrel in the PM9, but my PM9 will drive tacks. My CW380 and CW9 are strictly "get off me" guns - accuracy is poor.

[King Rat]

say what you will about the barrel in the PM9, but my PM9 will drive tacks. My CW380 and CW9 are strictly "get off me" guns - accuracy is poor.

I would say it is how often and diligent you go to the range and train. I shoot at least once a week and you will always see me shooting a Pocket gun or Micro 9mm or small revolver. I fell in love with shooting a Pocket gun over 10 yrs ago and it became my niche as a shooting enthusiast. I find the Kahr CW380 and CM9 extremely easy to shoot tight groups with rapid fire out to 10-15 yds. I really do not see how a different barrel could improve much on this. Not where he would be significant. Maybe target shooting out to long ranges, but I do not do that kind of shooting.

[Zeke38]

I've owned the CM9 and it ran well. I just purchased and am enjoying a P9 I picked up for $369.00 new and shipped I shoot the longer barreled P9 better than the CM9. If you don't shoot regularly and dedicate range time and ammo to learning and being proficient with the CM/PM series you're doing a disservice to yourself. Carry convenience will not make up for poor or slow marksmanship if needed. Train.

[dustnchips]

I believe the FBI about gunfight distances. Therefore I do most of my practice at 10 feet without using the sights or bringing the gun up to eye level. I do still see the value in 10-15 yard shooting and practice it regularly. So how much difference in accuracy one barrel has over the other seems like a very minimal thing to me. JMHO.