Buying a gun without ever seeing /handling one

[Allen]

I want a small concealable quality 9mm handgun and been reading all the good reviews on the Kahr CM9 (or PM9) but I've never handled one to see how it would fit in my hand or shot one. Does this sound even sensible to be spending around $450 for something sight unseen? Am I buying a pig in a poke? I haven't been able to find one in a shop so it means having to order it over the Internet.

Ordering a gun I've never seen over the Internet (which I've never ordered anything costing over about $50) from a company I've never done business with being delivered to a shop I've only had business with once is really scary to say the least.

Do the rest of you ever do this or have you at least had one model of Kahr before ordering a different model?

I thought I was ready to order it yesterday and got a copy of a FFL to fax, but then got nervous and haven't called in the order yet. Maybe just a little bit on the chicken side.

[TucsonMTB]

No local dealers? You should at least visit a shop that carries Kahr pistols. Most usually stock the CW9 which is very similar to the CM and PM series but least expensive of the Kahr line. The triggers will be the same as the guns you are interested in, and that's probably the most important item for you to evaluate.

Fit and finish will also be very similar, especially if you decide on the CM9.

Are you an experienced shooter? If not, you might want to find a range that has a Kahr or two for rent.

Best of luck. They are fine pistols, so no pigs in poke to worry about, but you have to like them and be comfortable before the purchase. Afterward, you will have enough difficulty with buyer's remorse.

Oh, and we will be here for you no matter what you decide.

[BEARDOG]

Don't know Allen you gotta do what you are comfy with... I would tell you I have both a CW9 and a CM9 and I think they are great guns. And as long as you have normal size human hands The Kahr should "fit" just fine. My Hands seem to "fit" lot's of different guns ???
As far as ordering sight unseen...I ordered my CM9 from Buds the very first day they were released for sale back in March. Never seen one first hand(no one else did either). Didn't know how it would work,(now there are about 100+ happy reviews on here loving their CM9's).... Never used Buds before, and never used the FFL before.... It all went very smoothly and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

[Allen]

Never thought about checking for one of the other model Kahrs, just been calling and asking about about the CM, PM models. Only two local shops and one about 25 miles away. Inventories seem to be very limited.

Handguns are nothing new for me. Have a Beretta 85 .380, a S&W .357, a Colt Python .357, and a S&W .44 mag, but nothing as small as the Kahrs. Am 73 now and been shooting/hunting since I was 10-12, but this situation still has me a little nervous.

Thanks for your encouragement.

[Freejay]

I purchased a CW9 sight unseen.

Love the darn thing. No problems, roughly 300 rounds down the barrel.

Read my other posts to see the process I went through doing the whole "CW9 vs. CM9" dance. You can't go wrong with either. If I had a chance to do it over again, I'd still stick with the CW9, simply due to the longer grip being more comfy for longer shooting sessions for me.

I highly recommend Kahr based on my experience.

[TucsonMTB]

Thanks for your encouragement.
Our pleasure! One word of warning . . . I visited a local shop while planning to order a PM40. They had a CW40 in stock. I bought it on impulse. :o

I have since purchased a Stainless PM40 via GunBroker.com and subsequently traded the impulse buy CW40 as partial payment for a second PM40 from a local, private seller who just happened to have a NIB black one.

The CW40 was great, but I didn't carry it after getting the PM40.

Anyway, watch out for those impulse buys. The CW series is a bit seductive and may even be a better choice if you do not plan to pocket carry.

[Bawanna]

I'd have no fear ordering a new gun or used for that matter. When you pick it up at your FFL it's like being in the gun shop. Take it out, inspect it closely, if it's damaged or anything wrong, don't accept it. Have the FFL just send it back. No harm, no foul, and it don't have your name on it.

Same with a used gun, if it isn't as advertised. Most parties give you a 3 day no shoot inspection period. If it's not right you get your money back.
Much trickier and you should make a plan ahead of time but on a new gun no worries at all. Long as you don't sign for it, it can go back, no transfer involved and Bud's or whoever can send you another one.

Still easiest by far to try and locate one but if it ain't happening, I don't think you'd be dissapointed at all. And like someone said, we're here to help if you want or need it.

[Dietrich]

I understand your hesitation in buying a gun that you have never seen,much less handled.My best advice to you is get yourself somewhere you can handle the handgun or at least some model of a Kahr.That will probably give you more peace of mind than anything else.I will tell you this.Kahr makes a darned fine handgun.They are generally well known to be dependable and accurate straight out of the box after the proper prep and cleaning/lube.I am in no way connected to Kahr Arms except for the fact I own one.Take your time and check them out.You`ll feel better armed with your newfound knowledge.

[jocko]

I want a small concealable quality 9mm handgun and been reading all the good reviews on the Kahr CM9 (or PM9) but I've never handled one to see how it would fit in my hand or shot one. Does this sound even sensible to be spending around $450 for something sight unseen? Am I buying a pig in a poke? I haven't been able to find one in a shop so it means having to order it over the Internet.

Ordering a gun I've never seen over the Internet (which I've never ordered anything costing over about $50) from a company I've never done business with being delivered to a shop I've only had business with once is really scary to say the least.

Do the rest of you ever do this or have you at least had one model of Kahr before ordering a different model?

I thought I was ready to order it yesterday and got a copy of a FFL to fax, but then got nervous and haven't called in the order yet. Maybe just a little bit on the chicken side.

gander mt always has a PM9 in the show case. Last wee they had the cm9 and PM9. see if a GM is close to you kand give um a call tos ee if they have any in the show case. Don't buiy it therer as normaly they get full price on thier guns. I thyink thbey wanted $599 for the cm9 and 799 for the PM9, u can beat that at any hot dog stand.

u should handle one first if possble. They are super guns but again we are all different.:behindsofa:

[Ressom]

I bought a CM9 from Buds sight-unseen. But I researched the size and compared the size to guns I already own. Also I saw hickock45 on youtube shooting the PM9. I'm 6'5" and he is probably just as tall, and if his hands can handle the size, then I knew I could.

As far as buying over the internet... just make sure you buy from a reputable company and you should be fine. For further piece of mind you could charge it to credit card. That way you would have further leverage if a dispute arises.

[les strat]

I handled a CW9 before ordering my CM9. I thought, "if it is like this but only smaller, I'm game". It's been a great pistol. Just make sure you exercise it, clean, and lube it well before hitting the range and your 200 break-in rounds.

[targetshooter]

I understand not being able to find a Kahr pistol in a LGS. None of the shops in my area stock them. I did find a pawn shop that stocks the CW models.

I've purchased a couple units over the internet, and in both cases the process went smoothly. Pick a reputable seller. I used a local gun shop for the receiveing and transfer, not a fellow that has an FFL and does transfers as a part time business.

[yqtszhj]

A lot of "gun & pawn" shops around me have the CW9. It's basically the same gun just take about 1/2 inch off the grip and 1/2 inch off the barrel. No one around here has the CM9 or PM9 either. If you like the feel of the grip and trigger you'll like the CM9 or PM9. I have had the CW9 and CM9 and they are both great. I would have no hesitation about ordering from Buds online.

[Polygon]

None of my local dealers had a PM9 when I was considering mine. Cabellas did have a PM40 which is about the same size. I did enough research about the PM9 that I felt comfortable buying one without shooting it first.

I also bought my Ruger Mk III without messing with one first. It's a Ruger .22 and I figured you can't go wrong with that.

[biga1996]

i was able to buy my cm9 from a lgs....i added the ext and have shot it about 200 times and love it.....u can get the specs from kahr and compare to what you have.

i bought a colt defender from buds one time.i had never held the gun but loved the way it looked and planned on using for my carry(till i got the cm9,weight was a factor) and it was my first online purchase.only thing i can tell ya is i love my colt(will keep it forever,i hope) and the transaction with buds was very smooth.....but i was in your same boat...nervous about the gun and dealer.

[jocko]

I bought my PM9 sight unseen. super gun, one of my best ..

[Allen]

When shops advertise a gun price on their web site is that for strictly Internet purchasing? Will they do the same over the phone, or maybe not over the phone at all? Especially Bud's. I'm really a computer novice and haven't been using the Internet very long, mostly just for the Forums so I'd be a lot more at ease to be able to talk to a warm blooded body when giving out so much information and specifying what merchandise I wanted. Seems like just a wrong click in the wrong spot and things could get messy. I'm such a pessimist. Murphy's Law seems to be my constant companion.
Do really appreciate all the help and information.

[jocko]

I knew Murphy very well. is should have listened to him before I married my first wife!!!!!

[Bawanna]

When shops advertise a gun price on their web site is that for strictly Internet purchasing? Will they do the same over the phone, or maybe not over the phone at all? Especially Bud's. I'm really a computer novice and haven't been using the Internet very long, mostly just for the Forums so I'd be a lot more at ease to be able to talk to a warm blooded body when giving out so much information and specifying what merchandise I wanted. Seems like just a wrong click in the wrong spot and things could get messy. I'm such a pessimist. Murphy's Law seems to be my constant companion.
Do really appreciate all the help and information.

You can call and speak to a warm breathing person at Bud's. It might take awhile to get thru and get handled but it works.
The on line ordering system seems to work really well. I've been playing internet for awhile but I'm still just like you. You gotta double check everything and make sure it's right. It usually will also tell you if you've goofed. Stuff like dashes or space in a credit card number etc. Sometimes its hard to figure out what their boggle is.
There is piece of mind in knowing (in real time) that the order is in and happening. But even on the website I think you get an order confirmation fairly quickly.

[cw45fan]

There were a couple at the gun show I was at last weekend. I like 'em... but just know that they ARE small and your pinky will be "grabbing air" underneath unless you use some type of grip extension on the mag-base.

[Rainman48314]

I want a small concealable quality 9mm handgun and been reading all the good reviews on the Kahr CM9 (or PM9) but I've never handled one to see how it would fit in my hand or shot one. Does this sound even sensible to be spending around $450 for something sight unseen? Am I buying a pig in a poke? I haven't been able to find one in a shop so it means having to order it over the Internet.

Ordering a gun I've never seen over the Internet (which I've never ordered anything costing over about $50) from a company I've never done business with being delivered to a shop I've only had business with once is really scary to say the least.

Do the rest of you ever do this or have you at least had one model of Kahr before ordering a different model?

I thought I was ready to order it yesterday and got a copy of a FFL to fax, but then got nervous and haven't called in the order yet. Maybe just a little bit on the chicken side.I have handled every gun I have purchased (7). I did not shoot any of them. I might not have bought two if I had shot them first, but I would have missed out on a great gun, my PM9.

[QuercusMax]

I think there are 2 questions here:
1. Handling the gun before buying.
2. Shooting the gun before buying.

You can do #1 in a store, but you'll have to go to a range with rental guns to do #2 (unless you have a friend who has one). In my experience, some guns "handle" just fine but then are a whole 'nuther animal when fired, but if they don't pass the handle test there is no point in proceeding to step 2.

I have purchased a few of my guns without doing either. Some have worked out; others have been "fine" but not great. The more money you have available for guns (which is different from how much total money you have), the more adventuresome you can be. It's a bit like trying out a new restaurant, albeit much more expensive: Do you just go to places that you have been before, or do you try something new ever so often?

The gun of mine that I still like to shoot the best is my Browning Buckmark Camper URX, which I bought on a whim from Bud's, so things can work out. Your luck might be different.

[SBRGuy]

I've done it several times. I just got the CM9 and had never handled one, but to be fair.... I did handle a "dummy gun" for making holsters for the CM9, that's what got me interested in this gun!

You'll LOVE the CM9... unless you have huge hands or something, then it could be a problem.

[JohnR]

I'd never handled a K9, but I'd handled the MK9 and one of the polymer 9s and was convinced. Though we have a Kahr dealer here, they never have K9s in stock. Bought mine through gunbroker. Got lucky, I love it.

[jocko]

quercusmax. ur points are good. if one can find on at a range rental it wold be good to test one out. NOt that that gun and one idenitcal tha tyou buiy new might now work either but at least u will know about the loooooong trigger system in kahnrs BEFORE U BUY. Many complain about it after buying it, TO LATE AMIGO. Kahrs are not the easiest guns to shoot "accurately". The looooong but totally smooth trigger system is ur only safety (by design) other than what is between ur ears), so one either like sit or hates it,.

Trouble is alot of ranges don't rent kahrs and then maby they don't rent the model kahr you want to test before buying, but unless u have a good friend who has oner many like myself go into the buy "blind". I had no idea before buying my PM9 about the looooong trigger system. To this day I still shoot my kahrs "horrible", but boy do I love um to death. The most accurate gun in the world can't do jack sh-t if it is home in the drawer when u need it. Today I totally accept my rather poor accuracy with my kahrs over what I can do with my G19 but one is home on the vanity and the other is with me 24/7..

[QuercusMax]

Kahrs are not the easiest guns to shoot "accurately". The looooong but totally smooth trigger system is ur only safety (by design) other than what is between ur ears), so one either like sit or hates it,.

...

I had no idea before buying my PM9 about the looooong trigger system. To this day I still shoot my kahrs "horrible", but boy do I love um to death. The most accurate gun in the world can't do jack sh-t if it is home in the drawer when u need it. Today I totally accept my rather poor accuracy with my kahrs over what I can do with my G19 but one is home on the vanity and the other is with me 24/7..

That makes me feel a lot better.

Having bought my MK9 Elite without handling it or shooting it first, I was very disappointed with the long trigger pull and my ability to shoot it accurately. Other than the fact that the front sight was off a bit (as I reported elsewhere), the rest of my experience came down to the Kahr characteristics pointed out by jocko plus my own inexperience with them, having mostly been used to target and long guns.

Now that I understand that this is normal, I can adapt.

I still really love the look and feel of my Kahr - it "handles" well despite the short grip.

[jdlott74]

I personally wouldn't order and buy something without handling it, but I also was the one that usually listens to jlottmc with his experience with me and guns and what I like. we did buy the CW45 without me handling it, but I had also handled his P45.

[tibbits]

I've bought before without shooting, but not without holding and would do it again if I had to. But holding is critical for hand fit test, especially with small frames or if your hands are not too 'avearge size'. I'd try to spend a good 15 minutes with the gun before buying.

[O'Dell]

The CW40 was great, but I didn't carry it after getting the PM40.

Anyway, watch out for those impulse buys. The CW series is a bit seductive and may even be a better choice if you do not plan to pocket carry.[/QUOTE]


No doubt about it. My CW40 is my favorite Belt carry even though it's my cheapest gun. I also bought mine on impulse on a trip to my LGS to get oil.