New CM9-Pics and Range Report

[JBarbaresi]

Well this is my first post over at Kahrtalk, thought I'd make it a good one. I picked up a CM9 yesterday, it is my first Kahr that I've personally owned but not the first I've shot. I'm mainly a Glock guy but also have a couple XDs, 1911s, and an M&P as far as handguns go. This is my first true subcompact handgun. I was always a little apprehensive to get a Kahr because my dad owned a PM40, which was just too uncomfortable for me to enjoy shooting for extended periods. I started doing research on some of the other subcompact "pocket 9mm" on the market and kept coming back to the PM9. I just couldn't bring myself to justify spending that much money on such a small gun. So in comes the CM9 into the picture, as soon as I learned about this gun I was almost instantly sold. A little more research and I knew I needed to have one. To make a long story short, late last week I ended up placing an order through Amherst Arms and Supply near where I live and the gun arrived Wednesday evening. Their price was an even $400 under Kahr's LE/Military discount program which kind of sealed the deal for me. I picked it up yesterday, performed the proper prep and lube directions found in those 2 threads in the tech forum last night, and today I ran 300 rounds through the gun.

All 300 rounds were 147gr Winchester Super X, the CM9 ran absolutely flawlessly and didn't miss a single beat. I had no problems loading a round using the slingshot method, which was something I was a little concerned about since I mainly train to not rely on fine motor skills for such tasks. No failures to feed, no bad ejections, slide locked back on every single empty magazine. I was pleasantly surprised at how little recoil is felt for such a small gun, it was significantly better than my dad's PM40. I can say I actually enjoyed shooting it. The long DAO trigger pull without a defined striker release point will take some getting used to, but my groupings were still tolerable as far as my standards go. The rear sight is visibly slightly offset to the left side and my groups were just slightly left, so after a little more practice with the trigger I may try to drift the rear sight to the center. All in all I couldn't be more happy with the purchase, the CM9 is a great little handgun and I seem to have gotten a winner. Now I just need to console my Glock 19 since he probably won't be coming with me to work in the near future as long as things keeping looking up through the next several hundred rounds with the CM9.

I also purchased a kydex holster from pjhoster.com over the weekend shortly after ordering the CM9, it literally just got here in the mail about an hour ago so I haven't gotten to put it through it's paces yet, but man I'm I pleased with my initial thoughts. Based on what I was looking for, what I specifically asked for from Paul at pjholster, and what he delivered to me I am absolutely floored at the result. I don't think you can find a slimmer profiled holster, custom made to order with a 2 day turnaround and 5 day delivery time frame from the date the order was placed. Absolutely great service and even better product, I look forward to getting some great use out of this holster and gun.

Anyways, I've blabbered on long enough, on to the obligatory pictures.

Still dirty but here she is...
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0021.jpg

pjholster.com
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0015.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0016.jpg

talk about low profile
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0018-1.jpg

[Bawanna]

Sweet setup, and great report. I'm happy for you.

Like you said, I think you got yourself a winner.

Glad you found us, I think you'll like it here too.

[JFootin]

I have a PJ holster just like it for my CM9 - J-hook and all, except left handed. In my "sweet spot," which is around 8:30-8:45—just behind the hip, that holster with loaded gun is literally undetectable! You cannot feel any sensation of it being there, not even the mass of the gun as you move around. Mine was much too tight when I originally got it from Paul, but I sent it back and he loosened it up. I only wish he would put longer screws in the tension adjusters, but he said that's all he has. But for $40 shipped, it is a great holster for a great gun!

[JFootin]

BTW, welcome to the forum like no other (you'll find out: funny, great bunch of people, you'll make new friends here)! Great pics, too!

[jocko]

wow super report 300 rounds out of any sub compact like a light weight kahr normally can be hand tireing and then sometimes issues evolve. U hyad none. kudos to you and certainly to the cm9 which is just suchg a super super gun. Nice post 1476 grain ammo is good stuff and if ur cm90 handles them with no issues your certainly good to go.

welcome aboard.

[rkirk]

Wow, great report on your CM9! Mine is in a pancake holster as I write this post. Welcome and congratulations on the CM9!

-- Richard

[Ressom]

Cool... Congratulations... Welcome!

I have one of those holsters for my PF9. I really like it. Very thin kydex, but still secure enough.

[JBarbaresi]

wow super report 300 rounds out of any sub compact like a light weight kahr normally can be hand tireing and then sometimes issues evolve. U hyad none. kudos to you and certainly to the cm9 which is just suchg a super super gun. Nice post 1476 grain ammo is good stuff and if ur cm90 handles them with no issues your certainly good to go.

welcome aboard.

90% of my shooting is done with my g19 and I usually do 200-300 round sessions at a time each weekend. the only thing that bothered me about shooting 300 rounds through the cm9 is the fact that i only have one 6 round magazine. the reloading got quite annoying but its not like i didn't know what to expect going in. now that i know the gun is reliable i'll pick up some more.

i'll probably try to get another 200-300 rounds through it tomorrow and depeding on sunday may do a couple hundred more. i want to put this thing into my carry rotation asap because i'm just that pleased with it.

[yqtszhj]

I love those good range reports.

[apdturbo]

welcome, congrats on the cm9

[JBarbaresi]

thanks guys. it seems like the cm9 is picking up in popularity, and for good reason.

[les strat]

Sweet rig. I have really enjoyed mine a ton. I would most definintely recommend replacing that plastic front night sight with a Trijicon night sight. $30 from Kahr.com. Easy peasy.
Congrats on a fine weapon.

[JBarbaresi]

Sweet rig. I have really enjoyed mine a ton. I would most definintely recommend replacing that plastic front night sight with a Trijicon night sight. $30 from Kahr.com. Easy peasy.
Congrats on a fine weapon.

is the hole in the slide the post on the front site goes into an oval shape? do you have any experience with replacing glock front sites? i wonder if they would be interchangeable, that would really increase the options out there.

EDIT: nevermind, just watched a video on youtube of replacing the front sight on a cm9. they use 2 posts instead of the 1 like on a glock.

[JBarbaresi]

i shot another 200 rounds of the 147gr winchester super x today. again the gun was flawless and it is starting to feel a whole lot more broken in now.

thanks for the heads up about the triji front sight from kahr shop, i placed an order today. i wish there were a few more options out there as far as aftermarket sights go, i really like some of the offerings from ameriglo but they haven't gotten into the kahr market yet.

i also saw a few pictures of cm9s and pm9s using the bicycle inner tube rubber grips, thats an old trick i used to use on my glocks before the gen4's came out. i picked up a bike tube from walmart today and it makes the tiny cm9 so much easier to grip. i'm really starting to feel bad for my g19 at this point, the more i play around with the cm9 the more i like it and the more i see myself carrying instead of my other guns.

[JFootin]

i also saw a few pictures of cm9s and pm9s using the bicycle inner tube rubber grips, thats an old trick i used to use on my glocks before the gen4's came out. i picked up a bike tube from walmart today and it makes the tiny cm9 so much easier to grip.

What size tube did you get? Not diameter, but thickness. Like for thin English racing bike tires, or off road or large American bike tires?

[JBarbaresi]

What size tube did you get? Not diameter, but thickness. Like for thin English racing bike tires, or off road or large American bike tires?

its just the universal bike tube you can get from walmart, the brand is bell. it says it fits tire widths 1 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches. i got the 27" diameter tube because it is the same price as the smaller ones, about $4.50 and it will make at least 50 grips. the fit is tight and at first you won't think it will go on, but with a little work it will eventually get there.

[JFootin]

Thanks!

[94zcar]

Congrats that is a great gun, Does that holster ride deep enough? Does it move around at all, the clip looks like it may not hold the gun real tight.

[JBarbaresi]

Congrats that is a great gun, Does that holster ride deep enough? Does it move around at all, the clip looks like it may not hold the gun real tight.

the retention of the actual holster is just about as perfect as it can get for my preference. i specifically requested the ride height, paul will make it to your specific needs if you want it to ride a little lower, higher, less cant, more cant, etc... this was actually the first time i've tried out a j-hook type clip on a holster, it doesn't slide around because there is some grip tape behind the clip that keep it in place. i am actually going to send the holster back so he can remold the clip into a traditional "clip on loop", but that was my fault for deciding to order the j-hook instead of going with what i'm familiar with. i'm also going to pick up a pocket holster from him so when i get them i'll post some updated pictures.

[JBarbaresi]

just another quick update: today i fired another 200 rounds through the CM9, only today I shot 147gr Federal HSTs because that is my carry load of choice. it wasn't a big surprise, but again 100% flawless performance. zero issues slingshot loading the first round, i did it from the slide locked open position as well as slide forward with a new magazine inserted.

i really like added traction and control from the bike inner tube grip, it was fairly sunny outside and the rubber was no match for my sweaty hands. i am pretty comfortable with the trigger now, my groups are down to about 1.5" at 7yards. i drifted the rear sight about 1mm to the right to center it on the slide and i am hitting directly center POA now. i am still shooting about 1" low but it may be the POI of the heavier loads or the distance at which I'm shooting, I'm happy anyways.

at this point with 700 total rounds and 200 rounds of my carry loads without any problems I am 100% certain this gun is going to be my summer every day carry. the more i handle it and the more i shoot it, there's just no excuse not to have it on my person at all times. even when i'm wearing a pair of mesh running shorts the gun slips into the pocket and isn't really any more noticeable than a cell phone. it may end up getting carried quite a bit in the colder months as well.

i've been carrying guns everyday and everywhere legally possible for about 8 years now. i'm kicking myself in the butt because i didn't take this plunge earlier. carrying around a g19 or larger framed guns never bothered me, so i never thought to try out one of the pocket 9mm on the market. i have to say that i'm really excited about this new little kahr cm9. its kind of like the single stack glock that glock doesn't make. for anyone on the fence about getting a CM9 or a pocket pistol in general, do it.

[JBarbaresi]

it's been exactly 3 weeks since i purchased my cm9 so thought i'd give a quick update. at this point in time i have 1200 rounds through it, absolutely not a single problem, failure, malfunction, stoppage, or difficulty slingshotting the slide in defensive drills and mag changes. the round count includes 900 rounds of 147gr winchester super x, 100 rounds of 147gr speer lawman (my new favorite FMJ load btw), and 200 rounds of 147gr federal HST.

i still have yet to fire or carry any of my other guns since purchasing the cm9. it's just too easy to slip into my pocket and be off with my day, and too much fun to shoot. plus we are still getting to know each other.

every time i shoot and get more comfortable with the trigger and ergonomics, the more i am impressed with this little gun's ability and accuracy. the bulk of my shooting is practicing defensive drills and presentation shooting, but it's nice to know that such a small gun is capable of so much more.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0075.jpg

i bought a spare magazine from kahr, received my free mag from the give away promo, and ordered 2 more from ivanhoe warehouse, giving me a total of five 6-round magazines. so far i have added the trijicon NS to the front, a slight improvement over stock but i'd still like to see more sighting options from which to choose for my personal preferences. i also added the rubber textured talon grips and so far have been very impressed with them.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0026.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0024.jpg

i also needed some carry options, so picked up a kydex IWB and pocket holster from paul at PJ Holster (http://kahrtalk.com/www.pjholster.com). i also recently purchased a snap pancake OWB holster from TT Gunleather (http://www.ttgunleather.com) that will be similar to the one pictured below for my XD subcompact. i'll make sure to post some pics when it gets here after the production wait time.

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0064.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0060.jpg

http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0135-1.jpg

overall i am still very impressed and extremely happy with the purchase. i may pick up another one in a few months "just in case".

[JFootin]

A great report and great pics! I like that TT OWB holster! :) Did you see this one, the Georgia Snap by RGrizzle (http://www.rgrizzleleather.com/pricingandordering.html), at $95?

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Miscellanious%20Guns%20and%20Holsters/RGrizzleGeorgiaSnapHolster.jpg

I already have a good high rise pancake holster for OWB wear. I wish it was a little lower rise and with more cant, but it is a very comfortable holster for me, and for my polished CM9 seeing as how it is smooth leather lined. And the high rise aids in concealment. All that quality for $45 delivered! It is the Tagua Open Top Belt Holster (http://www.taguagunleather.com/new/open-top-leather-belt-holster-p21). (Forgive the less than perfect pic. I have a new camera and will be doing some high def, in focus shots soon.)

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/My%20Custom%20CM9/MyCM9inTaguaHolster.jpg
I have a PJ IWB holster like yours, but I want something in leather for IWB. So I am looking at the TT (http://www.ttgunleather.com/catalog/i116.html) Slim IWB Holster EC Mikes Special (http://www.ttgunleather.com/catalog/i116.html) at $75, quite a buy for such a quality holster.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Miscellanious%20Guns%20and%20Holsters/TTSlimIWBHolsterECMikesSpecial-1.jpg

I'll post a report on this one after I get it.

[JBarbaresi]

there's just something about a quality leather holster. i've tried a few of the major brands over the years and in my opinion Tim Thurton at TT Gunleather makes the best. Not just in terms of quality, but his designs ride at a real nice height and cant for each particular model of gun, it seem like he really knows what he's doing more than just how to make a pretty holster.

that first picture you posted looks like a nice version of his DDOE snap removable pancake (http://ttgunleather.com/catalog/i66.html) at a cheaper price. the tagua holster looks a lot like some of the Don Hume line, specifically the 721 which is also a great option at around the same price. I found it annoying to use a holster with traditional belt slots because of the need to remove your belt to install/unistall the holster. the picture of the EC mike's special IWB holster you posted in one of the other threads was the first I saw that offering from TT, it is a brand new design and seem like a great idea for him to offer the same great design with slightly less boning marks to keep the price down. The mike's special IWB holsters have a slightly lower ride height and more extreme forward cant than the normal design, I've never used one but most of the reviews I've read from those who have tend to be favorable. i look forward to hearing your opinion when you get it.

here is one of my reinforced IWB holsters for my g19.
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_01892.jpg

i got this set earlier this year
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_0192.jpg

an old picture of some of my early TT collection.
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt176/jbarbaresi/Guns/IMG_2540.jpg

[JFootin]

Those are all beautiful! My budget is such that the Mike's Special IWB is all I'll be getting for a while. But I'd love to get one of those snap belt holsters eventually. You know, the Mitch Rosen Premier Holster available at Kahr looks like an OWB version of the Mike's Special: no detail boning, sharp cant, unlined and considerably less expensive than the fully boned, lined version. It is $90 and the full detail version is $160. I like these less boned holsters for the CM9 because there really isn't much to detail bone on the gun anyway. Here it is...

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Miscellanious%20Guns%20and%20Holsters/MitchRosenPremierSnapLoopHolster.jpg

Do you see the similarity? The smooth lines? The cant? That or one of those TTs will be next on my wish list. ;)

[Benaiah]

Nice shooting. Looks like you got the feel for that trigger. How many rounds fired before the recoil spring needs changed?