My thoughts on the CM9

[mfldmike]

So, I FINALLY got my new CM9...I also purchased the LCP at the same time. The other night I was able to take it to a local range, and here are my impressions of both. This isn't an "expert" review by any means, just some of my thoughts.

KAHR CM9:

I LOVE the trigger and recoil on this gun! The trigger is a little longer but it didn't feel gritty, in fact, it felt buttery smooth. I've never fired a striker action pistol before, and it was a good experience. I happened to double-tap twice out of 100rds which happened in the beginning.

For the most part the gun felt natural to hold, but I don't like the fact that my pinky was hanging over the side...it felt a little awkward. I since got the extended magazine with pinky extension and it feels perfect!

I wish it was easier to take down...it would be perfect if it were like a Glock or Sig. It's not bad by any means, and it's certainly better than the LC9. Another thing I didn't like is the guide rod and springs when trying to reassemble. Maybe it's just me but it was frustrating trying to get it to line up, and push it far enough to catch without worrying about it slipping and spending the rest of the night looking for them.

I LOVE the machining and the looks of the gun, I might try polishing up the barrel a bit though. It's purely cosmetic, but the little scratches on the matte stainless just barely bug me enough to do something about it.

I was bothered at first by having to physically pull the magazine out, but I read there are fixes for that. I haven't shot it with the new magazine yet, which was my only "real" gripe about the gun. Overall my impressions are good!

By the way, out of the 100rds of el-cheapo Walmart FMJ I put down the pipe, this KAHR functioned flawlessly. Of course I read the prep and lube forums before firing...but I'm impressed!

RUGER LC9:

This isn't a Ruger forum, so I'm not going to discuss it too much. As much as I like this gun, I think I'm going to maybe trade it in for a decent wheel gun. I like the way it feels in my hand and that's about it. It's a decent shooter, but compared to the Kahr it "feels" snappier and less quality. The grips had a tendency to "dig" into my hand.

I like the sights a little better than the CM9's and I like that you don't need a "tool" to remove/adjust them.

I don't like the safety's at all! They can keep the internal locking mechanism but get rid of the rest! The magazine disconnect and thumb safety shouldn't be there!

I also don't like the way it breaks down...it's a hassle trying to get the thing apart. I like the design of the guide rod and springs better than Kahr's CM9 though.

Even though it was a little snappier the gun was spot on and 100% reliable out of the box. I wouldn't have a problem keeping it, in fact, it seems like a "utility" gun. A good firearm to have while working outside or construction...or any place its a little rough. The Kahr feels like a "dress" gun, I would wear going out to eat or maybe a professional/casual gathering.

I was equally accurate with both, but I think KAHR has a certain quality that's hard to explain. I never even thought twice about KAHR before this purchase, but they definitely have my vote in my next purchase!

[OldLincoln]

Hi Mike and welcome to the forum. Hope you hang out here and join in a lot.

The Kahr trigger gets a great review from everybody. Sometimes it feels like you start the pull on Monday and it goes bang on Wednesday but we get over that quickly.

As for breakdown, it definitely gets better with use. Mine is well broken in and with a normal grip, I push on the right side with my trigger finger as I slowly rack it back with my left. It goes in when it finds the right spot and holds the slide there. Then I change hand position and bring it back to the notch then pull it out with my left hand.

The recoil spring is lots of fun but gets dramatically easier too. I grab the slide with my right hand and push the end toward the muzzle with my right thumb while guiding it with my left hand. At first I tried to pull it back with my left hand and discovered that's a good launch position. This way it doesn't have any place to go.

I've thought about doing a video of these things but don't have a video camera of know how to do it anyway. There is likely You Tube videos on reassembly out there already.

Again welcome!

[mfldmike]

Any thoughts on why I might have double tapped in the beginning?

[Bill K]

Think I actually prefer reports like yours from non-experts. Adds a lot of credibility. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, an unintentional double tap with a Kahr seems very unusual to me given the long trigger reset and then long pull to fire the second round. I can't offer any explanation.

[mfldmike]

It only happened in the beginning of shooting...within the first 3 mags through the gun.

[zamboni]

Any thoughts on why I might have double tapped in the beginning?

I'm not understanding this. Did you not pull the trigger twice to fire the 2 rounds?

[mfldmike]

I'm not understanding this. Did you not pull the trigger twice to fire the 2 rounds?

Yes...but, from what I'm reading the Kahr CM9 is suppose to have a long reset and it doesn't seem like it to me. Then again, it only happened in the beginning and I've never fired a Striker Action before.

Probably just a fluke...

[jocko]

It only happened in the beginning of shooting...within the first 3 mags through the gun.

u duplicate the double tap again??? sure not supposed to do that.. nice report on both guns by the way. It only takes about a 1/4": retraction of the slide to reset the trigger but hopefully what happened in the start was just an anamoly....

[mfldmike]

I shot a total of 100 rds. out of it at one time a couple days ago. The only time I double tapped was within the first 3 mags.

I'm thinking it's because I shot the Ruger LC9 first, and it was snappier with a different trigger. Maybe it was a fluke trying to get used to the Kahr trigger.

Ruger's LC9 is a little rough, it has about the same as the Kahr but if "feels" gritty and not as smooth as the CM9

[Rio Vista Slim]

Mike,

Very concise reports on the two pistols.

Any thoughts on why I might have double tapped in the beginning?

The only pistols I've ever had "doubles" on were 1911s. The first was due to a worn sear, and the second was definitely my fault.

I think you experienced an anomaly with your CM9. I don't think it will repeat itself.

[Markis82]

After owning an LCP for 2 years, finally giving up and selling it, I have come to the conclusion that I will NEVER own a hammer fired DAO handgun like the LCP & LC9 again!! DAO striker fired is where it's at!!! Replacing the LCP with a CM9 was the best gun decision I have ever made.

[jocko]

have to agree but also have to say I own an lcp also and for the money the gun will go bang, it is reliable, never shot the lc9 so can't say. I just never carry my lcp or P380 as my PM9 just seems to fit as easily and firepower is what it is all about also.

[Markis82]

have to agree but also have to say I own an lcp also and for the money the gun will go bang, it is reliable, never shot the lc9 so can't say. I just never carry my lcp or P380 as my PM9 just seems to fit as easily and firepower is what it is all about also.I must agree on the "and for the money the gun will go bang, it is reliable" Many have had problems with their LCP. Not me. Mine ate anything and I never had a failure with it. However, I could not hit the broad side of a barn with it. You've seen my posts with my 50 rounds at 15 yards targets with the CM9. So, you know I can shoot. It was just me and the LCP didn't work together. I do tribute part of that to the trigger pull, cause by being hammer fired. If the LCP was striker fired, I might still have one.

[jocko]

I don't shoot my PM9 worth a sh-t either, ..

[mfldmike]

Ha, trade you the LC9 for the PM9

[TriggerMan]

I don't shoot my PM9 worth a sh-t either, ..I bet you'd be an ace with an HK P7. I happen to be willing to part with one.

[Bill K]

I don't shoot my PM9 worth a sh-t either, ..

Please don't sell yourself short... I hope you never find out but you might surprise yourself with your shooting skills in a SD situation. At, I believe, most SD distances a double tap to CM 3" apart could very well stop the action faster then 2 bullets in the same hole. I think a fighting spirit and a quick smooth draw is more important than a super tight group.

[muggsy]

So, I FINALLY got my new CM9...I also purchased the LCP at the same time. The other night I was able to take it to a local range, and here are my impressions of both. This isn't an "expert" review by any means, just some of my thoughts.

KAHR CM9:

I LOVE the trigger and recoil on this gun! The trigger is a little longer but it didn't feel gritty, in fact, it felt buttery smooth. I've never fired a striker action pistol before, and it was a good experience. I happened to double-tap twice out of 100rds which happened in the beginning.

For the most part the gun felt natural to hold, but I don't like the fact that my pinky was hanging over the side...it felt a little awkward. I since got the extended magazine with pinky extension and it feels perfect!

I wish it was easier to take down...it would be perfect if it were like a Glock or Sig. It's not bad by any means, and it's certainly better than the LC9. Another thing I didn't like is the guide rod and springs when trying to reassemble. Maybe it's just me but it was frustrating trying to get it to line up, and push it far enough to catch without worrying about it slipping and spending the rest of the night looking for them.

I LOVE the machining and the looks of the gun, I might try polishing up the barrel a bit though. It's purely cosmetic, but the little scratches on the matte stainless just barely bug me enough to do something about it.

I was bothered at first by having to physically pull the magazine out, but I read there are fixes for that. I haven't shot it with the new magazine yet, which was my only "real" gripe about the gun. Overall my impressions are good!

By the way, out of the 100rds of el-cheapo Walmart FMJ I put down the pipe, this KAHR functioned flawlessly. Of course I read the prep and lube forums before firing...but I'm impressed!

RUGER LC9:

This isn't a Ruger forum, so I'm not going to discuss it too much. As much as I like this gun, I think I'm going to maybe trade it in for a decent wheel gun. I like the way it feels in my hand and that's about it. It's a decent shooter, but compared to the Kahr it "feels" snappier and less quality. The grips had a tendency to "dig" into my hand.

I like the sights a little better than the CM9's and I like that you don't need a "tool" to remove/adjust them.

I don't like the safety's at all! They can keep the internal locking mechanism but get rid of the rest! The magazine disconnect and thumb safety shouldn't be there!

I also don't like the way it breaks down...it's a hassle trying to get the thing apart. I like the design of the guide rod and springs better than Kahr's CM9 though.

Even though it was a little snappier the gun was spot on and 100% reliable out of the box. I wouldn't have a problem keeping it, in fact, it seems like a "utility" gun. A good firearm to have while working outside or construction...or any place its a little rough. The Kahr feels like a "dress" gun, I would wear going out to eat or maybe a professional/casual gathering.

I was equally accurate with both, but I think KAHR has a certain quality that's hard to explain. I never even thought twice about KAHR before this purchase, but they definitely have my vote in my next purchase!

Mike,
I was taught that the little finger should apply no pressure to the grip. If it does and you anticipate recoil the increase in pressure of the little finger will cause you to shoot low. The fact that I can grip the CM9 with only the middle two fingers isn't a problem in the least.

[OldLincoln]

I've had one or two double taps but they came when I wanted to double tap but not that fast. Don't know if that makes any sense at all. I don't mean it fired twice like a full auto, just before I was ready on the second shot. I think for me it was a combination of letting my grip get loose on the first shot but continuing with the trigger pull of the double, making it like a bump fire. Never happened when I wasn't rapid firing.

[mfldmike]

I don't want the pinky for grip...just stability and comfort. The double tap must've been just a fluke.

[cgff]

Nice review,
The more you shoot your CM9 the more natural and comfortable the grip frame will feel also after a few hundered rounds the take down will get easier and brake in.