Philadelphia Patriot
Member
Does anybody have any opinions or comments on the Kahr CM9? It looks like it might make for a good BUG to carry on my ankle.
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Kahr CM9?
- Thread starter Philadelphia Patriot
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I have a PM45, which is only slightly larger and heavier.
The build quality is very high, and the trigger pull is long but smooth and light (6.5#). The long pull blocks the firing pin in lieu of a separate thumb safety. It is accurate and easy to shoot.
On the negative side, the slide is very hard to rack and load. Kahr recommends you lock the slide back and release it to charge the chamber. It is also hard to clear for the same reason, plus there is barely enough clearance for a loaded cartridge in the ejection port.
The chamber is very short, so the OAL is critical. If the bullet lodges in the rifling, it is very hard to clear safely. Kahr doesn't recommend using reloads, but they work for me if I keep the OAL on the short side - 1.250" for FMJ and 1.230" for Hornady XTP (.45 ACP).
I suspect 9 mm would be similar. I suggest doing a "plunk" test on the barrel with new or reloaded ammunition.
The little gun is a PM or CW. The CM9 might be large for ankle carry.
The build quality is very high, and the trigger pull is long but smooth and light (6.5#). The long pull blocks the firing pin in lieu of a separate thumb safety. It is accurate and easy to shoot.
On the negative side, the slide is very hard to rack and load. Kahr recommends you lock the slide back and release it to charge the chamber. It is also hard to clear for the same reason, plus there is barely enough clearance for a loaded cartridge in the ejection port.
The chamber is very short, so the OAL is critical. If the bullet lodges in the rifling, it is very hard to clear safely. Kahr doesn't recommend using reloads, but they work for me if I keep the OAL on the short side - 1.250" for FMJ and 1.230" for Hornady XTP (.45 ACP).
I suspect 9 mm would be similar. I suggest doing a "plunk" test on the barrel with new or reloaded ammunition.
The little gun is a PM or CW. The CM9 might be large for ankle carry.
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OP
Philadelphia Patriot
Member
Thank you! And the cm9 is practically the same size as the pm9. The pm9 is the "higher quality" of the two.
Arik
Member
A little too small for me but good guns. I owned the CW9, my sister and friend both own the PM9 and another owns a CM. No one ever had issues
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Good gun. Kahr says to shoot 300 rounds through the gun to break it in but I never had any problems. The only problem I had was because of my thumbs forward grip, my thumb would ride the slide lock keeping the slide from locking back after the last round.
I've also had the same problem on other small guns and currently with my Glock 43. But I learning to keep my right thumb out of the way.
I've also had the same problem on other small guns and currently with my Glock 43. But I learning to keep my right thumb out of the way.
I've had my CM9 for quite a while now. It's a great gun. I've carried it for a few years, and only don't carry it now, due to being stuck on carrying a revolver. Otherwise, the gun is very dependable, as much as any other 9mm that I've used, shoots great, and all that in a very small package. I can't say anything bad about mine, and find Kahr makes a very fine firearm.
Kahr CM9 is my every day pocket carry. I do not use an ankle holster often, but when I do I found the CM9 to be just as easy to carry as the smaller CW380. I would expect the fit and quality of the ankle holster itself would make a big difference.
When IWB I usually go larger; CW9 or CW45.
When IWB I usually go larger; CW9 or CW45.
Kahr indeed does make a fine firearm. The tolerances are quite tight, which is one of the reasons the manufacturer highly recommends 200-300 rounds before you bet your life on it. I have both the CM9 and the CW380, which are the two smallest in their respective calibers.
You will be curling a pinkie finger under either gun--they weren't designed for all day target shooting. But I have never had a problem with either one. The 380 is wonderfully slim to slip in a front pocket.
That said, the recoil springs are double springs, thus the slides are not the easiest to manipulate. I know Kahr loses gun sales to women who fall in love with the 380 while viewing it through the glass case but during handling find it tough to pull the slide. Once broken in, the slide work comes easier and I am always able to slingshot to load the first round.
The C series of all their calibers are their version of an "entry" model, but I never felt like I was driving a Pinto when I was shooting them. They are definitely worth a look.
You will be curling a pinkie finger under either gun--they weren't designed for all day target shooting. But I have never had a problem with either one. The 380 is wonderfully slim to slip in a front pocket.
That said, the recoil springs are double springs, thus the slides are not the easiest to manipulate. I know Kahr loses gun sales to women who fall in love with the 380 while viewing it through the glass case but during handling find it tough to pull the slide. Once broken in, the slide work comes easier and I am always able to slingshot to load the first round.
The C series of all their calibers are their version of an "entry" model, but I never felt like I was driving a Pinto when I was shooting them. They are definitely worth a look.
Matchking Man
Member
I own the CM9 and the CW380, both are nice little pocket type guns. The CW380 is very particular of which ammo you use. Winchester white box is the only ball ammo it likes and Winchester hollows will only cycle the action.
The CM9 in contrast. will chew up any ammo fed to it, it is very accurate but recoil with hot 9mm rounds can get brutal on the palm of your hand. 50 rounds will leave you questioning your choice in firearms.
The CM9 in contrast. will chew up any ammo fed to it, it is very accurate but recoil with hot 9mm rounds can get brutal on the palm of your hand. 50 rounds will leave you questioning your choice in firearms.
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I have a Kahr PM9 and really like it and it shoots just fine. Like others have said before me you just have to get used to the long trigger pull but that is really not a problem if you have shot double action revolver before.
OP
Philadelphia Patriot
Member
Thank you for everybody's input. I really appreciate it!
That is actually the best part for me. Carrying double action revolvers for so long before finally starting to trust automatics, I'm not real comfortable with the cocked and locked mode of carry. I'm already used to long trigger pulls, and I see it as a good element of safety. My Kahrs have no safety, just that long pull that finally releases the striker. With my pocket holsters, I find it very safe.
THE PILGRIM
Member
I know a guy here who carried one for years in a ankle holster.
His back problems got so bad that he can barely walk.
So he's not ankle carrying anymore!
I have a PM9. Pocket carry for me.
His back problems got so bad that he can barely walk.
So he's not ankle carrying anymore!
I have a PM9. Pocket carry for me.
Goblin
Member
My CW9 outshoots my M&P9 standard size gun. It's my most often carried gun, and it's never malfunctioned in over 2,000 rounds. Too big for ankle carry, I bought it because of the full sized grip, and always carry IWB. I love the trigger, being a revolver shooter. The Kahr action was designed to feel like a revolver.
joe44va
Member
I've had a PM9 for years and it's my ankle carry. Kahrs have very tight chambers so if you use reloads they have to be completely resized or the gun will jam. Very good quality.
I had a PM9 for about 12 years (not much difference between the cm and pm). I put thousands of rounds through it. I only encountered an issue when my recoil spring needed to get replaced - and it was a BIG problem. Kahr changed the shape of the inside of the slide and the recoil spring and it was difficult to find the older model replacement spring. I eventually found one and then sold the pistol so I wouldn't have to deal with that again. I regret selling the gun and may even go out and buy a CM9 some time in the future. Personally I'd go for it.
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