Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

Don't get me wrong I LOVE my Glock 26. Its just that living in FL with summer fast approaching I'm having a harder and harder time carrying my baby without looking like I've got a growth on my right hip. I can get away with it in cooler weather with a sweater or cover shirt. But I'm starting to look way too obvious now that the temps are rising here. I know you big strapping guys can hide a cannon without printing but I'm a 5'2" smallish gal and need a better option for summer carry. Also,I want to stay with the 9mm caliber.

I checked out the Kahr PM9 at the gunshow and I have researched online reviews. Seems there were some issues with the earlier models but Kahr seems to have ironed those out from what I gather.

Its a little pricey at around $700 new but I would not put a tag on a weapon I carry daily and depend upon for safety. Does anyone have this gun? Would you recommend it?


Attachment 67426Attachment 67428
Kahr PM9
Height 4.0"
Length 5.3"
Width 0.90"
Weight 15.9oz
Capacity 6+1
Caliber 9mm

Glock 26
Height 4.17"
Length 6.29"
Width 1.18"
Weight 19.75 oz
Capacity 10+1
Caliber 9mm

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

I have owned two of them (rule of twos) and both have been 100% reliable. They conceal really well and have a similar manual of arms as your Glock. I normally carried one in my front weak hand pocket as a BUG to my OTWB Glock 29.

Some people have reported having major reliability and QC issues while many more have never had any problems. I guess it may just be the luck of the draw with a little sniveling thrown in by some for good measure.

Just a thought on carrying your Glock 26. I know that you have mentioned that you have a small frame but have you ever considered carrying in your front pocket while wearing baggy pants/shorts? I say this because I have been comfortably/successfully carrying my G29 in a front pocket during the summer months for many years. There are trade offs to every carry location and I know that it may not be as fast to the draw as an OTWB method but there is something to be said for wearing shorts and a t-shirt and still having some 10mm goodness for any unforeseen trouble. The key is finding the right pocket holster. I have had good performance from both Desantis and Uncle Mikes. Good luck with your search. Bx3

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

Yes. And, yes.

There are two idiosyncrasies of which I wish I was made aware. First, Kahr does not recommend the slingshot method of racking the first round. Instead, they recommend that you pull the slide back and push up on the slide lock to lock it all the way back. Then you push down with your thumb to release the slide lock. This loads the first round. I believe that this is because they use a very strong spring, and it does work just fine if you do it that way - and you must. With practice, you can do it almost as fast as racking one in slingshot fashion. You pull it back and lock it in place and then immediately stroke down on the slide lock and it moves forward and chambers the first round. Not much different than sling-shoting, but takes a little more effort and concentration.

Second idiosyncrasy is this. Once you have racked the first round, if you then pull out the clip - for example if you were planning on performing a "tactical reload" - you will find that the top-most round will be sticking forward in the clip. It will no longer be tucked back, but will be slightly forward. In this position it can easily pivot up or down. It needs to be UP to load next, but more likely than not, it will be pivoted DOWN. This is a difficult position from which to load. Heck, if you were to "play around" with the magazine in that position, it is likely even to fall out. In a short sentence, I suggest that you push that round back, back, back, so that it is not hanging out the front. Slap it down on your thigh if you have to, that is what I do.

Now, with that round pushed back so that it is not hanging out the front, you are in good shape, and can perform a tactical reload with no problem.

I have presented nothing but problems here, but that is what I was trying to do -- to help you out. I really (and I mean really) DO like the Kahr PM9. It is small enough for most carry purposes, and is extremely reliable in my experience. I have not had a misfire yet, though I've only fired about 250 rounds so far. If one understands the method of slingshot is not allowed, but done the Kahr way is just fine. AND, one understands to push the round back in after racking one -- if needed to do a tactical reload.... Then I find the Kahr PM9 to be a sweet little 9mm in the package that a .380 usually comes in. And who can find .380 ammo these days? Not me! The 9mm is still available to me. I try to buy more boxes than I shoot regularly -- buy 3 shoot 2, and like that. Things are becoming scarce, not good.

I like the Kahr PM9. Understand it, and maybe you will like it. I do.

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

I had a Taurus 617 titanium .357 as my primary carry. Although not big, it was sometimes too big to easily carry in certain situations. I started leaving it home when carrying it didn't accommodate my plans for the day. One night it happened, I was in a situation that would have ended quickly had I been armed. I left the house without it and I sure as hell wished I had it. After that near miss, I decided that I needed something that I could and would carry EVERY DAY. After about a month of research, I was set on the Kahr PM9. I am more than satisfied with it! It goes where I go!

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

I have one (love it)

it conceals carrys very well (carrys just fine in a loose frount pants pocket)

it is very accurate for its size (especially impressive)(especially for the long trigger pull)

I havent had any issues with racking...(racking spring is very strong)

I filed on the reciever hold back lever because it was a bit sharp on the thumb

I have had no (0) failures to feed....or failures to fire

I intend to get some grip wrap as the grip is a bit abrasive on long range sessions

It feels like a gun in your hand it has some weight to it

It will fit small hands better than large ones in my opinion

Fit and finish on mine were excellent (high quality)

Wish i had gotten night sights

I prefer the smaller of the two magazines that come with it

Doesnt have a safty

Has a very long trigger pull as a safty

the mag release is slightly off of my natural reach spot...(may be a good thing)

the trigger can pinch your finger on return from firing (never happend to me, happend to a fat fingered person that was shooting mine)

pretty small mag capacitys but great for the size

kicks less and more comfortable to shoot than my full size 9mm

my personal opinions (almost perfect for its purpose)(much better than anything else i have tried)

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

Thank you all for the input. This is exactly the info I was looking for guys. I will see if I can rent the gun to take it for a test run.

I plan on selling a couple of guns I shoot infrequently to get the $$ but it'll be worth it to complete my summer wardrobe. :biggrin:

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

I've had my PM9 for about 5 years, and like it a lot. I also did some work to round the rear edge of the slide release lever. As supplied by Kahr, that surface is ridiculously sharp. I also rounded the rear of the grip, and use Agrip to wrap the sharp checkered grip. If you've never used Agrip, I recommend it. It gives a nice suede-like feel - excellent gripping, but non abrasive.

My PM9 is reliable, but it will start to have failures to go fully into battery if I run ~200 rounds through it with no cleaning. A quick clean/lube, and it goes back to running just fine.

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

Desantis Pocket Holster is cheap and excellent for the Kahr.

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

Just a thought, but unless you're stuck on 9mm, a Ruger LCP with Hornady Critical Defense ammo isn't too shabby. Another idea might be a Keltec 9mm...not sure how it stacks up to the Kahr in size dept, but I recall looking at one a while back and it was amazingly small....

For that matter, have you considered a featherweight 38 spcl?

Re: Kahr PM9 for carry - Anyone have one?
 

I have the CW9 which is the cheaper, slightly bigger version. While I haven't broken it in yet, I have decided that I like the action of my G19 A LOT better. Maybe it's because the Kahr is still new, but the ridges on the slide are very sharp and the spring is very strong, very hard to rack it compared to the GLOCK.

I think I probably would have gotten the more expensive PM9 if I was going to do it over again.