PM9 or P9 worth 130$ more than CW9?

[jhokie]

Odd and difficult question I know... but I am considering all 3 of these guns. This 130$ is about the price difference my local dealer has between the PM9 / P9 and the CW9.

What exactly would you be getting with the additional money if you were to go with the pricier guns over the CW9?

Thanks.

[jonboy20]

Depends on what you are going to use it for.

[jhokie]

Mostly concealed carry. I might average 50 rounds through it every couple weeks.

[pistolaro]

The real question is "which one out of the three is MOST reliable?"
Remember, you are using the pistol for C.C.,
Pistolaro

[Supercharger]

First off, you need to decide what size you need.

Personally, I don't like guns that my pinky dangles off. I like all three bottom fingers to have a good purchase. However, many, many people have and love the PM9.

As far as differences between the P and CW series, the main issue is not being able to have night sights on the CW. That may change, as the aftermarket is keen on producing parts for popular guns. The sticking point is that you will likely need a gunsmith to install the front sight. For that matter, you can have the front dovetailed and install the sights that fit the P series now. Personally, I see little use for night sites on a carry weapon anyway. If the light is poor, I'd be concentrating more on where my assailant is than were my sights were. In a high stress situation, you will NOT be using your sights anyway. To me, night sights are a waste of money.

Other than that, the main difference is the barrel. The CW has conventional rifling. Before you get hung up on that, consider most guns used in competition have conventional rifling. Also consider that the CW9 has been evaluated by many magazines and has proven to be incredibly accurate for its size. More than "combat" accurate anyway. My 1911 has conventional rifling and is a tack driver. The slide of the CW is also quite handsome IMHO. The roll marks and contouring are nice on the P9, but unnecassary for a carry weapon. Plus, the beveling on the front of the CW slide makes it easier to holster than the rather square front of the P series.

I also just had to make the decision you are pondering and after looking at all the variables, I chose the CW9. I haven't gotten to shoot it yet..just got it Saturday..but I am very pleased with its fit and finish. It is a tight gun with no rattles, a fantasic grip for small hands like mine...basically all the wonderful craftmanship that Kahr has become known for at a much better price.

[jhokie]

I agree with Pistolero here, disregarding size differences for now, I think relability is going to be the most important thing when comparing these guns.

Night sights may be a small point of interest for me in the future, though I doubt I'd get them on this gun. I really don't see these guns being very different in accuracy either. I'm sure any 3 of these guns would be able to put together a fairly respectable grouping if fired from a ransom rest at 25 yards, the shooter just has to do their part.

Do the PM9 or P9 have any features in the box that contribute to better reliability, or is it going to basically be the same on all 3 of these pistols? If so, I may just go with the CW9.

[Supercharger]

The frames and mechanicals are identical. The CW series use a MIM slide release rather than a machined part, but Kahr redesigned the barrel lug to be wider so that the shock is spread over a wider area.

The internals of the slide and frame, trigger etc..are identical.

If you are a car guy, the best way for me to describe the differences between the P and CW series is to use the example of the 1986 Buick Grand national and 1986 the Regal "T" type.

Same frame, motor, suspension, transmission etc....

The Grand National just had a nicer paint job and interior treatment.

In my mind, I would rather spend the $130 on spare magazines and ammo.

[rockytop]

About $40.00 of the $130.00 savings with the CW9 is that you only get one mag with the CW package.

[Indy_Guy_77]

Hard to beat $400 for a nice NEW weapon... Like has been said above, the main differences are in the machining on the frame, the manufacture process of the slide release / mag release, and you only get 1 mag.

If there's a Sportsmans Warehouse anywhere near where you live, it's under $30 for Kahr mags!

Go ahead, get the CW. You know you want to... Everyone's doing it... {shows his CW-40 to prove it)

:supergrin:

[Riz58]

For the money, I believe the CW9 is a better value - of course that is maybe because I bought one!!

I have had night sights put on my CW9 recently (XS Big Dot). The total cost was $200 including the $125 sights. The gunsmith cut a dove tail in the front, bead blasted it to match, put in the front sight, had to slightly enlarge the rear dove cut for $75.

The CW9 has not had any of the performance problems reported on this site that the P9, and particularly the PM9 has had. I do not know if this became a "piling on" issue, but the CW9 reports have been rock solid. Maybe simplier is better?

I like the addition of the Big Dot sight. The gun was already more accurate than I was, but the Big Dot sight is very easy to pick up and the glow-in-the-dark dot is very easy to pick up in low light conditions. (Especially for those of us who need reading glasses.) Can I hit the head of a pin? No. Can I hit so close the pin pees in its pants? Yes Big Dot, at self-defense ranges - put the dot on the target and squeeze.

I am sure you will enjoy whichever choice that you make.

[jonboy20]

After firing my CW9 last night....hands down it is the way to go unless you have a lot of money to burn! $130 is an extra mag plus a nice carry holster plus some carry ammo.

[modiecast]

I have a P9 and PM9. IMHO, if you want night sights you need to go with a P series, not CW series. Then, it's a question of just how small agun you like. I have both, but usually carry the PM9 because it's just that much more compact (especially the grip) so it doesn't print at all. In fact, I carry my P9 so little, I'm thinking of selling it. Bear in mind, the CW9 comes with just one magazine. Getting a second will add $40.00 to the cost. Either way, you'll love your new Kahr...