Kahr CM9 Review and Range Report

awpk03s · 07-04-2012, 22:42

I have been carrying Kahr pistols for a couple of years now. I bought and sold a couple of PM9s and P380s before finally settling on the all stainless MK9. While I love the MK9 for it's accuracy, reliability, and compact size, I longed for a pocket gun. Don't get me wrong, the MK9 is easily carried in a pocket size-wise, and depending on what pants/shorts/jacket you are wearing, it does fine weight-wise as well. I wanted something that would work with anything and everything 100% of the time. I tried another P380, ended up selling it as well - I had some reliability hiccups that I am confident could have worked out, but in the end it was too small for me to really shoot well and feel well armed with.

So, I picked up a Kahr CM9 in the past month or so. $399 + tax, not bad. The primary differences between the CM9 and PM9 are:
- Polygonal rifling (PM9) vs Standard rifling (CM9)
- 2 mags (PM9) vs 1 mag (CM9)
- More slide bevel and machining (PM9)
- Machined bar stock slide stop (PM9) vs MIM slide stop (CM9)

Polygonal rifling is nice, but not a must for me. I wasn't bothered by one mag, since I already had plenty of spares with my MK9. As for the slide stop, I am sure the MIM one is fine... but a machined bar stock slide stop is only $24 from Kahr if that bothers you.

To me, all of these things are a fair trade-off for the price difference between the CM9 and PM9. The only modifications I have made, is I did spend $24 and put a PM9 machined bar stock slide stop in it, and also the Trijicon night sights.

The CM9 is delightfully transparent when carried IWB. I have a Comp-Tac CTAC and an Occidental Leather Stronghold Phoenix both IWB holsters that work greatly with it. I use a Tuff Products pocket holster, and it does a great job of concealing the gun deep in a pocket, and also keeping it still without a great deal of movement within the pocket as you move/walk around.

I haven't put a great many number of rounds through this, but today I put 50 rds of 115gr FMJ and 50 rds of 124gr +P JHP (Gold Dots). It was 100% reliable. Went bang every time I pulled the trigger. Recoil was pretty light for a 15oz 9mm. I wasn't trying too much for accuracy today, but was satisfied with what I got (my arms were already fatigued from shooting other guns at this point).

Here are some pictures of the gun, and a size comparison to the next closest thing I own, a Glock 30.

wk9k · 07-04-2012, 22:50

Why must you tease me with these pictures. I had a PM9 and sold it..wish I hadnt. Now I just want the CM9 for pocket carry. Kinda getting tired of lugging the g26 around.

win · 07-05-2012, 09:44

my cm9 has been 100% great guns

toaddad · 07-05-2012, 11:04

I bought a PM9 this past spring and it has become the most used of my concealed carry options. It is light, accurate, handy and virtually disappears when I tuck it into my cargo shorts in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. I carry the seven round back-up mag in a Remora IWB mag carrier under a t-shirt with no hint of printing. I found out that I shoot it better than an airweight snubbie and have two more rounds and faster reloading to boot. After about 500 rounds, no malfunctions yet. If I have to go someplace ugly, it will become a back-up to a Glock or Sig. But it works just fine for daily carry for this retired guy.

B_RAD · 07-05-2012, 12:29

Love my PM9!

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L Pete · 07-05-2012, 14:59

I love my CM-9

bac1023 · 07-05-2012, 19:56

Thanks for the review.

CanMan · 07-05-2012, 20:19

I have a PM9 & a P380. Good review! Maybe I'll have to pick up a CM9 just because. Overall I think Kahr makes decent pistols... I'm having some indecision right now because I recently picked up a Kimber Solo. Going through the 'should I take this one or that one dilemma'.

4 glocks · 07-05-2012, 20:35

I have had a CM9 for about 6 months and maybe 700-800 rounds. It's been 99.99 % 1 nose dive jam in 800 rounds.
I pocket carry a LCP and for more power a G26 but the CM9
is in the middle so it would fill a roll.

sharkbait22 · 07-05-2012, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by wk9k

Kinda getting tired of lugging the g26 around.

Really??? lol

The_Gun_Guru · 07-05-2012, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by wk9k

Kinda getting tired of lugging the g26 around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkbait22

Really??? lol

I know where he's coming from! I have the G27 and although it is small, it is NOT a pocket gun!!!

OP....I am thinking about the CM9. Would you reccomend it as an EDC in cargo shorts? How about dress slacks?

Thanks!

TGG

wk9k · 07-05-2012, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Gun_Guru

I know where he's coming from! I have the G27 and although it is small, it is NOT a pocket gun!!!

OP....I am thinking about the CM9. Would you reccomend it as an EDC in cargo shorts? How about dress slacks?

Thanks!

TGG

Just my .02 when I had my pm9 (same size as CM9)..I could carry it in my pocket and there was a very noticeable difference vs the g26. So much better all around size and weight wise..I always wear levis and wrangler slim jeans. So the CM9 would definately do great in cargo shorts and dress slacks..

Sendarr · 07-06-2012, 05:39

I have 100% carry rate with this gun. I've only pocket carried it so far, but I plan to get a comptac of some sort. It's been 100% reliable, no malfunctions. I usually forget I have it on me, I sit around the house with it on me. The only time this thing hasn't been within hands reach is when I went to the courthouse. I highly recommend it.

packinaglock · 07-06-2012, 06:04

My PM 9 have been a great 100% reliable gun, the only issue I've had is the mag release spring likes to rust when I wear it during the hot sweaty Florida summers.

awpk03s · 07-06-2012, 10:51

TGG - To me, the CM9 is pocket carry-able in any apparel I have tried, jeans, cargo shorts, khakis, etc. Would probably work even in workout shorts if you tied the strings up nice and tight.

I take this pistol as a sign that Kahr is really on top of their game with the latest polymer guns. Past models to me have had lackluster finish issues internally with the polymer frames, but this was perfect, every surface was completely smooth and set up to run right out of the box.

The_Gun_Guru · 07-06-2012, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by awpk03s

TGG - To me, the CM9 is pocket carry-able in any apparel I have tried, jeans, cargo shorts, khakis, etc. Would probably work even in workout shorts if you tied the strings up nice and tight.

I take this pistol as a sign that Kahr is really on top of their game with the latest polymer guns. Past models to me have had lackluster finish issues internally with the polymer frames, but this was perfect, every surface was completely smooth and set up to run right out of the box.

Very cool, I am going to put it at the top of my list!

I was thinking about the Bersa BP9DTcc, but for $25 more, why not get the Kahr?

Thanks and have a great weekend!

TGG

Cam83 · 07-06-2012, 11:49

Almost jumped on a deal on a P40 yesterday, after reading this I'm really wishing I would have...

deputy tom · 07-06-2012, 17:09

I was shopping for a CM9 but couldn't find one locally. I settled on a CW9. Kahrs are great guns no matter which model you go for. tom.

Sendarr · 07-06-2012, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by deputy tom

I was shopping for a CM9 but couldn't find one locally. I settled on a CW9. Kahrs are great guns no matter which model you go for. tom.

I had the same issue, but i picked a cm9 up at the gun show new. Paid cash and got OTD for just under $400

ShaneS · 07-06-2012, 22:03

I have a new CM9. Put 160 flawless rounds through it in the last month (June). Accuracy is good. Recoil is brisk but manageable. I pocket carry it in a DeSantis Nemesis holster so far. I have the Trijicon front night sight from Kahr for it but haven't installed it yet. I'm very pleased with my CM9 and consider it the ultimate pocket 9mm. Price is very reasonable. I had a local trophy shop engrave numbers on the 3 magazine baseplates. Turned out nice.

I bought a CW9 a couple of months before the CM9 and have been equally pleased with it but the CM9 is a tad more concealable.

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Chunky Mayonnaise · 07-07-2012, 13:52

When I first got my CM9 it ran great for the first 300 rounds, but then it started having problems. It basically turned into a single shot pistol as the slide would actually get jammed/locked up to the rear, and not by the slide release. It turns out it was a barrel fitment issue and it was causing the gun to lock up. After calling Kahr they sent a prepaid Fedex label and I had the pistol back about 3 weeks after shipping it. Since then it has been absolutely great. It has around 1500 various grain fmj rounds through it as well as 200 Speer Gold Dot 124+p all flawless. All in all I'm satisfied with the gun, and with Kahr's customer service.