The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Semi-automatic Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old December 27, 2012, 01:38 AM   #1
Rjeezie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 21, 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 232
Kahr PM9, CM9, MK9?

I know that the MK9 is all stainless and weighs more and also slightly shorter in length, but I didn't see any difference in the dimensions of the PM9 and CM9 from Kahr's website. What is the difference? Which one do you prefer? Does the added weight on the MK9 justify the price jump?
Rjeezie is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 02:46 AM   #2
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
The C-series Kahr models have cost saving deletions, such as normally rifled barrel, non-polished/throated feedramp, longer 1/2" trigger pull, less slide machining and one magazine. The PM9 and MK9 are similar to each other, save for the frame.

Really it depends on your needs. I wouldn't get the MK9 for pocket carry, too heavy. That extra mass really helps with follow up shots though.

I have a K9. It's like an improved steel Glock with normal grip angle and better trigger.
chris in va is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 03:18 AM   #3
Scimmia
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 19, 2011
Location: Eastern IA
Posts: 428
Quote:
non-polished/throated feedramp
untrue
Quote:
longer 1/2" trigger pull
untrue

OP, from Kahr's own press release:

Quote:
Differences between the CM models and PM models include: the CM9093 has a conventional rifled barrel instead of the match grade polygonal barrel on Kahr's PM series; the CM slide stop lever is MIM (metal-injection-molded) instead of machined; the CM series slide has fewer machining operations and uses simple engraved markings instead of roll marking; and finally, the CM series are shipped with one magazine instead of two magazines.
Part of the "fewer machining operation" includes eliminating the dovetail front site in favor of a pinned one, the other changes there are cosmetic.

The PM9 has a few more options as well, such as an available black slide, manual safety, etc.

Last edited by Scimmia; December 27, 2012 at 03:25 AM.
Scimmia is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 09:15 AM   #4
Rjeezie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 21, 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 232
Thanks
Rjeezie is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 09:32 AM   #5
nate45
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 15, 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,746
I like my PM9 and I've only held the CM9 and never fired one. Even so, I find it hard to believe, that the differences between the two, would make a significant difference at typical SD ranges.
__________________
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."- Thomas Jefferson
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
(>_<)
nate45 is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 09:37 AM   #6
Rjeezie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 21, 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 232
It's really weird me... It seems like a lot of people LOVE their Kahr's, but then I run across people who have had issues with theirs (FTE, mag issues, etc.)

I've always wanted to look into getting one, but have kind of been scared off by the issues I've heard about.
Rjeezie is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 09:43 AM   #7
Roshi
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 21, 2010
Location: Houston
Posts: 223
PM9

I have owned and carried a PM9 for years. I got the PM9 before the CM9 came out. The PM9 dovetailed sights allowed for night sights that I prefer.

I had reliabilty problems with 7 round mags but none at all with any of 6 round mags I have.

I continue to find the PM9 an ideal carry gun. Small and light easily carried in a DeSantis Fly pocket holster but powerful enough to get the job done.
Roshi is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 10:13 AM   #8
Hairbag
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 22, 2010
Posts: 449
Depends on if you want steel or plastic I've owned just about every kahr pistol except pm40 I still have the K9 elite and the MK9 The MK9 is a rock solid dependable pistol. Usually not always I have found the Kahr steel pistol much more dependable. The Elite series are a thing of function and beauty.
__________________
I'm hairbag and I approve this message.
Hairbag is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 10:23 AM   #9
carguychris
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 20, 2007
Location: Richardson, TX
Posts: 7,523
Quote:
I have a K9. It's like an improved steel Glock with normal grip angle and better trigger.
Or the Model 3946 that S&W never built.
__________________
"Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak
carguychris is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 11:37 AM   #10
AH.74
Junior member
 
Join Date: October 13, 2008
Location: Hermit's Peak
Posts: 623
I got a used PM9 a while back and liked it so much I wanted another. This time around I found a great deal on a new CM9. If I hadn't found the good deal originally on the PM9 I would have gone with the CM9 and probably been very happy with it, as I am with the new one I just got.

There is a slight dimensional difference in the slide due to the different machining which was mentioned- the CM9 is just slightly wider across the top overall.

The front sight is also plastic which I don't believe was mentioned. I don't see this as a big drawback and do plan on getting the front Mepro sight sooner or later. I did put a set of Mepro's on the PM9.

All that being said, I don't find enough of a difference to be significant.
AH.74 is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 12:39 PM   #11
Rjeezie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 21, 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 232
Nobody mentioned the MK9 much. I guess people don't think the steel and extra weight adds the value or is worth the extra money
Rjeezie is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 01:33 PM   #12
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
What's untrue about thise statements? The C series does not have the 3/8" 'elite' trigger pull of the P series. Unless they changed something this year. Also the chamber isn't finished to the same degree as the higher models. I actually looked at them the last gun show and verified for myself.
chris in va is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 01:59 PM   #13
AH.74
Junior member
 
Join Date: October 13, 2008
Location: Hermit's Peak
Posts: 623
The elite trigger is an upgrade as far as I'm aware. Regular models have the exact same trigger pull- I know my PM9 and CM9 do. They are exactly the same.

I have heard nothing about different chamber finish- only the rifling with regard to the barrels. I will have to inspect mine later and see if I notice anything.

Quote:
Nobody mentioned the MK9 much. I guess people don't think the steel and extra weight adds the value or is worth the extra money
Honestly I haven't ever had the chance to check one out- they're just not that commonly seen in my area; Kahrs in general are not easy to be found in local stores. But they weight would put me off; if I want to carry something that heavy and don't mind something a bit larger I'll just go with a Glock 26.
AH.74 is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 02:59 PM   #14
Rjeezie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 21, 2010
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 232
Well the reason I mentioned the MK9 is that some people were saying how snappy the PM9/CM9 was... MK9 is the same size just with added weight, so figured some people would like that size with the extra weight to offset the snappiness
Rjeezie is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 03:22 PM   #15
Scimmia
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 19, 2011
Location: Eastern IA
Posts: 428
Quote:
What's untrue about thise statements? The C series does not have the 3/8" 'elite' trigger pull of the P series. Unless they changed something this year. Also the chamber isn't finished to the same degree as the higher models. I actually looked at them the last gun show and verified for myself.
On the trigger, the "C" series certainly does have the 3/8" pull "Elite" trigger. This isn't something that changed this year, for over ten years now, the only pistol Kahr has made with the 1/2" pull is the K9 NYPD model. The triggers on the CM9, MK9, and standard PM9 are identical. Just in the last couple of months, Kahr has introduced a new "Enhanced" trigger with a 1/4" pull, but only on the PM9 with a manual safety. All of this has been verified multiple times by people on Kahrtalk who have asked Kahr directly.

For the chamber finish, ALL Kahr chambers and feed ramps are nickel plated and polished. What differences did you see exactly?
Scimmia is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 03:23 PM   #16
Erich
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 8, 1999
Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA
Posts: 2,542
My CM9 has the same trigger pull and same degree of feed ramp polishing as my P9 Covert. FWIW.

The CM series is quite a value.
Erich is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 04:10 PM   #17
AH.74
Junior member
 
Join Date: October 13, 2008
Location: Hermit's Peak
Posts: 623
Quote:
Well the reason I mentioned the MK9 is that some people were saying how snappy the PM9/CM9 was.
If you want to experience snappy, try an LCP. That's snappy. The PM9 is not snappy, at least not to me. Actually pretty tame for what it is. A Grip sleeve or piece of inner tube certainly helps for range sessions.
AH.74 is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 04:41 PM   #18
Roland Thunder
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 29, 2010
Location: Gwinnett County Georgia
Posts: 1,136
PM9 and Polygonal Rifling

since the PM9 has polygonal rifling, would that mean a person should not shoot lead from a PM9
__________________
Do not follow where the path may lead, go, instead where there is no path and leave a trail - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Roland Thunder is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 05:26 PM   #19
BigD_in_FL
Junior member
 
Join Date: December 20, 2012
Location: The "Gunshine State"
Posts: 1,981
I alternate a CM9 with a 642 in my pocket - It has fired everything I have put through it, including my handloads, with zero malfs - I trust it to work when I pull the trigger. Stay away from the 7 round mags for it - they have issues. And go to the Kahr forum and follow the tutorial someone made about what to do with your mags initially - the process seems to prevent jamming on the third round and takes about 5 minutes
BigD_in_FL is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 05:46 PM   #20
kahrguy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 1, 2012
Posts: 561
Rjeezie are you going to try to pocket carry these. The mk is a bit heavy for that as it pulls on the pockets even with its size. If not maybe add the CW and P series to your group. Only 1 1/2oz heavier than the cm/pm , 1/2" more barrel and round round longer grip. Same lgs price as the cm and way easier to shot and control. Maybe just to large.
kahrguy is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 06:32 PM   #21
KyJim
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 26, 2005
Location: The Bluegrass
Posts: 9,137
Quote:
since the PM9 has polygonal rifling, would that mean a person should not shoot lead from a PM9
I would think that to be the case -- at least you would have to "de-lead" the barrel very often. You probably don't hear about this with Kahrs because they are purchased in far smaller numbers than Glock and the average Kahr is probably shot a lot less than the average Glock.
KyJim is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 06:36 PM   #22
wild cat mccane
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 3,595
Don't for a second believe people when they say the MK has less recoil than the CM or PM.

That is flat wrong. It is total assumption from non owners.
wild cat mccane is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 06:55 PM   #23
Officer's Match
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 16, 2007
Location: LANCASTER,OHIO
Posts: 3,944
Mine is an earlier shorter slide PM9 DLC. It eats anything I feed it and even slingshots. Love the dovetail sights too (mine wears 24/7 XS Big Dots).

__________________
REAL EYES
REALIZE
REAL LIES
Officer's Match is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 07:00 PM   #24
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
I apologize, guess my information was wrong. Four years ago I looked at the various models and those were the stats given to me. If Kahr is putting the 'Elite' triggers in all the models now, they're an even better deal.

Kahr did reply back to my email stating the CW9 barrel won't fit in my K9 so I could shoot lead out of it. Oh well.
chris in va is offline  
Old December 27, 2012, 07:17 PM   #25
wild cat mccane
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 3,595
I am not sure that the MK series is still shorter?

Kahr changed the length of the PM and CM series without a word on why.

Did I mask my disdain for this company good enough? (past PM40 owner)
wild cat mccane is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.11446 seconds with 10 queries