Yes. I have a rampant case of the "IGOTTAHAVITS". I made a fatal mistake at the gun store - I fondled a Kahr Arms PM9... Man o man, am I hooked. It's roughly the same size as a J-frame revolver, weighs just a tad more than the Snubbie from Hell™, and has 6+1 capacity of 9mm +P goodness (7+1 with extended magazine). In a good IWB holster, this will disappear; in cargo-type pants pocket carry is also a possibility. Heck, I might even have to think about retiring the P3AT...
WANT WANT WANT
Holding the little Kahr I was struck by how small yet well-made it was, and couldn't for the life of me figure out why these guns aren't more popular. Is it the price? The retail on the MA-legal PM9 was over seven bills; that's quite a bit more than the Glock G26 or the S&W M&P compact 9mm without the high capacity. Even the Walther PPS runs a shade over $500 for their 9mm single-stack, so I thought that might have something to do with it.
Except for the matter of the Sig 239... That's larger and heavier than the PM9 while being just as expensive and having similar capacity (8+1 vs. 6/7). Then again, maybe this is a MA-centric view - the PM9 just became MA-approved for sale, the first Kahr Arms firearm to be offered for sale new in MA since 1998. In any case, I don't know that I've come across any criticism of Kahr firearms other than the cost, at least not since the polymer-framed guns brought the weight down to reasonable levels.
So... Anyone got one of these I can try out? Barring that, any thoughts pro/con?
That is all.
UPDATE: Y'know, Kahr Arms, if y'all had a spare PM9 kicking around you'd like to get an honest review on, I have it on good authority that the proprietor here would be happy to put one through its paces... Just sayin' is all...
26 comments:
Gee -- Kahr hasn't sent one yet?!!! You have been on a roll, I don't see why not!
As a P40 owner, I can give you this run-down:
Yes, well made, and easy to clean. Five minutes and you'll have it shiny as new. It's really snappy, but you're used to that. The plastic felt pretty cheap and over a year of habitual practice, mine had a great deal of wear. Too much in my opinion. Plus, it's expensive. Kahr runs a little high, it seems.
It's a good little pistol and it will vanish with a good IWB holster, but durability isn't the greatest. You don't get a Kahr because you want a Kimber, you know?
I don't have the 9mm, but I picked up a Kahr P380 to replace my LCP and aside from paying twice the LCP's price for it I really like it.
The trigger is a long pull, but clean and hitting an 8" target at 25 feet standing is pretty easy.
I did have to clean up the face of the extractor when I got it as it wouldn't feed any ammo at all out of the box. Now it's rock solid.
Oops make that 25 yards.
I'm saving my lunch money as we speak!
Saw that Carl had them in stock when I met Lissa for her faithful day.
Worth EVERY penny, for the size and weight. The Walther is Close but bigger and heavier in every way for essentially the same gun, plus Kahr makes the BEST DAO trigger on a Semi I've ever felt.
DO WANT! WILL AQUIRE!!
Having Shot David's P40, I imagine the 9mm PM variant would be just about perfect....tho I'd still prefer the PM45...maybe that'll be approved by the time I get my money in order!
libertyman,
Good point. Perhaps I should update... ;)
David,
Your P40 is one of the reasons I want the PM9. That was a sweet shooter to be certain.
And as far as wear goes, well, I have a Kel-Tec. 'Nuff said?
Arthur,
I've posted about my unrequited (because of MA's stupid laws) lust for the K380, so I'm insanely jealous. The "accuracy", or lack thereof, is my single biggest complaint about the P3AT - I have a hard time hitting much beyond 7 yards with it, and as such consider it a "last ditch" defensive arm. I'd like something I can shoot as accurately as a snubbie...
Weer'd,
Funny thing - I had the money to buy one when I was at Four Seasons last week, but they didn't have one in stock...
If you get one, let me know - I'd love to try it out!
Don't have any experience with the polymer Kahrs, but I have a K9 and T40 that I like a lot.
Good choice!
I hemmed and hawed between a Kahr PM9 and a Keltec PF-9. Fit and finish is a little different, and the trigger on the Keltec feels like it nine miles long and twenty pounds the whole way, but the rail for a laser (which feels like a necessity with this trigger) made up for it, as well as the belt clip option and the whole half-the-price-of-the-Khar thing all pushed me to pick the Keltec. I also considered the new Walther single stack, but the grip is too blocky to be comfortable to me.
And the more I mused on the matter, the more I like a long, heavy trigger on a gun I carry every day.
Jay, I have a P9 which I believe is the 7rd version of the PM9.
Yours to try if you like. Love it, carried it for a few years. Has been 100% with anything I have fed it.
The only comment - far from a complaint - is the agressively shaped feedlips on the mag. Works well with their low centerline barrel, but if you carry a mag in a pocket, a few rounds will pop out. Not an issue in a mag pouch that is a reasonable fit.
I am ashamed to say how litle I paid for a lighlty used P9. The shop I bought it from (just north of the rotary) said previous owner couldn't get it to run. It was assembled incorrectly. 5 second fix =)
If you like, I'd be happy to do a little side by side comparo of hte P9 and P239.
That's what FarmDad uses as his regular carry gun. He's also go the PM9 and a P45. I shot them all at Blogorado and just flat fell in love with the P9.
It will be my next carry gun.
FarmDad carries his in a little Don Hume IWB belt clip holster designed for an officer length 1911. It fits snugly, and just disappears when worn.
I'm a fan.
Ummm...hell, if yer gonna spend that kind of pocket jingle, do yourself a BIG favor and go to a store that sells the Bersa UC 9, or its clone, the Firestorm Mini 9.
10+1...very easy to break down and clean...very comfortable shooter...*really* accurate at your standard firefight distance. Heck, I even pinged a reactive target with it at 100 *yards* this past Friday (one of your regular readers can attest to it... :-) ) and the shots that I did miss weren't all *that* far off target given that it was a pistol at 100 yards...
AngryPatriot,
I appreciate the tip, except that I live in the Volksrepublik of MA.
Bersas are not "safe" enough to be sold in MA. I wish I were making this up...
OMG, I made the mistake of clicking on the Kahr link while my 14 yo son was looking over my shoulder. He said I like that. I asked him which one? All of them was his reply. Save us we have some serious IGOTTAHAVITS going on in my house.
Jay, if you gots the Money, why didn't you tell Carl and I'm sure he'd call you when one arrives.
Then you can let ME try it...and hey, if you don't like it, I can take it off your hands!
::blinkblink::
Not *safe* enough? You're kidding...
Standard features are an *integral* pistol lock...it takes a special key, and once its locked the trigger can't move and the slide can't be racked.
Its got (a now common on most mfr's) a loaded chamber indicator.
The only way to make it safer would be to sell it with the slide welded to the frame so that you couldn't chamber a round...
Wow...I finally found a state that just might be more nanny than New York State.
Sorry to hear that you can't get one of these rather nicely made and easy on the wallet pistols. Word of advice...don't shoot one. You'll get another case of IGOTTAHAVITS but, saddly, you wouldn't be able to cure it. Kinda like having the hots for that cheerleader in HS, and having to settle for RoseyPalm and her five friends, if you get my drift?
Well...not wanting to be a complete idiot on the laws of the state next door to mine, I Googled up Mas Gun List, and lo-and-behold!...I found the *official* list on the Mass state gov website.
That there is some pretty slim pickings. But something about the wording in the law has me thinking...the list states that it is a list of handguns approved for sale in the state of mASS. And one or two gunshop sites that I found in mASS also said that in the state, they can't sell any guns not on the list.
Which begs the question...if you buy it *out* of state and bring it back in, is it legal? The wording of the gov site is specific, and states that those guns not listed are not available for *sale* in the state...t doesn't specifically address *ownership* of the non-list guns within state borders...
Or am I reaching here?
I'm only musing because here in NYS, the law (Penal codes 265 and 400) state which guns are illegal for sale *or* possession. I'm wondering if possession in mASS falls under the sale prohibition?
Also...if I apply for a non-resident CCW in mASS, would my Bersa be prohibited to carry?
AngryPatriot,
Actually, there *is* a MA-compliant version of the PM9, hence my interest.
It's a "Consumer Protection" thing - the Attorney General has the list (the "Approved Firearms Roster" {spit}) of guns that are "approved" for sale in MA by dealers.
There are no illegal pistols other than those that run afoul of the Assault Weapons ban. High capacity magazines made after 1994 are a no-no, though.
Your Bersa would be fine.
And if you were to lose control of your senses and move to MA, you could get your MA gun permit and sell your Bersa to me in a private sale. All perfectly legal.
It's stupid, but hey, that's MA for ya...
I had the MK9 (the all stainless steel gun) which I traded toward a used PM9 and I REALLY like the PM9, it tends to be my everyday gun. It is a handful, but it is more muzzle flip then felt recoil in the hand. I can shoot 50-70 rounds at once without a problem. Both guns have been very reliable and far more accurate then one would expect for something that small. The only flaw I have found (which has been mentioned) is the spare magazine's tendency to strip off the top round if carried loose in the pocket.
I have a CW9. It is a perfect carry gun. Trigger action is smooth and let off solid. It is slim, has a nice solid feel and I carry it daily. IWB or Paddle. I have looked at the PM9 and talked with a couple of officers whom carry them as their off duty weapons. You won't be sorry.
Jay,
It's been a few years, but when I was living in PRNJ, I had the opportunity to shoot both the PM40 and a brand new PM9 (I shot the second mag through that PM9).
Ever since, I've wanted one, but it's not a stocking item at my local shop, so I always find something else instead. Although one day I will have a PM9, I loved that little gun.
--Jim
As a certifiable gun nut of the Canadian variety, I can say with utter certainty that the best available cure for 'IGOTTAHAVITIS' is, of course, an extended session of recoil therapy.
Ideally, it should be followed by a short session of lager therapy, though ale therapy also works well.
Now, go out and put some rounds downrange!
Jay, go for the Kahr - my K9 is one of my regular carry guns (the others are my 637 and a 2" M19). GREAT gun.
"The only comment - far from a complaint - is the agressively shaped feedlips on the mag. Works well with their low centerline barrel, but if you carry a mag in a pocket, a few rounds will pop out. Not an issue in a mag pouch that is a reasonable fit. "
Hmm... I have the same issue with my K9. Solved the problem by using an old Leatherman holster for a mag holster.
For half the Kahr $, you could get a Kel-tec PF9. Small, thin, pocketable, reliable. It's not finished quite as well as the Kahr, but lots of owners are very happy with them.
Anon,
Not really. Here in MA we have the {spit} Approved Firearms Roster - if a firearm is not on the roster, it cannot be sold by a dealer. New, used, it doesn't matter - dealer can't touch it or they face a $5,000 fine.
The only way to get a PF9 is to find one that someone brought in from out of state - meaning that they bought it as a resident of another state, then moved into MA and became a licensed MA gun owner.
At that point it can be transferred privately between individuals. As you can imagine, this drives up price considerably - used P3ATs routinely sell for $450 - $500 (!!!). PF9s go for $500-$600.
Madness? This is Massachusetts!
I think LEOs can also sell a certain number per year, so they're a bit more common that way, but yeah, ugly premiums.
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