[werewolf]

Had the chance to handle a PM9 the other day and was pretty impressed with its size and apparent "pocketability".


It looked well made and (in my large hands) handled no worse than my KT P-32. Oftern I carry my Bersa .380 in my pocket so the Kahr looked like it would conceal just as well or better.

It seems like it would be a better option than either the .32ACP (ie the P-32) or the .380 (Bersa) package, but I'd like some opinions.

Both my Bersa and my p-32 are easy and fun to practice with. Would a 9mm in the PM9 sized package be recoil intense? At a range session I like to put 100-150 rds thru either my Bersa or KT and can do so without disabling my hand for the rest of the day

. Would the Kahr be the same or would it be somewhat uglier (ie along the lines of a KT P3AT).

Opinions please - the PM9 on the surface looks like a VERY viable replacement to my Bersa or the P-32 for all but the most deepcover concealment needs. Being chambered for the 9mm really makes it an attractive self-defense choice.

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there werewolf,

I have the Kel Tec P-32 and like it alot for its portability and size. I carry my P-32 daily and have shot it extensively. I consider it my carry all pocket pistol.

I have handled both the Bersa .380 and the Kahr PM-9 and like them both a lot.

However, I bought a Kel Tec P-11 and have both shot and carried it recently. I am afraid that the P-32 is going to take the back seat to the P-11 when I feel the need for a larger caliber and capacity concealment weapon.

In terms of relative size, I believe there are some comparisons on the Kel Tec CNC website between the PM-9 and P-11. The recoil from the P-11 is very managable.

Chris

 

[oldgranpa]

PM9 costs a little more but it's the best 9mm I've owned and JHP ammo will expand with adequate penetration with it.
Other 9's I've had...G19, P11, P95, and worst 9 I've had was a Bond Texas Defender derringer..a gosh awful gun.
YMMV
og

 

[derek]

I know you asked about the PM9 but I have an MK9 which is basically the same gun dimensionally with a steel frame. Even with it's small size and short barrel it is probably the most accurate handgun I have. It just takes a while to get used to the trigger (nice light smooth pull but very short trigger reach compared to other 9's). I carry CorBon 115gr +P in it and surprisingly it's a real pussycat to shoot. Also had a good experience with Kahr which sent parts free of charge when I needed them.

 

[Guest]

Great gun. I bought one a year ago and love it. Easier to conceal in front pocket carry than my S&W442, but for people with large hands the grip is pretty small. It shoots easy and even with the small grip (extended mags help a lot) it still feels secure while shooting.

I'll probably get rid of mine though, as I like the 442 too much and don't need two guns for the same purpose. Looking to trade for a nice QCB REM 870 +$$$

Check http://oregonguntrader.com for it to appear if you are interested.

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there Jim,

I like my 642 a lot as well.

However, I am going to keep the P-11.

One can never have enough guns.

Chris

 

[branspop]

I bought one and it has been unreliable for me, failing to go into battery by about 1/4" every so many rounds. I had the barrel recall done and my local shop has a Kahr armorer who got some new parts from Kahr. After the swap it has been feeding fine for about 100rnds, but I haven't had the time to really wring it out and see if it is fixed.

 

[Guest]

I bought one and it has been unreliable for me, failing to go into battery by about 1/4" every so many rounds.

I shot about 50 rounds through one I rented at a local range, and it did the same thing, along with frequent FTE's. One of the salesguys there later told me Kahrs are finicky about ammo. I was shooting Remington white box FMJ's. I thought at first I was inadvertantly limp wristing, but even with a very firm two-handed grip it still would fail every 6-8 rounds. This is why I lost interest in the Kahr for defensive purposes.

I don't pretend to be an expert, so if someone wants to set me straight on why this may have happened, go right ahead. With the number of devotees that Kahr handguns have, it's hard to imagine my experience was typical.

 

[branspop]

Mine did it with a variety of ammo and about 500ish rounds through it. It was not acceptable.

I hope it is fixed, but will have to do a lot more testing to be sure.

 

[Guest]

I bought a previously owned Kahr PM9 that looked un-used when I bought it. I have shot a variety of factory ammo, including Winchester White Box, Winchester Ranger 127 gr. +P+ and Winchester Ranger 147 gr. and performance has been 100%. I have also shot many recipes of my own personal handloads which have been 100% as well. Even though my gun's S/N was part of Kahr's recent barrel recall, I didn't bother sending it in. I'm a firm believer in "if it ain't broke..." (you know the rest).

I like my PM9 very much.

 

[derek]

My MK9 has fed everything flawlessly. I remember reading somewhere (I think it was American Handgunner) when the gun first came out that it was designed around the Cor Bon 115gr +P. That's what I use as a SD load and it has performed with nary a hiccup.

 

[adguy]

I have a PM9. I've shote Gold Dot 124gr. +P through it with not problems at all. It is light, reliable and more pleasant to shoot than a Walther PPK/s, at least for me.
I called Kahr about a heavier recoil spring. They said at one time they had a much heavier spring, but went to a lighter one because some women could not pull the slide back. I plan to get a heavier Wolff Spring for it soon.
All in all, I've been very pleased with it. It has been reliable from the start, even before the break-in period was complete.

Good luck.

 

[timber]

Had the chance to handle a PM9 the other day and was pretty impressed with its size and apparent "pocketability".


It looked well made and (in my large hands) handled no worse than my KT P-32. Oftern I carry my Bersa .380 in my pocket so the Kahr looked like it would conceal just as well or better.

It seems like it would be a better option than either the .32ACP (ie the P-32) or the .380 (Bersa) package, but I'd like some opinions.

Both my Bersa and my p-32 are easy and fun to practice with. Would a 9mm in the PM9 sized package be recoil intense? At a range session I like to put 100-150 rds thru either my Bersa or KT and can do so without disabling my hand for the rest of the day

. Would the Kahr be the same or would it be somewhat uglier (ie along the lines of a KT P3AT).

Opinions please - the PM9 on the surface looks like a VERY viable replacement to my Bersa or the P-32 for all but the most deepcover concealment needs. Being chambered for the 9mm really makes it an attractive self-defense choice.

I have one and am fond of it. Very small potent pistol.

As far as plinking all day with it, not in my hands. The recoil is not sharp, but the stippling of the grip is. Out of the box, it makes soft hands tender around 75 rounds. But there is a cure - A-Grip has nearly universal praise (the rest dislike the looks) and there is the option of cutting a bicycle inner tube to fit.

I peck away at a keyboard for a living and have soft hands, this may not be an issue for you but it's easily remedied by either of the above. I have chosen to leave mine stock.

I call mine a keeper.

 

[Guest]

The Agrip does not suit everyone's taste. It looks like velvet, feels like suede and really enhances shooter comfort. I have one on my PM9 (see below) and my P40.

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there,

Yesterday, I picked up a Kel Tec P-3 AT.

Based on my previous experience with the P-32 and P-11, it is mostly likely a great choice for concealability, capacity and calibre in a small package for its intended mission.

I feel a little more confident in its .380 cartridge as opposed to the diminutive .32 acp and will be hopefully be shooting it soon to get a feel for it handling characteristics and recoil for its size.

It is still a bit smaller than the Kahr PM-9.

Chris