Kahr: CM9 or CW9?

Hornett · 05-21-2011

I have become interested in the Kahr 9mm's for Summertime concealed carry.

The question is: Do I want a CM9 (smallest they make) or a CW9 (essentially 1/2" longer and 1/2" taller)?

CM9 Pros http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CM9.asp
Very small, It's only 1/4" longer than a P3AT which is amazing for a 9mm.
Would probably fit in a back pocket.
CM9 Cons
You can only get 2 finger on the grip. probably not a big deal, just sayin'...
the CM9 is $10 to $20 more than the CW9.
6 round magazine

CW9 Pros http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CW9.asp
It's been out for a while and has been proven.
Cheapest (by a tiny bit) of the two.
You can get all 3 fingers on the grip, actually most of the 3rd finger

7 round magazine
CW9 Cons
Probably too big to fit in a pocket but still a tiny bit smaller than a Kel Tec PF9.

What do you say?
The CW9 seems to have more pros than cons but that CM9 is sooo tiny.

I have my P3AT for a back pocket gun, but I think the CM would conceal almost anywhere.
Help me out like you guys usually do.
Who has one or the other?

ArmedProgrammer · 05-21-2011

Currently an LCP, but I'm taking a LONG look at CM9

04DarkShadowGT · 05-21-2011

If you want to pocket carry, get the CM9, if you want to IWB or OWB carry either will be fine. I have a CW40 and its too big for pocket carry imo.

If they had the CM9 or better yet a CM40 at the time I bought mine I probably would have went that route.

cosermann · 05-21-2011

Don't forget the barrel length. The CW9 has a 3.5" barrel while the CM9 has a 3" barrel.

With the 3.5" barrel you can be fairly confident that most ammunition will perform similarly to the tests/performance information you find online. All you really have to do is function test.

With the 3" barrel, you'll be in uncharted territory (unless you happen to find some short barrel tests around) and you may want to do your own testing to verify the terminal performance of your carry ammo.

Bflo · 05-21-2011

I just picked up a CM9 and I pocket carry it in a Desantis Superfly. I don't carry it in my back pocket, but it does fit. I put 200 flawless rounds of federal through it on its first day at the range, and I was impressed by its accuracy. It's a little snappy, but not nearly as bad as I was anticipating. I didn't have any issues with only having 2 fingers on the grip. I've since function tested it with speer gold dots, and they ran without a hitch.
I don't have any experience with the CW9, but if you want to pocket carry a 9mm, I would go with the CM9.

SCriswell · 05-21-2011

Spend the extra money and get the pm9. They are worth it. I have two of them as well as a p380 and a pm 45. In my humble opinion you cannot find a better concealment pistol on the market.

booey50 · 05-21-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCriswell

Spend the extra money and get the pm9. They are worth it. I have two of them as well as a p380 and a pm 45. In my humble opinion you cannot find a better concealment pistol on the market.

Is the pm9 really worth the two hundred dollars exrta? aren't the sights and the rifling the only difference?

grunt soldier · 05-22-2011

its the sites, barrel, no mim parts and some other stuff. is it truly worth the extra coin that is something you have to decide for yourself. i own the pm9 and played with a cm9 the other day and it seemed rather nice and for 420 dollars i am sure you will be happy with it. i have the pm9 like i said and i think i am going to carry it as my main and then get a cm9 for pocket carry. then i will have 2 guns that are extremely small accurate and reliable and will be able to use the mags interchangeably.

this is all debateable though because i may not be able to replace my glock 27 as i love her lol. so the pm9 may just stay and serve pocket duty, very expensive nice pocket duty lol

04DarkShadowGT · 05-22-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by booey50

Is the pm9 really worth the two hundred dollars exrta? aren't the sights and the rifling the only difference?

No its not, Id rather have the standard barrel anyway. Cheaper to practice because you can run lead reloads.

The milling on the slide of the PM is fancier, the front sight is milled on the PM which is certainly the biggest benefit. The PM has two mags too I believe. That is a benefit because Kahr mags are ridiculously expensive. The MIM parts have yet to fail me, if they do I am sure I can buy replacements from Kahr or aftermarket for well under $200.

My guess is if someone shot both back to back they probably couldn't tell much of a difference.

Hornett · 05-22-2011

Quote:

My guess is if someone shot both back to back they probably couldn't tell much of a difference.

That was my thinking.
I always liked the PM9 but it was too expensive for my taste.
Then I found out that a CM9 was being introduced.
Now that's more in line with my price range.
Of course the CW9 is about the same price.
I think for me, it's just about which size will carry and shoot the best.
I have enough guns with polygonal rifling anyway.

05-21-2011	#1 (permalink)
Hornett I tried being reasonable, I didn't like it. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bedford, Indiana Posts: 1,648	Kahr: CM9 or CW9? I have become interested in the Kahr 9mm's for Summertime concealed carry. The question is: Do I want a CM9 (smallest they make) or a CW9 (essentially 1/2" longer and 1/2" taller)? CM9 Pros http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CM9.asp Very small, It's only 1/4" longer than a P3AT which is amazing for a 9mm. Would probably fit in a back pocket. CM9 Cons You can only get 2 finger on the grip. probably not a big deal, just sayin'... the CM9 is $10 to $20 more than the CW9. 6 round magazine CW9 Pros http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CW9.asp It's been out for a while and has been proven. Cheapest (by a tiny bit) of the two. You can get all 3 fingers on the grip, actually most of the 3rd finger 7 round magazine CW9 Cons Probably too big to fit in a pocket but still a tiny bit smaller than a Kel Tec PF9. What do you say? The CW9 seems to have more pros than cons but that CM9 is sooo tiny. I have my P3AT for a back pocket gun, but I think the CM would conceal almost anywhere. Help me out like you guys usually do. Who has one or the other? __________________ Shop smart. Shop S-Mart.

05-21-2011	#2 (permalink)
ArmedProgrammer Expert Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Salem Posts: 2,339	Currently an LCP, but I'm taking a LONG look at CM9 __________________ When the chickens come home to roost - best to not be standing under the tree...

05-22-2011	#8 (permalink)
grunt soldier Master Join Date: May 2009 Location: hamilton county Posts: 3,562	its the sites, barrel, no mim parts and some other stuff. is it truly worth the extra coin that is something you have to decide for yourself. i own the pm9 and played with a cm9 the other day and it seemed rather nice and for 420 dollars i am sure you will be happy with it. i have the pm9 like i said and i think i am going to carry it as my main and then get a cm9 for pocket carry. then i will have 2 guns that are extremely small accurate and reliable and will be able to use the mags interchangeably. this is all debateable though because i may not be able to replace my glock 27 as i love her lol. so the pm9 may just stay and serve pocket duty, very expensive nice pocket duty lol __________________ If your in need of some local custom kydex holsters or sheaths give me a shout. here is a link to some of our work http://s967.photobucket.com/albums/ae158/gruntsoldier2/

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05-21-2011	#3 (permalink)
04DarkShadowGT Expert Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 2,136	If you want to pocket carry, get the CM9, if you want to IWB or OWB carry either will be fine. I have a CW40 and its too big for pocket carry imo. If they had the CM9 or better yet a CM40 at the time I bought mine I probably would have went that route.

05-21-2011	#4 (permalink)
cosermann Master Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4,640	Don't forget the barrel length. The CW9 has a 3.5" barrel while the CM9 has a 3" barrel. With the 3.5" barrel you can be fairly confident that most ammunition will perform similarly to the tests/performance information you find online. All you really have to do is function test. With the 3" barrel, you'll be in uncharted territory (unless you happen to find some short barrel tests around) and you may want to do your own testing to verify the terminal performance of your carry ammo.

05-21-2011	#5 (permalink)
Bflo Plinker Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 291	I just picked up a CM9 and I pocket carry it in a Desantis Superfly. I don't carry it in my back pocket, but it does fit. I put 200 flawless rounds of federal through it on its first day at the range, and I was impressed by its accuracy. It's a little snappy, but not nearly as bad as I was anticipating. I didn't have any issues with only having 2 fingers on the grip. I've since function tested it with speer gold dots, and they ran without a hitch. I don't have any experience with the CW9, but if you want to pocket carry a 9mm, I would go with the CM9.

05-21-2011	#6 (permalink)
SCriswell Plinker Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fort Wayne Posts: 70	Spend the extra money and get the pm9. They are worth it. I have two of them as well as a p380 and a pm 45. In my humble opinion you cannot find a better concealment pistol on the market.