Range Review: Kahr CM9 Subcompact 9mm
Jan 23, 2012 23:17:36 GMT
Post by Odingaard on Jan 23, 2012 23:17:36 GMT
Range Review: Kahr Arms CM9 Subcompact 9mm
by Jonathan "Odingaard" Sarge
Introduction
For many years, I have been a raving Glock fan boy and I still am for the most part. From the purchase of my first issue Glock in the early 1990s, I have been in love iwth the platform ever since. Sure, other guns might feel better in the hand, be more accurate, or look better - but the Glock always impressed me with it's proven combat reliability. On the downside, Glock never made a truly compact firearm. While I have carried the subcompact Glocks which collectors affectionately call "Baby Glocks", carrying a G26 or G27 to me is no different than carrying a G19 or G23 - the print of the weapon is no different, especially when adding an extended magazine base plate. The size and weight are just not very compact to me, or for that matter, to others I know who carry Baby Glocks.
Enter the Kahr Arms CM9. This gun is about half the width and weigh of a subcompact Glock, yet it's not a laughable mouse caliber gun (such as a .25 or .32), it's the same caliber as my other 9mms, which is, well, 9mm: a proven good all around round for self-defense. The Kahr is wonderfully concealable, with a thin profile which allows it to be worn effortlessly without sacrificing comfort.
Usage
First off, understand that the Kahr is not an absolute replacement for a larger weapon - not is it marketed as such. It's a CCW weapon with the intended purpose of self-defense. It's good to have if someone suddenly jumps you in a dark alley or tries to car jack you while driving though the city. It's not a gun designed to get into a gunfight. It's a highly concealable weapon designed to increase your chances of survival in specific types of confrontation.
As for myself, I wanted the Kahr as a lightweight, concealable 9mm for wear when working low-risk cases in which I wanted a firearm I could simply put into my pocket or otherwise conceal effortlessly.
Specifications
The Kahr CM9 is the base model of the popular Kahr PM9 handgun. The primary differences are:
The CM9 has stamped lettering on the slide instead of the nicer roller lettering.
The CM9 comes with 1 magazine instead of 2 magazines.
The CM9 has traditional rifling versus the polyagonal match grade rifling of the PM9.
Otherwise, the two guns are identical. Here are the specifics:
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Operation: Trigger-cocking DAO, lock breech, Browning-type recoil lug, passive striker block, no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0" with conventional rifling, 1:10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.42"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: 14 ounces
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Black polymer frame, matte stainless steel slide
Magazine: 1 - 6 rd flush floorplate
MSRP: $517.00
First Impressions
I purchased my Kahr CM9 and a S&W 15/22P at the same time from a local gun dealer. Because I bought two firearms at the same time, my price on the Kahr was only $360. I have seen the Kahr at other shops in the $389 - $429 price range.
The Kahr CM9 comes in a black composite box with documentation, firearms lock, and fired shell casings. The box is made to fit a number of Kahr models, so the little CM9 leaves quite a bit of room left for extra magazines and the like, if you use the box as a carry case.
Performance
I took the Kahr to the range for a break-in firing. The first thing I do with any firearm, even a Glock, is fire 300-400 rounds though it to check it's functionality. This is important because any problem which might creep up in the initial break-in is easier to address than a problem which comes up if I were using the gun to save my life or the life of someone else.
I fired an assortment of ammunition though the Kahr during break-in:
I started with 60 rounds of Tula Ammo (Steel Case) 115gr FMJ. No problems.
Then, 120 rounds of Winchester White Box 115gr FMJ. No problems.
Next, 60 rounds of Remington UMC 124gr FMJ. No problems.
Then, 48 rounds of Speer Lawman 124gr FMJ. No problems.
Next, 20 rounds of Corbon +P 115gr JHP. No problems.
Lastly, 60 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 115gr JHP. And, you guessed it - no problems.
368 rounds fired, no problems whatsoever. Exactly how you would want a gun to perform during break-in.
Trigger is smooth as butter, much nicer than on my other Kahrs - they seem to have improved greatly. Consistant pull and clean break. However, after firing nearly 400 rounds, my hand hurts like a mofo. Though the recoil is quite managable, you are still holding the weapon with two fingers, so the hand will get a little sore if firing alot. No biggie for me though.
Slide racks nice and easy, requiring a tad less pressure to operate than a G26. Weapon locks up nice a solid each time.
Magazine release is a tad small, but you get used to it. It's responsive and drops the magazine each and every time.
Sights are very similar to Sig-Sauer combat sights, which give great aquisition quickly.
Accuracy
Ok, let's be honest. A gun this small can never be as accurate as a larger weapon in the same caliber. This is naturally due to the shorter barrel length. But, the Kahr is not terrible in the accuracy department. Let's look at the rough shot group sizes:
3 Yards: 1.25"
7 Yards: 1.60"
10 Yards: 2.00"
25 Yards: About 4.30"
One average, the groups are about 2x as large if I would have fired at the same ranges with my G34 or my Kimber Stainless II 9mm. Not great groupings, but a hell of alot better than I could do with my old S&W .357 with a 2.5" barrel.
But considering that you would hopefully never use a pistol like this at a range of over a few yards, I have no grips about it. If I wanted to do better, I would carry a larger firearm.
Pros:
- Great overall value.
- Full-size caliber in a very small package.
- Good reliability.
- Very concealable.
Cons:
- Some people have reported magazine problems. Though I have had none, but will give this caveat all the same.
- Comes with 1 magazine and additional mags are in the $30-$40 range.
- Shooting excessively is not easy on your hand.
- Difficult to find in some areas due to pupularity.
Conclusion
The Kahr CM9 is a great little gun with a distinctive niche in someone's CCW arsenal. At it's price point, it's hard to beat the value. I've owned many subcompact firearms, and the Kahr CM9 is definately one of my current favorites. I could not be happier with it.
My CM9 in an Uncle George Wallet holster.
My CM9 in a Galco Matrix belt slide holster.
by Jonathan "Odingaard" Sarge
Introduction
For many years, I have been a raving Glock fan boy and I still am for the most part. From the purchase of my first issue Glock in the early 1990s, I have been in love iwth the platform ever since. Sure, other guns might feel better in the hand, be more accurate, or look better - but the Glock always impressed me with it's proven combat reliability. On the downside, Glock never made a truly compact firearm. While I have carried the subcompact Glocks which collectors affectionately call "Baby Glocks", carrying a G26 or G27 to me is no different than carrying a G19 or G23 - the print of the weapon is no different, especially when adding an extended magazine base plate. The size and weight are just not very compact to me, or for that matter, to others I know who carry Baby Glocks.
Enter the Kahr Arms CM9. This gun is about half the width and weigh of a subcompact Glock, yet it's not a laughable mouse caliber gun (such as a .25 or .32), it's the same caliber as my other 9mms, which is, well, 9mm: a proven good all around round for self-defense. The Kahr is wonderfully concealable, with a thin profile which allows it to be worn effortlessly without sacrificing comfort.
Usage
First off, understand that the Kahr is not an absolute replacement for a larger weapon - not is it marketed as such. It's a CCW weapon with the intended purpose of self-defense. It's good to have if someone suddenly jumps you in a dark alley or tries to car jack you while driving though the city. It's not a gun designed to get into a gunfight. It's a highly concealable weapon designed to increase your chances of survival in specific types of confrontation.
As for myself, I wanted the Kahr as a lightweight, concealable 9mm for wear when working low-risk cases in which I wanted a firearm I could simply put into my pocket or otherwise conceal effortlessly.
Specifications
The Kahr CM9 is the base model of the popular Kahr PM9 handgun. The primary differences are:
The CM9 has stamped lettering on the slide instead of the nicer roller lettering.
The CM9 comes with 1 magazine instead of 2 magazines.
The CM9 has traditional rifling versus the polyagonal match grade rifling of the PM9.
Otherwise, the two guns are identical. Here are the specifics:
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Operation: Trigger-cocking DAO, lock breech, Browning-type recoil lug, passive striker block, no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0" with conventional rifling, 1:10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.42"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: 14 ounces
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Black polymer frame, matte stainless steel slide
Magazine: 1 - 6 rd flush floorplate
MSRP: $517.00
First Impressions
I purchased my Kahr CM9 and a S&W 15/22P at the same time from a local gun dealer. Because I bought two firearms at the same time, my price on the Kahr was only $360. I have seen the Kahr at other shops in the $389 - $429 price range.
The Kahr CM9 comes in a black composite box with documentation, firearms lock, and fired shell casings. The box is made to fit a number of Kahr models, so the little CM9 leaves quite a bit of room left for extra magazines and the like, if you use the box as a carry case.
Performance
I took the Kahr to the range for a break-in firing. The first thing I do with any firearm, even a Glock, is fire 300-400 rounds though it to check it's functionality. This is important because any problem which might creep up in the initial break-in is easier to address than a problem which comes up if I were using the gun to save my life or the life of someone else.
I fired an assortment of ammunition though the Kahr during break-in:
I started with 60 rounds of Tula Ammo (Steel Case) 115gr FMJ. No problems.
Then, 120 rounds of Winchester White Box 115gr FMJ. No problems.
Next, 60 rounds of Remington UMC 124gr FMJ. No problems.
Then, 48 rounds of Speer Lawman 124gr FMJ. No problems.
Next, 20 rounds of Corbon +P 115gr JHP. No problems.
Lastly, 60 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 115gr JHP. And, you guessed it - no problems.
368 rounds fired, no problems whatsoever. Exactly how you would want a gun to perform during break-in.
Trigger is smooth as butter, much nicer than on my other Kahrs - they seem to have improved greatly. Consistant pull and clean break. However, after firing nearly 400 rounds, my hand hurts like a mofo. Though the recoil is quite managable, you are still holding the weapon with two fingers, so the hand will get a little sore if firing alot. No biggie for me though.
Slide racks nice and easy, requiring a tad less pressure to operate than a G26. Weapon locks up nice a solid each time.
Magazine release is a tad small, but you get used to it. It's responsive and drops the magazine each and every time.
Sights are very similar to Sig-Sauer combat sights, which give great aquisition quickly.
Accuracy
Ok, let's be honest. A gun this small can never be as accurate as a larger weapon in the same caliber. This is naturally due to the shorter barrel length. But, the Kahr is not terrible in the accuracy department. Let's look at the rough shot group sizes:
3 Yards: 1.25"
7 Yards: 1.60"
10 Yards: 2.00"
25 Yards: About 4.30"
One average, the groups are about 2x as large if I would have fired at the same ranges with my G34 or my Kimber Stainless II 9mm. Not great groupings, but a hell of alot better than I could do with my old S&W .357 with a 2.5" barrel.
But considering that you would hopefully never use a pistol like this at a range of over a few yards, I have no grips about it. If I wanted to do better, I would carry a larger firearm.
Pros:
- Great overall value.
- Full-size caliber in a very small package.
- Good reliability.
- Very concealable.
Cons:
- Some people have reported magazine problems. Though I have had none, but will give this caveat all the same.
- Comes with 1 magazine and additional mags are in the $30-$40 range.
- Shooting excessively is not easy on your hand.
- Difficult to find in some areas due to pupularity.
Conclusion
The Kahr CM9 is a great little gun with a distinctive niche in someone's CCW arsenal. At it's price point, it's hard to beat the value. I've owned many subcompact firearms, and the Kahr CM9 is definately one of my current favorites. I could not be happier with it.
My CM9 in an Uncle George Wallet holster.
My CM9 in a Galco Matrix belt slide holster.
