Ruger LC9 vs. Kahr PM9?

[Serafino]

lucky --how would you characterize the difference in felt recoil? If the bigger gun has an advantage there it might be worth it (but I get the impression it doesn't...)

[paul0660]

I own a pair of PM9's with night sights. Like the size, etc., but my big beef with the PM9 is the take down and reassembly for cleaning. My XD9, I can almost take down with one hand in less than 30 seconds. The PM9 seems to take about 3 hands and I don't know how long. You have to pull back the slide under strong spring tension until 2 marks on the left side of the slide and the frame line up. Then holding the slide there, you have to turn the gun over and use a tool (with your 3rd hand) to tap out the slide stop pin from the right side. Reassembly is almost as bad - line up the slide and frame, push the pin in holding it at 4 o'clock then move the slide and change the pin to 3 o'clock before pushing it all the way in. Do it wrong and you have to send the PM9 back to the factory to be fixed. Means the guns don't get cleaned as often as I'd like to, and also means I've started thinking about selling the pair and getting something of similar size that is easier to work with.

Stick your left thumb through the trigger guard from the right side, wrap your left fingers on top of the slide. Squeeze, and the marks align. Use your right hand to tap the pin with the top of a screwdriver, when it loosens, pry the pin out with the screwdriver. I think I could eat a donut, drink a latte, AND take apart a pm9 in 30 seconds.

That aside, if you get a good Kahr, it's a wonderful thing. If you don't, you can never be sure of it..............

[Cokebottle]

Ya, but you said, "is as bad as the PM9" inferring that the PM9 is bad or hard to field strip.

This is incorrect.

The PM9 takes down exactly the same as an HK USP. Meaning, simple. Pull slide back, pop out slide stop with your finger. Remove slide, recoil assembly, barrel. DONE.

This is the comment that I was referring to (and the post I was specifically responding to).

My point was that the LC9 is not easier to take down than the PM9.

I own a pair of PM9's with night sights. Like the size, etc., but my big beef with the PM9 is the take down and reassembly for cleaning. My XD9, I can almost take down with one hand in less than 30 seconds. The PM9 seems to take about 3 hands and I don't know how long. You have to pull back the slide under strong spring tension until 2 marks on the left side of the slide and the frame line up. Then holding the slide there, you have to turn the gun over and use a tool (with your 3rd hand) to tap out the slide stop pin from the right side. Reassembly is almost as bad - line up the slide and frame, push the pin in holding it at 4 o'clock then move the slide and change the pin to 3 o'clock before pushing it all the way in. Do it wrong and you have to send the PM9 back to the factory to be fixed. Means the guns don't get cleaned as often as I'd like to, and also means I've started thinking about selling the pair and getting something of similar size that is easier to work with.

[Cokebottle]

lucky --how would you characterize the difference in felt recoil? If the bigger gun has an advantage there it might be worth it (but I get the impression it doesn't...)

Ruger's LC series is very light, which is not good for recoil.

My SP101 is around 28oz. The LCR is around 14oz. The .357 version of the LCR is around 18oz.
Say "ouch" 5 times.

[XDshooter]

I don't know why you are making the take down of a PM9 so difficult.

It is easy easy.

I found a video that shows the takedown so I don't have to make one. Skip to 6:30 to see how EASY it is to field strip the weapon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vormb4vZPoQ

I own a pair of PM9's with night sights. Like the size, etc., but my big beef with the PM9 is the take down and reassembly for cleaning. My XD9, I can almost take down with one hand in less than 30 seconds. The PM9 seems to take about 3 hands and I don't know how long. You have to pull back the slide under strong spring tension until 2 marks on the left side of the slide and the frame line up. Then holding the slide there, you have to turn the gun over and use a tool (with your 3rd hand) to tap out the slide stop pin from the right side. Reassembly is almost as bad - line up the slide and frame, push the pin in holding it at 4 o'clock then move the slide and change the pin to 3 o'clock before pushing it all the way in. Do it wrong and you have to send the PM9 back to the factory to be fixed. Means the guns don't get cleaned as often as I'd like to, and also means I've started thinking about selling the pair and getting something of similar size that is easier to work with.

[ZombieTactics]

Had my first chance to handle an LC9 over the weekend.

The pull is a bit long, but VERY smooth for a DAO gun. It feels great in the hand.

The manual safety is an interesting bit of engineering. It snicks "off" quite easily, but requires a lot of effort to re-engage. This seems to be designed with the idea-in-mind that you could carry it disengaged (if you don't like safeties) with almost zero possibility of it accidentally engaging.

[1911su16b870]

Had my first chance to handle an LC9 over the weekend.

The pull is a bit long, but VERY smooth for a DAO gun. It feels great in the hand.

The manual safety is an interesting bit of engineering. It snicks "off" quite easily, but requires a lot of effort to re-engage. This seems to be designed with the idea-in-mind that you could carry it disengaged (if you don't like safeties) with almost zero possibility of it accidentally engaging.

+1 on Z Tac's post.

Owning both, I lean toward the PM9.

[RollingCode3]

Had my first chance to handle an LC9 over the weekend.

The pull is a bit long, but VERY smooth for a DAO gun. It feels great in the hand.

The manual safety is an interesting bit of engineering. It snicks "off" quite easily, but requires a lot of effort to re-engage. This seems to be designed with the idea-in-mind that you could carry it disengaged (if you don't like safeties) with almost zero possibility of it accidentally engaging.

Wait until you shoot them and it will change your mind. I dry fire it a few times at the store before I bought it. I thought it was sweet and light... until I actually shoot it at the range.. NOPE.... trigger is bad... very bad...