Difference between Kahr PM9 and CM9?

[SDM44]

I looked at both specs on Kahr's website, and from what I can see with the dimensions and specs, they're both pretty much exactly the same except for the slide finish and the PM9 can accept a Crimson Trace laser.

Besides the fact that the CM9 is off-roster, what makes the PM9 worth $250 more over the CM9?

[GWbiker]

I looked at both specs on Kahr's website, and from what I can see with the dimensions and specs, they're both pretty much exactly the same except for the slide finish and the PM9 can accept a Crimson Trace laser.

Besides the fact that the CM9 is off-roster, what makes the PM9 worth $250 more over the CM9?

PM9 has the polygonal barrel and some other tidd bits.....

More here:

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-PM9.asp

"It's simply amazing what one can find on my Internet highway if they utilize GOOGLE" -- Al Gore.

[Bug Splat]

[SDM44]

More here:

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-PM9.asp

I read that page, and the CM9 page, as well as looked down the comparison chart.

Besides the polygonal barrel (which isn't that costly), what else would make the PM9 cost $250 more than the CM9?

[Bug Splat]

little write up.....

Conventional rifling in the barrel. – The PM9 has a polygon rifling that is match grade. Since most gunfights are close quarters without a lot of time for bench-resting, Kahr elected to eliminate this expensive process for the CM9. A side benefit is that you can shoot lead reloads in the CM9, whereas they foul up the PM9.

Pinned-in plastic front sight. – The rear sight is still drift adjustable, so you lose basically nothing unless you are in the habit of hammering in those panel nails that seem to be in all Ikea furniture with the front sight of your PM9.

One magazine instead of two. The second magazine on the PM9 is a 7 round extended, but you can of course buy these if you so choose.

Stamped logos on the slide. – There is a $234 difference in MSRP on these two guns. Not a lot of people I imagine have been sitting around watching TV at night admiring the roll engraving on their Kahr to begin with, but mentioning this says something about the company and their integrity about how they are saving money on the manufacturing.

Injection molded slide stop lever, as opposed to a lever machined from steel, which theoretically would be stronger. I’m sure it was a cost saver, but I don’t think they would use this process if it reduced the reliability of the gun.

Less machining on the slide assembly. I think this is the key, and it is the way that Kahr is telling you that they have been sobered by the low price point of the new entrants to the market. Running a CNC machine is expensive and there was most likely a very involved machining process from the beginning with the PM9, which is why it is so pricey.

Years later with millions of rounds fired through the PM9s, the design is a success, and the engineers have figured out how to make the gun with fewer processes. The CM9 is basically the same inside as the PM9, but Kahr found a shorter and less expensive way to get there.

[GWbiker]

I read that page, and the CM9 page, as well as looked down the comparison chart.

Besides the polygonal barrel (which isn't that costly), what else would make the PM9 cost $250 more than the CM9?

Shoot one with the Walther (German) designed polygonal barrel, then report back.

Glock 26 and Glock 36 use the polygonal barrel, too. Better accuracy and easier cleanup.

[9mmepiphany]

I chose the CW9 over the P9 (same relationship as the CM and PM) based on price. The CW is a great gun and has replaced my S&W 642 as my default casual carry gun...especially after I had the trigger smoothed and slide stop lever beveled.

But, every now and then, I do regret not getting the more refined P model. Partly it is that the CW shoots and handles so well, the cost cutting features just make it look cheap

[brianm767]

Better barrel, but you probably won't notice much difference

Several PM parts are machined, where the CM's are MIM (cast I think)

Much nicer machining on the slide ,

Drift adjustable front site, CM is not adjustable and it's plastic, many have fallen off.

Two mags, CM only as one, and Kahr mags are pricy, but often Kahr offers a rebate and gives you an extra mag with the CM and CW guns.

In Cali, if you go the SSE route to get a CM, it works out to about the same price as a used PM, at least in Fresno it does.


I bought my used almost NIB black night site PM9 with three mags for $650+ $35 = $685 OTD, the LGS that sells the CM9 for $550+tax+DROS with one mag.

Only you can decide if it's worth the extra money, for me, since I've handled both of them, owned two PM's yes the PM is worth it, if you get a used deal that is,

Check out Kahrtalk.com

[GWbiker]

Better barrel, but you probably won't notice much difference

Riiiiight..that's why HK (Germany) developed the polygonal rifling barrel in the 70's and Steyr (Austria) copied it for their wonder-9 GB and Glock (Austria) uses the polygonal barrel and Walther (Germany) contracts out to Kahr.......

'cause you probably won't notice the difference in accuracy......

[appagohm]

I had the same dillema, i went with the pm9. the pm9 looks better and it comes with an extra mag, uses milled parts and has a polygonal barrel. Although you won't regret either purchase

[Bug Splat]

I'd be fine with a CW if it was not for the plastic front sight. If I'm going to carry this thing and move in and out of a holster every day I don't want to worry about a tiny plastic site snapping off.

[brianm767]

Riiiiight..that's why HK (Germany) developed the polygonal rifling barrel in the 70's and Steyr (Austria) copied it for their wonder-9 GB and Glock (Austria) uses the polygonal barrel and Walther (Germany) contracts out to Kahr.......

'cause you probably won't notice the difference in accuracy......

I'm not saying there is no difference , but IMOP, the purpose of a CM or PM9 is for self defense, and I think most likely if you ever had to use it in that role you'd probably be at a shooting distance from the bad guy of 3-10 feet, with a 3" barrel at let's say 5' feet, yes, I don't think your going to notice the difference.

Now if your shooting longer barreled guns at longer distances, then you may notice a slight improvement in accuracy and velocity.

[tonelar]

I own and shoot a PM9. I have every confidence that it will be there for me in any case. I could see buying and shooting enough rounds to have the same confidence in the CM9.

[jyo]

I have two CW9s (one for me, one for wife) and know several other folks with this "cheaper" version. I know of NO issues with the plastic front sight falling off. The only thing I have done to mine is buy a couple more magazines.