CW9 or PM9

1929 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Black Metal, Jun 23, 2008

Black Metal

Discussion Starter · Jun 9, 2008

So my wife and I have decided its time to upgrade her to something a little nicer than her Bersa. After holding all the single stack 9mm's we could get her hands on she has narrowed it down to two guns, both of which happen to be Kahr's. She really likes the size of the Pm9 and because she can get her whole hand on the grip I feel comfortable with it as a good choice for daily cc, however she is somewhat concerned with the recoil the tiny gun will produce. She likes the feel of the Cw9 but she feel's more comforable carrying on her body rather than in her purse and the Pm would definitly work better for that. Does anyone have first hand experience with both guns? Unfortunatley I can't seem to find a range that has either weapon for rent. I'm trying to figure out it the increased recoil from the lighter smaller shorter barreled Pm is going to make enough of a difference that we should go with the Cw. Thanks for any input.

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mchlwise

· #2 · Jun 9, 2008

The other option which I think she should consider is the MK9.

The MK9 is exactly the same as a PM9, but it has a stainless frame instead of the plastic one. This makes the gun heavier (obviously) which must be taken into account as a carry gun, but it also must be taken into account with regards to recoil - i.e. there's less with an MK9 than with a PM9.

I've got an MK9, and the recoil isn't bad at all. I'd point her in that direction. 8)

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Black Metal

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 9, 2008

We are looking at the Pm9 and Cw9 both are POLYMER framed pistols thank you

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MarshallDodge

· #4 · Jun 10, 2008

I don't think the felt recoil of the Kahr will be that much greater than the Bersa. My wife shoots my Kahr E9 (steel frame, no longer made) and likes it. If you go with a CW, get a rubber slip on grip for it. It really improves the ergonomics in my opinion.

Can I ask what she did not like about the Bersa?

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Black Metal

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 10, 2008

It's not that she doesn't like her Bersa, the main reason for the new purchase will be the cost of ammo(and personally I would prefer that she carries something with a little more bang). I want her to shoot more than she does now and .380 ammo is almost twice the cost of 9mm. We both like the Bersa a lot the one thing I would say is the finish work is less than impressive. She thinks that the Pm9 is a little top heavy but she hasn't held it with a full magazine I think that would make the difference. We will probably go with the Pm9, with a little range time I'm sure she will do great. She will need to put 200 rounds through it without a failure before I'll let her carry it so that should give her some time to get use to it.

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· #6 · Jun 20, 2008

I'm not sure about the PM9 but the CW9 kinda worries me. The frame rides on plastic and I'm afraid that some day, it's going to just pop off and come flying back as a nasty projectile at the shooter (my wife or myself)

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Retire Early

· #7 · Jun 20, 2008

My wife was in the same quandary not long ago. She loved the Glock 19, but decided it was too big for daily carry. She tried the Glock 26 and hated it. She couldn't hit anything with it, and the extended grip pinched her fingers. Fortunately I had a friend that owned both the Kahr CW9 and the PM9. My wife shot both and liked both. My wife could get 2 3/4 of her fingers on the hand grip of the PM9 and decided that was good enough. She liked them equally and could produce very nice groups with both. She decided she'd rather have something smaller than larger and went for the PM9. I would warn that the extended magazine is rather useless (except for adding 1 round )since it does not improve your grip at all as it is not flush with the hand grip.

I was a bit surprised to see that the rear rail slide was made out of plastic. (Both CW series and the PM series.) They have a lifetime warranty, but like others have said, I hope nobody gets hurt on the wrong end of this weapon. If you're worried about this and can stand the weight, buy an all metal version. ($$++) The other problem with Kahrs are they are finicky in loading the first round. The rounds do not sit horizontal in their magazine, but stick nose-up a bit. If you have the action closed and put a loaded mag in it and rack the slide, it most likely will NOT load the first round. Kahr recommends that you lock the action open, load the magazine and then use the slide release to load the first round. If done this way, it will work every time. If you have the action closed, the top round will be pushed out of its nose-up orientation when the mag is inserted, and won't get chambered when the slide is cycled. My wife and I talked about this and decided it wasn't a big deal. With a revolver-like trigger pull, there is no problem carrying this gun with one in the tube--so the first magazine will always function as needed for self-defense. If the second mag is necessary, the slide will lock at the end of the first and you'll use the slide release to load the next mag.

As far as CW9 vs PM9 goes though, it comes down to how well the smaller PM9 it fits in her hand, and if it's worth the extra money for the smaller gun.

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hamm

· #8 · Jun 20, 2008

I'd go MK9 all the way, even if it is more expensive. That is basically the all metal version of the PM9. I rented a PM9 the other day at Doug's and it felt cheap and flimsy. I think it is too light for how small it is. I currently have a CW9 and have had no problems with it. However, I'd like something smaller. When Obama wins I'm getting an MK9. (I struck a deal with my wife that if Obama wins I get to buy a gun.)

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mchlwise

· #9 · Jun 20, 2008

hamm said:
When Obama wins I'm getting an MK9. (I struck a deal with my wife that if Obama wins I get to buy a gun.)

:lolbang: You won't regret it.

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Black Metal

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 21, 2008

We headed to Dougs after hearing they had a used PM9 thanks to Hamm. They actually had 2 used ones in stock. The first was a little beat up only had one mag and no night sights. The second we shot and decided to purchase, it came with two mags, a nice leather IWB Alessi holster and night sights. The trigger on this gun is amazing. My wifes group the first time shooting it was within about 3" at 7 yards or so. She is very happy, now we are very poor again :lol3:

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GeneticsDave

· #11 · Jun 22, 2008

$5 Fine

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hamm

· #12 · Jun 22, 2008

Ramiguy said:
We headed to Dougs after hearing they had a used PM9 thanks to Hamm. They actually had 2 used ones in stock. The first was a little beat up only had one mag and no night sights. The second we shot and decided to purchase, it came with two mags, a nice leather IWB Alessi holster and night sights. The trigger on this gun is amazing. My wifes group the first time shooting it was within about 3" at 7 yards or so. She is very happy, now we are very poor again :lol3:

Yeah, I used that beat-up PM9. I wish I had known they had a nicer one. :crying:

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Black Metal

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 22, 2008

It was a really good deal. We shot 50 rounds through it without any malfunctions, even though it was dirty and not lubed properly. Once we got it home she stripped it down and cleaned it. The gun looks to have very little use I'll post some pics later today

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Black Metal

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 23, 2008

Sorry about the wait.

with the accessories (I had the camera on the wrong setting sorry about the blur)

next to my rami

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