pm9, cm9, p380 is there a difference??

[BOBBO268]

So I was convinced at buying a p380.... until I found this forum and it seems like a lot of people are unhappy with it. I have a 380 SW bodyguard, i love the size, but I HATE the super long and hard trigger pull, its almost hard to be accurate.

I guess i'm trying to decide between the cm9, pm9, p380. I've never owned a kahr but they seem like quality (maybe except the 380).

So if you guys, since you're the pros, can tell me a little about the p380 and why its good (or bad) and then explain the difference between the cm9 and pm9 (besides the $200 difference), the specs are exactly the same from what i've found so I'm guessing its the rifling or something, right? thanks for the help and i hope to be a regular here soon! I know the cm and pm are 9mm, but if the p380 is so bad, i have to change my direction. I've thought about the sig p238 which i've seen mentioned on the P threads, but its more pricey still....

and all that being said, are the pm/cm9's comfortable to keep in your pocket, or are they just too big? (why i was liking the idea of the 380)

[cesande]

I am working through this as well.

See my post .
http://kahrtalk.com/showpost.php?p=126329&postcount=3

I went with P380 first cause after a trip to LGS it became obvious to me that that one just crosses the line for ME that makes pocket carry workable on almost all conditions.

I can't say that I won't go with a CM9 cause I do love these Kahr triggers for CCW and do see myself with a 9 down the road...
But again with the need for anytime carry the P380 just RULEZ.

So IF I can count on a mag or 2 to be reliable I am good ..... which even NEW with propper prep mine has been...

Once I push it to 4+ mags... MY P380 has shown some issues that I am working through.... which really the only issue I see with mine is premature slide lock...

On that note I already have an 'idea' on which ammo to use to avert this as well...

Still in the early testing phase and not ready (yet) to run 100 rounds of premium SD rounds through it at a single test.... but getting there....


in the end...

It has its purpose and knowing that full on going in I still believe I am on to a WINNER with the p380...

again my 2 pennies

[TriggerMan]

So I was convinced at buying a p380.... until I found this forum and it seems like a lot of people are unhappy with it. I have a 380 SW bodyguard, i love the size, but I HATE the super long and hard trigger pull, its almost hard to be accurate.

I guess i'm trying to decide between the cm9, pm9, p380. I've never owned a kahr but they seem like quality (maybe except the 380).

So if you guys, since you're the pros, can tell me a little about the p380 and why its good (or bad) and then explain the difference between the cm9 and pm9 (besides the $200 difference), the specs are exactly the same from what i've found so I'm guessing its the rifling or something, right? thanks for the help and i hope to be a regular here soon! I know the cm and pm are 9mm, but if the p380 is so bad, i have to change my direction. I've thought about the sig p238 which i've seen mentioned on the P threads, but its more pricey still....

and all that being said, are the pm/cm9's comfortable to keep in your pocket, or are they just too big? (why i was liking the idea of the 380)

In my opinion, pocket carry has limited uses. It is impossible to pull the gun when seated in the car or seated anywhere else. If you can carry IWB, do that.

The Sig P238 offers more shoooting comfort, better sights, and a great SA trigger. The mags, whether 6 or 7 round work. There are no nosediving issues, they fall free, and feed your ammo reliably. Google on P938 if you can wait three months for a 9mm.

[DocProton]

So I was convinced at buying a p380.... until I found this forum and it seems like a lot of people are unhappy with it. I have a 380 SW bodyguard, i love the size, but I HATE the super long and hard trigger pull, its almost hard to be accurate.

I guess i'm trying to decide between the cm9, pm9, p380. I've never owned a kahr but they seem like quality (maybe except the 380).

So if you guys, since you're the pros, can tell me a little about the p380 and why its good (or bad) and then explain the difference between the cm9 and pm9 (besides the $200 difference), the specs are exactly the same from what i've found so I'm guessing its the rifling or something, right? thanks for the help and i hope to be a regular here soon! I know the cm and pm are 9mm, but if the p380 is so bad, i have to change my direction. I've thought about the sig p238 which i've seen mentioned on the P threads, but its more pricey still....

and all that being said, are the pm/cm9's comfortable to keep in your pocket, or are they just too big? (why i was liking the idea of the 380)

I started with the p380 as my first CCW. I have only had problems when I used cheap practice ammo. I have recently replaced the recoil springs (around 5 bucks each from Kahr) and that made the gun feel and work better. I have recently bought the CM9 and carry it more than the 380 but when I need a small pocket gun, I get my 380 (use Glazer powerball SD ammo - no problems).

[BOBBO268]

And how do you carry the cm9?

[jocko]

if

In my opinion, pocket carry has limited uses. It is impossible to pull the gun when seated in the car or seated anywhere else. If you can carry IWB, do that.

The Sig P238 offers more shoooting comfort, better sights, and a great SA trigger. The mags, whether 6 or 7 round work. There are no nosediving issues, they fall free, and feed your ammo reliably. Google on P938 if you can wait three months for a 9mm.

If a going on a car ride over 15 miles, I take my PM9 out of y pocket and it rides in my drivers door or passenger door storage area. ANY gun in ur pocket when driving is not gonna be fast, but it ain't the end of the world either. If it is just a ride up town or a few miles I leave it in my pocket as I know I am getting out soon. I don't get to paranoid over any of this either, situational awareness and common sense trumps most of the time.

[oldjarhead]

Kahr PM 9

I can only advise you on my experience, which is with my all black PM9 with the night sights. The PM9, unlike the CM9, has a match grade barrel. The accuracy is better. The rest is primary cosmetics. The PM9 has a dovetail front sight, the CM9 a simple pinned front sight. Roll marks and slide look is a little more detailed and appealing on the PM 9. Although the trigger is long on my PM 9, I really like the crisp trigger when it fires. I only wish it had a shorter reset. All in all though, one of the best things I like about it, it is about the size of many .380 pistols, with a 9mm punch, which is what I wanted. That is why the gun companies are going the route of the pocket nine. That is what the gun public wants. I just saw Sig introduce at the Shot Show a 9mm version of their P238, which first came out as a .380. I like my PM9. It cost more, but heck, it's a great little gun.

[1radman]

If you're considering a P380;

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=8708&page=3

Can't argue with oldjarhead...plus u get the extra mag with the PM9...
Having said that, IMHO the CM9 is the best value in a close rang self defense TOOL. That $200 can be used for other important things like ammo, food, electricity, college tuition etc.

BTW My CM9 rides between belt and pants in a very comfy, el cheapo Uncle Mikes IWB. It's just too heavy/big for my pockets.

And yea that new Sig P938 looks like a winner with maybe a little added recoil.

[DocProton]

And how do you carry the cm9?

Either a mini tuck (crossbreed) or Remora (either iwb or pocket)

[Native]

My experience with the P380 is that it's a pretty little paperweight. The PM9 is a whole different animal. I trust my life to it. For me it's a little big for pocket carry in some pants, fine in others. Can't say enough good things about Remora holsters too. Either way PM9=Perfection....P380=Paperweight.

[94zcar]

I have no experience with the the Kahr 380, but have a Taurus TCP that I pocket carry when i can't carry my CM9. The TCP has been 100% reliable for the 300-400 rounds I have shot through it & it has the best double action only trigger of any 380 I have ever held, really you have to compare it side by side with several other pistols.
If you were to choose between a PM9 & CM9 they are the same pistol but the pm9 has a polygonal barrel and nicer slide cuts not worth the extra $200 to me.
The CM9 can be pocket carried if you wear 511 tactical pants they have bigger pockets that Levi's. Or if you are just a very large guy and wear big pants.
I my personal opinion would be to go for the CM9, better stopping power, better trigger, sights etc.

[BrewerGeorge]

Many people will disagree, but I personally find the CM9 just a bit too big for comfortable pocket carry. I want to like it; I keep trying. But every time I put it in my front pocket I walk around the house for a few minutes and switch back to IWB before I go out. I'm a pretty big dude - 5'11" 240# - so there should be plenty of "me" to disguise it, but it's just not comfortable. Not too bad when standing, but when sitting it's like there's a loaf of bread in your front pocket. - huge bulge. It's also heavy enough that in any pocket large enough to conceal it it swings around and constantly bumps my leg as I walk.

[Michael W.]

I own a PM9, CM9 and P380.

My P380 was purchased about 2 years ago and has been pretty much
flawless since day one. My biggest problem with it has been

1) the cost and availability of 380 FMJ ammo to shoot it
more often

2) My tendency to nudge the slide stop cause premature lock back.
(which I've cured by some judicious dremeling to "melt" the slide)

I rarely ever carry the P380 outside my house but inside, I rotate between
my P380 or a Keltec P-32 (also pretty much flawless
reliabilty) in DeSantis Nemesis. Whether I'm in my jammies, sleeping shorts or
sweats, whatever I'm wearing for the day (I work from home.) My P380 is an
integral component to my evolving "always carrying" philosophy. (When I'm in
bed I have one of my Glocks on my nightstand, my current favorite is my Gen
4 G27.)

For those folks that have a hard time pocket carrying a PM9 or CM9,
I had the same feeling when I first started trying to pocket carry.
It felt too big, the bulge was too noticeable, my pocket swings too much
when I'm wearing dress slacks, etc etc. I tried a couple of different holsters
but eventually came back to the DeSantis Nemesis.

Let me suggest from experience, that MUCH of this is simply acclimation.
I now carry my PM9 in my front right pocket at least 95% time I leave
the house and now that I am acclimated to having that weight and bulk there
I no longer notice it. I carry it whether I'm wearing tight-ish jeans (believe me
you are the only that notices the bulge) or wearing dress slacks, or wearing
CHino's/Khaki's. You WILL get accustomed to it if you give it some time
and give it a chance. I personally am not comfortable with anything LESS
than a 9mm when out and about. I carry a 7-rd reload in my left back pocket
in a Remora mag pouch and my iPhone in my left front pocket, and my wallet
and usually a Spyderco Para-2 in my right rear pocket.

That's a lot of hardware but again, it's a matter of acclimation and getting
used to it.

The testimony of how well all that really hides, I carried all this to my
doctors office last week to get prescription refills and he surprised me
by wanting to do a full physical since I was due. This included a prostate
exam. I was wearing jeans and my full EDC regalia and when I dropped trou
he never even suspected. Now thats not something I could have pulled off
IWB'ing. It's also a good thing my family doc is a good family friend.
Anyone else sticking his finger up my hoo haa while I'm carrying 14 rounds of
HST 147gr would have had a world of hurt rained down on him

Michael-

[bapple]

I think the CM9 is probably the best choice for you if you already spit up the lump of cash for the P380.

The PM9 may have more accuracy (incredibly marginal), better sights, and may include an extra mag, but I really don't think it's worth the extra dime. The main reason I would get one would be for night sights. No hate to the guys on here who own a PM9, but when you're on a college budget like me, it's hard to come to terms with spending that much money on a sub compact 9mm. The CM9 has been flawless for me and I carry it IWB in a Tagua holster. It spits out everything I feed it, and it is so much more fun to shoot than my buddy's Keltec PF9.

If you're talking about practical accuracy and what the gun is built for (close range) there isn't really any difference between the CM9 and PM9. I was able to do this at 25 feet at the range with my CM9. I hit it 7/7 times standing.

[Bill K]

My PM9 has replace 80% or more of my P3AT pocket carry! My PM9 now seems to have also put a substantial dent in how often I carry my Glock 26.

Keep the S&W BG and add a CM9 or PM9 if pocket carry is your primary carry method. If belt carry your options widen.