CM9 arrived!

[PYROhafe]

When your friend decides he wants to get rid of that safe queen, let me know

[Starbug]

Lol Pyrohafe. I will certainly let you know when he decides to get rid of it. Unfortunately, all his guns are safe queens, with only a couple of them actually having been fired (and only a few times). I bet if I replaced all his guns with airsoft replicas, he'd never notice.

Lol @ Jocko's comment about virgins breaking in and being easier...!

Ok, range report! Took it out this afternoon and shot until I ran out of daylight; I managed to get 150 rounds through it before we had to pack up and go back home. First two rounds failed to feed, second magazine had one nosedive (according to a thread about that, mine shouldn't have done that since the bullet clears everything), and third magazine had two jams from the bullets getting hung up on the slide release lever. After that, it was smooth sailing. I was surprised at how pleasant the recoil was for such a tiny gun, I could shoot it all day. It was extremely manageable; I liked it more than my XD's recoil, even though they kicked about the same. Hubby suggested that it may be due to the lower profile of this tiny gun as opposed to a full sized gun which sits a bit taller in the hand. I found the sights to be good for quick reacquisition of target for follow-up shots. I had no difficulty with getting used to the trigger, it actually reminded me of the old cap guns I shot as a kid. Now, as for stiff parts... magazine release button works better now, slide is slightly easier to pull back, and slide release lever is a hell of a lot easier to push down. Things are definitely improving. Final thoughts: I love this gun! I can't wait to be able to finish breaking it in.

[Bawanna]

Remember the slide release will be much easier with loaded mags and more difficult with no mag or empty mags.

[Path4]

Congrats Starbug! Good to see that after researching and soliciting input from this forum you made a great decision. My friend is looking for a subcompact, and I've kept an open mind to the relatively new offerings including the Beretta Nano, S&W Shield, and Kimber Solo Carry. After doing some research, I still believe the CM9 is unbeatable. I can't rave enough about the manufacturing quality. I think the only thing holding Kahr back is that they arent as mainstream as other companies like Kimber, Beretta and Ruger. I was somewhat apprehensive with it at first because I knew little about Kahr (I purchased my first firearm 4 years ago). Im glad you didn't let that hold you back

Before I got my CM9, I was looking into the Kimber Solo Carry, but ultimately chose the CM9 (Im not nearly as impressed with the Ruger's manufacturing quality). While the stainless Kimber looks pretty sweet, 1) It's picky on ammo, and sounds like its quite sensitive to limp wristing 2) Didnt seem to have nearly as good as a reputation regarding reliability 3) Damn expensive 4) Kimber does not specialize in subcompact. I believe subcompacts are Kahr's specialty. I feel much more confident going with a company that is experienced with subcompacts, opposed to a company that has recently jumped on the bandwagon.

The Beretta Nano looks interesting, but is somewhat new (I think it came out towards the end of last year) so I think the verdict on reliability may still be to be determined. Most importantly, it is significantly larger in every dimension than the CM9 (seemingly a bit thicker=less comfort) and heavier too, and at that my CM9 will slightly print when I bend over. I absolutely love how comfortable it is to carry also.

And the Shield is much larger IMHO. 7 round standard magazine so the grip is a good deal longer. Verdict on reliability is still out there, but I expect it will be quite good.

I don't regret my CM9 purchase and highly doubt you will either. Theres just no beating it.

[Yogi 117]

Now, as for stiff parts... magazine release button works better now, slide is slightly easier to pull back, and slide release lever is a hell of a lot easier to push down. Things are definitely improving. Final thoughts: I love this gun! I can't wait to be able to finish breaking it in.

Congrats Starbug on the CM9 purchase & range report! Always good to hear glowing reports on the CM9. Just keeps getting better & better, as I'm sure you've read here. I purchased my CM9 in September, followed all the prep & lube instructions, and mine has performed absolutely flawless with FMJ's & JHP's. IMHO, you've picked up the best & easiest to conceal small 9mm on the market. Enjoy!

[Starbug]

Even though I was 50 rounds short of Kahr's recommended break-in of 200 rounds, I decided to carry it this evening on my hike since it had been so flawless after that third magazine. My god, it was so comfortable to carry!! I don't yet have a holster so I just zipped it up in my lightweight rain jacket's pocket (lightweight jacket=any extra weight in pocket is noticeable). I noticed it's weight for all of 30 seconds, and after that forgot it was there. You couldn't even tell by looking that I had it on me (the impossible has been achieved!!). I F'ing love this gun! Even my hubby likes it, and he's very hard to impress when it comes to polymer guns. He normally doesn't like them, but he does like this one. He took it to work with him and showed it off to his co-workers, lol. I had to be content with showing everybody at my job pictures of it instead.

Congrats Starbug! Good to see that after researching and soliciting input from this forum you made a great decision. My friend is looking for a subcompact, and I've kept an open mind to the relatively new offerings including the Beretta Nano, S&W Shield, and Kimber Solo Carry. After doing some research, I still believe the CM9 is unbeatable. I can't rave enough about the manufacturing quality. I think the only thing holding Kahr back is that they arent as mainstream as other companies like Kimber, Beretta and Ruger. I was somewhat apprehensive with it at first because I knew little about Kahr (I purchased my first firearm 4 years ago). Im glad you didn't let that hold you back.

I didn't know much about Kahr either when I began considering a PM9 like my friend's, but I knew they liked to make them very small. So when I found that I needed to get into concealed carry, I looked them up. I compared various other pocket guns based upon physical size alone, since my small stature requires the smallest of the small. Then narrowed things down based upon reliability, quality, and performance. Lurking here and then talking to you guys sealed the deal. I don't regret the decision at all.

I think Kahr could become mainstream if they wanted to, heavy advertising to put their name out more, and a larger selection of guns that branch out into the bigger sizes with higher capacity capability. But at the same time, by specializing in compact sizes and micros, they can concentrate all efforts at producing a quality product at that extreme size. I would guess that all of their guns can be easily concealed by most people, and that's a nitch that will always have ready buyers.

Before I got my CM9, I was looking into the Kimber Solo Carry, but ultimately chose the CM9 (Im not nearly as impressed with the Ruger's manufacturing quality). While the stainless Kimber looks pretty sweet, 1) It's picky on ammo, and sounds like its quite sensitive to limp wristing 2) Didnt seem to have nearly as good as a reputation regarding reliability 3) Damn expensive 4) Kimber does not specialize in subcompact. I believe subcompacts are Kahr's specialty. I feel much more confident going with a company that is experienced with subcompacts, opposed to a company that has recently jumped on the bandwagon.

I considered a Kimber Ultra Carry at one point, strapped one on and tried to hide it under my shirt, but it was just simply too big for my needs, so I put it back and didn't look further into it. Looked sweet, though. I would like to get a full sized Kimber in the future. Gotta save up, as they are freakishly expensive...although my LGS sells lower end Kimbers for around $800-900, which is easier to swallow than going over the $1,000 mark. I still need to do my homework and find a reliable model. I "need" a 1911, lol.....

I agree with you about confidence in companies experienced in subcompacts. Want a subcompact, go with Kahr. Want a full size, go with somebody else (take your pick). I would imagine full sized Kimbers are far more reliable than subcompact Kimbers.

The Beretta Nano looks interesting, but is somewhat new (I think it came out towards the end of last year) so I think the verdict on reliability may still be to be determined. Most importantly, it is significantly larger in every dimension than the CM9 (seemingly a bit thicker=less comfort) and heavier too, and at that my CM9 will slightly print when I bend over. I absolutely love how comfortable it is to carry also.

I would think the Nano would be (or will end up being) a very reliable pistol. My Beretta 92 is insanely reliable. It's well over 10 years old now, still smooth as butter, eats anything, and never fails to fire/eject. Rock solid gun, I'd recommend one to everyone. I would hope the rest of Beretta's lineup is just as good. All that aside, I tend to not buy anything in it's first year of sale, as there are/may still be bugs needing to be worked out. I like to see what happens with time and wear 'n tear on an object's performance/reliability. As for the Nano's size, I wasn't impressed about that for concealing on myself. Too bulky and heavy. It would be obvious if I wore one. The CM9 is just so much more comfortable to carry and easily hidden on me.

And the Shield is much larger IMHO. 7 round standard magazine so the grip is a good deal longer. Verdict on reliability is still out there, but I expect it will be quite good.

I don't regret my CM9 purchase and highly doubt you will either. Theres just no beating it.

I'd love to have a larger magazine capacity, but it just adds too much height (or width if double stacked) and weight to something that needs to be hidden. Still, the Shield looks like a nice gun and I'd consider it as an open carry weapon.

No regrets on my CM9. I'd recommend it to all my friends!

[Starbug]

Congrats Starbug on the CM9 purchase & range report! Always good to hear glowing reports on the CM9. Just keeps getting better & better, as I'm sure you've read here. I purchased my CM9 in September, followed all the prep & lube instructions, and mine has performed absolutely flawless with FMJ's & JHP's. IMHO, you've picked up the best & easiest to conceal small 9mm on the market. Enjoy!

Thanks for the congrats! Yes, there will be much enjoying on my part! If I ever loose it in a fire or some disaster, or it wears out beyond all use/repair, I will get another immediately. I am sold on this wonderful little gun.

[downtownv]

Starbug,

If this is old news to you,I apologize, but I suspect you're trying to muscle the slide.
It's all about technique, especially for women.

Check out this video.

Tin Man,
Great video and I love all the Kids toys in the background:19:

[JFootin]

Starbug, I just read this in another thread:

Brent
One word of advise for you and your co-workers... Check your employers rules at work! there's been more than one person fired for ccw against the company's policy!

I hope you and your husband aren't getting in trouble talking about and showing off your gun. I prefer to keep my guns and my CCW permit on a need to know basis, and that is a very small list.

[Path4]

oops wrong topic

[Path4]

Ok, range report! Took it out this afternoon and shot until I ran out of daylight; I managed to get 150 rounds through it before we had to pack up and go back home. First two rounds failed to feed, second magazine had one nosedive (according to a thread about that, mine shouldn't have done that since the bullet clears everything), and third magazine had two jams from the bullets getting hung up on the slide release lever. After that, it was smooth sailing.

Im sure you know this already, but just in case will throw it out there: make sure you have a solid, strong grip on the gun (like a firm handshake kinda) as subcompacts are quite sensitive to how firmly you are holding them, Kahrs to a lesser degree than others IMHO. But having issues during the break in period isn't out of the ordinary, and I'm sure it'll be glock-caliber reliable after break-in. My CM9 had I believe a failure to return to battery (or was it an FTE) on the third magazine when my friend was shooting it (not sure how tight his grip was, or if he bumped the slide stop lever) but that was the only failure its ever had in the 500 or so rounds through it.

If it was an FTE (i believe it was, doh! i should know this), i would guess that it could be attributed to the stiff recoil spring out of the box, Im not sure how how firmness of grip could cause this, but im sure my inexperience is shining through right now!

[Starbug]

Starbug, I just read this in another thread:



I hope you and your husband aren't getting in trouble talking about and showing off your gun. I prefer to keep my guns and my CCW permit on a need to know basis, and that is a very small list.

My workplace doesn't allow employees to carry (insurance & hassle reasons, likely), but many of our customers come in openly carrying or we know they are concealing. My boss has guns, a lot of our regular customers have them and are carrying when they walk in, one of the boss' relatives has a massive collection and is always carrying whenever he walks in. Gun talk is frequent and acceptable in my workplace, even with/to the boss. We employees just can't bring one in. Since I can't bring mine on the premises, I just take pics and show them off. I've never mentioned having a CC permit, though. My husband's workplace is even more tolerant than mine. But I have worked in places where I would never discuss such topics, because as you pointed out, people can be fired for such talk.

[Starbug]

Im sure you know this already, but just in case will throw it out there: make sure you have a solid, strong grip on the gun (like a firm handshake kinda) as subcompacts are quite sensitive to how firmly you are holding them, Kahrs to a lesser degree than others IMHO. But having issues during the break in period isn't out of the ordinary, and I'm sure it'll be glock-caliber reliable after break-in. My CM9 had I believe a failure to return to battery (or was it an FTE) on the third magazine when my friend was shooting it (not sure how tight his grip was, or if he bumped the slide stop lever) but that was the only failure its ever had in the 500 or so rounds through it.

If it was an FTE (i believe it was, doh! i should know this), i would guess that it could be attributed to the stiff recoil spring out of the box, Im not sure how how firmness of grip could cause this, but im sure my inexperience is shining through right now!

I had a really strong grip on it for the first shot, as I was expecting it to make a huge leap. After that, I kept it firm but no longer a death grip since it turned out to be very tame. I think it was just things needing to mesh and loosen up. I fully expected a couple issues in the first magazine or two, so I wasn't concerned when it did. It sure turned into a sweet shooter after that third magazine! I don't think I will have any other issues from here on out.