PM9 vs. PF9 (Kel-Tec)

[Mudinyeri]

I happen to have the good fortune of owning both a Kahr PM9 and a Kel-Tec PF9 and thought I would take the opportunity to review two of the most popular semi-auto 9mm pocket guns on the market.

First some comparison photos:











Next, the weigh-in:

Unloaded weight, PM9: 14.9 oz.
Unloaded weight, PF9: 12.6 oz.

The weight difference is noticeable when carried in a pocket holster. I also have CrossBreed IWB holsters for both guns. The weight difference really is not noticeable when carried in an IWB holster.

Next up - range report. Stay tuned.

[Will]

To me the PM9 looks better, is smaller, and just looks of higher quality..... I'm a PM9 fan.

[Bawanna]

I'd sell the Kel Tec to somebody you don't like and use the money to buy fuel for the PM9.

Why drive a Kia when you can drive a Cadillac? Nothing can be lackin when your Cadillacin! So I'm told, never owned one, rode in a few. Where am I going and why am I in the back seat of this caddy?

[oldtex]

Mudinyeri, thanks for posting this. I look forward to the next installment.

[joje]

looking forward to it too! ive been very happy with my p3at and was going to get a pf9 when i happened to get my paws on a kahr... and realized i NEEDED one

[texjames]

I am loving my new PM9 so far but ya have to admit the Kel Tec magizine ain'nt
hang'n out like the PM9...looks like they are not installed all the way..ya know?

[n8tureboy]

The Kel Tec is a fine little gun and so is the PM9. I have the CW9 and the PF9 and wouldn't sell either one (unless I felt the need to feed my recent revolver fetish). I did however just sell a Glock 26. Only real difference to me is the pricetag.

[DKD]

You've got to be kidding me.
There is no comparison between the two weapons. Now please understand, that doesn't mean there is no market for the one peice at a certain price break, but when placed head to head in any category, your not even in the same league much less same ball park.
Now let me see....hummmmm...Kia vs Ferrari...thats a good analogy, yea that about sums it up. There is an old saying..."If I have to explain, you wouldn;t understand"

[n8tureboy]

To say these two weapons are "not in the same ballpark" in "any category" is a flat out moronic statement. These two guns are extremely similiar in every category. To say otherwise is laughable. You can have a personal bias for one or the other but get real about your assessment. These are two highly popular guns for many of the same reasons. Let me help you with your analogy, how about a honda civic and a ford focus? Apples to apples. And I love kahrs by the way.

[recoilguy]

I can't wait to see the range report..........hopefully you only shoot about 15 rounds per weapon.

It never ceases to amaze me the folks who say the price tag is the only differance on things like guns, cars, motrcycles, boats, even lawn mowers. It is a wonderful thing to be happy with products that just work and cost very little. If that is your criteria then you will not appreciate the differences in things crafted as opposed to things cobbled.

Many people are now armed and protected because KT is on the market and that is a good thing. I would rather see someone protected because they can afford a KT then not protected because they cant afford gun of higher quality or value. There is a niche for KT and they fill it admirably. They don't even pretend to be where they aren't. Their owners will say it goes bang when they pull the trigger. Wow how can the bar be set any higher? The only differeance is the price tag?.......please.

RCG

[Mudinyeri]

My plan for the range report, if I'm not rained out today, is to put 15 rounds through each gun on its own target as accurately as possible. I then intend to perform a couple practical shooting (self-defense scenario) drills with each gun. Keep in mind that the PM9 is brand new. I've gone through jocko's break-in and done a couple of my own things but it has never had a round fired through it. I own a CW40 so I'm familiar with the trigger so that won't be a problem. The Kel-Tec has been fluffed and buffed and has about 800 rounds through it.

There's no need to get all angst-ridden over the comparison. I'm doing it because I happen to own both guns and both are commonly carried as pocket guns. I have no agenda (hidden or otherwise) other than to compare the two weapons.

Quality-wise, I agree with those of you who made the Kia/Ferrari/Cadillac (well, maybe not Ferrari) comparisons. The PM9 does appear to be of higher quality than the PF9. I also like the looks and feel of the Kahr better than the Kel-Tec (although looks are low on my priority list for guns). In my hands, the Kahr feels more natural and feels like it points much better. The balance of the Kahr also seems much better. Many of these characteristics are highly subjective, however, so I'll leave it to each individual to gauge their own subjective measurements.

[Bawanna]

Excellent post by Recoilguy. The KT does fill a niche and for people who can't afford more it fills the bill. I shouldn't be so admittedly downgrading to them. I just never liked em. A local dealer was trying to push Jimenez, make KT's look like Ferrari's. I told him he wouldn't last long with that plan. I haven't seen any on his table for a long time.
I do however agree with DKD. They are in a similar size category but the similarity ends there.
I too am anxious to see the report. Being virgin, the Kahr will be at a disadvantage but with the many perfect out of the box reports we've seen it should hold it's own. The fact that you've done the Jocko prep (and other stuff) should help things along too.

[O'Dell]

I sold my PF9 after I bought CW9 and PM45. Not a bad pistol, but I didn't need it anymore.

[DKD]

Hey 8N,

Didn't mean to ruffle anyones feathers much less get their panties in a wad.

I can personally handle a critique, but moronic I don't think so son. Ever manufacturer like people have their nich and cost point. Lets face it every one doesn't want most expensive or the cheapest on any given day. Everyone has bugetary constraints, thats a given and the market has room at both ends of the spectrum to fit a specific need of a vast number of people.

Look, I have owned and fired many weapons over the past 48 years, not only privately, but professsionally as a soldier and instructor. I currently own at least eight different manufactuers of pistols from Rugers, Berretta, Sig, Colts, Springfields, Tarus, Kimbers, Walthers and all points in between so I do know a little of what I speak. I am an equal opportunity offender, however I do know quality when I see it and shoot it.

I never said they weren't servicable, I did however say there are very clear cut differences between the two pistols. The only areas the Keltec could compete is price and weight otherwise not so much. How about fit, finish, engineering, trigger design and let off, ergonomic's, balance...need I say anymore.

One very big mistake people often make is when they try to compare Price to Value. Cheap is not synonomous with Value! There is cheap and then there is a good value for the price....they are definatley not the same thing.

[Mudinyeri]

If you guys want to keep squabbling would you mind starting your own thread? I was hoping to keep this one relatively clear of such extraneous ... well, you get the idea.