Kahr PM opinions?

[Bombard]

What do the folks here think of the Kahr PM40 and PM45?

And - anyone know where I can find one to put a box of ammo through?

[GBROKE]

The PM40 is super small! They had one used at OT for sale, but I think someone snatched it up... Is the PM45 CA approved yet?

[X-ffdo]

I think they will sell. My opinion, my 2 cents.

[X-ffdo]

Ok. I checked Kahr website. I checked CA. DOJ Roster......the model numbers match. There are 3 models all starting with KP prefixes, all 45ACP cal. Barrel length 3+.......Approved. I did not see a .45ACP with a PM prefix.

[CenterX]

Got a P9 and like it a lot. It's with me a lot more that I first thought it would. Had it for a year now. It was a toss between the PM40 and the P9 - my advisor suggested the PM40 was a bit small and the round is pretty snappy. He added that it would not be one to practice with too many rounds at one time. I was eyeing it again 3 weeks ago, but got a Kimber Ultra II instead and just love it.
PM45 isn't in Cal yet. If it does think that is a buy - the 45acp is not as snappy, so I could like it lots. The P9 does get my metacarpals a bit sore after 30 rounds. But it is easy to carry and real tight.
Hope you get to try one out.

[Lee F. Smith]

I have shot all three, the 40's recoil is very sharp. The 45 while not as sharp is similar but the frame is slightly larger so it looses some of it's pocket potential. The 9mm is ...well a 9mm, but disappears in your pocket (9 and 40 are same dimensions). Considering the application I think the 40 is the best compromise because like a heavy recoiling rifle when hunting you won't remember it going off all you remember is what your quarry was doing.

[X-ffdo]

Yes, I think this is all depending on how you approach this, what angle of approach is most propitious for your own point of view.
My approach is that in desiring to have an appropriate sized weapon for pocket carry, and considering an old fashion .38 cal. "J" frame as a reference, the thought occurs to me that there should be an updated, more efficient product with a better ballistic profile than a standard J frame .38 revolver.
Therefore, I thought that a pocket sized semiauto with a 9mm round would be a step above the reference, standard J frame .38 cal. revolver.
A caliber .40 would probably be too snappy, Then again, a personal perception, and in case of a .45ACP, such as a Kahr PM45, I would have to decide after testing.
So to be conservative, a Kahr PM9 as it stands now would be the way to go for me.
I always test drive before I buy, if I can.
A Kahr PM45 would be the non plus ultra, provided that in practice it will perform in the manner we think it will.
I am not dogmatic, hopefully, so I reserve the right to change my opinion if someone else, or myself, find new evidence.
Happy hunting!

[hygyliac]

The PM9 is a pleasure to shoot. I agree the .40 has a snappy recoil but is manageable.
The only item that I disapprove of is the long trigger travel in both directions. The pull I can live with because its like a Glock. Its the reset distance on the trigger that slows me down. Unlike a Glock trigger which has a short reset, the Kahr trigger has to be released almost all the way forward.

[libertarian]

I find the PM9 is very manageable and surprisingly accurate for such a lil' guy. follow-up shots are quick and precise.

The PM40 I found to be quite a handful; the recoil is very snappy, and I found it was harder to make quick follow-up shots with. You can't beat the size though - it's almost impossible to tell the PM40 is any larger than the PM9.

I haven't tried the PM45 (it's not CA-legal yet, and may not be able to since it lacks a mag disconnect), but the P45 is CA-legal, though it's a touch larger (but still smaller than most .45s, from the look of it).

[swdr]

Originally Posted by libertarian

I find the PM9 is very manageable and surprisingly accurate for such a lil' guy. follow-up shots are quick and precise.

+1.

Originally Posted by Lee F. Smith

The 9mm is ...well a 9mm, but disappears in your pocket (9 and 40 are same dimensions).

Well, it doesn't exactly disappear into mine, but the weight is good and with a holster it doesn't print much (and the print doesn't look gunnish). I carried it over the Thanksgiving holidays where I felt an IWB was just a little too exposed for the non-gun relations. Worked extremely well -- no questions, no looks.

Originally Posted by hygyliac

The PM9 is a pleasure to shoot.

+1. I've had no issue with sore hand after 100 round stints. (Might be me, though. YMMV.)

Originally Posted by hygyliac

The only item that I disapprove of is the long trigger travel in both directions.

Yes, a sort of stiff DAO. Very unlikely to accidentally pull the trigger.

[Python2]

How about yur little pinky hanging out the bottom of PM9 grip? Any difference on you PM9 owners while shooting it? For me, I replaced the standard mag with the extended one that helps support my pinky.

[libertarian]

Originally Posted by Python2

How about yur little pinky hanging out the bottom of PM9 grip? Any difference on you PM9 owners while shooting it? For me, I replaced the standard mag with the extended one that helps support my pinky.

That's certainly an option, and the extra round is always nice, but it makes it a little harder to conceal.

The hanging pinky isn't a big deal for me, since I use a Glock 27 a lot of the time, and so I'm kinda used to hangin' the pinky out there. Shooting triples in .40 without a GAP base plate or an extender does get old, but not so much that you'd mind while doing a Mozambique on a bad guy.

[swdr]

Originally Posted by Python2

How about yur little pinky hanging out the bottom of PM9 grip? Any difference on you PM9 owners while shooting it? For me, I replaced the standard mag with the extended one that helps support my pinky.

For me, not an issue. Awhile back, I was shooting IDPA with a Glock 26 (compact 9mm) and also had no problem. (It might be me -- I had others ask me how I could shoot with the pinky unsupported, so I guess it can be an issue depending on your hand and grip style.)

[libertarian]

Originally Posted by swdr

For me, not an issue. Awhile back, I was shooting IDPA with a Glock 26 (compact 9mm) and also had no problem. (It might be me -- I had others ask me how I could shoot with the pinky unsupported, so I guess it can be an issue depending on your hand and grip style.)

I think having a really strong grip helps a lot, personally.

[BonoVox]

I can't wait to shoot my PM9 on Thursday. I am going to give it a VERY good work out. From what I hear you need a good 300 plus rounds to break it in. Luckily I will have some friends there to help me out!

Also need to finish my break in on my CDP Compact.

Need to run some carry ammo through both of them too.

But for me the PM9 is going to stay home most of the time. It is only going out as a BUG or in the case as SWDR said. Deep conceal situations. I anticipate during the holidays it will get a fair amount of use in those situations.