New Summer Carry - Kahr PM9

[Reservoir Dog]

My trusty Glock 19 has been my everyday carry for a few years now. However, lately I have been wanting something a little smaller and lighter for carry in the summer. Something that won't weight my shorts down. I purchased a Ruger LCP a couple of years ago as a back-up, but I just can't warm up to carrying a .380 as my main defense gun. So, I have really been looking for a good 9mm for summer carry. I had been considering the Kahr PM9 for a few months, as the size and weight were just what I was looking for. I wanted to wait until the Ruger LC9 was out to take a look at that, however, after seeing and handling one, I decided that I did not like it.

So, last week, I was at my local fun shop and decided to take the plunge when I got a good deal on a Kahr PM9 with the diamond black finish. I took it up to Guns & Leather (Hendersonville) today to check reliability and put it through the paces. I had bought six different 9mm loads, including my favorite carry round. I fired the following rounds out of the pistol:

Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ

Magtech 115gr FMJ

PMC 115gr FMJ

PRVI Partizan 115gr FMJ

Geco 124gr FMJ

Speer Gold Dot 124gr+P SBHP

Total of 290 rounds of various 9mm.

Results: The PM9 performed flawlessly. 290 rounds without a single hiccup. The Federal, PRVI, and Geco ammo shot very nice groups at 21ft. The Magtech and PMC ammo were not as good, but still performed adequately. Recoil with the FMJ rounds was quite light, much less than I had anticipated. Recoil with the +P Gold Dots was brisk, but very controllable. Overall, I am very pleased with my new acquisition (which is my first Kahr). Now its off to clean it up and start carrying it tomorrow.

Below is a target after firing 50rds of PRVI Partizan 115gr FMJ. This was a mixture of controlled fire, double taps, and rapid fire at 21ft. The Federal and Geco FMJ ammo shot even tighter groups.

[chemprof]

Congrats on the new carry! I, too, carry the PM9 most of the time and love it. Can't say I shoot as well as you do, though!! Practice, practice, practice!!!

It's encouraging to see that yours can eat a variety of ammo, too! Enjoy!

[Reservoir Dog]

Thanks!

Been carrying it for a couple of days now, and I really like it. Very light and concealable. I'll probably switch back to my Glock once the weather get cooler, but looks like the PM9 will be my EDC for the remainder of summer.

[Oh Shoot]

I started carrying my PM9 again more often a little over a year ago since I go to a place 2 or 3 times a week where the deeper concealment of the Kahr in a pocket was a better choice than XD in IWB. Since I'm such a creature of habit, it just sort of took over as an everyday thing again.

- OS

[redstategunnut]

Love me some PM9. I have a Kramer ankle holster for it, among other holsters. The Kramer ankle holster is, in my opinion, the finest ankle holster made. I do not prefer to carry that way, but if it must be done the Kramer/PM9 combination is the way to go.

[KahrMan]

Nice setup. The PM9, IMHO, is one of the best all around carry guns.

[greenego]

I have been carrying mine for about a year and half. Great little gun. Also wish I could turn in a target like yours.