Kahr PM9 Review

Concealed carry tends to come with varying degrees of difficulty, especially if you need true deep concealment. One design that works well for is this the single-stack sub-compact—and a specific model is the Kahr PM9. Kahr is a gun maker that seems not to get near the recognition it deserves, and the PM9 is a proven pistol that’s ideally designed for concealed carry. Whether you’re specifically looking at the PM9 or just browsing concealed carry 9mm pistol ideas, we’re here to help. Check out the details of the Kahr PM9. 

Kahr PM9 Background

The first Kahr PM9 was released in 2005 as the smaller relative of the larger P9 (which was released in 2000). The launch of the PM9 was ahead of the rush of single-stack 9mms on the firearms market, making it a sharp decision on Kahr’s part. Thanks to its double action only trigger it was immediately favored by many people for pocket carry but its dimensions made—and make—it fantastic for concealed carry in general.

This sub-compact is made for longevity and resistance to the usual wear and tear of carry use. While the 6 +1 capacity with a flush-fit magazine might appear to be too limited, it’s made up for by the fact that the PM9 works so well for deep concealment. You’re not likely to get enormous capacity when you’re going into a non-permissive environment or otherwise need a far smaller pistol than you might otherwise carry. It’s possible to add a round to that capacity with the extended mag as well which bumps it up to 7 +1 rounds of 9mm which is pretty close to what you’d get out of a class 1911 (and a lot of people are just fine carrying those with their single-stack capacity).

The features of the Kahr PM9 are well-suited to a gun meant for carry and defensive use. Those features include:

Kahr PM9 Features

1 Locked Breech

With Browning style recoil lug.

2 Trigger

Trigger-cocking double action only.

3 Magazine

No magazine disconnect

4 Serrations

Angled serrations at back of slide.

5 Safety

No external thumb safety

6 Trigger Guard

Trigger guard ergonomically designed to encourage high, tight grip.

Other Models and Colors

Kahr PM9—Our Take

The Kahr PM9 is a reliable 9mm that’s small enough to conceal with ease. It has a double-action only trigger with a rather significantly long trigger pull—not impossible to get used to, but it can be a challenge. The upside of that trigger is that it functions as an additional layer of safety, especially if you’re pocket carrying (of course, it’s also smart to use a pocket holster rather than dropping a naked gun in your pocket). Kahr made this to be a durable gun that’s capable of hard use, and it’s proven itself for years. 

Shootability

This is a relatively shootable gun. Its quite slim—0.90 inches wide—and has a short grip length, two factors that can up the difficulty level with larger hands. It’s short enough that my pinkies dangle and thin enough that it initially took a bit of adjusting to get used to shooting it. However, the more trigger time you spend on the PM9, the smoother running the gun gets. Although it isn’t the easiest to shoot gun out there it’s also not the worst with shootability falling somewhere in the middle.

Accuracy

The PM9 is an accurate gun within realistic distances. It has a 3.0-inch barrel and is specifically designed for closer-range self-defense scenarios. Under 10 yards you’ll get nice groups with the specifics depending on your own experience and skill with a double-action only trigger. At greater distances such as 25 yards groups broaden out with an average of 6.5 inches for a 5-shot group. Of course, it’s not intended for longer shots, and within its intended use range it performs just fine.

Ergonomics

Kahr did a good job ergonomically with the design if the PM9. The smaller dimensions are necessary for superior concealment, so let’s consider its ergonomics compared to other similarly-sized pistols. The trigger guard is rounded and angled in a way that allows the shooter to get a better grip despite the short grip length. Overall, the PM9 has a solid ergonomic design and is made for function over aesthetics, which is a good thing.

Value

The price point of the PM9 depends on which specific model you’re looking at, but generally speaking the gun offers good value. It’s a bit pricier than some polymer-framed sub-compacts but its consistent cycling and quality design do a lot to make it worth the cost.

Kahr PM 9 Pros and Cons

Best Accessories for the Kahr PM9

With the Kahr PM9, there’s a whole bunch of different accessories you can mount and purchase depending on your sport.

Belt Holster Galco Speed Master 2.0 Paddle/Belt Holster		Check Pricing
Mounted Light Streamlight TLR6 Kahr Weapon Mounted Light		Check Pricing
Mag Holster Galco PMC for PM9		Check Pricing
Mag Sleeve Pachmayr Mag Sleeve		Check Pricing

Taking Care of Your Kahr PM9

Preferred Ammo

Without the right ammo, you really can’t get the most out of any gun. So, be sure to check out my preferred bullets below:

Important Links For Your Kahr PM9

Looking more info on the Kahr PM9? Here’s some resources to get you started:

• Kahr PM9 Manual