Kahr CM9 vs CW380

[milemaker13]

I'm still hemmin' n hawin' over a new pocket pistol. I like my current CW9 and want to stay with the Kahr.
I've handled the cw380 and I like it. Its very small. The cm9 is only a little larger.. 1/2" longer and .2 inch wider. Height is the same on both.
My current ccw is the same width (.9") as the cm9.
Seems like going down to .380 will get me the smallest package, vs sticking w/ 9mm for a smaller reduction is size.
Does anyone here have one or both of these pistols? What is your opinion on them?

 

[Styx]

I'm still hemmin' n hawin' over a new pocket pistol. I like my current CW9 and want to stay with the Kahr.
I've handled the cw380 and I like it. Its very small. The cm9 is only a little larger.. 1/2" longer and .2 inch wider. Height is the same on both.
My current ccw is the same width (.9") as the cm9.
Seems like going down to .380 will get me the smallest package, vs sticking w/ 9mm for a smaller reduction is size.
Does anyone here have one or both of these pistols? What is your opinion on them?

What's the point in going with a more expensive caliber that doesn't preform as well when the other two options are already pretty small, lightweight, and very concealable? No reason why you could not be able to conceal and carry either 9mm and especially the CM9 IMHO.

I'd suggest not worrying about getting the smallest gun possible, but rather get the largest gun you can conceal, shoot well, and carry all day everyday.

 

[John_R]

I think the CM9 is plenty small enough. I wouldn't switch for a more expensive caliber just to get a tiny bit less gun size.

 

[George P]

My CM9 is the same size (when overlaid as my SIG P365) - with half the capacity of the SIG. Just another option to consider; otherwise stay with the 9mm.

 

[Charlie98]

Depends on how you plan to carry it. I have a CM9 and a PM9, I like both but I don't shoot them as well as my CW9. Granted, they pack better than the slightly larger CW9, which is why I carry them when necessary. With a good holster and proper clothing, carrying a CM9 is no different that the CW380, but if you are looking for a no-print solution, or you actually pocket carry (I do not...) then you may have to go to the .380. Something you should also consider... can you draw and present the smaller pistol quickly and accurately? In my case, the CW9 and CM9 are basically the same pistol... but the smaller grip of the CM9 really gives me fits, even when drawing from a belt holster.

I had the same quandary with the CW9 and the CW45... the 45 is just a hair bigger... but in all the wrong places for concealed carry. I carry the 9 and save the 45 for range use.

 

[milemaker13]

I've been considering the smaller gun for times that my regular ccw is just a bit too big... Father in law made an off hand comment about carrying a gun around. I know many times I feel like I'm showing, not so much out in public, but like bending over or whatever inside the house.
Summertime its just not feasible to wear a larger cover garment like a flannel shirt, but I've found I'd rather be armed most of the time.
I've recently switched to a thicker steel core belt and it seems to have made the showing issue worse. Thinking maybe go back to a regular belt for ccw and keep the steely for the range.
I also agree with points made about drawing and shooting the smaller pistols and I would prefer to simply carry what I already have since Im used to it and i shoot it well.
Oh what to do, what to do...
Probably buy some new shirts and belt and see how that goes.

ETA- Thanks for kicking it around with me.. its always good to talk about stuff like this.

 

[Styx]

I've been considering the smaller gun for times that my regular ccw is just a bit too big... Father in law made an off hand comment about carrying a gun around. I know many times I feel like I'm showing, not so much out in public, but like bending over or whatever inside the house.
Summertime its just not feasible to wear a larger cover garment like a flannel shirt, but I've found I'd rather be armed most of the time.
I've recently switched to a thicker steel core belt and it seems to have made the showing issue worse. Thinking maybe go back to a regular belt for ccw and keep the steely for the range.
I also agree with points made about drawing and shooting the smaller pistols and I would prefer to simply carry what I already have since Im used to it and i shoot it well.
Oh what to do, what to do...
Probably buy some new shirts and belt and see how that goes.

ETA- Thanks for kicking it around with me.. its always good to talk about stuff like this.

I'm not that big of a guy, and I can conceal carry single stacks like the CW9, Shield, PPS M2 easily IWB without any printing even when bending over and even in the summer months with a regular size t-shirt on. IMHO, you shouldn't have to go all the way down to a tiny 380 to not print. What holster are you using?

The only time I carry a 380 is when I'm jogging or doing a lot of physical activities and or when I'm wearing jogging pants or shorts without a belt.. I basically do it for weight saving reasons.

 

[bassjam]

For my pants, 9mm single stacks aren't small enough for pocket carry. I have a Kahr MK9 (same size as CM9) and a LCP. I also put a couple hundred rounds through a buddy's P380 on Friday trying to determine if I want to replace my aging LCP with a Kahr 380, so I'm familiar with what you're comparing.

My MK9 and it came with a pocket holster when I traded for it, and I've tried carrying it that way several times. I also have a SIG P938. While both will easily slide into a pocket, I've found while practicing they don't easily come out of a pocket with my mitts wrapped around them. Doesn't matter if I'm wearing loose jeans and shorts or more snug fitting jeans and khakis, it pretty much always gets stuck. So for me, I only pocket carry micro .380's and j-frames. I have a suspicion that many of those that pocket carry single stack 9's haven't practiced enough at the range with them, because they act like a Chinese finger trap for me; the faster and harder I try to remove it from my pocket, the more my hand gets stuck. Not a good thing when your life is on the line.

So my MK9 only get's carried IWB, and my LCP or j-frame get's pocket carried.

 

[Charlie98]

I hate baggy clothes, but I've had to change my wardrobe to accommodate a carry piece. I'm pretty tall... 6'2"... so when I bend over to pick something up or whatever... the shirt comes up and peek-a-boo! there's the pistol. I've gone to actually crouching down rather than bending over... things like that... to help keep from flashing. Longer shirts do help. Carry position can help, too... something like appendix carry (2 o'clock) or opposite (11 o'clock) carry can help around the house, but it can jab you in the gut if you have to do a lot of bending over.

 

[Charlie98]

because they act like a Chinese finger trap for me; the faster and harder I try to remove it from my pocket, the more my hand gets stuck.

Same same, here.. that's why I've abandoned true pocket carry.

With the CM9, even in my belt holster, when I draw and present, I tend to grab too high on the grip... my hand is actually over the rear of the slide. There is always a trade-off on concealed carry... if it's accessible, it shows, if it's hidden, it's hard to get to.

 

[bassjam]

I hate baggy clothes, but I've had to change my wardrobe to accommodate a carry piece. I'm pretty tall... 6'2"... so when I bend over to pick something up or whatever... the shirt comes up and peek-a-boo! there's the pistol. I've gone to actually crouching down rather than bending over... things like that... to help keep from flashing. Longer shirts do help. Carry position can help, too... something like appendix carry (2 o'clock) or opposite (11 o'clock) carry can help around the house, but it can jab you in the gut if you have to do a lot of bending over.

When I first started carrying, I probably spent hours looking at myself in the mirror to see if I'm printing. Now I just don't care. Sometimes my shirt rides up over my gun, I just casually move my shirt back down when I can. I have a couple pair of "dress jeans" that print a gun in the front pocket. I'm legally carrying, so I don't worry too much if it can be seen. Most people aren't going to notice regardless.

 

[Charlie98]

When I first started carrying, I probably spent hours looking at myself in the mirror to see if I'm printing. Now I just don't care. Sometimes my shirt rides up over my gun, I just casually move my shirt back down when I can. I have a couple pair of "dress jeans" that print a gun in the front pocket. I'm legally carrying, so I don't worry too much if it can be seen. Most people aren't going to notice regardless.

I'm that way now... but it helps that Texas passed open-carry... so if I flash, it doesn't matter so much.

 

[milemaker13]

While I dont really care if I flash , others certainly might..
I use iwb holster from PJ at 4:00. Its good, but sometimes it shows. I've been carrying 5+ years like this with no problems, although I've left my gun in the car or house on occasion cuz didnt want to risk showing.
Honestly I probably just need some new shirts, lol.

 

[bgw45]

I own both. I do pocket carry both depending on the clothing of the day. I shoot em both about the same, but prefer the 9.

 

[Styx]

While I dont really care if I flash , others certainly might..
I use iwb holster from PJ at 4:00. Its good, but sometimes it shows. I've been carrying 5+ years like this with no problems, although I've left my gun in the car or house on occasion cuz didnt want to risk showing.
Honestly I probably just need some new shirts, lol.

How are you all printing and flashing single stacks while IWB carrying? Does your shirt end at the very top of your belt line or something?

 

[Charlie98]

How are you all printing and flashing single stacks while IWB carrying? Does your shirt end at the very top of your belt line or something?

As I mentioned... I'm 6'2" tall, that's a lot of real estate to cover. Simply bending over to tie my shoes or pick up something I've dropped... even reaching down to grab a grocery bag... will pull my shirt up. I typically go OWB, I have a very good High Noon holster that rides pretty high, but it's still the same.

 

[Kendahl]

The only reason to carry a smaller gun in a weaker caliber is improved concealment. Compared to the CW9, a CM9 is half an inch shorter in length and height, the same width and 2 ounces lighter. A CW380 is half an inch shorter in length the the CM9, the same height, 0.15 inch thinner and at least 4 ounces lighter. (Thin and light really matter for pocket or ankle carry.) While the CM9 is easier to conceal than a CW9, a CW380 is much easier still. Something else to consider is the CT380. It's another compromise that's close to the CW380.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

What a coincidence. Just got back from the range shooting my New CM9. I was really impressed to say the least. First of all, I did not think a gun weighing only 15oz. could be so mild to shoot. It was very pleasant. And very accurate from the start. Finished up doing 1-1 1/2" groups at 7 yds. Ran flawless with 100 rounds of mixed ammo. At first I did not think I was going do well. I only had the 6 rd magazine and no extension. Plus I have a size large hand. That and the recoil of a mall 9mm might be too much. I was wrong. Gun felt very good and again recoil was so little. I have other mags coming. A couple of 7 rd and 8 rd mags.
And I have the CW 380. Another fine pistol. I say GET BOTH. If not now, down the road. The compliment each other well. Both triggers feel the same. There are times when the 380 will be carried, times when you can easily carry the 9mm. It is the smallest micro 9mm out there. And just a fine shooting gun.

 

[Tilos]

When I was buying my 1st Kahr I couldn't decide between the CW9 and the PM9(same size as the CM9) so I bought them both .
Carried either in a Fanny Pack while living in Florida and wearing shorts most of the time.
The PM is all black and no-one noticed it in my fanny pack when I opened it at a register to pay for something, but the sight of the silver slide/CW made peoples eyes get big when they saw it.
The CW9 proved more controllable when shooting and I now carry it more than the PM9, no more fanny pack/no more Florida/4 o'clock in a Remora now.
Never liked pocket carry of the PM9 either.

edit: lots of info here: http://www.kahrtalk.com/forum.php
look around

 

[Ben86]

I had a PM9 and loved it. Light recoil for its tiny size. If you can get used to the Kahr trigger it's a gem. CM9 isn't much different.

 

[bannockburn]

I have a CM9 and had a CW40. The CW40 had a nice trigger and a very ergonomic grip design but I had to deal with a lot of muzzle flip and felt recoil with hotter loads. I sold it and went back to looking for a small, pocket size auto. Tried the KelTec PF9 and though it was small it had a heavy trigger pull and suffered from the same problems as I had with the CW40. Then I found the CM9 and really liked everything about it. Great ergonomics, small enough for pocket carry, good, easy to see sights, and a great DAO trigger.

If I come across a decent deal on a CW380 I would consider getting one to complement my CM9.

 

[SteadyD]

My CW380 was prone to limp wristing. It’s a shame because it was more accurate than a gun that size ought be. Very little recoil, awesome sights and trigger, great ergonomics. I may try a cm9 at some point, as I really do like the Kahr triggers.

 

[Jim Watson]

A friend has a PM9. But for some reason he would not give it to me even though I told him l like it a lot.
So I flip flop between Ruger and Glock. My CW9 is too large to pocket and if I am going to wear a holster, it will usually be for a bigger gun.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

I have a CM9 that I bought to replace my Taurus TCP380 for pocket carry. Long story short, it is too big - for me - for pocket carry, but the Taurus is perfect. Now, other than that, I really like the CM9.

 

[ulflyer]

If 380 is your choice, look at a Kahr CT380 instead of a CW380. It has a slightly longer and more comfortable grip, Several years ago I bought the latter not knowing there was such a thing as a CT. Once I saw one, I bought it and sold the CW. Didn't check, don't even know if the CT is still made!