Kahr PM9/40 vs Glock 26/27... need input

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I'm looking at purchasing two CCW pieces here in the next month or so. One would be for myself and one would be for my wife. We have a fair selection of HK, Glock and SIG pistols in full-size and compact, but nothing that's really suitable for concealment in warm or hot weather.

I'm torn between two guns: Kahr PM9/40 and Glock 26/27. I don't want to go any smaller than a 9mm for now; a .380 may be acceptable in the future, but not for the first primary carry gun.

The Kahr is smaller than the Glock; it's about 1/4 inch or so slimmer and a little lighter. I would also give up a few rounds worth of capacity and pay about $150 more for the Kahr. Magazines are twice the price of Glock mags, and I've heard of way more reliability issues with the Kahr than with the Glock.

I will be using a sub-compact only for carry in warmer weather, so concealment is an issue. In the winter I can carry anything from my USP9f to SIG 229 without issues, and I will probably do that as I prefer a service-sized weapon whenever possible. The preferred methods of carry will probably be IWB or pocket holster while wearing something that's tucked in, and OWB while wearing anything untucked.

Anybody here carry a Glock 26/27? I think I'm leaning towards once of these because of the reliability, price, magazines, replacement parts, etc. I think the Kahr is more concealable, but is the difference between it and the Glock enough to justify the price and other issues?

Thoughts?
 
The Glock 26 is a stretch in a pocket holster because of its thickness. Find loose pants with big hip pockets! Then it requires a tad bit more care in tucking it into a pocket with the "Safe-Action" trigger. I wouldn't carry one without a pocket holster like those from DeSantis. I always carry a spare reload. Some malfunctions are impossible to clear without changing magazines. Even though the Glock 26 holds more rounds, I carry a spare magazine. It is a bit more difficult to carry the double-column magazines on the off side in hot weather. The IWB holders are uncomfortable. When the wide magazines are tucked into pants pockets, they turn sideways.

I sure wish Glock would make a thinner subcompact 9mm. It would sell better than cold beer in hell.
 
I like Glocks for concealed carry, plinking and competition. I carry a G26 and a G19 regularly. They are as reliable as an anvil. I use G34s and a G21 in IDPA and USPSA matches. They are, dare I say it, unstoppable. Glocks will take thousands and thousands of rounds keep on ticking.

Having said all that, get the one that feels best to you. If it feels good, you'll most likely shoot it better.
 
You will find yourself pocket carrying a PM9 much more than you will a Glock 26 unless you wear very baggy pants.

I make and sell pocket holsters for both and find the pm9 much more comfortable.

I do however prefer the 26 over the pm9 as far as guns go.
 
I had the same dilemna and ultimtley chose the PM9 for concealability. The glocks although terrific were too large for me. The PM9 is ridiculously small.
 
I find the Kahr pistols to be overated and have heard from reputable sources that they have reliability issues from pistol to pistol. Add in their cost to performance ratio and I'd call them thumbsdown vs just about any Glock subcompact. I've actually heard a company rep at an annual show in Robbinsdale MN say their barrels are only good for about 4,000 to 6,000 rounds...
P.S. I also would like to see Glock offer variants on the 26,27 in 7-8 shot single stacks....
 
I pocket carry. For years I carried a small 1911 cocked and locked. I replaced it with a Glock 27 that I've carried for the past several years.

My standard mode of dress might be described as "business casual," usually involving pleatless pants with a sharp crease. I use either a DeSantis Nemesis or Bob Mika pocket holster: the choice depends mainly on the cut of the entrance to the pants pocket. One or the other is better for some brands. Hard leather pocket holster have never worked for me. The two brands I mentioned and Uncle Mike's are the only pocket holsters that do work for me. I have two boxes full of expensive leather pocket holsters that I tested and rejected.

A couple of months ago, at the urging of a friend, I spent a day testing two different Kahrs. They were much lighter than the Glock, which was attractive to me. I would have acquired one or the other if either had worked consistently for me. Neither did. I didn't see the point in carrying a lighter gun that wasn't reliable instead of a heavier gun that was. The little Glock works all the time and it hits what I want it to hit.

Although the little Glock is indeed heavier and bulkier than the Kahr, I don't notice the additional weight. Other people probably do notice that I have something in my pocket--those who do notice things--but so do a great many men today. Spend time watching men walking through a mall or along the streets and you might observe that men tend to have stuff in their pants pockets and that it bulges a little. No one has ever commented that I have a gun in my pocket, not even people in professions trained to observe such things.

I don't look like I have one, I don't dress as if I do, I don't call attention to it, and I won't draw it unless there is absolute need to do so. It's there for if I require its services and it's in the back of my mind at all times, but it's not a preoccupation and it's perfectly normal for me.

I have experimented with many other pocket guns, by the way, and there are only three on which I would bet my life. Two are the cocked-and-locked little 1911 (an original Kimber Ultra Carry with about 18,000 rounds through it) and the little Glock. The third is a Seecamp .32, which I don't consider a primary and falls into the category of "the gun to carry when I can't carry a gun." Those situations are rare.

People differ and so do their preferences. I use what's right for me. It might not be right for you or others. The only way I know to decide what's right for you is to experiment intelligently and find what works in your situation.
 
I went with the pm9 and couldn't be happier. How many spare mags do you plan on carrying?
 
I found my Glock 26 to be bigger than I thought when I started trying to every-day carry. Pocket carry is sometimes doable for me in a Nemesis holster, but only in certain types of pants, and it looks like I have a paperback book in my pocket - not exactly comfortable after a whole day.

If I carry my 26, it's usually in a SmartCarry, sometimes in IWB. If you haven't considered SmartCarry, check out YouTube and search for SmartCarry and Glock 26 - there are some great demonstration videos put on by a dude called Passive101.

For me, 90% of the time I now carry an M&P340 j-frame. Looking purely at dimension numbers it seems as big as the 26, but the shape fits a pocket beautifully, without a gun-print in a Nemesis, and at 13oz, it is extremely comfortable all day long.

I am actually going the other way, thinking that for a carry auto I might want to move to a compact, because I only carry the G26 when a compact would be just as easy to conceal. I do absolutely love the 26 though - no complaints about the gun. I rented a Kahr - it was pretty nice, too, but no better to me. Add the extra cost and at least reliability concerns, and I picked the 26. If I were determined to pocket carry a 9mm auto, however, I would probably favor the Kahr, or even splurge for a Rohrbaugh.

Best of luck!
 
The PM9 is as large a pistol I can regularly carry in a pocket.
My PM9 has been totally reliable and I say that from personal experience, not from what someone told someone else.
 
I pocket carry a S&W 442 or 642. I also have a Glock 26 that I either wear IWB or depending on clothing, pocket carry too.

The Glock 26 I also can carry in my brest pocket of my leather jacket.

Taking everything into consideration I'd make the same choice all over again.

Get the Glock 26. If you are looking at the .40 I'd go Sig of HK. I like the P2000sk
 
If you are looking at the .40 I'd go Sig of HK. I like the P2000sk
Click to expand...

Glockman, I'm curious why you like the Glock 26 for 9mm, but the P2000sk for .40 instead of the G27. I'm not disagreeing in any way - I'm sincerely curious. I have a Glock 26, and lately I've been thinking I'd rather have the P2000sk, but still in 9mm.
 
I have a Kahr PM9 that I infrequently carry in my pocket as I prefer my 442 in that role.

If you are going to carry the Glock 26 inside the waistband I'd suggest getting a good holster and belt and moving up to the Glock 19. The Block 26 is not a pocket gun IMO. You may have to buy some new clothes too if you aren't already "dressing around the gun".

Niether the PM9 or the 26 is what I consider a "Primary" weapon but the PM9 does well for off duty BUG status if one has to go with a "bottomfeeder". As I said, for a BUG I prefer a Revolver for reliability issues.

My PM9 has been 100% reliable since I completed the "break in" and Kahr has great customer service after the sale in regards to warranty issues in my expirience.

BikerRN
 
I have a G19 and a G26. I also had a Kahr P9 covert. My everyday carry is the G26. Some people say that you might as well carry a G19 instead but the G26 to me is just easier to conceal. I have kids to chase around and I don't and won't change my dress around to conceal my carry piece. The Kahr was a POS jamomatic and I will never gamble my money to find one that's reliable. The G26 with a pierce extension gives you 11+1 rounds of very controllable 9mm rounds on hand. That's nothing to scoff at. Plus with a G26, you can have a 17 round G17 magazine as a back-up. The G26 was also way more easier to handle than the Kahr.

Flip.
 
If it doesn't need to fit in a pocket or other tight spaces, the Glock is fine. It should not be carried loose in a purse, unless said purse is made for guns and has a separate compartment. I have a PM9 myself, but I got it for the express purpose of pocket and other deep concealment carries.
 
One above poster says he finds Kahrs to be overrated. I have always thought just the opposite. I think they are underrated. I have 2 PM9's and love them. My friend has a PM9 and to my knowledge hasnt had a problem with it. So that is 3 PM9's that I know of that have yet to have 1 problem. I had a Glock 27 and 33. The Kahr carries much nicer.
 
My PM9 (VD serial #) is outstanding, and threatening to displace my trusty J-frames from pocket carry for good. Compared to the J-Frames the Kahr is much more pleasant to shoot, has better sights, greater capacity and a more powerful round.

The PM9 is thinner than the G26 and I like the long smooth DAO trigger for a stressful SD scenario too.

Don't get me wrong, I love Glocks and my G19 is my favorite 9mm, but for your needs I'd lean toward the Kahr.
 
I have 3 Kahrs and my latest is a PM40. The early Kahrs (pre-2002) had some issues but these were addressed. My PM40 is as powerful a pocket piece as I'd want to carry but it's controllable. I like Kahr's and all of mine have been 100% reliable. Again this is first hand, I own and shoot them. According to Kahr, the problem serial #s started with VA & VB, mine is a WA...


IMG_PM40-S.gif
 
Did the trigger on your pm9 improve a lot with shooting? Mine went from managable to downright sweet after about 400 rounds.
 
Thanks for the input guys.... I think the Glock will be my choice for the first CCW gun. I'm unsure on the 26 or 27 at this point, but I think Glock's reliability and parts availability are going to do it for me. The capacity doesn't hurt, and the magazines are 1/2 of what the Kahr mags are... not counting being able to use full-size mags in the Glock. I definitely find that an added bonus as I already have some full-size mags and Glock mags will be much easier to find in a SHTF scenario.

After a few months however, I think the Glock will be a "bit too large for some situations," and I'll have to go down and get something smaller. ;) That's if the wife asks of course. :) She's already in love with the little Ruger .380, so it shouldn't be too difficult to work out an understanding.
 
According to Kahr, the problem serial #s started with VA & VB
Click to expand...
What was the problem? Other than the barrel recall. My PM9's are a VA and VB
Click to expand...
I had a VA serial # and my PM9 was garbage. From what I've experienced and read, the factory lemons came from around 2001-2003. Mine was manufactured around this time according to what Kahr told me. Mine had FTF problems where the bullet would hang up on the barrel when first chambering it and also while shooting it. It also had a trigger that didn't reset. I'd be shooting a magazine, and after 2-4 shots I'd pull the trigger and nothing happened. I then give it another squeeze or two and POP..fired off a round! Definitely sent it back to Kahr. They sent it back and it still malfunctioned w/ FMJ and JHP rounds. I sold it and took a 250 dollar hit. I bought it for $530 OTD from a shop that was closing down so I got a good deal on it in the first place..this was before the huge price increases though.

Kahr definitely let me down and I still have a bitter taste in my mouth from the whole experience. However, I liked the gun so much for its size, weight, and power that I'm waiting to buy another one and give Kahr another shot. I will make sure that the new one was manufactured in 2007 or newer before I consider dropping $650 dollars on it. Hell, maybe I'll try a PM45 this time around...maybe even a Ruger LCP since it's very affordable. Definitely going to need something though for the upcoming summer.

FYI, I've owned a G27 and I don't recommend it. I think the G26 is a much better choice. The 26 is just sooo much easier to shoot being 9mm. The 27 hurt my hand after 50 rounds even with a Pearce +1 pinky extension. If your wife will be shooting it, the 26 might be a better call. Can't go wrong if you get both the PM9 and the G26:)
 
I've owned a G27 and I don't recommend it. I think the G26 is a much better choice.
Click to expand...

+1 on the 26 if you are down to those two. I don't have anything too bad to say about the 27, but I traded mine for a 26 and am much happier. It's a sweet shooter, cheaper to shoot and more flexible with +P & +P+ options. If you want about 8 zillion more opinions, check the www.glocktalk.com forums, as a 26 vs. 27 thread turns up about every week or so.
 
I have a G26, G27, PM9 and P9. If you won't pocket carry, I'd get the Glock or the P9. The Kahrs are much thinner and much easier to carry, IWB or in the pocket. My two Kahrs are VA serial #'s and they have been flawless with thousands of rds. through each. Glock and Kahr are the only auto's I own and I have at least three of each. You can't go wrong with either but if this is your only gun and concealment is a priority go with a Kahr. I usually like .40 but in Kahrs I go with 9mm for an extra rd. in the same size weapon.
 
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