Recoil: Kahr PM9 vs. Airweight J-Frames

[marklbucla]

How does the perceived recoil compare between the Kahr PM9 shooting standard 9mm and a Smith Airweight J-frame shooting .38 Spl?

 

[Lou22]

I own both a PM9 and a S&W 642. The perceived recoil is about the same with non-+P ammo. I use both for concealed carry. I prefer the revolver for rock-solid reliability. The PM9 is a bit easier to handle with +P loads.

Lou

 

[deadhawg]

I have a PM9 and a 642, and to me recoil is pretty similar from both, with similar ammo, ie WWB 115 FMJ 9mm vs WWB 125 .38 RN , or Gold dot 125 +P .38 HP's vs 124 Gold dot 9mm +P. My follow up shots are more accurate and quicker with the PM9 with any ammo though.

Ron

 

[marklbucla]

cool, thanks for the input!

 

[Muddflap]

To me, the PM9 is a lot easier to shoot. I can do 100 rounds with the PM9, and after 25 or 30, I was ready to put the 642 away.
In fact I sold the 642, and kept the PM9.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I find my PM9 to have less recoil and blast.

 

[loplop]

Recoil is a very subjective thing. I'd agree that recoil is generally similar with "WWB" style loads. The big difference, though, is that the 9mm is a more effective cartridge at even standard pressures... You have to go 38+P to get 9mm performance, IMO. And 38+P in the j-frame lightweights is much more stout than any 9mm, IMO, and takes some practice to shoot well. I bought a case (1000) of them, and practiced like mad... I now shoot my snubby quite well.

I carry Speer GDHP +P in both my M&P340 (135gr SB load) and my PM9 (124gr +P), and I find the PM9 a lot less in the recoil department. Save some rubbing at the base of my thumb, I can shoot my PM9 all day... Not my snub, even after I built up the proper callouses.

Really I think a PM9 with 124gr +P is a more effective load, with 2 more on tap, and easier to shoot accurately. You really can't go wrong there. But I still do keep/shoot my snub; it's a better option for pocket carry, IMO, and I use it whenever I'm going to an area I have to disarm (which is a lot of friggin places in Ohio), as it's safer to re-arm by slipping the gun/holster back into my pocket than trying to stuff a striker-fired semi in my pants while seated in a car.

So my snub still gets some use.

 

[Mountie855]

For me, the perceived recoil from my PM9 and 642 seem to be similar with similar loads- +P in each, for example, and similar bullet weights (124 vs 125).

I think the PM9 is easier to control with +P loads.

The heavier bullets in the snub of course recoil more than the 124's in the 9mm, and muzzle blast is greater as well.

As noted above in another post, in short barrels the 38Spl needs the +P loads to equal the 9mm std loads, and in +P mode the 9mm outperforms the 38Spl +P, from what I've seen in the forums. Over my chrono the 9mm+P (Fed 9BPLE) is not too far behind my 640 in 357.

All of which makes the 940 a good compromise, if only there was a good way to carry the moon clipped reloads.

 

[orionengnr]

PM9, hands down.

I can put 150 rounds through the PM9 in a session, although it is a chore to do so.
With my (long gone) 340 and 360 and my little-used M-37, 3 or 4 cylinders is all the fun I care to have. Last time I had it out (three weeks ago), the cylinder release was biting my thumb on recoil. Drew blood within five rounds. Great fun
Maybe that's why the M-37 has spent the last two years in the safe while the PM9 is carried every day (and is in my pocket as I type...)

 

[grimjaw]

I found the PM9 easier to shoot with any ammo.

jm

 

[Sistema1927]

Seems about the same to me with a 642 and a PM9.

 

[doc2rn]

PM-9 is just easier with the buffer from spent recoil functioning the slide.

 

[pps]

My wife carries the Khar because it seems to have lass recoil. I carry the j frame 340pd...sometimes 2 of them.

 

[45crittergitter]

The CW9 is much more pleasant than a LW J-frame to me.

 

[jad0110]

To me, the felt recoil is different enough to make a comparison difficult. The 642 is a little sharper, but the Kahr has significantly more muzzle flip.

In the end, I shoot my 642 best, probably because the grip surface works better for me. And since felt recoil is very subject, as this thread proves, everyone's mileage will vary on this one.

 

[pps]

My wife's PM9 has much less recoil than my 340pd with Buffalo Bore lswchp's in 38+p

 

[Loomis]

The PM9 aint bad. But then I think a 5 shot .357 aint bad either...except for the way the cylinder release button takes my thumb nail off...wierd thing is, I don't even feel it, until an hour or so later.