cant say on the PF, but the P11 I had ran fine for a few thousand. Can't remember any problems with it except with Wolf and ammo. The wolf caused FTE, common with lighter loads, but good with hollowpoints. Never had a problem, but the recoil was insane. Besides a superblackhawk with full power 44 mag, may have been the hardest kicking gun I ever fired. I know you mentioned no concern over the trigger, but the Keltec trigger is pretty strange if you find yourself looking at a p11. Very heavy, then when you think it broke, and nothing is going to happen, you keep pulling and and it gets squishy, and you still think its broke, then you pull some more, and if fires. The PF was an improvement, but I like the p11's. I always thought the PF was too light for a pocket gun. I did fire an old no longer published load with it, using Unique powder, getting a 124 grain bullet to 1200+ from its 3' barrel, and no problems with it.
Reliability of Pocket 9's Kel-Tec PF9 vs Kahr CM9 vs Diamondback DB9
- Thread starter MikeInOr
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Terminatorret
Member
Add the Northwood trigger to the PF9 and you have a totally different weapon. What a tremendous improvement a quality trigger makes.
I've owned 2 PF9's, put Northwood triggers on both, and eventually gave them both to family members. Both were accurate and dependable after very minor "fluff and buff" to the chamber. Keep them clean and they're good to go. The only reason I don't still carry them is that I have left the 9mm arena and enjoy Soviet 9x18 steel...but that's a whole different post.
I've owned 2 PF9's, put Northwood triggers on both, and eventually gave them both to family members. Both were accurate and dependable after very minor "fluff and buff" to the chamber. Keep them clean and they're good to go. The only reason I don't still carry them is that I have left the 9mm arena and enjoy Soviet 9x18 steel...but that's a whole different post.
Terminatorret
Member
p.s. PF9's, along with all ultra-light 9mm pistols, are highly susceptible to "limp wristing". Practice, practice, practice.
GBExpat
Member
Or ... just don't Limp Wrist.
bannockburn
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GBExpat
Glad you like it! I wanted a PM9 ever since they were introduced. I liked it's design, it's ergonomics, and most of all it's DAO trigger. Smooth and clean with no need for any manual safeties, it had everything I wanted in a micro 9 except it's price! Enter the CM9 some years later and I knew I finally found what I was looking for at a price that I could afford.
Glad you like it! I wanted a PM9 ever since they were introduced. I liked it's design, it's ergonomics, and most of all it's DAO trigger. Smooth and clean with no need for any manual safeties, it had everything I wanted in a micro 9 except it's price! Enter the CM9 some years later and I knew I finally found what I was looking for at a price that I could afford.
Wow, I ordered the Kahr CM9 from Cabelas website for $299 on Monday night. It was supposed to take 5-8 days to arrive at the closest store. I just got an email informing me it is ready for pickup now, Wednesday morning! To bad I won't be able to make the 2 hour trip until next saturday!
I guess I will be the odd man out on the DB9 (for now)....mine has been reliable so far with about 200 rounds through it. It's not my primary carry gun, but it's small enough to throw in most any jacket pocket on the way out the door so I usually have it with me as an extra. Being so small it's not exactly a pleasure to shoot at the range but I generally don't shoot any 9mm larger than 115's or 124's anyway. Though slightly larger than what the OP is looking at, the Kimber Micro 9 is pretty nice for a small 9. I may give that CM9 a look though.
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RedlegRick
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My avatar pic is my EDC, a PF9. I had some issues with broken trigger bars and take-down pins, but I ascribe that to 124 and 147 grain bullets. I found it likes 115 grainers better anyway and it doesn't beat my hand up as much.
I carry left hand iwb because I use a cane in my right hand, and mine fits my left hand better anyway, and by now, I shoot better that way anyway. Beware the volleyball sized fireball from most loads, but that's what you get with a short tube.
Mine feeds pretty much anything once it was broken in, and rarely has a FTF or FTE now. While it's not perfect, it's close enough for me.
I carry left hand iwb because I use a cane in my right hand, and mine fits my left hand better anyway, and by now, I shoot better that way anyway. Beware the volleyball sized fireball from most loads, but that's what you get with a short tube.
Mine feeds pretty much anything once it was broken in, and rarely has a FTF or FTE now. While it's not perfect, it's close enough for me.
Wisco
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The PF9 is a sick joke and I gave it more of a try than I needed to. Wouldn't run a full mag without jamming in 500 rounds. Wet. Dry. Fluff and buff or whatever the LGS said it needed. The LGS I bought it from wouldn't even take it back in trade for any price and I don't like to sell people junk, so I literally deactivated the thing with a sledge hammer and put it in the pond...
All Kahrs I've shot were decent. PM9, K9, MK9, T9
No experience with the DB9
All Kahrs I've shot were decent. PM9, K9, MK9, T9
No experience with the DB9
Thanks, it is good to know when a gun does function well just as much as when it doesn't function.
The local Coastal Farm Products had a Black Friday Sig 938 on sale of $535. I looked at it and the Kimber Micro 9 side by side. Both very nice guns but bigger than I was looking for and I don't really want to carry a single action in condition 1.
May I inquire how much you paid for you DB9? There is one on the local armslist for $200 in very good shape. I figured there is a good chance that it is cheap because it has problems functioning.
I got the DB9 new for $220 at a local show. I didn't have high expectations for it, but so far it's worked fine. I'll guess we'll see how long it lasts over the long run.
MedWheeler
Member
MikeInOr writes:
That's not a low-enough price to assume it has problems. They're not a lot more than that new.
That's not a low-enough price to assume it has problems. They're not a lot more than that new.
stogiegila
Member
I highly recommend the CM9. It will feel much smaller in your hands than the CW9 which is almost .5" longer in height. The key things to remember with Karhs:
1. They are very tightly sprung and need a break in of at least 200 rounds. Racking the slide will be stiff in the beginning
2. Strip the gun and clean it out thoroughly. Including shooting brake clean in the slide channel hole to clean out the striker channel
3. Disassemble the mags to ensure the springs are installed correctly
4. Chamber a round using the slide stop and don't try to sling shot a round until you have at least 500 rounds through the gun
5. Loose mags tend to allow a round to flip out, so extra mags should always be carried in a mag holder
6. There is a old style and a new style slide which means changing sight depends on the style slide
Other than that it is a fantastic and reliable little gun and the recoil is very manageable.
1. They are very tightly sprung and need a break in of at least 200 rounds. Racking the slide will be stiff in the beginning
2. Strip the gun and clean it out thoroughly. Including shooting brake clean in the slide channel hole to clean out the striker channel
3. Disassemble the mags to ensure the springs are installed correctly
4. Chamber a round using the slide stop and don't try to sling shot a round until you have at least 500 rounds through the gun
5. Loose mags tend to allow a round to flip out, so extra mags should always be carried in a mag holder
6. There is a old style and a new style slide which means changing sight depends on the style slide
Other than that it is a fantastic and reliable little gun and the recoil is very manageable.
George Dickel
Member
I have a DB9 and have put around 600 rounds through it so far and have had no problems. I have been using my own reloads of 124 gr plated bullets so the velocity is what is recommended for lead bullets. For carry ammo I use Remington 115 gr JHP that functions properly. I gave $200 for it new at my LGS so if it wears out in a few years no great loss. I have a Nemesis pocket holster for it and I find myself carrying it instead of my Shield when I'm in a hurry or don't feel like threading a belt through the holster. It really hides well in my pocket and is easy to draw. I don't feel insecure or unprotected with it as it has functioned as it should.
d2wing
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- Nov 10, 2008
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- 6,433
also have a DB9 that I bought new at a dealer for $200. It is really tiny. I have had no problems with it, but my son uses it as his pocket gun and likes it. I also have a DB380 that I sent back to the factory as I was not reliable. They fixed it , replaced parts and it is fine now. The 380 is even smaller and much more accurate.
MachIVshooter
Member
No experience with the CM9, but I have a PF9 and a DB9. The PF9 is a good gun, but not really a pocket gun. The little Diamondback is as small as they come, and is my EDC. I broke the barrel camming block immediately after buying it, and I can attest that when they say no +P ammo, they mean it. Diamondback sent me the repair part at no cost, and I've stuck to standard pressure 115 gr. ammo since with no problems. I don't have an exact round count, but probably 400-500, and it's been trouble free with all 115 gr. ball and the white & green box Remington 115 gr. JHPs I use for carry.
I don't expect the tiny gun to survive thousands and thousands of rounds, but it's a great carry a lot and shoot a little critter. It's accurate and easy to carry, if not the most comfortable thing to fire. I put 3 or 4 mags through it every couple months to ensure function and keep practiced with it.
I don't expect the tiny gun to survive thousands and thousands of rounds, but it's a great carry a lot and shoot a little critter. It's accurate and easy to carry, if not the most comfortable thing to fire. I put 3 or 4 mags through it every couple months to ensure function and keep practiced with it.
RainDodger
Member
I bought a brand new Kahr CM9. My review is on this forum somewhere or other. Suffice it to say that now I've got over 500 rounds through mine with zero malfunctions of any kind. With any popular bullet profile I've tried. All kinds of my handloads from softer loads to heavier loads. No problems. No complaints. It's NOT a range gun for shooting bullseye... it's a self defense weapon, and I think it's quite good for that purpose.
I picked up my Karh CM9 today. I REALLY like it! I can front pocket carry it in jeans... I was not sure I was going to be able to do so. I can actually pocket carry in jeans without it being annoying.
I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A SINGLE MALFUNCTION WITH MY KAHR CM9!.... ok, I haven't fired it yet I hope to get out to fire it tomorrow.
I appreciate all the feedback from everyone.
I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A SINGLE MALFUNCTION WITH MY KAHR CM9!.... ok, I haven't fired it yet
I hope to get out to fire it tomorrow.I appreciate all the feedback from everyone.
Despite the freezing temperature I was able to get my new CM9 out to the range today. First I gave it a thorough cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner, racked the slide a few hundred times then lubed it minimally. 100rnds of 115gr ball reloads functioned flawlessly between me and my 2 buddies. The CM9 is no pleasure to shoot but it wasn't really much worse than my LCP and definitely not as bad as my 3.3 XDs in .45. I love the CM9 and I am v ery happy with my decision!
It fits in my front jeans pocket nicely... it makes my LCP seem much smaller. Accuracy was pretty good but I am not going to win any competitions with it. I am sure the gun shoots straight but it is a small 9mm and feels like it when shooting it. The reloads I used are a little on the warm side... basically they are the lightest loads the will cycle my P08 (Luger) reliably. Warmer than standard pressure loads but short of +P velocity over my chrony using my Beretta 92.
If I had one complaint it would be that the trigger guard is a little tight for my fingers... Not awful but a bit more room would have been nice. I think there is more finger room in the trigger guard on my LCP.
Would I reccomend the CM9? Definitely!
It fits in my front jeans pocket nicely... it makes my LCP seem much smaller. Accuracy was pretty good but I am not going to win any competitions with it. I am sure the gun shoots straight but it is a small 9mm and feels like it when shooting it. The reloads I used are a little on the warm side... basically they are the lightest loads the will cycle my P08 (Luger) reliably. Warmer than standard pressure loads but short of +P velocity over my chrony using my Beretta 92.
If I had one complaint it would be that the trigger guard is a little tight for my fingers... Not awful but a bit more room would have been nice. I think there is more finger room in the trigger guard on my LCP.
Would I reccomend the CM9? Definitely!
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