As many members of TTAG’s Armed Intelligentsia predicted, the fashionability of .380 calibered pistols is starting to wane. Not to wax lyrical, but in its stead we have the perfectly pocketable crop of small nines from Ruger, SIG SAUER and now Kahr Arms. Their new CM9093 is based on Kahr’s most popular 3″ barrel 9mm handgun, the PM9093. According to the presser, “The CM Series takes the value priced features from Kahr’s CW series (3.6″ barrel 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP models) and incorporates these features into a smaller 3″ barrel package.” Just in case that’s too easy to understand, Kahr notes that the CM9093 has the same external dimensions as the PM9093 . . .
That would be an overall length of 5.3″, with a height of 4.0″. The CM9 (for short) weighs in at 14 ounces. Add another 1.9 ounces for the six-round stainless steel magazine. So, again, what’s the diff?
The CM9093 has a conventional rifled barrel instead of the match grade polygonal barrel on Kahr’s PM series; the CM slide stop lever is MIM (metal-injection-molded) instead of machined; the CM series slide has fewer machining operations and uses simple engraved markings instead of roll marking; and finally, the CM series are shipped with one magazine instead of two magazines
Kahr’s seven patents are incorporated into the CM9093 resulting in benefits not available in other compact semi-autos on the market today. The black polymer frame features patented 4140 steel inserts molded into the frame in the front and back for added rigidity and strength, which can withstand firing thousands of rounds.
So Kahr CM9 tackled two main problems with smaller nines: reliability and manufacturing cost. The result is, they claim, a better gun that costs less. Ain’t competition grand? Now if they could only figure out a way to get rid of the genre;s numb, all-day-long trigger pull . . .
Kahr’s incomparable cocking cam trigger system employs a patented cam to both unlock the firing pin block (passive safety), and complete cocking and releasing of the firing pin. The system provides a “safe-cam action” and unbelievably smooth double action only trigger stroke, fast to fire in critical defensive situations. Many lower cost compact semi-autos on the market today do not have firing pin blocks in their design.
What more could you ask for?
Kahr’s two patents covering the offset recoil lug and the trigger bar attachment allow Kahr’s barrel to fit lower in the frame, and since there is no hammer, the shooter’s hand is further up the grip resulting in less felt recoil and quick follow-up shots. The CM9093 does not have a magazine disconnect, nor does it have double-strike capability.
The CM9 boasts real sights, which are drift adjustable in the rear and a pinned-in polymer front sight featuring a white bar-dot configuration. Finally, the slide does lock back after firing the last round – another feature missing on a number of lower cost compact semi-auto pistols.
Now how much would you pay? How about $565? Just in case you’re wondering, the PM9 runs $786.