Dear All,
I recently purchased a PM9 as a concealed carry piece. I had a P9 and wanted more of the same. Just smaller and lighter.
I found the PM9 to be very easy to control. Quick follow up shots were a piece of cake, even with Corbon's hot +P 115 gr defensive load. It really doesn't recoil bad at all. Certainly less than a Glock 27 or even a 23. It is tiny, yet I don't feel I could ever be outgunned. With a spare mag in my weak hand pocket, I'm good to go against anyone, at least from an equipment perspective.
All was blissful, until a small, light black fly fell into the ointment.
That fly was a Smith and Wesson 340 PD revolver. I won the 340 PD in a raffle at the IDPA Winter Nationals last year. It is one of the Airlite SC guns. In a nutshell, the Smith is a 5 shot .357 magnum revolver that weighs 10.5 oz. (vs 15.9 for the Kahr with an empty mag)
Also, despite being techincally larger than the Kahr, it is much easier to conceal. (lighter, irregular shape, and much narrower through most of the frame.) It rides nicely in a pants pocket. Because the barrel is about 1/2 the width of the Kahr's slide, it doesn't print nearly as bad. Plus, the irregular shape, with the cylinder doesn't scream GUN if it does print.
Overall the 340 tops the Kahr in conceilability.
Down side to the 340 is:
1) requires practice to shoot well. The Kahr is easy to shoot well. Its very unintimidating. The 340 jumps around a lot. It is more intimidating than a 6" .44 magnum. It kicks, and it kicks hard. It is NOT a gun for the occasional shooter.
2) Accuracy. The Kahr is accurate enough to be used offensively. I can easily hit steel plates out at 25 yards with the Kahr. Not even close with the little Smith.
3) Capacity. The little smith only holds 5 rounds and takes time to reload. You're shots better count. The Kahr holds more and has a fast reload like any auto.
So, in the end, which is better? It depends on what your priorities are.
Strangely, my 340 has replaced my P32 as my pocket gun. The Kahr was never a pocket gun, that was handled by my P32. So now if I'm going out and I just want to put a small,light gun in my pocket, I carry the 340.
If I'm going into a higher threat area, or am dressed to wear a holster, I carry the Kahr.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Don
Unfortunately though, the PM9 is still not pocketable for most people. If you want to carry in a pocket, don't throw away the P32 just yet.