M&P Shield vs Kahr CM9

[Ark03]

I know this has been done before, but please humor a new guy. I've had my heart set on a M&P Shield since before it came out, but I just haven't come across one in DFW. I'd rather not buy one for $500+ on Gunbroker, but I'm getting close to giving in. However, I've started looking at other options since it may be months or years before they are readily available, and I decided to give the CM9 a serious look.

I need something thin and concealable as I'm skinny and will need to carry IWB tucked or will need to pocket carry (which I'm not really a fan of). I like what I've heard about the Shield, but I'd certainly be open to other options, which is what brought me to the CM9. What do you guys think - should I wait for the Shield, or buy the CM9 now and check out the shield when it's more available at a reasonable price, or should I be looking at something else?

I did start off looking at the Ruger LC9, but after handling and dryfiring one, it just didn't compare with the Shield or even the CM9.

Thanks in advance!

[rev210]

I had a M&P Shield and have a CM9, IMO the shield is better overall and I would go with it if you intend on carrying it IWB, however the CM9 is considerably smaller and much better for pocket carry. Even though the Shield is smaller I did not find much of a difference between it and the Glock 26 which is why I sold mine, the CM9 is about as subcompact as you can get in 9mm, it feels great and shoots great also and is available at a reasonable price. So depending on need they are both good choices.

[The Annoyed Man]

I own a PM9, which is basically the same pistol as a CM9, and my wife's EDC is the CW9. I have no problem carrying either pistol, or my CW45 which is my EDC. By way of comparison, I do own a full sized M&P, so I am reasonably familiar with the M&P platform. The M&P may be a better "combat" handgun than the Kahr, but I'm not heading off to combat. I just need a reliable pistol to carry that won't break the bank. At $399 for a CW9 or CW45, they are just a better price-point for a gun that will likely be confiscated if I have to use it.

[Ark03]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm thinking I'll pull the trigger on the CM9 now and plan to buy a Shield when supply catches up. I just have a hard time paying over $500 for a Shield on gunbroker when I've got buddies that shelled out $369 - 399 for them new.

[The Annoyed Man]

You won't be disappointed. Kahrs are great little guns. One caveat: You may or may not have to deal with a 200 round breakin. Kahr specifies a 200 round breakin, but of the three we own, one (PM9) was purchased used and already broken in, one (the CW9) was purchased new but ran flawlessly right out of the box, and the third (CW45) was purchased new and really did need a 200 round breakin. But that one has also run flawlessly since then. So don't be surprised if your new CM9 actually does need some breakin. Fortunately, they breakin rapidly.

[snatchel]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm thinking I'll pull the trigger on the CM9 now and plan to buy a Shield when supply catches up. I just have a hard time paying over $500 for a Shield on gunbroker when I've got buddies that shelled out $369 - 399 for them new.

I just invested in a Kahr CW9.... or rather my wife did. She picked the CW9 over the CM9. The CM9 is ... tiny. Really, really tiny. The CW9 fit her hand better.

I could pocket the CW9 in a pinch, no problem.

Kahr does say they need a 200 round break in. I did exactly that... I took the gun to the range and ran a little over 200 rounds indiscriminately -- about as fast as I could load and shoot them out. I still shot it well. LOL.

[ftabangler13]

I shot and liked the Kahrs, but the grip was just too small for me. The shield fit my hand a lot better, and I shot better patterns with it (both in 9mm). I would say go with whats comfortable to you. If you feel that you would shoot better with the shield and that it would be more effective in defending your life, isn't it worth the extra $100-$150?

[Ark03]

You're probably right.
I've shot both, and while I could live with the Kahr, I really did like the Shield better. I just don't know that it's worth over $500 to me. The money's not the issue, it's the principal of the thing - which probably means I'll end up buying the Shield for $150 more than I'll be able to get it in another year.

[A-R]

You should also strongly consider Walther PPS - better overall weapon in same size class than either you mentioned (caveat: I'm a bit of a Kahr hater, never had luck with them, and while I love the M&P series the thumb safety on Shield turns me off)

[MikeStone]

Opinions on the Kel-Tec PF-9? Looks to be about the same dimensions, capacity, etc...at about $300.

I, to, have had a heck of a time deciding on an EDC. I'm a small guy and my S&W M&P 9c feels like a brick in my side! I did buy a good IWB (White Hat) holster, so I'm not convinced that's the issue. New gun belt from White Hat is in the mail...

[Ark03]

Well, I shot a Kahr again and I just couldn't get used to it. I just couldn't keep a good grip on it, so I kicked it off the "for consideration" list.

A couple of days ago a friend made me a great offer on a NIB Sig P290 (night sights, 6 and 8 round magazines, but not the RS version) that I went ahead and bought. I took it to the range last night for a first run. I started with cheap Winchester White Box and Monarch FMJ, then went on to cheap Monarch HP and PMC HP. I finished up with a box of Hornaday XTP for a total of 100 rounds, and not a single issue: no FTFs, no stovepipes - every round went down the pipe like it should. It shoots like a dream too - I had no trouble with even the 6 round magazine - it was definitely a step above the Kahr CM9 I shot in that it fit my hand better and the muzzle kick was much more manageable, allowing faster follow-up shots.

Cleaning was super easy too - I don't understand why so many people have complained about stripping this little pistol - but I probably have stronger hands than most so I don't have trouble holding the slide open with a hand while I remove/replace the slide stop.

I'm getting used the trigger, which isn't bad for a small carry gun with no safety. I can fire it pretty accurately now if I stage the trigger, but I have some work to do before I'm 100% with it.

I'll still probably buy a Shield when I can find one, but the A/C went out in my house which delayed that plan for a bit (I don't even want to think about how many guns I could buy with the $6k I'm shelling out for the A/c).

Thanks for all the ideas! I have a Remora and a little pocket holster now, but I'm waiting for my CBST to come in. :)

[v-rog]

qqqq

[XDSConcealer]

For those that are carrying the M&P Shield, do you holster the weapon with the safety off? I'm considering buying one of these for my wife to carry but I'm struggling getting a carry gun that has a thumb safety. The less to think about the better when you're in a situation that you need to pull your weapon. Just want to know what some of the current carriers of this gun think.

Thanks!

[RHenriksen]

None of my semi autos (Glock, M&P, Walther PPS) have a manual safety. I've advised my ex to carry her Shield with the safety OFF (in a quality holster).

[XDSConcealer]

None of my semi autos (Glock, M&P, Walther PPS) have a manual safety. I've advised my ex to carry her Shield with the safety OFF (in a quality holster).

This is what I'm thinking. A quality holster will cover the trigger guard sufficiently enough that you will not have to worry about something catching the trigger. Additionally, if you're competent with a firearm you know to never have your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to fire.