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Prices
reflected in this article are respective to the
date of the article. Current prices will
more than likely be different.
The search for the perfect concealed carry
pistol has gone on for years. It has to be small
enough to hide but not so small that it is
difficult to grasp. It should be lightweight but
still controllable to allow solid hits at a
reasonable distance. Finally, it should be in a
caliber that is as large as the chosen platform
can accommodate. In my early days in law
enforcement, the favorite choices for a back-up
and off-duty carry were small frame revolvers such
as a Chiefs Special or Colt Cobra, or small autos
like the Walther PPK or PPK/S in .380. As with
everything else, times have changed and there are
more options than ever. One company that has taken
the lead in the concealed carry market is Kahr
Arms.
Kahr Arms needs no introduction to Combat
Handguns readers. They have been producing compact
pistols for more than a few years. Their first
pistol, the K9, set a new standard with their
quality, size and great shooting characteristics.
Their reputation was further enhanced when the
NYPD authorized Kahrs for carry by their officers.
While the K9 is considered Kahr’s full-size
auto, it is about the size of a Walther PP and
redefined the definition for a compact 9mm.
Kahr then went one step further when they
introduced the MK9 Micro. Being slightly longer
than 5 inches with a height of only 4 inches, the
MK9 is the right size for ankle or pocket carry.
In the minds of many, the K9 and MK9 rendered
most, if not all, .380 and .32ACP autos obsolete.
The only problem with both of these pistols was
they were all stainless and not at all
lightweight!
 After several years of research, Kahr developed
the “P” series of pistols that feature a
polymer frame. The P9 is the full-size version of
the K9, while the PM9 is the polymer frame version
of the MK9. The PM9 has an overall length of 5.3
inches, a height of 4 inches, and the slide is
just 0.90 inches in width. More importantly, the
PM9 weighs in at a mere 14 ounces. It is very
close to the perfect 9mm pocket pistol. However,
the stock PM9, just as any stock production
pistol, can be improved with the right touches.
This is where Bill Laughridge and Cylinder
& Slide decided to expand their market
presence. This year C&S celebrated their 30th
year of business and have built a stellar
reputation for their work on 1911s and Browning Hi
Powers. However, they do take on other projects
from time to time. Several years ago, Laughridge
took an MK9 and performed an astounding custom
package that garnered a lot of attention at the
SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade) Show.
Since that time, C&S has become known as the
place to go for custom Kahrs.
Custom Work
 Shortly after the PM9 was introduced,
Laughridge decided to offer several custom
packages for the little pistol. Three different
levels are offered from a basic reliability job
(Package 1) to a full-blown custom job (Package
3). The C&S crew has taken the PM9 to an
entirely different level that only a custom shop
can do. Recently, I received a PM9 with the
Package 3 option that included almost every option
available and may well represent the ultimate
concealable 9mm auto. The craftsmen at C&S
have involved every part and surface of the pistol
with the customization.
 Internally, the muzzle was re-crowned with an
11-degree bevel and all internal parts were
polished to include the feed ramp and barrel
throat. Micro-size pistols generate high slide
velocities and require special tuning. Laughridge
radiused and tuned the extractor to ensure 100
percent reliability. Finally, sear and trigger
bearing surfaces were polished and fitted for an
exceptionally smooth trigger pull.
The external modifications were extensive and
included a complete carry bevel on all edges,
beveling the magazine well and polishing and
rounding the face of the trigger. The “grenade
checkering” on the grip was removed and a
360-degree stippled finish was applied by hand. I
have to say that the stippling is some of the most
precise and perfect I have seen from any shop.
The slide stop was beveled to remove the sharp
edges and the surface of the stop and pin were
polished. The sides of the slide and the cocking
serrations were also polished, giving the PM9 a
classic appearance. The top of the slide was glass
beaded to a fine matte finish and serrated with 30
LPI (lines per inch) that extend from the rear
sight to the front sight.
Finally, the factory sights were replaced with
XS 24/7 tritium sights with a standard size front
dot and express rear sight. These provide an
extremely fast sight picture, especially in low
light. Dick Heinie has recently introduced a
SlantPro sight for Kahr pistols and C&S will
offer them as another sight option on Kahr
pistols. When you pick up the C&S PM9 you find
a custom pistol with the elegance and precision of
a fine watch. The final touch is the shop name and
Bill’s famous mustache logo that are etched on
the slide. The result is a pistol that speaks to
the good taste and seriousness of the owner.
Range Time
 On the range the PM9 ran as good as it looks. I
ran 15 different 9mm loads through the pistol with
no pistol-related malfunctions. These ranged from
standard 124-grain ball to a variety of
self-defense loads to include: Remington 115-grain
Silver Tips, Speer Gold Dot 124-grain +P+, and
Federal 124-grain +P+ Hydra Shok. While recoil was
snappy with the hotter loads, I found the PM9
considerably easier to shoot than a Smith J-frame
with +P ammo and factory stocks.
I was happy to find that several of the
standard velocity self-defense loads broke 1000
fps (feet per second), ensuring reliable expansion
and penetration. While the XS sights are designed
for speed, not precision, with a little attention
I had no trouble shooting quarter-size groups at 7
yards!
Custom Carry Package
A customer can order a new pistol from C&S
or send their own to the shop for work. Laughridge
also offers a Custom Carry Package that is a
complete system that will enable the owner to
transport or carry a complete ensemble for
protection. The package includes a Center of Mass
(COM) Kydex paddle holster and single magazine
pouch for the package. The COM paddle is molded to
the rear of the holster, allowing it to ride close
to the body and resist shifting, while the
magazine pouch uses a belt clip. Both have screws
that allow the user to adjust the tension to the
desired resistance.
When I was a rookie cop, a wise veteran told me
that if I carried a gun, I should carry a light.
In the late ’70s, there were few pocket lights
that were good for more than a few feet. Today,
the game has changed and the PM9 package comes
with a SureFire E1E Executive flashlight. The E1E
is small enough to be carried on a daily basis in
the pocket of a jacket or pants.
Powered by a single CL123 lithium battery, the
3-inch-long light puts out 15 lumens of light.
This is more than sufficient to identify a threat
at 10 to 15 yards and is significantly distracting
inside 7 yards. I have carried one on a daily
basis for several years and find I use it several
times a day for routine tasks. Like a credit card,
I don’t leave home without it!
The customized Kahr PM9, COM Kydex paddle
holster, COM Kydex clip-on magazine pouch,
SureFire Executive Elite E1E light and BlackHawk!
Kalista SR FX knife with carry system are shipped
in a watertight Pelican hard case that’s roughly
11 by 10 by 5 inches. A decal with the C&S
logo is affixed to the top of the case but can be
peeled off if a lower profile is desired. The case
is ideal for secure storage as well as trips to
and from the range when the pistol is not being
worn. It also meets all FAA (Federal Aviation
Administration) regulations for flying with
firearms in checked luggage and comes with a
padlock. As an added touch, Laughridge includes a
lapel pin that features his logo.
Milt Sparks’ PCH
I know that there are some who have an aversion
to putting a custom pistol into a “plastic”
holster. For those or for those whose needs are
other than a belt holster, I can recommend the
Pocket Concealment Holster from Milt Sparks
Holsters. The PCH is to be carried in the front,
strong side pocket. The shape and rough-out
construction ensure that the holster will stay in
the pocket when drawing the pistol. The outer side
of the holster is enlarged to cover the entire
slide, breaking up the outline of the pistol. A
thin wire is sewn into the edge of the holster to
allow the user to shape the outer edge for maximum
concealment and comfort.
Bulman Gunleather TSAC
The other holster I found well suited to the
PM9 was TSAC (The Secret Agent—Clip) IWB
(inside-the-waistband) holster from Bulman
Gunleather. The TSAC is a well-designed IWB
holster that’s made from premium cowhide and
molded to the specific pistol. The rough-out
construction and reinforced mouth make it both
attractive and functional. Unlike other belt
clips, the TSAC uses a patented Talon Clip that
attaches to the waistband of the pants, under the
belt. Using this system, the PM9 virtually
disappears, even under a t-shirt.
Final Notes
So we have a very slick, very small 9mm auto, a
convenient and practical holster, and a durable
light, all packaged in a James Bond-ish case! It
is really a cool kit that’s at home with either
a banker or rancher and carries well in a tux or
jeans. I tried to find something about the pistol
that would give me a little grief, but could not
come up with anything.
The pistol is sound and reliable, the work is
up to the standards that C&S is known for, and
the quality of the accessories matches the pistol.
I guess the only issue is what Laughridge will
want to charge a working cop with a kid in college
for a slightly used PM9! Knowing Laughridge as I
do, I am sure the negotiations will be
interesting.
Call for prices and
availability. |
