Please help me pick ammo for PM9

[skystud1]

I am looking for some JHP ammo choices for Kahr PM9

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[swelly61]

I have have a PF9 and I carry "Critical Defense" in it because its a lighter more controllable load. I've never had any problems cycling in that gun. that being said I do carry either PDX1 124+P or Ranger-T 147 in my HK P30.

[chasbo00]

Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot.

[skystud1]

I tried some Speer GD 115 +p+ and it felt like at .357 ha

[Erich]

Of those listed, I'd go with the Speer short barrel 124-gr +P Gold Dots.

I know the PM9 has a polygonally "rifled" barrel, but here are some chrono results from my CM9 a couple weekends back:

ABQ City range, 5950'>sea level, 67°F, c. 35% humidity:

Fed 115-gr FMJ bulk pack: M 1015/ES 28.55/SD 10.48

WWB 115-gr FMJ bulk pack: M 1069/ES 56.74/SD 27.76 decent accuracy

Rem old school 115-gr JHP: M 1057/ES 24.80/SD 10.77 easy shooting, grouped around POA

Fed 115-gr 9BP JHP: M 1063/ES 43.29/SD 17.66 - surprisingly, not especially accurate

Speer Gold Dot 147-gr: M 922.2/ES 19.73/SD 8.60 was accurate, high and right of POA,

Win PDX-1 147-gr: M 954.3/ES 39.86/SD 14.76 not esp. accurate, around POA, slide locked open in the middle of a 6-rnd mag early in testing and the round wasn't accurate enough to warrant re-testing after the 200-round break-in period.

Win PDX-1 124-gr +P: M 1137/ES 16.90/SD 6.85 not accurate, wide group R of POA

Speer short barrel 124-gr +P Gold Dot: M 1107/ES 30.19/SD 13.30
small group just under POA at 10yds

Win RA9TA 127-gr +P+: M 1180/ES 77.50/SD 30.88 tight group at POA

[Agave]

I carry Critical Defense in mine. But HST is an awesome round; if your gun will feed it right, use that one.

[skystud1]

My gun fed 100 rounds of HST flawlessly. What is all the hype regarding the Critical Defense?

[Burns]

My gun fed 100 rounds of HST flawlessly. What is all the hype regarding the Critical Defense?

It's some very good ammo. Penetrates thick clothing a lot better. Speer Gold dot and critical defense are both amazing.

[Thunder71]

Tried them all, they all nosedived except the 124gr HST.

I had the best luck with Winchester PDX Bonded in 124 grain.

[atctimmy]

You should shoot what runs good in the gun. All of those rounds are good choices. Pick one that runs right and then buy a bunch of it.

Hits to COM are more important than one bullet over another.

[Ljutic]

After running some tests last weekend, I'd choose Critical Duty over Critical Defense. I prefer HST, but may switch over to Critical Duty for the cold weather months.

[skystud1]

Really the others nosedived?

[10thmtn]

My PM9 will not reliably feed Speer 147 gr Gold Dots (2 nose dive jams in 50 rounds). A simple tap-rack got it going again, but that is not reliable enough for me.

I've fired 100+ rounds of Federal 124 gr +P EFMJ with no issues, so that is what I carry in it. As others said, you have to find a round that will work in the gun, and then stick with it.

If you want a smallish 9mm that will feed anything, the Kahr PM9 ain't it, in my experience (and that of others, as you can see). If that is what you want, look no further than a Glock 26.

[skystud1]

I guess I am lucky! I have owned 3 Kahrs, 2 PM9's and a P9 and all have been reliable.

[gottabkiddin]

Outa the short barrel of my CM9 I like the 115gr CT stuff. IMO, it really is a good defensive round and performs just as advertised. That said, I like the 130gr+p Critical Duty stuff better.