S&W 642 or Kahr PM9

Socrates,

Trigger pull on a new 642 is as stiff as a cup of hemlock in the morning. However, dry fire the gun several hundred times and it smooths out and lightens up. I hated the trigger on mine when I bought the gun. I rather like it now that I've worked it pretty hard. Granted, mine doesn't have a light trigger, even now. But it is reasonable. I like a trigger that is slightly stiff on a defensive carry gun anyway. The 642 is ideal for the purpose it serves, in my opinion.
 
Not really Socrates. On my 642, I know exactly where the breaking point is. So I pull it back to just before the hammer drops. From that point, it is very easy to keep the gun on target and pull the trigger home.
 
OK
I will say this: I tried to make the 360PD something I shoot well. That said, it's with me more then any gun in the house, or out. It's light weight makes it a pocket gun.
Guys I don't know ring the doorbell on Satan's day, it's in my pocket, and, it doesn't show much, even in a set of sweats.
Recently went to the door with the Detonics in my pocket, and, the long magazine made it difficult to get out of my pocket, and, it was heavy, and printed. For the situation a couple days ago, that might have been a good thing.

Since 124's go 1204, the 148s at 1131 give me a bit of a warm and fuzzy...
 
642 vote here

I have a 637, the trigger smoothed out significantly after some dry firing. I like the DA/SA option. You put the thumb under or on the hammer and you are good to go on draw. The ability to clear a FTfire or FTfeed by pulling the trigger again is nice, especially with your butt on the line.

I have nothing against Kahr, but if you get one of these little snubs, the quality, design and versatililty for carry is out of this world. It is hard to define, but you fall in love with them big time. I am also in FL and with a good pocket holster and some Hogue Bantam grips (cheap upgrade $15-20) you will fall in love with one of these little boogers. Here is a list of Pros and cons for ya:

Pros
1. Five for sure.
2. Rust resistant.
3. Solid as all get out.
4. Lots of ammo options including as mentioned shot shell.
5. Less springs and other parts to break down (no tension at rest).
6. Less necessary to be spotlessly clean and oiled (so if your only gun, carry it home from the range session, no worries).
7. Lightweight and easy to pointshoot.
8. Probably a few more, but I am getting sleepy and it is time to go. :)

Cons
1. Slower reloads.
2. Only 5 shots.
3. Actually that is it.

I personally feel that 5 is enough (not counting speed strip), and if it is not for where I am going or how I am feeling that day, I carry something else or add a BUG into the mix. In my opinion either of these is as small as a gun can get and still have that feel/features of a full size. Whichever you decide, DO get the 642/637/638. You will never regret it and I bet you just might end up favoring it over most of the others in your collection the majority of the time. ;)
 
Fixed that for you

Pros
1. Five for sure.
2. Rust resistant.
3. Solid as all get out.
4. Lots of ammo options including as mentioned shot shell.
5. Less springs and other parts to break down (no tension at rest).
6. Less necessary to be spotlessly clean and oiled (so if your only gun, carry it home from the range session, no worries).
7. Lightweight and easy to pointshoot.
8. Probably a few more, but I am getting sleepy and it is time to go.

Cons
1. Slower reloads.
2. Only 5 shots.
3. Autolock.
4. Horrible recoil with heavy loads.
MIM internals, giving quite possibly the worst trigger ever put in a gun.
For perspective: In comparision, the Mosin Nagant 44 trigger is a beauty compared to the S&@ 360PD.
5. Inherently poor design, that makes grip to barrel angle REALLY bad.
6. Grip is VERY small, hard for big hands.
Click to expand...
 
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Lighteningjoe and Engineer88s fine analysis.

I had the same quandry two years ago. I bought the PM9. Had issues with it during break in. The further I got to the magical 400 rounds, the worse it got and I knew it would be going in. Hence I needed something to carry in the interim while the PM went in for rework (good service by Kahr). I purchased a new 642-2, there, now I will never have any problems like that again with a good ole wheelgun. Not!
200 dry fires of the 642 (with snap caps) and about 75 actual rounds and it to failed to operate, failed sear or some such, I have the report if you are truly interested.
The moral to the story, yes, it's highly unlikely to have a new 642-2 (wheelgun in general) fail to operate, but mine did.
Two years later they both work fine and both have around 600 rounds through them. I wouldn't hesitate to carry either.

But I don't .....my favorite pocket carrys.....

S&W M&P 340 (light version of a 642 and can be stoked with .357) with night sights and a CT 405 grips.

Seecamp LWS .380 for the ultimate in discrete carry and craftsmanship.
Both have been flawless performers and I do like the J Frame format, just that the 340 is a couple ounces lighter and that is a big difference for me, just personal preference.

Hence get the one you want.

Ugly PM9
P2140017-4.jpg


PA230002-1.jpg

642-2 with CT 405s Speedstrip 2/2 split and Mika Roundcut Pocket Holster.
 
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Add my vote for the 642. I will also add that the 642 I bought a little over a year ago has the integral gun lock.
I know that's been hashed around many times and it's really not an issue, but it really weighs on my mind if only psychologically.

But I love the darn thing, so when I recently came across a comment that RSR had a bunch of 642's made brand new but without the internal lock, I immediately called up my dealer and ordered one.
I'll be picking it up on Thursday, and my wife is excited to get my original 642 as her purse gun. She doesn't have the mental hang-up like I do about the lock. :o
 
Either pull the lock, or don't use the gun for anything serious.

My 360PD autolocked after around 200 rounds, and 3000 dry fires.

Also, I'm not sure about the 642, but the scandium frames do NOT stand up to consistent firing, at least in the 329PD.

Anyone here shot a scandium, or alloy frame over 3000 rounds?
 
I shot two cylinders full of 357 125 gr Remingtons through my 340 and my wrist still hurts...and it's been almost three years :)
 
PM9

1200+ rounds thru my PM9 without 1 failure. Best 9mm pocket gun out there. Pricey but if you look closely, the quality justifies it. That and it's 14oz empty!
 
Ever shot Buffalobore 158 grain LHP's, at 1040 fps?
Click to expand...

No, and neither has most of the population, nor will they.

Shooting factory loads is what the average shooter will encounter, not the ++P++ nuclear loads.

If your Buffalo Bore loads have a harsh recoil, it's quite understandable, but to say that a 642 shooting +P loads has "horrible recoil" is not an accurate statement.
 
The 642 will never jam, can be shot from inside a pocket or coat and will function with hollow points 100%. 5 +P's give you a good chance to survive where as a jammed auto can be a problem especially in a situation where you may not have time to get a good grip or limp wrist the pistol causing a jam.
 
Kahr Pm40

I Bought A Kahr Pm40 Four Months Ago. I Have Fired Over 250 Rds., Not A Single Mishap. I Have Read Where They Had Some Issues With Mag Followers Breaking Etc. But I Understand Those Have Been Replaced With A Metal Tip For The Slide Stop.
I Like Mine And It Is Smaller Than My Walter Ppks In .22 Or .380
Gunner
 
A little late with this post, but...

I have a PM9 DLC, 442 (blued version of the 642) and 340PD (.357). Love 'em all, but find myself carrying the 340PD in my pocket the most. It's lighter than the other two and the the shape breaks up the outline of the gun, making it virtually unnoticeable to the untrained eye, even with tighter fitting jeans. Packs plenty of punch with full house .357.
Since purchasing the 340PD, my 442 holds night stand duty and the PM9 is usually carried in a belt slide holster depending on where my travels may take me that particular day.
With that said, all three guns are primo for concealed carry, and I wouldn't get rid of any of them.
 
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