Reality check: ditch Smith Bodyguard for Kahr K9?

[Shear_stress]

Once again, I made the mistake of spending too much time at the gun shop. Though my current financial situation doesn't exactly allow me to buy much, I don't let that stop me. Today I rationalized that I wanted to compare carry guns--you know, for future reference.

Out of the Glocks, Springfield XDs, Walthers, and single-stack Smiths that I handled, the one I liked best was a used Kahr K9 Elite ($400). It's strange, because Kahrs have always left me cold. This time, maybe it was the contrast with the other guns, but the Kahr was the pick of the litter: it was slim, fit my hand perfectly, and balanced like a mini BHP. Better yet, the trigger had an incredibly smooth pull for double action only.

I find myself really wanting this gun. Unfortunately, I don't really have the means to buy it outright. Plus, I've already got a CZ P-01 and a Smith Bodyguard that could be carried, although the first is a bit chunky to conceal and the second has a heavier DA pull, seems harder to aim defensively, and holds fewer rounds. So, do I:

A.) be content with what I've got
B.) put the Kahr on layaway (this store allows this for up to a year!), or
C.) trade in the Bodyguard and have one pocket gun (can't really afford the luxury of two)

[albanian]

$400 for a K-9 Elite is a really good deal! If I found one for that price, I would buy it as long as it was in decent shape.

The K-9 is a little heavier than the alloy Bodygaurd and I think about the same as the all steel Bodygaurd. It is also my favorote gun of all time. I have owned many guns includings, BHPs, Glocks, Sigs, Berettas, Walthers, S&W, Ruger, CZ, Colt, Bersa, Star, Springfield 1911s and XD-9, and so on. If I could only keep one gun, it would be the K-9. I have said this before and it is true. The 9mm is much more powerful than the .38spl and the K-9 holds 8rds instead of only 5rds. It is a much more accurate gun and eaiser to hit with. It is also slimmer which I find is more important than just lightweight. I can carry my K-9 just as easily as my 642 if we are talking about IWB carry. For coat pocket carry, the 642 or 638 has no equal.

I would keep the Bodygaurd but get the K-9 as well. That is a good enough deal to scrimp and save if you have to. It is all steel so it will last forever. I really think that if you like the way it feels in your hand, you will love how it shoots. You will be surprised at the accuracy as well. All of a sudden, you can actually use the gun as a plinker and a range gun if choose. The Bodygaurd can be accurate but it takes effort to make really accurate shots. The K-9 shoots like a full sized gun and shoots better than some. For example, my K-9 is as accurate or more so than several full sized guns I have had like the Ruger P-95 or the S&W 59.

[Jim Watson]

I like my Kahr, but it still takes a holster and does not replace my old M38 as a pocket pistol. Don't trade a gun that you know works for one that you hope will work.

[HSMITH]

What Jim said^^^^^. Spot on.

[Shear_stress]

Thanks for the great advice, folks.

It seems reasonable that a used semi-auto can sometimes be a pig in a poke. Someone wanted to get rid of it for some reason, and you hope it was just because he or she just needed the money. Some of the first Kahrs were a little flaky, though everything I've read says that more recent iterations have been very reliable.

It would probably make the most sense to put a little money down on the Kahr and hold onto the Bodyguard. I can pay off the Kahr at my leisure and still have the trusty Smith around.

[obiwan1]

I'm in agreement. Keep the Smith and buy the Kahr. There will be times when you'll appreciate having a choice. :cool:

[Ala Dan]

Another here in agreement with "keeping the Smith". :D

[PX15]

For me, in a quick trip to the 7-11, whatever, nothing is easier than to slip my Barami Hip Grip equipped S/W Model 49 (bodyguard) in my waistband, leave my shirt out, and you're good to go.

I think we American's have the tendacy to always search for the newer, smaller/larger, more capacity, more whatever in many things, surely in firearms.

But the old S/W J-Frames and comparable Colt DS's and Cobras have done the concealed carry job for decades and I personally think they are still adequate to the job.

I have several higher capacity 9's, and for home defense, or serious concealed carry, they are sometimes a better choice, (actually I've got a Ruger Security-Six 357mag by the bed/ next to the closet that holds the High Standard 12ga. Riot pump shotgun), but for the quick trip and the likes the old snubby's still tote the load.

I have to admit I'm prejudiced tho, I just don't care for Kahr's. I'm sure they are excellent pistols, but when I was interested several years ago they just didn't "fit" my hands well, and I just lost interest.

A suggestion tho. If at all possible, NEVER sell, trade, whatever, a firearm you like just to buy something newer. Wait until you can save up enough to buy whatever the "flavor of the month" firearm you want, but keep what you already are satisfied with and have faith in. I was guilty of just that for years and let many nice firearms go that I wish I had back.. But they're gone....

On the other hand, if you are dissatisfied with a firearm, get rid of it. Try and build your collection with only the firearms you are fond of.

Oh yeah.. I hate Glocks too.... (But, LOVE my SIG P239)

Go figure.

Best Wishes,

JP :D

[fastbolt]

I really regretted trading off an excellent handling & shooting M36 nickeled 3" Heavy Barreled .38 one time ... What was I thinking? The other cop who bought it from me many years ago has said he'll never part with it. Smarter fellow ...

When I decided to 'replace' my stainless steel M649 Bodyguard with a M642-1, I'd learned my lesson, though. I kept the Bodyguard and simply bought the 642. I've never regretted keeping the Bodyguard.;)

Kahrs are one of those 'recently produced' pistols which seem to generate a wide disparity of owner & user satisfaction, both in functional reliability of the pistols themselves, as well as customer service satisfaction. I've seen some function fine, and some not ...

S&W has pretty much figured out how to make a decent J-frame, although the occasional minor problem will still surface, as with any piece of machinery. Their excellent customer service seems to be an advantage.

I'll never trade off another J-frame S&W ... ;)

[Coronach]

Keep the smith.

[JNewell]

Speaking as the owner of a MK9 and several J-frames: keep the J-frame.

[scubie02]

Speaking as the owner of a MK9 and several J-frames: keep the J-frame.

I have a j-frame (actually a few 38's) that I like, but have considered a PM9--do you not like your kahr?

[Shear_stress]

Well, I put a couple of Andrew Jacksons down on the Kahr K9 Elite. I did follow the advice of the forum and kept the Smith that I know works. The store's generous layaway plan made that a lot easier.

Before any money changed hands, I spent an hour scouring the gun for possible defects. I even brought my own snap caps to check feeding and ejecting (gun store employees adore me). Fortunately, everything seemed to check out. After pawing the gun endlessly, I also noticed it was spotless inside and out, which indicated a low round count, or an obsessive-compulsive former owner. Cool either way.

The more I handled the gun, the more "right" it seemed. There is something about the basic elegance of the design, the heft, feel, and workmanship that really appeals to me. In addition, the superb, short-stroke "Elite" trigger officially eliminates my bias for hammer-fired guns.

After reading about teething problems with the smaller, polymer-framed models, I hope my steel gun shoots as nicely as it looks. Of course, at the rate I am paying it off, it will be a while before I find out.

[dfariswheel]

Some advice:
Since you have no idea just how many rounds were fired through it, or whether they were hot loads, replace the recoil spring.

Some Kahr's seem to need springs every 1500 to 2000 rounds or so.

[klover]

I'd have to be stark raving mad :eek: :banghead: :scrutiny:

[JNewell]

Scubie, yes, I do like the MK9. It's very well made, more accurate in mechanical terms than I can use to full potential given its size, and has been unfailingly reliable with all kinds of ammo.

However, there's no replacement for the J-frame.

[Shear_stress]

Yeah, practically nothing beats an Airweight J-frame for deep carry. They are offer true "pocketability" and almost guaranteed reliability.

To me, though, the all-steel Kahrs seem like the best compramise among the full-power semi-auto carry guns. After looking at a lot of these pistols, the Kahrs are less bulky, yet not so small and light as to promote limp-wristing.

Having carried exactly nothing up to now, this is all kind of academic to me. I should reserve judgment until I get some actual holster time under my belt (so to speak).

[tbeb]

I'd keep the bodyguard, because it will fit any pants pocket. I've kicked around buying a Kel Tec P-11 because it holds more rounds than my snub .38, and in my opinion, is a little more powerful. Ah, think I'll stick with my snub .38 because it's a great pocket gun. I'm going to buy a couple Safariland Comp 1 speedloaders--chow!

[JNewell]

it will fit any pants pocket

Heh, before we start the "which is less likely to print in my pocket, the J-frame or the Kahr?" thread again, be advised, there are several previous versions in the archives. :D