[Skunkabilly]

1. Can a Kahr P9 be set up for left-hand manipulation (mag release, slide release)

2. Price check on poly frame, silver slide model?

3. How's the trigger--smoothness, weight and trigger reset?

4. Reliability with Winchester Whitebox 115gr and common defense ammo such as Winchester SXTs and Federal Hydrashoks?

The weight of the P7 doesn't bother me comfortwise as much as it makes my pants sag abmornally.

[PenHolder]

Ah, soh... The P9 is one lightweight little fella. I'd like to find a PM9 to shoot, though! (Fat chance, what with it just being approved and all.) I've fired a P9 at 10 and 15yd for accuracy, and it was comparable to a 9mm SIG in my hands. SIGs "feel" more accurate, and I'm a little more accurate with them, but the difference is pretty small relative to my shooting skills (or lack thereof). The P9 did admirably in controlled-but-quick fire (until the range people gave me a talking to), easily hitting a letter-sized sheet at 15yd.

On to the questions:

1. No, not without major modifications. The cut-outs for the slide release to engage the slide, as well as the takedown notch (somewhat similar to the USP's) are only on the left side. Morever, the slide stop lever is retained by a spring-and-screw assembly that's in a recessed area of the frame, which exists -- you guessed it -- only on the left hand side. Serves you right for being incorrect-handed! (Just kidding.)

2. Low to mid $500s, in CA. You can only buy the stainless slide in Californistan, the blued one is not not unsafe.

3. The polymer Kahrs come standard with what I understand to be the "elite" trigger, which has a slightly shorter travel and heaver pull to make up for it. I can't really tell the difference between it and the regular trigger, especially after a few rounds of recoil. The trigger is a true DAO, it's looong and very smooth, the ones I've fired give almost no tactile indication that they're about to release the striker. I don't have a pull gauge, but I'd say the force required is in the middle of the single and double action triggers on guns like SIGs and HK USPs, actually a bit lighter than halfway. The reset is a positive "click!", but it requires a full-length travel which really turns some folks off (especially Glock folks).

If you take a look at the guts of the gun, the trigger is actually rotating a cam against the striker. The cam engages the front of the striker from below, and once it rotates past the top of its travel, the rotation brings the it back down smoothly into the frame. When it gets down far enough, the striker is released. See also: the green piece (hehe, Greenpeace) in http://www.kahr.com/images/camanim81999.gif .

4. I've seen one digest Gold Dot 124gr +P with no problems; YMMV.

-PH

[PenHolder]

Oh, I forgot: for question #1, the mag release appears to be non-reversible too. It's Glock-like in that the holes on the sides of the frame where it moves in and out are two different sizes and shapes.

On another note, if you do come across one in a store, give it a real good looking-over. You may want to write down the serial number and call Kahr to ask about it; when it was produced, and what upgrades it may require to make it "current". The P9 has been upgraded three times as far as I know, and dealers have some old guns on the shelves sometimes. Above and beyond that, I've been in a shop where they had a P9 that wouldn't seat an empty mag without a firm smack. The GSC tried to convince me that was normal behavior, but every P9 and P40 I've seen elsewhere has required no such manhandling on an empty mag. It probably could have been fixed real quick with some sandpaper on the bottom of the grip, but that's just foul for a brand new, multi-hunder-dollar gun.

Cheers,

-PH

[Skunkabilly]

That sucks about the trigger reset. I'm correct-handed but it'll be a BUG. I'm looking for something ambidextrous. Guess I'll wait for the P2000 Subcompact.

[10-Ring]

I went to Turners last nght before they closed & checked out the P9. The guy was pretty curious too, he even let me take it apart! Anyway, seems like a simple, well made pistol. If I didn't have P2000 sub on the brain, it would definitely be an option ;)

[Skunkabilly]

10-ring, looks like I'm leaning on the P2k just because it's fully ambi.

Now if I exercise and eat healthy maybe I'll live long enough to see one.

[HankB]

To echo a previous post, if you really, really, MUST get a polymer Kahr, make sure you get current production. I had a P9 - make that a POS9 - that had just about every problem you could think of. After multiple trips to the factory, Kahr gave up on trying to repair it and replaced the gun.

Being of the "Once Burned, Twice Shy" bent, I traded the replacement for a Glock 26 . . . bulkier, but it actually WORKS.

[10-Ring]

if I exercise and eat healthy maybe I'll live long enough to see one

Hey, if you're interested, I can set you up w/ membership & a trainer :D

[dsk]

I have an early P9, but aside from the trigger pin walking out slightly every couple hundred rounds it's been fine. All I do is push it back in when it comes time to clean it. I'm not sure why you think you need a lefty version of the P9, as all you need is a little practice working the slide stop/mag catch with your index finger! At least that has always worked for me.

I also find the DAO trigger on the Kahr to be excellent. And I say that being a die-hard SA guy.