[KahrKarrier]

Doesn't anyone on this forum own and operate Kahr handguns? I own two, a K9 and a K40. Both are the all stainless models. The K40 is about three years old and is my favorite carry gun, it's powerful, accurate and has a very good trigger action. And they conceal easily.
I'm not too kool on plastic guns including Glocks and the Kahr tupperware models. The all stainless are relatively heavy but they do feel like real guns when you fire them, the weight goes a long way toward controllability and I like that. It seems the all stainless Kahr's have far fewer problems than their plastic framed brothers.
This forum seems taken up by 1911 shooters and don't misunderstand, that's ok by me, I really love 1911's, I just can't afford the Les Baur I've always wanted and some of the less expensive models seem to be poor performers.
I would enjoy hearing some talk from other Kahr owners and their experiences.
I realize some folks are wrongly informed thinking that moonies own Kahr, that simply is not true.
Kahr makes parts for NAA mini guns and no one calls them moony guns, why is that? The truth is that Kahrs are 100% made in America by 100% American workers who feed and house their 100% American families living in a 100% All American city like Worcester, Mass. Gun magazine writers have described the Kahr products as being as well made as a Swiss watch, and I have to agree with that statement. I have fired thousands of rounds through both of my Kahr's with no problems but I will have to admit to installing Wolff's stronger recoil springs for no reason except that I've had such good luck with Wolff springs in my S&W's and Taurus revolvers.
You guys and gals ought to try a Kahr gun, you might be pleasantly surprised.

[9x19]

I've tried a few, and they are good guns.

Just not my preference.

Glad they work so well for you.

[SouthpawShootr]

I have 3. My first was unintentional. A dealer that I do alot of business with had an MK9 stainless with Trijicon night sights new for $350. Thought "what the hell" and bought it. Like it very much. In fact this thing pursuaded me to buy a similarly equipped K9 (paid much more for this, though). Finally, I just had to have a PM9 when they came out. It was $25 more than my K9 and didn't even have night sights. All are accurate, reliable and easily concealed. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be the K9. Small enough to conceal readily, but also big enough to enjoy on extended shooting outings.

[Zundfolge]

I've got an MK40. Its been an excellent carry gun, but its for sale http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=10387134

If it wasn't for the fact that I really really really want an AR15 right now (and I want to make sure I get one before they renew the AWB or replace it with something worse), I'd be keeping it because frankly as far as I'm concerned the Kahr MK pistols are the perfect CCW weapon.

[dsk]

I have (and like) a Kahr P9. No major problems to report.

[10-Ring]

I've only recently started seeing them in the shops I frequent. I hope to be able to try one out one of these days.

[CWL]

I think you will find that most people here are favorable towards Kahr, though not always the polymers. If you do a search, I think you will find many threads here, including discussions about Moonies & such.

I own a stainless K9 which I bought NIB because of rave reviews and my trustworthy friend. It came outta box with rust on the frame & slide, and one of the followers had to be dremelled to feed properly. Seems like most other complaints are about cosmetics rather than performance.

For me, I do not like the trigger -don't get me wrong, there's not much smoother in a DAO-style, but I'm used to my 1911s and my P7s. So if you were to ask me, I just have other preferences. Doesn't make your choice any worse.

[SouthpawShootr]

You know, this discussion just made me realize that I haven't seen one of these at gunshows since the PM series came out. I'm assuming they are just getting so popular that they get snapped up immediately. Kind of like to have either an MK40 or K40 Covert. I don't think I want to experience the .40 S&W in a polymer Kahr. Some gluttons for punishment are actually eagerly awaiting a PM40.

[WhoKnowsWho]

My K40 Covert is my concealed carry piece when the weather is okay.

Does that mean I like it? :D

[gbelleh]

I used to have an MK40, but sold it with the intention of replacing it with an MK9 (just decided I didn't want .40 in the collection). But, I ended up eventually replacing the MK40 with a PM9. Both are great guns. Amazingly accurate for their size.

[Skunkabilly]

Whoa.

Are you related Kahr Carrier?

[10-Ring]

Are you related Kahr Carrier?

Yeah, that threw me off too :)

[12 Volt Man]

I have a K9, affectionately known as "Rover" I carry it quite often. It has Trijicons and is very accurate for a gun of it's size. Everytime I take it to the range someone comments on the group size and cannot believe a small gun shoots that well.

[QuarterBoreGunner]

I've been carrying a Kahr .40 for 3+ years now.

My 1st Gen. K40 is still ticking along after 2k rounds and the only maintenance I've done is a main spring change-out at 1k rounds.

Only complaint is I wish I'd picked up the stainless version; the finish on the 'blue' model doesn't wear well and has a lot of holster wear.

Oh yeah, and it's a pain to strip for cleaning; those tight machining tolerances can be a pain sometimes.

[Mike Irwin]

Try the search feature, and you'll see how many of us have, and love, our Kahrs.

While I'm primarily a revolver guy for my CCW, I do carry my K9 occasionally.

As a matter of fact, here. I've done the search for you. Click the text below, kick back, have something to drink, and have fun reading. :)

All our Kahr threads... (http://www.thehighroad.org/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=245857&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending)


That's 423 separate threads, not messages, in which Kahr firearms are mentioned...

[agony]

I've carried a Kahr K9 elite98 for 5 years.
Great pistol.

[TheeBadOne]

I have a Kahr MK-9 with night sites that is sweet. I'd recommend it to anyone. It goes along when my Glock 27 can't.

[firestar]

A dealer that I do alot of business with had an MK9 stainless with Trijicon night sights new for $350. Thought "what the hell" and bought it.

What the hell indeed! I would have snapped that up in a second!

I had a Kahr E-9 (K-9) and it was the best gun I have ever had. I don't regret most of the guns that I have sold but I regret selling this one everyday.:( The only thing that keeps me going is the hope that I will find a nice K-98 Elite with night sights for a steal.

[atek3]

its not a 'moonie' gun.
however the founder is the son of the reverant soon yung moon. And the funds used to found kahr were from the 'church of unification.' I don't hold that against them, but some might.


atek3

[TheeBadOne]

From "American Handgunner" Nov/Dec 2001

THE RISE OF THE HOUSE OF KAHR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KAHR ARMS CAME OUT OF NOWHERE TO DOMINATE THE ULTRA-COMPACT PISTOL MARKET. WHY DID THE KAHR DESIGN FLOURISH WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILED?

They had a small booth in an out-of-the-way corner of the massive firearms trade exhibit known as the SHOT Show, yet nothing so trivial as a remote location could impede the buzz. Word was spreading across the show floor about this new gun called the Kahr. It was said to be the slickest little double-action 9mm pocket pistol since the Devel conversion of the Smith Model 39, and it was being offered at an unbelievably low price.
Such talk is a magnet. I was drawn to the humble booth like a moth to a search-light. My first reaction was, "No way. Somebody paid a fortune to build this prototype, but no way can it be produced as nicely as this. Not at the price they're talking. If it even works. Big if.
"They're gonna get a ton of prepaid orders, cash the checks, and disappear," I surmised pessimistically. Shades of Bren Ten. In the immortal words of The Fonz, we now admit that we were "Wr... wruh... wrong!"
Now six years later, Kahr pistols have become one of the handgun world's greatest success stories of the last decade - the Glock of the Nineties. (Kahr has gone on to pass the tortuous approval test by NYPD for off-duty carry with the K9 model.) No less a personality than Bill Wilson has put forth a series of customized Kahrs. Dealers tell us they can't keep them in stock.
The models have evolved from small to smallest, light, lighter and lightest and increasingly more high-tech as polymer models have entered the line. The 9mm chambering has been expanded to the .40 S&W caliber.
Not only has the line expanded with new models and calibers, the company itself has risen liken a dot-com stock. Kahr Arms absorbed Auto-Ordnance and now manufactures and sells that company's Thompson submachineguns and generic 1911-A1 pistols.
You read it here first - Kahr Arms may well be the next Kimber on the 1911 horizon.
One thing few observers realized when Kahr first trotted onto the scene was that the firm wasn't just a stand-alone. From the beginning, Kahr was a division of the Saeilo Group. Pronounced "Say-low", the parent company was founded in 1983 by Kahr Arm's founder, Justin Moon's father, Rev. Sun Myong Moon. According to a company spokesman, the Rev. Moon is no longer involved in Saeilo Group.
Specializing in precision metal-working, Saeilo was in a position to render the fledgling gunmaker expert advice on metallurgy and production efficiency. By 2001, Saeilo would employ 220 workers, and some 20 percent of its income was generated by the Kahr Arms division.
Justin Moon designed the guns and serves as CEO of the company. He is a wunderkind in his field. He was only 25 years old when Kahr Arms emerged, and only 30 when we interviewed him for this story.
The son of the founder of the controversial Unification Church, Moon is well spoken and articulate. He has produced the most successful small pistol to ever enter the market with so little fanfare. He is as engaging to interview as he is gifted in his ability to make a good gun.

THE INTERVIEW
Ayoob: Tell us something about your background.
Moon: I was born in Seoul, Korea, on July 17, 1970. I came to U.S. in 1973 and have lived here ever since. I went to school, from kindergarten to high school, at Hackely School, a small private school in Tarrytown, N.Y. I graduated from high school Cum Laude and was accepted into Vassar College. I transferred from Vassar to Harvard University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor of arts degree in economics.
Ayoob: How did you become involved in firearms?
Moon: I have been interested in guns for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, toy soldiers and toy guns were my favorite playthings. My favorite subject in middle school and high school was history. I loved reading about weapons of all sorts.
Ayoob: Your shooting experience?
Moon: My first experience shooting was with my older brother when I was 14. He also liked guns and took me shooting with friends and family. We would have a great time setting up and shooting targets with an assortment of firearms. Ever since that first shooting experience, I continued to pursue my interest in firearms. I maintain several subscriptions to firearms magazines which I voraciously digest.
Ayoob: Training?
Moon: My training in firearms comes largely from reading about guns and from practicing with my brothers and some friends involved in the personal security industry.
Ayoob: Tell us how you became involved in the firearms industry.
Moon: When I was finishing my junior year in college, I began thinking about the path I should follow after I graduated. I thought about doing what everyone else did - either join Corporate America or continue with education. However, upon reflection, those options did not appeal to me. I wanted to work right away, and in a field I enjoyed.
I decided that I would like to work in the firearms industry. I had been licensed to carry in New York State since I was 18, and had looked for an ultra-compact 9mm pistol. However, to my chagrin, I could not find a pistol with the quality of construction and features in design which I felt were appropriate for a carry arm. Therefore, I decided to design an ultra-compact 9mm pistol that I could carry.
I figured there were many shooters like myself who desired to have a truly carryable 9mm pistol. I spent the summer and much of my senior year designing the mechanical layout of the pistol and prototyping various designs concepts. By the time I graduated I had pretty much solved all the conceptual problems that hindered the manufacture of the pistol that I had in mind. From there I partnered with Saeilo to move to prototype the pistol and prepare for production.
Ayoob: Where did the name Kahr come from?
Moon: When it came to marketing the pistol, I did not feel that Saeilo would be a "catchy" name to put on my gun. I wanted a name that was short, easy to remember, and symbolic of the high quality of manufacture. Given Germany's renown for engineering prowess and quality, I wanted a name that sounded German. That's how I came up with "Kahr."
Ayoob: What do you feel was the heart of the Kahr pistol's design concept?
Moon: The primary specification that I started with were to build a double-action–only, breech-locking, striker-fired 9mm that was no larger than a Walther PPK .380. Breech-lock mechanism and striker-fired pistols have been around for decades and the use of that basic technology was of course borrowed from prior art. The challenging aspect of the development was to figure out how to incorporate those features into a gun that was no larger than the venerable PPK.
Ayoob: Yet, in the end, you wound up with, what four or five patents on the Kahr design?
Moon: In all, five patents were received on the Kahr pistol design. The most important of the patents is the Staggered Barrel Locking Lug. By offsetting the barrel lug and staggering it with the trigger and trigger bar assembly, I was able to greatly reduce the vertical height of the pistol from the trigger to the top of the slide. This innovation made it possible to greatly lower the bore axis of the pistol and helped compress a breech lock design toward the dimension of a simple blow back design.
That innovation in conjunction with a second patent that explained a Method of Retaining a Trigger Bar Onto a Trigger made the Kahr pistols possible. This second innovation was necessary in order to keep the thin overall dimension of the pistol. The second patent made it possible to attach the trigger bar to the trigger with minimum use of space.
The third patent covers the Striker Activation System of the pistol. The use of the "cocking cam" to both actuate the striker and deactivate the safety gives Kahr pistols a uniquely smooth and consistent double-action trigger pull.
The fourth patent explains a method of an Inertia Fired Striker. This patent is less critical in that there are a number of methods explained in the art of how to achieve this function.
The fifth patent is related to Kahr's unique extractor design. The extractor's uniqueness is that its pivoting motion is limited in one direction to make "failures to extract" a near impossibility. Furthermore, the extractor has a unique mechanical design which enables it to be self-cleaning.
Ayoob: A lot of people in the industry thought it was very honest and forthright of you and your company to license the double-captive recoil spring design from Larry Seecamp, instead of just copying it and fighting it out in court as Llama and Para-Ordnance did.

Moon: Yes, the double-recoil spring design was licensed from Seecamp.
Ayoob: You built your first 9mm, the K9, to take 9mm +P and +P+ ammo, and one complaint was that the springs were strong enough to make the gun's slide hard to draw back. Tell us where you went with that.
Moon: The recoil springs in the first K9s were 24 pounds. Based on the feed-back from customers who experienced difficulty in manipulation of the slide, we changed the recoil spring to the current design of 18 to 20 pounds. At this time we only offer one strength of recoil spring in the Kahr K9 models - 18 to 20 pounds.
Ayoob: Did this impact the company's policy of warranting the guns to handle +P and +P+ 9mm, and full power of .40 S&W?
Moon: According to our instruction manual we recommend only high-quality factory ammunition of the proper caliber. The Kahr 9mm can handle +P loads and in the Kahr .40 S&W we recommend regular pressure, high-quality factory ammunition.
Ayoob: Warranties?
Moon: We offer a limited lifetime warranty on all the Kahr models. As long as the gun has not been abused, we will stand behind our products.
Ayoob: What's your best seller?
Moon: Polymer pistols are the most popular.
Ayoob: What's on the horizon for Kahr Arms?
Moon: We do not discuss ongoing research and development projects publicly. We continue to pursue a number of promising projects and are committed to introducing new products on a continuing basis.
Ayoob: There is speculation on the Internet that your father or his church own your company. Your response?
Moon: I currently am the majority shareholder of Kahr and operate my business to provide high quality firearms to the public and to make a profit.
Ayoob: What's your reaction when commentators on the Net try to bring religion into it?
Moon: I am a member of the Unification Church, but I do not hold any formal positions in the church. I proudly participate and support my church and my community. This is, after all, a free country. I cherish my First Amendment rights as well as my Second Amendment rights.

http://www.kahr.com/review_ahg_1001.html

[Razor 10]

I currently am sitting here with my Kahr MK .40 on my hip. This gun as far as I am concernd is the best ccw gun on the market.


The gun did have a few problems,and had to go back to the factory a couple of times. Their service is a little under par but no big deal. I sent it back because the guide rod was getting badly beaten up where it rests against the frame. Kahr basicly did nothing about it so I made a heavy duty guide rod ( thicker face) . Also the mag well was cut way too much and the mag flopped around in the well. Sent it back and as expected they did nothing to repair it. The work order said problem confirmed "mag well cut to large" solution, fired 50 rnds no malfunctions so here you go. Well I fixed that problem myself as well. I welded up the well and polished it back down.


The gun runs great, never once did I have a malfunction. Even with the problems I had this is still the best gun for ccw, in my opinoin.



Nick:)

[harrydog]

I like my K9 Elite better than my HK P7, which has been sold with no regrets.
It's very concealable and almost weightless in an Alessi belt and WSDT .

[DW]

Another happy Kahr owner here. I have two PM9's. One in stainless the other in the new black finish. I think my next will be a P9 or K9. It's getting to the point where all my handguns are either Kahr's or Glock's.

DW

[firestar]

I can't believe the fact that some will not buy a Kahr because the owner of Kahr is the son of a religious leader.:banghead: I was in a gunstore once a few years ago and asked if they carried any Kahrs, the guy gave me a sour look and said he will never sell Kahrs because they are made by the Moonies.:banghead: The funny thing is, you can go in that same store today and he has the largest selection of Kahr pistols in town.:D One of the shop guys even carries a Kahr K-40. So much for his lofty high standards.:rolleyes: He will carry whatever will sell and carry whatever will work.

[emc]

I have a K-9 with the now discontinued electroless nickel finish. Great pistol, and quite accurate for a combat piece. I use it for CCW AND for IDPA competition. Works for me!

FWIW,

emc

[DRC]

Kahr K40 here,

One of the best purchases I've ever made. Took several rounds before I became comfortable with the DAO trigger but now I enjoy shooting it more than my HK USP and the USP is fantastic.

I have a different customer service story however. My gun was accidently fed 9mm. When the error was pointed out the shooter (not myself) was made aware of this. Not looking down the barrel the wedged live 9mm round in the barrel was not seen and the propper ammo loaded into the clip and fired. Long story short, BIG MESS but no one was hurt thank God. The gun was totaled to say the least. It was shooter error no doubt about it and I included a letter explain such, but I sent it back to see what it would cost me to replace all the effected parts and if any parts could be reused.Four weeks went by and I had not received word from them so I called on it. It had shipped back to me, completely rebuilt and at no charge and I received it a couple of days later. I can't complain about Kahr in any way.

I've put 1000+ rounds through my pistol and have had no problems. I too like the way it shoots, its accuracy and reliability. Other gun manufacturers will be hardpressed to beat these pistols IMO.

Take care,

DRC

[RTFM]

I can't believe this. I'm the first to welcome KahrKarrier!
Howdy KahrKarrier.
Welcome.

[KahrKarrier]

RTFM Thank you very much for the welcome, that was very kind of you.
SKUNKABILLY and 10-RING no I'm not related to Kahr Carrier simply a coincidence. I used the "K" in Karrier as a feeble attempt to come up with a cool user name. Until you mentioned Kahr Carrier I wasn't aware that there was another name as close to the one I made up.
To everyone else, Thank You all for the terrific response. Nice to know I'm not the only one who likes Kahrs. I've lurked on this forum, and others, just to see some Kahr Komments either pro or con. I finally had to break my silence and test the waters, so to speak. Again thanks everyone.
THEE BAD ONE tonight when I settle down with a cool Bud I'll read your post, phew, that was a long one.

[RTFM]

OK with that post out of the way, I've heard good things about them but never shot one.
I'm in the market for a new small .40 and it's down to the Kahr, Taurus and the Firestorm.
They all fit me great, and point real well for me.. I just have to get where a gun shop rents them (at least the Kahr and Taurus) to see who gets my $

Now about the All American city.
Ever been to Worcester?
Arm pit! (sorry friends I made in Mass, but all of you say the same thing...)
I just came back from a year in Mass. We have offices in Worcester and Boston, also in Cranston, Providence and Newport RI and CT.
PASS

Source:
http://www.fairus.org/html/07272062.htm
When the focus is on the greatest percent change in the foreign-born population, the order is considerably changed. The percentage ranking allows a low-immigration state like South Dakota to be listed, but, more interestingly, it removes from the ranking all of the ‘big-6’ except for Texas. There were 19 states whose foreign-born population more than doubled over the 1990-2000 decade, and in three of those states the foreign-born population more than tripled.


Top 25 States
F.B. No. Change ('90-'00)
State # Change % Change
1 CA:: 2,405,430:: 37.2%
2 TX:: 1,375,206:: 90.2%
3 NY:: 1,016,272:: 35.6%
4 FL:: 1,008,227:: 60.6%
5 IL:: 576,786:: 60.6%
6 NJ:: 509,717:: 52.7%
7 GA:: 404,147:: 233.4%
8 AZ:: 377,978:: 135.9%
9 NC:: 314,923:: 273.7%
10 WA:: 292,313:: 90.7%
11 VA:: 258,470:: 82.9%
12 NV:: 316,593:: 202.0%
13 CO :: 227,469:: 159.7%
14 MD:: 204,821:: 65.3%
15 MA:: 199,250:: 34.7%



Mass, Worcester, Boston, Jamaca Plain, Watertown, even Shrewsbury, Leominster and Fitchburg are no longer the All American towns you create them to be.


KahrKarrier
I realize some folks are wrongly informed thinking that moonies own Kahr, that simply is not true.

Church's Pistol Firm Exploits a Niche
Washington Post/March 10, 1999
By John Mintz
With parts of its sprawling business empire in decline, the Unification Church headed by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon is finding profits in one of the least-known of its commercial ventures: making guns.
Moon's four-year-old gun company, Kahr Arms, has prospered amid glowing reviews for the workmanship of its small but potent pistols. Last month, Kahr Arms expanded, purchasing the company that manufactures Tommy guns, fabled in Roaring '20s mob shootouts from speeding black sedans.

The ties between Kahr Arms and the Unification Church headed by Moon have received almost no notice, both within the close-knit gun industry and among church members. The business arm of the church, whose members believe that Moon is the Messiah and was placed on earth to restore the Garden of Eden, declined to clarify its involvement in the gun business.

Moon arms factory
His father preaches peace, and he makes guns
Boston Globe/March 21, 1999
By Thomas Farragher
Worcester -- To his church, he is the sinless child of the "True Parents," a scion of an apostle of peace. But his business card could say something else: Justin Moon, gun maker.
At the end of a gritty industrial strip here, sandwiched between a highway and a graveyard, the son of the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the self-proclaimed messiah who claims to have conversed with Jesus and Moses, is making small pistols that pack a punch.

The Harvard-educated Kook Jin "Justin" Moon is the chief executive officer of Kahr Arms, whose products are viewed as finely crafted weapons by gun enthusiasts and as shameful symbols of hypocrisy by critics of the Rev. Moon's Unification Church, which preaches peace and love.

[Pocket Pistol]

My MK9 has not missed a beat since new in 9/1998.

I love my MK9 and want a PM9 or P9

[KahrKarrier]

RTFM Never been to Mass, I hardle ever venture north of the Mason-Dixon line myself, thanks for enlightening me about how bad things seem to be up there.
Did you happen to read THEE BAD ONES post quoting American Handgunner's article and Ayoob's interview with Justin Moon? That article is a couple of years more recent than your newspaper quotes and seems to dispute most of what your articles pointed out.
Some of the most popular imported weaponry seems to come from former communist block countries but that doesn't stop us from recognizing good quality and buying them does it? I just prefer American made products which is why I ride a Harley, drive a Ford F150, have a Johnson outboard motor on my Wellcraft boat and shoot Kahr and S&W oh yes I do have a gun made in Brazil, shame on me. But I prefer my Kahr, made in an American city weather it's "All" American or not is not for me to judge.
By the way, you will pay a little more for the Kahr but the quality is there. Oh yes, by the way, isn't Taurus made in South America? And what about Firestorm, wonder what country that one hails from? Their workers probably work in sweat shops for $2.00 an hour or so, maybe less. But at least they aren't owned by the son of a Moonie Preacher in a plain old American town in Mass.
God Bless America and aint freedom of choice grand?

[Fair 'n Square]

My Kahr K-9 is wonderful for concealed carry. And I add my kudos for the trigger pull. It's the best I've ever felt on a DAO (double-action-only) handgun. When I can conceal a full-size handgun (most of the time) I carry a Springfield XD-40. But when I'm in a suit, which is fairly often, I carry the Kahr.

[usnavymasterchief]

Come on now Kahr Karrier, I sence a little patriotic hostility in your reply to RTFM. IMHO, it wasn't very nice of RTFM to welcome you aboard and then fire away at you in his next reply, I couldn't figure that one out either.
I could care less about Justin Moon's country of origin, my Dad was from Ireland and Mom's from Norway, I was born in the USofA and I served in the US Navy for 32 years, I loath communism and I don't agree with the Moonie philosophy but I bought a Kahr K40 anyway. Why you ask? Because it was made in the good old USA by Americans trying to earn a decent living.
My Kahr is of very high quality and reasonably priced when compared to some of the other big name gun manufacturers.
I tend to believe Ayoobs comments and his interview with Mr Moon.
Just my .02 worth.

[txgolfer45]

My Kahr PM9 has been a great addition to my small collection of handguns. It definitely took 200 rounds to loosen it up though. After that, it has been very smooth! I highly recommend it.

It is in my front pocket holster as I type!!! :)

Scott

[fastbolt]

I thought I'd already posted an opinion in this thread ... Must've been one similar ...

Anyway, my hands-on familiarity with Kahr pistols is limited to those that have come through our range, and of those, as I recall they were a K9, K40 & a new PM9.

Didn't like the K9. Too heavy for its purpose, size & caliber. The owner experienced more than their fair share of malfunctions, specifically feeding malfunctions where the pistol's slide wouldn't fully return to battery. The head armorer made a couple minor adjustments where sharp edges appeared to be involved, but it's also possible the small stature and lesser grip/arm strength of the shooter was involved, as well ...

Liked the K40. Still heavy for its size, carry-wise, but considering the perceived recoil of its caliber, it may well be justified for many shooters. Like the balance & accuracy when I shot it, and I found the trigger to be decent ... even considering I dislike DAO & "related" pistols.

Didn't like the PM9. Opposite situation from the K9, though, because here I thought the pistol was perfect as far as carry-weight went ... but I disliked the snappy, muzzle-rise for a 9mm pistol. My CS9 isn't all that much larger ... I know, I know, ASIDE from the rubber grips ... ;) ... and the CS9 is much easier to control (NOT that it has anything to do with the ugly rubber grips, mind you), and has significantly less perceived recoil impulse and muzzle rise ... for ME. Entirely a subjective issue, I realize. All things being equal, I'd still go for the faster SA reset of the DA/SA cycle of operation of the CS9. Matter of familiarization, training, and an embarrassingly high number of rounds fired downrange through S&W DA/SA pistols.

I know folks are really pleased with their selection of PM9's for lawful carry, and I'm certainly not going to tell them ... or even imply ... that they're wrong. If it works for them ... it works for them. Simple as that. When it comes right down to it, one of my responsibilities is to HELP folks become better skilled shooters with their selected off duty weapons, NOT tell them they're wrong for their selection. How is demeaning their choice of a potentially life-saving off duty weapon supposed to help build their confidence? :scrutiny: I don't have to like their choice in weapons, any more than I have to like their choice in cars, beer, books or women.

I just wouldn't spend my money on a PM9. Maybe if I handled and tried a MK9 I'd have some other standard of comparison.

Okay, I also dislike the way the polymer frame apparently exhibits the close-to-the-surface presence of the trigger pin cross-pin on one side, and wonder how well the frame will hold up in that area for long term use, considering how thin the frame dimensions are in that area. Time will tell, and I expect to hear one way or the other from PM9 owners on this, and other, forums. I'm not trying to say it's a potential problem, either. Not at all ... but I've nodded my head in agreement with some folk's thoughts that it seems to be a bit "noticeable" on some pistols.

Lastly, if I allowed the country of origin, or the personality of the company's owner ... or their politics, sexual preference, religious or spiritual beliefs, etc ... to be a PRIMARY consideration in selecting which firearms I was "willing" to deign to own ... Well, I wonder how many I'd be able to find whose maker/designer/company owner met my exacting criteria??? :uhoh:

What if a firearm company wanted potential purchasers to fit within a specific type of demographic? How many of US might be denied the privilege of purchasing their products?

I won't presume to tell someone that elects not to purchase a Kahr, because of the nature of the religious organization of the company owner's father, that they're "wrong" in their determination ... for THEM. I also wouldn't be interested in their opinion of whether I should consider buying a Kahr, either. Not unless it has something to do with the actual mechanical advantages/disadvantages of the pistol design. I take such freedoms seriously ...

ASK me, and I might tell you what I think ... but I won't generally try and force an opinion down your throat. TELL me how YOU think I should think, especially if I didn't invite your opinion, and you'll probably find you suddenly have yourself a very receptive "audience" ... because you'll only be talking to yourself.

I suppose what I should've just said is that the only Kahr I've handled and shot which would remotely interest me is the K40 ... :rolleyes: ... The owner of that K40 likes it a LOT, though, and I respect his opinion.

Enough said ...

[bad_dad_brad]

They are generally considered good to excellent pistols. I have an older MK9. I like it a lot. FYI, replace the recoil spring after every 2000 rounds to assure return to battery (I read that somewhere). Cheap insurance anyway. I have yet to come close to 1000 rounds after seven years so what the heck.

The all steel models are a bit heavy, but I prefer my MK9 to a PM9. Easier to control.

[harrydog]

Almost every thread with Kahrs as the topic eventually reverts to the same thing. So predictable. I personally could not care less about the Kahr/Moonie association. So what. They're good weapons and that's all I really care about.
And while it's nice that they're made in the USA, that's also not a consideration on my part either.
By the way, I used to work in Worcester. Springfield also. I commuted from New Hampshire. I firmly believe that the reason why so many MA cities have such large immigrant populations is because MA is an extremely welfare friendly state.
Drive a few miles north accross the border into New Hampshire and you'll notice a distinct absence of foreigners, or even most minorities. The main difference? New Hampshire is not a welfare friendly state.
So blame the liberal politicians of MA for that situation, if it bothers you.

[Kahr carrier]

Welcome Kahr Karrier to THR:D

[txgolfer45]

The Kahr PM9 is a great CCW. Definitely worth looking at if you are looking for a CCW. I practice with my PM9, but it is not my range gun. I leave that to my Glock 19 or 23. My Glock 26 is my preferred CCW if concealment situation allows due to higher capacity and accuracy.

Scott

[Jeff OTMG]

I have a Kahr MK9 (ankle gun), K40 Covert (fanny pack gun), and P9 Covert that spent 13 hours in my pocket today. Someday I will have a PM9 as well. Great little pistols.

[RTFM]

OK blame it on too much coffee yesterday. KahrKarrier I did not mean to come off like that, the more people we have here on TFL the better we all are.

Your right, Taurus is manufactured in Brazil.
Firestorm/Bersa (FABRICA de Armas Bersa SA of Ramos Meija) is manufactured in Argentina.

None of that bothers me in the least. My money goes to what works for me the best; it does not bother me in the least where a product is made, by whom or under what conditions, whether it’s shoes or pistols or trucks.

I’ll have to be honest with you, until yesterday, I did not know that Kahr was a Moonie gun. Does it bother me, nope. That Taurus is from Brazil nope. That Firestorm/Bersa is from Argentina negative. What works for me I purchase.

None of this changes my out look on Mass. though, :D

U.S. Navy Master Chief, Thank you for serving America for 32 years. I have 10 years in the Army my self, and hate communism as well.
And I also do not agree with the Moonie philosophy. I’ll presuppose that most of us here can trace our lineage to some where other than these shores.
I am still considering a Kahr as a new purchase, but that’s where it stops for me, as I said above, basing my consideration on anything’s country of origin will never, ever, make it to my thought process.

So, if I torqued’ off any one, sorry. A Kahr pistol is still in my top three, along with two non- American manufactures.

[tetchaje1]

I owned an MK9 Elite and while it was certainly small enough it was heavy and lacked stipling on the front and backstraps. Thus, it was too heavy for pocket carry, and I figured that if I am going to carry it on my belt, I might as well carry my USP Compact or my SIG 239.

I also wasn't impressed with some of the QC issues with my gun. Kahr QC has been a really big issue lately. My gun had one side noticably thick on one side that the other, and the thinner side was sharp enough that you could shave with it. I also had several spots where the casting pores were not milled off correctly giving an uneven finish -- nicely smooth and well finished, and then you'd see the ugly, rough, raw casting marks.

I haven't really regretted selling it, though I might look into a PM9 in the future if their QC issues get mopped up by then.

[FunYet]

I used to have an MK9 Elite. Used it as part of a trade for another gun. I often wonder exactly what I was thinking that day, 'cause I miss that shiny little gun.

I have a PM9, which now has close to 1400 rounds through it. No problems. Every time I take it to the range the accuracy of the PM9 surprises me. CCW here in Ohio stands for "Can't Carry Weapons" so I can't comment on Kahrs as carry guns. My decision to buy them was based more or less on the wow-that-looks-cool-and-fun-to-shoot factor. Now that Kahrs have become a little more common in local gun stores the prices seem to have relaxed just a bit.

[Glockrat]

Just picked up a used K9 on Monday, and have put 100 rounds thru. It shoots great and no problems. I am going to give it a good workout this weekend and turn it into my new carry gun. I like IWB and I think this is what I have been looking for in a carry gun. Just ordered a High Noon IWB holster off Ebay for it. I am happy with it so far!