Kahr MK9

My father has one manufactured about 10 years ago that I've shot a bit (I own the similar polymer-framed CM9). It's a well-made gun that has been 100% reliable for as long as he's had it. Nicely finished with a very smooth trigger. About the only downside I can think of for it is the black coating Kahr uses on the stainless slide, which does show a few scratches over time.

I shot a friend MK-9 before I purchased my PM-9. That MK-9 was reliable and very accurate. I opted for pocket carry and the plastic framed PM-9 made more sense.

My K9, bought when Kahr was a new company and making blued (not stainless) guns, is quite boring. Boringly reliable, boringly accurate...and rather heavy. Have carried it IWB, but it's even a bit heavy for that.

I've considered the MK9 a few times but always held off. Was afraid the MK9 might be too heavy for pocket carry.

An MK9 is my IWB carry gun. I have a K9 but the grip is just a tad bit long for my carry style and build and I feel it prints a bit more than I'm comfortable with. It probably doesn't but...

The MK9 and the K9 are very comparable handguns. Out of my hands at 10 yards the MK9 and the K9 shoot essentially the same groups.

I find the MK9 a bit heavy for pocket carry. I pocket carry a Rohrbaugh R9 and would not want anything heavier.

For IWB carry the MK9 and a Milt Sparks VM2 are a great combination. I wear it at about 4:30 and can almost forget I have it on.

Both my MK9 and K9 have been incredibly reliable. I don't remember the last time I had an issue. This includes a pretty good selection of ammo: American Eagle 115 and 124, Gold Dot 115 and 124 (both regular and +p), Federal 9BP, S&B 115, and my own newbie reloads.

I liked the MK9 and K9 enough that I picked up a used T9 and have had very positive results with it as well. In fact as a range gun it is just about perfect if you are comfortable with a classic double action trigger pull.

I've had an MK9 for several years. It has NEVER had an issue at all with reliability. Accuracy is really great for such a short gun. Slickest DA trigger I have ever felt.

Fantastic little CC firearm IMHO.

I would not carry pistol of the mk's weight as a pocket pistol so looking for iwb the cw or P or a k frame for a all steel pistol would be a grip length that simply works well and far from long.

If you want one but it. I carry kahrs but see no reason to own a mk. These are after all shot a little carry a lot pistols. I prefer a lighter cm pm design for a pocket pistol.

Its nice that we have so many choices so don't worry about what we like and go buy what you like.

I pocket carried a Mk9 for a coupla years. Traded it for a Mk40 and carried it for a few years. Good, solid guns, accurate and reliable, never had a minutes trouble with either.

I have a MK9 that I carry sometimes.

My usual CCW is a 1911, which conceals well. But depending on a couple of variables I sometimes choose the Kahr.
1) Weather: I worry less about sweat with the stainless MK9. and
2) Clothing: The MK9 conceals better under a tight t-shirt or when I need to tuck in a shirt. (Galco King-Tuk holster)

Like others have mentioned, it's really pushing the envelope for pocket carry. It's dimensions are on the large end (for pocket carry), and the weight makes my pocket feel awkward. I have pocket carried it, but not many times.

Aside from CCW, the MK9 shoots well with a long but smooth trigger and the weight soaks up recoil like a full size gun. I bought mine used, with Wolff extra power springs, so I'm not sure what its like to shoot stock. I will say that with the extra power springs my wife can't rack the slide reliably. Shooting it, however, she can do and likes to do. She does not like to shoot any light-weight pocket-size pistols, even ones in .380, because of the snappy recoil. But the MK9 has a very manageable recoil, at least partially because of the weight.

Ask not what your gut tells you but instead what Your wife will do to you. Lol. Buy and then sell it to me

I've owned my MK9 for several years. I bought it from a friend who wanted a PM9 which had just come on the market, so I was able to try it out before buying. I was sold by the time I'd run two magazines through it. Recoil was nothing. I couldn't believe it. The trigger was great. The sights were adequate. And accuracy was outstanding.

But the longer I owned it, the heaver it became. The little sucker weighs a full pound and a half. No way is it a pocket pistol. But that isn't an issue for me.

This is the only sub-compact 9 I know of that can also be comfortably used as a range toy if you have the ammunition for an afternoon of shooting.

The only problem I've had with the gun occurred last summer when the recoil spring assembly broke. That was no big deal. Those things should probably be replaced every three or four years anyway.

The MK9 is a fine little gun, but it is not a pocket pistol.

CNobbe,

Why not take your CW9 and reduce the grip length?

Buy CW9/PM9 flush and extended mags and you will know exactly how much to remove from the grip.

Your longer CW9 mags would still work.

I did this with my P45 - so I have 3.5" barrell and PM grip length.
Its my every day carry.

I have toyed with the idea of getting a TP9 or TP45 and reduce grip length to PM for a 1911 Commander length slide and an even shorter grip than 1911 officers.

Still can not beleive that Kahr has not done it for us already.

If its a carry gun your after a non steel Kahr would be more comfortable.

I have the Kahr K9 and I have to say it works very well.

Fully loaded with DPX ammo it weighs like a S&W 66 2 1/2 Combat Magnum and fills the same role.

Excellent gun.

Deaf

I pocket carry the CM9, but practice with the CW9, mostly. I really don't want to risk having any serious breakages/wear on the ccw gun Pocket 9's are inherently marginal as to durability and reliability, due to high slide velocity, short stroke, high stress on the springs, etc.