Anyone have experience with Kahr pistols?

[Brenainn]

I was just hoping that someone may have some experience with Kahr pistols (9mm in particular). I am thinking of getting a new pistol. Out of all of the pistols I have tried out, my favorites were Kahr and Taurus - maybe Beretta - all in 9mm. I am a female, so size and grip are important (must be for small hands). I also have to watch what I spend, but at the same time, I want a quality dependable sturdy gun.

I like Glocks a lot, but they all seem to have the same girth size of grips which have always been too big. Otherwise, I'd love to get one.

Anyway, are the Kahrs REALLY comparable to Glocks? Are they durable and dependable, etc.?

If you have some knowledge about these pistols or maybe even some other recommendations for me to consider, I would really appreciate it! Thanks in advance.

 

[10-Ring]

I like the CW 9mm's for the way they fit me and for how they shoot. Do they really compare to Glocks? I'm back on the fence on that one because of what I've seen recently

 

[Brenainn]

Do they really compare to Glocks? I'm back on the fence on that one because of what I've seen recently

Uh oh, what does that mean?

 

[esq_stu]

I've been carrying a PM9 for 2 years. Probably 1000 rounds through it with no failures. Scary accurate for such a small pistol. I'd consider another Kahr if I needed another 9. Still, I've heard it has preferences for certain loads. I stick with PowerBall because of the round nose. But it has not failed with other loads.

 

[Brenainn]

Oh, yeah, I forgot... I like Rugers too, but haven't seen many of them around. Their prices don't seem too bad either. They seem to be cheaper. I also am a fan of more capacity which their pistols have plenty of! Plus they are not bad looking either...

My main thing is that I personally, don't like synthetic material on pistols. It bugs me for some odd reason, so I would like to stay with all stainless if possible. I guess synthetic reminds me of less quality or something... and yes, I may breakdown and end up paying a little more for quality!

So how to Rugers compare to Kahr?

 

[loop]

I have a Kahr, but I opted for the .40 caliber.
I knew it was a keeper the first time I shot it. Its extremely accurate for such a small gun and I can't recall it ever failing to feed, fire or eject.
But, the first thing I do when I bring home a new auto is polish the feed ramp and chamber. I recall the Kahr took very little polishing even though its been more than a decade since I got it.
My wife likes it because it fits her hands. Even refers to it as "my" gun.
I've had numerous Glocks, but have traded them all away for various reasons. Two of them had reliability issues. I resolved them, but still traded them off. I'm just not enamored with them. Plus it is a bad idea to shoot lead bullets out of them due to excessive leading in the polygonal rifling and I like to shoot lead because of the accuracy.
Won't own a Ruger either. They are almost impossible to tune because of the cast slide and frame. That means if the accuracy goes to crap it stays that way.
If budget is not an issue you might look at Sigs or a Hi-Power. The Browning has pretty thin grips and Sig makes several models that people tell me fit small hands well. Don't get an imitation Hi-Power because the metallurgy on most is not up to par. Had numerous small parts bend on a FEG.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I enjoy shooting my old Kahr E9 and have shot my friends CW9.

The CW9 was really nice for a polymer framed gun. I don't think you can go wrong with a Kahr and if you do have any issues I hear that their customer service is pretty good.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Khar should make one of their carry pistols, like the PM9, with a polymer frame and alloy or titanium slide. That would be so light and concealable.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I have two Kahrs, a E9 (an older, "economy" version of the K9) and a PM9. I frequently recommend them for women, or smaller-handed men, for that matter.

I doubt if any Kahr, especially a polymer-framed one, will be able to shoot totally devoid of lubrication or after being dropped out of airplanes, being encased in ice, run over by trucks, etc. I see no reason why one of the all steel models you're interested in would not outlast the shooter if given reasonable use and care, as a civilian CCW - which is what they were made for - would.

 

[usp9]

The entire Kahr line is designed for concealed carry. They are not your typical "rangegun", made for blasting away hundreds of rounds at a time. That said, I think the P9, K9 and T9 are some of the best CCW available today. The all steel Kahrs enjoy a very good reputation for reliability, accuracy and relative ease of shooting (recoil). The T9 is one of my favorites.
My advise would be to stick with a pistol no smaller than the K series in order to get a fuller grip. Concealment is still no issue with the larger Kahrs. I carry a P45 and find it easy to conceal even though a bit larger than the other Kahrs. It's a handful of gun to shoot, much higher in recoil than the 9mm, and I've found it to be ammo sensitive.

Good luck with your search.

 

[wingman]

I have the MK9 Elite, excellent trigger and I never liked DAO triggers prior to this gun, accuracy is very good, no failures to feed and I practice with reloads. I like the grip as the gun is very thin, great for carry, it is a little heavy for size however I prefer metal guns.

Only problem has been with grips screws backing out and a small amount loctite fixes that..

 

[Breakdaddy]

I have experience with the PM9 (my pocket carry), the CW9, and the PM40. My dad also has a PM9. I have no complaints about any of em and dad loves his. I have over 1000 rounds through my pm9, the rest all have much less. My pm9 was real tight at first. I couldnt hand cycle the slide to chamber a round, I had to use the slide release lever to chamber the first round. After about 150 or so rounds, it started loosening up significantly. Nowadays I can hand cycle the slide all day long to chamber the first round off my mags.

 

[ARK9mm]

I have the CW9. I love the size and accuracy. It's a great defense piece. Understand the amount of ammo you are carrying. Your philosophy on how many rounds you expect to use in self defense may come in to play. Only other thing to consider that I have not seen mentioned on this thread as of yet is spring tension.

My wife does not have the hand strength the rack the slide. She does have exenuating circumstances (arthritis and multiple surgeries) but cannot arm the Kahr.

IMO, great gun. The only 'issue' I have EVER had was on initial chambering. The ramp seems a little steep for a hollow point to feed by itself. The slide takes 'nudging' to get the first round chambered. Never had a malfunction on the range with ball or hp.

 

[possum]

i have a kahr k-40 well i did until the wife decided that she wanted to carry it. it is a steel framed .40 handgun that is reliable, accurate and easily concealed as well as comfortable to carry all day. i love the little gun but the wife wanted it as her carry gun and i couldn't tell her no.

she actually picked my .40 over the kahr k9 elite that my dad had.

i have shot many of there steel and ploymer series guns and i like the steel frames much better, them being steel really dosen't add that much weight and they are both a joy to carry shoot. i hae had no isseus with mine or any other kahr that i have shot as far as reliability goes. i have over 1500rds through the k-40 and it is still going strong.

 

[Bennett Prescott]

Shooting the Kahr compact 9mm (PM9093, IIRC) was what convinced me that I needed to look at bigger guns for carry. The gun seemed of sound construction, but shooting it was so uncomfortable (when 9mm recoil hurts you know something's wrong) I stopped considering "pocket" autos.

I now carry a Glock 36, not much bigger, but a hell of a lot more comfortable.

 

[AnthonyB]

I currently own a P9 Covert and a recently acquired P45. The P9 has probably fired several thousand rounds since I got it used and is a great pocket pistol. The P45 is still in testing but has more than 200 rounds through it. I used to own an MK 9mm, and it was a great shooter but too heavy for the size, so I sold it.
I really like the Kahrs and recommend them highly. Tony

 

[Rockerga]

P9 owner - LOVE IT! It is my back-up weapon. Liteweight, easily concealable, deadly accurate and dependable.

 

[critter]

I have a Kahr MK9. Completely reliable, more accurate than one should expect from a small DAO firearm. It is my most frequently carried firearm.

 

[skipjack_1st]

As already posted, some of the polymer framed guns have experienced a few problems. To my knowledge, (and personal use), the steel framed versions are ultra reliable and good shooting. I love my DOA trigger pull on my K40. Smooth and the same pull shot to shot.

 

[Brenainn]

I think I am leaning towards K9094C (3.5" Barrel) Matte blackened stainless steel. Although I really want wood grips, which I assume I can add on later.

Although, I suppose I could pay a little more and go with the KT9093-NOVAK (4" Barrel) with Hogue wood grips.

I suppose the only difference is the price, capacity and barrel length.

I am a little bummed because of the capacity limits of both, even though the T9 holds one more. Can that be fixed by adding a different magazine?

That's the main reason I was excited to see that Ruger had the higher capacity....

 

[CWL]

I bought a stainless Kahr K9 to give to my father for his SD gun. It came with rust on the slide. Shot fine though.

Recently had an issue with it and had a terrible experience with Kahr service. The person I had to deal with had an "this is your problem, not ours" attitude.

It's a good design, but I'll never buy another one again.

 

[usp9]

Brenainn,
The K9 can be had with an extended magazine. The T9 mag is what it is...nothing longer available.

The Ruger carries a higher capacity but it is huge compared to the Kahrs...apples and oranges.

 

[foxmoor]

I had a Kahr P9 Covert that I liked, but I never shot it as well as my Glock 26, so I sold it. Great trigger, reliable, and accurate, but for me it was a bit more of a handful to shoot than the Glock. Good luck in your search.

 

[orionengnr]

The PM9 is the lightest, smallest 9mm made. Okay, the Rohrbaugh is slightly smaller, but is not +p rated...and it costs $1000. Ouch.

The PM9 is 14.5 oz empty. If a lightweight CCW is important to you, consider this.

The MK9 is about the same size and weighs 23 oz...same as a Colt Defender or Kimber Ultra Carry (45acp). Now why would you buy a 23 oz 9mm?

 

[orionengnr]

Khar (sic) should make one of their carry pistols, like the PM9, with a polymer frame and alloy or titanium slide. That would be so light and concealable

Someone needs a course in physics, and an understanding in how that relates to firearms functioning. An auto pistol needs some mass in it's slide--that is why every auto pistol uses steel or stainless steel for the slide. It would not function without unGodly springs, and perhaps not even then.

Of course Hi-Point uses cast zinc, but the slide is as made 2x as large so it still weighs as much. And yes, I know it's a blow-back design...