Are Kahr triggers unsafe?

[357-8-times]

The triggers seem to be very light and the guns have no other means of external safety (grip or manual), should I worry about an accidental discharge with a Kahr any more then with any other gun?

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

I believe, but don't quote me on this, that Kahrs have a firing pin safety to protect against discharge in case of a drop.

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If I might be reading your question wrong and you mean accidently tripping the trigger ...

... I think if a person is carrying one in a decent holster rather than, say, loose in a pocket or glovebox, and the person observes normal safety rules (especially trigger-finger discipline & holstering/handling) then everything should be ok.

.

 

[357-8-times]

I was thinking more like what if a pen, key or other object gets in the path of the trigger? Is that really unlikely if it is in a holster? Should I not be concerned?

 

[Dave P]

1 All holsters should cover the trigger.

2 My Kahr has a heavy trigger, and a long pull. How heavy is yours? Eleite trigger maybe?

3 Many pistols have similar trigger designs: DA revolvers, glocks, etc

 

[12131]

It's the human that is unsafe, not the object.

 

[burningsquirrels]

all holsters should always keep the trigger guard covered, and retain the gun in the holster. if the trigger guard is covered and the gun is retained, you don't have anything to worry about.

kahrs have relatively long and heavy trigger pulls. i personally prefer long and heavy on my carry guns anyways.

it sounds like you're going to pocket carry. there are plenty of places to get a good pocket holster.

expect to pay $40 and up for a good carry holster; this is not the time to go cheap.

 

[RickW]

My CW40 has a looooong trigger and is fairly heavy. As others have said with a proper holster I wouldn't be shy about carrying it.

 

[Vonderek]

I have one and tried pocket carry. The shape of the gun makes drawing from a pocket difficult unless the pocket is large and the pants are loose-fitting. Jeans definitely did not work for me.

I was thinking more like what if a pen, key or other object gets in the path of the trigger?

The gun should be the only thing in your pocket.

In answer to your original question, the Kahr can be safely carried in the pocket but as others have mentioned, should be carried in a pocket holster that covers the trigger (as with any gun).

 

[krs]

I have a PM9 and think it's trigger is one of the best Tupperware triggers I've used. It's similar in feel to that of my G19 - much nicer than my unmodified XD45, and worlds better than any Keltec trigger ever made.

I just got up to measure the Kahr PM9 trigger weight and it breaks at 5 - 5.2 lbs every time.

I don't consider it unsafe, any more than any other striker fired pistol with safety in the fact that they are not fully cocked until the trigger pull has well begun.

I agree with others that triggers on ANY pistol that has round in chamber when carried should be protected against snags or other accidental firing by the holster used.

 

[jocko]

agree

carry my PM9 24/7 in front pocket in a holster that protects the trigger. If you keep your bugger finger out of that area, it will never go bang. They are as safe as any system out there. To me one of the nicest trigger systems out there also.Long (deisgned that way) but totally smooth. Mine breaks at alittle past 5#'s..

 

[MrAnteater]

I find Kahr triggers unsafe because when you pull them there is a good chance the frame will break or you will get a FTE, like the two I had (and couldn't get rid of fast enough).

 

[NG VI]

Your holster and your finger out of the trigger guard is your safety. If you have drawn down on someone than that would be the time to take the safety off it it had one, not later when you need to fire.

 

[BamBam-31]

Anyone else appreciate the irony of a member calling himself "357-8-times" asking if a firearm w/o external safeties is unsafe?

 

[357-8-times]

Lol BamBam, yes, I have DA revolvers (including an 8-shot .357,) but they have much heavier pulls than the PM45 which I am considering ordering later today.

When posting the question I was not aware that some Kahrs have a heavy pull, the PM45 is definitely on the very-light side for a DAO and that is my area of concern/question.

 

[jocko]

all kahrs have the same trigger pull weight. the NY trigger system is 1/8" longer in pull but not weight. I believe factory pull weight is around 6.5#. One can go to wolffs and order a 5# striker spring but once againa the pull lenght doesn't change, only the pull weight.

 

[357-8-times]

What is a NY trigger system?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It has a 6-7 lb. pull over a nearly 3/4-inch arc. I suppose it could be made safer, but then you wouldn't be able to fire it at all. The ultimate in safety!

I was thinking more like what if a pen, key or other object gets in the path of the trigger? Is that really unlikely if it is in a holster? Should I not be concerned?

NO other objects should ever be in your pocket if carrying a gun there. But let's say this were to happen. The Kahr's longer trigger would still be less likely to be pushed/pulled through its complete stroke to fire than, say, a Glock.

 

[jocko]

pretty sure

I am pretty sure the kahr trigger is 1/2" long in pull, where as the NY trigger is 5/8" long in pull. The NY trigter was only on the K9 kahrs and I think today all kahrs have what they call the elite trigger system which is 1/2" long in pull.To be approved for back up carry for the NYPD, Kahr had to lenghten the trigger pull to 5/8" (1/8" longer, now tell me that NYPD people aren't strange):banghead:

 

[DAdams]

Not Any more

inherently unsafe than any other DAO.

Put it in a holster designed for the pistol, such as a DeSantis Nemesis for pocket carry if that is your methodology.



I carry mine strong side pocket with nothing else in the pocket. Not with a knife on a string that's for sure.

 

[dfariswheel]

The "New York" trigger is actually the ORIGINAL Kahr trigger.

Kahr introduced the "Elite" shorter trigger because people complained that the gun didn't have a shorter trigger like a Glock.
The original Kahr K9 trigger felt like a tuned S&W revolver trigger. It had the longer pull which contributed to the S&W-like feel.
The NYPD wanted the longer trigger instead of the Elite just because the pull was more revolver-like and was thought to be safer.

The Kahr is just as safe as any good revolver.
Most people with sense don't drop even a revolver in a pocket, they use a pocket holster.
It not only covers the trigger, it also positions the gun and prevents it from turning upside down in the pocket.
A lot of people actually prefer the feel of the original trigger because it is so much like a good revolver trigger.

 

[RNB65]

Never carry a DAO style semi-auto unless it's holstered. And keep it holstered unless it's needed to resolve a social situation.

I suggest a FIST kydex pocket holster for pocket carry. They are very thin, feather light, and securely cover the trigger. The also have a little thumb catch on the back to help draw the gun from the holster.

 

[lksseven]

manual safety

I know a lot of people disagree with me, but I am a big fan of a manual thumb safety (like you'll find on most Berettas, or the new Springfield XD. I feel safer with that, as I worry about the inadvertent circumstance like the thread initiater is concerned about.

 

[jocko]

not for me

no manual safety for me. Love the way my kahr works, love the way my G19 works. Just something else to get into my way...

 

[357-8-times]

What about the possibility of a tight fitting holster catching the trigger as it is being holstered, is that even possible?

RNB, thanks, FIST looks great, will totally buy from them my next holster.

 

[orionengnr]

What about the possibility of a tight fitting holster catching the trigger as it is being holstered, is that even possible?

What about the possibility of being struck by lightning? Geez, are you clutching at straws or what?

Simple answer: No, Kahr triggers are not "unsafe", unless you handle the weapon unsafely. Just the same as any other DAO semi-auto pistol, or a DA revolver.

The DeSantis Nemesis pictured above is available for $15 and works great. I carry either a PM9 or a P45 in my pocket all day, every day, year round and both fit in the same Nemesis. If for some reason I need to unholster, I then remove the holster from my pocket, re-holster, and place the holstered firearm back in my pocket. Piece of cake.