Looking at a kahr mk 9 and a Springfield micro 1911. I know they are two different types of guns and also two different calibers but my argument for both is valid. Size of the kahr is good, weight is bad in all steel(22 0z.). (9mm is cheap to practice with). .45 is well a .45 in the s/a micro. Weigh is good, size is a little harder to conceal and my experience with 1911 in a 3 inch barrell is not so good(bad Kimber experience). My question to you guys is which one would you choose if you could only pick one? Keep in mind this will be my main ccw and also my main plinking gun. practice makes perfect, right? I am not a fan of iwb carry so it will be mostly beltslide or Kramer confidant shirt. Please help me decide the back and forth is killing me. Any imput would be greatly appreciated.
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- Thread starter joell33
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Between the MK9 and a micro .45, well, they're very different guns. Only you can decide what's best for you. I would pick the one that fits you better, and that you can shoot better.
I know you're asking about the Kahr MK9, but have you checked out a PM9? If you're not into polymer that's cool, but it weighs a lot less than the MK series.
Have you shot both of these? Pick the one that you shoot better. It's all about shot placement.
Because you asked...I personally, would pick the .45 (but that's only because I already have a PM9).
I know you're asking about the Kahr MK9, but have you checked out a PM9? If you're not into polymer that's cool, but it weighs a lot less than the MK series.
Have you shot both of these? Pick the one that you shoot better. It's all about shot placement.
Because you asked...I personally, would pick the .45 (but that's only because I already have a PM9).
10-Ring
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In this application, I'd go w/ the slimmer Kahr. I've been told more than a few times that most sub compacts tend to be carried more than they are shot, so go w/ the smallest you feel comfortable shooting. In this case the Kahr. Plus, in something that small, I handle the 9mm better.
Al Thompson
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In my personal experiance, the sub 4 inch 1911s can be unreliable. IMHO, that's just a bit too far off the original specs for a stone cold SD pistol.
Don't own a Kahr, but have fired a few and read lots of good things about them. Several very knowledgeable friends carry them.
I'd also look at ammo prices - 9 mm ball is 11.00 a 100 at wal-mart. That makes for some cheap practice ammo. No such deals exist for .45 ACP.
Don't own a Kahr, but have fired a few and read lots of good things about them. Several very knowledgeable friends carry them.
I'd also look at ammo prices - 9 mm ball is 11.00 a 100 at wal-mart. That makes for some cheap practice ammo. No such deals exist for .45 ACP.
Thanks
Thanks for the replies so far. Looks good for the Kahr not so much for the SA. I agree with you on practice ammo. Looks like the Kahr would pay for itself over a period of time just in savings on ammo. Thanks again guys!
Thanks for the replies so far. Looks good for the Kahr not so much for the SA. I agree with you on practice ammo. Looks like the Kahr would pay for itself over a period of time just in savings on ammo. Thanks again guys!
Just my personal $.02, but...
Since you're primary forms of carry would be "mostly beltslide or Kramer confidant shirt", I would look more closely at the Kahr K9, especially if it's more "beltslide" than "confidant".
Again, just personal experience (have owned 5 Kahrs now) The MK9 is either too small for it's weight, or too heavy for it's size... If you're carrying on your hip, the MK9 is really smaller than it needs to be, and if you're carrying in your pocket where size really matters, it's a bit heavy.
On a good belt and holster combo, you won't feel either of them as "too heavy", and the K9 will conceal just as easily as the MK9. So I'd prefer the longer and more comfortable grip that the K9 gives you.
Having owned two "P" model Kahrs, I won't recommend another one. But the "K" and "MK" models get my thumbs-up without hesitation.
Since you're primary forms of carry would be "mostly beltslide or Kramer confidant shirt", I would look more closely at the Kahr K9, especially if it's more "beltslide" than "confidant".
Again, just personal experience (have owned 5 Kahrs now) The MK9 is either too small for it's weight, or too heavy for it's size... If you're carrying on your hip, the MK9 is really smaller than it needs to be, and if you're carrying in your pocket where size really matters, it's a bit heavy.
On a good belt and holster combo, you won't feel either of them as "too heavy", and the K9 will conceal just as easily as the MK9. So I'd prefer the longer and more comfortable grip that the K9 gives you.
Having owned two "P" model Kahrs, I won't recommend another one. But the "K" and "MK" models get my thumbs-up without hesitation.
Thanks
for all of the great info guys. I am however somewhat torn between the PM9 and the mk9 because of weight. I am not a fan of poly pistols but with summer coming on I am concerned about the hot Texas summer and concealing. Seems like a pm9's weight would be easier to tote around, espically in the front pocket of my shorts. I however do like the looks of the mk9 better and the thought of an all steel gun does have a definite appeal to me. If I could swing it I'd buy both and then have one for every occasion. (doubt the wife would like that idea). Anyway thanks again and any more ideas would be great to have!
for all of the great info guys. I am however somewhat torn between the PM9 and the mk9 because of weight. I am not a fan of poly pistols but with summer coming on I am concerned about the hot Texas summer and concealing. Seems like a pm9's weight would be easier to tote around, espically in the front pocket of my shorts. I however do like the looks of the mk9 better and the thought of an all steel gun does have a definite appeal to me. If I could swing it I'd buy both and then have one for every occasion. (doubt the wife would like that idea). Anyway thanks again and any more ideas would be great to have!
If you're planning on front pocket carry, the PM9 is definately the way to go. The weight difference makes a huge difference for pocket carry.
Since you asked for other ideas...For summer carry...Kel-Tec will soon release their P-3AT, P-32 sized .380, a true pocket pistol. The Kel-Tec P-11 is relatively light and compact. Not as small as the PM9, but holds 11 rounds and is much less expensive. A Colt Mustang .380?
Anyway, back to your original ideas...MK9 (approx 25 ounces loaded), the PM9 (approx 17 oz. loaded).
Since you asked for other ideas...For summer carry...Kel-Tec will soon release their P-3AT, P-32 sized .380, a true pocket pistol. The Kel-Tec P-11 is relatively light and compact. Not as small as the PM9, but holds 11 rounds and is much less expensive. A Colt Mustang .380?
Anyway, back to your original ideas...MK9 (approx 25 ounces loaded), the PM9 (approx 17 oz. loaded).
Thanks
Thanks for the info gbelleh. I'm just wondering how much difference 8oz. would make in a pocket carry situation. Seems like a cell phone would weigh about 8 oz. Not too heavy in my mind. As for the other options I do own a kel-tec p32 and my wife took that over long ago and deemed it as hers. I have been thinking seriously about the mustang the only problem is cocked and locked single action pocket carry is not for me. If I could find somewhere around here to try out both pistols I would, but other than that I just have to make up my mind and take my chances. Thanks again for the replies though all of this info definitely helps a whole bunch!
Thanks for the info gbelleh. I'm just wondering how much difference 8oz. would make in a pocket carry situation. Seems like a cell phone would weigh about 8 oz. Not too heavy in my mind. As for the other options I do own a kel-tec p32 and my wife took that over long ago and deemed it as hers. I have been thinking seriously about the mustang the only problem is cocked and locked single action pocket carry is not for me. If I could find somewhere around here to try out both pistols I would, but other than that I just have to make up my mind and take my chances. Thanks again for the replies though all of this info definitely helps a whole bunch!
10-Ring
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I'd think 8 oz (1/2 a pound! 
) is a big difference especially if you carry in the pocket. IMHO, I'd carry the gun IWB to better the support the weight and nullify the weigh difference.
I'd go w/ the steel version only for the proven reliability.
) is a big difference especially if you carry in the pocket. IMHO, I'd carry the gun IWB to better the support the weight and nullify the weigh difference.I'd go w/ the steel version only for the proven reliability.
I would also recomend the kahr even though my primary cary gun is a 1911. I think both models you suggested are pretty unconfortable for pocket carry. I also have found there tends to be questionable reliability in small 1911's. 9mm is going to be cheeper if this is your main plinking gun. If you choose the springfield (which is a very nice looking gun) make sure you check it out very well. On two seperate examples I have noticed that the hammer tends to follow the slide down. I am know pistol smith but I heard this was a result of the low mass of the trigger in this size gun, but I don't have a clue. I just know that it did it to me and that would be no fun.
While you are only considering these two pistols I would make an additional recomendation.
Full size Kahr or p9 (full size poly) not much bigger and more confortable if you are going to be firing it allot. An additional .5 inch barrell will not make it that much harder to conceal. You have a longer sight radius so you will be more accurate, more likely to have fun plinking and therefor more likely to practice.
While I am not a huge fan of glocks the glock in .45 the 36 is what I would choose if I wanted a small production .45 (I have a C&S adventure which is reliable in a small 1911 but about $2000). That would be probally out of the question for pocket carry but the p9 would not be.
For what its worth I own many 1911 but only 2 under 5" and both of those are expensive custom peices. I also own 2 glock 36's and 4 kahr's. My primary carry peice is either the mk9 or a full size 1911. Though the mk9 is not my primary plinker.
While you are only considering these two pistols I would make an additional recomendation.
Full size Kahr or p9 (full size poly) not much bigger and more confortable if you are going to be firing it allot. An additional .5 inch barrell will not make it that much harder to conceal. You have a longer sight radius so you will be more accurate, more likely to have fun plinking and therefor more likely to practice.
While I am not a huge fan of glocks the glock in .45 the 36 is what I would choose if I wanted a small production .45 (I have a C&S adventure which is reliable in a small 1911 but about $2000). That would be probally out of the question for pocket carry but the p9 would not be.
For what its worth I own many 1911 but only 2 under 5" and both of those are expensive custom peices. I also own 2 glock 36's and 4 kahr's. My primary carry peice is either the mk9 or a full size 1911. Though the mk9 is not my primary plinker.
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