Glock 19 vs. Kahr K9

[GunNut]

Ok, I know we've had enough of these glock vs hk vs sig vs xd vs etc, etc.

But, I need some help, so I'm going to ask anyway.

Looking to pick up a 9mm for range/ccw/hd. I have a Sig 220, and a variety of other handguns, but 9mm ammo is cheap.

So, for say $400 would you buy a Kahr K9 Elite 98 or a Glock 19 3rd Gen?

Why would you buy one gun over the next?

I've owned both a MK9 and a few Glock's(2x19, 23, 22, 17, 29) so I am comfortable with both.

Maybe I can buy both for $775, and try them both and keep the better of the two.

If not, which do I buy?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[10-Ring]

Of the Glocks the medium sized 19 is my favorite but I'm just not a fan of those finger grooves So, I'd go w/ the Kahr if I could only have one

 

[Preacherman]

The Kahr is considerably thinner, although with lower magazine capacity. If CCW is a priority, and concealment a high priority, the Kahr probably makes more sense. However, I think that the Glock is a better all-round gun, and hi-caps are plentiful. I've owned both, but have stayed with the Glock, and dress to conceal as needed.

 

[pogo2]

I'd get the Glock

Just ask yourself - if you really had to defend yourself with this gun, which would you rather have in your hand? I think you have to go with the 15-round Glock 19. Additionally, if you are shooting 100 rounds of 9mm practice ammo at the range, which one will be the most fun to shoot? Again the Glock.

The Kahr is only good for one thing, and that is deep concealment. But the G19 is not bad for concealment - it's pretty small and light compared to almost any other 9mm except the Kahr. So for all-around use I'd get the Glock.

 

[cosmonick]

Glock

At one time my two handguns were a P220 and G19. I had to sell them because of money, but always hated doing so. The G19 is one of my favorite 9mms. Hi-cap, compact, easy to shoot..... what else could you ask for?

I also prefer the models without the fingergrooves, but if the gen-3 fits you, then it doesn't matter.

 

[Doug S]

Why not go for the G-26. Seems more comparable to the Kahr K9 size wise, but thicker. I don't have any experience with Kahr firearms. I've considered the PMK/MK models, but get a little skittish from reading what seems to be a high number of problem posts concerning Kahr.

 

[MoNsTeR]

I own both the models you're interested in.
Of the two, at $400 I would buy the K9 Elite because I could sell it for $500+ and then buy the Glock That is to say, that's a good deal.

At any rate. The advantages of each gun should be fairly apparent on reading their spec sheets and handling/holstering them. The Kahr is much smaller overall, and especially quite a bit slimmer. It has a very comfortable grip shape. The Glock is lighter, and holds twice as many rounds.

What really matters though is how each one shoots for you, and how well each fits your needs. The K9 is for carry, the G19 much more general purpose (I shoot mine in USPSA Production). Their triggers, though they operate on the same principle, feel very different. I could shoot the G19 better the first day I had it than I could the K9 after 1,000 rounds of practice.

The simplest course of action is to buy both. If I could only keep one of mine, it would be the G19, no hesitation.

Errr...
I just actually READ the full text of your post (fancy that eh?) and it seems you don't need any of that advice. Hell, if you've had Glocks and Kahrs before, what you need anyone's advice for?

 

[mini14jac]

What MoNsTeR said.

I would compare the Kahr P9 to the Glock 19.
Those are both polymer guns.
I love Glocks, but got rid of mine because of the high cost of hi-caps.
(Kahr mags will easily set you back $30 by the way. )

I feel that both are top-shelf guns.
I've now got a Kahr PM9, and it can't be beat for a pocket sized 9mm.

About the Glock being more fun to shoot, I'm not so sure.
My PM9 is loads of fun to shoot.
It weighs less than 20 oz., and doesn't have a full length grip.

If comparing the G19 to a K9, I think it would be very close.
The K9 has a thinner grip, but is an all steel gun.
The wider G19 grip would be more comfortable shooting a hard recoiling round, but we are talking 9mm here.

 

[Rich357]

Finger grooves are not the same on all Glocks.

The compact Glocks like the G19 have a smaller groove just below the trigger guard than the other Glocks. The smaller, sub-compact, G26 shares the larger size finger groove with the full sized G17. You may find the G26 with a magazine extension may be more comfortable than the G19.

Rich

 

[Snowdog]

if you are shooting 100 rounds of 9mm practice ammo at the range, which one will be the most fun to shoot?

The recoil from my K9 is in no way more punishing than that from my G19. That's probably because the two handguns are of roughly the same weight (unloaded, both weigh about 24oz IIRC).

I've never cared much for the ergonomic of my 2nd gen G19, and a Hogue Hand-All doesn't really help all that much. The K9 by comparison becomes an extension of my hand as soon as it's wielded.

As far as accuracy is concerned, groups from the two are quite similar. However, it is widely known one of the K9's shining attributes is superb accuracy.

I'll echo Preacherman... it boils down to priorities. If you strongly favor a capacity advantage over the ease of concealing, the K9 will probably end up taking a back seat.

IMO, if you feel confident enough in your abilities to get the job done within eight rounds, the K9 can do everything the G19 can do, but conceals better.

The Kahr is only good for one thing....

I'll just disagree with that statement all together. Deep concealment is something the K9 is well known for, but it's also good for a whole bunch more.

 

[Redlg155]

I like the Glock.

Hated the stupid things and swore I'd never get one years ago. Some how one always seems to find its way into my life. I love them..then hate them. Go figure.

The G19 is a great gun, but I'd also consider the G26 with a finger extension on the mag. My G26 is scary accurate for such a small handgun. Plus is conceals very well. Feels like carrying a bar of Irish Spring soap, but it can be easily mistaken for a pager or cell phone under the shirt if someone should notice.

Good Shooting
Red

 

[Ala Dan]

Another vote for the G-19. While I'm sure the
Kahr is a great firearm; when not shooting the SIG
9m/m's, my experience is limited to Glock's, Ruger's,
H&K's, and Beretta's.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Jack19]

Another vote for the Glock 19; I carry one daily. I'm a BIG advocate of capacity over concealment and I've never had a problem concealing the Glock.

When dressed casually, it pretty much goes away under a Polo type shirt. When dressed in a suit or when wearing a coat, you'd never know the Glock was there. I also have an excellent Lou Alessi Ankle Rig that is simply amazing in how well it conceals the Glock on my ankle (sometimes with a 17 round Glock 17 magazine in it and no I'm not a huge guy). Just do what it takes to hide the larger weapon.

For my money, buy capacity.

 

[Poohgyrr]

If I could get standard & hi caps, I'd prefer a Hi Power ... Or the G19 like your question says .... If limited to ten rounders, the Kahr...............

 

[trvlr905]

Moving slightly OT, who here owns a G23? I was looking at getting one for my next handgun purchase and was wondering how folks like them compared to the K40.

 

[harrydog]

My very first Glock was a G23, back in 1991. Since then I've owned a G17 and a G19.
I've owned a K9 for the past 2 years.
I personally prefer the Kahr. My opinion is, the only reason to go with the Glock is if you absolutely had to have more capacity than 7 rounds.
If this is to be a CCW, the Kahr is very hard to beat. Yes, you can conceal just about anything, but the Kahr is perfect as a CCW.

 

[Pebcac]

I got rid of my G19 after Smyrna had it for 4 months, and wound up with a Kahr K9 stainless with night sights. I wouldn't take anything for it. It fits my hand like it was made for me. I miss the Glock because I enjoyed shooting it, and I have a real appreciation for its functional simplicity, but I just didn't trust it any more. Bottom line, for me it was the Kahr.