I don't believe I'm doing this- Glock v. Kahr?

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chaim

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I'm not really a big fan of most Glocks. I admit they are good, reliable, pistols, I just don't really like them much. However, their smaller models (the 26, 27, and 36) kind of interest me. When I bought my new 442 yesterday I almost ended up spending an extra $175 to pick up a 26 or 27. It feels good in my hand and it really is surprisingly small (I compared it side to side with a subcompact version of the SA XD at the shop and the Glock was about a centimeter shorter). Unusual in such a small gun, the barrel on the 26/27 is 3 1/2" instead of just 3" so you still have a decent sight radius and a bit more velocity out of the round (the .45ACP Glock 36 has a 3 3/4" barrel, and the extra barrel really matters on .45). Weight isn't bad at just around 20oz (just under on the 26/27 and just over on the 36).

I was really impressed.

So it has me thinking.....

I've long been a fan of the Kahr (though I haven't owned one yet). I've been thinking about an PM9 or more likely a P9 Covert. The Glock is a little heavier, but it may be easier to find one used (and thus, may be a bit more affordable for me). I was also thinking about maybe a MK9 (where weight won't be an advantage for Kahr).

Anyway, I was hoping some people here may own both the Kahrs and the Glocks.

I'd love to see side-to-side pics of the Kahr PM9 or MK9 (same size) next to all three Glocks. I'd also love to see side-by-side comparisons of the Kahr P9 Covert or K9 Covert v. the Glocks.

I realize no one person will own all these guns, but hopefully a few members here will have one of the Glocks (the 26/27 or the 36) and one of the Kahrs (PM/MK9, P9/K9 Covert). With a few people all these combos should be filled.


Note:

I only want a size comparison (visual, not numbers). No "Kahrs/Glocks are better", or "don't buy Kahr/Glock because...". I know the background of both the founder/head of Glock and Kahr. I know both are good reliable guns. I don't need this to become that kind of thread.

Note2:

I still love my Taurus PT140 Milennium Pro. I am not considering getting rid of it. It is just that I also want something a tad smaller.
 
firefighter4884 said:
Chaim,

I think Oleg did a side by side comparison on his site. www.a-human-right.com

Here's the full link....http://www.a-human-right.com/p9vsg26.html

--Jim
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link. As usual Oleg's photos are great. However, the Kahr in those photos is the P9, it is a bit larger than the Kahrs I'm interested in. Those photos did give some comparisons that will be valid across the board, but it didn't have the (very important) height difference since the Kahrs I'm interested in are shorter than the P9.
 
Glock 36.

Chaim,
The only comparison I can give is between the MK9 Eliete 98, the G36 and the G26.

The Kahr is heavy for it's size. Therefore it does not make a good pocket companion. The G26, while a little bigger, is lighter and is more suited to the task. (I assume you are still looking for something to fill the "rat gun" role.) The G26's "problem" is that it is somewhat thick for it's size!! In my mind, demented though it is, the G36 is the best combination of weight, size and thickness, for the caliber!! It is somewhat the size of the G19, but still able to go into the pocket without much difficulty. It's .45ACP. It does not have the grip girth of it's brothers (a plus for me with smallish hands). It is small enough to be ankle carried if you so desire. As a belt carried concealed weapon it is well suited.

Of course, it will be up to you, but I would seriously consider it!!
 
Good evaluations. I do indeed pocket carry my MK9e all the time. Its heavy, but in a quality pocket holster in jeans, cargo pants or Dickies its extremely concealable.

I have shot the small glocks, and they are too thick across the backstrap for my hand, they just don't feel right. I chose the Kahr and it gets the job done. I would love to have the extra capacity of the glock, but not at the expense of the thickness.
 
bulbboy said:
here is a Kahr MK9 next to a Glock 27
Click to expand...

So it looks like they are about equal in height with the Kahr being possibly a hair shorter.

BTW- those are some beautiful grips on the MK9. Are they from Kahr or an aftermarket company?
 
Glocks are fatter, fat is bad in CCW.

Only advantages I see with the Glock are 1) more capacity 2) less expensive


I like the trigger on my Kahr better as well.



But honestly the best thing to do is shoot them side by side and stick them both in your pants.
 
For size, the new Kahr CW9, and its more expensive sibling (PM9, I think?) are only .9" thick. The Glocks are thicker.

In fact, that's an ad that Kahr's been running, where they illustrate a Glock as a bland wooden block, and ask why you'd want a 'block' when you could have a Kahr.

Heheh :D
 
I am 6'0" - my weight fluctuates between 210 and 250 depending on how much I feel like eating :)

The G26 is a belt gun for me unless it is summer and I am wearing some seriously baggy shorts. The Kahr MK9 on the other hand is slim enough and short enough to easily carry in my front pocket every day in business attire, jeans or whatever. I love the G26. It is a great gun, but for all the time carry, it is just to large for business attire.

I would honestly like to carry the G26 every day, but I have found the MK9 to shoot as well and carry better in a pocket for me.

It really is a much smaller gun in feel and in practical carry.

I own a G19, G26 and an MK9 - as much as I like the capacity and feel of my Glocks, the Kahr is carried most often due to the variety of ways I can carry it and still have quick access to it.

If I carry the G26 in business attire, it is in a belly band under a dress shirt - impossible to draw quickly.

The MK9 can be carried in the pocket, with my hand on it ready to pull and draw if necessary and nobody suspencts a thing!

By the way, it is also one of my favorite guns at the range. Accurate and comfortable to shoot. I have put up to 300 rounds at a time through it in one session.
 
i set here typing with a pm9 in my right front pocket along with a spyderco knife clipped to it ( wrangler jeans ) i dont own a miniglock but do a 17 and the width of the slide alone would make that problematic for me ( 6-0 #200 ) the kahr works for me , it is kinda the nucular chiwawa of the gun world imho. i like it enough that my beloved german ppks went into honerable retirement lol
 
I've been pondering the same thing Kahr or Glock, Glock or Kahr...on one hand the size of the Kahrs are very appealing, but the Glock capacity has a lot going for it.
 
Look........feeling/carrying/shooting them is the only way to really tell how much smaller the Kahr is than the Glock.....the G26 is very close to the same size as the original K series in size. The MK is alot smaller. As far as weight, a good pocket holster is the only way to carry one anyway and will help with the weight. Shoot well.
 
I'm waiting for the RG vs Lorcin vs Raven thread personally. Ya'll be sure to PM me, I'll get the popcorn nuked and 20 oz bottle of soda ready.
Click to expand...

Now that would be funny. But you definately won't be seeing that from me.
 
I pocket carry a G26 in a Galco Horsehide pocket holster fairly often (with an untucked shirt. At work I usually pocket carry a P32. The G26 is a bit wide, but I think it edges out the Kahr (at least for me) because of it's reliability record. It's hard to find a negative comment about the G26 in regard to reliability. The Kahr on the other hand...;) . I base my comments only on second hand info though, I've not owned a Kahr. I do like my G26 enough to have bought a second. I'm sure the Kahr PM9 would feel better in a pocket, but if I'm going to go with a minimal amount of rounds, I'd probably opt for the solid reliability of a 642 or something of that sort. My carry G26 only has about 600-700 rounds through it, but it's been 100% since the first shot. My second G26 only has 50 perfect rounds through it.
 
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I have owned a G33 and G27. I also own 2 Kahr PM9's. The PM9 has ended up being the gun that I carry about 90% of the time. It is kinda funny because a few years ago if you told me I would be carrying anything but a 1911 I would have said you were crazy. Anyway, What I like best about the PM9 is that it is very thin, very light and very reliable.
 
Considering the size/weight of the 442(outstanding lightweight carry piece by the way, good choice) the PM9 would be redundant. Furthermore, comparing the two is sort apples and oranges.

Kahr's metal framed guns are reliable from what I hear, but they don't do polymer very well. Field strip one and look at the frame, doesn't inspire confidence. The two PM9's I had were too unreliable for me to trust. My 26 hasn't missed a beat.
 
I have the Glock 36 and the Kahr PM9. I can't provide pictures right now, as my KAHR is in the shop. I can tell you the size and weight difference is significant. The G36 is NOT a pocket pistol. It is very similar in size and weight to my Sig P239. In fact I use the same Don Hume IWB clip on holster for both guns. I have not carried the Kahr yet CCW (stupid CA rules). But, it is much more similar to the Walther .380 PPK I had. I can tell you that the PPK was MUCH easier to carry than my SIG was.

That said... You really need to decide on caliber as well. G36 is .45ACP. Kahr PM9 is 9mm. Over the years I traded up from 9mm to .45ACP in about the same size/weight gun. And, from .380 to 9mm in about the same size.weight gun.

YMMV

Edit for clarification.
 
That said... You really need to decide on caliber as well. G36 is .45ACP. Kahr PM9 is 9mm.
Click to expand...

I know their calibers. I have and shoot autos from .380-.45ACP. For defensive use, using premium ammo, the 9mm-.45ACP are all quite sufficient. I generally care more about platform than caliber since all three major calibers are fine.
 
chaim said:
I know their calibers. I have and shoot autos from .380-.45ACP. For defensive use, using premium ammo, the 9mm-.45ACP are all quite sufficient. I generally care more about platform than caliber since all three major calibers are fine.
Click to expand...


The KAHR should be much easier to carry. Mine has about 250 rounds though it and has never jammed. I did have a problem with it that has been attributed to my own reloads - that is why it is in the shop. But, I would certainly recommend the gun.
 
You know, I have looked at Kahrs several times and I have always admired them, and I have never been a fan of Glocks, although in my own experience they have been perfectly fine. That said, if I had to choose between the two, I would probably go with the Glock. First off, I have experience with the Glock vis-a-vis the fact that my buddy carries one, and I know I can shoot it adequately. Secondly, while thicker, the Glock is pretty darn simple to operate, which, at least in my opinion, is more important the smaller you go. Third, and I may very well be wrong here, but even though its thicker, isn't the Glock lighter than a steel framed Kahr? For me, weight is more important than thickness, at least under normal circumstances. I have packed up to a fully loaded P90, and it wasn't the size of the gun that made it cumbersome (which, even though I famously love my P90 to the point of obsession, kind of surprised me as it is a pretty big gun), it was the weight! Actually, now that I have read back through what I wrote, I think weight would be the deciding factor.....

By the way Chaim, I happen to agree wholeheartedly with you on the points you made about caliber. I happen to believe that the two finest "fighting" calibers are .45 ACP and .357 Mag, and I would argue long and hard into the night that I am right about those opinions, but you know, in the end, I strongly believe that accuracy trumps ballistics. In the hands of someone that can shoot them, any caliber is, as Chaim says, sufficient. Perhaps not ideal, but sufficient, and thats good enough.
 
I held my first Kahr P9 the other day and was amazed how small the grip was. I've owned the G26 and find it much chunkier than the Kahr, width wise. I think I'd rather have a full size Kahr with the steel frame however. Mike
 
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