Kahr 9, Sig 239, or XD-9?

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VTD

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Hey all.
I'm a noobie here. Been scanning for a month or 2.

I'm looking for some insights, and it sounds like this might be a good place to start. Hope you can help & I hope this hasn't been asked TOO many times before.

I've done some hunting in past years & I'm now in the market for a handgun, but my experience with them is almost nil. I'm quite adamant about safe procedures. I've done some research on the web and at a couple of gun shows and local stores. At this point, I've narrowed my choice to a 9mm autoloader. [At some point in the future, I may add a 6" .357 - we'll see.]

I'm interested in using it for some fun target shooting and to gain accuracy with a small arm. Potentially CCW (no license req'd) & home defense, as well. Presently, there is little reason to carry where I live. [Yeah I know I need the training - which I'll get to after I get some experience.]

I've handled a few models & found I prefer the feel of a small gun....by that I mean narrow. My fingers are thick but my reach is short. I have NO opportunity to locally rent or borrow the guns I'm considering. Given that, and limited cash for this purchase, as well as a desire to avoid disasters in this first purchase, I've narrowed the candidates to:

Kahr P9 - concerned about the polymer frame
Kahr P9 covert - fits hand OK with extended mag grip
Kahr K9 - I like the idea of a steel frame - except for weight
Sig 239 - larger, but still fits my hand well. Solid.
Kahr CW9 - the $ is right, but do I prefer Polygonal rifling, etc?
Kahr PM9 - the 3" barrel may be too short if CCW isn't critical.
Springfield XD9 - larger: 4" bbl, grip OK?, grip safety, good $


I was trying to compromise size and accuracy by looking at 3.5" barrels.
I prefer all black (or blued) handguns. [Some above are not.]
I can't decide whether DAO or de-cocking would be best in my case.
I don't mind buying used in good condition.
I'm trying to keep the price to under $500 or thereabouts.
I'm reading conflicting reports about the quality of Kahr - less so about SIGs.
I'm prepared to take my chances with GA or one of the online auctions.

Are there better sources? My local shops don't have many of these.

Phew!! Sorry to ramble on.
I'd appreciate any insights about specific guns or corrections in my thinking.

Thanks in advance.
Best...
Rich (VTD)
 
My .02 cents....

I'm in a similar situation and given your choices, I would recommend the Sig 239. I know Sig makes high quality products and the people that have them seem to be very satisfied. I ordered a Kahr K9 Elite back in January and was told it would take 2-3 weeks (STILL haven't received the gun and have no idea when it will get here). Lately, the Kahrs have had horrific problems with barrel peening, pitted barrels, FTF, FTE, etc....it seems to be much more evident in the polymer framed models though. I have also heard the fit and finish (even on the steel models) has gone down hill dramatically lately and I am already very nervous about my decision to buy a Kahr. As for your $500 budget, the Kahrs cost more than that.....I have close to $1000 tied up now (K9 Elite, Elite 98 trigger kit, novak night sights, wood grips, stainless guide rod, and a custom holster rig). Maybe I'll get lucky and get a good gun from Kahr, but for the money spent my expectations are VERY high so we shall see. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably consider the Sig or even a S&W J frame. Save yourself the headaches though and avoid the polymer framed Kahrs.
Good luck.
 
Have you considered the Sig 228? Higher capacity than the 239 using 15 round MecGar Mags and one less than the XD-9.
 
If those are the only choices that fit your hand well...then here's my $0.02.

Generally speaking. Sig is a better gun. (owned a Kahr, used a Sig a lot) Kahr's can be great too, but they are more problematic. With the polymer guns, it's a gamble whether you'll get a reliable one out of the box. The all metal Kahr's are much better. With these, your chances of getting a problematic one is much less. Now, the Kahr is a tight gun. The metal ones should be fired at least 200 rounds before you start tracking its reliability record. However, the metal Kahrs do not stand up to the out-of-the-box reliability record of Sig. I am very accurate with a Kahr pistol, more so than the Sig due to the Kahr's thinner grip and ergonomics.

XD-9, best bang for the buck period. Well built, accurate, and tough. I was skeptical at once, but after handling, cleaning and firing one..this gun is a winner. I have an XD-9 tactical on order right now.

Forget the Kahr CW9. I was shooting one, and the slide stop shattered and the piece that you push down hit my glasses (but not that hard). This was on a rental. I told the range master, and his response was that this was the 2nd time it happened in a month! I asked for another pistol, they only had Glocks (yuck!) but at least they are solid and dependable guns. The lower end Kahrs use MIM slide stops. The higher end (metal Kahrs, preferable the Elites) use steel parts.

As far as action goes...the Sig has the best one. First shot will be double action. On the Sig, the double action isn't very heavy, and it is quite smooth and nice (there's much worse, like my HK's)..after that first shot, the gun will then be cocked in single-action for each shot thereafter. Single action always trumps double-action for ease and accuracy. To place the gun back in "safe" (more like safer), you decock it back to double action (hammer down).

Out of all these guns, the Sig is the only one with re-strike. In the unlikely, but possible event that you have a primer not wanting to go (this has happened to me twice), pull the trigger again and it *should* fire. Both times I restriked and the cartridge fired. Some will argue that this is worthless. You should just train yourself to rack the slide for a new one, since wasting your time pulling the trigger a 2nd time on an already defective round may result in still having a dud after a 2nd and even 3rd restrike. A restrike is no guarantee that it will go off the 2nd time. So why waste the time. It is up to you whether or not you see this as a valueble feature.


Given the choices above, I'd pick the Sig. I bought an XD for its low cost and great features and quality, but if I didn't already have an HK USP that's been 100% for me, and I were buying my first, I'd get the Sig all the way. It's just better quality, better reputation, and better in almost ever category except price and concealability.

Out of the Kahrs, I would ONLY buy the K9 or MK9...the "Elite" version of each. These are better fitted and many surfaces have been polished better, including chamber and feedramps. Steer clear of the polymer ones unless you don't mind taking chances.

Don't worry about the weight of the Kahr K9. It isn't any different from the Sig practically speaking. Any one of the guns you mentioned must be used in a holster set up, in that type of carry, weight isn't an issue (at least in their weight category). The Kahr is much more concealable (which is its primary purpose) due to being thinner. The Kahr has a nice smooth double action pull that is probably the best DA pull out there. I wouldn't say that this pull is so much greater than the Sig's to make the Kahr a favorite. The Sig beats it in much more important categories.

The XD 4" will be a much larger pistol than the Sig or the Kahrs...it isn't really a compact. It is a full size service pistol. Unless you were thinking of the compact which is 3". I think the grips are pretty much the same size (in thickness) regardless of the barrel length on the XD's.


The most expensive gun will be the Sig, followed by the K9..then the polymer Kahrs, then the XD.
 
Original poster here.
Thanks much for your thoughtful replies. They helped.

Since my PRIMARY use is NOT CCW for now, I'll skip the Kahrs (but I do like their compact design anyway.)

The XD-9 looks good, and the price is great. It's appears to have the largest grip of these - so I think it's not my first choice.

So I'm settling on the SIG P239 - by all accounts a terrific piece. Now it's a metter of finding a good enuf deal on one so I can afford it. Any ideas where to look?
I'm watching:
- the various firearm forums online
- GunsAmerica
- the auction sites

Got any favorite sources with GREAT Sig prices? Used is good!
The Certified Pre-Owned are pretty scarce at the moment - maybe someone here has a lead for me? I assume people have good luck with the Pre-Owned units.

Thanks for any advice. This appears to be a good place to get some.

Best...
Rich (VTD)
 
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