Kahr K40 slim and comfortable steel

[CDW4ME]

I recently got this Kahr K40. It is an all steel 40 S&W with a 3.5'' barrel that holds 6 + 1 with the regular magazine.
When I picked it up, I immediately liked the feel of the grip; which is just long enough to accommodate my whole hand.
The manual recommends a 200 round break-in, which is fine as I wouldn't shoot a few magazines through a new pistol and call it good anyway.
For the 200 round break-in, I shot only hollow point ammo and I cleaned the pistol every 50 rounds.
Kahr advises to use the slide release, not the "slingshot" method; I ignored this and pulled the slide back and let it go as with my other pistols.
For the first few magazines (which were the Federal Hi-Shok) the K40 balked at my method, after that it accepted my way of doing things.
No malfunctions whatsoever for the 200+ rounds I've fired through this pistol and brass is ejected consistently (not at or near my head).
Recoil is moderate / manageable with 180 gr. ammo, the 165 gr. tested produced more recoil and snap.

Chronograph average for at least 5 shots in ascending order of calculated recoil and KE:
Federal 180 Hydra-Shok @ 961 fps / 369# KE
Federal 180 Hi-Shok @ 976 fps / 381# KE
Speer Gold Dot 180 @ 991 fps / 393# KE
Winchester White Box 180 JHP @ 1,003 fps / 402# KE
Federal 180 HST @ 1,007 fps / 405# KE
Winchester 165 Ranger T @ 1,133 fps / 470# KE
I was surprised by the velocity produced with the 3.5'' barrel.

The K40 did not have night sights, I got some Meprolight night sights and installed them myself (required fitting) using the P500 sight tool (be careful).
I parted ways with a Glock 30 to get the K40; I did not like the feel of the Glock 30.
The Glock 30 had a gap between the frame and magazine base right where the center of my pinky is and it annoyed me regardless of magazine used.
Here is a pic of the K40

Kahr K40, I like it.

 

[CDW4ME]

K40 and Glock 36

A comparison pic with my Glock 36 (has an annoying gap where my pinky is, but it is mitigated with a plumbing ring.)

 

[LT.Diver]

How's the trigger on the Kahr?

 

[krimmie]

The K40 has been my carry gun for 5 years now...it has been very reliable with the 800 or so rounds I have put through it. Great gun!

 

[rodinal220]

I have had a Kahr 40 and K9 since they where first introduced.They have been 100% with factory ammo.The only time they choked was with supplied training ammo from a vendor that manufactured poor quality reloads. Kahr chambers can be just a wee tight.

If you like DAO or cut your teeth on a wheel gun(DA) but want an auto-pistol,you will like these. The trigger is smooth and about 8 pounds. Is the trigger reset like a Glock or 1911, no ,but these can be shot plenty fast. The K series is small like a Walther PPK/s but handles and shoots like a much bigger pistol.

 

[CDW4ME]

How's the trigger on the Kahr?

Like a revolver with a light smooth trigger.

 

[hardluk1]

Some of use grind off that edge on the bottom of the mag. Gives that finger on smaller hands somewhere to hang out . At least it cleans it up. Not needed but many of use kahr owners have changed the striker spring to a wolff RP spring forabout a 1lb lighter trigger pull. As covered the trigger pull as one smooth slick trigger pull. Pull is full pull and reset and pull weight after break in tends to be closer to 6lbs- 6lb 5oz stock.

I run underwood ammo in mine but its to fast for the cw/p k and smaller pistols with out raising the spring rates in both recoil and mags and there all ready sprung heavy. I get 1300fps from there 155gr gd in my TP40. Friends single shot CW40 got 1294fps. Blazing fast. .

 

[Dframe]

My CW-40 now has 2500 rounds through it, without a single failure of any kind. And that includes every imaginable type of 40 round, from lead bullet handloads to factory 180 grain service ammo. The "Spray and pray" people tend not to like the long smooth DAO trigger on the Kahr. If you're one of those people obsessed with "Trigger reset" you won't like this one.
I love mine.

 

[CDW4ME]

My CW-40 now has 2500 rounds through it, without a single failure of any kind. And that includes every imaginable type of 40 round, from lead bullet handloads to factory 180 grain service ammo.
I love mine.

Impressive performance.