snooperman
Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2009
- Messages
- 2,143
I am thinking about getting the Kahr K9, if you have any experience with this model, please comment on its reliability. Thanks
Kahr K9 reliability
- Thread starter snooperman
- Start date
- Status
Nushif
Member
My E9 (basically the budget K9) is amazingly accurate and has never missed a step.
Snowdog
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 4,608
Mine has been a joy from day one (day one being some 14 years ago). This was my carry pistol for more than a decade. Two replacement springs later and it's still tight as a drum. It now resides in a headboard on my wife's side of the bed. Of all my pistols, it's the one she shoots best.
It has yet to malfunction and it likely has the highest round count of all my pistols.
K series Kahr pistols are an absolute safe bet but can be pricey (thus the popularity of the economy versions that offer about the same quality at a better value).
Now my everyday carry is an M&P40c, but it will take some time before I'm as good with it as I am with my K9.
'96 K9 with factory option electroless nickel (before the days of Stainless K9s and reinforced frames):
It has yet to malfunction and it likely has the highest round count of all my pistols.
K series Kahr pistols are an absolute safe bet but can be pricey (thus the popularity of the economy versions that offer about the same quality at a better value).
Now my everyday carry is an M&P40c, but it will take some time before I'm as good with it as I am with my K9.
'96 K9 with factory option electroless nickel (before the days of Stainless K9s and reinforced frames):
The Lone Haranguer
Member
The E9 (functionally identical to the K9 but with a rougher finish and staked plastic sights) I had never had any malfunctions that could not be attributed to ammo or maintenance.
usp9
Member
My K9 has been reliable. It's a well made pistol. Mine has the shorter elite trigger which I prefer to to longer pull trigger usually found in the K9.
ClemsonAl
Member
K9
I've purchased 5 Kahrs. I traded my K9 for a T9 when they went on sale. The K9 was great, but I like my T9 better. It has a 4 inch barrel w/night sights and wood grips. It's my nightstand gun and carrys as easily as the K9. You'll love either one!!
I've purchased 5 Kahrs. I traded my K9 for a T9 when they went on sale. The K9 was great, but I like my T9 better. It has a 4 inch barrel w/night sights and wood grips. It's my nightstand gun and carrys as easily as the K9. You'll love either one!!
snooperman
Member
- Joined
- May 4, 2009
- Messages
- 2,143
Thanks for all your comments..
I value them more than those printed in gun magazines.
I value them more than those printed in gun magazines.
Snowdog
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 4,608
I should also mention that my non-reinforced early model K9 has seen primarily +P and +P+ rounds. I would venture to say that 90% of all rounds that I've put through it were marked +P or +P+. I started off carrying my K9 with Corbon 115gr +P JHPs as this was, from what I read at the time, the cartridge Justin Moon designed the K9 around.
Later, I switched to Georgia Arms 115gr +P+ Gold Dots due to the price and put a good many of these through the K9. A few years later, I decided I was more accurate with 124gr fodder so I switched to 124gr +P G-A Gold Dots. A few hundred rounds later, I stepped up to Winchester's RA9T (127gr +P+) as I read it was the cat's meow and stuck with it until I ran through what I had (only 500 rounds).
Since then, I've switched all my 9mms to RA9124TP since it has proven to work well from the K9, UC9 and Hi Power and the price was right. My K9 has seen a many rounds of RA9124TP with no complaints. I'll likely stick with this for some time longer as it's competitively priced and seems a bit easier on my pistols than RA9T.
On rare occasion, I will shoot some reloads of moderate pressure though the K9 in attempts to be easier on the wallet, but for some reason I can't get the accuracy from my reloads that I can from factory ammunition (which isn't necessarily the case for my UC9); a mystery left unsolved.
The only thing that has been changed out is the recoil spring and only because I thought it was about time to and not due to function.
As svelte as it is, the K9 is no doubt one robust chunk of ordnance steel.
Later, I switched to Georgia Arms 115gr +P+ Gold Dots due to the price and put a good many of these through the K9. A few years later, I decided I was more accurate with 124gr fodder so I switched to 124gr +P G-A Gold Dots. A few hundred rounds later, I stepped up to Winchester's RA9T (127gr +P+) as I read it was the cat's meow and stuck with it until I ran through what I had (only 500 rounds).
Since then, I've switched all my 9mms to RA9124TP since it has proven to work well from the K9, UC9 and Hi Power and the price was right. My K9 has seen a many rounds of RA9124TP with no complaints. I'll likely stick with this for some time longer as it's competitively priced and seems a bit easier on my pistols than RA9T.
On rare occasion, I will shoot some reloads of moderate pressure though the K9 in attempts to be easier on the wallet, but for some reason I can't get the accuracy from my reloads that I can from factory ammunition (which isn't necessarily the case for my UC9); a mystery left unsolved.
The only thing that has been changed out is the recoil spring and only because I thought it was about time to and not due to function.
As svelte as it is, the K9 is no doubt one robust chunk of ordnance steel.
Last edited:
exdetsgt
Member
An Arizona Ranger buddy of mine carries off duty a small Kahr chambered in 45ACP (Don't know what its model designation is) and he loves it. Prefers it over his Glocks. Has a thousand rounds through with no malfunctions. After he let me shoot it I ordered Kahr's newly released CM9. I prefer 9mm over 45ACP, otherwise I would have got one just like his.
critter
Member
I have had an MK9 for several years. NEVER a failure of ANY type. Kahr's are good guns as far as I'm concerned.
My E9 is one of the finest, most accurate pistols I've ever shot. I'm not a good shot. Generally, I'm one of those first shot is pretty nice, second and third shots are kind of lousy type of shooter. I can pop a can or bottle at 75feet nearly every time I pull the trigger on my E9. It's just incredible. I'm one of those kind of shaky handed people and the added weight of the Kahr seems to really help. I'm good with my Glocks and my CZ75 but the E9 is simply fantastic.
I really like the CZ when I shoot it too. Once I get a mag under my belt, I'm pretty deadly with it as well. It's got a nice grip and feel and just feels right.
Glocks are great pistols but they DO have characteristics which make them feel a bit odd when you don't shoot them all the time. I trust 'em though.
Kahr also has about the finest craftsmanship of any reasonably priced pistol as well. They are simply lovely to look at and operate.
I really like the CZ when I shoot it too. Once I get a mag under my belt, I'm pretty deadly with it as well. It's got a nice grip and feel and just feels right.
Glocks are great pistols but they DO have characteristics which make them feel a bit odd when you don't shoot them all the time. I trust 'em though.
Kahr also has about the finest craftsmanship of any reasonably priced pistol as well. They are simply lovely to look at and operate.
Big L
Member
Another vote for the K9... I have about 750 rounds through mine and no problems to speak of. The thing just feels rock solid, perfectly balanced, and is an easy shooter. Pretty much all of the internet grumblings (legit or not I have no idea) don't involve the K9. If you have any doubts, rent one if you can - I was impressed on my first rental and sold after my second. Good luck.
dogsoldier0513
Member
I've owned a K9, MK9 and P9. My handsdown favorite was the MK9, followed closely by the K9. You won't go wrong with a Kahr.
Dave P
Member
Great pistols! Accurate, reliable, easy to carry
Bought my K9 second hand but unfired. Put about 4-500 rounds thru it and it had regular, excessive failures to return to full battery. Often as many as one or two per magazine using several magazines. And some occasional fail to feed issues.
I got some good advice on the Kahr forum and I replaced the recoil spring with a heavier spring and it has been fine since then...have about 1200 rounds thru it now. The steel framed Kahrs have the best reputation among the Kahr-boys on that forum.
I really like the gun. Perfect size for my hands and it handles and points superbly. The smallest, best fitting full length grip I've ever used on an auto conbined with a reasonably low bore-axis for low felt recoil. I like the smooth revolver-like trigger (some people hate it). The thinness and the modest weight (for steel) make it terrific for concealed holster carry.
I got some good advice on the Kahr forum and I replaced the recoil spring with a heavier spring and it has been fine since then...have about 1200 rounds thru it now. The steel framed Kahrs have the best reputation among the Kahr-boys on that forum.
I really like the gun. Perfect size for my hands and it handles and points superbly. The smallest, best fitting full length grip I've ever used on an auto conbined with a reasonably low bore-axis for low felt recoil. I like the smooth revolver-like trigger (some people hate it). The thinness and the modest weight (for steel) make it terrific for concealed holster carry.
saltydog452
Member
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2004
- Messages
- 1,707
Ours is good stuff.
The OEM tritium dots have dimmed some over the years and a few of the mags have begun to seperate at the weld. Reliabilty is still as it always was. Ammo has been 115-124 grain Box Mart Ball, Cor-bon 115, Federal BP9, and BP9LE. Dunno about 147s.
We have a P9 also. Neither the K or P gets much of the +P stuff these days. Too expensive. The P9 is a doorbell gun, the K9 is the bedroom gun. The K has also been what was used for CHL classes. Although they have been replaced for daily carry, I still can't bring myself to trade them off. Their niche is considerbally smaller, but they still fit.
My bride prefers her carryCobra. I carry a Commander size .45. Thats fodder for a different thread.
One of the neat things about the Kahr is that isn't much that can, or should be done to it. Brownells would have difficulty distributing a cataloge devoted 'specially for the Kahr. Kinda doubtful if Custom 'smiths could successfully depend on K series mods to pay the mortgage, orthodonist, or college tuition.
My only complaint with the K/P series, is that it isn't a 1911 .
I also prefer a manual transmission.
salty
The OEM tritium dots have dimmed some over the years and a few of the mags have begun to seperate at the weld. Reliabilty is still as it always was. Ammo has been 115-124 grain Box Mart Ball, Cor-bon 115, Federal BP9, and BP9LE. Dunno about 147s.
We have a P9 also. Neither the K or P gets much of the +P stuff these days. Too expensive. The P9 is a doorbell gun, the K9 is the bedroom gun. The K has also been what was used for CHL classes. Although they have been replaced for daily carry, I still can't bring myself to trade them off. Their niche is considerbally smaller, but they still fit.
My bride prefers her carryCobra. I carry a Commander size .45. Thats fodder for a different thread.
One of the neat things about the Kahr is that isn't much that can, or should be done to it. Brownells would have difficulty distributing a cataloge devoted 'specially for the Kahr. Kinda doubtful if Custom 'smiths could successfully depend on K series mods to pay the mortgage, orthodonist, or college tuition.
My only complaint with the K/P series, is that it isn't a 1911 .
I also prefer a manual transmission.salty
minutemen1776
Member
I love my K9. When I first got it, I had a few bobbles because I was accidentally bumping the mag release button. Once I became aware of that issue and adjusted my grip accordingly, the problem has not shown itself again. One should also be careful if you try to chamber a round using the "slingshot" method. It's better to do this from slide lock. I think the manual warns about this. It seems that Kahrs are so tightly sprung that the slingshot method may result in failing to fully retract the slide, which may result in the first round not properly chambering. Again, if you know about this, it's not really much of an issue.
- Status
