Kahr P9 vs P9 Covert vs PM9 accuracy?

[valnar]

I am looking at a Polymer Kahr as my CCW and had a question on these three models.

I've searched through these forums and read almost everything I could on the PM9 (my first choice) but some have mentioned feeding problems and bad accuracy. For that reason, I'm wondering if the P9 Covert with the longer barrel would make much of a difference?

One post mentioned 8" groups at 20 (or was it 25?) yards. That's pretty bad. Would the P9 be better?

Opinions and experience very welcome!

-Robert

 

[M1911]

I've got a K9 and an MK9. Both are quite accurate. I suspect that if you put them into a Ransom rest, that you'd find little difference in the accuracy between them. The longer sight radius of the K9 makes it easier to shoot quickly and accurately. I'm sure the gun will do better than 8" at 25 yards. Whether or not you can do better at that distance with that gun is a different question.

If I were you, I would make your decision based on how you want to carry the gun. The only purpose for me for an MK9 or PM9 is pocket carry. If you are going to carry it in a belt holster, then you can easily carry a larger gun with higher capacity and longer sight radius (i.e., P9 or K9).

 

[gau5]

I posted about my PM9 throwing shots. It is now back at kahr for 2 weeks. When I called, they mentioned a loose ft sight, but I said I had corrected that and the problem seemed elsewhere. So. apparently, They are back working on the gun again. I was getting groups of 8"-12" rested@25 yds. My P9 was getting 3" easy. Kahr needs to maintain this standard for the price point they are selling this gun at.

 

[cratz2]

Can't offer a comparison but I was able to keep pretty much all my shots from my Kahr P9 Covert into about 2" at 15 yards using 124 Gr +P Golt Dot ammo. This was slow fire, two handed, off-handed. And it has Trijicons. I was quite suprised at the accuracy potential.

 

[mini14jac]

I generally shoot my PM9 from "combat distance"- 10 - 15 feet.
From that distance, modified Weaver stance, I can easily get 2", rapid fire groups with my gun.

Since I know for a fact that I am a lousy pistol shot, that means my gun is very accurate.
I am guessing that anybody that could shoot a K9 from 25yds, on sandbags, and get 2" groups, could also do it with my gun.

I don't shoot anything well from a bench rest; rifle or pistol.
I guess I need to work on my technique.

My PM9 has been flawless through 300 rds, but it did choke on a couple of Winchester jhp rounds. (I suspect that was mag related.)
No cosmetic or mechanical problems at all.

 

[valnar]

This is a theoretical question, but I know longer barrel lengths not only allow for better accuracy, but more velocity.

Considering the barrel length of the PM9 (3.0") and P9 (3.5") are so short anyway, would that extra half-inch make much of a difference? Is it noticeable?

Yep, still trying to decide between the two....

Thanks for all the replies so far.

-Robert

 

[gau5]

Valnar
I have both the P9 and PM9. The barrels are built differently, with a little more beef, as expected, on the P9. The P9 shoots like a laser. Very easy to get good groups with it with all ammo types.
Actually, from a machine rest, a shorter barrel may be more accurate than a longer one because of stiffness. However, in the hand, a longer sight radius favors the longer barrreled gun. A 1/2" difference should not make any noticeable difference.

 

[cratz2]

Another thing concerning barrel length, esp with the polymer Kahrs, is the longer heavier barrel of the P9 and P9 Cover over the PM9 with hot flippy ammo such as +P or +P+ 115 Gr ammo or +P 124 Gr ammo, there is noticably less recoil with the P9 Covert than the PM9. This may or may not effect you decision, esp for those that carry often and shoot little but after 50 rounds of 124 +P Gold Dots, the PM9 seems... a bit... exhausting.