Kahr: PM-9 vs. MK-9

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I admit I haven't shot 200 rounds at one go with it. I shoot behind my barn and made a point of shooting it every day for the first 2 weeks I had it. As my primary carry gun, I felt it was essential to trust it and be totally familiar and proficient with it. Maybe I'll try it. I don't think 200 thru the little Kahr would bother me. I'll also admit it won't be like 200 target loads in my .38 or my .45 though.
 
I own the MK9, the PM9 and the K9.

I got the PM first and have shot it quite a lot. One day, during a structured training, I fired about 450 rounds thru it. The recoil is ok for me. In fact is surprisingly tolerable for such a lightweight piece. (Not true with the PM40.....man, that recoil is pretty nasty).

I find that I can shoot the MK9 better however. And that is no small matter to me. The recoil on the MK is even easier since there is a substantial weight difference. So I prefer the MK but only for belt supported carry. It is just too heavy for the "deep" front pocket carry I do in summer. It might be ok for rear pocket carry (not my cup of tea)....

The K9 is similar to the MK (a bit longer in the barrel and a bit longer in the grip, but not much). I shoot both about the same, with a slight edge to the K9.

Both the MK9 and the K9 are much classier looking and, to me, feel much better in the hand than any of the Kahr polymers. You also have the ability to experiment with different grips, including laser grips...at least for the K9. You can put a laser on the PM, but not a grip laser like Crimson Trace.

The PM can't be beat for pocket carry, except by a smaller piece in a lighter caliber. When belt carried, which I almost never do, I hardly notice it all.

I had always thought that I would keep only one of the three Kahr 9's after giving each a long fair trial. But I find that I like each of the three so much that I will most likely keep them all.
 
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I don't know about popping 200+ rounds a day through my PM9, but as for deep concealment and reliability it can't be beat as a subcompact. It's not a range day pistol IMHO, but I find myself carrying it more often than not.
 
I have an MK9 and it carries very nice in a Milt Sparks VM2 IWB. I actually forget it is there.

I have no PM9 but have some time with a P9. So not the exact feedback you were looking for but I hope it will be usefull to you.

I have tried front pocket carry with the MK9. I found that while I could use that method if necessary I certainly wouldn't use it if not.

Since I want front pocket carry to be more available I will be picking up a PM9 in the near future.

But I won't be selling the MK9. :)

The MK9 is very acurate for it's size. I have a K9 and a T9 and at 10 meters it's hard to tell the difference in group size between the 3.

Yes, I like Kahrs.
 
I have taken a walk on the Kahr side, myself, lately.

Seeing is believing. :)
 
I have owned and carried both the PM9 and MK9. The only real difference is the weight. The MK9 is still fairly light for a steel-framed handgun, and the extra weight over the PM9 does tend to make it less of a handful, IMO. I still have the MK9.

I will say that the PM9 was still easier to shoot well than my S&W 638.

jm
 
I have the MK9 Elite 03, I really like the little gun and carry it a lot. With an IWB holster I can almost forget I am carrying. The little gun is very accurate and recoil is very manageable. I much prefer the all steel frame over the polymer.
KahrMK9Elite.jpg
 
I know this isnt my thread but i added alot of my thoughts into it since i was going threw the same battle as the OP.

But i picked up my MK9 today even tho it was supposed to be on hold/layaway until Christmas. But i had my XD SC .40 ive been looking to trade off with me and decided i had to walk out with that Kahr or id be very sad.

Once i got it home i placed it in my rear pocket and it felt at home perfectly back there, But i have to make a new holster as the one i used for my Sig P238 is too small.
From what i could tell it cant be seen from above looking down into my back pocket so as long as i keep the holster thin it should be easily 100% concealed back there.

The trigger is amazing. Im used to doing trigger jobs on every gun i buy, But this is the most expensive gun ive purchased also so i guess thats whats you get when you buy a higher priced gun. But anyhow i wont be touching the guns trigger at all, I feel i could only make it worse and not better.
Oddly my dad didn't like the trigger at all, But hes a SAO guy tho.

The overall quality of the gun is great, Very few machine marks internally.
The gun feels solid and well balanced due to the extra weight, So im glad i went with the MK over the PM.

Winter has hit Ohio so i doubt ill be going to the local DNR range and have to use an indoor range but i really want to wait until my 1911 gets back from the refinisher which should be really soon ive been told.
Plus its so nice to buy ammo at $10 a box and not $17-$20

I did pick up some Gold Dot 124gr +P short barrel version ammo which should be a perfect match for the gun.
After thinking about it the gun is rather expensive since when i carry it, It will only be as a bug. Or one of those rare times i need to hurry out the door for some reason and dont want to take the time to holster up a 1911.
But the range duty part is what should make the cost worth it, Buying $10 box's of ammo seems like im stealing it after buying so much .45acp all the time.
 
My first Kahr was an MK9. I absolutely LOVED it. When the P9 came out I made a BIG mistake and traded my MK9 for it. The early polymer Kahrs (which mine was) had a disconcerting problem with some of the receiver pins backing out during firing. When the opportunity arose, I traded the polymer gun for a Kahr K9 and NEVER regretted it. The steel Kahrs ARE heavy for their size, but the weight makes them oh so managable in firing.
 
Its kind of hard to explain how the gun feels to me in this day of everything polymer.
Half of its role is a range gun as i don't own any other 9mm's and all the rest of my ccw handguns are .45's I would have went with the polymer being slightly cheaper and alot lighter.
I really needed a gun that would be fun at the range and handle 200 rounds if need be.
Your definitely right, It feels heavy for its size for sure, But not overly so as it rides great in my rear pocket.
I trade my guns alot also for odd reasons or having different needs and i miss my Sig P238 i traded away badly and this gun is to kind of replace that one but also step up in power.
It should be interesting to shoot and hopefully i can do that real soon.
 
A fellow shooter carries a MK-9. He allowed me to shoot it and I was impressed by it's accuracy and unique trigger. I opted or the PM-9 since the MK-9 is a bit too heavy for pocket carry.
 
A fellow shooter carries a MK-9. He allowed me to shoot it and I was impressed by it's accuracy and unique trigger. I opted or the PM-9 since the MK-9 is a bit too heavy for pocket carry.
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With front pocket carry id agree, But in the back pocket it feels just like my wallet.
Thats the only pocket i use as when i do carry this gun its usually as a bug and with a 1911 on my waist it leaves little room to access front pockets.

I cant wait to shoot her, Its in the low 30's in Ohio so im not doing it outdoors and if im gonna pay to use an indoor range i want all my guns with me and my Gov. 1911 should be home soon from the refinishers. But im getting to the point i cant wait much longer.
My Officers RIA CS doesn't have alot of ammo threw it yet either so i suppose i could make it a day with 1 new gun and 1 almost new gun.
But having the 3rd that i just rebuilt with all high end parts i hand fitted myself and it was amazing to shoot when i did a 50 round function test before sending it out.

Tonight im working on a holster or a half cover for the MK9 as i still want the trigger covered as much as i can even in my back pocket.

Ive never been a fan of DAO triggers, Or even the DAO triggers like the Glock has which tends to feel more like a SAO imo. But this guns trigger is so smooth and consistent i cant wait to see how it feels especially with rapid fire and bursts.
Its also very predictable for a long pull also, I think it has to do with where they set the trigger position when it releases the striker. It just feels like it breaks right at the perfect spot that almost feels natural.
 
My PM-9 is just stupid accurate, last time I left the range I was just amazed. I'm just an average joe with little experience but I think it's the smooth trigger pull (and good night sights) that does it. If the MK9 is better than PM9s generally then you should do very well with it. From a recoil standpoint, I started my small gun journey with an LCP, which is a snappy little rodent. By comparison the PM9 is a range gun :)

best of luck and good shooting
 
BlayGlock said:
Ive owned both and carried both at one time or another. If you are IWB w/ occasional pocket carry I would say get the MK-9. The extra weight helps with shootability.
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I agree.

If you're carrying IWB, then the advantage goes to the MK9 since recoil is more manageable. The right holster makes the weight of the gun less of a factor. I use a Shielded Holster and it's so comfortable that I forget my gun is on my hip.
 
MK9 owner here. I carry OWB and the first couple days I could feel the weight but not anymore. I think you just get used to it after a while then you don't notice it. MK9 is very accurate and much more beautiful gun in my opinion....not that looks matter.
 
Hell, I usually have a S&W 3913 on my hip, so I don't think having a MK-9 on my hip is going to be any more uncomfortable. :) Thanks for all the input.
 
Had a PM40.... my biggest complaint was how much the plastic frame was getting chewed up from normal operation. I imagine this would not be such a profound issue with a metal frame. Other than than it was uncomfortable to carry because it was so small & blocky. Not enjoyable pressing into my love handles:( Great double action trigger pull & fairly accurate compared to other small pistols. I ended up settling on a Taurus PT 709. Also have a P07 Duty that is really comfortable.

Makarovs are really nice on the hide too. Great value in those!
 
I took my MK9 out a few days ago for its second trip to the range and to finish breaking it in. I also took my RIA Officers CS in .45acp as it needs finished breaking in also.

I did run into issues with both guns not liking +P rounds as i had 3 jams between the 2 guns and both were exactly the same with a stove pipe with a spent shell holding the slide open with a live round half chambered. I came to the conclusion that both guns need a slightly heavier spring to get the timing corrected when using +P loads.
Both have been 100% perfect with standard pressure loads.

Anyhow i put 250 rounds threw the MK9 and 200 threw the RIA 1911.
Ill also state ive put a new trigger in the RIA and done a full trigger job and adjusted all pretravel out and all over travelout with about a 4.5lb pull thats very crisp and short.

But at 25' looking at the targets after i was done for the day the MK9 was defiantly the better shooter group wise. I was shocked as if its not a 1911 trigger i never shoot that gun well, But the Kahr just amazes me at how good the trigger is bone stock.

I never thought id ever like a DAO trigger, But i do now and i actually love it.
 
I must be strange because I prefer the polymer PM9. I have a bad back so I look to save every ounce I can on the guns I plan to carry for extended periods of time.

I don't have a problem with the recoil on this little pocket wonder. I took it out in one trip and broke it in with the 200 rds. recomended by Kahr. I was surprised that I had absolutely no discomfort after the range trip.

After I got the PM9 I liked it so much that I went out and purchased a CW45 for those times I want to carry a larger caliber.

Here's the twins after the range trip to break in the CW45:

zksw40.png
 
I know some people have had issues in the past with Kahr, But you don't see that as much anymore.
What impressed me the most was the build quality of the gun, Which a person expects when your paying $750 for a tiny 9mm. But i see many people who buy one often buy a second Kahr. I know ive been looking at the PM45 pretty hard

I gotta do more research before i make a buy like that as that ones over $800, But id wonder about comfort in shooting a .45acp round for more than a few mags with such a small gun.
But the CW is a good compromise is size as its not that much larger and better capacity and fuller grip at a much more reasonable price. $450 on average i think.

Had someone told me i could out shoot my 1911 with a DAO trigger 9mm i would have called them a liar. I still have to shoot my MK9 against my Gov. 1911 when it comes home finally from the refinisher.
 
Yeh. I was a bit off. I was thinking locally as they are priced at $699 +tax = $750 at another store i deal with.
But your right going threw buds is a good option to save money.
Oddly enough i got my small local shop to order my MK9 and sell it at the same price Buds listed $659 +tax, Tax probably cost more than the FFL transfer but supporting the local guy was good.
 
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