Redlg155
Member
A welcome to the new Big Brother to my Kahr PM9...the T9!
Ok..I got a new brother for my PM9, but why??
This question entered in my mind while considering the purchase of this pistol. Some folks say it is a “Target†9. Well in my book a “Target†9mm will have a 6†or longer barrel, much like the Sig Target model and not a 4†duty length barrel. Some say it is a “Tactical†9. In this sense it lacks other necessary features of a “Tactical†weapon such as an integrated accessory rail, beveled magazine well and high capacity magazines, items a T9 doesn’t have. I think it would have better been labeled a “Detective 9†since it seems to fit that role better. It looks as though it feels at home on the side of a plain clothes Officer or armed CCW holder that doesn’t want a tiny handgun.
This Sunday I left the Tallahassee, Florida gunshow with the Kahr in hand and wondering just where it would fit in my collection. Well, it seems to be fitting in very well since I’ve decided to add it to my CC rotation after todays shooting session.
Factory Specs
Caliber 9mm (9 x 19)
Capacity 8 + 1
Operation Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel 4.0", polygonal rifling; 1-10 right-hand twist
Length O/A 6.5"
Height 4.95"
Slide Width .90"
Weight Pistol 26.0 ounces, Magazine 2.1 ounces
Grip Checkered Hogue PAU FERRO wood grips
Sights MMC rear elevation adjustable white 3-dot sights
Finish Matte stainless steel
Magazines 2-standard, 8-round
Warranty Limited Lifetime
What I've noticed as well and not mentioned.
Loaded Chamber indicator
Full length guide rod with non captured spring
First Impressions:
The Kahr T9 is a relatively new, although not the newest offering from Kahr. The owners manual…or lack of one specifically covering this handgun seems to indicate this. Thrown in the case is one for the standard and compact model Kahrs. The box is the standard size Kahr case, but with foam cutouts instead of a molded box, another indication that it is relatively new. Included were 2 8rd magazines and a silly trigger lock. I hate Kahr locks because they have no useful purpose. At least with HK and Glock you can give them to your kids for bicycle locks. Also included were 2 tiny allen wrenches for the MMC adjustable sights.
Picking it up reveals that it balances nicely. The slide functions smoothly and the magazines fit inside easily. So far so good. I rack the slide and pull the trigger…listening to her to get an “ear†for her. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you need to get away from fantastic plastic pistols for a while and get an all steel handgun. There is just something about listening and feeling how a finely built all steel handgun works. There is a “ring†to the metal. A live ring like a fine knife blade, not the sound of dead metal or the sound of plastic buffering the sound of the steel. I’m already liking this pistol more and more.
Fit and Finish
Overall the pistol is very nicely made. I only saw two faults that were noticeable if you looked for them but otherwise did not detract too much from the appearance of the handgun. The first was a very tiny casting pore on the trigger guard approximately the size of the point of a pin head. Barely noticeable and definitely not large enough to make the frame structurally unsound. The second was a small burr where the trigger pin sits on the left side of the frame. I’m not sure whether or not this is a flaw part of the manufacturing process since I’ve seen a pic of another T9 with this mark. Still, it would be nice if they took a small file and removed the burr.
The slide to frame fit has a minimal amount of play, enough for good functioning but tight enough that no rattle is noticed when shaken. A definite break in period would be recommended. The barrel locks up solidly with the slide and no movement is evident when pressing on the end of the barrel or the barrel hood. The pistol is finished with a matter finish and T9 stamped on the slide. The wood grips also have a nice grain pattern with medium/ fine checkering. Defintely not S&W revolver checkering and finer than that on my SA1911. The MMC adjustable sights are nice and very durable looking. And finally, although the slide is beleveled to ease in reholstering, it could use a slight “meltdown†treatment on the edges and a slide well bevel to make it more user friendly.
Overall feel:
It feels nice in the hand. Not too small and not too big. In fact, just right. The grips are hand filling, but at the same time it allows for a good hold with smaller hand shooters. Here are a couple of pics….and before anyone says anything, the weapons were unloaded, double checked and pointed in a safe direction. The finger is on the trigger purely for demonstration purposes!
This first picture is of my wife holding the T9.
And now me holding the T9.
Trigger:
The trigger is smooth and approximately 5-6 lbs that stacks just prior to the release with approximately 1 lb more of pressure required. In contrast my PM9 feels as though it has a straight through constant pull with very little if any stacking. This is a help for me when shooting targets since I know when the trigger is about to break. The stacking isn’t a hinderence when firing rapidly or doing double taps since time on the trigger is relatively quick.
Magazines:
The magazines were limited to 8rds capacity and both functioned flawlessly during the range session. No failures to feed or lock back the slide were noticed. I also found that the T9 8 rd mags will also work in the PM9 with no problems feeding or locking the slide back. They seem to be durable and well made. The only fault I see is that Kahr mags are prone to releasing rounds on you when carrying them in a pocket or fanny pack. Since the T9 utilizes a long version of the magazines, it is also prone to this problem. A mag holder with a protected top is a must with Kahr magazines. I also noticed that there was a 15 mm difference between the Kahr PM9 6 rd, Extended 7rd and T9 8 rd.
Range Time!
Unfortunately the rainy weather prevented me from breaking out the chronograph, but I suspect the loads will move out very near factory published velocities since many manufacturers seem to use a 4†standard barrel. Only 3 loads were tried, 150rds of WW white box 115gr FMJ, 50rds of WW white box JHPs and 5 rds of Federal 135gr Personal Defense ammo.
The first two mags were just for functioning and to see how the pistol recoiled. Recoil was very mild, most likely due to the weight of the handgun. I didn’t experience any hand tremor problems during the entire session, so I know it is a real pussycat. Empties landed in the same general area and best of all….no brass to the forehead! No problems with premature slide locking was experienced and it locked back on empty mags without fail.
Now was the time to see if this thing could actually hit something. My limited accuracy testing using a 3†wide orange dot for a target point and started with the FMJ at 15 yards. 8rds though…and not one hit on the target. The cardboard I used was a 10†circle, so now I’m a bit concerned. Either the elevation is really off or I’m shooting 10†plus groups at 15 yards. Ok…I calm down a bit and shoot lower. Still no hits. Finally I do a 6 o’clock hold at the bottom of the target backing. Aha…a hit near the top. Now I’m kinda pissed because I refuse to aim at the belly button just to get a chest shot….but wait. I’ve forgotten that the MMC sights are elevation adjustable as well! At first I had thought they were only windage adjustable due to relatively low profile design, but with a turn of the allen wrench I found that I indeed had control. Now I’m relatively happy but I’ve also burned up a good deal of ammo getting it right. Below is my group at 15 yards offhand with 5 rds of Federal 135gr PD and 4 rds of WW HPs. Why 4 rds of WW? Cause that’s all I had left. In all honesty I threw out a few targets because I’d just about get it right, and then a flyer would run everything. What I did notice is that the 115gr JHP and the 135gr JHPs grouped in the same general area at 15 yards. The 5 high and left are 135 and the 4 low and right are the 115. Still, having them all within a 3†circle is perfectly acceptable for my uses.
Conclusion....
She's a keeper! Nuff Said.
Good Shooting
Red
Ok..I got a new brother for my PM9, but why??
This question entered in my mind while considering the purchase of this pistol. Some folks say it is a “Target†9. Well in my book a “Target†9mm will have a 6†or longer barrel, much like the Sig Target model and not a 4†duty length barrel. Some say it is a “Tactical†9. In this sense it lacks other necessary features of a “Tactical†weapon such as an integrated accessory rail, beveled magazine well and high capacity magazines, items a T9 doesn’t have. I think it would have better been labeled a “Detective 9†since it seems to fit that role better. It looks as though it feels at home on the side of a plain clothes Officer or armed CCW holder that doesn’t want a tiny handgun.
This Sunday I left the Tallahassee, Florida gunshow with the Kahr in hand and wondering just where it would fit in my collection. Well, it seems to be fitting in very well since I’ve decided to add it to my CC rotation after todays shooting session.
Factory Specs
Caliber 9mm (9 x 19)
Capacity 8 + 1
Operation Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel 4.0", polygonal rifling; 1-10 right-hand twist
Length O/A 6.5"
Height 4.95"
Slide Width .90"
Weight Pistol 26.0 ounces, Magazine 2.1 ounces
Grip Checkered Hogue PAU FERRO wood grips
Sights MMC rear elevation adjustable white 3-dot sights
Finish Matte stainless steel
Magazines 2-standard, 8-round
Warranty Limited Lifetime
What I've noticed as well and not mentioned.
Loaded Chamber indicator
Full length guide rod with non captured spring
First Impressions:
The Kahr T9 is a relatively new, although not the newest offering from Kahr. The owners manual…or lack of one specifically covering this handgun seems to indicate this. Thrown in the case is one for the standard and compact model Kahrs. The box is the standard size Kahr case, but with foam cutouts instead of a molded box, another indication that it is relatively new. Included were 2 8rd magazines and a silly trigger lock. I hate Kahr locks because they have no useful purpose. At least with HK and Glock you can give them to your kids for bicycle locks. Also included were 2 tiny allen wrenches for the MMC adjustable sights.
Picking it up reveals that it balances nicely. The slide functions smoothly and the magazines fit inside easily. So far so good. I rack the slide and pull the trigger…listening to her to get an “ear†for her. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you need to get away from fantastic plastic pistols for a while and get an all steel handgun. There is just something about listening and feeling how a finely built all steel handgun works. There is a “ring†to the metal. A live ring like a fine knife blade, not the sound of dead metal or the sound of plastic buffering the sound of the steel. I’m already liking this pistol more and more.
Fit and Finish
Overall the pistol is very nicely made. I only saw two faults that were noticeable if you looked for them but otherwise did not detract too much from the appearance of the handgun. The first was a very tiny casting pore on the trigger guard approximately the size of the point of a pin head. Barely noticeable and definitely not large enough to make the frame structurally unsound. The second was a small burr where the trigger pin sits on the left side of the frame. I’m not sure whether or not this is a flaw part of the manufacturing process since I’ve seen a pic of another T9 with this mark. Still, it would be nice if they took a small file and removed the burr.
The slide to frame fit has a minimal amount of play, enough for good functioning but tight enough that no rattle is noticed when shaken. A definite break in period would be recommended. The barrel locks up solidly with the slide and no movement is evident when pressing on the end of the barrel or the barrel hood. The pistol is finished with a matter finish and T9 stamped on the slide. The wood grips also have a nice grain pattern with medium/ fine checkering. Defintely not S&W revolver checkering and finer than that on my SA1911. The MMC adjustable sights are nice and very durable looking. And finally, although the slide is beleveled to ease in reholstering, it could use a slight “meltdown†treatment on the edges and a slide well bevel to make it more user friendly.
Overall feel:
It feels nice in the hand. Not too small and not too big. In fact, just right. The grips are hand filling, but at the same time it allows for a good hold with smaller hand shooters. Here are a couple of pics….and before anyone says anything, the weapons were unloaded, double checked and pointed in a safe direction. The finger is on the trigger purely for demonstration purposes!
This first picture is of my wife holding the T9.
And now me holding the T9.
Trigger:
The trigger is smooth and approximately 5-6 lbs that stacks just prior to the release with approximately 1 lb more of pressure required. In contrast my PM9 feels as though it has a straight through constant pull with very little if any stacking. This is a help for me when shooting targets since I know when the trigger is about to break. The stacking isn’t a hinderence when firing rapidly or doing double taps since time on the trigger is relatively quick.
Magazines:
The magazines were limited to 8rds capacity and both functioned flawlessly during the range session. No failures to feed or lock back the slide were noticed. I also found that the T9 8 rd mags will also work in the PM9 with no problems feeding or locking the slide back. They seem to be durable and well made. The only fault I see is that Kahr mags are prone to releasing rounds on you when carrying them in a pocket or fanny pack. Since the T9 utilizes a long version of the magazines, it is also prone to this problem. A mag holder with a protected top is a must with Kahr magazines. I also noticed that there was a 15 mm difference between the Kahr PM9 6 rd, Extended 7rd and T9 8 rd.
Range Time!
Unfortunately the rainy weather prevented me from breaking out the chronograph, but I suspect the loads will move out very near factory published velocities since many manufacturers seem to use a 4†standard barrel. Only 3 loads were tried, 150rds of WW white box 115gr FMJ, 50rds of WW white box JHPs and 5 rds of Federal 135gr Personal Defense ammo.
The first two mags were just for functioning and to see how the pistol recoiled. Recoil was very mild, most likely due to the weight of the handgun. I didn’t experience any hand tremor problems during the entire session, so I know it is a real pussycat. Empties landed in the same general area and best of all….no brass to the forehead! No problems with premature slide locking was experienced and it locked back on empty mags without fail.
Now was the time to see if this thing could actually hit something. My limited accuracy testing using a 3†wide orange dot for a target point and started with the FMJ at 15 yards. 8rds though…and not one hit on the target. The cardboard I used was a 10†circle, so now I’m a bit concerned. Either the elevation is really off or I’m shooting 10†plus groups at 15 yards. Ok…I calm down a bit and shoot lower. Still no hits. Finally I do a 6 o’clock hold at the bottom of the target backing. Aha…a hit near the top. Now I’m kinda pissed because I refuse to aim at the belly button just to get a chest shot….but wait. I’ve forgotten that the MMC sights are elevation adjustable as well! At first I had thought they were only windage adjustable due to relatively low profile design, but with a turn of the allen wrench I found that I indeed had control. Now I’m relatively happy but I’ve also burned up a good deal of ammo getting it right. Below is my group at 15 yards offhand with 5 rds of Federal 135gr PD and 4 rds of WW HPs. Why 4 rds of WW? Cause that’s all I had left. In all honesty I threw out a few targets because I’d just about get it right, and then a flyer would run everything. What I did notice is that the 115gr JHP and the 135gr JHPs grouped in the same general area at 15 yards. The 5 high and left are 135 and the 4 low and right are the 115. Still, having them all within a 3†circle is perfectly acceptable for my uses.
Conclusion....
She's a keeper! Nuff Said.
Good Shooting
Red
