Karh CW9 vs Kel Tec P11 vs Kel Tec PF9 for CCW

[Defense Minister]

P-11 if capacity is a MAJOR criteria. I had one. It was as reliable as any gun I've owned, but the trigger stinks.

PF-9 if you want a reliable yet inexpensive gun with a good trigger. I currently own one, have 600 trouble-free rounds through it, and love it!

Kahr if you have money burning a hole in your pocket, and you want to spend it on something shinier than a Kel-Tec.

They are all reliable, none of them are target pistols. $400 dollars on a gun, or $269 on a gun that will do the same job, and $131 on a holster and ammo. It's your money, so decide for yourself.

Good luck!

 

[iblong]

The p11 is a decent pistol but could not stand the trigger,the PF9 is a good pistol with an ok trigger and easy carry,but can be a bit punishing as a range gun.In my opinion of those you have chosen the CW9 is hands down the best choice,best trigger by far best accuracy and well worth the money.
and some thing you can run a couple hundred rounds through nad not feel beat up.Just one mans opion.

 

[IdahoLT1]

The CW9 and the P-11 and PF9 are not really comparable...the last two (especially the PF9) are really pocket pieces where the CW9 is not.

Not really. The CW9 and P11 are basically the same size

CW9:
Width: .9"
Height: 4.5"
Length: 5.9"
Barrel: 3.6"
Weight: 15.8oz

P11
Width. 1"
Height: 4.3"
Length: 5.6"
Barrel: 3.1"
Weight: 14oz

 

[sixgunner455]

I had a P11. I have a S&W 642. I will not trade it, but am considering a Kahr in addition.

 

[TonyT]

Comparing a Kahr PM-9 to the other two would be simlar to comparing a BMW to a Fiat or Renault.

 

[GojuBrian]

TonyT said it!!!

 

[Mayo]

Plain and simple---if you can afford it get the Kahr.

 

[saturno_v]

My P-11 has been dead realiable....it hits where it points, it is fast...

I can afford a Kahr but I decided a more intelligent use of my money for a pocket piece....with the difference I can buy something else....

A Rohrbaugh is even nicer than a Kahr...a real treat for your hands and eyes.....where do you draw the line for a pocket pistol?? The bad guy sure will not be able to tell the difference.

 

[saturno_v]

Not really. The CW9 and P11 are basically the same size

CW9:
Width: .9"
Height: 4.5"
Length: 5.9"
Barrel: 3.6"
Weight: 15.8oz

P11
Width. 1"
Height: 4.3"
Length: 5.6"
Barrel: 3.1"
Weight: 14oz

You are right...i'm susprise hwo close they are in size....however, in my pocket even half inch helps...and the P-11 can carry 12+1...

 

[saturno_v]

Comparing a Kahr PM-9 to the other two would be simlar to comparing a BMW to a Fiat or Renault.

I would say more comparing a Honda with a Jaguar.....one is not fancy and keep you on the road, the other treats you with nice leather and fine wood but is often in the shop....

 

[heeler]

I recently bought a Kahr PM9 and had the chance to handle the PF-9 and CW9 all at the same time.
The CW9 had a better grip feel than my chosen PM9 and the PF9 was lighter than the CW9 and it was very obvious as I picked it up.
However,once I handled and really looked at all three pistols carefully there really was no comparison and the Kahr's were just much more refined and truely had a quality feel about them that the Kel-Tec just could not get up to.
I will admit the Kel-Tec PF-9 would make a damn good poor man's carry piece.
If I had more money on me at the time I might of bought it along with my much more expensive Kahr because the asking price was a whole $265.00.

 

[saturno_v]

will admit the Kel-Tec PF-9 would make a damn good poor man's carry piece.

Why a Kel Tec would be a "poor man's carry piece" baffles me.

It works, it is accurate for its intended use, utterly reliable, comfortable to wear and technically fairly sophisticated...what is "poor man" about it?? It is not an Hi-Point (with all respect for Hi-Points)

The Kahr is better finished but cost much more.....do KT owners says that a Kahr is a "stupid man's Kel Tec??"...no...to each its own....

An R9 owner can call the small Kahrs "a poor man's Rohrbaugh".

 

[Caliper_Mi]

The Kahr has too upright a grip angle for me. Doesn't point naturally, which puts me off to it as a CCW. I found the grip on the P11 to be overly blocky and the trigger pull miserable. Liked the PF9 because of its a 1911-like grip angle that works for my hands and while the trigger pull is long, it is smooth and not overly heavy.

I don't understand people complaining of the PF9 recoil though. Sure, it kicks more than a full size 9mm and is not a good gun for a beginner but its a fun little thing to shoot a few boxes through it at the range, just keep a good grip. Only thing it needed was was smoothing the mold line on the trigger.

 

[GunNut]

PF9 for me. Thinner, lighter, and a better trigger. KelTec's no BS lifetime warranty helps too!

Did you seriously just say that a KT PF9 has a better trigger than a Kahr CW9?

My PF9 trigger is very heavy and looooong.

 

[Browns Fan]

I must agree with 451 Detonics ( I am also the lucky owner of a Detonics 9-11-01 BTW), I have a pf9 and love it! It is reliable and accurate and carries well. I also shoot it well in our BUG matches. Nice to know that I made an excellent choice in a carry gun when I am unable to carry a glock 19!

 

[heeler]

Saturno V,I was not implying anything such as class warfare in regards to the PF9.
What I meant was the fact that the PF9 can be bought so cheaply that a person on a low wage can far more easily buy one than they can the Kahr.
And they will have a very functional firearm on a budget price.
Uhh...I have been down that old road in my past.

 

[jbr]

Can't compare - never shot the K-tec's. Like my Kahr but it took a while for me to adapt to the long trigger pull after shooting SA's for a while but after a few rounds it is really smooth - just a little long. Shoots reliably. Cleans well.

 

[RinkRat]

I know the OP asked about Karh vs Kel Tec but some other options have come up, so Ruger just came out with the new 9mm LC9, which is similar in size to those three in question. Haven't seen one myself yet, it's just starting to trickle into the LGS's and being the new kid on the block it may have some gremlins to workout??? Haven't heard enough about it yet. But it does come equipped with a couple more safeties then some may care for.

Seems the market-price right now is about $350. or so, putting it about $100. more then the Kel Tec's for now, but once the hype comas-down it might be a bit closer in price to the Kel Tec's. But it is and will be less that a Karh. Does anyone have any words on this? It seems being a Ruger it would tend to fall somewhere between the Karh's and Kel Tec's both in price and in finished-workmanship <not to knock either one>. But then this LC9 being a Ruger it could possibly be up there within the Karh's quality but at a little more affordable price similar to the Kel Tec's.

CW9
Width: .9"
Height: 4.5"
Length: 5.9"
Barrel: 3.6"
Weight: 15.8oz
Capacity: 7+1
MSRP: $549.

P11
Width. 1"
Height: 4.3"
Length: 5.6"
Barrel: 3.1"
Weight: 14oz
Capacity: 10+1
MSRP: $333. Blue / $377. Parkerized / $390. Hard Chrome

PF9
Width. .88"
Height: 4.3"
Length: 5.85"
Barrel: 3.1"
Weight: 12.7oz
Capacity: 7+1
MSRP: $333. Blue / $377. Parkerized / $390. Hard Chrome

LC9
Width: .9"
Height: 4.5"
Length: 6"
Barrel: 3.12"
Weight: 17.10oz
Capacity: 7+1
MSRP: $443.