Karh T9 first impressions

[Kyle]

I bought a new Kahr T9 for $640 last night. I have to say I am very impressed so far. This pistol has an all steel frame, and is very heavy for its size. Personally I really like this. I have never had a problem carrying a heavy gun, as long as I use a good holster and belt. I have not tried carrying this gun yet, as I have no holsters that fit it, and I need to familiarize myself with it a bit more before I trust myself with it.
The grip angle on this gun is perfect for me. Every time I bring it up to shoot the sights are perfectly lined up. I have spent a lot of time shooting a G19, and CZ75b lately, and this points better than either for me. This gun also fits my hand perfectly. The grip is very similar in feel to the BHP, which I think is awesome.
I fired about 100 rounds through the gun this morning, and I was very impressed. No malfunctions at all. I have never had much of a problem with any of my handguns malfunctioning, but Kahr states in the owners manual to not expect the gun to be fully reliable until after a 200 round break in. When I got the gun home, I took it apart and cleaned it well, than lubed it with some rem oil. I did managed to shoot what is for me a very good group of 16 shots in to a group just under 2” shot from 10 yards away. Ammo used was actually a mixture of WWB and Blazer brass.
My only complaint about this gun is the trigger. It is very strange. With every other gun I own, it only takes a little while to figure out where the trigger breaks. After 100 rounds, I still couldn’t determine a consistant break point on the trigger. This trigger pull is fairly long, but light, I would guess around 7 lbs. There is really no stacking to speak of, and like I mentioned before, the break point of the trigger seemed inconsistent. It very well could just be me getting used to what I consider a unique trigger pull.
When I tried to shoot the gun fast, my accuracy really suffered. I kept all shots on a 16x16” target from 7-15 yards, but I was all over the target. Again most of my problems were related to my unfamiliarty with the trigger. The recoil was really nice. I have shot a lot of 9mm in my life. I would say that the recoil actually was a little heavier than I thought it would be in such a heavy little gun, It does only have a 4” barrel which may be part of the reason it seemed a bit more snappy. I don’t think 9mm really can recoil too hard in any gun. What I found different and interesting about the recoil on this gun was that it was very much straight back. The sights jumped very little. This got me back on target quickly, but again the fact that I am still trying to get the hang of the trigger kept me from shooting very fast.
Overall I am very impressed with this gun, and if I can get the hang of the trigger, I could see this quickly becoming my favorite 9mm so far.

 

[airrascal]

Practice with the Kahr and you'll see an improvement in your accuracy with your other platforms. It forces you to concentrate on the sights throughout the trigger pull and pay attention to follow through. Don't try to stage the trigger. Just pull smoothly through while staying on target.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

[T]his trigger pull is fairly long, but light, I would guess around 7 lbs. There is really no stacking to speak of, and like I mentioned before, the break point of the trigger seemed inconsistent. It very well could just be me getting used to what I consider a unique trigger pull.

This is characteristic of the Kahr trigger. It is not actuating a hammer or rolling a cylinder around, so it does not have a distinct "roll" or "break point." It is actually designed not to have this so every shot is a little bit of a surprise, to avoid anticipation and flinching. Pull the trigger smoothly through its full travel, let it come fully forward while maintaining light finger contact so as not to "slap" it on the rearward stroke, and don't try to anticipate when it fires.

 

[usp9]

Congrats on finding a really fine pistol. My T9 is one of my favorites at the range.

 

[flinch]

Love mine. Second one. Sold the first like the fool I am. Great smooth trigger and very accurate for me. The trigger is like no other.

 

[chris in va]

You guys are killing me here. I have a K9 on layaway, can't wait to get it out and finally shoot it. At least I get to read all the hundreds of positive reports on the all-steel Kahrs.

 

[TMann]

I'm in the same boat as chris in va: I have a T9 on layaway. I could have just bought it and put it on the credit card, but I promised my wife that I'd try to space out my gun purchases a bit. I have some cash coming in from a couple of other equipment sales, so I'll probably go pick up the gun in the next couple of weeks.

In regards to the Kahr trigger, I will agree that it does take a bit of getting used to if you're used to a revolver trigger, or a Glock trigger. There is almost no "feedback" as you pull the trigger back. You eventually learn to just pull smoothly through the whole trigger stroke without trying to "stage" the trigger. My Sig DAK trigger actually has a similar feel; it took me a while to get used to that one, too.

TMann

 

[Ghost Tracker]

I'm a T9 shooter & fan as well. Fine handgun to be sure! The trigger does take a little time...but I've never heard of anyone unhappy once they got accustomed to it. The T9 has Kahr's Elite trigger installed at the factory. It's more refined (and I think has some slightly different internals) than do the triggers featured in the less expensive Kahr models. If you really want to be impressed, send your T9 to Cylinder & Slide (Nebraska) and have them do a trigger job. They've got a lot of experience with Kahr pistols & the results simply can't be described without running out of words for "WOW"!

 

[flinch]

Ghost tracker,

I can't imagine an improvement on the T9 trigger. It must be a double WOW. Would love to try one. Can't say enough good things about my T9. It's trigger is unlike any other and therefore feels different from all others.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

The best way I can imagine to describe the uninitiated Kahr shooter to what a C&S trigger-job can do for their pistol is...spend an afternoon shooting an expertly-tuned S&W Custom Shop revolver. Believe me when I tell ya', it's like wearing glass socks on a Teflon floor.

Go ahead & do send it to 'em. I DARE you not to love it.

 

[jocko]

you have a super handgun in the T9. there is nothing wrong with the kahr triggers. they are so smooth, that there is no break over point to feel. they are just that smooth. Yes, the trigger pull seems long, actually it is only 3/8" long but compared to a glock or a M & P version it is long. that being due to the point that your T9 is probably at best only 20% in a precocked stage. You are actually pulling through the entire trigger system where as with a glock it is probalby at least 50% in a precocked stage and in my Smith M & P probalby 90% precocked, therefore a much shorter trigger pull to make the "bang" thing happen.
\
this is ur only true safety system on the kahrs the long trigger pull of which more rounds down range, the better you will get also. They are very accurate guns, your t9 should be a real shooter IMO. just takes alittle more trigger discipline over the above two that I just mentioned.

IMO they are the best guns on the market, super quality, simplest of trigger systems and easy to carry...

My bet your shots are low and to the left and that is just more rounds needed downrange IMO.

Nice gun, u just don't seem harldy any T9 in dealer showcases. I have never seen one yet, anywhere...

 

[jocko]

Ghost tracker: i sent my PM9 to C & S and they did a super trigger job on my PM9, just took me 6 months to get it in and had to pay about half up front and then wait for thier call to send it to them, then another 45 days to get it back. They did a nice job but since I have found other
Smitty's that can do it for less and much faster.

but I can't knock C & s either, they did a great job but it was very costly for all the mods they did to my PM9 but it is my 24/7 carry peace and what a shooter it is. 19,100 rounds through it and not one issue. Speaks highly of Kahr quality IMO..

 

[redneckrepairs]

Tho i dont have a steel Kahr i do have 3 tupperware ones . The triggers are so consistent feeling from the pm9 through the p45 that its scary . The more you shoot them the more used to the trigger you get . I found that i get best results " pulling through " the trigger as i would a narrow da revolver trigger when shooting rapidly rather than trying to " stage " the trigger for a break press . YMMV