Real world question - is the Kahr MK9 really a pocket gun

[dmallind]

I am awaiting a KT P3AT as a pocket gun for summer carry. I have - with permission of course!- slipped one in my pocket at a store and found it to be -just - concealable. On the spur of the moment I ordered one (the one I tried was spoken for),

I'm sure with some tweaking and the old fluff and buff I can get it to be a decent carry piece but in retrospect I keep thinking "who wouldn't want a 9mm with 75% more muzzle energy at the same velocity instead?" and "heck I shoot a lot of 9mm now - wouldn't it make sense to standardize?"

I know dimensions can be deceiving and geometry is as important so I'm asking those who have actually tried this to tell me exactly how concealable a Kahr MK or PM9 is with its .3" extra length .5" extra height and .15" or so - depending on how measured - extra width. Weight is less of an issue than size so I would be tempted to go with the stainless but input there is appreciated too.

I generally wear pleated front dockers type pants or relaxed fit jeans. I'm a large beer-bellied chap.

Many thanks.

 

[gazpacho]

Unfortunately, weight IS an issue when you pocket carry. In loose pants like Dockers, a heavy handgun will sway back and forth noticeably. It will bounce off of your leg a lot. Frankly, with continuous carry, I wouldn't be surprised if a heavy handgun like the MK9 wore a hole into the bottom of the pocket.

The MK9 is a brick. It is actually surprisingly accurate, but you have to hold onto it. Also, it is a PITA to rack the slide. In fact, I was awoken one night and immediately grabbed for my MK9 and tried to rack the slide. I couldn't!

The P32 and P3AT as surprisingly easy to pocket carry. The PM9 and MK9 as well as any J-Frame revolver will feel atleast twice as big in your pocket.

My advise is to buy the Kel-Tec. There are times when it will feel like the only thing you can carry because of clothing restraints, and the little bit of insurance it provides can be wonderful. I carry my P32 as a backup, usually to a Taurus 850 or a Ruger SP101. At other times it backs up a 1911A1 GM. It rides alone at work, because carrying is currently against company policy.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I'm curious -- why are you racking the slide? Why not carry it already racked. (In a pocket holster or IWB holster there's no concern for accidental discharges.) And if carrying in a pocket, you may find yourself having to take extra time to get it ready. Having to also rack the slide may take more time than you can spare.

I've got a P9, which is smaller and lighter than the MK9, and it is arguably too large for pocket carry unless you have VERY larrge pockets. I really like the gun, but use an IWB holster.

I've also got a P3AT - and its not only a pocket carry gun, its so light, even fully loaded, that it wouldn't be a problem in a shirt pocket! (I don't advocate shirt pocket carry -- but just making the point about how light and concealable it is.) I have a pocket holster for mine.

 

[CougarRed]

I carry a P9 Covert in my front pocket - trust my life with it.

It's 1 oz heavier than PM9. Grip same, but slide/barrel a little longer.

 

[Preacherman]

I'd recommend the MK9 very strongly. Yes, it's heavy for its size, but that helps to absorb recoil - and it's rated for +P 9mm., which is an order of magnitude better than any .380 in terms of stopping power. Use a good pocket holster (I recommend the DeSantis Nemesis), and you should have no problems carrying it. However, you'll need relatively strong trousers and a good belt to prevent sagging on the side that you carry it.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

If you can, TRY a P9. Its lighter than the MK9, but with suprisingly modest recoil. It amazed me -- as I was expecting an unpleasant experience. Mine shoots about as gently as the much-larger Glock 19. I guess that polymer frame twists and bends and absorbs some of the recoil.

 

[Otisimo]

As mentioned above manner of dress is the question.

I carry a keltec .32 in my pocket but I have to (unfortunately) wear a suit. The lightweight fabric and belt make even my pm9 mighty heavy.

Try it and see what works best for you.

 

[MikeJ]

At one time I really wanted to get an MK9 with the intention of pocket carry. I quickly came to the conclusion, after slipping one in my pocket, that the MK9 was both too big and too heavy for that purpose. I also find that pistols of that size print a lot more than Airweight J frame revolvers.

 

[critter]

+1 to what Preacherman said. My experience parallels his exactly. Love mine and I really don't want to go less than a full power 9mm.

 

[Tom Servo]

I'm curious -- why are you racking the slide? Why not carry it already racked.

Sounds like he was at home at the time. (Either that, or asleep at the wheel ) I do the same thing. I keep my nightstand gun with a full mag, but no round chambered. It forces me to wake up enough to concentrate before the gun's "live." In the house, I'll likely have time to rack a round, plus there are few burglars who don't know that sound instinctively.

As far as the MK9, it's heavy, but I've shot the plastic models, and they hurt. That extra steel does soak up alot of recoil. Great gun, and more accurate than anything else in its size range, but for pocket carry...I tried it, but I'm a skinny guy, so I just end up carrying it on my waist. I pretty much forget it's there.

 

[dmallind]

Thanks all

I would certainly stay with the M line - either MK9 or PM9 rather than the even bigger variants. I was trending towards the MK9 as putting that much power in that small a package is already pushing the reliability/functionality boundaries a bit it seems so I felt a bit more comfy with the idea of stainless. That may seem strange since I have three pistols to date - two polymers and one scandium alloy, so I suppose I should trust Kahr to know what they are doing and consider primarily the lighter PM9.

I have a Nemesis for the P3AT already and would be my first choice to stay that way with the Kahr if I went that way so thanks for the vindication.

Not wanting to be a pain but does anyone actually pocket carry a PM9 (or MK9 again -same dimensions IIRC) who can vouch for lack of printing in normal dockers type pants using a good quality gun belt (I wear them all the time!).

Oh and by the way I am not one to order the KelTec and then never show up. Whether I end up using it as a primary carry or not I definitely am buying the KT as I have committed to do so - my question is more if I should add the Kahr and perhaps sell the KT later or keep as a winter BUG. There is no stocking Kahr dealer I can find nearby so trying may be a bit difficult.

Many thanks again - more input and experience is warmly encouraged and gratefully received.

 

[gazpacho]

Eric F & Walt, yeah, the gun was on my nightstand. The gun was still new to me, and I wasn't sold on the lack of safties (at the time), so the gun was loaded but not chambered. It really scared me, not being able to rack the slide, and that was the primary reason I sold it off. I could imagine all sorts of scenarios where I wouldn't have enough strength to operate the slide. (i.e. just waking up, wounded etc.)

The MK9 rides well in a jeans front pocket and prints like a thick wallet when you carry it in a holster. The PM9 is even thinner, so I'd imagine it would print like a not-so-thick wallet.

 

[Sistema1927]

My PM9 in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster disappears in the front pocket of "docker style" (who wears Levi's?) pants or cargo shorts. The only time that I carry a P-32 is when I am forced to wear a suit, which is seldom.

 

[sgt127]

Most of summer I will be carrying my PM9 in the strong side pants pocket. I made a very shallow pocket holster for it that covers the trigger and keeps it oriented right side up. I usually wear BDU or Docker type shorts all summer when I'm not working. It conceals very well and is exceptionally comfortable. If you get jeans in the current "in style" baggy cut, it carries very well there too. It does not work very well with a good fitting pair of Levis though.

 

[MrMurphy]

THe MK9 will fit but make you look happy to see everyone. The PM9 also fits and is much lighter.

 

[dmallind]

Hmm tempting though it may be to get that "little added confidence" with the MK9 I suppose I can eschew overcompensation for now and consider the PM9 is a better choice. Thanks for the reassurance that these things are truly concealable. I'll start keeping my eyes open for a PM9 for this Summer and the KelTec can always serve as the emergency carry for tighter pants or as a super-light backup in Winter.

 

[coylh]

Too heavy. MK9 weighs more than a glock 19.

 

[JNewell]

I have done it, but I don't think it's ideal. As many said, it's on the heavy side, and it's also kind of blocky. If you do, you need to make sure the pockets are big enough to get a good grip and reasonable draw...make sure that the trousers have enough fabric not to print easily (hint: pleats)...make sure you wear a good belt, because it is, in fact, holding up the gun even though the gun's not on the belt.

The MK9 is a fabulous and very compact pistol...mine is accurate and completely reliable with any ammo.

 

[Watch-Six]

I have pocket carried a PM9 since they came out. I just added a PM40. They certainly weigh more than a Kel Tec, but they are IMHO still ok in a pocket. Watch-Six

 

[dmallind]

Many thanks to all. I shopped around and ordered a PM9 with night sights from ordnanceooutsellers.com for $550+shipping. While the best buy for a PM9 I could find it's not cheap for 7 shots by any means, but I feel a bit happier with it in theory at least than the Kel-Tec, which will serve as a backup to my G19 in winter CCW.

By the way the KT didn't do too badly after my fluff and buff - I had 4-5 failures to chamber the first round when I racked the slide but I can assume I am at fault there by not being aggressive enough with the slide - sloppy habits brought about by being accustomed to higher quality pistols. Out of 75 rounds I only had one FTE. In a Glock or Steyr that would be horrible. In a $200 KT it's acceptable, especially since no problems occurred with the all important first round.

With Hydra-Shoks it was not horribly inaccurate at short distances either, although the sights are extremely low. With FMJ ammo it was a bit less precise but again we're talking the deepest-concealment semi-serious firepower available today so you have to expect some compromise.

That extra 125ft/lbs and 150 fps or so is worth it I think so I am looking forward to my PM9 arriving late next week.