I am thinking about one of the 9mm Kahrs for carry. Any thoughts on which model?

I am thinking about one of the 9mm Kahrs for carry. Any thoughts on which model?

Hello and welcome to the forum.I am not bashing Kahr but from my personal experience I would stay very far away from them.My friend who is a Yonkers City Marshal bought a Kahr 9mm as a backup gun and he put it thru his 750 round torture test.Thank God he did because the first 250 rounds were flawless but the next 250 had every type of FTF and FTE known to man multiple times.Unreliability is a trait you don't want in a carry gun.May I suggest you get a CS9 in either DA/SA or DAO models.You have seven in magazine and 1 in chamber and in the 2000 rounds pre DAO conversion and 500 rounds post conversion not a single FTF or FTE.Take care and God Bless.....Mike

I prefer the "P" series just for the lighter weight. They use to offer a P9/40 Coovert, compact frame with the full length slide. That with the pearce finger rest mag base worked good for me. I must say the 12-15 KAHRs' I've have run through almost half have gone back to the factory for problems, always good when they came back but for that kind of money they shouldn't have to be returned.

I have a Kahr MK9 and it hasn't choked on me, even with +P hollow point ammo. I like the trigger, sights, and slim profile. I don't like the weight or that the slide is hard to pull back because of the heavy recoil spring. After carrying and shooting the PM9 (polymer) Kahr IMO its a better choice for day to day concealed carry because its much lighter over the steel K9 or MK9 versions.

I have both a K9 and an MK9. I have had no problems with either one.

I've got two steel-framed Kahr pistols - the MK9 and a K40 Covert. Both shoot well and neither has given me any problems whatsoever. I picked up a PM9 recently, but I haven't shot it yet. I have heard of more problems with the PM9 than with other Kahr models.

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NRA Benefactor Life Member

My CW-40 isn't so great. But I'm not one to tell someone else what to buy. Try it, you might like it. But I'll never buy another one.

I've had several K9s and K40s. I'll never have another one.

They seem to work fine for several hundred rounds and then, Poof! even after following their maintenance regimen the malfunctions came out of the woodwork.

Or they don't work right out of the box, as the K40 with an overtight chamber.

They'd be great guns if they worked with any regularity.

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Stu

My MK9 Elite '98 is a wonderful piece, if a bit heavy. Best DAO trigger I have ever found...and I am a DAO slut...

Kahrs work well enough most of the time, but I prefer the lesser known Smith & Wesson CS9 primarily for the grip, accuracy, willingness to accept and cycle all ammo, and S&W quality. A friend hand a Kahr P9 for carry and home defense, but switched to a S&W Sigma.

Lot 'a people used to trumpet how the NY Police used to approve 'em, but I recall readin' an article about how Kahr had a special armorer's trailer at the police shooting range just to keep up with all the problems, then I guess, they decided not to continue 'em...somethin' like that. Do a Google check to get the story. I really want to like the K9, but I have never seen one that was reliable. Some seem okay at first, then, after 1000 rounds, you're doin' the Kahr warranty service waltz... Get an M&P 9C if you don't like or can't find a CS9. The 3913 (and variants) is still a state of the art gun, IMHO...AND you don't need to worry about it's reliability, AND, if anything is ever needed, S&W will email you a return label and master armorers will take care for it for free without any hassle.

Greetings,
MK9 owner here and I really like mine. Very controllable and accurate for its size. It's ran great and I trust my life to it.
Take care

+1 on the 3913. Save yourself money and trouble.

I've yet to personally come across a reliable Kahr. YMMV. Regards 18DAI.

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

My PM9 started to have issues feeding JHP ammo at around 500 rounds. I Just got it back from Kahr (very fast service to their credit) and they replaced recoil spring assembly, barrel and mag release.

Will find out if their fix worked next range trip.

I do like the 6+1 rounds of 9mm in a very thin compact package. But if it's not reliable, forget it, I'll stick with J-Frames.

CW9 carrier here. Many 100's fired through it and not so much as a hiccup. Very small, lightweight, accurate and easily concealed. I'd recommend it.

Lots of trouble with the P frames before the design modification to the slide catch spring, and still hear of some problems with the smallest versions.

However, my P9 and the 2 others in the family have been shot a lot with superb reliability.
I sometimes shoot IDPA SSP with mine just for the realistic practice with a small carry gun. It is the smallest pistol I've found that has the accuracy, shootability, and reliability for engaging targets at 15-20 yds.

I would recommend the current P9 or CW9(slightly cheaper) but would not the PM series as a primary carry. I also caution against brand X magazines. Agrip helps the grip.

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Science plus Art

I recently purchased a Kahr PM-9. It has been reliable with a wide variety of reloads and factory JHP's. It's my favorite carry gun due to it's slim profile and surprising accuracy for a light, small barreled gun. I know some people who carry the MK-9 and it's also a relaible and accurate performer, However the MK-9 is just a bit too heavy for true pocket carry. IThe PM-9's recoil is surprisingly manageable but I would not use it to shoot a 100 round IDPA match. I also shoot a Kahr T-9 at pistol games to get the same trigger function and have it at the bedside.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TSQUARED:
I recently purchased a Kahr PM-9. It has been reliable with a wide variety of reloads and factory JHP's. It's my favorite carry gun due to it's slim profile and surprising accuracy for a light, small barreled gun. I know some people who carry the MK-9 and it's also a relaible and accurate performer, However the MK-9 is just a bit too heavy for true pocket carry. IThe PM-9's recoil is surprisingly manageable but I would not use it to shoot a 100 round IDPA match.[QUOTE]

Exactly what I have to say about it. I carry it in my front pocket in a sleeve holster. Hardly know it's there. Love this little gun.

Too heavy, wouldn't go over 115gr

Not offfense intended, but hearsay is not the same as personal experience...

My Kahr's have been nothing short of 100%...and I own them...

I have a PM9. It had to go back to Kahr one time before it was right. I have it, like it and won't sell it but I don't carry it much. For a 9mm pocket auto the form factor is excellent. I prefer to carry the M&P 340. I also like my Seecamp .380.

I purchased a PM9 for my wife after she was taking too strong a liking to my Colt Pocket Nine. To my knowledge, except for possibly a Rohrbaugh, the Kahr PM9 and MK9 are the best DAO 9mm true subcompacts currently in production. I've never shot a Rohrbaugh, but the PM9 is surprising easy to shoot, and truth be told, it has a better trigger than my Colt Pocket Nine. The Rohrbaugh is considerably smaller than the PM9 (which is virtually the same size as the Colt Pocket Nine), but the PM9 certainly isn't large and can be easily carried in the back pocket of your jeans. I think it's a bit heavy and bulky for the front pocket, but certainly some people carry it there. I can't really speak to the reliably of Kahrs as compared to other models, but when they work they work well. My wife is scary accurate with the PM9. I've speculated her small hands help her to get a better grip on the gun. I have a preference for metal guns, but the MK9 is surprising heavy for its size. If you hope to pocket carry you'll be better served with the PM9 or fork over some big bucks for the Rohrbaugh. If you are prepared to step down in caliber you have many more possibilities for pocket carry. Likewise, if you are prepared to go IWB/OWB or otherwise increase the size/weight of the pistol a world of possibilities opens up. If you plan to holster the pistol on a belt I would probably expand my search from subcompact to compacts (or larger subcompacts) and begin to look at the CZ2075 RAMI or Sigs or the discontinued S&W 3913 or CS9 (or God forbid the small Glocks ). That's not to say that the larger Kahr's are bad, particularly if you prefer thin DAO pistols, it's just that there is more competition. Also, don't forget to look at the J frame possibilities.

I had a Kahr Elite '98 K9 that I carried from 1999 to when I sold it in early 2004. Great little gun. Never had any problems with it.

I don't beleive that to be true. I've seen tests with the 147gr. Ranger and HST shot through the PM9 and they performed quite well penetrating 12" with great expansion. I use 127gr.+P+ in mine without a problem.

I've got a first generation E9, which was the economy version of the all steel K9 made in 1997 (in S&W speak - think Highway Parolman vs. Model 27). I bought it used from the original owner who had fired many rounds from it. It has performed flawlessly for me without ever a problem.

No carry in my state, so it's only a plinker. It it very accurate and has the best double action trigger I've ever shot. It is kind of heavy for it's size, so I agree that the steel Kahr's are probably too heavy for pocket carry.

It is best for someone with small hands - I do have to pay extra attention when shooting it with my big mits.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

If you want a small thin semi ditch Kahr and go with Walthers new pps. I test fired one (9mm) and loved it. It not cheap but the gun is awesome. Not to mention that Walthes and S&W are partners now. Smths customer service is waaaay better than Kahr.

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S&W M&P and 3rd Gen Armorer

I think Kahrs are great if you get one that works. Seems to be more of a roll of the dice than with most new pistols.

Kahr's customer service was lightning fast. My gun was back to me in 10 days. Of course it wasn't fixed...

My experience with S&W's customer service has been that they take a little longer, but do a good job.

I do have a friend with a lemon of a 908S that S&W can't seem to fix. Nobody's perfect I guess...

I'm sure this is a nice gun, but although small I believe it is considerably larger and heavier than the Kahr PM9.

I found the following link that actually includes some comparison pictures between the PM9 and the PPS. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=330944 Personally, if I was going to pocket carry, the PM9 is the upper limit. However, if I was going to IWB/OWB I would not hesitate to investigate and consider the PPS.

Do you think it just might be a good idea to try a few ifferent brands of ammo? If I could be permitted to give you a clue: TRY DIFFERENT AMMO!

Thats funny. I had a PPS in 9mm 4 or 5 months back and ended up selling it for a Kahr.
I found the PPS to be unreliable with a couple top of the line hollowtips(Ranger & HST), inaccurate, and a bit larger than I wanted. Made the switch and happy I did.

Well you can put me down as a satisfied owner of a Kahr PM9. I have had mine for about a year now and have fired a couple "thousand" rounds thru it and it runs like a watch. I would buy it again and again.

I hope that I have a good one. I just picked up my PM9 today. The trigger is so smooth and it points like a finger. This is my first polymer framed gun. They say variety is the spice of life. I now have a light weight micro gun.It better work, as it is to small to be a boat anchor.Bruce

I'm really suprised at the responses and how many folks have had problems.

With that said, and in all honesty, I did have to do a little work on the slide stop on the K9 and the P9, but just a little polishing and fine tuning. But after that they were all dead nuts on. And to be fair, I have had many different pistol brands which were not 100% right out of the box and needed a little tweak- Smith & Colts included.

I've had (3)Kahr's total, the original E9, the K9, and currently a P9, all in 9mm.

For me, the little guns carry better, point better than the glock or my 239 Sig, and the DA triger is smooth and light. The P9 shoots right to poi out to 25yds which is the max distance at our range.

I always liked the look and feel of the K9. How does it stack up to the P9, seein' how you've owned both?

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Caveat venditor.

The K9 is an all steel frame with hogue type rubber grips. The overall feel is a "handfull of gun" and I thought it was perfect.

Until, one of the guys got the polymer P9 and the weight comparison is clearly a big factor to consider. So I bought one also and use it most.

The P9 is very flat and thin, compared to the full rounded feel of the K9. I put the DecalGrips on the P9 and it makes a big difference at the range.

Recoil of the K vs P is about the same to me, it may be considered a little snappy as compared to a full size gun.

But the P9 is a dream to carry with either a belt holster or IWB, and that's what sold me. When using an IWB the gun is light enough that you don't need to readjust your sagging belt everytime you get out of the car!

regards & Merry Xmas!

Dissatisfied former owner here. I found the customer service to be lacking and uncaring. Enough said on that matter! Stay with S&W and you will we very satisfied.

I was seriously thinking about buying one a number of years ago and rented one (all metal 9mm I think) at the shop for a test fire. Slide stop broke on the demo/rental gun while I was shooting it. Being a renatl/demo, no knowing how many rounds or what kind o abuse it had, but for me, NO sale here.