Is the Kahr the replacement for the 3953?

[Grog]

Since the 3953 is gone, never to return. I've been thinking how the largest Kahrs might be a good replacement. The cheaper versions mean you'll have a poly frame, but you'll also save a bunch of money and weight doing so.

Opinions?

They both use 8rd mags. The CT9 (cheapest one they make) comes with just one mag, but they are giving a free magazine for the next few months. They are also available new



3953 specs (what I've found, might not be 100% correct since S&W does not seem to publish the info).


Unloaded Weight: 25 ounces
Barrel Length: 3.5 inches
Height: 5 inches
Length: 6 inches
Width of the slide approximately .925"
Width across the standard grips approximately 1.075"


Kahr CT9 (new, running $300-320).

Weight: Pistol 18.5 ounces
Barrel: 3.965"
Height: 5.08"
Length O/A: 6.5"
Slide Width: 0.90"

 

[TucsonMTB]

Maybe! Kahr also makes all metal pistols. One of them would be closer in terms of weight.

My only experience with Kahr comes from the two PM40's currently among my favorites.

The triggers are just as nice as the S&W J-frames in the family.

In all other respects, both of mine are outstanding and among the few bottom feeders I like to carry

 

[Arik]

I have used the CW, P and CM 9s with good results. Some people might complain about the "plastic" but I'm only worried about the end results.

The CT will have a much longer grip. It's essentially a full size gun but in a single stack. The CW or the P is probably closer in overall size

 

[Grog]

The CT will have a much longer grip. It's essentially a full size gun but in a single stack. The CW or the P is probably closer in overall size

That's why I figured it was the best size to compare. The 3953 is big enough for uniform use, but begs to be concealed. I could almost say the same about the CT9 (except no one makes a duty holster, of course).

 

[L Pete]

I have two Kahrs. One is a TP9 (full size with polymer frame) and the other is the CM9 (shrunk version of the above). I've read a lot of bad about the polymer framed guns, but in my case, both of these handguns have been flawless. No problems what so ever. MY CM9 is my EDC, and I trust it in the extreme. I have no problem recommending them to anyone that wants a good, dependable, and durable firearm.

 

[growr]

Nothing can be a replacement for a 3900 series Smith....many have tried to equal them and failed...
Randy

 

[hardknocks]

K9

K9 should be considered. And I have had both.
You may feel differently.
Regards
Mike

 

[Muss Muggins]

I don't like the Kahr trigger. I've have three, (.40, 9mm and .380, two plastic and one steel), and traded them all because of the trigger.

 

[usm1rifle]

I have used a PM9 for EDC for nearly ten years without complaint.

 

[regalsc]

I have 2 kahrs. Mk9 & mk40 to me the triggers are the best for smooth light pull while at the same time they are safe. IMO much lighter than my jframes so for me easier to keep on target. I don't own any plastic guns & never will so I speak only for the high quality in my steel ones.

 

[StickShift]

3953TSWs and 3914DAOs are still produced in for the NYPD and can be purchased from cop shops in the NYC area that cater to NYPD recruits. Some of these dealers sell out of state, and are willing to take orders from motivated individuals. Note that you will pay through the nose for the privilege, but you will have a brand new 39xx ten years after they went out of regular production. Production overruns also occasionally wind up with distributors, and usually show up on Gunbroker - check completed listing from the past few months and you will see a few brand new models that were sold.

Another (admittedly pricey) alternative is the aluminum frame SIG P239, which has was the 39xx's closest competitor when they were still being made. They come in DAK trigger versions if you want a similar trigger action to a 3953.

 

[L Pete]

3953TSWs and 3914DAOs are still produced in for the NYPD and can be purchased from cop shops in the NYC area that cater to NYPD recruits. Some of these dealers sell out of state, and are willing to take orders from motivated individuals. Note that you will pay through the nose for the privilege, but you will have a brand new 39xx ten years after they went out of regular production. Production overruns also occasionally wind up with distributors, and usually show up on Gunbroker - check completed listing from the past few months and you will see a few brand new models that were sold.

Another (admittedly pricey) alternative is the aluminum frame SIG P239, which has was the 39xx's closest competitor when they were still being made. They come in DAK trigger versions if you want a similar trigger action to a 3953.

Sig P239,.....now your talking

I have one in .40, and as of today, it is the only .40 I own. It is probably (what I would consider, and you may not agree) the best semi-auto out there, that is a regular production gun. You can spend a whole lot more for a handgun, but I really feel that the P239 is no less of a handgun. My only problem is that it's just a smidge too big for warm weather carry (my warm weather carry is a small Kahr). I love that gun......

 

[TucsonMTB]

For anyone considering the Kahr as an option, Palmetto State Armory has the Kahr CT40 on sale for $199.

Admittedly, their regular price is only $299, but still that's as low a price as I have ever seen.

 

[BigBill]

With prices that low no wonder why the plastic craze is taking off.

 

[Grog]

For anyone considering the Kahr as an option, Palmetto State Armory has the Kahr CT40 on sale for $199.

Admittedly, their regular price is only $299, but still that's as low a price as I have ever seen.

I saw that price after your post while I was at work. They had them in stock until I checked around 1am local time.

I'm shocked they lasted that long. If it were the CT9 or 45, I would have jumped on that deal hard. I'm just not keen on the 40 for my use anymore.

Smokin' deal while it lasted

 

[TruckGun]

I too carry a CM9 very frequently. Extremely pleased with it, it has performed exceptionally well for me. Probably carry it more frequently than my G26 & 642 combined. It's just SO easy to drop in my pocket or clip IWB in a kydex PJ.

 

[spearcrow]

Like my CW45. I like the trigger personally. It is a long pull, but it is as smooth as cab be. In fact, it's so smooth that it took a few hundred rounds to get used to it. A couple things I didn't really like about the purchase...

First, the recommended breakin period, can't remember if it is 250 or 500, either way... kinda stinks that the manufacturer tells you your gun might not be good to go until you run one to two hundred rounds of ammo down the pipe.

The second thing I kinda didn't like was the fact that, according to the paperwork...which i found to be correct, they recommend you use the slide release to load the gun. If you just work the slide with your hand and don't let it have enough force, it will fail to load the first round. happened several times on me. But really nice feeling gun and fun to shoot.

 

[LVSteve]

The second thing I kinda didn't like was the fact that, according to the paperwork...which i found to be correct, they recommend you use the slide release to load the gun. If you just work the slide with your hand and don't let it have enough force, it will fail to load the first round. happened several times on me. But really nice feeling gun and fun to shoot.

That sounds bass ackwards to me. What they describe will happen to those who insist on riding the slide closed rather than letting it go, but I've never had a semi fail to load when I slingshot the slide from the locked open position.

 

[TucsonMTB]

The second thing I kinda didn't like was the fact that, according to the paperwork...which i found to be correct, they recommend you use the slide release to load the gun. If you just work the slide with your hand and don't let it have enough force, it will fail to load the first round. happened several times on me. But really nice feeling gun and fun to shoot.

That sounds bass ackwards to me. What they describe will happen to those who insist on riding the slide closed rather than letting it go, but I've never had a semi fail to load when I slingshot the slide from the locked open position.

Yeah, I really like my Kahr PM40's. After all, a .40 S&W pistol that is small and light enough to fit in a Dockers shorts pocket . . . what's not to like.

However, Kahr seems to have a poor attitude toward their customers.

Even with a short action and a strong recoil spring, experienced shooters usually have no difficulty with the "sling shot" method to chamber a round, but Kahr strongly pushes the concept of using the slide stop to ensure a clean release, regardless of your skills.

Their customer service reps are very reluctant to pay shipping, even for obviously valid warranty claims. If you are persuasive enough they will reluctantly provide a free shipping label, but I don't think that kind of pressure from the customer should be necessary.

Oh, and a five (5) year warranty on a $900 list price plastic pistol . . . give me a break! Yes, most of the time the street price is less than $700 on GunBroker, but that's still a lot of money for a firearm with 5 year warranty.

And, yes, their polymer frames do break occasionally.

Still, that level of power in a pocket friendly, easy to shoot, accurate, and powerful pistol is hard to beat. So, most of us take the good with the bad . . . as is sometimes true of S&W products as well. What else can you do?

 

[dpast32]

For what it's worth, I LOVE my little KAHR PM9 !! At one time, I had both the PM9 & P9, but I later sold the slightly larger P9 to a co-worker. The PM9 is so small, & so light that you sometimes forget that it's on you. The difference between it, & some other smaller type u/c weapons is that when you have to use it, the little PM9 is quite accurate & sufficiently powerful to handle the task at hand. ( Which is short range, personal defense.) You just have to remember it's limitations. Even though I love my 642 L/S, my PM9 will always out shoot it for accuracy & repeat follow up shots, every time.

dpast32