Thinking about switching from Kahr to M&P Compact

[NordicG3K]

I've had a Kahr MK9 for a few years now. It's very compact and easy to carry, but I'm not exactly in love with it. It's heavy for its size, doesn't feel that great in my hand, has limited capacity, and doesn't care for my reloads.

I've been wanting to try out a Smith M&P for a while now, but haven't been able to justify buying a new gun (funds have been tight lately). I could sell the Kahr, but whatever I buy has to fill the same roll. I've narrowed down my list of candidates to:

Glock 26
Walther PPS
Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Compact

Glocks aren't exactly pretty, but every one I've shot has been reliable and I like the extra capacity. On the downside it's pretty fat and bulky for a pocket gun.

I like the slim design of the Walther, but capacity is still limited and I don't want to have to learn a new mag release.

The M&P has good capacity, appears much more streamlined than the Glock and seems to have a good reputation for reliability so far.

I'm leaning towards the M&P, but need a push. How does it feel and carry compared to the G26? Is the Walther PPS that much thinner and easier to conceal? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jkc]

The Glock 36 might be worth a look, too... It's slim and light, hardly larger than a J-frame .357, w/6+1 capacity of .45 ACP.

 

[ab4ka]

I've had Glock subs and now have an M&P40c, and I like the S&W better if for no other reason than the grip is just more comfortable. The gun is just as fat as the Glock, but having the different backstraps available makes it fit my hand much better. I use the large backstrap and love the feel of it.

 

[Dragon88]

Upgrading from the Kahr sounds like a good idea. Nothing against the budget brands of firearms, but I have two CCW pieces, a Taurus snubby and a Kimber 1911. Guess which one I carry every day? The Kimber.

Either the Glock sub-compact, Springfield XD sub-compact, or the M&P would be a fine choice. I would suggest you go into a store with your trade, try different models, and see which one feels right at a right price.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Can't comment on the other choices but can tell you the M&P 9C is a joy to carry. Not much bigger than my J frames, under 29 oz fully stuffed and fits my hand like no other semi I've owned. Because of ergonomics, even recoil seems supressed. I've carried it in my jacket pocket or belt slide holster and it blends right in. Lastly, but most importantly, it is very reliable.

 

[BigRich315]

Your observations are spot on with mine, and that's why I went with the M&P40c. It was by far the best feeling and I shot it very well from the beginning. I believe that is a key point: time that may have been used in getting used to the gun and shooting adequately was instead used to shoot very precisely and consistently. I'm not ready to shoot Bullseye with it but I can regularly keep em in the 10-ring at the typical 7 yards. It's also a great size and conceals easily. You won't be sorry.

 

[Guevera]

I think the M&P line are terrific weapons and I am delighted that the company has had such success with the design. That said, I wouldn't let the magazine release issue scare you away from the PPS. I found it to be very instinctual and that it can easily be released by thumb or forefinger.

 

[T.Webb]

I'm supposed to lean S&W on a S&W forum, but the Kahr is a dynamite CCW gun. So is the PPS. Going from a slim grip like the Kahr or the PPS to a thicker grip like the Glocks or the M&P will take some getting used to.

My Kahr K-9 is a bit heavier than my Glock 19. But when loaded, the extra capacity of the Glock makes it a heavier gun.

If you're concerned about capacity, wouldn't it be prudent to carry an extra mag rather than go to a bigger platform.

 

[newguyhere]

Been carrying a 26 the past couple of years. Just switched to an M&P 9c. Both are equally good guns. The M&P wins in the comfort department, hands down and has the extra 2 rounds.

 

[TdocZ]

You might add the P9 or P40 to your selection process as well. Although it's not a 9mm, I own a Kahr P40 and I love it.

The P40 is compact, lightweight (lighter than the MK9, M&P 9 and the K9), reliable and very accurate for a CCW. Did I mention a smooooooth trigger pull? In addition, the P40 fits my hand like a glove and was more comfortable than the G27, PPS 40 and M&P 40 models I compared it to.

The M&P gets good reviews and is probably a nice pistol for CCW. It has a good price point and, at 12+1 (or 17+1), a higher capacity than the Kahr MK and P-series. I don't see how you could go wrong with the M&P. Personally, I would check out a P9 or P40 before making a final decision.

Do note that some consider the P40 recoil hard to handle. I take my P40 to the range regularly and haven't found the recoil a problem, and I am a strapping 160lbs. A Hogue grip sleeve would certainly alleviate some of the recoil "discomfort" were it a problem. As for the P9, I haven't personally heard of recoil handling issues.

Not to add mnore options, but the sub-compact Sig P250 is a great CCW candidate as well.
Good luck!

 

[11e40]

i've tried just about everything for ccw. best one for me is a kahr cw40. i do find the recoil a bit much, would recommend a 9 mm. you can find the cw9 & cw 40 for around 4 bill's. your mileage may vary.

 

[george minze]

the Walther PPS is a fine slim pistol. It took me one trip to the range to get used to the mag release. Very, very concealable, can be wore in a Tucker IWB holster sets low behind belt. Makes this weapon almost unseen. Nice trigger. and at 15 yards very accurate. A little funny looking but I said the same thing when Glock first came out. I when I still had brains had a H&K P7m8 that was very accurate and once you got used to the grip heavy design. Hard to beat for accurate at up to 25 yards. Pricey very pricey.. But as slim as the PPS Walther.

 

[claybird]

NordicG3K If you love wrist busting recoil then the Glock 36 is the gun for you. I fired one mag of light reloads in the 36 and my wrist hurt the rest of the day. And I'm use to the 45 colt ,45acp and 44 mag
in larger guns.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I like my Kahr K9. It is much slimmer than the M&P compact but it is heavier. Another alternative is the Kahr P9 or CW9. Both are built with a polymer frame.

I liked the M&P9c when I shot it. The accuracy was really impressive.

 

[Oscar 14]

I got an M&P 9c a couple months ago. Every time I shoot it I get a bigger smile. Very comfortable to carry for me and I carry all the time. Very accurate right out of the box. I think I'll get a .45 also as soon as I save up enough. Never tried the Walther but I have shot the Glock and I just didn't care for it.

 

[TSQUARED]

I shoot a S&W M&P9Pro and throroughly enjoy it in erms of reliability and accuracy. Personallly I prefer a slimmer single stack for concealed carry. For some time I carried a Glock 36 in 45 ACP but found I could not reliably conceal it at all times. I opted for a Kahr PM-9 in a pocket holster which is now my constant companion. My Kahr PM-9 has been very reliable with my handload but I do use reloads which approximate factory ammo in velocity.

 

[NordicG3K]

I've carried a number of different handguns. When I can get away with it (flannel shirt weather) my primary gun is a S&W 1026. I've carried a Glock 29, and while I like the grip of my G20 I just can't get used to the 29. I just recently received a Milt Sparks IWB rig for my 3" S&W M60 which works fantastic, but I really prefer a semiauto for CCW. I'm working on a trade for a M&P 9c right now and can't wait to try it out! I know it's not as small as my Kahr, but maybe I'll just have to save up for a Ruger LCP for those times when I need something really small.

 

[maxthedog]

I have never shot a Kahr pistol so I cannot comment there, but I have a M&P 357c for my usual carry and really like it for its concealable size, and having 10 shells in the mag. I've tried Glocks, but don't have "Glock hands" - it just doesn't fit my grip.

 

[NordicG3K]

Ended up trading my Kahr for a M&P 9c plus some cash and extra mags (thanks Pat!). I REALLY like this gun! It is bigger than the Kahr, but it is much, much more comfortable. Very easy to shoot and very reliable. I ordered a Comp-Tac IWB holster for it and works great. I still carry my S&W 1026 as the weather permits me to easily conceal it, but once it warms up I'll probably be packing the M&P 9c exclusively.

 

[ArgMauser]

I have to agree with T.Webb and TdocZ. I have a Kahr K40 and a PM40. The K40 fits my hand very well; the PM40 is a bit light but tolerable wrt recoil. I've never liked the fat grip autos all that well.

I have to recommend that you try the autos you mentioned. If you can rent them at a firing range and fire them all, that would be best. Otherwise, even just gripping the gun under consideration in a gun store would be advantageous. The one that fits your hand and feels comfortable is the one you should settle on IMO.

I sold all of my S&W 9mm autos because they just didn't shoot as well as I wanted. I did keep a S&W Mod 4014 though. I also kept a KelTec pf9 because of its small size and light weight even though it didn't group as well as the 39xx models at 25 yds. It does quite well at combat range (7 to 15 yds.).

Best wishes in your quest.