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AR15.COM
4/20/2007 2:35:51 PM EDT
I've been looking for something that I can carry all the time. I'm very lean and around 5'8" I've tried my Favorite 45's and some Glocks but everything feels very bulky and heavy on me I prefer total concealment i.e IWB so I've been trying to consider which options might be best.

I like the ultimate reliability of the Glock But the size of some of the Kahrs is pretty nice.

Would you agree that their quality has risen and Would you trust it as your primary carry?
4/20/2007 3:01:59 PM EDT
[#1]
I have a stainless MK40 (pretty old, maybe 2001) that makes a great pocket gun - slim, compact and packs a hell of a punch. Its also quite manageable for me (5'11", 210lbs, regular IPSC shooter). About 50% of the time, this is my carry gun.

My wife's house gun (also from 2001) is a stainless K9. She has small-ish hands, and the slim rubber grip feel good for her.

Both guns are built like a brick privy and have proven themselves to be very reliable with the right ammo. You do need to test your ammo, though - my MK40 runs well with Hydrashok, but will not feed Gold Dot reliably. The K9 seems to eat anything.

Personally, I would stick with the all-steel guns, as the extra weight will help handling. I'm not sure I'd like the plastic Kahrs, even though I carry a Glock 27 whenever I can get away with a belt gun.

HTH
4/20/2007 3:07:52 PM EDT
[#2]
My wife's P9 has never hiccupped, but it's not real pleasant to shoot - a bit jumpy for her.  I don't mind the recoil too much.  It certainly carries nice.  I keep it loaded with 124gr Hydrashoks.
4/20/2007 4:50:40 PM EDT
[#3]
I've had two PM9s and have had no problems. Put about 1500 rounds through the first one and maybe 500 rounds through the second one.

I've been happy with my "Kahr experience", but don't worry, someone will be along shortly to tell you that they're nothing but junk.
4/20/2007 4:56:15 PM EDT
[#4]
If you want Glock reliability then buy a Glock.  If you need a carry gun that's smaller than a Glock 26, but a J frame S&W snub.
4/20/2007 5:11:03 PM EDT
[#5]
It's not really the frame size of the Glock I find uncomfortable. It's the width. I've thought ablout a wheel gun.  Is there something you don't like about the Kahr?
4/20/2007 6:29:41 PM EDT
[#6]
The PM9 I bought was a piece of junk.  I did some research and thought I was in the clear since the gun I got was past the recalls.  Well, it looks like Kahr is still taking their chances and putting out a hit or miss product.  Keep in mind, I am only referring to the PM series.  I don't have experience with any of the other models they put out, but I have read of their share of problems also.  
4/20/2007 7:54:44 PM EDT
[#7]

Quoted:
I've been looking for something that I can carry all the time. I'm very lean and around 5'8" I've tried my Favorite 45's and some Glocks but everything feels very bulky and heavy on me I prefer total concealment i.e IWB so I've been trying to consider which options might be best.

I like the ultimate reliability of the Glock But the size of some of the Kahrs is pretty nice.

Would you agree that their quality has risen and Would you trust it as your primary carry?

not only would i trust them i do i carry a kahr k-40 for warm weather carry with a t-shirt and shorts, i love the pistol it is accurate, nice trigger, and reliable as can be i have approx 650rds through it and i have never had a single issue, which that ain't nearly as much as i have through some of my guns but it is always carried and rarely have a chance to shoot it. great guns, just change out the recoil springs every 2000rds or so and that will nip any possible problem in the bud. btw they are inexpensive on the website.
4/20/2007 9:09:04 PM EDT
[#8]
our cw9 has been 100% even during the brake in period.
4/20/2007 9:38:31 PM EDT
[#9]
I have a couple of small Kahrs. I have a PM9 that's had about 3,000 rounds through it without a hiccup. It's easy to conceal, accurate, and controllable. It's been my every day
carry piece since about a week after hurricane Katrina.

I also have an MK9 that I picked up used on GunBroker. My only complaint about the MK9
was that I had to adjust the rear sight. Nearly broke a universal sight press doing it. I've only fired 500-600 rounds through it, but it runs like a champ.

Sam
4/21/2007 5:38:20 AM EDT
[#10]
    I've got a two tone MK9 I got for $300 used locally.  No telling what was done to it before I got it, but it has never once malfunctioned for me.  I admit most of the time, I grab a bigger gun, but when I don't feel like carrying a gun, the Kahr goes in my pocket.  I got a bargain at $300, I don't know if I would have tried one at a higher price, but after having it, I think they're worth it.

later,
AJ
4/21/2007 7:41:49 AM EDT
[#11]
I've got an MK9 that I got from my brother. It was his carry gun for about 3 years, and is now my backup. I've got about 400 rounds through it without a hiccup, and it's fired everything I've thrown at it, from crappy old CCI Blazer to +P+ Hydra-Shoks.

Edit: With standard pressure loads, it's surprisingly controllable.
4/21/2007 8:15:24 AM EDT
[#12]
We have a PM9 an d a P9. Both do not like to feed JHPs. Both have never failed with FMJ. Both are kept loaded with Corbon powerball, which has been 100% with both guns. BSW
4/21/2007 8:24:50 AM EDT
[#13]
i just got my used E9 out of layaway (pretty used, i'd say at least 1000rnds)....~100rnds through her (mixed ammo, JHPs/FMJs of Win, Speer GDs, Fed HydraS, Corbons, Wolf, etc), no failures

metal frame keeps recoil down pretty dang good

PS: this is one of the older Kahr
4/21/2007 8:31:27 AM EDT
[#14]
I have a P9 and a PM9. After being broken in, both have been stone-cold reliable.
4/21/2007 8:36:11 AM EDT
[#15]
My E9 and K9 Elite (both steel frame) have been 100% and I trust my life to them. My PM9 has been extremely aggravating (after 400-500 rounds, still can't make it through a magazine) and I don't trust it as a paperweight right now. It's going back to the factory. I highly recommend the steel frame models but can't recommend the polymer frame models as this time.
4/21/2007 10:22:34 AM EDT
[#16]
I had a PM40 which was totally reliable after the break-in period. I put maybe 1500 rounds through it before I sold it to my insurance agent. I never liked the feel of it, but I did not find it uncontrollable or even unpleasant.
I also had a K9 (older electroless nickel) and I wish I'd never gotten rid of it. I loved it, and would like to find another...
I want a MK9 pretty badly.
4/21/2007 4:22:57 PM EDT
[#17]
I have one of the older nickel K9's with over 4,000 rounds through it an no hitches after the first 150 rounds or so.  It is an awesome gun, one of my favorite for carry.  

I can't part with it though..., sorry Toiyabee66
4/21/2007 6:47:39 PM EDT
[#18]
I had one of the very first available PM9's. It had some early issues but after 300 rounds through it, it smoothed out great and never ever missed a beat. I found a broken spring on cleaning it, and shipped it back to Kahr as requested, WHile it was there they took car of the barrel recall, went through it completely. They gave it a thorough going over and trigger job too for free. They sent me a couple mags for my troubles and sent it back really quick. It went through another 700 or 800 rounds flawlessly, and I sold it to a friend who still carries it today with no issue. I really like the way the factory treated me and shortly afterward bought a PM40 with night sights and the black slide. It was almost 100% even through the 1st 250 recommended breakin rounds and it too has been flawless since. I carry mine almost daily and every time I take it to the range I go through my Speer Gold Dot carry rounds and eats them just as smoothly as the target rounds I get for it too. I've been thinking about selling it and upgrading to the new PM45 Kahr has been so good for me. I am basically the same frame as you @ 5'9"/150lbs and with my Mitch Rosen IWB holseter, it's easier to conceal than my Colt Cobra, or any other pistol own.   JMHO
4/22/2007 1:34:34 AM EDT
[#19]
My Kahr P40 goes bang everytime, so I guess that makes it reliable enough for a carry gun. I rarely carry it as a primary though, it does not hold enough bullets for that kind of duty.
4/22/2007 7:20:49 AM EDT
[#20]

Quoted:
If you want Glock reliability then buy a Glock.  If you need a carry gun that's smaller than a Glock 26, but a J frame S&W snub.


+ 1000
That's got to be the best advice I've heard on this forum in a long time !!!
4/22/2007 10:21:35 AM EDT
[#21]

Quoted:
I rarely carry it as a primary though, it does not hold enough bullets for that kind of duty.

That's highly debatable.

Unless you routinely frequent high risk areas, even a snubby has enough ammo to be a primary.

Even if I had to take on two or three with a snub, there will plenty ammo left after the rest of the mopes run when they see their first accomplice eat lead.  Even if they stand, there will be plenty to go around.
4/22/2007 10:33:17 AM EDT
[#22]
I have a PM9 ..about 400-500 rounds downrange...only problem i have had was with the WWB "leadfree" flatnosed ammo...feeds all others like a glock.

fred
4/23/2007 9:34:17 AM EDT
[#23]
My first P40 Covert was a lemon out of the box.  Single shot - 100% FTF.  Sent it back to the factory, and it has been 100% reliable since.  Bought another one that has been 100% reliable.
4/23/2007 8:44:23 PM EDT
[#24]
One of the guys I work with bought a PM40 about six months ago and had to send it back. They said they changed manufactures for there magazines because of quality issues. Last time I talked to him he said it was shooting better but still not 100% reliable. He has been trying different brands of ammo to find what works best in it.
4/23/2007 10:53:02 PM EDT
[#25]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you want Glock reliability then buy a Glock.  If you need a carry gun that's smaller than a Glock 26, but a J frame S&W snub.


+ 1000
That's got to be the best advice I've heard on this forum in a long time !!!




100% agree. Logic.
4/23/2007 11:31:06 PM EDT
[#26]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I rarely carry it as a primary though, it does not hold enough bullets for that kind of duty.

That's highly debatable.

Unless you routinely frequent high risk areas, even a snubby has enough ammo to be a primary.

Even if I had to take on two or three with a snub, there will plenty ammo left after the rest of the mopes run when they see their first accomplice eat lead.  Even if they stand, there will be plenty to go around.


I work in a high gang activity area. More bullets = better choice, for me. Since I am a Corrections Officer the chances of someone out to get me specifically, and not just randomly, are much greater. I carry my Glock 23 with +2's for a better ballance of concealability and firepower.
4/26/2007 2:25:18 AM EDT
[#27]
My current carry is an old MK9 Elite 98.
It has worked so well that I've never given the plastic Kahrs any thought!!
I carry it in either a DeSantis Nemisis pocket holster or #2 Speed Scabbard.
4/26/2007 3:22:36 AM EDT
[#28]

Quoted:
... a snubby has enough ammo...


Ammo is like tokens at the arcade. The more you have, the longer you can play.
4/26/2007 6:20:14 AM EDT
[#29]
Forty: I have limited experience with kahrs, all of which was positive.  That being said, I carry a g27 pretty much all the time.  One piece of info that I haven't noticed in the discussion was what kind of holster you use.  Depending on what you have there could be a wide variety of options to try.