Author Topic: Kahr Arms (Read 1181 times)

Lugnut · « **on:** March 03, 2003, 12:33:21 PM »

I've been considering a new concealed carry weapon for some time now.

My old Ruger P-85 seems like it is getting heavier everyday. Maybe I'm just getting feeble in my old age.

My search criteria is that it has to be 9MM and it has to be small and light. I've looked at 42 different firearms from 13 different manufacturers and the two winners in the small and light catagory are the Kel-Tec P-11 and the Kahr PM9.

I've heard some not so good things about the Kel-Tec (some of it here at Graybeard's). Mainly, the fit and finish is not that good, the trigger pull is long and heavy (both weapons are DAO so a GOOD trigger pull is not really an option) and some of them don't shoot to point of aim. On the plus side, the Kel-Tec is about half the price of the Kahr and has the tactical advantage of a 10 round magazine as opposed to the 6 round PM9 magazine. And lots of guys swear by them.

After much research, about the only bad thing I've heard about the Kahr is that the back of the slide lock lever is a bit sharp and can chew up the end of your thumb after repeated firing. Also there is the 6 round mag thing, I'm used to having 15 or 17+1 at my disposal.

Right now I'm leaning toward the Kahr, the PM9 for my wife and the slightly larger P9 for myself.

I did a search here on Graybeard's Forums and noticed that the Kahr's are not discussed much. They were only mentioned 10 times and usually only in passing. I was kind of wondering why, after all the rave reviews I read about them, more people are not talking about them. Is there something wrong with them that I don't know about or are they just too damn expensive for most folks to want to buy them?

Any input from anyone who owns and/or carries one of these weapons would be greatly apprieciated. Even if you don't own one, all comments, suggestions and advice are welcome.

Thanks in advance...Lugnut

DEPUTY · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2003, 04:20:49 PM »

the kahr is a good weapon in my book, nice carry gun, reliable and accurate, but dont feel under gunned tactics win over firepower every time in real world shootings, get some advanced training in handgun skills not just shooting but tactics i teach about 3 -4 classes a month and i hear all the time i know how to shoot yadda yadda, then it come time to put up or shut and most can not draw a gun properly from concealment! so brush up on the advanced stuff get use to the gun and carry a spare mag and learn to win

Mainspring · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2003, 02:54:50 AM »

I've been carrying a Kahr 4043 with night sights for several years now and love it. It's not as handy to shoot as my Glock 22, but it sure is a dandy to carry. Follow-up shots require a bit more training/practice than with a bigger gun because it is a bit more to hang on to, but in 9mm I'm sure that won't be as big of an issue. I was a bit disappointed with some of the sharp edges, but that was easily rectified by my gunsmith. He "de-horned" the whole thing for $35. I'm sure I could have done it myself...but maybe I would have just screwed it up more, so that was $35 well spent.

I have a friend who has a P40, and he had a problem with the slide lock lever backing out. Apparently that was an issue with some of the earlier P40s, and Kahr made it right at no cost. He hasn't had a single problem since.

Reviews on the Kel-Tecs seem to run hot and cold, but I have yet to read a negative review on the Kahr. Even if I didn't own one, I'd say that Kahr has it over Kel-Tec all day long in everything but price. If you've got the money to spend, go with Kahr.

ppcrusa · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2003, 05:58:01 AM »

I owned a Sig 239 in 9mm, and I still own a Glock 36.. Just picked up a Kahr K40 in Stainless, and was able to shoot it for the first time last night. I was very pleased with it.. I wasn't able to do any extended shooting with it due to time constraints, but did put three mags through it. Didn't have any problems. I'm impressed with it so far and it seems to be a perfect size for concealed carry. Recoil was not even noticeable to me. But so far I am very pleased.. I recommend the Kahr line to anyone wanting a small pistol that performs.

williamlayton · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2003, 09:53:08 PM »

just my impresssions and takes--i looked at em and they look real good and the reports on em a very good and i know some folks who make a livin in the law profession an they carry em so if ya like em its a goodun.--i probably could make a longer run on sentence but id have to work at it--
if'n we all fell in luv wit tha same woman it woulda been a heck of a fistfight.
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