CCW: Kahr P9 or K9?

C

Cedric

New member
I appreciate all of your input on the Glock/sig/Kahr thread earlier. I've narrowed the field considerably, to the P9 or K9 (elite 98).

I'm having a tough decision, as there's trade offs here:

K9: Heavier, but has a better grip in my large hands. I (finally!) got to test drive a K40 at the range today, and it was very nice. The only drawback was the beavertail ate into the web of my hand a bit with extended shooting. I've heard this is more of a prob with the 40 than the 9.

P9: Relatively comfortable in the hand, but a bit skinny. The trigger reach is still fine though. It's lighter than the K9. The grip could be made even more comfortable (and fuzzier), I'm sure, with AGRIP.

Now, for primarily concealed carry (IWB 2 or 4 o'clock), in hot summers or cold winters, which would y'all recommend? I also like to shoot my pistols a LOT for practice!

I'm not bringing cost into the picture, as it doesn't matter. The K9 elite would be more expensive, and I may have to invest in some wood grips for a snagless carry setup. Whatever it takes... :)

Input?

Cedric
 
Many P9 owners on this forum, and others, have reported reliability problems with the P9. Take that into consideration before making your choice.
 
Cedric, I'm jealous! Been thinking along those same lines myself, but still waiting for my paperwork.

If this is the difference between the polymer and SS, I imagine the deciding factor would be recoil and comfort, since you say you'll be shooting it for sport, too.

Wouldn't the heavier frame offer more comfort and accuracy for followup shots?
 
Like I said in your first post about this, I have both the K9 and P9. I stopped carrying the K9 due to the weight and love my P9.

I have never had any problems with my P9 and think Kahr has worked all the bugs.

Good luck with the one you choose!
 
Cedric,

Break a week's worth of pistol time down into 3 categories:

1) Carrying only.

2) At the range.

3) Shooting or scaring BGs.

Choose the most appropriate model.
 
Tough choice indeed...

As I mentioned, it's all about trade-offs. Unfortunately I can't afford (monetarily and marriage :) ) to get both, one for carry and one for the range, thus the compromise. Yes, the K9's weight would be better for range and IDPA practice, while the P9's weight and additional slimness would aid carry in virtually any clothing style or temperature.

Oh, and as far as the times spent in each activity:

Estimate carry everyday, range once per week, and shooting/scaring bad guys... hopefully never! But the whole reason for carry is to be prepared for that potential.

Still milling it out in my noggin'. I appreciate all of the input so far, and any other thoughts!

Oh, and I do plan on using a good holster, of course. :)

Cedric
 
Cedric,

Bear in mind that the right holster will make the K9 seem light to carry, and any of the several cheesy holsters will make the P9 seem heavy and awkward to carry.

Your body weight can easily vary by about 5 pounds during the day. You never notice it because it's perfectly distributed. If you hang a 2-1/2 pound lump of steel and holster "wrong" on your body, you'll be miserable after a short time. Reducing the weight a bit won't help much either.

About the only real issue, IMO, is ease of the quick draw if confronted by a BG. Since the K9 is heavier for the same size, it might not be as easy to bring to point, and you might be more likely to drop it or not grip it optimally.

Personally, I'd make a nuisance of myself at the gun store or show. I'd show up with my carefully selected holster, and try both pistols in the holster. I'd try drawing them several times and alternatively. Just bear in mind that the pistol will be heavier with the full ammo load, and the holster will require breaking in too.

The most you have to lose my choosing the "wrong" one first is the cost of trading for the "right" one. On that, my guess is that selling a LNIB P9 is easier than the like K9, but that's only a guess.

Let us know how your saga develops!
 
Nothing wrong with the K9

I've been carrying the K9 for 4 years now (when clothing allows) and have come to seriously respect this pistol as a formidable defensive weapon.
I don't know much about the P9, but I know the K9 is a reliable piece of precision machinery.
 

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Cedric,

I'd probably go for the K9. Like you I find that the K9 feels better in my hands. The P9 is almost too small for me (there is a point where smaller is not better).

There is a weight difference, but it really doesn't bother me.

If I do get the K9 I'll probably end up getting a blued version then hard chroming it for corrosion resistance.

Shake
 
Cedric,

As far as holsters I can only tell you what works better for myself. I carry my P9 in either a "undercover" or "shirt tucker" from
Comp-tac.com .

They seem to work great with the P9. What better holster for a plastic gun than a plastic holster :) . I have a big box of leather in the closet but the Kydex works best for IWB and they are very fast to draw.

Hope this helps.
 
I have a P9, and at first I found the grip was too thin for my liking. I slipped on a small Hogue Handall grip, and now it feels about perfect in my hand.
 
I have both. If I had to part with one of them, reluctantly it would be the P9.

The smooth wood grips are snag free and good lookin on the K9. K9 is a better (more comfortable, better grip) shooter, and still carryable.

If you feel like you need to add a grip wrap around to the P9, you've defeated the purpose of owning it in my opinion. The beauty (and curse) of the P9 is the thin smooth grip that makes is easier to conceal, but slightly harder to handle, than the K9. Add a grip wrap to it and you lose the thinness, and if the wrap is tacky rubber or something like that, you lose the snag free.

The reduced P9 weight is nice, but the K9, while heavy for its size, is still not that heavy.
 
Blades67: Actually, the P40 is already out. And coming soon (if it's not out already) is the P9 Covert --- basically a P9 with a chopped down butt for ccw. And rumored to be coming is the polymer version of the MK9. Now that would be one lightweight and concealable pocket pistol.

Take care. Marko
 
I had so many problems with my P9 (slide lock, trigger function, and - occasionally - feeding) that kept cropping up despite repeated trips back to the factory that I just bought a Glock 26 to replace it. The G26 is a bit more "chunky" than the Kahr, but based on my prior experience with Glocks, I'm a lot more optimistic that it will actually work as long as I feed it good ammo.

I'm not alone in Karr polymer misery - search these forums. One guy even had a broken frame on his P40 that had to be replaced. (BTW, I've been seeing P40's and P9 Coverts at gun shows for at least the last 2 months.)
 
Well, you could always buy 'em both ;)

Personally, I'd go for the K9. You'll have to carry either in a holster, and with a good belt and holster the extra weight of the K9 wouldn't be that big of a deal. If you like to shoot your guns a LOT, the K9 would be a better choice.

M1911
 
Thanks again

Wow! I appreciate all of the input. At this point I'm leaning towards the K9 due to the better fit, comfort for a great deal of practice, and with a good holster the weight shouldn't be too much of an issue. Plus the SS is going to be pretty rugged.

Then again, give me 5 minutes, and I'll change my mind... :)
 
I carry a Steyr M40 in an Action Direct Defender (bellyband) and it's comfortable enough that I can wear it all day and actualy forget it's there.

Just to compare...

Steyr M40 = 28oz (unloaded) Length= 7.05" Height= 5.03" Width= 1.18"
Kahr K40 = 26oz (unloaded) Length= 6.1" Height= 4.55" Width= 94"
Kahr P40 = 18.7oz (unloaded) Length= 6.1" Height= 4.55" Width= 94


So if I can be comfortable carrying my Steyr, the K40 should be fine (if you like shooting the K over the P then carry the K)
 
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