Kahr K9 v. Glock 19 or 26

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braeske

New member
I am in the market for a new or lightly used "pocket 9" shooter (I am waiting for my tax preparation guy to tell me if I can afford it right away) and have basically narrowed it down to two (maybe 3) guns. I already own a S&W Model 19 4" barrel for home/office protection and would like a new gun for target fun, home protection and possible concealed carry if they ever pass it here in Missouri. Here are the choices:

Glock 19 -- I have read many things from Glock acolytes and would not hesitate for a minute to buy this gun. High marks for reliability, simplicity and toughness. I shot a rental Glock 26 at the range and did not like the short grip -- do the pearce extensions help with this?

Kahr K9 (stainless) -- I have also read many good things about this gun in publication and internet posts. It is made in America (which is important to me even if it is owned by the Moonies), It is thinner and more concealable than the Glock, but is it also a good plinking gun? We cannot carry here in Missouri -- is the Kahr's biggest asset its carryability, or is a good shooter, too? Is it a reliable as the Glock?

Any advice or comments would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!
 
IMO...the Glock is not a "pocket carry" gun....too thick and bulky.
It is however a great gun...so is the Kahr. Both have a rep of utmost reliability and quality. Either way you cant go wrong.....
The Kahr is smaller and alot more concealable, but looses out on capacity which can be an issue. Kahr isnt owned by the moonies.
Justin Moon is the Rvd. Moon's son and his affiliation with the "religion" supposedly ends there....no financial ties.
I own a Kahr and Mr. Moons first amend. choice is as important to him as my second amend. choice is to me.......Shoot well
 
I have the Kahr MK9, and a Glock 19.

Wouldn't part with either.
The Kahr is easier to carry in most modes of dress.
The Glock is mainly a home defense gun.

Fully loaded, a Glock runs around 30? oz, but that gets you 15+1 rounds.
Fully loaded the Kahr is around 23oz, but that is 6+1 rounds.
(7+1 in the full size Kahr, and you only add 1oz of weight.)

The Kahr is thinner, which makes a big difference to me for IWB carry.

Many carry the G19 with no problem.

If you got the Glock 26, and used the grip extension, you are getting really close to the size of the G19.
Go with the G19 for the full size grip, extra capacity, and, you don't have to buy mag extensions for all of your mags.
 
They both are two of the most reliable handguns ever made.

The quality of both are about the same.

I like the Glock better but that is just my personal choice.

Go with the one you like better.
 
I handled a Kahr for the first time yesterday. A P9. I have or do own Glocks in 23, 27, 33. I fell in love with the Kahr. It felt soooo much better in my hand. I think that the P9 compact will be my next purchase.
 
Braeske, I own the MK9, and was absolutely AMAZED by its accuracy, and thrilled with the quality. I didn't have high hopes for such a tiny gun, but it is both spot-on accurate, and also comfortable and fun to shoot, due to its greater mass to absorb the recoil. Check out my 'report' on the gun at my website, for photos of the Kahr, and also other guns for side-by-side comparison of size.

Kahr report

I have no real intelligent comments re: the G26 from a shootability standpoint, since I don't own one, but I went with the Kahr because it WAS so much more concelable. I already have a Walther P99 for home defense, a Kimber Eclipse for competition, and the Kahr for those "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"... if you know what I mean. :)
 
braeske:

You say you are looking for a "pocket" gun, but none of the guns that you mentioned would fit in my pockets. Both the Glock 19 and Kahr K9 are fine when carried on belt holsters. The K9 is slimmer and thus easier to conceal, but also has a lower capacity.

The Glock 26 is just way too thick for me to fit in my pocket, so I'd have to carry it in a belt holster. And if I was carrying it in a belt holster, I could easily carry the Glock 19. So the Glock 26 doesn't fit any particular nitch for me.

The Kahr MK9 is small enough for me to fit in a pocket holster. Mine has also been reliable and surprisingly accurate.

So, decide how you want to carry. If you really want to carry in a pocket, that will greatly reduce your choices. Go to a gun store and try to fit the Glock 19 in your pants pocket. I think you'll see what I'm talking about.

M1911
 
Glock 19/23/32 is the best value for your money when you consider reliability, accuracy, and service, and support.

I had a Kahr K9 but really hated its looooong trigger pull, its weight, and its 7/8 round mags.

Do more thorough research because I 've seen a dozen guys at my gun range with busted K9s and K40s, ususally trigger springs, failires of slide to lock back, FTF, and ammo senstivity. And forget the polymer Kahrs, people are complaining about they left and right over at GlockTalk.

If Kahrs are sooo good, why doesn't one major metropolitan police agency issue them. Wow, they're on NYPD's backup list, big deal. If you have cop friends, you know that their unions are pushing for the most effective and reliable guns available, and Kahr isn't on that list.

Get a G19 and a pair of 15 round hi caps and you'll have 16 rounds on board. The K9 can only do 8 rounds and forget the MK9's, they're pocket bricks.

Just look at your dealer's case, and ask them which guns are hot. And if that gun shoots well for you, buy it. But it's probably not the Kahr at the top of their list.

You're better off with a Springfield Armory XD or an HS2000 for versatility.

Haven't seen a Kahr in any of the leagues I shoot. But plenty of Glocks, 1911s, HK USPs, Browning HPs and the like.
 
jtduncan
I wont discount your experiences or such, regarding Kahr guns. But I will say, I have seen a Glock KaBoom at a local range, luckily the shooter was ok which is more than I can say about the gun.
The Kahrs I have seen, owned and shot...and friends, relatives, coworkers, customers...etc Hundreds, if not 10's of thousands of people on this forum.....LOVE KAHR GUNS. They have established and earned a reputation that IMO is surpassing most other world class guns. I have to disagree with you ALOT as I am sure most other people will who have owned/shot Glocks and Kahr guns..........
Just one mans opinion...respectfully, shoot well
 
My Kahr K9 elite98 rocks. Period.

Second most accurate 9mm I own (only surpassed by the CZ75).

Glock 19 is fun to shoot, and everyone needs a glock at one point in their gun-owning careers, but once you buy a kahr, you'll keep it forever. I do disagree with the glock KBs.....never seen one with the 9mm versions, but have personally experienced one with a G23 (not mine!). Unsupported chamber, hot reloads.
 
jtduncan:

I've got three Kahrs, K40, K9, and MK9. Never had a failure.

As to why they aren't issued by police agencies, the Kahrs are designed for concealed carry. They aren't designed to be a service pistol. Their single stack design makes them thinner, which makes them easier to conceal. But that, of course, lowers capacity.

Since a police officer does not need to conceal his duty gun, then there's no sense accepting the disadvantage of lower capacity.

Glocks are certainly fine guns. I've got two (17 and 23). But they're not pocket guns.

Regarding the MK9 being a "pocket brick," yup, it is heavy. But guess what? When you load up a Glock 26, it weighs just as much.

M1911
 
The Kahr reportedly went through some extremely rigorous testing before being approved by the NYPD. I think it IS a big deal that they approved it. I get sick of the Glock numbskulls who put down every other manufacturer. And yes, I do own several Glocks myself, but for concealed carry I much prefer the Kahr. :rolleyes:
 
I don't own a kahr (yet) so I can comment on those but I had a g19, and now have a g21 and g26. For some reason I could shoot the 26 a whole lot better so I got rid of the 19 and got me a "big dawg"!! I have the pinky extention on mine and I don't think it makes it that much bigger. It doesn't extend the whole grip, just a little wedge for my pinky. It might be why I shot it better than the 19. I shoot the 21 even better in spite of what is considered a fat grip, I have relatively small hands but don't have a problem gripping and shooting my 21.

I keep hearing more and more about that kahr. I love my glock boys but I'll bet that kahr would be easier to conceal.
 
I bought the K9!! It should come in about a week about the same time as my "buy" permit. (Here in Missouri you have to get a "permit to buy" and wait about a week to pick it up.) I'll buy a Glock 19 someday -- they are everywhere. Thanks a lot for your comments. I'll give you a report when I get the gun....
 
With no real hope of a CCW law being passed in your State any time soon, I think you'd be happier with the Glock 19 at the range.
 
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