Kahr MK9 vs. Kel-Tec P11

B

BB

Moderator
I'm looking at something smaller for CCW in the summer, and these two have been recommended to me. At first glance the biggest differences I see are that the P11 is lighter, slightly bigger (in all dimensions), has a higher capacity (and I assume the weight of the extra ammo brings it up to the weight of a fully loaded MK9?) and is a whole heck of a lot cheaper than the Kahr.

My primary concerns are concealing ability, reliability, and shooting speed. I understand the Kahr MK9 Elite has a very short pull...3/8". What’s the pull like on the P11? What is the fully loaded weight of these firearms? Which is more accurate? What about the ability to shoot +P and +P+ (given the barrel length +P+ is probably a moot point, but what the hey...thought I'd ask :)). Any general opinions or information on these or other ultra-compact 9mms are welcome as well.

Thanks-
BB
 
P-11 trigger pull is looooooong.
I didn't like it but it wouldn't disqualify
the gun as reasonable self-defense gun.

A friend of mine shot my G27. He was a
Kel-tec guy and liked the Glock trigger better.

I like the Kahr trigger better also.

However, money talks and if I could afford
was in the Kel-tec range - the gun works
for me.

For what's it worth - I'm in the Pocket 642 Pack.
 
I think it depends on your budget and how you plan to carry your weapon.

In the right pants, the Kel-Tec is a "pocket gun"; I can and do carry it that way sometimes. The Kahr is much heavier and makes pants sag too much.

With an IWB holster, either would work well, and the Kahr would be my preference -- all other things being equal.

The Kel-Tec trigger *IS* hard to get used to, but smoothed (following instructions on the WWW.KTOG.ORG website), it becomes very practical and predictable.

Both guns are reliable; the Kel-Tec has the potential for 10 rounds or 15 rounds, with S&W mags. The Kahr is a more polished weapon, but it is not technically superior to the P-11.

Either one is a great gun. The Kahr is probably easier to shoot well.
 
Bringing this to the top-
Also, does anyone know what these two weigh fully loaded? If not, anyone got a scale handy that can weigh some 9mm ammo so I can do the math?
 
I have a Kahr MK9 and really like it. Looked at the Kel-Tecs, but they seemed sorta cheap (they are alot cheaper in price too!).

The MK9 is heavy for a little critter. This makes it easy to shoot but a bit tougher to pocket. It is smaller and thinner than the Kel-Tec and of course it has fewer rounds (6+1). I would estimate the MK9 weighs 27 ounces loaded.

The MK9 can be carried in the pocket. Use an Uncle Mike's #2 Sidekick holster. Cut 1/2 inch of the stiching in the rear part of the holster. Then put a re-inforced stitch in. This makes room for the trigger guard. Some folks use the #3 but it is too big to know use the next trick. The #2 leaves the rear sight open.

When walking, to counter the weight, put your hand in the pocket, wrap the middle and ring finger around the grip, and counter with your thumb on top of the rear site. You keep the gun from knocking around and you look cool too. Docker type pants are the best for this method.

To draw, remove the gun and holster, ripping off the holster with the other hand discarding it. Don't worry the holster is (6 to 9 bucks) cheap and if you are drawing you better be ready to act. Brandishing a handgun without cause is one of the dumbest things anyone can do and will get you in jail faster than you can say "get out of jail free" which you will not.
 
I live in the hot & humid Florida swamp where it's in the mid-80's even in the 'cold' of winter, and originally being from the north, I find the summers especially brutal. Under these conditions, deep concealment is the only way to go and you can't get anything smaller (in a serious caliber) and better than the Kahr MK9. True, it's a little on the heavy side but the added weight helps to stabilize the gun when shooting full power loads. Additionally, there are UNCONFIRMED rumors floating around that Kahr will some introduce polymer versions of their MK line which should greatly reduce the price.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
TFL-flame.gif
 
Try renting both at your local range. My guess is that you'll like the Kahr better, but different strokes for different folks ... literally, in this case. ;)
 
P111 sucks period. You got to put $200 of your time into fluffing and buffing the darn thing.

Polymer Kahr - sucks. Fit and finish are not up to Kahr's usual great standards.

For summer carry, get a Kel Tec P-32 or a NAA Guardian.

------------------
The Seattle SharpShooter
 
FUD

"Additionally, there are UNCONFIRMED rumors floating around that Kahr will some introduce polymer versions of their MK line which should greatly reduce the price."

How soon is soon for a polymer version of the MK9 or MK40, and where did you hear this?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lucky085:
... How soon is soon for a polymer version of the MK9 or MK40, and where did you hear this?[/quote]I read a short piece on it in a gun rag while waiting in line at a store to pay for things that I bought. It seems that sales of the polymer 9mm are going better than expected and the company is currently working on a polymer version of the K40 as well as a polymer version of the MK9 -- this implies to me that it's still on the drawing board and/or the pre-production phase. It didn't go into any more detail but I would suspect that the first we'll see of them will be at next year's annual gun show (of course, that's just my opinion -- it might be sooner or even later).
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jtduncan:
P111 sucks period. You got to put $200 of your time into fluffing and buffing the darn thing.
[/quote]

I guess you mean P-11?

I put about 1/2 hour into "fluffing and buffing" mine, and its been absolutely reliable ever since. Several thousand rounds through it. I even shoot it in IDPA sessions, from time to time. (I'm not as fast with it, but I can hit what I'm aiming at.)

I like the Kahrs -- but are they ever heavy. You need a good holster for those suckers.

(On the other hand, I also have a Star .40 that is about the same size as a Kahr, and about the same weight. My friends tell me that if I ever miss the bad guy, I should drop the gun on his foot -- that will put him out of action. The Star isn't a bad gun -- mine is very accurate, and because of its weight has low felt recoil -- and its sure a lot cheaper than a kahr!)
 
I carry my P-11 everyday,all summer long. For me it`s the hands down choice. The light weight makes all the difference in the world when you`re wearing light shorts,canvas belts etc. that are comfy in hot weather. I also use the factory belt clip. I know it seems cheesy,that`s exactly what I thought,*until I started using it*! Eliminating the bulk and weight of a holster makes the gun seems much smaller and lighter than it is and also allows you to wear different belts or no belt at all. The trigger pull is no big deal,if it were a DA revolver no one would likely even mention it. Personally if I`m carrying a loaded gun with no safety or holster *in my pants* I want it to require a deffinite pull to fire it. :) I *believe* the P-11`s loaded weight is about 21oz. Marcus
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jtduncan:
P111 sucks period. You got to put $200 of your time into fluffing and buffing the darn thing.

Polymer Kahr - sucks. Fit and finish are not up to Kahr's usual great standards.

For summer carry, get a Kel Tec P-32 or a NAA Guardian.

[/quote]


Well, I'll have to disagree. Of course, I didn't want my Keltec to be shiny, so I didn't bother buffing it. :)

I do find it amusing that you pan the Keltec P11, yet recommend the Keltec P32 in the next breath.
 
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