Kahr P series or baby Glock?

U

utvols

New member
I really like the way the Kahr polymers feel, however when I look at the specs, on paper, the Glock is relatively the same size. So... What do ya'll suggest and why? Concealability and shootability (ie should I avoid a certain gum in a certain caliber) are my main concerns.
thanx
 
On paper is a LOT different than in the hand. When you hold the two, you realize immediately that the Kahr is much thinner. The slides are different enough to notice visually, but the grip area is the BIG kicker. If that makes a difference to you, then the Kahr wins.

The slides (K or P and Glock) are the same length, but the Glock grip is shorter. If you need a shorter grip to conceal, well then there you go. (I personally hate the short grip, and the Pearce grip extension doesn't feel as good as a longer grip).

Then there's capacity... Kahr is 6+1 (MK or P-Covert) or 7+1 (K or P) and 10+1 with the Glock 26. If that's your biggest concern, then.......

As always, it comes down to what feels best for you.

ME, I'd like a Kahr pistol with a Glock trigger, with slightly thicker grips to hold more ammo. An alternative would be a Glock 27 slide on a 36 frame.
 
Lots of people - me included - have had problems with polymer Kahrs. Search these forums for details.

I now have a Glock 26 and am happy with it.
 
I did the exact opposite- I traded my G26 for a Kahr P9. The G26 simply didn't fit my hand very well. The P9 has been just about flawless. As long as you get one that is new production with the redesigned slide stop and retaining screw you'll be fine.
 
dsk - I'm probably within 48 hours of purchasing a P9. Is there some way of determining whether the gun that I buy off the Dealer's shelf is a re-designed gun? Is there something visual that I can check for?
 
If it's a new gun, it should be the latest updated version, but just to be sure...

Ask the dealer to please remove the slide from the frame. Look on the left side of the frame, under the area where the slide-stop lever was. If there's a black plastic screw there with a spring around it, you're good. If it's plain, no screw, it's an old one, and probably comes with all the bugs that me, HankB, and many others experienced. I now have a current production Kahr P40, and I'm pretty happy with it... but I'm always looking for something better.
 
I do not have a P9 but I do have a MK9 and a G27. The Glock has been relegated to bicycling duty because of it being so fat (hard to conceal), but it does have an indestructable finish. The MK9 is much thinner so for me much easier to conceal.

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Sample-

For the slide stop, look underneath the lever. It should be hollowed out to reduce weight.

For the frame, once the slide stop has bee removed there should be a black tensioning screw staring you in the face. If all you see is a spring then it's old stock.
 
Runner,

I never even thought to look at the other kahrs. I like the fact that the the mk9 is much smaller. How do you like yours? how well does it conceal, shoot, etc?
 
utvols,

I am VERY pleased with my Kahr. It shoots like a dream and conceals very well. Of course the little Keltec conceals even better.

I just upgraded to Wolff extra power 22.5 lbs recoil springs and guide rods because I shoot +P+ with it. I have not been to the range yet to test this setup yet. Hopefully it will still shoot my 115 gr "white box" range ammo just as consistantly as before.
 
FWIW my problem-prone P-9 had the screw under the slide stop. The final problem - the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back - were intermittent failures to actuate the striker. Every once in a while took several pulls of the trigger for the pistol to fire.
 
Sample - no, it does not. (In my P9, the first strike capability was intermittent. It sometimes would take several pulls of the trigger before the firing pin would fall.)
 
utvols,
I have both the G26 and the Kahr P9, and for concealed carry, the P9 fits the bill. I have never had a problem with either one, but the Kahr is almost a pleasure to carry. Please see if you can handle them both before deciding. One note, if I shoot over 50 rounds through the Kahr in a range session, I develop a blister on my thumb where it rubs against the frame. I assume this to be just the way the gun fits my hand and it does not detract from the Kahr being an excellent carry gun.

Jerry
 
The Kahr is flatter, hence easier to conceal and more comfortable to carry. That doesn't mean the baby Glocks are difficult or uncomfortable. I carry my Glock 33 pretty much wherever I go, IWB-style usually. From what I have read, the build quality/reliability of the Kahr line-up ranges from very good to horrible. For me, that's not good enough. I know many people dislike Glocks, but not for reliability reasons. I've owned five over the past seven years and aside from an easily-fixed 9MM mag follower problem I have never had a failure to feed, failure to fire, or any other type of malfunction. I highly recommend you give more thought to the G26 - slightly more difficult to carry, but odds-are a more reliable weapon. Good luck (with the Glock you probably won't need it).
 
HankB - was yours a NEW production with the screw, or an old, upgraded one? Mine was the latter, and I had the same "repeat trigger pull to fire" issue. I could pull the trigger half a dozen times, and it would click each time, then finally fire.

UTVols - If you like the MK9, then you have no quality worries. I've had 3 all steel Kahrs, and never had a single problem between any of them. My wife's MK9 is her favorite pistol ever... so much so, that she won't let me buy her another one just for the nightstand!

The only issues with all steel Kahrs are the weight. But with a good belt and the right holster, it's not a problem. If I could do it over, knowing what I do now about how much difference the above makes, 'd prefer a Kahr K40 over my P40, just because there's still a TINY hint of doubt that someday, the P40 might cause me a problem. I have only ever heard of one person that had a problem with the "K" kahrs.
 
I too considered the baby glock and Kahr. I went with P9 based on the thinner size. It feels very nice, and I have 350 rounds through it with no problems. It is even nicer to conceal and carry than the Kel Tec P11 it replace ( terrible part breakage problem after several thousand rounds). The only problem I had with my P9 is that my hand wrapped so completely around the grip that sometimes I accidentally hit the mag release button. I sent it back to Kahr and they are attempting to make a strong spring for the button so that doesn't happen. I think that's pretty good service too. We'll see how it comes back though.
 
I fired the Kahr MK-9. It bit my hand, bad. I went with the Glock 26. Then, my loving wife confiscated it and the hunt was on!!! After going through a Glock 30, I ended up with the G36!!! Thinner IS better!!!! Glock is best!!! Screw the Moonies!!!:barf:
 
Although I'm not too partial to mass weddings, or for that matter, a single wedding, why should we "screw the moonies?" The founder of Kahr arms is a bright, inventive individual who designs guns that reflect what people really want...also, he is one of us and we all need to stick together, religion aside (insert patriotic theme song here)...If my HK P7 designer was a Unitarian who hooked his walkman up to the Golden Arches to contact the mother ship, I'd still give him a thumbs up as I drove by his pick-up sight.
 
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