Kahr P9/MK9 Elite

B

Bandit

New member
Looking to replace my present Summer "shorts and T-shirt" carry SP101 in favor of a semi-auto pistol in 9mm or 40 S&W.

Everything I've read on the Kahr line of pistols show it as a top rate pistol and well worth their going price. I value the opinions of the members here and would like to get some first hand impressions of those who have owned or have experience with Kahr as opposed to what has been heard or read.

Anyone have experience with Kahr's P9? Also looking at Kahr's K9 or 40 Elite to fill this role.

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Rick


[This message has been edited by Bandit (edited October 08, 2000).]
 
I just traded my MK9 for a P9. The MK was nice,accurate,and small,but heavy. I can tuck the P9 in a back pocket and its like I am not wearing anything. The only thing that bothers me so far is the sharp and bulky slidestop. Spoke with the customer svc. Friday and they are in the midst of resolving the issue in the way of designing a more trim/rounded one for retrofit.
 
The MK9 is indeed heavy but that weight is needed to absorb the recoil of hot defensive loads and still keep the kick within acceptable levels. When really deep concealment AND a serious caliber are required, the MK9 is hard to beat. By the way, Scott, MacDonell [spelling?] & Associates will take a P9 and chop it down to the size of an MK9. While I have no personal experience with them, I understand that they do excellent work and have a fine reputation.
 
I have had a Kahr K40 nickel since feb'98 and really like this pistol. The harrts recoil reducer and a 22lb wolf spring make me like it even more. It is heavy, but as Fud pointed out, there is a reason for it. That being said I will add that I carried a keltec p-11 a lot this summer. With the colder weather coming(its in the 30's here in KY tonight), I will be carrying the Kahr more again.
 
I have shot the MK9 Elite. I do not like it. The slide bites my hand. Also, I do not like the capacity. If I am stuck with 6, or 7 rounds, I prefer to have them in the .357 MAG flavor, thank you!! ;) That is why I opted for the Glock 26. 11 rounds minimum in a package that is even more concealable IMHO. :)

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Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent

"Glock 26: 17 rounds of concealed carry DEATH comming your way from out of nowhere!!! THAT'S FIREPOWER, BABY!!!"

Taurus 605: Five hits of .357 MAG that will just ruin your day, Scumbag!!!!
 
I am very satisfied with my P9. Glad to hear about the slide stopretrofit though, as that was its one problem...was thinking of taking a Dremel to it. P9 is really a comfy light flat gun with a great trigger and light recoil.

I returned my P11 to Kel-tec because of erratic ejection. P11 has a heavy trigger pull and heavy recoil; P9 kicks half as much and trigger is smooth. Slights are better, too (I got Trijicons on mine, only $55 extra from the factory).

P32, G17, G21 and P9 are among my favorite combat designs. I keep other guns for plinking (USP45, Beretta 92, Makarov, 686+)

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Oleg "peacemonger" Volk

http://www.a-human-right.com
http://www.olegvolk.net
 
I have a MK9 Elite, and I have to say this is the best carry pistol I have ever owned. Yes its heavier than some of the other pistols out there in this size range, but its built like a tank! I have had absolutly no problems controlling this gun, it handles much better than the Glock 26 it replaced. You cannot go wrong with a Kahr. Also try the Alessi Talon IWB for it, its a great holster for this gun.
 
I mis-posted the Kahr models and titles can't be changed (arg!!).. I'm looking at the K9/40 Elites vs the MK series Elite as the longer butt fits my hand better.

Weight is not an issue with me. In fact the K9/40 are within 1 ounce of what I currently carry when out and about in shorts and T-shirt. The Kahr would be more comfortable to carry in my estimation because it's slimmer than any revolver of comparable size/capacity.

I'm leaning more towards the K40 since the P series are not available in a 40 at this time. It's possibly a good thing the 40 is not available in the P series as it might be a bear to handle that short snappy recoil in such a light weapon, but then again I find 125Gr 357 Magnum rounds controlable out of the SP101 after considerable practice.

With the current 9mm ammo available I wouldn't feel under powered if going to that chambering, so that too is a moot point with me, however I do lean towards the "bigger is better" mindset.

Thanks for all the insight and keep it coming :D

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Rick

PS: Glock choices/opinions are not asked for in my post, so please refrain from offering them. Let's keep this thread limited to the Kahr line. Thanks



[This message has been edited by Bandit (edited October 08, 2000).]
 
I am guilty of selling and trading my handguns too much out of boredom or wanting to try something new. My MK9 isn't going anywhere. I have an LTD model that has had one failure since opened from the box. I like the weight in a SHTF situation. I carry IWB, pocket, fanny pack, and camera pouch. I like this versatility.
A traded a Glock 27 for this and never looked back. I feel adequately armed with 7 rounds of 115 +P.

I just yearn for a set of Ashley Express sights.
 
Kahr's are the cat's a**. I have an E9 and a P9. My earliest, nickeled, K9 did have a tight chamber; but, that issue has long been rectified. The .40 is probably best utilized with the addition of an extra power recoil spring, and a Haart's recoil spring guide rod. If I buy another one, I'll wait until those accessories arrive before wringing it out.
 
I have three Kahrs: K40 with Black-T finish and elite trigger retrofitted, K9 Stainless Elite, and MK9 Stainless Elite. The MK9 is the gun that I carry the most. The short butt makes it really easy to carry without printing. And the short barrel makes IWB holster more comfortable for me. It's remarkably accurate for such a stubby barrel and short sight radius.

The K9 is a very soft shooting gun. The MK9 has a touch more recoil, but not unpleasant at all. I found that the K40 impacts the web of my hand between the thumb and forefinger. It seems only to be a problem for folks with medium to large hands. Folks with small hands don't seem to have the same problem. I've installed a Harrts recoil reducer and now grip the gun very, very tightly. That lets me put about 70-100 rounds through the gun at one time. It's fine for defensive purposes, but not one that I'd want to take to a shooting class where I'd put 400 rounds through it in a day.

I haven't tried the P9.

So, if you're trying to decide between a P9, K9, K40, or MK9, my answer is yes ;)

M1911, aka "buy 'em all"
 
What is a good price to pay for a K-9? As I mentioned there are a couple fo Kel-Tec 9mm's going for $169 and $189 used at a local shop. I really prefer all steel guns and now am thinking the Kahr. Prices for blued K-9's and stainless? I haven't seen any in either of my local shops (we only have two in town ). Sounds like the K-9 has quite a good reputation. Also what are the differences between the E-9 and the K-9 in case I see one used? Anything to watch out for on the earlier models?

Thanks.
 
makarov, I've seen NIB blue K series as cheap as $400 and the Elites and Stainless K9's as low as $450 I forget what the P9 was going for but IIRC it was similar to the stainless Elites maybe a tad cheaper.

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Rick
 
I'm very happy with my MK40 Elite. A little heavier than I'd prefer, admittedly..., but small, and plenty of power for self defense.

I don't like a really long trigger pull, and the Elite's pull, even though only slightly shorter than the standard model, really does make a difference..., and the pull is really smooth and (relatively) light, unlike the *HORRIBLE* pull on the Colt Pocket Nine I traded for the MK40.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FUD:
The MK9 is indeed heavy but that weight is needed to absorb the recoil of hot defensive loads and still keep the kick within acceptable levels. When really deep concealment AND a serious caliber are required, the MK9 is hard to beat. By the way, Scott, MacDonell [spelling?] & Associates will take a P9 and chop it down to the size of an MK9. While I have no personal experience with them, I understand that they do excellent work and have a fine reputation.[/quote]


It's Scott McDougall&Associates... (Just trying to help out :) ) And they do some cool stuff with shortening the P9 into a "P9 Covert" style pistol. (The "Covert" models of the Kahr are standard slide length, MK grip length.)

Just my opinion, but all the Kahr .40's FEEL heavier than the 9mm's. My wife's MK9 does not feel as heavy as the MK40 I had, which I traded for my new P9... currently the best big-time concealment piece I've owned to date. Previously, my Walther PPK/S was the easiest to conceal pistol I owned, but I wasn't satisfied with .380 as my primary carry caliber. P9 fits right in there!

I prefer the .40 over 9mm, but with Kahr, for their intended purpose, the .40's weigh too much. I will take the slightly lighter weight, and 1 more round.

IF ONLY KAHR WOULD MAKE MY DREAMS COME TRUE AND CRANK OUT A P40!!!! THAT would be the ultimate carry weapon for me personally!

But, that's just my opinion, and probably not a very good one at that!
 
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