New Kahr...Got a question

T

Texas Tornado

New member
I bought a brand new Kahr P-9 last week. My first semi-auto ever.

My husband is not the "gun nut" I am, and is a bit nervous for me to carry this gun with a round in the chamber. (I might also add he knows very little about the way the gun operates) Being new to auto's, and not really knowing a lot about how these Kahr's operate, I thought Id come get some advice from you more knowledgeable and experianced guys.

I did some searches here, and one thing I found was about Glocks being, in some folks opinions, a bit unsafe as far as the trigger pull. I know my Kahr is similar to the Glock in the mechanism it uses to fire. Do ya'll consider the Kahr any safer?? Does the Kahr have a heavier trigger pull??

I use a Thunderwear holster, and would like to try one of those Confidant vests. But would a harder leather holster be better?

Thanks!!
 
The weapon was intended to be carried with a round in the chamber. All automatic pistols are; it will be safe, as long as you treat it safely.
Because it is double action only, the Kahr has a comparaticely long trigger pull. That is why there is no manual safety; the long trigger pull acts as a manual safety.
The shorter trigger pull and trigger-mounted safety of the Glock makes it easier to discharge the weapon (deliberately or accidentally) because it requires less movement of the trigger to fire than, say, your Kahr. Regardless of the weapon, it's always necessary to keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you're ready to shoot.
 
I carry semi-autos in holsters made for them.

Make sure you shoot your P-9 a lot before you depend on it. Search TFL for the past year or so and you'll find that a lot of people have had a variety of problems with polymer Kahrs.
 
I would call my Kahr as safe as any other gun. The trigger pull is slightly heavier and longer than a Glock, but much smoother and consistant. The striker type gun has proven very safe....as long as you follow the rules. It wont go off unless you pull the trigger.
People who are used to external safety's will be a little leary until they are used to it. The trigger on my K40 is smooth and light enough my 8 year old finds it great.....pretty light.
Shoot well
 
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. Carry it in a holster that covers the trigger guard. Do that, and you'll be fine. Kahr's are fine guns and no more dangerous than a double action revolver.

M1911
 
Some will not agree with this, but I carry the Kahr with NO round in the chamber. Ultra safe. This is how the military USED to carry the Colt 1911 style pistols - no round in the "pipe".

You have to practice cycling the slide BEFORE you have a "live" weapon. Some will argue that in a high-pressure situation, you may forget to cycle the slide and that could be a problem. But if you practice regularly, that should not be an issue.

Another "safety" point is that if the gun is ever taken from you (by force or accident) the gun won't fire at the pull of the trigger.

Food for thought.

JQ
 
As a long-term P9 user, I say that the gun is carried with a safety -- its holster! Entirely safe and, with most holsters, the muzzle doesn't even cover your body parts.
 
There is a real difference in trigger pulls between a Glock and Kahr.
A Glock has a very short trigger pull. It also advertises it as a "safe trigger". The point is that a safety in a trigger is not safe.
A Kahr has a long trigger pull, like a revolver. They are made to be carried with a round in the chamber. I carried a Kahr around without any issues.
 
I carry a Kahr K40 or a Llama Micromax .380 (mini 1011) and can tell ya this.. I feel wayy safer carrying the kahr with one in the chamber then the Llama with one in the chamber with the safety on and the grip safety NOT squeezed.. The karhrs double action is VERY safe.. Like was said.. As safe as any revolver.. And everything feels they are.. right?

Frank
 
I love mine - great gun and safe as any other if you use normal safety precautions.

Do shoot at least 500 rounds through it to check it out - that is about when my trigger pin started to back out. No problems since it was fixed, but it took over a month to get it back.
 
flat revolver

Just think of your Kahr as a flat revolver. Kahr's have a trigger like a very well tuned revolver. No safety on a revolver. Remember, when pulling your pistol out of the holster, keep your finger OUT of the trigger guard! Advice, buy a Lenny Magill video called "Concealed Carry" he will explain and show it all to you. Get it at www.magills.com Sam :)
 
I always carry my P9 with a round in the chamber. It is perfectly safe as long as normal safe gun handling procedures are followed. That of course holds true for any brand of firearm.
 
I might also add that, regarding the method of carry I find the Confidant works well. So does a belly band. Unfortunately they both make the gun extremely slow to draw. Being a female you'll have to find a way to balance your fashions with your speed of draw. Don't be surprised if you have to make some major concessions regarding the former.
 
Johnny Quest:

The problem with condition 3 carry (empty chamber) is that you might not have 2 hands to cycle the slide. Your support hand might be busy pushing your spouse to cover, or picking up a child, or opening a door, or fending off the perp. There are techniques to cycle the slide one handed, but they aren't fast and are fumble prone.

Yes, the US Army generally carries condition 3. But the US Army also has an apalling lack of training in the use of pistols for most of the soldiers.

Personally, I carry chamber loaded.

M1911
 
Thanks, guys!! The amount of knowledge on this site is mind boggling!!

Ive been using a belly band holster for a few days and I think a holster that holds the gun in the same position/area is the ticket. (I put up a question about holsters on the accessories forum)

Once I get a good quality holster, I will begin to carry with "one in the pipe" :D
 
Texas:

If you haven't already, I strongly suggest that you get some training that involves drawing and holstering. Many NDs occur while holstering or drawing -- it's really easy to hurt yourself real bad if you don't know the safe way to do it.

Surf to here and scroll down to "unintentional gunshot wound" to see an example of what can go wrong:

http://www.frontsight.com/safety.htm

Remember that this fellow was also very, very luck. If that bullet had hit his femoral artery, he would have had just enough time to say his prayers before visiting the pearly gates.

M1911
 
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