Three 9mms: Sig 239, Glock 19, or Kahr P9

H

Hydejam

New member
(Since this is my topic I get to make the rules! :rolleyes: )

Rule #1: Please stick to just these three handguns in 9mm. I know, I know, some of us just can't resist offering advice on another gun and caliber, but please let's show some restraint! :D

Rule #2: Please offer any comments on which gun you would choose if prices on all three were EQUAL.

That's it. I'd really love to hear things like finish--durability, rust resistantance, ergonomics, accuracy, reliability, customer service should something go wrong, AND ease of stripping down for cleaning.

**NOTE: I know the Glock has more capacity than the other two and I also know that the "moonies" :eek: make the Kahr.

Thanks to all in advance for your help.


[This message has been edited by Hydejam (edited July 01, 2000).]
 
I think that the Glock 19 is an excellent, all around gun. It's a good shooter, packs plenty of power into a compact package, is easy to carry, and getting options (hi cap mags, lasers, sights, leather, etc.) is relatively easy. As per your request, I will resist mentioning that I prefer my .40 caliber Glock 23 over the 9mm Glock 19.

Regarding the Sig 239, while I haven't actually shot it, I have handled it plenty. I find that it is a little heavy for the firepower you are getting. Furthermore, while the grip is fairly compact, the upper portion of the gun isn't much smaller than that of larger guns (which had I been permitted to mention other guns, which I am not, I would have mentioned that the 228 and 229 are much more size efficient).

Lastly, I've never shot the Kahr but I have handled it plenty, as well. Again, while it seems OK ergonomically fine and is fairly compact, it is slightly heavy for the amount of firepower it provides. My superhuman ability to follow your directives prevents me from suggesting that the Kel-Tec is IMHO a better choice.
 
The Glock 19 offers highest capacity with the least amount of weight. Accurate, reliable, and effective. However, it doesn't work for me all that well. It fits like a glove but, for some strange reason, I'm not accurate with it and don't enjoy shooting it. I prefer my 26 (especially if limited to 10 rounds).

The Sig 239 is about the same size as the Glock and only gives up two rounds if can't afford Glock reg-caps. It's far more accurate in my hands, and is the most accurate compact 9 mm I've ever seen. There's practically no recoil with hot 9mm (Corbon or Triton). It may a be a bit more finicky about cleaning (I've had a range gun jam twice but it hadn't been cleaned in months I think). I'm used to and somewhat prefer the DS/SA system for safety and performance (I've got a 229). However, the trigger reach is a bit short for me. My finger contacts the frame at the end of the trigger stroke. I'm thinking of getting one and putting wood grips on to lengthen the reach a bit.

I've fired the original Kahr and hated it. Recoil was strange as was the trigger. I now own a MK9 and like it. The P9 would be the smallest and lightest of the three, with the lowest capacity. The trigger is far nicer than the old ones. The P9, I've heard, may be a problem to repair as some parts are embedded in the frame. Plus, it might be a bit too light for prolonged shooting, as well as too thin. My MK9 leaves my handle trembling after a shooting session because the recoil is focused on that thin backstrap.

Ease of stripping: toss up between the Sig and Glock. The Sig is probably safer, as you don't have to pull the trigger to strip it. The Glock can be a hassle if you don't catch both ends of the take down bar just right. But, no real diff. between the two. Kahrs can be a bear though. I hate stripping mine, but could care less about my Sigs or Glocks.

Finish: I worry more about my Kahr as the stainless apparently isn't as rust resistant as the Sig (Nitron over stainless) or Glock (tennifer) finishes.

All in all, I'd rather have the Sig with a couple of modifications, assuming no reg. capacity mags. With full cap mags, I'd probably learn to like the Glock, but would prefer the Sig.

Just my two cents.
 
First, let me expose my prejudice: I have a Kahr P9, and I am a Sig owner/fan.

Having said that, here's my take: The G19 is certainly larger than either the Sig or the P9. If you plan to carry concealed, which I assume from the choices, that may be a factor in your decision. Glocks, in my experience, either fit your hand perfectly, or feel like a table leg in your hand. I've never met too many people who were luke warm on Glocks. My neighbor swears by his G17. For me, the feel is all wrong. For some reason, my hand grabs it funny, and when I look over the sights, I have to "cant" the gun down in my hand to have a straight line to the target. This is no slam on the Glock, just my part of the "man-machine" interface. Best advice is handle it and see how it feels.

The Sig 239 is a great weapon, fits my hand well, and was almost my first choice, since I have a Sig 226 as my "full size" gun, and liked the idea of "common controls" on my guns.

In the end, I went with the P9 for my carry weapon in large part because it was significantly lighter than the 239. The K9 is quite a bit heavier, and I didn't like it as well as the P9. It fits/points well, and I found myself thinking that if I was going to carry something all the time, weight would be a factor. The P9 gives me light weight, good ergonomics, a great trigger pull, and (this might sound silly, but it's important to me), the same sight picture (dot on line) as my Sig. No new "learned" sight picture.

The cool thing is there are no bad choices in your list.

My .02 (well, my $484--P9)

Scott
 
Perhaps I am Bias but I don't put the Kahr in the same class with the Glock and Sig. Other than that it would be a toss up between the Glock and the sig with the Sig Winning slightly. While I have no problems with Polymer guns there is just something comforting about the feel or real metal under your hand. Also the Sig Has tighter tolerances and is a bit more accurate. Niether has a reliability issue. Now if you had access to high caps I would go with the Glock. You never know when those extra couple of rounds will help out. You can't go wrong with either. But in my opinion you could go wrong with the Kahr.
 
I now own and carry the Sig239 in 9mm.
It fits my hand like a glove with the Hogue rubber grips. It is accurate (more than me :))has little recoil even with hot loads, and conceals well via a Milt Sparks VM2 IWB. I personally do not like Glock triggers, and the Kahr just didn't feel right.
With respect to comments on jamming/reliability; I run all of my guns on Sentry Solutions stuff now and have had no problems with my Sigs. The 239 has had at least 2500 rounds through it with nary a hiccup despite a mix of factory and my own rather petulant reloads.

Field stripping is a breeze.

Have carried this 2 yrs and have no (absolutely none) rust problems.

Highly recommended.

[This message has been edited by KODB (edited July 01, 2000).]
 
I have a 239 in 9mm , a Glock 19 and an MK9 [not a P9 but close]. Quality wise the 239 is built like a fine watch , the 19 is like a tank and the MK9 is just a well built gun . The 239 is probably my all time favorite handgun , but the 19 is so close it is hard to call . The 239 is a little more accurate than the 19 , but the 19 can be completely stripped for cleaning while the 239 slide can not be completely stripped without driving out the pin that goes through the slide and this should not be attempted by 99.9% of the population , the Kahr can be completely stripped except for the trigger pivot pin which must be driven out and this is a delicate operation also . The 19 is pretty much indestructable while the 239 has an aluminum frame that you must keep from scratching or banging around , the Kahr in your P9 version will be the same as the 19 . If I would have to choose 1 gun for everyday carry and hard use with minimal upkeep and care I would pick the 19 , but if I didn't mind taking a little time to care for the gun and not beat it around or I just wanted a little nicer [not better] gun I would pick the 239 . Either one is a great choice , but I would put the Kahr in 3rd place . Good luck , Mike...
 
It looks like I'm going to be the lone supporter of the P9. I chose it for summer CCW for lighter weight and better corrosion resistance than my usual carry K40.

I chose the Kahr over the Glocks because:

1. I prefer the Kahr trigger to the "sproingy" Glock trigger.

2. I carry "appendix" which means the gun is forward of my hip on the right side. The P9 disappears under an untucked shirt in my Desantis stealth holster. The extra weight of the Kahr trigger is comforting with this style of carry.

3. The width of the Kahr is unmatched by the other two. it is extremely slim.

4. The two-tone look is very cool.

I don't have any Sig experience, but for me the Kahr edges out the Glock.

------------------
"If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with Army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of constitutional privilege." Wilson vs. State, Ark. 1878
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hydejam:

That's it. I'd really love to hear things like finish--durability, rust resistantance, ergonomics, accuracy, reliability, customer service should something go wrong, AND ease of stripping down for cleaning.

**NOTE: I know the Glock has more capacity than the other two and I also know that the "moonies" :eek: make the Kahr.

Thanks to all in advance for your help.


[This message has been edited by Hydejam (edited July 01, 2000).][/quote]


I own the G19 and a Kahr.
I carry both, but I prefer the G19. This one just fits my hand perfectly (it has the Hogue grip).
The Kahr, an MK9, is one sweet little pistol...probably more accurate then the G19. However, it doesn't fit me as well. Not for sale though...
I think the Glocks are about the easiest guns to take down for cleaning. I also think they're the toughest of the bunch.
I prefer my Glock in 9mm. Some folks prefer a larger caliber, but in a real world defense situation, a 9mm +P will do as well as anything (no flames, please...you might disagree but you know it's true).
So, for an all around gun...the Glock 19.
 
All are nice guns. It just depends on what fits you better. IMO the Glock is just too wide and the trigger has a strange feel. Something I may eventually get used to if I wanted to, but I don't really care to shoot one.

I love a Sig 239. That is what I now carry. It is one gun that actually makes me look pretty good on the range. It fits well IWB holster and will carry 8 or 8+1 depending what you're comfortable with.

The Kahr is the slimist, very concealable and has a very smooth trigger pull. My husband carrys one. He loves it.

Unfortunately choosing a gun is like buying a comfortable pair of shoes. Just because one person finds a pair comfortable doesn't mean you will. You can't tell how comforable they are until you break em in, then it's too late to return for a full refund.

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Refuse to be a "helpless" victim.
Knowing Your Rights WAGC in Indiana
 
I own Glock and Kahr and a Sig 2340 and it strikes me that we are talking three very different triggers. Only one of the above has a trigger that I can live with.
Gary
 
I have to echo Scott S and wolf1415. I have owned several Sigs, Glocks, and Kahrs other than those models mentioned. The one I still have is the Kahr E9. The new P9 is on the short list of upcoming aqcuistions. :)
It's tough to match that balance of power, weight, and dimensions for CCW. The G19 comes the closest, at the expense of extra bulk and weight in exchange for a mere 3 more rounds(Klinton mags). If the round count "on-tap" is what moves you, then it is the choice. The Sig adds even more weight with only ONE extra round. As far as finish, either of the latter two MAY prove to be the better option over the Kahr's "plain" stainless.
 
BTW, it says a lot about the current technology of gun finishes that stainless steel is generating concern about it's rust resistance relative to the other two finishes! Could you imagine this part of the conversation 10 years ago?

"Well, I'm worried about the rust resistance of this gun because the slide is ONLY stainless steel."

We live in good times, technology-wise. Now, if we can just get the laws squared away....

Scott

[This message has been edited by ScottS (edited July 02, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by ScottS (edited July 02, 2000).]
 
The SIG P239 is a nice pistol, but the grip is too small for my hand and although putting Hoge grips helps that problem I won't carry a pistol with rubber grips.

The G19 is a great pistol, but it is too big for a 10 round gun and if I am going to fork out the bucks for the full cap mags I would rather do it for a .40 cal so would buy the G23 over the G19 anyway.

I choose the P9. Less than 18 oz and flat. Fits my hand, good trigger, a great carry pistol.
 
Glock 19 used or factory refurbished = $399
My suggestion. Get the Glock and you'll be happy!

Sig P239 generally hard to find used so new maybe $589ish. Accurate but heavy with an exposed trigger. DA/SA trigger.

Kahr P9 - about $479-499 maybe. Bad balance. Ammo sensitive. Trigger pull that is long as all day. Fit and finish is not comparable to other Kahrs.

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The Seattle SharpShooter - TFL/GT/UGW/PCT/KTOG

[This message has been edited by jtduncan (edited July 03, 2000).]
 
All good choices, no right answer. Only you will be able to decide which piece fits you best.

In my experience the Sig can be more accurate than the other two, but the difference is at the individual gun level. All three are reliable.

I own none of your choices; none would make my short list; none are big (size) enough.
I like the 9x19, though.

(All three are large enough to go a little further and carry a full-size 1911, etc. If I need small I carry a mini-mouse, or a PT22, or when my wife lets me, her M38.)

------------------
"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
I own a Kahr E9, Glock 19, and only a lowly Sig P228. The last you said I can't use for comparison. I will stick with the first two.

The Glock 19 is a very well designed service pistol and I like mine very well. It shoots well and has yet to jam.

My Kahr E9 took a little while to break in and for me to get used to. I had jams through 200 rounds and since then it is flawless. It has a better or should I say easier trigger to become accustomed to than the Glock 19. My Kahr E9 is more accurate than my Glock 19 yet has a smaller capacity.

With all this said if push came to shove I would opt for the Glock 19. I think of my Kahr E9 more as a S&W J frame than a general use handgun.

Regards,

Richard
 
Thanks everyone so far for the replies. I just found a shooting range that has a Sig 239 for rent. I must admit that I'm leaning toward the Sig right now. One of the biggest reasons is because I've never owned a Sig before and I'm curious. Keep the opinions coming if ya'll want. Now if only the Beretta 9000 was on the streets...
 
I like the G19 because it is has the same consistent trigger pull, has a higher capacity, and will not rust. For me it is a good point shooter and reliability is legendary.
 
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