What are your impressions/experiences with regard to the Kahr MK9?

T

Therapydude

New member
I am currently thinking of purchasing a Kahr MK9 for on-body concealed carry. Unfortunately, in my area (central Arkansas), there are no dealers for said firearm. I can order one, but I hate to order one without having ever held the gun. I chose this particular firearm because I want something with 1. at least 9mm power, 2. no manual safety, and 3. easy concealability. I've heard that Kahrs are rough on brass (i.e. they dent it and it can't be reloaded). Anyway, I would appreciate your experiences/opinions on this firearm. Is it reliable enough to trust with my life? Also, if anyone has another suggestion for a CCW, I'm all ears (I don't want a Kel-Tec, though). Thanks.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Therapydude:
I am currently thinking of purchasing a Kahr MK9 for on-body concealed carry. Unfortunately, in my area (central Arkansas), there are no dealers for said firearm. I can order one, but I hate to order one without having ever held the gun. I chose this particular firearm because I want something with 1. at least 9mm power, 2. no manual safety, and 3. easy concealability. I've heard that Kahrs are rough on brass (i.e. they dent it and it can't be reloaded). Anyway, I would appreciate your experiences/opinions on this firearm. Is it reliable enough to trust with my life? Also, if anyone has another suggestion for a CCW, I'm all ears (I don't want a Kel-Tec, though). Thanks.[/quote]

I've owned/carried an MK9 for about 2 years now.
It's a sweet, but slightly heavy CCW. It is OK in Docker style trousers with a good pocket holster and a sturdy belt.
It's quite accurate considering the short barrel and sight radius.
This is my second most frequently carried handgun (Taurus 85UL is most frequently carried due to it's very light weight).
Would I buy it again? You betcha!
 
You may want to consider the Kahr P9. It's the polymer framed version of the MK9. It weighs considerable less, 25 ounces unloaded.

I didn't like the long heavy trigger on the Kahr I held. Lots of folks love them for CCW though

------------------
so he cocked both his pistols, spit in the dirt, and walked out into the street.
 
Hi Therapydude:
I have a Mk9 and really like it. My first Kahr was the K9 which I liked but found it wasn't much more concealable that my P7. I then bought a K40 Covert which has the short handle of the Mk series but the full-length slide of the K series. In this configuration, it was more concealable than the K series but I found the recoil a bit much. The Mk9 is accurate and very reliable. It is heavier than some guns of similar size but this makes it much more pleasant to shoot. I find an IWB holster the best carry solution. It's a great little pistol.

JH
 
I would really, really recommend that you try shooting this gun before you buyt it. I'm not at all sure why, and I'm, pretty new to shooting, but a Kahr 9mm (not the compact, maybe it's called the K9?) is the least pleasant gun I have rented and shot in the time I've been shooting.

I don't know enough about shooting to be more articulate than that, but it really did not fit my hand, or the ergonomics were wrong for me or something. My son and I were shooting our way through the local range's 9mm rentals, and although we both shot the Kahr as well as we shot anything else, we looked at each other and said, "Never again."

I know they're very popular and well priced guns, but I'd really make sure that one fit your hand before buying it.

Munir


------------------
ahlan wa sahlan
PCV Yemen 1984-86
 
I bought my MK9 about a year ago and I thought that I was going to like it and I tried to like it but I just can't. That said, it is still my primary CCW due to it's extremely small size, accuracy & reliability. Additionally, it seems that the features (DAO, no manual safeties, etc.) which I dislike about the Kahrs are the very features that you are looking for and therefore, I think that the MK9 will be a very good choice for you. As I said, it is accurate & very reliable. It is a bit heavy but that weight is needed to absorb the recoil on full-power loads.
Share what you know & learn what you don't
fudflag.gif
FUD
 
Just the few responses on this thread show why it is so important to try before you buy. Perhaps you can find one locally, used, and meet the seller at the range before you buy? Or, schedule a trip out of town, and combine some other business / pleasure with renting an MK9 in another city?

I carry a K9, and find it a pleasure to shoot. I much prefer it's feel to the Kel-Tec. I carry in ThunderWear, and the weight doesn't bother me at all. The grip is just right.

I specifically stayed away from the MK9 because of that short grip, but I will probably give one a try someday.

I strongly suggest stainless steel ... mine rusted badly until I had it recoated with Roguard / NP3.

Good luck with your choice.

Live and let live. Regards from AZ
 
I just got my Kahr MK9 Elite about 2 months ago. I have never been more pleased with a carry pistol. This gun, for me, is the absolute best gun I have ever carried. When I went to the range I was totally impressed with the accuracy and let me tell you, its small, but the weight of the gun makes it a breeze to shoot! First day I shot 300 rounds thru it, 200 UMC, and 100 hornady XTP, and no malfunctions whatsoever. There is a HUGE difference between the Elite 98, and the standard Kahrs trigger. I tried them side by side, and there was no choice for me. The Elite will run about 50 dollars more, and comes with a shorter "combat trigger" that is incredibly smooth, and both sides of the gun polished nicely. FWIW I payed $549 for mine. It DOES tear the hell out of brass, and another guy I ran into at the gun store the other day said the same for his .40 cal version. I have carried a lot of guns over the last couple of years, and never have I been this pleased with one. Stay away from the wood grips Kahr offers, they dont seem to fit well. Kahr service seems to suck right now, apparently, they are way way way way way understaffed. I am pleased with the Alessi Talon Holster I got from Kahr. I hope this helps you out. I wouldnt recommend it this strongly if I didnt love this gun.
 
I have fired the MK9. My friend has one.It bit the thumb knuckle of my shooting hand. I had the same problem with my G26. Pierce grip extensions sorted that one out. No such option for the MK9. For this reason I did not like it, but that is just me. However,it is an anazingly accurate little pistol. I have no problem with it except as noted above. :)

------------------
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!!!"
 
Therapydude, as I mentioned earlier, if you like DAO and no external safeties, then I think that the MK9 will be PERFECT for you. The reason I'm not to fond of the gun is because of those two features. Otherwise, I can't find any fault with it (except for maybe the weight but that weight is need for recoil abssorbtion). Not to confuse the issue, but if weight is a consideration, you may want to look into the Taurus 85UL/UC. While I own more pistols than revolvers and I prefer pistols over revovlers, I have to agree with Ezeckial that the 85 is a really nice gun to carry when deep concealment is an issue -- it's slightly larger than the MK9 but it weighs almost half as much.

whiskey, the P9 is the polymer framed version of the K9, not the MK9. Kahr is working on a polymer framed version of the MK9 but that might not be available until next year.

denfoote, actually grip extensions are around for the MK9. Search some of my earlier posts as I've provided a photo and a link as to where you can get them. I would repost that info again, but I got a meeting to rush off to (might post it when I get back if I don't forget).
 
I have an MK9 and carry it more than just about any other pistol I have. I originally bought it to replace my Walther PPK as an ankle gun. Since then I have carried it x-draw and as a pocket pistol. In a pocket only with some stiff pants and a strong belt. A fine little pistol.
 
The MK9 elite is my constant companion. Solid, reliable, accurate, and small enough to hide well. Yes, a bit heavy, but FUD is right, the weight is needed for recoil absorption.
 
Therapydude, if you feel like taking a trip up the Interstate, The Tackle Box in Fort Smith has one. It might be worth your drive some Saturday, and if you like it you won't have to wait for your order to come in. I'm not sure how many they've got; my Dad was just telling me about it. But you might give them a call. Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top