Kahr Dilema

[Johnny Polite]

Thank you so much for the comments so far.

[A-R]

Mr. 72 and I have already been round and round about Kahrs, so I'm not going to rehash old arguments (the details or my problems with Kahr are available elsewhere on the board)

But I'll just say I was highly disappointed in my one and only Kahr ... a PM40 I bought in 2005. I also have a Glock 23, and liked the idea of keeping one ammo on hand for both my main carry gun and my backup/pocket gun. But had multiple problems and a trip back to Kahr service finally sealed my lack of trust in the gun (I'll agree customer service is good - but I'm of the opinion that not having to USE customer service/warranty is the BEST kind of customer service/warranty).

If I was to ever again consider a Kahr (not likely) it would be a steel frame 9mm, probably MK9.

Anyway, I replaced my PM40 with a S&W J-frame (638 airweight) and have been extremely happy with reliability and pocketability of this gun in all but the smallest of pants pockets (Ruger LCP is for smaller pockets).

[wilder]

Just to add data to the thread I have a PM9 that I've never had an issue with and it has over 500 rounds through it.

[CDH]

One more data point: I have had a CW9 for about 4 months and 700-800 rounds. It feels good, conceals well, and shoots fairly tight groups (sub 2" at 10 yards) for a small pistol. Once a round is in the chamber, it has never failed to function.

Negatives. That small group was 3" low and left at 10 yards for me and everyone else I had try it out. If you ride the slide when you rack it, it will jam every time, but use the slide release or cleanly release it when fully back, and it feeds that first round just fine.

I sent it back to Kahr for the accuracy problem. It came back with a new slide and now only shoots 3" right, but level. I have windage waaay over, and am still trying to decide if I can live with it. It is accurate enough for carry duty for sure...a casual shooter might never notice.

It has had absolutely no problems with the frame distorting and such.

It is a much nicer pistol than the cheaper 9mm's on the market, (yes I own a Kel Tec to compare it against) and the issues I have seen are not critical at this point for a CC pistol. All in all I consider it a good purchase. YMMV of course!

[mr.72]

Negatives. That small group was 3" low and left at 10 yards for me and everyone else I had try it out.

Interesting. That's classic trigger pull issue. I do this with mine too unless I really pay attention to my trigger control.

If you ride the slide when you rack it, it will jam every time, but use the slide release or cleanly release it when fully back, and it feeds that first round just fine.

In the manual they say to always chamber the round by releasing the slide release and that trying to ride the slide or slingshot will result in a misfeed.

If I could shoot 2" groups at 10 yards maybe I'd notice where it was grouping :) I was concerned that mine wasn't shooting straight and took it to the range with my father-in-law (retired LEO) and brother-in-law. I was shooting consistent groups low-left (like you). Father-in-law was shooting high-right like clockwork. We were unable to find the holes from the brother-in-law's shots. I concluded "it's not the gun, it's the shooter" and practiced more.

[Johnny Polite]

Thanks to everyone for your posts. After looking into it (a lot) I have decided to go with the MK40 (steel frame). I think it will be best for what I need.

If anyone knows a store with great prices that could order one for me I would greatly appreciate the info.

Thanks again!

[USA1]

If anyone knows a store with great prices that could order one for me I would greatly appreciate the info.

Thanks again!

we need to know the area you live in to suggest a store thats close to you.

[Johnny Polite]

I just figured you would guess. :)

I am in the DFW area. Specifically, north of Dallas.

[Johnny Polite]

(Continued from above post)

For that matter I am in the Austin area fairly regularly and I have family in the Houston area too. So I could shop in any of those three areas.

[ntexaschl]

Thanks to everyone for your posts. After looking into it (a lot) I have decided to go with the MK40 (steel frame). I think it will be best for what I need.

If anyone knows a store with great prices that could order one for me I would greatly appreciate the info.

Thanks again!

I bought mine, about two years ago, from DFW Gun Range on W. Mockingbird Ln. Very good price IMHO. This was pre-Obama, of course.

[age_ranger]

I picked up a CW9 for $429 and it's my primary carry gun. The pistol shoots one ragged hole at 7yds and has never skipped a beat. 100% reliable in the 1000 or so rounds I've shot through it. Slim, light, 9mm and very concealeable. I use a Milt Sparks VMII for concealment and it's great under a t-shirt. I heard about some barrel peening issues with some of the earlier Kahrs and haven't had an issue with mine. Triggers are smooth but take some getting used to.

[mr.72]

Barrel peening seems to be isolated to PM9s. Also barrel peening seems to be a continuing problem even affecting some new guns.

"The Gun Store" in Cedar Park has CW9s for $409 IIRC, on the shelf today.

[dadoo]

I had a CW9, and it was a good carry pistol, but as others have mentioned, accuracy was way laft and low at 10-15 yards. Sold it to buy a 1911 @ .45 and couldn't be happier. My problems with Kahr were more philosophical than technical.

[Johnny Polite]

Well, I did it. I got the MK40.

Also, I was my chl was approved last thursday. Now I am just waiting on the card.

[03Lightningrocks]

Excellent choice in a handgun...IMHO. I am a big Kahr fan. Be sure to get plenty of rounds through it before counting on it to save your life. Most handguns have some sort of "break-in" and Kahr is no exception. Oh wait a minute...Glocks don't require anything...LOL. I think I could use my Glocks as hammers.

Congrats on getting your plastic issued. hopefully you won't have to wait long for it to show up.