Kahr K9

[Dan_Eastvale]

Anyone have/had the heavy stainless striker fired DAO 9mm?

Any problems/dislikes? Other than weight and cost.

[G-forceJunkie]

I've had the black one since it first came out in the 90's. Great gun, never an issue. Very Glock like but the trigger reset is longer so that take a little getting used to. Magazines are on the expensive side, but one of the nicest, quality magazines of any gun I own. When a Glock 26 is too blocky for carry, the K9 is great. People may complain about the weight nowdays compared to the modern polymer micro 9mm's but the weight makes is so much more comfortable to shoot.

[9Cal_OC]

I have the K40 which is similar in size and weight.

It’s a great gun but lacks capacity to its modern counterparts. About the size of a Shield but felt recoil is very manageable (should be close to non-existent given the weight and in 9mm).

I do not carry it as there are smaller and lighter options that hold more capacity, but I keep it as a novelty since it’s one of the only DAO stricker fire metal guns out there.

[26.2madness]

[Dan_Eastvale]

I like the 100% bar stock frame and slide of the Kahr. Would get the fine Kahr checkered grips.
Weight not an issue as I carry owb with non tuck shirt and Perry belt clip suspenders now with my heavy 100% stainless S&W 60-7

Old School

[Newport]

I have an early (pre-2004) K9 and would concur with all the prior comments. On the early K9's the rear sight cut is a bit different so you are more limited on choices. Also, it does not have engraved cuts to align the slide to frame for take-down. That said, if I came across another early K9 I wouldn't hesitate to purchase.

Mine with LASER grips and I thought the entire set-up was fragile for a "my life may depend it" gun. Sold the LASER sights on eBay and put on factory plastic grips which are excellent.

Think of the K9 (and Mk9) as a life time gun which you will carry daily and then pass down to your heirs.

[Spyder]

I had a K40 Elite 03 and carried it daily for several years. I never had a complaint, other than it rusted seemingly too easy, on the side against my body. The matte portion of the frame would get rust specks if I didn't clean it way more frequently than I'd like for a carry gun.

[TheFlash]

I considered a K9, but it was the limited capacity for the size and weight that made me look elsewhere. (Decided to try Glock and bought a G26. With the Pearce extensions, it's an awesome little pistol.)
Several years ago while at the range, a shooter at a station next to me was having accuracy trouble with his Kahr - said he wanted to see if it was him or the pistol. He asked if I would shoot a mag full which I gladly did. Longer but smooth trigger pull and very accurate... Enough said on that one for my fellow range guest.
As a side note, many years ago when I was at the SHOT Show, I had the opportunity to speak with Justin Moon. I complimented him on his pistols and company. I also suggested that he explore options to increase ammo capacity for his pistol line-up. He just gave me a slight frown and then turned away to talk with other people.
No hard feelings here towards him, but the suggestion/recommendation for higher capacity is long-standing...

[Dan_Eastvale]

it rusted seemingly too easy, on the side against my body.

[norcalAF]

I regret selling mine, I did end up with an MK40 which I am very fond of. Kahr firearms are in general decent guns. My FIL gets pissed when I shoot his PM9 better than him!

[norcalAF]

I considered a K9, but it was the limited capacity for the size and weight that made me look elsewhere. (Decided to try Glock and bought a G26. With the Pearce extensions, it's an awesome little pistol.)
Several years ago while at the range, a shooter at a station next to me was having accuracy trouble with his Kahr - said he wanted to see if it was him or the pistol. He asked if I would shoot a mag full which I gladly did. Longer but smooth trigger pull and very accurate... Enough said on that one for my fellow range guest.
As a side note, many years ago when I was at the SHOT Show, I had the opportunity to speak with Justin Moon. I complimented him on his pistols and company. I also suggested that he explore options to increase ammo capacity for his pistol line-up. He just gave me a slight frown and then turned away to talk with other people.
No hard feelings here towards him, but the suggestion/recommendation for higher capacity is long-standing...

Baby Glocks are great, my G27 is almost the same size as my MK40, just a little chubbier!

[bczrx]

I had an all steel one and, like a fool, I sold it [but at least to another cal-gunner].

It always worked, it was very accurate and it concealed well.

I had just bought and broken in a M&P 9compact, and thought I only needed one compact 9mm at the time. My modern self is kicking my younger self.

There was only one issue I had with it, and that was the fact that it seemed to want to pop a 9mm round out of the magazine when loaded and in the mag range bag [not in a mag holster]. It wasn't every time, nor every mag. But, it was annoying.

I like the pistol. I prefer shorter resets, but- for a conceal carry defensive gun, I think it is perfectly appropriate to have that longer reset.

If I found the guy I bought mine from, I am not sure I'd buy it back at the amount I got for it- but, I have very fond memories of it.

[Dan_Eastvale]

Kahr sticks to their guns.
They refused to increase trigger pull weights from 7 1/2 lbs to 12+ as NYPD demanded
They won’t increase capacity because they want a less than one inch thick ccw pistol.

Half cocked striker and not true DAO, it’s rapid fireable.

[BradleyAbrams]

Not a K9, but my EDC is a CW9.

Great pistol, no issues of any kind at +2K rounds.

.

[jyo]

I've had two of the Poly-Pistol versions of the K9---the CW9---7+1 9mm---very thin and lightweight---they've been 100% reliable with any factory 115-124 ammo I've tried (I no longer reload, and don't stock any 147 ammo). I bought these two pistols 12-14 years ago before the current crop of 10+-12+ capacity small pistols were available---one for the wife and one for me. They both shoot right to point of aim for me---haven't touched the sights, I even find I like the two dot sights better than most three dot sights.
The K9 is the same pistol, but uses a steel frame instead of Poly---a much heavier gun not as well suited for concealed carry, but if you insist on steel frame, that's what you get! I don't see many K9s for sale at many gun stores---in fact, have not seen any K9s in stock for years... Magazines are expensive---so are many other brands, and they appear very well made...
The Kahrs are thin and conceal well and in fact, after a very little time, you can forget you're even carrying one!
Yeah, there is a new crop of small hi-cap pistols on the market, but NOT available to buy here because of hated the California "Safety" list...
Would I like to see a hi-cap 9mm version of the CW9? Yeah, but Kahr moves VERY slowly---it took them years (and years!) to bring out their lightweight pistol after most everybody asked for it! I'm happy with my two CW9s and I'll keep them has current SD pistols.
Now the Kahr P45 is a whole other kettle of fish---light and reasonably small and thin, but a beast to shoot!!