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I have been looking at getting a Kahr but haven't settled on a model yet. What does everyone think of them. I am interested in the good, bad and ugly.

I've had a PM40 and had several problems with it. Sent it back to factory twice but problems still occured. However, a shooting buddy of mine has a PM9 and loves it.

From the reports I've read, if you get a good one it's a real good one but if you get a bad one its a real bad one.

Personal experience, I would rather have an XD, Glock or 1911. You can get all in compact and subcompact and most for less money.

IMHO only.

I carry a P9 and have never had any problems with it (fired about 500 rounds or so through it)

I'd rather have a TP9 for the extra .5 barrel length

I have an early PM9 that has never had any problems with about 800 rounds through it. Sweet, well made little gun.

Am pondering the purchase of a P45 next.

I had a Kahr P9 - I found it to be a terrible gun.

What kind of problems did I have? Let's see . . . Failure to go into battery. Failure to lock back the slide after the last round and occasional premature slide lock. Trigger pin had a tendency to walk out. Trigger would not reliably actuate the striker.

It went back to Kahr repeatedly, and each time it would work for a bit, and then the problems would crop up again. (I was using name-brand commercial ammo, mostly WWB.)

Kahr eventually replaced the pistol, but I traded the new P9 for a Glock 26 before taking possession of the replacement. Maybe the replacement would have been OK, but I'm of the "once burned, twice shy" school of gun ownership, and didn't appreciate being Kahr's beta tester. (The G26 isn't as neat a package, but it has the virtue of actually working.)

I understand that the problems are "mostly" worked out now, but if you search other forums (such as The High Road) and look for posts on the P9 from a couple of years ago, you'll find that my problems were far from unique.

I have an MK9 Elite and it's a fine pistola. It's the only Kahr product I've ever had so I can't say if the workmanship, fit and finish are typical of the brand but this one is built like an Omega watch. It's eaten everything I've tried, never a hiccup in about 2k rounds so far.

I bought a PM9 to use as a BUG. It quickly became my every day carry.

If you would like to "try before you buy" you are welcome to shoot mine!

I shot one a while back belonging to Elgato. It was a great pistol and I believe that he ran some informal tests on the gun for reliability between cleanings. I remember him telling me that it did well. Very nice shooting pistol.

Have had K-9 for almost 10 years and PM-9 since they came out. A few hiccups during their recommended 200-round break-in period, but quite reliable ever since.

K-9 purchased for training/testing use, but once they fondle it, many students like the PM-9 better. But, as you've likely seen, they are pretty pricey.

FWIW, at TSRA show Sunday I fondled a couple of the semi-new 9mm Kel-Tecs that is similar in size (double stack magazine increases width). One was priced at about $250, the other around $235 ... And, kinda like with Kahr, may have the old "lifetime warranty": you ship it back to 'em often enough, sometime in your lifetime, they might make it right ...

My experience with the Kahr PM9 is that it is susceptible to limp wristing because of their small size. I initially had many of the problems others have listed, but once I got used to it (and hold it firmly), I’ve not had any issues.

I’ve owned 2 PM9 (just sold one) and shot 3 more (1 extensively), and I have not had any problems/failures with any of them. I’ve run various ball and HP ammo without any problems. (Interestingly, 2 of the 3 PM9s I was asked to shoot by their owners because they were getting some failures… So hold it tighter and see if you still experience issues).

You probably already know this, but you can check:
1. You can test slide lock by manually cycling.
2. It will jam on the first round unless you slingshot it correct or use the slide release.
3. Test failure to battery by holding it pointing up and ride the slide close slowly. When it is about to close completely let it go. It should close completely on its own.
4. If you are getting problems w/ the 7rnd mag, try not to touch the pinky extension and see if you are still having issues.

Good luck. If you can make them work, they are very convenient to carry.

Personally, I've never experienced a problem with Kahr pistols. However, I've gotten many reports of failures feeding. In most cases, it's been the magazines and the factory has been quick to send replacements for such things according to the owners with whom I've spoken.

My only gripe with Kahr is they got awfully proud of their pistols once they were established on the market. Guns that were $300-350 now cost over $600. I find that ridiculous. The guns aren't worth that kind of money IMHO. The problems they have are reflective of $300-$350 guns, not $600 guns. Still, they seem to be very responsive to customers and seem to provide good service.

Dunno about Kahrs, I drive a truck.

Thane wrote:Dunno about Kahrs, I drive a truck.

wont wont waaaaaaaah

Wife selected a Kahr P9 about a year or more ago and loves it. She has at least 1000 rounds through it to date and no problems of any kind. Based on her experience, I bought me a Kahr PM9 but she stole it for when she wants a smaller concealed carry. What can I say? She's my Princess and gets whatever she wants.
paul g.

I've had a Kahr CW9 for a few months now and its been flawless since I got it. It's accurate, dependable and very easy to conceal. It's my primary carry piece. If I were to make one change, I would have made the front sight dovetailed so I could put night sights in, but I'm happy with it as-is. I highly recommend them and would buy another without reservation.