The Development of the Kahr Pistols

[Petrol & Powder]

Sherman, set the Wayback machine to 1995. It’s the mid 1990’s and good quality 32 ACP & 380 Auto pocket pistols are widely available, many with double action triggers. Larger pistols chambered in 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP are available. But in the early 1990’s there are few double action, locked breach, pocket pistols chambered in 9mm.

Then the Kahr K9 appeared circa 1995. It wasn’t revolutionary but it was the first step towards the even smaller MK9. The K9 did have a unique offset feed ramp that made room for the trigger bar. This helped to give the gun a low bore axis. The Kahr K9 was a locked breach pistol chambered in 9mm Luger with a DAO trigger and fed from a single stack magazine. There was nothing extraordinary about the K9 other than it filled a void in the market. Sure, you could find some small single action pistols chambered in 9mm and 45 ACP, but you couldn’t find a small DA 9mm in those days. About as close in terms of size was the H&K P7 if your wallet could handle it and you could find one. Even the single stack SIG P6 (P225) was larger than the K9.

The all steel MK9 and later polymer framed PM9 were truly pocket pistols and ahead of the competition. In today’s environment, pistols of this type are so common the topic seems boringly mundane. But just about 25 years ago, this was a new concept. Current sub-compact DA 9mm pistols such as the Glock 43, SIG 365, and others, are plentiful but this wasn’t the case just a generation ago.

I’ve owned a few Kahr pistols over the years, but I do not currently have one in the fleet. The K9 and MK9 are solid guns. The PM9 was my recommendation in that class until Glock Finally introduced the G43. I know of one MK9 that has provided yeoman like service and continues to function flawlessly despite years of use.

I don’t think the Kahr pistols are extraordinary, but I do think they represented an evolutionary step in pocket pistols.

 

[shuz]

I had a problem with a CM 9 having the front sight fly off after only a few rounds. I was told to send it back to the factory and they would install a new "night sight" just like the one that is in orbit somewhere. I anxiously waited for it's return and when it did I went down to my range and loaded the pistol. Before the magazine was empty, the front sight flew off again! I sent it back to the factory and when it returned "fixed", promptly sold the gun!

 

[CZ93X62]

I have no experience with Kahr pistols, but I certainly appreciate the innovation. Jon is correct--uber-compact pistols in serious defensive calibers were thin on the ground 25-30 years ago.

Before it got monstrously hot I dragged out the new 9mm carry ammo I found to chronograph it from real barrels. This 2nd Amendment Ammo Co. stuff has (likely) Starline brass and 124 grain Hornady XTP bullets. It is marked +P and claims 1300 FPS in its ad copy.

In our realm the chronograph is a polygraph we use to assess ammo ad copy. From my SIG P-226 this stuff scored 1270-1290 FPS. Marie's P-228 lost about 25-30 FPS in its 0.5" shorter barrel; my Glock 43 gave up 60-70 fps from the -226's results.

Opinions and conclusions--this is good ammo to ride the river with if 9mm is your flavor of the day. I also gained a healthy respect for the 9 x 19 caliber for its short-barrel efficiency.

 

[Winelover]

I had a problem with a CM 9 having the front sight fly off after only a few rounds. I was told to send it back to the factory and they would install a new "night sight" just like the one that is in orbit somewhere. I anxiously waited for it's return and when it did I went down to my range and loaded the pistol. Before the magazine was empty, the front sight flew off again! I sent it back to the factory and when it returned "fixed", promptly sold the gun!

Have a CM-9 no issues with front sight flying off. However, I also have a Beretta Nano, lost the rear night sight in the weeds of my backyard range. Issues is with the tiny set screw that holds it in place. Can't torque it down enough, because the Allen wrench is so thin it bends and could snap. Not only that, the recoil spring flange broke and tied up the gun. Can't trust it for carry. Picked up a couple of replacements from Brownell's and keep a dedicated new one for times I might think about carrying it.

 

[CZ93X62]

A lot of pistol makers don't seem to understand the dynamic environment of a working pistol slide. Unless attached parts are FIRMLY anchored--they WILL fly off.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I lost the front sight on a 1911. I have to agree that sights attached to slides take a beating regardless of the type of pistol.

As I stated earlier, I don't think the Kahr pistols are extraordinary but they did turn down a new path.

The Kahr PM9 pistols (micro pistol chambered in 9mm with polymer frames) were decent guns. The early PM40 pistols (40 S&W in the same small polymer frame) had problems and I saw those problems first hand. Kahr seems have righted the ship on those models.

Anytime you start down a new path, you're going to learn something.

 

[Jeff H]

I bought a Kahr CW 45 new several years ago and was very impressed. $330!

Utterly reliable, light, compact, accurate, "soft-shooting" and shot cast just fine.

I'd say Kahr is ahead of the curve. I love the 1911, but if I ever bought another auto, I'd look at Kahr first.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

In today's world there are a lot of choices in the field of sub-compact pistols in 9mm to 45 ACP calibers. Kahr is certainly an option. 25 years ago, they were one of the few options in that class.

 

[Winelover]

Trend in sub compacts is stuffing more rounds in the magazines, like the Sig365 and the SA Hellcat. Plus, the addition of mini reflex sights. Counterproductive in my opinion.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Trend in sub compacts is stuffing more rounds in the magazines, like the Sig365 and the SA Hellcat. Plus, the addition of mini reflex sights. Counterproductive in my opinion.

Yep, agreed, but makers are always looking for increased market share.

 

[Rick H]

My every day carry piece gives me 8 rds. to help solve whatever problem I find myself in, 7 more after a 2 second reload if I carry (rarely) a spare magazine. I'm satisfied with that. If I planned on engaging a squad sized fire team I would be carrying a battle rifle and 200+ rds., a couple of grenades, and wearing Kevlar. Oh, yeah I would be bringing lots of help with me too.

Carry guns for self defense are a compromise. Double stack mag pistols start to become awkward and bulky for concealed carry. I can't easily carry them concealed with normal attire. At the same time too small in major calibers they become difficult to manage. I realize manufacturers need to generate interest to enhance sales. I see the trend toward high capacity smaller caliber pistols and just shake my head. 30 Super Carry???? Do we really need these new flavor of the week (and weak) cartridges?

 

[Jeff H]

.... At the same time too small in major calibers they become difficult to manage....

THIS is where I feel the CW45 earns its keep. It ain't teeny-tiny, but it's as compact and light as you're going to get with a 45 and the danged thing was softer-shooting than an ALL STEEL RI Officers Model, which weighed TWICE as much. I think Kahr did well with that one. Not the smallest out there and not for everyone, but it's entirely workable and reasonable.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

The Glock 43 is today's Kahr PM9. Glock was unbelievably slow to meet this challenge, but they finally filled that void in their lineup.

The PM9 weighs slightly less than the G43 and the PM9 is smaller than the G43 in every dimension. Both guns hold 6 rounds in a standard magazine, but a 7th round is available in the Kahr with a finger rest extension magazine floor plate.

Both pistols have similar operating systems with a minimal number of controls. (trigger, slide release, magazine release). In my opinion, the Kahr PM9 is a little more concealed carry friendly with its more rounded corners and thinner overall profile. The Glock 43, with its slightly longer grip and longer sight radius, is likely easier to shoot. The PM9 is probably a little easier to conceal (not that the G43 is difficult in that regard). I shot both pistols but not side by side. It’s good to have choices.

One point about Kahr pistols – their owner’s manual clearly states a 200 round break-in is recommended. I can speak to this with authority. Before the Kahr is broken in, some failures to function may occur. After break-in they are totally reliable. This is not a flaw but merely a fact.

 

[CZ93X62]

Kahr celebrates the patently obvious with that 200 round break-in recommendation. The SIG-Sauer and Glock factory reps love to carry on about how their pistols can be "Taken out of the box--loaded--and taken into service immediately."

'GTF outta here, fanboi.' THAT was the resounding conclusion of of our range folk in 1987 (SIG) and again in 1994 (Glock) when both ran that drag sequence past us. We did get a nice catered lunch out of both events, though. NO ONE with actual real-world experience says ^&%$ like this.

My war toys get slide lube, then 50 rounds of carry ammo first when new--then comes 150-200 rounds of handloads that duplicate my planned carry stuff--then 50 more rounds of carry stuff. I clean between those three sessions. The Glock 43 ran flawlessly. With those carry loads that approach 1300 FPS from the SIG P-226 (124 Hornady XTP) that little Baby Nine jumps around a bit--but no more than the Makarov does with full-snort ammo. Neither is even close to the Glock 29 with Silvertips on board--THAT critter is a HANDFULL. Fun, though.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Only a fool would willingly take a new firearm out of the box and go into harm’s way without a shakedown cruise.