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A few Kahr questions by a future owner

2K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  CIAHitman 
#1 ·
My wife really likes the Kahr guns and I'm doing some research for her.

She really likes the P9 and the TP9 (we've yet to see one in person.

are there any disadvantages to the TP9?
any advantages other than the additional sight radius?

She likes the polymer over the full steel. I've heard a number of rumors about poor performance of some of the polymer rails. Is there anything to these rumors? Any other advantages or disadvantages to steel vs. polymer on the Kahrs?

How much should I pay for a used K9 Elite? Or a used P9?

Elites seem to have nicer looking slides in the pictures I've seen. Is this an illusion or figment of my imagination. Is the Elite really worth the extra $$$?

thanks for the input guys. I was referred here by the fine folks at The High Road forum. www.thehighroad.com
 
#2 ·
Is she going to carry this pistol?

The P9 and TP9 grips are the same I think, so its intended usage might help you decide.

I've got a PM9, wife's got a K9. The K9 is pretty damn heavy for its size. the PM9 is pretty tiny. Both have acceptable reliability for my purposes.

I haven't heard the rumors about the poor rails; just some trigger or slide stop issues initially, but that seems to have been worked out.

Used market seems to put these pistols in the $400 area. Elites have a different trigger that i believe comes standard on the P series guns. You see them on www.glocktalk.com and gunsamerica.com.

One of the best deals i've seen are for the nickel ones. I've seen several for under $400; i believe $375 shipped was the cheapest.
 
#3 ·
are there any disadvantages to the TP9?
Additional size and weight if its a concern.

any advantages other than the additional sight radius?
Additional velocity from 4" barrel, choice of better sights than P/K series (Novak or MMC adjustable.) No extra capacity because of the P9 frame. The all steel "T" series hold one extra round.

I own a K9 so I've no experience with the polymer. As far as new vs used, in my area the used ones were well within $100 of the new price, so I bought new. (used K9 w/ night sights $499, new from same shop $565) I wouldn't worry about the elite, it probably is worth the extra $ in a objective value sense but the differences are minor. (polish the feed ramp -which isn't necessary IMO-, polish the slide flats, and add an elite trigger group-$26 for parts- and thats about it, oh I think the magwell is beveled as well on the elite '03) Thats not sayin' an Elite is a rip off, if you like those features enough to spend the extra $. They are probably harder to find though.
 
#4 ·
I can't talk about the models you're asking about because I have a PM9. But I would suggest that you do not worry to much about the QC issues you may have read about.

Kahr has sold thousands of the polymer series of guns and there are all of about 10 people that I have seen frequenting various forums that have had major problems, inflated and genuine.

The vast majority of Kahr owners are thrilled with their guns. In the rare event of a bad one I have not heard of a single instance where the company did not take care of the problem by either replacing the gun or approprite parts completley or refunding the money spent to buy it.

I know on the PM9 the polymer rail does show some slight wear but you need to keep in mind that this rail is not bearing the load of the slide, it is more of a guide to align everything when you are assembling the gun. The support of the slide comes from the steel slides under the muzzle and the rear steel slides above the web of the hand.

Good luck choosing, IMO if you like the compact weight of the Polymer Kahr's don't hesitate to get one.
 
#5 ·
I really like my P9. My son (8 years old) has to remember to keep a tight grip on it or the slide will fail to cycle. I've never had a failure to feed.
 
#6 ·
cpirtle said:
Kahr has sold thousands of the polymer series of guns and there are all of about 10 people that I have seen frequenting various forums that have had major problems, inflated and genuine.

The vast majority of Kahr owners are thrilled with their guns. In the rare event of a bad one I have not heard of a single instance where the company did not take care of the problem by either replacing the gun or approprite parts completley or refunding the money spent to buy it.

.
I am one of those unhappy owners of the Kahr PM9. Mine is back to Kahr for the second time. The problem with Kahr customer service is that you have to go thru major headaches to get Kahr to replace or refund in case of problems. They shine on small things like replacing recoil springs, but the true test of a company is how they handle the big problems.
Kahr guns are nice when they work. I wish mine did.
 
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