Should I Purchase a K9?

[muggsy]

Capp, The best way to find out how the gun will feel in your hand is to hold it. You have nothing to fear about a semi-auto, but fear itself. Once you get used to it you'll wonder why it took you so long to make the switch. I keep my CM9 fully loaded and in that way never have to wonder if there is one in the chamber, there is. The long, but super smooth trigger is all the safety that you need. It's just like the trigger a revolver, but Kahr saw fit to include a striker block. For your added protection Kahr pistols cannot be fired of of battery. So, go ahead and take the plunge and tell 'em Muggsy sent ya. BTW, mine is carried appendix style and I still pee standing up. No worrys.

[capp5050]

The best way to find out how the gun will feel in your hand is to hold it.

I agree, but unfortunately I cannot locate a K9 or T9 for that matter to handle. Kahr doesn't even know which retailers have them if any. Maybe one of the more popular polymer frame models have similar dimensions and feel? Prob not though, as the grip and weight are surely different.

You have nothing to fear about a semi-auto, but fear itself. Once you get used to it you'll wonder why it took you so long to make the switch

To clarify, the 'fear' I have had doesn't have any practical purpose for my usage. If I were (able) to carry, then my concern would kick in, in which case the K9/T9 with the full DAO trigger would address this more than adequately.

I own an HK VP9 - it has no manual safety, and even though it's called 'DA', it's really more like 'heavy SA'. But it's a range gun and home defense weapon. Range time is not a 'high stress' situation so I'm ok with the trigger/loading. For home defense, admittedly I still keep the gun in the bedside safe with a loaded mag but not chambered (cond. 3).

---

In any case, I remain perplexed (maybe more so now, because members here have now got me thinking about .40SW as an option as well

But I'm leaning towards the K9 (or I guess K40 as well) vs. e.g., T9 at this point for the following reasons:

-- More popular than the T9 - there are more of them out there, probably more advice, available accessories, etc.

-- Quality vs. T9 - My non-scientific review of forums, YouTube, etc., has raised some questions regarding the build quality consistency of the T9. Perhaps because they don't make as many of them, they don't get as much attention w/respect to QC by Kahr. In any case, I haven't really heard anyone complain about K9 quality issues, and there are MANY more of them out there, so if there were a big issue, I'd expect to have seen more.

-- K9 grip vs. T9 -- I like the wood on SS look, but some have complained about quality issues in the T9 grip and even comfort issues in long range sessions. On the other hand, everyone who picks up a K9/K40 seems to marvel at the feel and comfort of the grips.

-- Concealed Carry-ability - Deep down, I WANT to carry -Even though it's not legal in my state - and likely never will be - I don't plan on breaking the law, but perhaps this is 'wishful thinking' or a tacit recognition that irrespective of the local laws there may come a time when TSHTF and it becomes necessary (e.g., if I were living in New Orleans in the immediate aftermath of Katrina, I'm pretty sure I'd be carrying). That said, if it was so small that it couldn't be a practical range gun, I'd have to favor the T9.

-- I THINK it can be a good range gun. The consensus seems to be that it works as a range gun. I don't really shoot form more than 10yds, so I'm not looking for sniper rifle accuracy, but I do want it to be comfortable and easy to shoot accurately at 10yrds or less - with a full-hand grip - and I think it will.

[Bawanna]

Personal opinion forthcoming. For what tiny bit it might be worth.
I have a K40 magna ported and a K9. The K40 is a fire breathing dragon in this small package. Personally while many love them I would not enter the K40 into the mix. If you find one you love at a good price I'd probably grab it.
It's not unmanageable and it's a great gun, just too much flip for me to carry.

I've only once held a T9 but if I had the money at the time I'd still be holding it, it felt like they made it just for my hand, it was awesome. I know of no quality control issue on the T's. As you say there are a whole bunch of K's out there for each T.

If you go 40 it probably is a lot better in the T, being it is a little larger all around, might actually be quite good.

Either way K or T I don't think you'll be dissapointed. There are wood grips available for the K so that's not really an issue either.

The water was starting to clear, figured I better stir up the mud a bit.

[muggsy]

Ya done a good job, Bawanna.

[sharpetop]

IMHO, buy the K9, get the hell out of New Jersey to a state you can actually carry that gem in, and never look back.

[b4uqzme]

Personal opinion forthcoming. For what tiny bit it might be worth.
I have a K40 magna ported and a K9. The K40 is a fire breathing dragon in this small package. Personally while many love them I would not enter the K40 into the mix. If you find one you love at a good price I'd probably grab it.
It's not unmanageable and it's a great gun, just too much flip for me to carry.
....

^^^ Wimp! When's the last time you changed out the recoil spring in that K40 Colonel? It made a HUGE difference for me. Seems the weak spring was allowing the slide to slam to the end of it's travel...that hurt. The new spring works great. I've shot a couple of IDPA BUG matches with the K40 and it's just as easy to shoot and accurate as my larger pistols.

With that said, I think the biggest advantage for OP to go .40 is to gain another caliber option. The K9 was actually my first choice too. I just couldn't find one used at the time. I agree with Jocko that the K9 is the flagship.

[maxmanta]

I have an older K9 and it is an outstanding little gun. I use it for EDC. I fully recommend it.

[RonW]

Proud K9 owner here. Brand spanking new from Bud's gun shop. All stainless steel, night sights & I love that rubbery grip... feels reel nice in the hand, deadly accurate. I might add that it wasnt cheap & has cost me many trips taking out the trash & doing laundry.

[harrydog]

Buy the K9. It's a solid, substantial gun with a nice heft that the polymer guns don't have. I have quite a few guns but my K9 would be one of the last that I would consider getting rid of.
And like others have said, get out of New Jersey!!

[capp5050]

OK, I'm just about convinced on the K9 - which I'd have to buy sight-unseen. I want to throw out (hopefully) one final question w/respect to night sights, since Buds (who have the lowest price I've found on the K9 Elite) are out of stock on the model 'n':

-- If I bought the night sights separately from Kahr, what should I expect to pay a gunsmith to install? Is there any downside (besides cost) to doing it this way vs. factory installed?

Thanks all!

[Islander]

I have an older K9 and the night sights were pretty dim. I just replaced them and my local gunsmith charged $40 to install them. Shop the net for the best price. I got my Meprolight's for $80 on Amazon. As an edit I'll add that the local guy installed them while I waited.

[RonW]

OK, I'm just about convinced on the K9 - which I'd have to buy sight-unseen. I want to throw out (hopefully) one final question w/respect to night sights, since Buds (who have the lowest price I've found on the K9 Elite) are out of stock on the model 'n':

-- If I bought the night sights separately from Kahr, what should I expect to pay a gunsmith to install? Is there any downside (besides cost) to doing it this way vs. factory installed?

Thanks all!

On Kahr's website you can order the Night sights & they also offer gunsmithing services where you'd have to send in your slide & for a fee of $40 they will install the sights for you.

What I would do is buy the K9 from Bud's and then after you pick up the pistol contact kahr by phone & see if you can purchase the night sights over the phone & then send in your slide so they can install the night sights at the factory. That way you wont have to wait for the sights to ship to you, you just send them your slide & they'll slap on the new night sights. Turnaround time should be about 3 weeks according to their website

[b4uqzme]

I had a local gunsmith install a set for about $40 IIRC.

[Planedude]

I bought one of the NYPD trade in K9s at the local gunshow for a real good price. I grab the pick of the litter with some dead Trijicon sights, but it was otherwise very nice, just dusty and dirty. The plan that day was to shoot it, as is, for a few boxes of ammo and then make it into a stunning safe queen. Thought my friends might be turned to the Kahr lite-side after some range time with a very pretty face...


A funny thing happened though, from the first box of junky 115grn ball, it became my go-to carry gun. I shoot that K9 better than any autoloader I have ever owned including some well tuned 1911s. I was quoted by Trijicon a "re-lamping fee" of (IIRC) $56 + 20 return shipping and I just have to mail the slide. I have not yet sent it along as I just cant stand being without the use of the gun for an undetermined timeframe...


...And I still am thinking of some sexy, low slung Novak night sights for four times the money. Choices and choices. Good luck on yours.

[capp5050]

TWISTED MY ARM....is what you guys did.

Today I bought the K9 Elite - having neither seen nor touched said handgun. Should have it within a week or so and I'll post a pic.

Thanks everyone for your opinions.