Good for skinny guy?

[NitroTurkey]

I want a handgun to conceal everyday, that I can also enjoy during range time. This would be my first handgun and probably the only one I will own for quite a while, I like the K series because of the all steel construction. I know many of the polymer guns are probably really practical but I let aesthetics influence me and the K series is beautiful. I was thinking a K9 for IWB carry, I am six foot and weigh 140 so very thin. I probably wont purchase another handgun for a while as I don't have much disposable income, and I would like to spend what I have on practice rounds. Any skinny dudes carry the K9 IWB?

I want the elite stainless with the nice trigger and night sights, but it only comes in polished stainless. What are you guys' opinions on the matte vs polished finish? I prefer a low maintenance finish.

[JohnR]

I'm not as skinny, 6'-1" and 200, but my K9 carries nicely. The weight is the only downside, but I don't think it's that bad.

But then, I'm the guy circling the drain on a PM45, because it's smaller, lighter, and makes bigger holes.

[LMT42]

Do you have any friends that can loan you a gun to experiment with? I hate to see you stuck with a gun that may not work for daily CC. Until you experiment, it's hard to know what will/won't conceal well. Unless you're willing to alter your wardrobe, carrying can be a real pain. I suspect this is the reason that pocket .380s are so popular.

I'm also a thin guy and wouldn't pick this gun for daily CC as it would be too big for me. You might be better off considering a gun that can be carried both IWB and in your pocket. I'd suggest a small jframe, PM/CM9, or perhaps a .380. FWIW, even the PM9 was too big to pocket carry for me. My carry guns are an Airweight jframe and a .380 - YMMV.

[ltxi]

If you're going to buy into the heavier weight of a steel frame anyway you just might want to consider a K40.

[MikeyKahr]

Mk9

With what you've said, I'd look into the MK9, pipsqueak....I mean, NitroTurkey. I'm just messing with you, welcome to the asylum!

[yqtszhj]

at 6'1 and 185 I could IWB carry my cw9. I preferred a 2 o'clock carry. It worked OK and was really nice to shoot. That K9 would be a bit heavier but I'm sure it would be a dream to shoot. I alike the all metal guns too but went polymer for the weight.

[JodyH]

I'm 6'3" 168# and carry a H&K P2000Sk everyday in jeans and a T-shirt.
A K9 should be a breeze for you to carry.

[JFootin]

at 6'1 and 185 I could IWB carry my cw9. I preferred a 2 o'clock carry. It worked OK and was really nice to shoot. That K9 would be a bit heavier but I'm sure it would be a dream to shoot. I alike the all metal guns too but went polymer for the weight.

Welcome to the forum!

+1. I love the look of a K9 or MK9 with wood grips. But I chose a CM9 for CW carry. I am 5'9", 188 lb, and have a middle aged spread. I could only afford one gun, so decided on what was most practical for defensive carry. A pleasant plus is that these micro Kahrs are very accurate and a pleasure to shoot at the range. I wear my CM9 in a Kydex IWB holster just behind my hip. It is so perfectly comfortable that it's like it's not there. (As I was writing this, I had to reach down there and confirm that it is there and has been there all day.) The gun sits up close to my body and is easily concealed under a shirt or jacket.

[popgoestheweasel]

Unlike you, I have a few handguns and plan to buy more before they nail the lid shut. However, I would like the ultimate pistol for concealed carry and would like to enjoy it at the range as well.

I have a Kahr MK9 elite, yup, that's your stainless steel that you like....but a good bit smaller than the K9. Well, it's small enough allright, (really too small for my hand, comfortably) and it's a heavy sucker (too heavy IMO) if you're thinking about pocket carry. IWB...it's a piece of cake. However, be prepared and forewarned, if this is your first rodeo with ccw, IWB will take some 'gettin used to'.

I think your choice boils down to this: If your first priority is to carry a pistol and carry it ALOT....smaller and lighter is almost always better IMO. This will give you TONS of carry options, and therefore encourage you to to do so. In this case, I'd STRONGLY recommend you to look at a Kahr PM9. I know I wish I would have done so instead of my MK9 elite. If beauty is priority, look at the all black PM9 w/ night sights and come back and tell us what you think. I think you'd have a ball with it at the range as it will challenge you to become proficient. I'd say it's the perfect gun for ccw and keep you happy and well protected for a lifetime. You could even save yourself bucks and buy the CM9 (same as PM9 with a couple of slight differences).

If you're looking at this as more of a hobby primarily for you to really enjoy at the range yet be able to carry the pistol 'once in a while'....I think the K9 elite is a beautiful weapon and would be a fine choice for this purpose as long as you have a good belt and holster. If this is the way you go....forget about pocket carry and plan on doing the holster thing. Good luck!

[JohnR]

Too bad there's not a "blue gun" available for more makes and models.

Each product is made with strong, impact-resistant polyurethane with steel reinforcement. This prevents bending and flexing while maintaining the detail, handling and balance of the actual weapon they represent.

At $45.95 it seems a bit pricy, but here's one company with a Kahr PM9 http://www.blueguns.com/pdf/2010pricelist.pdf

[Bawanna]

I'm 6'3" 168# and carry a H&K P2000Sk everyday in jeans and a T-shirt.
A K9 should be a breeze for you to carry.

I'm gonna go with JodyH on this one. A proper gun belt and a proper holster and you'll pack that K9 with ease and no discomfort. You'll have to decide if Inside the Belt or outside the belt is for you but either will work fine and dandy.

It's very difficult to make just one gun do it all as you want but an all steel Kahr is probably the best one can do. The K9 would fill your CCW needs and down the road you can address something larger for just range fun or combination range carry.

I don't pocket carry so the weight of a K9 wouldn't be an issue to me in the least. Both the MK and the K9 would be to heavy for pocket carry.

[popgoestheweasel]

Just for informational purposes.....look at the number of threads posted in the subforum for the pm/cm series and then look and the same for this, the k series subforum. Hmmmmmmm. Me thinks there's a reason???

[Bawanna]

Another approach would be to accept that we can't do a perfect carry and range fun gun and deal with it as funds become available. Assuming as you suggest you can only afford 1 gun for whatever reason. So we also assume you can't afford to go to the range as often as you'd like (I know what that's like) but you'll go enough to get proficient and maintain your ability.
So since we're addressing the carry option first we'll go small, light, concealable. That would be the CM (save some money), or PM9 a tad nicer, a little more money, but you'll never need to upgrade if it's what you want. It fills the CCW category perfectly but not the most fun range gun. BUT fun enough to fill your needs for practice now.

That alone would work for alot of guys. I think Jocko frequently goes with his PM9 stand alone. Shoot a couple boxes and call it a day.

The CM is considerably cheaper than the K or MK so you'd have some loot for a holster and some ammo and a few range visits.

Later when the piggy bank fills a bit you can address a range target practice play type gun that you might even carry when weather or attire allows.

[oneoff]

I think the OP's choice of a K9 is an excellent one. I'm 6'1, 170, and generally carry an all steel commander IWB, so the K9 feels like nothing to me. I generally use the K9 for pocket carry, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend that. I think its a great IWB CCW. And a "lot" of relatively cheap fun at the range!

[popgoestheweasel]

heck with it....just get a pm45 and call it a day. there, i said it!!!