Kahr are you listening? SS K45 Elite where are you?

[Bill K]

I'd buy the Kahr over a 1911 so long as Kahr kept the same action and no thumb safety.

[rjt123]

I'd buy the Kahr over a 1911 so long as Kahr kept the same action and no thumb safety.

+1
And I don't like grip safeties either!

[ptoemmes]

I'm in and I already have a P45 and HK45C

[FLBri]

I work with a number of companies, and constantly observe how the better ones concentrate on the things and products that they do best.

While I don't know how Kahr's sales, profits and competition differ across their various models, they face the same "market segmentation" situation that all other companies do, i.e. things can be very different in one segment than another. For example, the buyers for MK9's are likely very different from those who buy CW9's, and Kahr probably makes more profit on one than the other, maybe much more.

From observation of what I see for sale, it seems that Kahr's "sweet spot" is in the 9mm and .40 calibers, and in the smaller models of each. I am guessing, but I suspect they sell far fewer .380's and .45's for some reason - perhaps competition, or perhaps most potential buyers of those calibers prefer products that are unlike the one type of gun that Kahr is good at.

The more products and variations that a company has, the bigger their management burden and the less their focus is on what they do well.

I have seen a number of companies try to expand their product lines by branching out into areas that are outside of their "sweet spot" and take a financial beating as a result - sometimes fatal or nearly so.

The military concept of "concentration of force" comes to mind.

You make an interesting point, QM ... but I would counter that, as is evidenced by the existing "poly" versions in .45, that Kahr would not have to change it's niche focus to produce the SS .45. They would still be more compact and less encumbered with frills (safeties, locks, etc.) than the compact versions of the competition. A Kahr .45 would still be uniquely a Kahr, and their 'niche' system and patent mechanical engineering would be readily recognizable. The fact that they have successfully applied their "system" to a Poly .45 tells me that they have done the hard one first.

[Bawanna]

As long as we're planning Kahrs future I'd like a T45 myself as well.

I would much prefer to see absolute perfection out of the box on all models before adding to the line though. I think they are very very close to achieving that but still a little ways to go.

Doubt any brand can get 100% but the closer the better.

[Barth]

I have had this conversation with the folks at Kahr. I think the main concern is at that price point, how well would it compete against similarly sized 1911s? I understand that concern. Personally, I think it would do fine given some folks are not comfortable with the 1911's cocked-and-locked carry mode. K series guns also have a very flat profile, enhancing their concealability. It might not sell as well as the K9, but this and other forum posts suggest there is a market.

I definitely fall in that group.
Would really like a flat, single stack, all stainless, DAO 45 with no external safeties.
Truly believe a K45/MK45 Elite would be well received in the market place these days.

I wait and watch...