Kahr vs 1911 for CCW

[O'Dell]

I have to throw this out there. Let's discuss Kahr vs. 1911 for CCW. I like my 1911 co pace for the larger caliber, larger grip and better trigger, but still, I think when I get a P40, it will be with me more often. A P40 will have a good enough trigger and caliber, while having a size and weight which begs to be with me!

What do you think? On the other hand, I may just be ccw lazy!

My PM9 and LCP are only for hot weather when I can't cover a holster. That leaves me two 40's and six 45's to belt carry. [two 45's and one 40 are full sized and too big.] The 45's are three compact 1911's, two compact 3rd gen S&W's, and a HK45C. The 40's are a M&P compact and a CW40. Over half the time the pistol in my holster is the CW40 because of it's light weight. It's almost 1/2 pound or more lighter than the other carry guns and that makes a big difference to me.

[jocko]

probalby one of the two main reasons kahrs are a much preferred carry gun. SIZE AND WIEGHT. We seem to read this alot on this forujm and maybe it is the poster trying ti fit in here with his comments about kahrs etc, but it does seem more and more of the bigger framed guns are now taking a back seat to the kahrs 9, 40 and now even 45's. Course some of my best action was in the back seat of a car, so I guess it is OK for the big framed guns to not feel to bad.

[HadEmAll]

I like the Kahr pull and shoot trigger. I also like the 1911 pull, wipe safety off as you pull, and shoot trigger. I consider them almost interchangeable. Sure, the added step with the 1911 IS something that could go wrong, but that's never kept me from carrying my Kimber Classic on occasion. I do have the Kahrs with me more often.

Something that had not occurred to me until yesterday was that the grip safety on a 1911 is another thing that could and has gone wrong with using one in self defense. Just saying. May never for you or me, but read on......

I read a post on another forum that had a link to a story on another forum by a guy who had been the victim of a holdup while carrying his 1911. I'll post the link if I can find it again. He was giving the story in great detail, from being approached, to the actual gunfight, to the aftermath. He also posted pictures of his wounds after the incident. Thankfully the assailant was using cheap ball ammo in his pistol.

During the gunfight, which happened at very close range, his gunhand was struck by a bullet. At one point, he had a clear shot at the AH, but the pistol would not discharge due to his inability to properly depress the grip safety due to his wound. He thought it was a malfunction, and wasted time clearing what he thought was a jam, while trying to avoid being shot again.

Not going to keep me from carrying my Kimber, and eagerly seeking out a Les Baer, but the 1911 is NOT immune from it's own set of problems. Many LEOs and other handgunners will happily go through life never owning or shooting one. As far as .45 versus .40 versus 9mm, blah, blah, blah.

[jocko]

but u know it seems to me anyhow that many 1911's owners and the 1911 fourms seem to realize that alot of 1911's have to go back once or twice to get right. Seesms the high dollar 1911's have their quirks in them as well...

for samen sure one has his choice of problaby 20+ 1911 makers. He outta find one that works right. No doubt if the gun was not a beautiful gun in the first place the romance would not be there..

[JimC]

but u know it seems to me anyhow that many 1911's owners and the 1911 fourms seem to realize that alot of 1911's have to go back once or twice to get right. Seesms the high dollar 1911's have their quirks in them as well...

for samen sure one has his choice of problaby 20+ 1911 makers. He outta find one that works right. No doubt if the gun was not a beautiful gun in the first place the romance would not be there..

Well jocko, I'll have to disagree once again with you about high end 1911's or at least the Ed Brown line.
My Kobra Carry has 4,500 + rounds down the pipe and had NEVER had an issue. My pistol will not run w/most 200 gr. LSWC bullets but, it's not intended to function with target loads.

Talk a look over at the Ed Brown section of the 1911 Forum and you will find an over whelming number of very happy EB owners. Yea, there are those who have had issues but nowhere near the number that CM9 owners here are reporting.

The Colt series 70 re-issue that I posted photos of earlier has 3,000 + rounds down the pipe and eats any bullet config. that I care to feed it.

[jeepster09]

but u know it seems to me anyhow that many 1911's owners and the 1911 fourms seem to realize that alot of 1911's have to go back once or twice to get right. Seesms the high dollar 1911's have their quirks in them as well...

for samen sure one has his choice of problaby 20+ 1911 makers. He outta find one that works right. No doubt if the gun was not a beautiful gun in the first place the romance would not be there..

My carry guns GOT TO BE *PURTY , because I oogle 'em more than I shoot bad guys.... [and *lite weight]

[O'Dell]

but u know it seems to me anyhow that many 1911's owners and the 1911 fourms seem to realize that alot of 1911's have to go back once or twice to get right. Seesms the high dollar 1911's have their quirks in them as well...

My STI had to go back for a failure to go completely into battery. Also my Kimber had the same problem with the standard Kimber mags. Both are fixed now, the Kimber with new mags. I will add that the SIG C3 and Springfield FS Lightweight Loaded have been perfect.

[Fatee]

My .02

Obviously a matter of personal preference.

Having owned both I can speak of what works for me.

This is NOT a 45acp or 9mm debate obviously. With that being said I do believe that today's PD ammunition makes the 9mm as effective as 45 acp. If not extremely close! The HST and Ranger T's are in my mind the best on the market today. Sorry Gold Dots!

I found that the 1911 full size was just large and difficult to conceal. I'm not a 20 something year old anymore.

I moved from a Springfield Professional 5" to an alloy framed 4" Kimber. Weight was improved, but the full size grip still printed fairly easily.

Transitioned to Glock 19 and the 9mm. Yes I know.. But before you start the torch let me just say that the Glock was half the money of the 1911's, just as dependable if not more, easier to take down by far and easier to clean etc.. Fast easy field stripping was a breeze. Accuracy for me was not a factor. Both platforms are more then accurate for personal self protection.

The G19 didn't solve my problem for size. It may have had a smaller grip length then the 1911 however the firearms overall thickness was a problem. So, being from the 1911 45 acp world I went out and purchased a Glock 36 in 45ACP.

The G36 was thinner then the G19 and the grip was shorter. Loved the G36! Was extremely accurate and recoil was really soft. However the gun was a tad over what I thought I could conceal comfortably all day and it still lent itself to minor printing. It was still a larger gun.

Here comes Kahr K9. I had wanted one for a long time but couldn't justify the $800.00 for a black with night sights. After all this "experience" I finally took the plunge this week and bought it. The K9 solved my issues of size and thickness. Stoked with 147 gr. HST's its right up there with a 45 acp in terms of stopping power IMHO.

The K9 platform is perfection. It's compact, thin, naturally pointing and has a very comfortable grip for larger hands as mine. The 3.5" barrel provides excellent performance for PD ammo. The weight of the stainless is balanced very well. Accuracy from other K9's I have shot have been excellent and reliability has been flawless. I break mine in next week so I'm hoping that the previous standard is repeated.


K9 for me!

[Popeye]

I'm sure by just looking at the ergos the PM45 would seem be the better CC pistol. However for me it's hard if not impossible to say anything against the 1911. It has fought all the way across Europe and helped clear more than a couple Japanese held islands. Seen action in Korea,Vietnam, etc. and is still used to this day by some units. I do not see how you can compare these two guns to one another. So I'll just say for CCW I'd take the PM45. If the SHTF though and it's going to get real ugly and I'm not concerned about hiding anything I'm going with the 1911. I'm sure as long as there's gun powder there will be 1911's.

[HadEmAll]

This post has inspired me to put the PM9 that I've been wearing all day in the safe and strap on the Kimber Classic (mostly Wilson parts now) for this evening's walk with my wife and 3 year old grandson. Three magazines full of Golden Saber 185 grain JHP and a can of Fox Labs five point three stream ought to get us through the rough parts.

Haven't decided yet whether to carry the LCP or LCR in the left-front pants pocket.

[jeepster09]

This post has inspired me to put the PM9 that I've been wearing all day in the safe and strap on the Kimber Classic (mostly Wilson parts now) for this evening's walk with my wife and 3 year old grandson. Three magazines full of Golden Saber 185 grain JHP and a can of Fox Labs five point three stream ought to get us through the rough parts.

Haven't decided yet whether to carry the LCP or LCR in the left-front pants pocket.

I would feel walking would be to risky......If you want to use my vehicle let me know....it's ready for action

[getsome]

Ohhhhh Shiny...

[Bawanna]

Walking?

[Rainman48314]

I have to throw this out there. Let's discuss Kahr vs. 1911 for CCW. I like my 1911 co pace for the larger caliber, larger grip and better trigger, but still, I think when I get a P40, it will be with me more often. A P40 will have a good enough trigger and caliber, while having a size and weight which begs to be with me!

What do you think? On the other hand, I may just be ccw lazy!

I make this decision a few times per week. Usually the Sig 1911 RCS 4.25 inch wins out. Today I wore it half the day and switched to the PM9 for my evening walk at 6:30. Primarily, a gun is a tool and, other than a GSG .22 and a Kimber 17 Mach2 , I buy with the idea of carrying.

I much prefer the SA triggers on 1911s yet the PM9 appeals because its easier to dress around. Weight isn't a big factor to me, just barrel length and thickness.

If you pick a gun with the notion there could be trouble, better to bring a few friends, or a carbine or stay away.

[tv_racin_fan]

I would have expected more from you than that response.
The initial question was...Kahr vs 1911 for CCW
If I am knowingly headed into harms way and I have been there during 25 yrs. as an LEO and I have my choice, it won't be my PM9 that I take along.

If you knowingly go into harms way with a 1911 I'd call you flat out crazy.

I'll carry my 870 or possibly my Garand into harms way but I wont go with just a 1911.

I love my Kahr K9 for CCW or my Ruger SP101.