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| The first Kahr with a polymer frame, the new P9 is sleek, comfortable and ultra lightweight. |
Seldom does any new product enjoy popularity overnight. However, when it happens it's for good reasons, surprisingly good reasons. Those who know quality, and what it means, can recognize it at sight. Such was my reaction when I first saw the double action only (DAO) Kahr autopistol.
Quality in an autopistol signifies workmanship, feel, ergonomics, reliability, accuracy and, yes, appearance. Even a pistol that's not particularly good looking becomes a thing of beauty when it functions flawlessly. However, the Kahr is a pretty slick looking pistol from the get-go. When it demonstrated its other characteristics, it went straight to the front of the pack.
One of the simplest autopistols in the world, the Kahr is also one of the most well-thought-out. Being fired by a linear striker, the Kahr doesn't depend upon a conventional hammer and all the parts associated with it. Instead, it uses merely a striker and striker spring, a drawbar along with its own spring, and a combination sear/striker safety activator. That's all there is to it.
The front of the Kahr's drawbar and the adjoining part of the trigger are mounted on the right side of the Kahr's interior, housed in a space made possible by offsetting the one-piece feed ramp of the barrel slightly to the left of center. This small but ingenious design allows the Kahr to be one of the slimmest 9mm pistols made.
The Kahr's double-action trigger is reset with each retraction, or cycle of the slide, making its trigger one of the smoothest in our experience. What's more, it's just long enough to discourage unintentional discharges, though easy to bring into action when the chips are down.
What about reliability? Well, with quality factory ammunition, I've never had a malfunction with any Kahr, and I've wrung out a bunch of them. With the Kahr's in-line magazine, advanced follower design and one-piece feed ramp, there's no place for the round to go but up into the chamber.
In the accuracy department, the typical Kahr is capable of putting five shots into under four inches at 25 yards. I call this "combat accuracy," and this is remarkable accuracy for a pistol the size of the kahr. What size is it? With a 3.5-inch barrel, the standard 7-shot Kahr K9 measures just 6-inches long overall and weighs in at only 25 ounces, making it a true pocket pistol in a major caliber.
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| Our Kahr P9 proved combat accurate as this 25 yard 5-shot group illustrates. |
Don't forget pointability. With a scientifically worked out grip angle, those in the know will be relieved to hear that the Kahr points naturally. What does this mean? Well, a great many pistols naturally point low or high in the average human hand. The way to find out where your pistol points is simple.
To test pointability, hold your UNLOADED pistol at low ready with either a one or two-handed grip. Look at your target, close your eyes and bring your gun up to eye level. now open your eyes and see how your sights line up. There's a good chance your front sight will either be way above or below your rear sight. Yet, the Kahr's bar-dot sights are always right there on target. That's pointability, and in a personal protection scenario, it can be a health issue - YOURS!
Buttons and levers? There are only two. The conventional side-mounted magazine release and the slide release lever. There's nothing else to learn. Even the striker safety is completely automatic.
Field stripping the Kahr is simple, but requires an object with a non-marring hard surface. I use the base of the magazine. Here's how the drill goes.
After removing the magazine and making SURE the pistol is unloaded, "milk" back the slide with the right hand until the two disassembly marks on the left side of the slide and frame line up. Now partially push out the slide-stop pin from the right side of the frame to the left. While still holding the slide back, you should now be able to pull out the slide-stop from the left. If you cannot do so, simply use a brass rod or similar tool to continue pushing it from the right side. The new Kahr pistols may be a little tight in this area.
Once the slide-stop is removed, the slide group may be removed from the frame by first pulling the trigger. This is why it's so important to first make sure the chamber is EMPTY.
The slide group consists of the slide (with its internal small parts), the barrel and recoil spring and guide; it can be field stripped by first removing the recoil spring and guide. Take care as the spring is under pressure. With the spring and guide removed, the barrel can be pulled down and out from the rear. Further disassembly is seldom if ever necessary, and is not recommended by other than a qualified gunsmith. Reassembly is in reverse order and is even simpler than disassembly.
SPECIFICATIONS: Kahr P9
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| Caliber: |
9x19mm |
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| Barrel: |
3.5" |
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| OA Length: |
6" |
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| Width: |
0.90" |
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| Weight: |
17.7 oz. |
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| Sights: |
Bar-dot with rear drift adj. for windage only |
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| Operation: |
Short recoil |
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| Type of fire: |
Double action only, semi-automatic |
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| Safety: |
Automatic striker block, and the Kahr trigger lock |
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| Finish: |
Matte stainless steel with black polymer frame |
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| Feed Device: |
7-shot in-line magazine |
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Kinder, Gentler, Lighter Kahr
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| With its slidestop removed, the Kahr P9 reveals the special spring in the frame used to hold this part in place. Also unique, the slidestop pin rotates feely on the lever. |
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| Seen here are the added set of steel rails molded into the frame of the P9. |
The 9mm K9 Kahr has until now been available made only of steel, in either matte black or stainless. Now there's a new player.
Long under development, a brand new ultra lightweight Kahr pistol is now a reality and I've just finished testing one of the first samples. The new Kahr P9 is more or less the same size as its K9 sibling and uses the same 7-shot magazine. However, the P9 uses a unique new polymer frame, as signified by the letter "P" in its designation.
Just how does it differ from the K9? First, and foremost, the new P9 weighs in at a mere 17.7 ounces. That's right, an 8-shot 9x19 pistol that weighs only a fraction over one pound, but that's not all. Because the P9 uses a polymer frame, some significant liberties can be taken is its design stemming from the absence of removable grip panels, not only can contours be perfectly blended, but the reduction in width is significant.
The P9's grip measures only 0.90 of an inch wide, and the front of the frame just 0.94 of an inch. Incidentally, this slightly wider area is forward of the trigger guard and is designed to help prevent a tight holster from causing the slide to move to the rear when re-inserting the pistol.
Not only is the P9's frame narrow, but it's wonderfully comfortable. With relatively smooth pebble surfaces on either side of the grip, the front and back strap are rendered in sharp cross-hatch checkering for a sure grip. Yet, this treatment does not extend to the edges where it could cause wear to the inner lining of clothing. The visible serial number is found on a metal plate permanently implanted in the forward end of the frame. From its beveled magazine well to its trigger guard, the remainder of the frame feels like a bar of soap that's been well used. To sum it up, the design of the P9 frame is brilliant, in my opinion.
However, the exterior smoothness of the P9 doesn't end with its frame. All aspects of the exterior of the pistol's slide are also devoid of sharp edges that could cut the hand under stress. This is a feature usually reserved for custom pistols.
In addition to those external, the P9's polymer frame has a few internal differences as well. First, there's a hollow area under the backstrap as is the case on a number of other polymer frames. Although I have no inside information on the subject, I wouldn't be surprised to see this used as a battery compartment for a Crimson Trace laser in the future.
Housed inside the left side of the frame is a slidestop retaining spring that's different from that on Kahr pistols with steel frames. Finally, in addition to its main polymer frame rails, the P9 also has a set of rails inside the front portion of the frame not unlike those found in the Browning Hi-Power pistol. Made of steel, these rails are permanently molded into the polymer frame to provide reinforcement for many thousands of rounds.
ecause of its internal forward steel rails, the new P9 will not accept a slide or barrel from a K9 Kahr pistol, and in close examination of my sample P9, I found another clever difference. Instead of being an integral part of the slide release lever, the slidestop pin is a separate part, and while it's permanently installed onto the lever, it remains free to rotate. Why? A free rotating slidestop pin also means free rotation for the lever, allowing it to swing up into the slidestop position without interference. A free rotating pin also allows this part to wear evenly all around. This fit is so excellent I expected very good accuracy from my sample P9.
Shots Fired
So, how good does my new P9 shoot? Combined with its superbly comfortable grip, the pistol handles simply wonderfully, and far better than I expected. Standard 9x19 loads proved quite comfortable to shoot, but even +P loads gave no particular trouble other than more recoil and muzzle flip.
Because of the outstanding bullets now being used by virtually all makers, I'm not one who advocates +P loads in defensive handguns. In addition to more wear and tear, such rounds bring more muzzle blast (if not flash). What's more, +P rounds bring more recoil, and more recoil diminishes one's ability to make fast, accurate follow-up hits. After all, no matter what you hear about one-shot stops, i's fast, accurate follow-up shots that give one the edge in a shootout.
Nevertheless, there are those who prefer +P ammunition, and with recoil being an issue with any ultra lightweight pistol, I decided to try a Harrts Recoil Reducer in my new Kahr P9 just as I have used in my other Kahr pistols. Using its patented technology, the Harrts Recoil Reducer does just what the name implies, reducing recoil and muzzle flip by up to 30% or more during rapid fire in many autopistols.
Comparing the P9 with and without the Harrts Recoil Reducer using the loads listed in the accompanying accuracy chart, I estimated that the device reduced recoil by at least 25% when firing the P9 very fast under survival conditions. In slow fire, the reduction is not as apparent.
PERFORMANCE: Kahr P9 9mm
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| Load |
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Velocity |
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Small Group |
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Large Group |
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Average |
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| Black Hills 124 JHP |
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1131 |
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2.94 |
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4.23 |
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3.66 |
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| Cor-Bon 115 JHP +P |
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1314 |
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3.87 |
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4.19 |
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4.03 |
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| Federal 135 JHP PD |
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1036 |
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3.04 |
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3.78 |
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3.41 |
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| Triton 95 CQD HP |
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1308 |
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3.78 |
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4.11 |
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3.96 |
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| Wolf 115 FMJ |
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1137 |
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3.82 |
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4.08 |
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3.93 |
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Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second (fps) on Oehler P35, accuracy in inches
for average of five 5-shot 25-yard hand-held group. Elevation 7000', temperature 78 degrees. |
Triton SinterFire Bullet
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| The new Kahr P9 carries superbly in the new Milt Sparks Summer Special. |
Triton's Hollowpoint Close Quarter Defense (CQD) is an interesting new load we tested in the new Kahr P9. Not a jacketed hollowpoint (JHP), this 95-grain bullet is made of solid copper and tin sintered metal. Manufactured by SinterFire, this material is compressed under tons of pressure and strictly controlled heat to produce as perfect a bullet as possible. Two secret lubricating agents not only proved lubricity but help bond the material.
Although Triton's SinterFire CQD bullet performs as normal for defensive purposes, if it hits any hard object, such as asphalt or steel, it instantly breaks up into the powdered granules from which it was made. As such, it does not ricochet and poses no threat to innocents. This bullet is also totally lead-free non-toxic. Look for my report on even more exciting bullets from SinterFire in the near future, and don't be fooled by cheap imitations.
How about accuracy? The P9 performed as I expected with most 5-shot groups printing under four inches at 25 yards. Best of all, the P9 experienced no malfunctions of any kind during several days of testing.
In carrying my P9 in a Milt Sparks Summer Special holster, I hardly knew I had it on, and this included walking, running a tractor and driving a truck. I think the new P9 is one of the best pocket 9mm pistols I've ever tried, and I've seen a bunch. Furnished in a polymer hard case, the P9 comes with a spare magazine and Kahr's simple and effective trigger lock.
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| Furnished with its own unique Kahr trigger lock, the P9 is off limits to unauthorized users when the lock is in place to totally block the double-action trigger. |
Final Notes
Look for the P9 and all the rest of the Kahrs at your nearest dealer's. Most importantly remember, the Clinton/Gore regime vows to take your firearms away one by one. To keep your Kahr and the rest of your guns, JOIN the NRA and VOTE!
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Other Contacts
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Harrts, Inc.
P.O. Box 44054, Dept CH
Cleveland, OH 44144
(330) 273-9450 |
Milt Sparks Holsters
605 E. 44th, #2, Dept CH
Boise, ID 83714
(208) 377-5577 |
SinterFire, Inc.
200 Industrial Park Rd., Dept CH
Kersey, PA 15846
(814) 885-6672 |
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