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| K40 |
In the last several years, the Kahr brand of compact semi-automatic pistols has proven hugely popular among more knowledgeable cops and armed citizens. They show up frequently in the hands of civilian students at Lethal Force Institute and invariably, the users are people who've done their homework. The Kahr student will fire the allotted several hundred rounds, usually do quite well, clean the gun and leave without any of the hardware hassles sometimes seen with certain other makes.
Kahr guns are produced at a pair of factories in the United States. The barrels and slides are produced in Blauvelt, N.Y., where the executive staff is headquartered. The facility in Worcester, Mass., produces the remaining parts and assembles the guns; warranty and service crews are also stationed there. The chief designer of all Kahr guns is a brilliant young man, Justin Moon. Certain components (springs, etc.) are provided by outside vendors to company specifications.
Simply put, the Kahr is double-action only and striker fired, using an offset barrel to slim the width of the pistol. This makes it very flat and easy to carry. Kahrs are currently produced in two calibers, 9mm Parabellum and .40 Smith & Wesson.
The firm has no plans, at this writing, for .357 SIG or other such calibers. If they build a .45 ACP, look for it to be a 1911A1 style from Auto-Ordnance, which Kahr Arms acquired a few years ago.
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| MK40 |
EASY DRIVING KAHRS
Since the double-action only design by definition decocks itself, there is no decocking lever. A Kahr fires like a revolver: point gun, pull trigger, repeat. It's easy to learn to shoot.
Trigger pull weight is in the region of 7 to 7.5 lbs. and the trigger moves about 1/2" form the "at rest " position to sear-release and discharge. The fit to the hand and the pointing qualities are superb. The grip angle and some of its dimensions seem identical to those of the Browning Hi-Power. The Browning has long been renowned for having the best overall fit for the most hands of any pistol on the market. Did Justin Moon study the work of the old master or were he and John Browning visited by the same muse? Regardless, the shooter is the one who benefits.
In large hands, true compactness is not necessarily a good thing. I usually shoot a DAO (double-action only) handgun with my thumb curled down along-side the grip panel for maximum strength. However, if I use this grip with the Kahr, with its short trigger stroke, my thumb can stop my trigger finger. I've learned to shoot these pistols with the thumb pointed toward the target, IPSC style. Many believe this is the most ergonomic way to shoot, anyhow.
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K9 and MK9 |
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