by Frank Jardim
Kahr Arms fans were delighted at last year’s SHOT show to see the company’s trademark K9, locked breech, striker-fired, single-stack 9mm micro-compact finally complete its natural evolution into the double-stack X9. The new pistol is polymer-framed, shaving off about three ounces from the original steel-framed K9. However, it picked up an extra three rounds of magazine capacity (from 7 to 10 rounds). This makes it a genuine competitor to the Sig Sauer P365 (10-shot magazine) and Springfield Armory Hellcat (11-shot magazine).
The Kahr Arms X9 Double-Stack 9mm
The X9 still uses the same time-tested K9 engineering principles with a few clever changes. As a result, it accommodates that double-stack magazine without getting any thicker. The X9 has a slightly greater overall length than the Springfield Hellcat and P365. However, it has a barrel longer than both at 3.5 inches.
Its polymer frame is also more robust, and its front and rear steel slide guide rails have more engagement than the Hellcat but less than the chassis-based P365. The X9’s lock-up in battery was noticeably tight.