By: Frank Melloni
Photos by: Andy Grossman
KAHR’S FIRST RELEASE INAGES TUCKS AWAY NEATLY.
Kahr Arms has a long-standing history of making handguns that put concealability at the forefront. Looking back at their hit K9 pistol confirms this statement, as it was a bold departure from most of the other “wonder nines” of the 1990s. The idea was simple — stay thin. Single-stack magazine designs ruled the roost for the next 25 years or so, but they have a drawback, one that is relatively easy to see.
To beat the capacity of a standard revolver, the magazine can only get longer, which extends a gun’s measurement from the top of the slide to the baseplate. When placed on the hip with a shirt pulled over, this area becomes the most likely to create an out-line in the fabric, a malady known as “printing.” As concealed carry becomes increasingly popular, the industry is reevaluating things, with double-stack designs getting another look. In this configuration, grip length can virtually be cut in half while offer-ing the same capacity or more. Released toward the end of 2024, Kahr reminded us of these benefits with their new X9, a twin-stack polymer semi auto that deeply adheres to the company’s motto of concealment first.
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