[Hodawg]

I'm seriously considering exchanging my Taurus stainless .357 2.5" K frame for a Kahr .45 compact. Any personal experiences with this weapon? I read great stuff from the "impartial" reviewers on-line, but I always trust the real owners more. Size wise, I'm 6'0" and weigh in at a devastating 155 lbs., so concealment on my relatively wimpy frame is a big issue. Weight of the weapon is also a big issue since I have relatively little derier? derriare? (butt) to hold the bloomin' thing up during normal carry.
Beers y'all,
Ken

 

[Mac45]

When I was your size, I could carry anything IWB under only a t-shirt and still look good. If you have a problem now, then you might want to re-think your wardrobe, because when you put on a few pounds concealment gets harder. I can't help you with the Kahr, sorry. Never used one.

 

[Hodawg]

Thanks, Mac. I'm 52 now, and until 2 years ago when I had all of my teeth pulled (genetic deal) I weight upward of 175. I've always been relatively slim with a fast metabolism, but haven't weighed 155 since I entered the Police Academy in 1979. Seems like I'm gonna have to live with my skeleton physique for a while until I can build back up. I've developed many concealed carry techniques, even for a relatively scrawny dude. But the disappearance of a back side introduces new support considerations that I hadn't faced (or not faced) in the past.

By the way, this change in physique, strength, and endurance is what has renewed my interest in Concealed Carry. I have prided myself for over 30 years of being able to stand my ground in most circumstances, but I have to look at reality. I can't just whoop a BG's ass outright anymore. I can't take the cocky offense anymore. I have to be prepared to retreat if prudent, then take other measures if necessary. Physical confrontation is out of the question for the foreseeable future.

Beers y'all,
Ken

 

[XD-Man]

I'm 62, 5'6" and weigh 170 lbs. Not a big dude, by any means. But I carry an XD-40 4" IWB under a loose T-shirt with cargo shorts or tac pants, and no one so far has noticed. And I carry everywhere. I'm using either a Crossbreed SuperTuck or a QwikClip, depending on what pants I'm wearing, and where the belt loops are (the SuperTuck has two clips, while the QwikClip has one).

So you can also change holsters to make things easier. I will be adding a Kel-Tec P-11 to my wardrobe so I can pocket carry when the IWB trick isn't working. I don't want to go lower than 9MM in a 'mouse gun'.

 

[SwampRat]

I'm seriously considering exchanging my Taurus stainless .357 2.5" K frame for a Kahr .45 compact. Any personal experiences with this weapon? I read great stuff from the "impartial" reviewers on-line, but I always trust the real owners more. Size wise, I'm 6'0" and weigh in at a devastating 155 lbs., so concealment on my relatively wimpy frame is a big issue. Weight of the weapon is also a big issue since I have relatively little derier? derriare? (butt) to hold the bloomin' thing up during normal carry.
Beers y'all,
Ken

Hell if I was that skinny I'd be carrying a G17 or G19 appendix carry with a loose shirt over..

 

[Hodawg]

Hell if I was that skinny I'd be carrying a G17 or G19 appendix carry with a loose shirt over..

Several years ago while I was working Narcotics I carried a G17 at 3:30 position, no holster, in shorts and T-shirt. I'm just looking for something a little thinner and lighter. Like the old saying goes, the easier it is to carry and conceal the more it will likely be carried.

Beers,
Ken

 

[NavJAG06]

Kahr PM9

I looked at most of the Kahr line for carrry. Decided on pocket carrry and chose the Kahr PM9 with night sights. The PM45 was a bit too big; the PM9 with +P capabilities is a good choice for me. Kahr's need a breakin period and are a bit more tricky to take down and reassemble because of the slide release and its spring. Reassemble the slide release improperly and damage the spring and you may have to install a new spring. Almost happened to me but I have the hang of it now. Fired over 300 rounds in the weapon without a FTF or problem except for one last round in the mag that when fired the slide did not lock back. Fired over 200 rounds since then with no similar problem. Superb accuracy with the firarm. Shoot it as well up to 25 yards with same accuracy as my H&K 45 C. That amazed me. Carries well in an Uncle Mike #4 and my Galco horsehide in the pocket holster. Switch them out depending upon the cut of the pocket in the trousers I am wearing. The Kahr's are more pricey than the Glocks or other 9mm subcompacts but I am totally pleased with the choice. One problem... Kahrs are in demand and it took me about a month for my gun shop to get one in.

 

[trulies]

I just can't get into the Kahr brand. They just seem so clunky for the $$$$. Not to mention a 9mm subcompact I fired had many FTE and FTF even after well broken in.

 

[Buckley]

Hell if I was that skinny I'd be carrying a G17 or G19 appendix carry with a loose shirt over..

DITTO!

 

[Cthulhu]

I just can't get into the Kahr brand. They just seem so clunky for the $$$$. Not to mention a 9mm subcompact I fired had many FTE and FTF even after well broken in.

I can't get into them because of the Unification Church (i.e., Moonies) association, but that's a personal choice that doesn't have to do with the actual function or feasibility of the firearms.

-JT

 

[trulies]

This too:rolf

 

[Tennessee]

I can't get into them because of the Unification Church (i.e., Moonies) association, but that's a personal choice that doesn't have to do with the actual function or feasibility of the firearms.

-JT

Interesting! I did not know that. Though the Moon who owns/runs it claims no leadership position in the church or affiliation between the two (per Googled info).

 

[Hodawg]

Thanks y'all,
I went back to the gun store this afternoon, joined the Range Club, and test fired the Kahr CW45. As I stated earlier, this piece felt like it was custom molded to my hand. The recoil was supprisingly easy, nothing like the reports that I read about compact .45's. But the sights were HORRIBLE! The first two rounds at only 25 feet I only put 2 on the paper, extremely low and to the left. I readjusted my grip to compensate for the left side pull and started getting back more to the center, although very low. I then adjusted my sight reading upward and started slowly walking them up to the X ring. Just as I'm starting to think that I'm getting a handle on this thing, it drops the magazine on the 5th round. Did I do something wrong, accidentally thumb the mag release? Don't think so. Try another mag full. Same thing on the 5th round. Try another mag full. Same thing on the 5th round, and a stove pipe that was dang near impossible to clear. Last few rounds I decided to bench the thing and see if I could pull off a head shot at only 25 feet. No way, the rounds hit all over the place.

I'm beginning to wonder "Is it just me? I haven't practiced much in quite a while. Why am I shooting so crappy?" To settle my mind I pulled out my .357 Taurus 2" and proceeded to put 12 out of 12 in the 10 ring at close to rapid fire. Maybe it's me, maybe it's the Kahr. All I know is that I won't be spending my hard earned $ on one of these.

Case close, thanks for all of the insight.

Beers y'all,
Ken

 

[trulies]

^^^^:rolf


THAT is a Kahahahaharrrrr.

 

[ron8903]

I cant stand the recommended break in 200 -500 rounds.
I never had to break in a Sig, Glock, HK. or a Ruger P series for that matter.
This is just me and my way of thinking, let the Mfg. break in
the pistol on there dime.

 

[Mac45]

Personally, I would look into either a Glock or an XD. Both retail for about the same as a Kahr and I really don't think the Kahr is in the same league. Ruger makes a nice Commander sized 45 in the 345, same price range. A step-up to Sig, H&K, or name brand 1911 style handguns can be made for a 50%-90% increase in price. The Philippine 1911 clones [High Standard, Rock Island Armory, Firestorm] can be had for around the same price as the Kahr and are usually reliable and accurate. A Kahr would be at the bottom of my personal list. And then only because they are dirt cheap when used.

 

[djkj6]

+1 Mac45

i would make the jump up to a better quality and performance weapon...i used to try and find the best value gun for my ccw, until i took a class that forced malfunctions and really tested my weapons performance in "real world" scenarios.... (the first time i had to wade in water up to my chest with my gun holstered i almost cried..lol..but you never know where real life will take you...)

after that i figured that i was worth the extra $$ for proper and reliable defense of my life...i can't always be sure my gun will be clean and well oiled when the badguy decides it's my time to fear the reaper...

*depending on your level of exp. or time to practice i would recommend Glock for ultar reliability, or a good 1911 for reliability and precision...istols

 

[ron8903]

Personally, I would look into either a Glock or an XD. Both retail for about the same as a Kahr and I really don't think the Kahr is in the same league. Ruger makes a nice Commander sized 45 in the 345, same price range. A step-up to Sig, H&K, or name brand 1911 style handguns can be made for a 50%-90% increase in price. The Philippine 1911 clones [High Standard, Rock Island Armory, Firestorm] can be had for around the same price as the Kahr and are usually reliable and accurate. A Kahr would be at the bottom of my personal list. And then only because they are dirt cheap when used.

And usually traded in because they could not make the darn thing run!
And then you have someone else's problem child.

 

[Franklin]

I love my XD 45. If you can live with a .40, Springfield makes a small subcompact. Look at that one too.
Good luck. The hunt is half the fun!
Franklin

 

[Hodawg]

All points well taken, y'all. With an Obama economy I'm always looking for a way to save a few bucks if it is prudent, but in this case it wasn't. After much personal consideration of weight, capacity, caliber, reliability, etc., I finally settled on my old standby, the G19. I've probably fired over a thousand rounds through this machine in my LEO days, and the operation of it will be second nature to say the least. It's slightly larger than I would prefer, but hey, we all have to make adjustments. Brand new G19 with two 15 round mags, coming home Saturday.:dancingbanana SWMBO will probably wonder "where did that Glock come from", but.......... she and we don't want to go there. Anyway, I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your input on this endeavor, or how comfortable I am knowing that a 19 is coming home.

Thanks and Beers, y'all
Ken