Kahr T9 - Out of the Box

Guns Magazine, July, 2003 by Roy Huntington

Let's just say it right out -- this is a cool gun. Kind of "Kahr-Cool" I'd say, but I won't, because people would groan and throw things then. But, nonetheless, Kahr has broken a bit of newish ground here, and I'll tell you exactly why.

Almost a decade ago, this up-start company showed-up at the Shooting and Hunting Outdoor Trade show with a small booth, a tiny pistol and some big ideas. Their first model was a flat, easy-to-carry semiauto in a full 9mm caliber. It was -- and still is -- about the size of most 380s, but barks with authority.

It soon became the darling of the CCW crowd, and ladies, especially, love the way it handles. The ergonomics are "just right" and regardless of how often you heft it, it nearly always brings a smile to your face.

But, those early guns were hefty for their size and, as a matter of fact, many savvy shooters labeled them "bricks" -- but loved them anyway. After introducing lightweight guns recently (they by-passed metal alloys and went directly to polymer) Kahr has lost the "brick" moniker, and now has confounded the competition again with the T9. So what's so nifty about this model? Kahr has once again found a niche and filled it nicely.

Holster-Gun Handy

The T9 is a "full-sized" auto pistol, but in a small way. Sort of a "big-little" gun, if you will. For those tens of thousands out there who glower at fat Glocks, get no sympathy from SIG, stare sadly at S&W and generally have trouble finding a "real" auto that fits their nubby fingers, the quest is over. The T9's comfortable grip profile is reminiscent of a Browning Hi-Power on a diet, and praise can't get any higher than that in the grip department.

The extra-slim profile of the slide, dearth of pointy-pokey widgets and controls on the outside, and a low-riding slide means the T9 fits any hand -- especially smallish ones -- like a, well..., pistol should. When put into the hands of most shooters, the response is invariably, "Hey, I like this."

As either a CCW gun for purse or holster carry, it's a bit on the bigish side and still suffers from the brick heritage; but where the T9 shines is as a duty gun for cops or as an open-carry piece. Whether for a uniform duty holster, competition in local IPSC style matches, home defense, trail-carry, boat, car or whatever-carry, the T9 is about perfect. Think of a SIG P239 but even handier-feeling.

Best After Break-In

Our test gun showed good fit and finish and the classy wood grips and genuine MMC sights are a nice surprise. The sight picture is a solid three-dot type and easy to see. As a family, Kahrs often need some breaking-in before they run well and our test T9 was no exception. Our test gun was fit very tightly and we experienced four or five failures to feed and/or chamber in the first 75 rounds. After that, and until the end of the 200 round test, the T9 ran fine.

We used a cross-section of 9mm ammo for the tests but unlike some other Kahrs we've tested, the T9 liked the heavy bullets better. Some Winchester 147 grain sub-sonics left over from my cop days plopped into 2 1/4 inches at 25 yards once I started to pay attention. Most groups hovered around the 3- to 4-inch mark, which is just fine.

All in all, a dandy pistol, especially for a lady-shooter (or anyone smaller-statured) who is looking for quality and a surprising level of performance.

For MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kahr Arms

(845) 353-7770

www.kahar.com

RELATED ARTICLE: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model: Kahr T9

Caliber: 9mm

Weight: 26 ounces

Capacity: 8 1

Finish: Stainless Steel

Grips: Wood

Sights: MMC 3-Dot

MSRP: $778