Confession (and seeking a K40)

[Bawanna]

I have no issue with 40 caliber accuracy. My K40 is very accurate. To answer a previous question from 187911, I did use the same ammo in both the G27 and the K9. Dept issue. It's possible some different ammo could reduce the flip some but saw no need to pursue that. I'm basically a 45 guy. (to each their very own). I would not hesitate to put the K40 on my belt if the need arose, but not my first choice.
We carried Beretta 40's for a few years, and they were great. Again, a totally different animal but comfy and accurate.

[rx7sig]

... I own a couple of K40's ...

Thanks for your firsthand impressions/experience, @187911.

rx7sig

[rx7sig]

I just picked up my NOS (German-made, triple serial numbers) .40 S&W Sig Sauer P239 from my FFL. I hope to shoot it this coming weekend. Maybe this P239 will satisfy my lust for a K40.

But maybe not--since my plan is to procure a 357SIG barrel for my P239 and have it live "forever" in this most excellent SD caliber!

rx7sig

[berettabone]

I suspect you'll like it. It is almost 4 oz. heavier than a K40, so the weight helps with recoil. Almost pulled the trigger a couple of times on a SAS model, but they're a tad heavy for me now. Always been a nice gun...................

[rx7sig]

I suspect you'll like it. It is almost 4 oz. heavier than a K40, so the weight helps with recoil. Almost pulled the trigger a couple of times on a SAS model, but they're a tad heavy for me now. Always been a nice gun...................

@berettabone,

I field-stripped, cleaned, and lubed my new P239/40 last night. I first handled a P239/9 in early 2017 when I was contemplating the purchase of my first firearm (ever!). I distinctly recall the impression of how unbalanced it feels: It seemed too top-heavy, and it seemed to want to tip forward as I gripped it. Handling my 239/40 yesterday brought back this impression in spades! By comparison, my K9 seems soooo balanced, so comfortable to grip. (I have never handled a K40.)

Ironically, the weight of my fully-loaded P239/40 (vis-a-vis the weight of my fully-loaded K9) is less of a concern to me. To me, a pistol ought to be heavy enough to comfortably handle the caliber of the ammo it's chambered for. The weight of my K9 means shooting 124 gr 9x19 +P Speer GD LE through it is extremely comfortable. I am hoping that the (heavier) weight of my P239/40 will mean, initially, that shooting 165/180 gr .40 S&W Speer GD LE through it will be comfortable enough, and that, ultimately, shooting full-power 125 gr 357SIG through it will be comfortable enough, too.

Hopefully, I'll get to test the 165/180 gr .40 S&W GD LE this Sunday!

rx7sig

[Bawanna]

If you handled the K9, it's exactly the same empty, and probably hard to tell the difference fully loaded.

[Sgt 127]

I had a K40. My department issued Glock 35’s so, I wanted a (much) smaller off duty gun that shot .40 as the ammo, within reason, was free.

I didn’t like it. I’ve owned K9’s. A T9. A PM9 and, still own a K9. I loved all of them. But, the K40 wasn’t reliable for me. The recoil was harsher, but manageable.

I went with an Sig P239 DAK in .40. And a 357 SIG barrel and magazines. Best of both worlds. I’d practice with Dept .40. And carried it in 357 Sig.

the K40 is a great gun, as all Kahrs. Just didn’t do it for me.

[rx7sig]

I had a K40. My department ...

the K40 is a great gun, as all Kahrs. Just didn’t do it for me.

When, a few years ago, I was deciding between a K9 and K40 as my very first Kahr pistol, I ultimately decided on the K9 (because this, Kahr's first pistol, was designed around the 9mm Luger and enjoyed an enviable reputation for its quality build and reliability; the K40, on the other hand, seemed to me to be a modification of the K9 to shoot .40 S&W and, besides, held one fewer round). As mentioned, I continue to be very pleased with my K9, an experience that has me wanting to try the K40, wondering if it will have the same magic. For me, the K9/40 has the perfect size (all-SS and 6" x 4.5") for CC while affording both a 3.5" barrel and a full, three-finger grip!

I shot 180 gr. Speer GDLE Duty from my new P239/40 Sunday before last, and 165 gr. Speer GDLE Duty this past Sunday. The P239 shot this ammo very comfortably, comparing favorably with my X-Changed M11-A1. Pistol(s) and mags are loaded up now with 180 gr. Federal LE HST, which I hope to shoot within the next couple of days, if the weather remains agreeable.

And I'm on the hunt for a 357SIG OEM barrel. (Like finding hen's teeth?)

rx7sig

[187911]

When, a few years ago, I was deciding between a K9 and K40 as my very first Kahr pistol, I ultimately decided on the K9 (because this, Kahr's first pistol, was designed around the 9mm Luger and enjoyed an enviable reputation for its quality build and reliability; the K40, on the other hand, seemed to me to be a modification of the K9 to shoot .40 S&W and, besides, held one fewer round). As mentioned, I continue to be very pleased with my K9, an experience that has me wanting to try the K40, wondering if it will have the same magic. For me, the K9/40 has the perfect size (all-SS and 6" x 4.5") for CC while affording both a 3.5" barrel and a full, three-finger grip!

I shot 180 gr. Speer GDLE Duty from my new P239/40 Sunday before last, and 165 gr. Speer GDLE Duty this past Sunday. The P239 shot this ammo very comfortably, comparing favorably with my X-Changed M11-A1. Pistol(s) and mags are loaded up now with 180 gr. Federal LE HST, which I hope to shoot within the next couple of days, if the weather remains agreeable.

And I'm on the hunt for a 357SIG OEM barrel. (Like finding hen's teeth?)

rx7sig

Aren't all pistols, revolvers, and rifles platforms modified to fire different calibers? An AR15 and AR10 are modified via barrel, bolt, and magazines to fire different calibers. A S&W J-frame is modified to fire .22 LR, .22 Mag, .32 HR, .38 Special, .357 Mag, and 9mm. Glocks started with the G17, but every generation has slides, barrels, mags, etc. that are modified to be able to shoot various calibers. This concept applies to almost every platform and manufacturer. Kahr didn't take the K9 or their other 9mm firearms and then just shave metal away from the slide and frame so that it could accommodate a .40 barrel and magazine. The K40 is actually smaller in height and length than the K9, but has a longer barrel, is slightly wider (by 0.04") and an ounce heavier. Kahr designed the K40 to be a 40s&w, and didn't just convert the 9mm into a .40.

I have the Sig P239 too in .40 and I have a .357 Sig barrel. IMHO, it's too big of a gun for it to only carry one more round and be only one ounce heavier. Mine is one of the most accurate pistols I own those, and I prefer DA/SA over SAO type triggers.

[rx7sig]

... I have the Sig P239 too in .40 and I have a .357 Sig barrel. IMHO, it's too big of a gun for it to only carry one more round and be only one ounce heavier. Mine is one of the most accurate pistols I own those, and I prefer DA/SA over SAO type triggers.

I ordered a "semi-fit" SIG357 barrel for my P239/.40 yesterday from Bar-Sto. I made the decision to go with a new aftermarket barrel (since my pistol is NOS), rather than continue searching for a used OEM barrel. I'll send my pistol to Bar-Sto (to fit the barrel) when they alert me that the barrel is ready and forward to me a shipping label. Hopefully, the wait won't be too long!

BTW, my P239 shot 180 gr. .40 S&W Federal HST LE very comfortably this past Sunday.

rx7sig