Confession (and seeking a K40)

[rx7sig]

Every time I shoot my K9, I wonder if I shouldn't have purchased a K40, instead, and, in fact, have been on the lookout for a K40 for a while now.

I made the deliberate decision a few years ago to purchase my K9 over a K40 after carefully considering the pros and cons of one over the other. And I'm thoroughly happy with my K9. It fits my hand, has performed flawlessly for me, is accurate, and is comfortable to CC. I shoot it often!

The K9 is so comfortable to shoot in fact, even with my carry ammo (either 124 gr. 9x19 +P Speer GD LE #53617 or 124 gr. 9x19 +P Federal HST LE), that I'm imagining that the K40 must shoot as comfortably (or nearly as comfortably).

I've decided that I can live with the K40's one fewer round. So, if anyone here hears of a BNIB K40 going for a reasonable price, please let me know. Neither Buds nor Osage County Guns has had a K40 for a number of months. I prefer black DLC.

TIA,
rx7sig

[Bawanna]

I have a K40, it was all black but had peening issues and had a new stainless slide put on. It's magna ported.

It has a lot more stuff on the sending end than the 9. I carried it for years, but just didn't like the muzzle flip. I like 40 in larger guns, I don't have any now but did have in the past.

I actually prefer my PM45 over the K40.

Mine don't meet your specs, so I'll keep my eyes peeled for ya.

[rx7sig]

I have a K40, it was all black but had peening issues and had a new stainless slide put on. It's magna ported.

It has a lot more stuff on the sending end than the 9. I carried it for years, but just didn't like the muzzle flip. I like 40 in larger guns, I don't have any now but did have in the past.

I actually prefer my PM45 over the K40.

Mine don't meet your specs, so I'll keep my eyes peeled for ya.

Colonel, I've wondered if I will experience buyer's remorse if I do purchase a K40 only to discover that I don't like shooting it. My Sig M11-A1 has a 357SIG P229 slide on it, and it shoots both 357SIG and .40S&W equally comfortably. Maybe its the ~34 oz empty weight that makes it (the Sig) shoot so comfortably. I'm hoping that the ~26 (?) oz empty weight of a K40 will be enough.

rx7sig

[Bawanna]

Wish you were close; I'd let you take mine for a dance and know ahead of time. Many love them in 40. I did at first also, but I wouldn't do it again. I'd like to try a T40 but I'm sure they are like chicken lips to find.
My T9 is nice, again, hard to tell.

[Old No7]

I've wondered if I will experience buyer's remorse if I do purchase a K40 only to discover that I don't like shooting it.

Having had a .40 cal Kahr Covert at one time -- I'd bet you will. Soon after, I changed to a P9 Covert 9mm and like it much better.

The .40 cal in a Kahr is, in one word -- SNAPPY!

Years ago, there were images posted on this forum of the recoil of Kahrs shown against a clock face added to the image of the shooter firing. The 380 jumped less than the 9mm as you'd expect, but the .40 recoiled 2X the 9mm if I recall. And that snappy recoil affects the recovery time and accuracy of succeeding shots, so if you're happy with "one shot" -- get the .40. But if you plan to take 2 or 3 -- then the K9 9mm is a much better choice.

You can also shoot the 9mm more for less $$$, which is something else to consider. And with the advancements made in 9mm bullet technology over the last 10 years, I personally see no valid reasons to go up to a 40 cal Kahr.

It's like that age-old question of what gun to use for deer hunting: Say a .250 Savage (mild, but effective) versus a 7mm Rem Mag (not mild! but also effective) -- "How dead do you want that deer?"

Old No7

It

[berettabone]

The .40 cal., being my favorite caliber, will buck a bit more than the 9mm. Nice and smooth in my HK, but not so much in other firearms. I always enjoy the challenge and bigger holes myself. As far as the accuracy, someone once said, "Start at the beltline and let the pistol rise up".

[texjack]

My K40 wears a Hogue Hand-all grip and is very comfortable to shoot, though it is snappy and loud. It carrys like a compact, shoots like a full size pistol. I think it is the best Kahr model ever! If you get one, you wont be disappointed. There is no better carry piece made, at any price, IMHO.

[rx7sig]

Having had a .40 cal Kahr Covert at one time -- I'd bet you will. Soon after, I changed to a P9 Covert 9mm and like it much better.

The .40 cal in a Kahr is, in one word -- SNAPPY!

Years ago, there were images posted on this forum of the recoil of Kahrs shown against a clock face added to the image of the shooter firing. The 380 jumped less than the 9mm as you'd expect, but the .40 recoiled 2X the 9mm if I recall. And that snappy recoil affects the recovery time and accuracy of succeeding shots, so if you're happy with "one shot" -- get the .40. But if you plan to take 2 or 3 -- then the K9 9mm is a much better choice.

You can also shoot the 9mm more for less $$$, which is something else to consider. And with the advancements made in 9mm bullet technology over the last 10 years, I personally see no valid reasons to go up to a 40 cal Kahr.

It's like that age-old question of what gun to use for deer hunting: Say a .250 Savage (mild, but effective) versus a 7mm Rem Mag (not mild! but also effective) -- "How dead do you want that deer?"

Old No7

It

@Old No7,

I had to google "Kahr Covert". Evidently, there were two variations: The early (?) variation has the shorter, MK/PM40-height grip with a K/P40-length muzzle (better for waist carry), and the second, more recent variation has the K/P40-height grip (three-finger grip) with the shorter, MK/PM40-length muzzle (better for AIWB carry). I can certainly imagine the shorter grip leading to more "flip", and the polymer lower leading to more "flip". Having both a shorter grip and a polymer lower is probably a recipe for a serious amount of flip!

I wonder, though, if an all-SS K40 would suffer the same issue. I suspect not to the same degree, at any rate. I likely would carry 165 gr. .40 S&W Speer GD LE in my K40 if I could find one to purchase (for its long successful history as SD/HD/LEO ammo, and because it is bonded ammo)--if it shoots well in the K40, that is--which is the same ammo I settled on for my M11-A1 when it is dressed as .40 S&W.

rx7sig

[Old No7]

Go for it! Hope you get what you want and enjoy it.

And yes, my older "Covert" had the longer barrel and a shortened grip (both the .40 and then the 9mm).

A K40 would likely "flip less" than the SS/poly grip Covert that I had.

Old No7

[Docnroll]

I just bought a K40, my first Kahr

K40 Elite 03, $361 +transfer and tax

havent shot it yet

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1076366616

Seems like a decent deal