K Series Recoil Question

[JustinN]

I would specifically like to hear from people who have shot both the K9 and K40. I am going to get one of them as my new CC gun. My question is how does the recoil on the K40 compare to that on the K9? Also, how does it compare to the P45? I've had a P45, along with the smaller polymer Kahrs in 9mm but never in .40. In fact I've never shot anything in .40, though I have 10mm and always liked it....

I would like the extra bit of punch with .40, and want to stick to a metal gun, which is why it's between the K9 and K40. At the same time if it isn't any fun to shoot, that won't do me much good as I want to be able to have fun with it (like the old Scandium super light S&W .357 I had).

Thanks for the input!

[newpm9er]

I've had the K40 and after roughly 20 rounds, knew enough that it WAS NOT for me and switched to the K9! My shooting experience/background/financials/build might not be the same as yours (something to take greatly into consideration).

Overall, with the newer ballistics/cost of a 9mm, I would never go back to a .40 as a caliber of choice for carry. My being is that I can place the 9mm much more efficiently than I can with the .40 and especially follow up shots.

Having said that, I've since slimmed down all my calibers to only 9mm and .45 only for cost (reload) purposes. My rationale might not necessarily coincides with yours, but this after a forum with free thoughts :)

Cheers.

[AJBert]

And I'm the exact opposite, have a K40 and never shot a K9. I've shot more than 100 rounds in a session and didn't have problems. For me, the recoil is not bad at all but is a little "snappy", if that makes sense.

In that if you don't have a firm grip the thing kind of wants to jump around in your hand. The recoil is not a pounding recoil, at least not for me. Follow up shots are quick and accurate.

I've shot full size 9mm's before but never a compact one so I have no comparison for you.

[Bongo Boy]

I only have the K40 so won't answer the question, but I do just want to point out that even with factory ammo, there's a huge difference in recoil generated from product to product. So, the recoil one experiences with Winchester white box vs Fiocchi XHTP (or whatever the hell it is) and Speer Gold Dots, as examples, differ far more than one might expect not having shot them.

Also, many folks shoot only a relatively few rounds when they make their gun selections--a box or two is often mentioned. My opinion is that recoil tolerance increases dramatically with experience.

Anyway, I think any comparison has to include somewhat comparable ammo. I believe it would be very easy to choose Federal Champion in 40SW and a super-light bullet 9mm loaded fairly hot, and convince the shooter 40SW was a far easier-shooting gun.

[Dking271]

I have both a K40 and two K9's and have to say that I can shoot the K9 both faster and more accurately. My primary CCW gun for the last five years has been a 357 Sig, so I am not afraid of recoil. For me, I will stick with the K9 and my ability to place fast shots were they need to be.

[kerby9mm]

I have both mk9 & mk40. The 9 is noticeably easier on the hand. The mk40 is not bad at all compared to my recently acquired m&p 340 when shooting 357's. If I had to sell one of my mk's it would be the 40.

[JustinN]

Good points Bongo Boy, the ammo does factor in greatly. I would most likely be practicing with cheap stuff and fire a few of the more expensive, hotter loads just to function and aim test.

My go to caliber has always been .45, and it's what I have always had the most of. I currently don't own a 9 or a .40, and I'm looking at selling my last .45, so the ammo game will just be a matter of what I want to go towards.

I've owned .357 sig and didn't think it recoiled that bad, in fact, I've never fired an auto loader that I thought was bad to shoot (.357 +P in an ultra light and 44 mag are both guns I don't enjoy). One of my favorite guns to shoot was my Glock 20, but it's a considerably larger frame throwing out the 10mm.

It sounds like the overall consensus so far is most people don't hate their .40, but between it and the 9, they'd take the 9...

**After a bit more reading (slow morning at work) it sounds like 9 is a better way to go. Quicker follow up, cheaper ammo, etc etc. I carried a 9 as a uniformed officer and never felt "unsafe" by any means, knowing what I could do with it (meaning the super tight groups at 25 yards), which is what it all comes down to. Sounds like I'll probably dial back to the K9 and not worry about the diameter of the round. I'll be happy with my extra round, my cheaper ammo, and the easier to shoot gun.

[JFootin]

Wise choice. :cool:

[jocko]

buy the K9, u won't regret it and u will IJO certainly enjoy shooting it more and longer during range time... ammo is lower in price PERIOD..

[Bongo Boy]

I can't imagine anyone regretting the K9 if they've prepared for the nature of the beast: small, dense and DAO. My spin is that I love my K40 the more I shoot it and appreciate it for what it's capable of--and I'd have to think I would have the same response to the K9.

My choice was based on a) already had 40SW in the inventory and didn't want another caliber, and b) a used gun was on the market. So, this was no 'caliber effectiveness' grind for me, either.

I also feel that being attracted to and confident in the firearm itself and the cartridge it's chambered for means far more than we'd often like to give credit for. Confidence counts.

My opinion of the steel K-guns, so far, is that they are among the very best designed and built auto pistols available--certainly within their very special niche--in any caliber.

Finally, I recommend at least giving serious thought to the night sights--the Kahr-sold Trijicons further that feeling of confidence, and lead on target doesn't lie. I don't like fiber, so for me they're a little slice of perfection.

[Barth]

I would specifically like to hear from people who have shot both the K9 and K40. I am going to get one of them as my new CC gun. My question is how does the recoil on the K40 compare to that on the K9? Also, how does it compare to the P45? I've had a P45, along with the smaller polymer Kahrs in 9mm but never in .40. In fact I've never shot anything in .40, though I have 10mm and always liked it....

I would like the extra bit of punch with .40, and want to stick to a metal gun, which is why it's between the K9 and K40. At the same time if it isn't any fun to shoot, that won't do me much good as I want to be able to have fun with it (like the old Scandium super light S&W .357 I had).

Thanks for the input!

The sweetness of the MK40, being all stainless and having a very low bore axis, is that I can shoot any 40 round without discomfort.
The hottest Speer Duty LE GDHP 155 gr is no problem (1,150 fps & 450 E from the MK40).
As a point of reference I find the P40 uncomfortable to shoot.
I've never shot a K9, but find a K40 like a P9 in terms of felt recoil.

40 S&W ammo also affords a wide range of power and recoil.
The real issue for me with the MK40 is followup shots - not comfort.
Smokin supersonic 155 gr rounds yank the barrel pretty good.
I find the sub sonic 180 gr rounds to be very accurate, soft shooting and fast back on target.
Particularly the outstanding Speer GDHP Short Barrel 180 gr ammo.

I can pocket carry the MK40 with a reinforced belt.
But prefer belt carry.
On a belt, and not in a pocket, I would rather have had the larger K40.

As a side note my MK40 is an Elite with factory NS.
K40 or MK40 - I recommend the Elite with NS upgrade.

Hope that helps...

[Jaguar]

I had a P40 but I feel the comparison is not really fair between that and the K9 I currently have. The P40 is very light and recoil was the factor for trading it. Now I have the K9 and will keep this until I expire. The K9 NYPD is often found at a very attractive price so if you are considering a used firearm the 9 wins over the 40.

My NYPD K9 has been flawless so far with probably 500 round through it. It has eaten everything I’ve put in it, all 115 gr ammo, but at least five different types. My carry ammo is Federal HydrShock, recently switched from Hornaday Critical Defense due to availability, and both run without issue (except I cringe every time I shoot one of those high dollar rounds.) I’ve let my kids (college age) shoot it, my wife, my friends, and strangers at the range, and it never once failed in any manner. I trust this gun to work if I ever need it.

[Redstate]

Barth, if I recall correctly, you also have a Glock 27; how does the recoil of the MK40 compare to that of the G27?

[Barth]

Barth, if I recall correctly, you also have a Glock 27; how does the recoil of the MK40 compare to that of the G27?

They are comparable to me.
The MK40 is heavier, even loaded.
I'd give the edge to the MK40.

Kahr MK40 40-- 24.90/28.1 (06/155 gr)
Talo EXO G27-- 19.86/27.1 (10/155 gr)

[Redstate]

Thanks Barth. That puts it into perspective for me.

[queevil]

I have shot both. The k9 was a friends. To me the 9mm is a creampuff. That dense, well built piece of steel soaks up a lot of recoil, or at least that's how I perceive it. I've owned two k40's. One I regretfully sold. I just bought a used k40 Covert but I haven't been able to put it through its paces yet.

Small pistols chambered in 40 can be a handful, but the k40's weight tames it quite well. To me it certainly feels like there is more felt recoil but it's not painfully or uncomfortable to shoot. Used to put about 200 rounds down range with the k40 at every sessions and the only pain or discomfort I felt was from constantly reloading the magazines. The recoil of the k40 is something that I would described as "brisk and snappy".

Over the last 10 years I've put A LOT of .40 down range through various pistols, so I've become accustomed to its recoil. With that being said, it will be interesting to see how the recoil feels this weekend with its mk length grip.

I chose .40 because I'm used to it. If you like the 9 then use it. You won't be under armed, at least not because of the caliber.

[JohnR]

Ballistically, .40 doesn't have enough "extra punch" to matter much. I can barely force my fingers to type this, but .45ACP doesn't have a huge amount of "extra punch" either (forgive me, Bawanna). But it makes me feel warm and fuzzy, so that's my caliber of choice.

If you shoot the K9 next to a K40 (I haven't shot the .40) I imagine you'd think the K9 recoil was so mild the bullet would bounce off the BG. But don't be deceived, it's plenty of punch!!!

[Mark G.]

Have owned & shot P45, K9 & K40. K9 is by far the best of the three. P45 has a lot of muzzle flip & was just not fun to shoot. K40 was as someone else described snappy again for carry may not be bad but would not want to spend an hour at the range just shooting it. K9 recoil is mild, follow up shots are easy & you can shoot it all day long. My choice is the K9 hands down.

[hangdog]

It's wonderful; being able to come to this forum and find what I'm lookin' for, as far as information and qualified feedback!

Simply fantastic! Now I probably just need to travel to a local GS next weekend to go shoulder to shoulder in the crazy shopping frenzy, looking for some model of the K9 w/rubber.

Great forum!
hangdog

ps: I've posted an earlier question about the pre DLC models of the K9, wondering about the pro's and con's of the old carbon steel models.

[tv_racin_fan]

hangdog not having experience with the newer K9 I can not say that there is an issue with one that isn't present in the other.

I did have some rust issues with my K9 when I first started carrying it. However after seriously burnishing in some oil I have not had that issue since. I had some issue with a black powder firearm where I cleaned it after shooting and then a couple months later had some rust forming. There again after seriously burnishing in some lube after cleaning I have never had that issue again. By burnishing in I mean I seriously rub an oily rag over those firearms quite hard. Hard enough in fact that my fingers are sore after doing so on a long arm.

[JohnR]

The K9 recoil is like riding down Main Street in a Cadillac, the CW45 is like a Jeep on the Rubicon Trail.

[muggsy]

None of the guns that Kahr manufactures were intended to be target pistols. In a SHTF situation I doubt that you will notice the recoil of a forty. If you stand at the line for hours on end banging away at targets the forty might become a bit uncomfortable. My twelve gauge slug gun beats the hell out of me when sighting it in, but I don't remember firing it when Bambi goes down. If you're recoil sensitive go with the nine. If not the forty should put a smile on your face.

[wyntrout]

I always heard that the .40 S&W was a round with fierce recoil. When my brother visited us almost two years ago, I got to fire his compact XD40... not sure of exact version, but not like firing a full-blown .357 Magnum, for sure. He had just retired from the California Corrections Department.

I finally decided I was going to get a K40 and looked at the gun shows... prices were higher and the guns more worn than I liked. A LNIB Mag-na-ported P40 was listed on our Marketplace and I decided to get it, instead of a K40 AND getting it ported, as was my plan... that or the Kahr ported barrel.

I had to tinker with the gun until I finally adjusted the clearances on the extractor claw to get reliable chambering... the cartridge rims didn't cleanly fit under the claw, causing the rounds to be c0cked at a 45° angle in the chamber and instantly pop into place with the minutest rearward pressure on the slide... there would be a click and then after releasing the slide, the round would chamber fully from that position. It's now my favorite EDC and the recoil is more like the 9mm +P that I carry... no problem at all.

Wynn:)