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texag2003
02-05-2013, 08:48 AM
Hello to all. I am a new member but a long time lurker. Sorry, I just don't post alot on the internet. I am ready to purchase a new CCW piece and I just can't make up my mind. Here's my dilema, I have a Glock 30 that I love but it is way to big and bulky for me to carry. Its like a small brick. When I first started looking, I was in the sole market for a pocket carry. I absolutely am dead set on a 40 caliber so naturally I am attracted to Kahr's line of smaller pistols. My reasonings for the 40 are that I also have a Glock 22 and my father is retired law enforcement with about 5000 rounds of 40 in mixed target and self defense loads. With a 40 caliber, I may never have to buy ammo! With the difficulty of finding ammo these days, I am set for 40. I was initially dead set on the CM40 naturally for the price but I have read reviews on some lemons out there and that concerns me a bit. After looking at the MK40, I was sold! It is such a beautiful gun and I like the added weight because of the difference in recoil. However, I feel with the MK40, I would be relegated to mostly IWB carry. Now, I live in Texas and 9 months a year I am in shorts with t-shirts or polos so its probably easy to hide. I am a military physician so I can't carry to and from work anyway so work clothes isn't an issue. When I go out in the evenings, I generally wear jeans and shirts tucked in. My dilema is this:
1. If I am relegating myself to IWB carry anyway with the MK40, should I just go with the K40 because of the small amount of added size. Makes for a more enjoyable range and shooting gun?
2. If I am going to go with the larger gun, should I go with the P40 or CW40 which are lighter and (in the CW choice) much cheaper.
3. Should I stick with 45 and get a PM45 which is really in between the P40 and PM40 in size?

I've shot the PM40 which isn't terrible but also wouldn't be my choice for an afternoon at the range if given the option. I've handled an MK9 in the store but as of yet haven't found a LGS with any MK40s in stock.

Bottom line is I want something that I can carry reliably at all times and that I will want to carry at all times. I also really love the looks of an mk 40 with wood grips. I think it is about the nicest looking gun I've ever seen. Sorry for the long post. I've obviously been obsessing over this for the last 6 weeks or so. All advice will be appreciated.

Kingcreek
02-05-2013, 09:14 AM
The short answer from somebody that tried pocket carry...
It only works if standing.
Just try getting that handgun into play from sitting in a vehicle or at a table or desk. I tossed the pocket holster and have carried in a IWB mini tuck delux ever since.
I don't know if that helps but there you go. Get the one you like and a good quality holster.

JohnR
02-05-2013, 09:16 AM
That's a compelling reason to get a .40. I'd get the K40. If you enjoy shooting it (and you will...) then you'll want to carry it. And it's not excessively large or heavy at all, if my K9 is anything to go by.

Ikeo74
02-05-2013, 09:30 AM
Here is my 2 cents. As a Dr. you can afford 2 guns without draining the bank. So buy 2 guns, an MK40 for belt carry and a CM40 for pocket carry. All accessories including Magazines and Holsters and Ammo will be interchangable. You will have the best of two worlds. Then you can purchase Kahr's Wood Grips for the MK and a pocket holster for the CM.
You will be happy with all the options you get when you have both. I speak from experiance, I have an MK9 and a CM9 and love them both.

Tinman507
02-05-2013, 09:36 AM
I can't comment on the .40 since all my carry stuff is 9mm, however I IWB a K9 and never looked back. It's the perfect combo of reasonable weight, low recoil mass and simply a beautiful gun to shoot. A set of wood grips on a K40 would look just as sweet as the MK40. Good luck in the hunt Doc and thanks for your service.

Ikeo74
02-05-2013, 09:44 AM
Looking at Tinman's post maybe you (should) can purchase 3 guns.:D

wyntrout
02-05-2013, 10:11 AM
Damn! Having to start over... random mouse click... side button... whole post gone!:eek:

My 2¢:

I have a K9, P9, PM9, PM45, and a Mag-na-ported P40. All of those fit in the same Cross Breed Mini Tuck holster, horsehide version.

The K and P's are about the same size and are full-gripped and balanced, but the polymers weigh about half a pound less, so they are easier to carry. I use a Kydex-reinforced gun belt and it holds the pistols securely in place. I wear loose, un-tucked Polos and can sweep the shirt up and draw one-handed. I don't like pocket carry. I did try that but it sucked, especially in shorts! JMHO.

The Mag-na-ported P40 recoil is about what a 9mm +P feels like, but with the .40 and more power. My defense load is the Short Barrel version of Speer 180-grain Gold Dots. The GDSB bullet has a shallower cavity that is wider at the bottom for quicker expansion... just like the 230-grain .45 ACP GDSB variant... impressive!

Note that I've switched from the "flush-fitting" polymer base any time I can, for the flush-fitting metal base. The PM45 has that ugly protruding polymer base just above the rig.

http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m620/wyntrout/Every%20Day%20Carry%2009202012/IMG_3259_zpsdea06ce1.jpg

See the EDC post:
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14938&highlight=EDC+Picture+Thread for more pix.

OH! And welcome to the forum. Here's some info:

Welcome to the Kahrtalk forum supported by Kahr Arms.
Here are a few essential links and things to do BEFORE you take your new pistol to the range, and ESPECIALLY BEFORE taking it apart and trying to re-assemble it! The Kahr is a different design… 6-7 unique patents cover the Kahrs. I’m not trying to imply that you don’t know anything about guns, but many don’t know anything about the Kahrs and some of the things you can do to damage or cause malfunctions of your new, or new-to-you Kahr pistol.
First, if you don’t have a manual, yet, or one didn’t come with your pistol, you can download the pdf file here:
http://www.kahr.com/PDF/kahrmanual.pdf
Impatient? Watch one of these videos FIRST! These videos can point out possible problem areas and emphasize correct procedures!
Take down and re-assembly videos:
T, TP, CW, P, & PM/CM Series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=G2cZgVg_SwA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G2cZgVg_SwA)
MK series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...mSCnIOaUk#t=0s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zXmSCnIOaUk#t=0s)
K series:
http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-K9-Elite.asp
There are many links on fixing problems listed in several places… under the New Member or Kahr Tech sub-forums.
A very handy one is the Kahr Lube Diagram:
http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14750
Many of your questions can be answered in these areas and you can learn how your Kahr works and not damage it with improper handling.
Frequently asked questions: http://www.kahr.com/faq.asp?

There are many helpful members here most of the time who might be able to help you, but as anywhere, there are many opinions and not all are correct. Be mindful of this before doing anything drastic to modify your pistol!

Wynn:)

texag2003
02-05-2013, 10:55 AM
Thanks everyone for the info. In the best of all worlds I would probably buy the K40 and a CM40 for the occasional pocket carry. I am however a military doctor so my income bracket isn't quite the same. I'll keep you guys posted.

phil413tx
02-05-2013, 11:12 AM
Hey Texag2003, welcome to the forum from another Texan! I also want to thank you for your service!
I think the K40 would be a great buy. I personally have a mk9 and a K9. I am looking to buy a K40 now. The K9 is fairly new but since I bought it, the mk9 mostly sits in the safe. I love the K series! It is also nice to have one extra round. I think the mk9 will be for sale soon to help fund the K40.

O'Dell
02-06-2013, 02:11 AM
I'll start by saying my preferred round is the 45 ACP. However, I do have two 40's and a PM9 for pocket carry in either pants or jacket. One of the 40's is my HD gun, an HK USP 40. It works well in this role as it's too large to carry and has excellent night sights. The other is an MK40 which I'm quite fond of because it's fun and easy to shoot well. If I had to sell my sixteen pistols, the MK would be one of the last to go, even after some of my 45's.

Barth
02-06-2013, 12:16 PM
Hello to all. I am a new member but a long time lurker. Sorry, I just don't post alot on the internet. I am ready to purchase a new CCW piece and I just can't make up my mind. Here's my dilema, I have a Glock 30 that I love but it is way to big and bulky for me to carry. Its like a small brick. When I first started looking, I was in the sole market for a pocket carry. I absolutely am dead set on a 40 caliber so naturally I am attracted to Kahr's line of smaller pistols. My reasonings for the 40 are that I also have a Glock 22 and my father is retired law enforcement with about 5000 rounds of 40 in mixed target and self defense loads. With a 40 caliber, I may never have to buy ammo! With the difficulty of finding ammo these days, I am set for 40. I was initially dead set on the CM40 naturally for the price but I have read reviews on some lemons out there and that concerns me a bit. After looking at the MK40, I was sold! It is such a beautiful gun and I like the added weight because of the difference in recoil. However, I feel with the MK40, I would be relegated to mostly IWB carry. Now, I live in Texas and 9 months a year I am in shorts with t-shirts or polos so its probably easy to hide. I am a military physician so I can't carry to and from work anyway so work clothes isn't an issue. When I go out in the evenings, I generally wear jeans and shirts tucked in. My dilema is this:
1. If I am relegating myself to IWB carry anyway with the MK40, should I just go with the K40 because of the small amount of added size. Makes for a more enjoyable range and shooting gun?
2. If I am going to go with the larger gun, should I go with the P40 or CW40 which are lighter and (in the CW choice) much cheaper.
3. Should I stick with 45 and get a PM45 which is really in between the P40 and PM40 in size?

I've shot the PM40 which isn't terrible but also wouldn't be my choice for an afternoon at the range if given the option. I've handled an MK9 in the store but as of yet haven't found a LGS with any MK40s in stock.

Bottom line is I want something that I can carry reliably at all times and that I will want to carry at all times. I also really love the looks of an mk 40 with wood grips. I think it is about the nicest looking gun I've ever seen. Sorry for the long post. I've obviously been obsessing over this for the last 6 weeks or so. All advice will be appreciated.

1. If I am relegating myself to IWB carry anyway with the MK40, should I just go with the K40 because of the small amount of added size. Makes for a more enjoyable range and shooting gun?

Yes, for a belt gun only I would opt for a K40 Elite.

2. If I am going to go with the larger gun, should I go with the P40 or CW40 which are lighter and (in the CW choice) much cheaper.

Why go cheap on a self defense gun?
Are you not worth it?

3. Should I stick with 45 and get a PM45 which is really in between the P40 and PM40 in size?

I thought you said you have unlimited 40?

7shot
02-06-2013, 12:38 PM
here's my two cents...the 40 is a poppy round, it snaps back. it's not a target pistol in the mk40 size. but it does make a decent cc weapon. the only drawback is mag capacity, only 6 rounds.

since you seem to have a excellent supply of 40 rounds, that does make it logical. and probably the way i'd go too.

i do not like pocket carry, to difficult to retreive and bring into play. imo...
i also live in texas and cc all the time wearing cargo shorts and t. i use a de santis owb holster for my k9. no issues what so ever...