S9 vs ST9 and why discontinued?

[Ralph III]

Hello Everyone,
Does anyone have any experience between the S9 and ST9? I have the S9 and I love the gun but I'm thinking about getting something slightly heavier for reduced recoil and possibly greater accuracy. Although I find my S9 to be highly accurate I guess a slight improvement could be expected from a 1/2in longer barrel.

When did they discontinue these models and why? If they were going to discontinue anything it would seem they would have discontinued the value series as the S and ST had some nice upgrades. Anyhow, I cannot even find an ST9 listed anywhere. I could opt for a TP9 but I'm not sure if the price difference is worth it?

Anyhow just curious.

Ralph

[LabTrek]

They were discontinued because of the release of P9-2 and TP9-2. Had ST9, I caved and gave into getting a TP9-2. The TP9-2 is now my favorite polymer Kahr. Well built, good sights, accurate and very smooth action.

[DavidR]

Was the S9 priced closer to the CW9 than the P9? I seem to recall that but could be wrong.

[franco45]

I just ordered an S9 and put an ST9 on layaway at Bud's. I don't know if they are leftovers or if Kahr is manufacturing them again. They were priced significantly lower than the CW and CT models. I have also seen both the S and ST on Gunbroker.

[Armybrat]

I just ordered an S9 from Grabagun just because of the $267.99 price.
Gave my CW9 to one of my sons last year, and kinda missed it even though I broke down & bought a Ruger Max 9 earlier this year.
Even at a total of $311 shipped including tax & insurance. It is still cheaper than the $314 paid for the CW9 before shipping, tax & insurance.
However, my ffl has increased from $25 to $40 for the transfer. But still a deal.
Of course, I’ll have to buy a couple of mags and maybe some of those Mag-guts springs.

https://grabagun.com/firearms/handguns/semi-automatic-handguns/kahr-arms-sw9-9mm-3-6-7rd-blk.html

[Armybrat]

…..

[DavidR]

Nice!!!

[King Rat]

…..
Dang those are nice. Just looking at them online again and trying to talk myself into one even though I don't need it. Price is $245 including shipping. I just bought another 7 rd mag for my CM9 and they aren't cheap. I see it does include two magazines. Got to be the best deal in firearms right now.
Congrats!

[DavidR]

Dang those are nice. Just looking at them online again and trying to talk myself into one even though I don't need it. Price is $245 including shipping. I just bought another 7 rd mag for my CM9 and they aren't cheap. I see it does include two magazines. Got to be the best deal in firearms right now.
Congrats!

Seriously, you’ll kick yourself later if you don’t. That price is a steal.

[yqtszhj]

Darn, that’s a good price.

[Armybrat]

Dang those are nice. Just looking at them online again and trying to talk myself into one even though I don't need it. Price is $245 including shipping. I just bought another 7 rd mag for my CM9 and they aren't cheap. I see it does include two magazines. Got to be the best deal in firearms right now.
Congrats!
Better deal than I got by far.

But mine is very nice, and I like the 3 dot sights. Hope it shoots good.

[SilvioKahr]

I bought ST9 and S9 at that price from Bud, will leave my impressions later.

[Armybrat]

Just noticed it is my first Kahr made in Greeley, Pennsylvania.
Anybody know when they stopped production, or has it resumed?

[Armybrat]

When I had my CW9 (before gifting it to a son) I changed one of the magazine base plates from the thicker plastic to this almost flush stainless steel ones from the Kahr accessory shop.
Now it looks like they don’t offer those anymore.
Lake line is a no-go also.
Anyone have an idea as to where a flat stainless steel base plate can be found? They obviously still make them for the PM9/CM9 mags.

[Armybrat]

Also found this excerpt from the American Rifleman 2018 review of the S9 to be very interesting…

“Previous models had recommended in their manuals that the guns be broken-in with at least 200 rounds of ammunition, however, the cost of this break-in procedure dissuaded some potential customers from buying a CW9. Kahr’s solution was to build a hydraulic fixture to cycle each gun hundreds of times before shipping it out. This process breaks loose any microscopic burs and burnishes the metal parts, in effect, breaking the gun in at the factory. Additionally, the chamber of the barrel is polished and honed. Kahr states that the S9 should be ready to carry straight from the box, although a prudent person will test any new gun with his or her desired carry ammunition. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure his or her gun and ammunition work correctly together before carrying them for personal protection.”

[FreeMe]

When I had my CW9 (before gifting it to a son) I changed one of the magazine base plates from the thicker plastic to this almost flush stainless steel ones from the Kahr accessory shop.
Now it looks like they don’t offer those anymore.
Lake line is a no-go also.
Anyone have an idea as to where a flat stainless steel base plate can be found? They obviously still make them for the PM9/CM9 mags.

Fear not. They're still available. Just figured this out myself. The Kahr site doesn't have them listed for the K9/P9/CW9, but they're listed for the PM9/CM9. It's the same part for all Kahr 9mm and 40 s&w mags. I just ordered and received a couple more myself. Benefits of sticking with the same basic design. ;)

[SilvioKahr]

Also found this excerpt from the American Rifleman 2018 review of the S9 to be very interesting…

“Previous models had recommended in their manuals that the guns be broken-in with at least 200 rounds of ammunition, however, the cost of this break-in procedure dissuaded some potential customers from buying a CW9. Kahr’s solution was to build a hydraulic fixture to cycle each gun hundreds of times before shipping it out. This process breaks loose any microscopic burs and burnishes the metal parts, in effect, breaking the gun in at the factory. Additionally, the chamber of the barrel is polished and honed. Kahr states that the S9 should be ready to carry straight from the box, although a prudent person will test any new gun with his or her desired carry ammunition. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure his or her gun and ammunition work correctly together before carrying them for personal protection.”


Out of the box had an issue with my S9 and P9-2. The plastic base will not allow the magazine to seat properly, then had to tap it real hard, borrowed from my PM9 metal plate and that resolve the issue. Also try the pinky extension that I bought for the PM9, also worked fine. Will be ordering some more metal to have for just in case. Still working out the bugs. This reminds me of the Keltec PF9.

[SilvioKahr]

When I had my CW9 (before gifting it to a son) I changed one of the magazine base plates from the thicker plastic to this almost flush stainless steel ones from the Kahr accessory shop.
Now it looks like they don’t offer those anymore.
Lake line is a no-go also.
Anyone have an idea as to where a flat stainless steel base plate can be found? They obviously still make them for the PM9/CM9 mags.

I remember someone here in the forum, cut the CW9 grip to fit a six rounder. Short grip long slide.

[Armybrat]

Out of the box had an issue with my S9 and P9-2. The plastic base will not allow the magazine to seat properly, then had to tap it real hard, borrowed from my PM9 metal plate and that resolve the issue. Also try the pinky extension that I bought for the PM9, also worked fine. Will be ordering some more metal to have for just in case. Still working out the bugs. This reminds me of the Keltec PF9.

Same for this new S9 of mine.
I have to actually hit the base plate for the magazine to snap into place.

[Armybrat]

Fear not. They're still available. Just figured this out myself. The Kahr site doesn't have them listed for the K9/P9/CW9, but they're listed for the PM9/CM9. It's the same part for all Kahr 9mm and 40 s&w mags. I just ordered and received a couple more myself. Benefits of sticking with the same basic design. ;)
Thanks for the heads up, I’ll order some for all the mags I have on order (3) and for the two that came with the gun.
The three extra mags are coming from the same plce I ordered the S9 from at a reasonable price of $27.79/each.

[SilvioKahr]

Also found this excerpt from the American Rifleman 2018 review of the S9 to be very interesting…

“Previous models had recommended in their manuals that the guns be broken-in with at least 200 rounds of ammunition, however, the cost of this break-in procedure dissuaded some potential customers from buying a CW9. Kahr’s solution was to build a hydraulic fixture to cycle each gun hundreds of times before shipping it out. This process breaks loose any microscopic burs and burnishes the metal parts, in effect, breaking the gun in at the factor.”

Well with ammo prices here where I live in Puerto Rico is not cost effective, here in Puerto Rico you can only buy ammo via FFL, that sucks, plus there is a register with the local police every-time you get the ammo, they are trying to pass a law that triggers a warning to the local police to investigate when you buy in excess of 500 rounds in a day, 1000 rounds in a week or 5,000 in a year. Still on debate. Anyway, for that reason I rack all my tools 100 times a day.