U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Last year Kahr Firearms unveiled a new pistol called the S9. This was a much-needed upgrade to their already outstanding line of concealed carry handguns. They took the best features of their C9 and P9 series and added front cocking serrations as well as a Picatinny rail.
Kahr sent me a sample to test and I incorporated another accessory into this review: the Arachnigrip Slide Spider.
Kahr S9
There is a lot of good and careful thought that went into the design of these pistols. My favorite is the overall smoothness of the outside. You would be hard-pressed to find a burr, sharp edge or anything else compromising the slide on a Kahr.
The narrow polymer grip has a mix and match of mild texturing on the sides and more pronounced texture on the front and back. The best feature of the S9 has to be the addition of the accessory rail.
Some folks think a flashlight on a carry gun is overkill or unnecessary. I could see that point if we were talking about 1000 lumens lights or old school weapon-mounted lights (WML) that added too much length and bulk.
Today that is not the case; modern weapon-mounted lights (WML) have gotten smaller and more efficient. I do not leave home without a pistol sporting a WML and a stand-alone light. If you do not feel the same way, there are plenty of Kahr pistols out there without the rail.
That said, there is not a whole lot of real estate on the railed dust cover (this is the forward part of the frame in front of the trigger guard). Your 600 Lumens light and laser combo may not fit on here. Also, you will need to go the custom route for a holster with a WML installed.
If your still against the notion of a small light or laser, a training aid such as the Mantis X will fit perfectly.
Kahr pistols sport an offset barrel lug that positions the barrel beside the trigger mechanism instead of on top. This gives the shooter lower bore axis which transfers the recoil in a straight line and gives the shooter better control of the pistol for faster follow-up shots.
The trigger is a bit on the heavy side at about 7-pounds, but it is smooth and crisp. I compare it more to a good double action revolver as opposed to your run of the mill striker-fired pistol.
The matte-stainless finish on the slide makes for a nice two-tone look and Kahr added forward cocking serrations to this model. For years I railed against them as they encourage the dangerous practice of putting your hand over the muzzle and I thought they ruined the classic lines of too many pistols. However, I must admit that they are sort of growing on me.
Arachnigrip Slide Spider
The Slide Spider is a rough textured sticker with a feel reminiscent of skateboard tape or grip tape that applies to the rear cocking serrations of your pistol. It is weather-resistant and allows you to get a better purchase on the slide whether you are loading the handgun or clearing a malfunction.
The design resembles a spider perched on the rear of your slide. You can find out more about this accessory whether you have a Kahr or any other name brand pistol here: https://www.arachnigrip.com/our-products
Range Time
At the range, the pistol functioned flawlessly. Kahr pistols are somewhat unique due to a self-cleaning extractor that ensures reliable function by pushing away dirt, unburnt powder and the like. When I shot my first Kahr years ago, I was initially concerned due to the tolerances being so tight and the very tight look of the internals. A company representative informed me about this feature, and it is something I have noticed on every variant I have shot or owned.
At the ten-yard line, I shot my best 5-shot string with that ammo measuring 1.73 inches at its widest point using Winchester White Box 115-grain FMJ. Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain FTX performed better-giving groups that averaged 1.52”.
I think the three-dot sights helped in this regard, the last Kahr pistol I fired had quite a different sight picture if I remember correctly.
Final Thoughts
I have always been pleased with the compact concealed carry handguns offered by Kahr. The Kahr S9 holds true to everything I always found good about the design including their look, feel, accuracy and reliability with the added benefits of the rail and of course the front cocking serrations.
As always, try one before you buy one if you can. Some people may find these lightweight handguns to kick a bit too hard and this little guy is a hair under a pound in weight.
KAHR S9 Specs:
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 7+1
- Operation: DAO striker fired
- Barrel: 3.6″, conventional rifling; 1-10 right-hand twist
- Length O/A: 5.9″
- Height: 4.5″
- Slide Width: .90″
- Weight: Pistol 15.8 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
- Grips: Textured polymer
- Sights: Drift adjustable white Two-dot rear sight, pinned in polymer front sight
- Finish:;Black polymer frame with matte stainless steel slide
- Magazines: 2 – 7 rd, Stainless
- MSRP: $477
- Website: https://www.kahr.com/
About Mike Searson
Mike Searson's career as a shooter began as a Marine Rifleman at age 17. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire adult life as a Gunsmith, Ballistician, Consultant, Salesman, Author and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1989.
Mike has written over 2000 articles for several magazines, websites and newsletters including Blade, RECOIL, OFF-GRID, Tactical Officer, SWAT, Tactical World, Gun Digest, Examiner.com and the US Concealed Carry Association as well as AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.
- Home page: www.mikesearson.com
- FB: www.facebook.com/mike.searson
- TWITTER: www.twitter.com/mikesearson
What are the other three items in your EDC loadout picture?
Flashlight is a The PK FL2 LE (Paul Kim Flash Light 2 Limited Edition) throws 600 lumens. Equipped with THYRM – SwitchBack Flashlight Ring.
Knuckles: Aluminum Bottle Opener
Knife: Kershaw Launch 1 Auto
So-who carrys a switchblade? In my state, they are legal, but not for carry. I’d love to carry my launch, but don’t dare. Instead, I carry a nice sharp folder (Two Sun’s with ceramic ball bearings).
I carry one daily !
Well, I obviously do.
They used to be illegal here. However, Knife Rights helped craft a bill to legalize switchbades, balisongs and other assorted items a few years ago. I testified in front of the Judiciary committees in both my State Assembly and Senate in support of the bill. You might want to contact Knife Rights and a friendly state legislator to see if you can get your state’s archaic and otherwise uninformed laws changed.
What is the trigger pull weight! I was going to buy a Kahr pistol P-11 and found that it was 9 lbs- too strong for me! Also, what is force needed in the slide retraction effort? 12,15,19 lbs?
Thanks, bill
This one was about 7 pounds on the trigger. I’ve never measured slide pull, but I may look into it. I would put this on the lower end of the spectrum…maybe 12 pounds?