What about Kahr

I have a MK-9, a pre-production, dealers sample, I believe, s/n xxxxx004.
On the heavy side, as it is all SS, but eats what you feed it, without question. NO MALFUNCTIONS, to date; has swallowed about 4500 rds, and accurately expelled all.
It's all Detonics tried to do in their little 9mm pistol, and this one WORKS!
Have as well, two of S&W's Ti-Lite revolvers, which weigh less than half what the Kahr does, in .38 Spl (+P is OK).
The Kahr is perfect, and absolutely indestructible, but lacks "Second strike" capability, and weighs too much. Have yet to fondle the polymer framed Kahr, but, based on my reading, it's still a bit heavier, empty, than the 10 1/2 oz (empty) Smith.
Guess what I'm saying is this: The Kahr is a reliable, accurate, well built pistol, which ought to last for 3 or 4 lifetimes of shooting. It's ambidexterous, since, as a DAO pistol, it has no external levers. the 9mm P is a really efficient round, and can be on a par with the .357 mag, with the right loads.
But, if you can get by with 5 rds, vs Kahr's 7, there are comparable power revolvers out there, for the same money, at half the weight.
Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

 

I too had a Kahr Mk9 and I loved the little gun. True, it was a bit heavy for a pocket, but perfect for an inside the pants holster. I did encounter one problem with the gun though.

The weapon is made of all stainless steel except for one crucial part, the recoil spring guide. It is constructed in such a way that it can actually break under fire. The rod ends in a “disk” at the muzzle end of the frame, which holds the guide-rod assembly together. Examine one and you can see what I mean.

This gun failed me after about 400 rounds by literally snapping off at the disk rendering the gun useless. I attempted to contact Kahr Arms by e-mail and by phone. My communications were never returned. Doing a bit of research on my own, I discovered that there were no all steel replacement guides anywhere for this little gun. The only thing I could get was a factory replacement of the same useless plastic crap.

For the life of me I cannot understand why Kahr would use plastic in such a key component in an otherwise all steel gun. I traded mine in on a scandium smith .357 that weighs in at 12 ounces. Five rounds of .357 over six rounds of 9mm. If you’re serious about self-defense, get a good quality revolver. I have never had one to fail under stress. I'm not saying it can't happen, only it's never happened to me. And I shoot a lot.

 

Waddy, yer preaching to the choir! But, I like the way you think.
Still got the Kahr, never had a problem, but what you say is true.
FWIW, the recoil spring is a Seecamp design, used on their .32, and .380 pocket guns, I believe, and on the little Para Ord (P10 & P12) .45acp's, due to length limitation on a single spring.
In a colt-type pistol, the spring can't get loose and tie up the gun, as it's surrounded by the dust cover in the front of the receiver; the Kahr is unsupported, as the spring is offset to clear the trigger parts, in the right side of the receiver, and could easily, if loose, tie up the gun.
Might take a few days, but I may just re-design the part to a two piece design, in 304 stainless, and take it for a test drive at the range, just to prove to myself it can be done.
I'll let you, and the list, know, when I do. Might even tell Kahr.
Guess the Air-lite Smith won't get time off, just yet, from my pocket!

 

Another thought- what about a 2-piece set up, like on the Colt Officer's , and a pin to take down???

 

Mk9, excellent, accurate, mild recoil, and Wolff springs now make a replacement rod and spring for it however at 500 plus rounds have
not had problems.