joegerardi
07-13-2004, 08:51
Last Saturday I was finally able to get to the range with my K40. I've had this pistol since March, but was just able to shoot it for the first time because of other pistols I've been breaking in, time constraints, etc.
Knowing that this is going to be my night table pistol as well as an occasional carry piece - when dressed in suits, etc., where I want a smaller pistol - all I ran through it were Speer JHP's: Were it going to fail, I wanted it to fail with HPs rather than FMJ from the get-go. I needn't have bothered worrying...
The Elite 98 is a beautiful pistol. The fit and finish are wonderful. I have smaller hands and it fits me like it was custom measured to my dimensions. The trigger is the nicest I've ever felt in a DAO. There is no perceived takeup, no solid break, just a smooth flow until it fires. The sights are easy to acquire, and overall, the pistol exudes a "trust me" feel.
Now, truth be known, I've never fired a .40 in a pistol this small. I actually have little experience with .40S&W: I prefer that bullet in a 10mm, like my Bren Ten. But, with this being a home defense pistol, I wanted something small, easy to grab, and with a little more knockdown power out of the first bullet than 9mm - thinking that there might not be time for a 2nd - so I went with a .40.
I went to the range with a friend who was thinking of getting her first pistol for home defense. I brought along a Walther P22, a Glock 17, the K40, and 2 1911's (a Rock Island and an SA Loaded Operator) so she could try a variety of calibers and and pistol styles. I started her with the Walther after a lengthy safety class, and stance, hold and proper aiming procedure. This will become relevant (and funny) later on.
Simply put, the Kahr was flawless. Whilst it is true that it climbs a bit, it is in no way unmanageable, but every time I fired it my friend ran to the other side of the range. It does BOOM pretty loudly! I explained that I was using defense ammo - as opposed to range ammo in all the other pistols - but it made me laugh watching her run away quickly. She ended up holding her "ears" to her head whenever I shot it.
Accuracy-wise, it was the pistol that I shot the best with that day. There is a 2' high berm at this range set up at 25 yards to place plastic water bottles, soda cans, etc. on to shoot at. I set up 5 bottles, and was able to hit all 5 with one mag. Better than that, 2 landed with their bottoms towards me, and after I reloaded, I was able to hit them, with just 2 shots! That's pretty amazing accuracy for a pistol with a barrel this short, and it evoked a couple of stares from the other shooters. I just stepped back from the line with a "we BAD, we BAD" look on my face, but thinking: "Damn! This thing shoots SWEET!"
As the day was winding down, I asked my friend if she'd like to try a shot or 2 with the Kahr. She had shot the Walther mostly, and liked it a lot, and did NOT like the Glock G17 at all. She felt the recoil a little too snappy for her. She said "yes," so I hand her the Kahr, and she steps up to the firing line, takes aim at the target I set up for her around 15 feet, pulls the trigger, and...
...scares the living crap out of herself when the pistol BOOM'ed and kicked in her hand. It almost jumped out of her hand, and I could watch the effort she expended holding on to it. She ended up holding it properly, but how it got into her left hand, I have no idea! As soon as I realized that there was not going to be a loaded pistol flipping through the air and pointing at everything and everyone, I started cracking up. I truly thought this lady was going to wet herself, and I curse myself for not having a camera to get a picture of her face after she shot it. She quickly handed it back to me, and made a beeline back to the Walther, emphatically shaking her head when I asked if she wanted to try the 1911's... :)
The only complaint I can find with the pistol is that the brass does not fly in a consistent direction. It was *mostly* to the right, but several went straight up, hit the roof, and came down on my hat. I expect that to change as it breaks in more.
The Kahr is already on my night table. I have every confidence in it. It will definitely be going back to the range with me later this week when my 15 year-old son comes down from NY for a visit and vacation.
And my friend? well, she decided on the P22 as her home defense weapon. I advised her that .22 is not the best caliber for personal protection, but .22 hollowpoints, shot from something a shooter is comfortable and confident with is better than something she's afraid to shoot at all. And, at least it follows the first rule of gunfighting...
..Joe
Knowing that this is going to be my night table pistol as well as an occasional carry piece - when dressed in suits, etc., where I want a smaller pistol - all I ran through it were Speer JHP's: Were it going to fail, I wanted it to fail with HPs rather than FMJ from the get-go. I needn't have bothered worrying...
The Elite 98 is a beautiful pistol. The fit and finish are wonderful. I have smaller hands and it fits me like it was custom measured to my dimensions. The trigger is the nicest I've ever felt in a DAO. There is no perceived takeup, no solid break, just a smooth flow until it fires. The sights are easy to acquire, and overall, the pistol exudes a "trust me" feel.
Now, truth be known, I've never fired a .40 in a pistol this small. I actually have little experience with .40S&W: I prefer that bullet in a 10mm, like my Bren Ten. But, with this being a home defense pistol, I wanted something small, easy to grab, and with a little more knockdown power out of the first bullet than 9mm - thinking that there might not be time for a 2nd - so I went with a .40.
I went to the range with a friend who was thinking of getting her first pistol for home defense. I brought along a Walther P22, a Glock 17, the K40, and 2 1911's (a Rock Island and an SA Loaded Operator) so she could try a variety of calibers and and pistol styles. I started her with the Walther after a lengthy safety class, and stance, hold and proper aiming procedure. This will become relevant (and funny) later on.
Simply put, the Kahr was flawless. Whilst it is true that it climbs a bit, it is in no way unmanageable, but every time I fired it my friend ran to the other side of the range. It does BOOM pretty loudly! I explained that I was using defense ammo - as opposed to range ammo in all the other pistols - but it made me laugh watching her run away quickly. She ended up holding her "ears" to her head whenever I shot it.
Accuracy-wise, it was the pistol that I shot the best with that day. There is a 2' high berm at this range set up at 25 yards to place plastic water bottles, soda cans, etc. on to shoot at. I set up 5 bottles, and was able to hit all 5 with one mag. Better than that, 2 landed with their bottoms towards me, and after I reloaded, I was able to hit them, with just 2 shots! That's pretty amazing accuracy for a pistol with a barrel this short, and it evoked a couple of stares from the other shooters. I just stepped back from the line with a "we BAD, we BAD" look on my face, but thinking: "Damn! This thing shoots SWEET!"
As the day was winding down, I asked my friend if she'd like to try a shot or 2 with the Kahr. She had shot the Walther mostly, and liked it a lot, and did NOT like the Glock G17 at all. She felt the recoil a little too snappy for her. She said "yes," so I hand her the Kahr, and she steps up to the firing line, takes aim at the target I set up for her around 15 feet, pulls the trigger, and...
...scares the living crap out of herself when the pistol BOOM'ed and kicked in her hand. It almost jumped out of her hand, and I could watch the effort she expended holding on to it. She ended up holding it properly, but how it got into her left hand, I have no idea! As soon as I realized that there was not going to be a loaded pistol flipping through the air and pointing at everything and everyone, I started cracking up. I truly thought this lady was going to wet herself, and I curse myself for not having a camera to get a picture of her face after she shot it. She quickly handed it back to me, and made a beeline back to the Walther, emphatically shaking her head when I asked if she wanted to try the 1911's... :)
The only complaint I can find with the pistol is that the brass does not fly in a consistent direction. It was *mostly* to the right, but several went straight up, hit the roof, and came down on my hat. I expect that to change as it breaks in more.
The Kahr is already on my night table. I have every confidence in it. It will definitely be going back to the range with me later this week when my 15 year-old son comes down from NY for a visit and vacation.
And my friend? well, she decided on the P22 as her home defense weapon. I advised her that .22 is not the best caliber for personal protection, but .22 hollowpoints, shot from something a shooter is comfortable and confident with is better than something she's afraid to shoot at all. And, at least it follows the first rule of gunfighting...
..Joe