Buying a new P9

[9mmMick]

Hi,
I'm buying a new P9 and wanted to know your opinion on carry ammo.
What brand and grain would you use and why?

[38snapcaps]

I currently use Hydro-shoks 147gr. This was some ammo I had left over from use in my G19 for home defense. It is very accurate in both guns, VERY accurate.

I was going to just stick with this proven cartridge, but I've come to learn that the Kahrs are designed to use 115 gr. bullets, so I plan on buying some for comparison.

[Dandapani]

Originally posted by 38snapcaps
I was going to just stick with this proven cartridge, but I've come to learn that the Kahrs are designed to use 115 gr. bullets, so I plan on buying some for comparison.

That's funny. Not long back, Dottie was telling callers 147 grain... That's all me and the other Kahr ol'timers would use back in the day. (Ranger T 147 :))

[IrvJr]

I've tried a whole lotta different factory rounds. They all shoot well in my recent production Kahr K9, but the night sights on my gun seem to be regulated for 115 gr bullets. If I use the heavier loads (124gr, or 147 gr) these rounds shoot well in my gun, but their point of impact is higher than the 115 gr rounds. The 115 gr rounds seem to have a POI slightly above my point of aim. I use a 6 o'clock position on my sight picture to shoot accurately with my 115 gr rounds. I have to aim noticeably lower to hit the target when I use the heavy 147 gr loads.

[BackDraft]

Best Advice I would give you is to try several different carry loads to see what your Kahr likes. My E9 Federal HST 147 gr and EFMJ 124 +P and 124 HydroShok +P+. The 147 HST groups under 2" and poa at 15 yards off handed. The 124 loads hit about 1" higher and group size 2.5". Now Corbon 115+P out of my E9 groups at 4" and hits 4" high and left of POA. What ever you decide make sure your Kahr funtions 100% with it.

[Erich]

Although I've recently read how Kahr no longer approves of +P+ use in the P series guns, I use Winchester RA9TA 127-gr +P+ in my P9 Covert with no problems. They give me 1267 fps average, IIRC.

[ecmills]

Personally, 124 is my choice. The lighter bullet accelerates faster, getting the velocity back up near a 147-grain coming out of a longer 4-5" barrel. :)

[josp]

Testing what you plan to rely on to save yout bacon is always a good idea.
I, personally, am a CorBon DPX fanatic. I have tested it in 38 Special (S&W J frame), 9mm (Kahr P9 covert), 380 (KelTec P3AT), and 45acp (Kahr P45). In all cases, it has been as good or better than other loads in real penetration and expansion tests. It is always accurate, and controlable.
The bullet is all copper (Barnes X bullet design)and a 9mm 115 gr DPX is as long as another's 124 gr lead core bullet. There is no chance for core seperation. Most loads are standard pressure (I believe 9 and 38 are +p).
What matters most is trying it for yourself and deciding what is best for you. ;)

[boxingref_rick]

Great to carry, and accurate as all get out. With
the 115 gr Core Bon Pow'r Balls - Point of aim is
dead on!
Cya!
Rick.

[evi1joe]

I love my P9, and find it to be surpringly accurate. Like the guy above noted, I find myself consistently putting all 7 rounds inside three inches at 25 yards with the CorBon Pow-r-Ball ammo.