Took the new E9 to the range this morning. I thought you guys might want to know how the trip went in case anyone is considering an E9 for yourself. I will attempt to write up a review in a logical sequence, but I havent really prepared a very well thought out report.
The pistol is obviously, an E9 model. 9mm. Two-tone, carbon frame and stainless slide. Rubber grips, soon to be replaced with wood stocks. Front strap is smooth, and I added my usual piece of skateboard tape, just for enhanced grip. The large, easy to see sights are of the "dot-the-eye" style and are drift adjustable for windage. If this does indeed prove to be as good a carry gun as preliminary testing indicates, a tritium front sight will be added. This is the economy model, so the mag well is not beveled. So what? I had no trouble with tac loads or speed loads. The mag release is the typical American style, located rearward of the trigger guard, and is easy to operate. The slidestop, notice I said slidestop, is a non protruding appendage. Releasing the slide to charge the pistol is much easier to accomplish by overhand grasping the slide and pulling it rearward. No external safeties come on this pistol. I like that simplicity.
The pistol comes with 2 mags (thank you Kahr Arms). Both mags performed flawlessly with all types of ammo used. Started the session with Speer standard pressure ball ammo. 250 rounds, no problems, failures, etc. Very accurate little pistol. Also, fired 50 rounds of Blazer aluminum case ammo. No prob. 50 rounds of standard pressure Hydra Shoks. Easy. 50 rounds Speer Gold Dots, +p. Surprisingly easy to shoot in this steel gun. The single stack grip frame feels very much like a 1911 grip with thin panels. I like it. Sight aqcuisition, again like a 1911, very easy for me. What surprised me the most, and makes me so confident in this gun is the trigger. Very brief take up (no resistance), then, just a very steady, consistent pull. It does not 'stack' at the end of the pull with an abrupt crunchandbreak. Its just a very consistent resistance and then a clean break. For those of you who enjoy shooting da revolvers, and are searching for an auto to try (Mathboy), this may be a pistol you'll want to consider. Also, if you dont care for transitional autos (da to sa), you may want to examine a Kahr. Looking for a thin profile pistol (ie, not a double stack wondernine)? The Kahr may do ya.
I went into this range session almost hoping not to like this pistol. Its just not all that pretty, and really is just very plain. But, so far, it is just plain good. I like the size of this pistol as well. Some pistols are so samll, that while easy to carry, are not easy to shoot. The grip of some guns is so short, I cant keep enough fingers on the grip to control in rapid fire. With the little extension on the Kahr mag's baseplate, my little finger stays on the grip. The all steel design keeps even +p recoil very managable (though I realize recoil is subjective).
In conclusion, in my limited testing of this gun, I find very little I dont like. In fact, right now my only complaint is the trigger's bottom corner is sharp. But that is easily remedied, and may not bother someone who's fingers are not as meaty as mine. There is a lot to like about this gun. Size, just right for carry. Weight, makes shooting hot loads easy. Sights, easy to see and use. Simplicity, this is the epitomy of. And most important, reliability. Although I've only fired around 500 rounds through this pistol, upon dissasembly I find no undue wear and tear. I believe this is gonna turn out to be a GREAT carry gun.
Thank you for your time.
Dan
The pistol is obviously, an E9 model. 9mm. Two-tone, carbon frame and stainless slide. Rubber grips, soon to be replaced with wood stocks. Front strap is smooth, and I added my usual piece of skateboard tape, just for enhanced grip. The large, easy to see sights are of the "dot-the-eye" style and are drift adjustable for windage. If this does indeed prove to be as good a carry gun as preliminary testing indicates, a tritium front sight will be added. This is the economy model, so the mag well is not beveled. So what? I had no trouble with tac loads or speed loads. The mag release is the typical American style, located rearward of the trigger guard, and is easy to operate. The slidestop, notice I said slidestop, is a non protruding appendage. Releasing the slide to charge the pistol is much easier to accomplish by overhand grasping the slide and pulling it rearward. No external safeties come on this pistol. I like that simplicity.
The pistol comes with 2 mags (thank you Kahr Arms). Both mags performed flawlessly with all types of ammo used. Started the session with Speer standard pressure ball ammo. 250 rounds, no problems, failures, etc. Very accurate little pistol. Also, fired 50 rounds of Blazer aluminum case ammo. No prob. 50 rounds of standard pressure Hydra Shoks. Easy. 50 rounds Speer Gold Dots, +p. Surprisingly easy to shoot in this steel gun. The single stack grip frame feels very much like a 1911 grip with thin panels. I like it. Sight aqcuisition, again like a 1911, very easy for me. What surprised me the most, and makes me so confident in this gun is the trigger. Very brief take up (no resistance), then, just a very steady, consistent pull. It does not 'stack' at the end of the pull with an abrupt crunchandbreak. Its just a very consistent resistance and then a clean break. For those of you who enjoy shooting da revolvers, and are searching for an auto to try (Mathboy), this may be a pistol you'll want to consider. Also, if you dont care for transitional autos (da to sa), you may want to examine a Kahr. Looking for a thin profile pistol (ie, not a double stack wondernine)? The Kahr may do ya.
I went into this range session almost hoping not to like this pistol. Its just not all that pretty, and really is just very plain. But, so far, it is just plain good. I like the size of this pistol as well. Some pistols are so samll, that while easy to carry, are not easy to shoot. The grip of some guns is so short, I cant keep enough fingers on the grip to control in rapid fire. With the little extension on the Kahr mag's baseplate, my little finger stays on the grip. The all steel design keeps even +p recoil very managable (though I realize recoil is subjective).
In conclusion, in my limited testing of this gun, I find very little I dont like. In fact, right now my only complaint is the trigger's bottom corner is sharp. But that is easily remedied, and may not bother someone who's fingers are not as meaty as mine. There is a lot to like about this gun. Size, just right for carry. Weight, makes shooting hot loads easy. Sights, easy to see and use. Simplicity, this is the epitomy of. And most important, reliability. Although I've only fired around 500 rounds through this pistol, upon dissasembly I find no undue wear and tear. I believe this is gonna turn out to be a GREAT carry gun.
Thank you for your time.
Dan
