X9 9mm Double Stack 9mm

Since I owned the PM9(x2), and the PM45, I was more than anxious for the introduction of the X9 to the stable. This had all the potential to step up in capacity with added capabilities from my EDC PM9. So let's start with the good. Exceptional ergonomics. The cuts along the frame make it a comfortable reach for the trigger. The recess for the web of the hand and the elimination of some of the texture along the backstrap make it comfortable to shoot. The takedown lever was hard at first to operate, but that quickly wore into ease of use. Sights are the standard bar/dot of other KAHRs, but I have replaced the rear with a 2 dot for a more familiar sight picture. The action is the familiar KAHR double action I have grown used to in my other KAHR's and are the same components in the slide as the others I own. Trigger is smooth and breaks without any drag or overtravel. Reset is short and fully controllable shot to shot. The innovation of being able to use Hellcat or SIG magazines works exceptionally well. The Hellcat mags worked very efficiently in the weapon. The X9 is accurate, controllable and more importantly, to me, is pocketable for CCW or goes well in a quality holster. Now for the bad. There are a few things I would want to see improved. I won't say changed, but improved for functionality. First, the slide release needs to be flatter against the frame. Even recessed slightly into the frame would be better. These points hangup on most of the holsters I have and the tendency of the pads to hang up on clothing are hard to overcome. Second, the takedown lever needs a bit of meat on the lower part of the lever to open. A 1-2mm height difference would make it easier to operate. Third, the front of the frame needs a smoother, more 'melted' look. The sharp edges as it is now take away from the smoothness of the rest of the frame and are an area that snags on clothing. Fourth, the cut for the red dot optic is pretty shallow. Any optic installed will not allow for a co-witness of the sights. A depth of an additional 3 or 4 hundreths of an inch would go a long way to helping with mounted optics. One other thing I would like to see is the frame texture on the front of the triggerguard. That area just screams for a little improvement for a forward finger grip Now for the ugly. The magazines. When I first cleaned the X9 after purchase, I noticed there were two small splits at the top of the magazines by the weld. It didn't look like the weld had broken as much as it looked like a defective plate that had been incorrectly cut before folding and welding. Once I received the repaired magazines, it looked like a repair weld was done instead of replacing the defective housing completely, I loaded the two magazines up to head to the range. Full magazines rattled with the cartridges slopping front to back and making quite a bit of noise, like a baby rattle. Something totally unacceptable in a concealed carry weapon. The material used for the magazines in thinner than say, the Hellcat mags by a couple of hundreths of an inch, and that is accumulative around every side of the magazine. so there is slop inside. Overall, aside from the magazine issue, I give the X9 a 4/5 rating. It more than fits into the pocket rocket category and will make an excellent CCW weapon. What I would like to see is a magazine sleeve to fit the Hellcat magazines to take up the space those introduce when used in the X9. The sleeve for the X9 10 round magazines is pretty close and just needs some modification to work, I believe. Accurate and reliable across a host of different of ammunition, it fed everything I could find to put through it from lightweight 100 grain hollowpoints through 147 grainers, the X9 fed everything without an issue. Notwithstanding the magazine issues, the X9 is everything I hoped it would be,