Kahr Arms

Kahr Arms

File:Kahr Arms logo.svg
Company type	Private
Industry	Firearms
Founded	1995 (1995) in Blauvelt, New York
Headquarters	Greeley, Pennsylvania
Key people	Justin Moon, CEO/President
Parent	Kahr Firearms Group
Website	kahr.com

Kahr Arms is a U.S.-based producer of compact and mid-sized semi-automatic pistols designed for widely used calibers such as .380 ACP, 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Their handguns feature frames made from polymer or stainless steel, employ single-stack magazines, and operate with double-action-only striker firing systems. Kahr Arms is part of the Kahr Firearms Group, which also includes Thompson Auto-Ordnance and Magnum Research. The corporate headquarters are located in Greeley, Pennsylvania, while manufacturing facilities are situated in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The company was established by CEO and president Justin Moon, who is the son of Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church. This connection provides Kahr Arms with leadership linked to a prominent network of business figures.

History

At the age of 18, Justin Moon obtained a license to carry a handgun but was unable to find an ultra-compact 9mm pistol that met his criteria. This gap motivated him to develop such a firearm during his college years.

In 1999, Kahr Arms expanded its portfolio by acquiring Auto-Ordnance Company, recognized for producing semi-automatic variants of the historic Thompson submachine gun, famously known as the "Tommy Gun."

The introduction of Kahr’s compact pistols coincided with the relaxation of concealed carry regulations throughout numerous U.S. states starting in the 1990s. The implementation of "shall-issue" laws significantly boosted demand for dependable and easily concealable firearms.

The 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban imposed a restriction on pistol magazine capacity, limiting it to 10 rounds until the law expired in 2004. This legislation influenced consumer preferences towards compact pistols equipped with single-stack magazines, which aligned well with Kahr’s product strategy.

Around 2004, Kahr transitioned from offering a Limited Lifetime Warranty to providing a five-year warranty on its pistols. By 2003, their K9 model had become favored by New York City police officers as a secondary weapon.

In June 2010, the company broadened its range by acquiring Magnum Research, adding the iconic Desert Eagle pistol to its lineup.

At the Shot Show in January 2015, the firm rebranded itself as Kahr Firearms Group. It remains a privately owned entity with subsidiaries including Magnum Research and Auto-Ordnance. Its brand portfolio covers Kahr Arms, Thompson, Auto-Ordnance, Magnum Research, BFR, and Desert Eagle.

In September 2019, Kahr Firearms Group contributed Thin Blue Line PM9 pistols to the NRA Law Enforcement Division, strengthening its presence within law enforcement markets.

New headquarters

On July 1, 2013, Kahr Arms declared its exit from New York in response to the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act (NY SAFE Act). The firm purchased property in Pike County, Pennsylvania with intentions to transfer its corporate personnel following the completion of office facilities in 2014 and a manufacturing plant by 2019. The company officially opened its new main office in Blooming Grove Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania on August 11, 2015.

Kahr mechanism

Kahr pistols operate using a Browning-style locked-breech system featuring a striker-fired firing pin combined with a passive safety mechanism, resulting in an authentic hammerless firing action. The trigger mechanism functions similarly to a double-action revolver but with a shortened pull. Models with polymer frames incorporate steel inserts that guide slide movement and polymer rails that enhance slide alignment while resisting debris; steel-framed variants utilize conventional rails akin to those found in the M1911 pistol. The design includes offset feed ramps, which allow for a more compact trigger draw bar, enabling slide widths of 0.9 inches for 9mm and .40 S&W calibers, and 0.98 inches for .45 ACP, dimensions that are slimmer than many rival models.

The company's first offering, the K9, was a full-powered 9mm Parabellum handgun sized comparable to or smaller than well-known "Pocket Pistols" such as the Walther PP, SIG Sauer P230/232, and Beretta "80" Series.

Kahr's budget-friendly line parallels the P series but excludes premium features to lower production expenses. Polymer-framed CW variants undergo fewer machining processes, utilize pinned front sights rather than dovetail mounts, employ traditional rifling instead of polygonal barrels, feature rolled-on markings, and come with a single magazine. CW pistols are generally priced approximately 20–30% below the fully equipped P series counterparts. The stainless steel E series economy models were discontinued in 2004.

Handguns

Kahr offers an extensive selection of semi-automatic pistols organized by size and caliber, reflecting its strategic approach to cater to various market niches:

		Value	S Series	Premium
		Polymer			Steel
Compact	.380 ACP	CW380		P380
	9×19mm Parabellum	CM9		PM9	MK9
	.40 S&W	CM40		PM40	MK40
	.45 ACP	CM45		PM45
Mid-size	.380 ACP	CT380
	9×19mm Parabellum	CW9	S9	P9	K9
	.40 S&W	CW40		P40	K40
	.45 ACP	CW45		P45
Full-size	9×19mm Parabellum	CT9	ST9	TP9	T9
	.40 S&W	CT40		TP40	T40
	.45 ACP	CT45		TP45

This broad array of products strengthens Kahr's position within the firearms sector by addressing diverse client demands across different calibers and frame constructions.

External links

• Official Kahr Website