Just bought first Kahr - have a few questions...

V

voodoo

New member
As the heading says, I just purchased my first Kahr, an MK9. I was torn between an MK9, K9, and Glock 26. Don't get me wrong - I'm a big Glock fan (I own three of them); but if you thought the G26 was small, you should really grab hold of a Micro Kahr! It's one sweet CC piece!

I do have, however, a few questions:

1) Who makes the night sights that Kahr offers? They look like Meps. Does anyone else make night sights for the Kahr? (I'd love to get a pair of Novaks or Heinies!)

2) How much does it cost to get an "Elite" trigger retro-fitted? Is it worth it?

3) Have any Kahr owners modified their's? What did you do? I'm thinking of getting the front strap checkered.

4) Can anyone recommend a good CCW holster? I'd love an Alessi CQC-S, but I don't think they make them for the Micro Kahrs. In fact, I've noticed not many people make holsters for the Micro Kahrs.

5) The full-size Kahrs have great rubber grips, while the Micro Kahrs come with hard nylon (plastic) grips. Are the rubber grips available for the Micros? What other grip options are available?

As always, your input is truly appreciated!
 
voodoo,
3)Checkering the front strap - that sounds good, May be some day, but right now all I can afford is skateboard tape.
4)Mike Benedict at Talon Tactical will make a kydex paddle holster and mag pouch for my MK9. You can check out his website at :
"http://www.ohio.net/~mjb/index~1.htm". His holsters are very comfortable, secure and very easily conceal a small gun like the MK9. You can look at the little Colt Pony's holster for example. By the way that Pony does have its front strap checkered and front cocking serration.

I really love my MK9, the trigger is just right, smooth and about 10 pounds (my guess). I'm not sure how the elite trigger feels but I'll stick with the stock trigger. Good luck on your MK9.
 
I can only answer part of number #2. Yes, the elite trigger is worth it. I have shot kahrs with and without it, and the difference is remarkable. I believe it's $125
 
The people who I've talked to who have the rubber grips and CC wish they had the plastic. Apparently the rubber is too tacky and grabs clothing. You might want to count your blessings on that score.

I've been thinking about front strap checkering too. I wonder what that would cost.

I've started making my own holsters. I've made a real good pocket holster and a good rendition of an LFI style rig for an MK9.

[This message has been edited by Bullwinkle (edited February 15, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Bullwinkle (edited February 15, 2000).]
 
voodoo,

Congrats on buying a really fine gun. I have Novak nightsights added on mine and they really make a big difference at night. Scott, McDougall & Associates offers a very nice customs package for the MK9 -- it's a little bit on the high side but they do really good work and you can pick and choose what parts of the package you would like to get (if you don't want to get the whole package. http://colt380.com/sshots/handgun.htm)

I would also recommend getting some grip extensions as it makes the gun more controllable when shooting hot loads with one hand (without them it's alright but with them it's even better http://www.pearcegrip.com/kahr.htm)
mk9.jpg


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Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD.
 
Bullwinkle:

Goodd point. Thanks for your insight on the "sticky" rubber grips!

FUD:

I've heard good things about SM&A but yes, their prices are a little too rich for me right now. I'm glad to hear that they have Novaks available for the MK9 - they are next on my shopping list. The Pearce extensions look like winners, too.

Any other MK9/40 owners out there???
 
1) I like Novak sights and ordered them last week for both the MK9 and K40 Covert. I have the tritium dots done by P-T with a green front and orange rears. I have this setup on 4 Glocks, a Commander, and 3 Browning HP's.

2) I have had the action smoothed, have not tried the Elite mechanism.

3) Both of mine have been checkered at 30 LPI. I like 30 LPI checkering, even have it on a Walther TPH and PPK.

4) I bought my MK9 to replace my PPK as an ankle gun. Lou Alessi did a nice ankle holster for it. I also had him make me a RCMP Drivers X-draw for it. I find this setup the best for carry when wearing a pullover type cover (fleece pullover, sweater, or anorak). The weak hand can lift the garment for the draw and it is easy to get to while seated in a car or chair. During the summer I will frequently wear cargo shorts and Alessi also makes a nice pocket holster that works great in the patch pockets. M/D Enterprises makes the BS-2 that is so high ride that the muzzle sits less than a 1/4" below the bottom of the belt. This allows ideal concealed carry in the 4:30 position with a zip front waist length jacket. M/D also makes the SVS I think is one of, if not the best, vertical scabbard on the market. For IWB the clear choice is the YCS from M/D. It is THE most comfortable IWB holster available anywhere. It can be worn for 12-14 hours and only requires break in for the gun, not the wearer.

5) Don't know, but the tackiness of rubber grips do not lend themselves for carrying concealed though they do work sell on the range.
 
voodoo,

I got MK40 -- a wonderful gun. My night sites are directly from Kahr (arround $70)although they've been installed by a local gunsmith; they're Trijicons and work great.

I searched for rubber grips for a long while -- the bottom line is they're simply NOT made by anyone.

Regarding a holster -- I ordered Shortcut#12 belt slide for MK40 from www.fist-inc.com and couldn't be more happier. Extremely high riding without sacrificing any balance, and its looks are just gorgeous. What I especially like about this holster is that it's much more solid (the leather's substantially thicker) than any Galco I own for my Sigs, and it also has a "snap-in-place" feature where your gun "clicks" lightly in place when reholstered. Construction is the highest class one can get for roughly $40.00. I'm seriously thinking of replacing the Galcos for my Sig 229 and 239 by two more holsters from Jim Murnak (he's the guy who makes them at Fist).

Thoroughly enjoy your little gem!
 
All the gun rags gave them high rankings. I remembered that SGN had ads on them for around $300. When I was ready to buy them all you guys got ahead of me and drove the prices up. Is the E9 so much different from the K9?
 
Gun Site does some modifications to kahrs. they do things like trigger jobs and checkering the front strap i think. skateboard tape i hear works good and is a lot cheaper though.
 
I have three Kahrs:

1-- Elite98 K9. The best trigger on any DAO I've tried. However, I don't know if it's worth the additional cost to upgrade...I think Wilson's used to do some custome tuning to customer Kahrs. I had dry fired one of the Wilson custom K40s and the trigger was nearly identical to the Elite in terms of smoothness,a little crisper let-off but it felt a bit heavier.

2--Kahr K40. I had this baby dehorned for carry, had the frontstrap checkered, and ordered walnut grips for it. Kept the standard sights. I kinda like the "dot the i" system.

3--E9. The only other handgun I own that rusted was a 'stainless' Kimber. Spend the extra cask and get a standard Kahr or the Elite.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by spleenandideal:
. . . E9 = The only other handgun I own that rusted was a 'stainless' Kimber. Spend the extra cask and get a standard Kahr or the Elite.[/quote]

I have a 'stainless steel' Para-Ordnance that showing signs of rust after less than half a year and I bought it "new".



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Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD.
 
1) Heinie lists SlantPro Straight Eights for $98.95. Do not know if this includes installation. IMHO Heinie's are the BEST.

2)The trigger on my K9 is just fine.

3)I talked to Brian Bilby about having the front strap stippled. He can do this in conjunction with a carry package that includes a very mild melt done. Break all the edges for easier carry.

4)Mine sits in a Kramer IWB right now. Very comfrortable.

5)Looking for a good set of wood grips now. Kahr offers a set of wood for $50.00. I think that is a little to pricey.

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John
(formerly johnboy)
 
Congrats on getting a great gun. I have the elite98 MK9 and love it. I can only respond to three of your questions.

2) The elite trigger is definitely worth it.

3) Both night sights and front strap checkering are on my wish list--when funds are available.

4) Both Pager Pal and an Uncle Mike's pocket holster fit very well, althouth the Uncle Mike's is a little less rigid than I would like.
 
Jeff OTMG and FUD:

I was glad to hear the Novaks are available, but I called them I found out they were running $160!!! Yikes!

Did you order direct from Novak, or were you able to find a better price elsewhere?

Hmmm...those $70 Trijicons aren't looking bad right now!

Also:

Anyone replace the spring work on their Kahrs? I read of some people using heavier Wolf springs on their Kahr 40's to help with the recoil.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FUD:
I have a 'stainless steel' Para-Ordnance that showing signs of rust after less than half a year and I bought it "new".
[/quote]

Where do you live FUD? A swamp? What kind of care do you/did you give the 'SS' Kimber and Para Ordnance? I certainly not doubting your skill at cleaning and care but I'm curious because I've been in the market for either a Kimber or Para Ordnance. Thanks.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hydejam:
Where do you live FUD? A swamp? What kind of care do you/did you give the 'SS' Kimber and Para Ordnance? I'm certainly not doubting your skill at cleaning and care but I'm curious because I've been in the market for either a Kimber or Para Ordnance. Thanks.[/quote]
 
voodoo, I sure hope that was for nightsights. Brownell's carries the Novak nightsights, but I can't give you a price since my catalog is at home. I get mine from Cylinder and Slide then send them to P-T to have the orange/green dots added. I pay a little less than that for my night sights installed. $160 seems a little high for just a set of sights.
 
voodoo,

The dealer where I bought the gun had the night sights installed for $135 (cash). I also had the spring changed as the original one was giving me about one jam per magazine. I sent an e-mail to Frank Harris (I believe that's his name) at Kahr and I had a new spring in hand before the week was out free of charge. I must say that Kahr's customer service is the best that I have seen so far. Once I changed the spring, I didn't have a single jam and I'm approaching the one thousand mark.

Hydejam,

Just to clear things up, I don't have a Kimber -- I was merely quoting what 'spleenandideal' said in an earlier post about his/her SS Kimber and then I added my part about my stainless steel Para-Ordnance P14-45 showing signs of rust. Here's the full story if anyone is interested ...

I bought a brand new P14-45. Rubbed it down (like I do for all of my guns) and put it in my safe right next to my S&W. I didn't get a chance to shoot it because it was around Thanksgiving and with Christmas shopping and getting caught up in other holiday stuff, I didn't look at it until after the new year. When I opened up the safe, it was showing signs of red/brown rust on the outside and some of the inside. Keep in mind that the gun was never fired yet. Also, keep in mind that it was right next to a S&W 4006 and there wasn't a spec of rust of the S&W. :(

I gave it a good cleaning which removed most of the red/brown rust spots and now I check on it and give it a light cleaning about once a week or so and it seems to be okay for the most part but I still don't understand why my S&W (which was right next to the P14-45) was perfectly fine -- I guess that S&W uses a better grade of stainless steel than Para-Ordnance does. :confused:

Finally, I DO live in a swamp (sort of) -- I can see the Everglades from my dining room window. :D
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[This message has been edited by FUD (edited February 17, 2000).]
 
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