Kahr K9 Range Report

B

braeske

New member
Took my stainless K9 to the range today for the second 100 of the 200 "break-in" rounds suggested by the manual. I really like shooting this gun. It has enough weight to make shooting very comfortable for a small gun. It's not a target pistol by any means, but does pretty well in the accuracy department. It is quite controllable when double-tapping.

Here's my question: I am no marksman, but am a pretty good shot. I am also still getting used to the gun (second trip to the range with it). At 7 yards I was getting 5 or 6 inch groups. At 25 yards all of them were on the target, anyway. :) The first shot of the magazine tended to be a "flyer" -- in my case low and to the right. I had several magazines where the first one would fly, and I would put the second shot dead center into the "x."

Has anyone else had this issue? Is this a characteristic of the gun or was I just adjusting from the first shot? I was loading the gun from a locked back position and letting the slide release take the bullet from the magazine, so I assume that it was chambering the bullet just as it would if the gun were fired. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
 
You just need to get used to the trigger; its different. Not the best for threading the needle but the gun will still shoot quite well when you are thoroughly familiar with it.

I seem to always be a little let down by my K-9 after a range session because I always do slowfire work, too, and just can't do as well with it as a 1911 or revolver.
 
Having the first shot off from the rest of the shot string is something that afflicts many pistols. So your Kahr doesn't have a "problem".

Even though you are using the slide release to chamber a round, the forces aren't the same as in the normal firing cycle.

I've had autopistols that shot a "flyer" for the first round and others that were normal no matter how I chambered the round. Go figure...

Good SHooting
RED
 
Sounds like you might be pulling the gun a little on the first shot due to anticipating the shot. Make sure that only the pad of the first knuckle of your trigger finger is on the trigger. A lot of folks use the second knuckle for more pull on a DAO trigger, but the Kahr trigger is light enough to use only the end of your finger. Keep as much of the rest of your finger off the trigger as possible. Of course if you already know all this, it is probably just the paings of getting used to a new gun.

Also, try some different ammo. I have a P9 that absolutely loves S&B hardball ammo. At 7 yards with a full mag, it will make one $.50 piece sized hole in the target. Everything in the 8 ring (occasionally 9!) on a full sized sillouhette at 25 yards (I swear!). Not nearly as accurate with any other practice ammo I've tried.
 
I'm only 2 mags shy of 200 rounds through my P-9. As far as accuracy, Im very satisfied, but since Ive been shooting 5 gallon buckets, I cant tell you much. Guess I need to buy some targets and measure my distance.
I have not had a single FTE or FTF, (shooting FMJ's) and since reading here about racking the slide, no more problems with the first round chambering properly.
I LOVE my "little" gun!!
 
I would have to agree that the gun isnt the problem with the first shot problem. If you let the slide lock go and strip the first round off of the mag with a "snap" it should chamber just fine. I would then look at the trigger work you are giving it. My first shot is usually my worst and then at 10 yds I can put 15-20 rnds within a couple of inches. My 40 recoils more than the 9's do and takes a minute for me to "settle into". I think for the design, size and purpose of the K series they are quite accurate...and just plain and simple, a damn fine gun.
Shoot well
 
Thanks, guys....

Thanks a lot for the advice and encouragement. I guess some more trips to the range are in order. I'll do some dry-firing, too -- guess I should get some snap caps. The gun is not true double action, though, because you have to pull the slide back a bit each time to get the striker to fire. Is this true with all DAO autos? Are the snap caps a necessity for a lot of dry firing?
 
Hello, Braseke. I'm glad you like your K9.

As to dry-firing, I think I would use the snap caps as it cannot hurt and I don't think the slide has to be completely retracted to reset the trigger such that it will "fire" the gun.

The K9 in my experience is capable of pretty darned good accuracy, but is somewhat hampered by its long DA pull. While smooth, it is long and I don't think one will ever be able to get a DA auto as smooth as a DA revolver as the parts being moved by the trigger are not nearly in such direct contact. From what I've heard, an action job by Teddy Jacobson (Actions by T) can make quite a difference, but so can doing dry-fire drills and getting familar with that pistol.

Tightly chambered and well-made, I think the K9 series make a fine little shooter, but they are not intended as target pieces, which is not to say that they won't group well. I find them easier to shoot well than say a J-frame S&W .38 Spec.

First-rnd flyers, as previously mentioned, do occur in some pistols and not in others.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

Best.
 
So, how do we find Teddy Jacobsen? Is he the Kahr gunsmith guru? My gun needs some trigger work.

My K9 is three, or four years old. It just sits in the safe, because of my negative experience with this gun. It started life as the gun that could, while using a rest, produce 2-3ft. groupings at seven yards. Two trips back to Kahr, with targets enclosed, have this down to about five, or six inches. The last trip resulted in a better performance and a Kahr test target.

The grip on this gun is exceptional. It fits hands of all sizes. It is really an ideal concealed carry gun. I'm not a big double action fan, but could live with this trigger should I find a good smith. I live in an area where only the politically elite can carry. I never carry, but should I ever need to, an improved version of this gun would be just the ticket.
 
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