Kahr MK9

B

buzz_knox

New member
I took a look at a MK40 last night at a local shooting enthusiast establishment (i.e. gunstore) and found that it fit my hand better than the full-size. I think the shorter butt allows my hand to curve into a more natural position. Same thing happens with Glocks (like the 26, don't care for the 17 or 19). Funny for a guy with big hands.

Anyway, the trigger pull seemed sweet, so I began thinking it might serve my needs as a new deep concealment piece. I'm leaning towards the 9mm for better controllability.

So, the question goes out to all MK9 owners/operators/experts (yes, this includes you, FUD). What's your experience been? Options? Recommendations? Frustrations? Exasperations?
 
I love both my K9 and my MK9.

My only complaint with the MK9 is the grip is a bit on the slick side. I added skate board tape to the front strap and to the rear of the grip panels. I'm going to get the front strap checkered 30 lpi. The slick grip panles are another story. Nobody makes replacement grips for the Kahrs, except Kahr.
 
DMSC: I purchased a Dremel electric engraving pencil for $20 at the Home Depot. After a little experimentation on some scrap plastics, you can quite easily modify the texture of you MK's grip panels. Best.
 
Buzz on over to LoknLoad for my brief impressions.

BTW I liked the Glock 27 fit , but did not like the full size 21.
 
Hi buzz_knox. I like the MK9 a lot. I've put close to a thousand rounds through it with all different bullet types and I have not experienced a single jam. I can wear it in an inside the waist bellyband with a shirt & tie and no jacket without the slightest bulge showing. Since I live deep in the Florida swamps, it's hot and humid most of the time and the MK9 is my primary CCW most of the year. Due to it's size and reliability, I highly recommend it for deep concealment / self defense purposes.

The only option I added on mine is nightsights which help out a lot in the dark but the regular sights are better under normal lighting conditions.

There is one thing that you should be cautious about and that is the fact that the MK9 seems to be very prone to rust. I clean it after each range session and once a week I apply a silicon coat to it yet in under a year, it is showing signs of rust. Of course, this could be just me due to where I live and how I carry it (it's on me 14-18 hours a day). The one recommendation that I would make would be to get it with the Black-T finish that Kahr offers on the gun -- it's suppose to be 400 times (or 4000 times or something like that) more rust resistant that regular stainless steel.

I owned the MK40 but that was too small of a pistol to accurately shoot such a powerful round -- at least as far as I was concerned. The MK9 has a kick to it but since it's made out of all steel (it's built like a tank), it's very controllable.

Again, for deep concealment / self defense, it doesn't get much better than this.

Regards,
FUD
fud-nra.gif

Share what you know, learn what you don't

[This message has been edited by FUD (edited May 11, 2000).]
 
Buzz, I've been carrying my MK9 since the weather turned warm here in Michigan. I am favorably impressed. The gun is extremely solid, mine has been 100% reliable and it easy to conceal in warm climates. Double taps are easy for such a small gun due to the 9mm round coupled with the heft of the gun. The trigger pull on my gun is unbelievable for a DAO gun. It is smooth as can be with a super clean/crisp break. The grips are slick, but for a carry gun I want it this way as it reduces the chance of the clothes grabbing the gun and printing. I too have put a small piece stair/skateboard tape on the front strap and this has worked very well as it imporves the purchase while not being in a place where my shirt can grab it. I wipe my gun down with a silicone cloth each time I take it off (I also do this with my G30 which is my winter gun) and I have not experienced any rusting problems.
Overall, this is an outstanding choice for a small concealed carry piece. Buy it and don't look back, you will not be sorry.

Frank
 
buzz: I have a K40, K9, and Mk9. Personally, I'd stay away from the Mk40. I think the K40 has enough kick as it is and the Mk40 would be more punishment than I want to deal with. I do love my Mk9, though. I hve the stainless elite with night sights. Nice gun. I do agree that the front and rear straps could use some checkering, but haven't gotten around to that yet. Maybe after the summer. Jared
 
I'm shameless but I'll repost these pictures of my MK9 after a bit of tweaking. The only thing different I would do is possible pass on the Elite model as it's not that much different than the regular. Mine does have a front night Trijicon dot and for daily carry, this gun is great.

Just got the MK9 back from Jim Garthwaite www.garthwaite.com and it looks great! He checkered the front strap at 30 lpi, beveled trigger guard,nose and mag well, added a trijicon front dot and smoothed the action (not much needed there). Just had to show it off to someone who might appreciate the work.

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Buzz,
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FUD:
Again, for deep concealment / self defense, it doesn't get much better than this.
[/quote]
Agree 100%. Here in S. Texas we have the same heat and humidity, if not the same swamps, so not many coats and jackets. The MK9 hides beautifully.

Blunder, Great pictures and thanks for the URL. I have seen the pictures before, but I don't remember seeing who did the work. I agree that the front strap could use checkering.
 
Ditto what everyone says. I did add the 30 lpi checkering to the front strap and had a dehorn done. I had the P-T dots added to Novak sights for it.
 
I think FUD's problem is due to his climate more than anything else. I carry my MK9 more often in the summer, but not as much as he does, and I'm in PA, not FL. I've never noticed a bit of rust, and I do nothing other than regular cleaning with CLP.
 
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