MK40 Range Report

N

Navy joe

New member
The first outing was successful. I fired 100 rds of Win FMJ, 50 rds Magtech FMJ, a little Golden Sabre 165gr and some Cor-bon 135gr. The only glitch of the evening was 3 FTFeed with the Win FMJ. This happened only with the 6rd mag and the cause was the profile of the bullet engaging the slide stop. Cured by dropping the stop. Happened only with 4 rds in the mag too, would feed the first one or two depending on how many were loaded to begin with, then go to slide-lock.

No problems with the Magtech or carry loads or even the Win later in the session, all 3 problems occurred in the first few mags. I had thought I was buying a very new gun and my suspicion was confirmed by the difference in wear marks internal before and after shooting. I'd say now 50 or less through it when purchased.

The plastic must go! Anybody got numbers on how long their plastic guide rod has lasted? I'm getting a stainless one very soon. Maybe some wood grips too.

Shooting impressions, the gun was very accurate, the shooter was not. I find that the long pull just gives me more time to flinch, rapid pairs are not doable right now for me. Slow fire is fine as long as I pay attention to what I am doing. Percieved recoil is a little sharp, really quite close to my 1911 since there's less to hold on to and less weight to counter recoil. I did fire it one-handed with a one finger grip, so its no bucking bronco.

I like it. Very concealable, reliable, and accurate with the right shooter. I'll get there on that part. I felt enough ok with it to load it for the carry home since I had been toting it empty for the experience. First time I've concealed 2 guns IWB.

I give it a 9, although French figure skating judges everywhere give the nod to the PT-145.

On that note, I hope Kahr doesn't trot out a polymer mp-40, recoil with good ammo would be a bit of a bear.

:)
 
I have an MK40 too.

I think it is right at the upper limit of power and controllability in the smallest package available.

You would probably like the wooden grips from Kahr. They add a nice touch. Mine took a wee bit of fitting to get them to sit flush and not bend (making a gap along the back of the grip) when they were tightened down. Kahr also failed to send me the right length screws with the grips but followed up with a set after a phone call. The screws are a tad longer than the stock set.

But I don't think replacing the guide rod will buy you anything.

The slide is so short that the rails cover the movement of it pretty well. Do they even make a steel guide rod for it??

Loaded with somthing like a Pro Load round really does make one of these a hand full!

I put about 200 rounds of 165 grain ammo through mine to get it "broke in". Like your experience, a few problems early on then it seemed to settle down. I only shoot Pro Load out of it now and it eats these very powerful rounds without a problem, however like you say, double taps are out of the question.
 
I must have gotten an especially good MK40. I haven't had a malfunction of any kind yet. I broke it in over a two day period with 100 rounds of Am. Eagle 165 gr., 50 rounds of Winchester 180 gr. 50 rounds of Win Clean 180 gr., and 6 180 gr. Hydra-Shoks. The only problem was that one of the grip screws worked its way out on about round 190.

I also put 50 rounds through it at an indoor range a few weeks later with no malfunctions.

My MK40 is very accurate. I was amazed at what I was able to do with it. I expected the MK40 to spray lead all over the place, but I could consistently hit aluminum cans and other small targets from up to about 15 yards away. Further than that, I was less accurate with it.

Overall, it's a great gun and fun to shoot!

I love my MK40! :D
 
Thank's for the input regarding the MK40. I am planning to purchase one just as soon as my carry permit is issued. Most everything I have read on this gun has been favorable, so far. Seems like the ideal carry piece for the summertime.
 
Kahr sells a stainlees steel guide rod for the MK series for $39.95. I don't know if it will give you any advantage over the plastic one or not, but since Kahr sells them, I would have no concerns about using one.
 
I've heard of those mercury guide rods. I plan to get the stainless steel guide rod from Kahr in my MK40.

The recoil of the MK40 is definately substantial, but not at all unmanageable IMO. I don't see a need for a recoil reducing guide rod in the MK40, but I'd be curious to hear what others have to say about them.

Would a mercury filled guide rod be potentially dangerous? What if there's a catastrophic failure of some sort and the guide rod ruptures?
 
Hey,
What happened to the post about the mercury filled guide rods?

Wasn't there a post on this thread about them? Now it's gone???

I'm confused!!!!!!! :confused:
 
Yes, I did post inquiring about mercury filled guide rods, but edited it out, after I used the Search function and found an old thread, titled "Kahr recoil reducing guide rod". ( I was embarassed that I didn't search first!):o
Sorry for the confusion.
 
Thanks hd1!
I thought I was really going crazy! Don't worry about it, people post about topics that have already been discussed here all the time.

Some members get upset when people post about topics that have been discussed, but there are new members joining all the time. Sometimes newer members have new insights and input on old topics that they missed the first time it went around. People's opinions and experience can change over time.

Welcome to TFL!
 
MKs are terrific pistols.

They are an impressive blend of accuracy, reliability, quality, sub-compactness, and power.
 
The stainless guide rod quest has nothing to do with recoil reduction for me, I just don't want the plastic end to decide its had enough right when I need it most and snap off, allowing recoil spring components to launch downrange.
 
I almost bought the MK40 but I decided on the K9 which gives a couple of more rounds of 9 over the .40. I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate and reliable mine has been thus far. I paid $387.00 out the door for my NIB K9 this past Friday, with two magazines. Not a bad deal...

7th
 
I remember reading that the guide rod from Kahr needs some work to fit, but Wolff sells some and stronger springs and they dropped in mine no problem.
 
The Kahr stainless steel guide rod may need fitting. Kahr will install it and do any necessary fitting for $50.00 parts and labor.
 
Love mine. The only thing I don't like is that it beats the hell oout of the webbing of my hand between thumb and index finger after 100 rounds or so. I usually wear a glove for range purposes now. However. I love the gun, glad I have it and it is maybe 1oz heavier than the MK 9 and I' rather have a .40 in a self defense situation.
 
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