Slide Stop Removal Degrees of Difficulty?

[Redstate]

I had a K9 where the slide stop was very difficult to remove; had to use an object to push on the other side of it. Have a P9 covert that the slide stop was only a little difficult to remove when new and now it comes out fairly easily.
I now have a new MK9 that the slide stop is very easy to remove, even when i field stripped it the first time.
Please describe your experiences with slide stop removal, including the model. Also, if you have knowledge as to what would make one easier or more difficult to remove than another, please share. Thanks.

[7shot]

I've only shot the K series pistols so I can't comet on any other Kaur. But I've had my K9 now for five months and I still need something more than my thumb to push out the slide stop.

[kahrsport]

my k9, i have to push the pin against a desk corner to get the pin out, my cw9? i just line it up and index finger push and ez out (too ez for comfort is my feeling?)

[ripley16]

The polymer guns are much easier to disassemble because they have a much different, less strong, retention spring than the K9. The T9 has a polymer style spring and is very easy to disassemble.

I use the base of a magazine to push the pin out of my K9. I just use my thumb to push the pin out of my polymer guns.

[Scrambler]

Have a both a K9 and an MK9. The K9 slide stop spring is bigger diameter, and because of its design has a longer and deeper contact area on the slide stop pin. The C-shaped MK9 spring, held in with a screw, has much less contact with the pin. The MK9 pin comes out with finger pressure, the K9 spring takes a little more umph to disengage. I tap it with a plastic hammer to get it out. Prefer the K9 style as it is not held in with a screw and is more substantial.

[kerby9mm]

My mk9 comes out slightly easier than my mk40 maybe because it has been removed more times. There is a U-Tube video called “K-9 Trick” where he inserts the mag pulls the slide back to a certain point and the pin comes out with finger pressure. Since the mag is in it could be putting pressure on the spring somehow to make removal easier.

[Tinman507]

[CJB]

We had some member here.... who's slide went flying FORWARD off the frame, because the slide stop had walked (without his realizing).

You want that slide stop spring to positively engage the little groove on the slide stop pin. Thats what its supposed to do. The slide stop should be a sort of "snap out" affair, with an audible (and tactile) "click" when it seats properly and is engaged by the spring.

[Bawanna]

Kind of status quo but my K40 after several years still requires a screwdriver handle or something to get it to initially move. Once it pops past the retainer it's a walk in the park.
As CJB implied, I like it that way. Once you get the method down it's not much trouble.

My PM45 is easier but still has a definite little click when it starts out. I'd say close to perfect or at least the way it was designed to work.

I think the poly slide stop spring is kind of a weak sister but when everything is adjusted properly it seems to work.

[Redstate]

Thanks for all the responses so far. In reviewing the Karh "Operating Instructions" (2012) that came with my MK9, I note that Kahr differentiates for the dismantling of the "K Series" versus the dismantling of the other series pistols on pages 18-20.

For the "K Series", after instructions for making the pistol safe, the instructions tell one to "tap" the slide stop out "with a light, non-marring hammer or plastic screwdriver handle".

For the other Series, including the MK, after instructions for making the pistol safe, the instructions state to "push" the slide stop out of the pistol using a "light, non-marring hammer or plastic screwdriver handle if necessary".

It appears that Kahr says to tap out the slide stop with the K Series, and to push it out with the other series (unless it is neccessary to use a tool).

It would be interesting to know why the K series slide stop removal is different from all the others.

[Redstate]

Have a both a K9 and an MK9. The K9 slide stop spring is bigger diameter, and because of its design has a longer and deeper contact area on the slide stop pin. The C-shaped MK9 spring, held in with a screw, has much less contact with the pin. The MK9 pin comes out with finger pressure, the K9 spring takes a little more umph to disengage. I tap it with a plastic hammer to get it out. Prefer the K9 style as it is not held in with a screw and is more substantial.

Sorry I did not acknowledge this response before I asked in my post of today as to why the K would be different that the others. So, per your observation, your opinion is that it is because of the thicker slide stop spring. I don't have a K9 to look at to compare to my MK9; however, your opinion makes sense. Thanks. It is also consistent with other posts that refer to the spring, and I apologize to them as well for inadvertently not acknowledging them. Thanks again to all who have responded.

[Nimrod]

I believe that this question has been answered sufficiently but I may as well add my 2 cents worth. I have a PM9, a K9, and a brand new MK40. With the PM9 and MK40, I just line up the index marks and push the slide stop out with my finger. The K9 is a different story. It is a bear to get out. I stripped the gun down about a hundred times over the past four years and it is just as difficult to take down now as it was the first time.

I had the same question as Redstate so I started looking at the design of the slide stops. The K9 was Kahr's first design. The slide stop spring design is completely different on the K9/K40 than on the rest of the Kahr guns. Apparently Kahr realized the difficulty in field stripping the K9 and redesigned the slide stop and spring for future models. They did a great job in that the new models are extremely easy to field strip.

I's not trying to take anything away from the K9/K40's. I have a 2003 Elite K9 and I think it is just about the finest concealed hand gun made.