Differences between newer and older MK9s

[MK9]

I just picked up a new to me MK9 (I guess you could've guessed that) and was pretty surprised that it was manufactured over 10 years ago. It looks almost brand new!

I've read on the forums the slide releases are shaped different now, and was wondering if there were any other differences. I was also wondering if someone could educate me on what is considered a newer design (what years).

Thanks!

[jocko]

Main thing

I just picked up a new to me MK9 (I guess you could've guessed that) and was pretty surprised that it was manufactured over 10 years ago. It looks almost brand new!

I've read on the forums the slide releases are shaped different now, and was wondering if there were any other differences. I was also wondering if someone could educate me on what is considered a newer design (what years).

Thanks!

#1. get out and shoot it and see if it is totally reliable, which proabably it will be. That is a nice gun,.

#2, The only change that I can say kahr made is that they changed the size of the recoil assembly flat washer that goes against the barrel lug. Yours if you measure it proably is 3/8" across. the new size will now be 1/2". Why they made that change, I cannot say, but if you order a new recoil assembly which if the gun is 10 years old,yoiu definitely should order a complete assembly for it just to be sure . Measure that part and if it is 1/2" then rest assured the previous owner has installed a new recoil assembly.
#3 My PM9 has oefver 25,000 rounds through it and you can't tellif it has had 100 rounds or what, so tha tis not uncommon for the gun to look new, as probably the owner took good care of it to. It is a darn nice gun and age should not have anything to do with its realibility.

If it was mine, I would do this.

Order a new recoil assembly from kahr and order new magazine springs from kahr and a couple of magazine followers also from kahr. replace those sprngs and you willhave peace of mind that this gun isnow in tip top condition.

Nice gun, now just go out and shoot it like you stole it. Make sure the grip screws stay tight, especially on the right side grip. A loose grip will let the trigger bar move in a wrong direction and can cause reliability issues. Just check the grips screws every time you clean the gun.

[MK9]

#1. get out and shoot it and see if it is totally reliable, which proabably it will be. That is a nice gun,.

#2, The only change that I can say kahr made is that they changed the size of the recoil assembly flat washer that goes against the barrel lug. Yours if you measure it proably is 3/8" across. the new size will now be 1/2". Why they made that change, I cannot say, but if you order a new recoil assembly which if the gun is 10 years old,yoiu definitely should order a complete assembly for it just to be sure . Measure that part and if it is 1/2" then rest assured the previous owner has installed a new recoil assembly.
#3 My PM9 has oefver 25,000 rounds through it and you can't tellif it has had 100 rounds or what, so tha tis not uncommon for the gun to look new, as probably the owner took good care of it to. It is a darn nice gun and age should not have anything to do with its realibility.

If it was mine, I would do this.

Order a new recoil assembly from kahr and order new magazine springs from kahr and a couple of magazine followers also from kahr. replace those sprngs and you willhave peace of mind that this gun isnow in tip top condition.

Nice gun, now just go out and shoot it like you stole it. Make sure the grip screws stay tight, especially on the right side grip. A loose grip will let the trigger bar move in a wrong direction and can cause reliability issues. Just check the grips screws every time you clean the gun.

Thanks for all the advice. I will be shooting it tomorrow (Fri) and I hope I like it. I like how it feels in my hand and like the way it looks too.

I just measured the flat washer and it's 1/2 an inch. Now I'm really curious because my serial # wasn't on the Kahr serial # list I found somewhere on this forum, which is copied/pasted below:

GA101x - MK9 - Nov 1997
GA25xx - MK9 - Date unknown
GA3xxx - MK9 - Aug 1998

Mine is GA28XX which is between 1997 and 1998 so I just figured the gun was manufactured in '97 or '98. Could it be newer? I would think the guy I bought it from would've mentioned he bought new parts for it. I guess there's always the chance he wasn't the original owner too.

Thanks!

[jocko]

ur serial # falls within that date though, so it is probably 10 years old. You can call kahr and they will tell you also. No big deal. Just go out and shoot it like u stole it..

[MK9]

ur serial 3 falls within that date though, so it is probably 10 years old. You can call kahr and they will tell you also. No big deal. Just go out and shoot it like u stole it..

Well I took it to the range today and put 50 rounds of winchester FMJ though it with no problems. This is my first pocket gun, I was pleasantly surprised with the accuracy. I'm glad I chose the MK9 over the PM9. Don't even want to know what the recoil is like on the PM9.

My Superfly pocket holster showed up right before I left for the range, which was a bonus for the day. The MK9 is a little heavy for sweats, but felt just fine in my jeans. I think I prefer the holster without the flap but I'll test it out both ways.

[jocko]

i nver liked the flap, to me just more bulk in that area. You will know u are carrying it there, no one else will. glad it worked like we all thought it did to. nice gun, really is. I have never shot a MK series, love my PM9 but would like to someday just shoot one to say I shot one.actually the PM9 is a very very nice shooting lightweight. I love to shoot my PM9 more than my G19, which for me anyways shoots circles around my PM9, with me behind it..

[MK9]

i nver liked the flap, to me just more bulk in that area. You will know u are carrying it there, no one else will. glad it worked like we all thought it did to. nice gun, really is. I have never shot a MK series, love my PM9 but would like to someday just shoot one to say I shot one.actually the PM9 is a very very nice shooting lightweight. I love to shoot my PM9 more than my G19, which for me anyways shoots circles around my PM9, with me behind it..

I think they should have included a few pockets in the flap. If I could put my DL, debit card/cash , and CHL in there, I could leave my wallet at home which would make the added bulk worth it.

Have you tried removing the velcro? It would be nice to have that side sticky. Once you get your hand on the grip, I find it a little easier to draw with the flap because the holster stays in the pocket better.

[dzldust]

trigger differnces??

[Bawanna]

From what I'm told there are two series of MK. The GA serial and the GC. I have a GA. Only thing I know for sure is the GA grips will not fit the GC guns. I'm also told there were only two series so everything since the GA switch to GC is the same to the present day. At least the way I understand it.

[dzldust]

I just picked up a GA29xx and the top of the trigger, where it normally has a sharp edge at the top of the arc ,is smooth and solid,does not dig into my fat fingers on full pull,have not found any info on this as to whether it is a mod or the way the trigger is made

[jocko]

Probably made around 1998.

[dzldust]

do they still make the mk9?

[Bawanna]

do they still make the mk9?

Yes.

[dzldust]

local shops around here carry all the polemer framed Kahrs but have not seen an all steel in ages

[Bawanna]

I see very few Kahrs of any kind at our local shops. For a long time I never saw any at out gunshows either but in recent months theres be a few more.
Reminds me I gotta track down a CM9 for one of the boys here. He's talking Taurus 738, gotta change his mind.