An MK9 Duo Tone Odyssey

[RevRay]

The one that is posted now, the LTD, would be really hard for me to pass up if I was in the market for one only because of the rubber grip it has, I would love a pair of them to replace the hard plastic ones on mine.

So call the fella up, offer him what the last LTD sold for, you cut me a deal on the grips (my grips + cash) and man we are all happy happy happy.

Keep us updated!

Bootlegger, I think I've decided to keep the Hogue grips. I really like their feel in my hand.

[RevRay]

OK. Let me start out by admitting that I'm pretty much the only person who reads this thread any more. But as someone said on here earlier, long threads can become interesting if you stick with them, because over time they tell a story. So, on that premise, I'm going to keep moving forward for a little while longer. So here's an honest update of something that has come from my MK9 Duo Tone fetish.

It begins with a confession ... up until yesterday I had never carried with one in the chamber. I know, I know, that's like kissing your sister and all that kind of stuff. So what can I say, I'm a pastor, which means I must be a wuss (sp?), right? Anyway, like I said, until yesterday ... so what changed?

Well, yesterday I decided that I wanted to carry my new Duo Tone. I was in the process of trying to sell my MINI, and yesterday was the day I was going to exchange the money for the car. So I decided that for sure that should be a time to be carrying. But like I said, I decided I wanted to use my MK9. The problem is, like I said earlier, the MK9 is not easy to rack ... in fact it's down right hard.

So I had a choice to make ... carry my CM9 without one in the chamber, because I can rack it pretty fast as I pull it out ... truly I can. I know, I know, but anyway, that's the way my head had been previously thinking, ok? Or, I could carry my newly acquired Duo Tone, but if I did then I would have to carry it with one in the chamber. So that's what I decided to do.

The rest is history. I went to pick up the young couple that was buying the car, went to the bank with them to pick up the money, and then back to my office to sign and copy the paperwork and give them the keys. All the while carrying AIWB with one in the chamber.

What I discovered is once you've done it once it's a piece of cake. Although, I did notice that I handle the gun much more carefully taking it off and putting it away for the night than I did before. Now before you guys get all up in arms because I tucked it away for the night, I say that because right now the MK9 is my downstairs pistol. I was tucking it away downstairs, so that it wasn't just sitting out in the open. My CM9 is my upstairs pistol which I take out when I get ready for bed.

So there you have it. I've now told my story which no one will read because everyone thinks this thread should have been shelved a long time ago ... and I will shelve it when it reaches 100 posts ... promise.

[Bawanna]

I read it. I'm not really even here and I still read it. Sometimes reading is enough without meaningless comments such as I usually make. Do knock off that empty chamber carry crap though. Kahrs are especially safe and no one is fast enough loading an empty chamber when you really need it.

[RevRay]

I read it. I'm not really even here and I still read it. Sometimes reading is enough without meaningless comments such as I usually make. Do knock off that empty chamber carry crap though. Kahrs are especially safe and no one is fast enough loading an empty chamber when you really need it.

That's the point, Colonel ... I don't empty chamber carry anymore. I just needed to do it once to get over the angst, which I've now done.

[ozkahr]

Hey Rev

I read your thread! I'm interested in what you have to say about your MK9.

One thing bothers me though. You said that now that you are carrying with one in the chamber, you are much more careful when you take it off. Huge mistake!!! You should always use the same care whether you think it is loaded or not. The one time you are less careful because you think it is unloaded will be the time something tragic will happen. If you always treat it as if there is one in the chamber, you will avoid an unintentional discharge.

Just my opinion.

BTW, my 14 y.o. MK9 is easier to rack than my 1 y.o. PM9. The MK9 has new factory springs and the stainless guide rod. Maybe the previous owner put beefier springs in yours. Again, just guessing.

Stay Safe.

[RevRay]

OzKahr, I know you are right ... and I realized as I was writing what I wrote that someone could come back with that very point. And I'm glad you did, because it never hurts for me and anyone else (especially other newbies) to be reminded of that fact.

[RevRay]

One thing I haven't mentioned is the price. I started looking at these Duo Tones way back in March before I ever got my permit. That's one reason why I didn't do anything back then ... as I thought I should wait until I had my permit in hand before spending more money on a second gun. Then I waited because I knew I would have a hard time justifying a second one to my wife ... which I know some of you can relate to. Anyway, the list of MK9 Duo Tones (Limited Edition models) which have sold over the last few months is below. I'm one of those kinds of people who prefers to pay as little as possible for things, so you can see that good things come to those who wait.

Gunbroker (Sold in April) - MK9 Duo Tone LTD #173 for $650

GunsAmerica (Sold in April) - MK9 Duo Tone LTD #??? for $550

Gunbroker (Sold in May) - MK9 Duo Tone LTD #236 for $599

Gunbroker (Sold in May) - MK9 Duo Tone LTD #237 for $599

GunsAmerica (Sold in May) - MK9 Duo Tone LTD #??? for $550

Gunbroker (MINE Bought in July) - MK9 Duo Tone LTD #xxx $380

[RevRay]

Here's a pretty nice one (not one of the LTD models though) for sale on Gunbrokers for $475. It went for a week at $500 with no one taking the bait. One of the reasons mine went as cheaply as it did is because I don't think the seller knew what he had ... and he mis-labeled it ... so it didn't really get the attention it might have gotten otherwise.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=354721325

[jeepster09]

Hmmm dual color on a Kahr...neat concept.

[Ultona]

"Here's a pretty nice one (not one of the LTD models though)"

You were right RevRay!

I was the guy who bought that gun after seeing all the cool pictures of these two tones. A+ for the seller, very nice shop to deal with. The gun came with the original box, papers, factory fired casing, and magazines. Insides looked as though it hadn't even been broken in, maybe fired a box or two at most. Outside had some minimal edge wear, but not much. A few mag fulls later I found out why the gun hadn't been shot much, the slide locked back prematurely about every 3-4 rounds! Didn't matter what I fed the gun, warm loads, mild loads, JHP, 124gr, 115gr, even lead truncated. No, it wasn't my thumb hitting it, didn't matter if I shot it left or right, one handed or two. Good news was it fed absolutely anything I gave it with no feed issues. Well long story short I fixed the gun and fired about another 100 rounds of mixed ammo with no premature lock back, so I believe she is cured now. Probably bounced from owner to owner over the last 9 years with this annoying problem. Very accurate for its size but after my test rounds yesterday and another 100 rounds today, I'd say she has a little bite to her.



I believe the fired case info says "2004" Does anyone know how many non-LTD two tones were made during that run? Just wondered. I believe they all had "GC" serial prefixes for that run as I've seen a few for sale with those letters, but could be wrong.

[RevRay]

"Here's a pretty nice one (not one of the LTD models though)"

You were right RevRay!

I was the guy who bought that gun after seeing all the cool pictures of these two tones. A+ for the seller, very nice shop to deal with. The gun came with the original box, papers, factory fired casing, and magazines. Insides looked as though it hadn't even been broken in, maybe fired a box or two at most. Outside had some minimal edge wear, but not much. A few mag fulls later I found out why the gun hadn't been shot much, the slide locked back prematurely about every 3-4 rounds! Didn't matter what I fed the gun, warm loads, mild loads, JHP, 124gr, 115gr, even lead truncated. No, it wasn't my thumb hitting it, didn't matter if I shot it left or right, one handed or two. Good news was it fed absolutely anything I gave it with no feed issues. Well long story short I fixed the gun and fired about another 100 rounds of mixed ammo with no premature lock back, so I believe she is cured now. Probably bounced from owner to owner over the last 9 years with this annoying problem. Very accurate for its size but after my test rounds yesterday and another 100 rounds today, I'd say she has a little bite to her.

I believe the fired case info says "2004" Does anyone know how many non-LTD two tones were made during that run? Just wondered. I believe they all had "GC" serial prefixes for that run as I've seen a few for sale with those letters, but could be wrong.

Good for you, Ultona. I'd have to read back through the whole thread to be sure of the exact number, but I know that there are at least three of us now who have bought these MK9 Duo Tones since I first started the thread. And I am especially glad that you knew enough to simply take her through the full break-in in order to work out the kinks. Now you have a good looking and a good working gun to carry around or set by the bed.

As for your question about how many were made, I can't answer that one for you. Perhaps a question put to somebody at Kahr could give you those details. I only know the details about the limited edition (LTD) ones that I bought; but if you do ask them, please be sure to post their answer here.

Also, the blood sort of begs the question ... what happened there?

[RevRay]

Hmmm dual color on a Kahr...neat concept.

Jeepster, those are quite cool indeed. May I ask where you got them colored ... I really like the results ... I must say.

[Ultona]

The blood is just where the corner of the frame started to wear a hole on my thumb joint. Doesn't really hurt, I've got a few little guns that kick enough to do that to my hand if I shoot enough rounds in a row. I usually don't, but wanted to make sure the slide stop issue was fixed. I should post in the tech section exactly what I did to fix the premature lock back, it wasn't breaking in the gun that solved it, it would have never self corrected unfortunately.

[RevRay]

The blood is just where the corner of the frame started to wear a hole on my thumb joint. Doesn't really hurt, I've got a few little guns that kick enough to do that to my hand if I shoot enough rounds in a row. I usually don't, but wanted to make sure the slide stop issue was fixed. I should post in the tech section exactly what I did to fix the premature lock back, it wasn't breaking in the gun that solved it, it would have never self corrected unfortunately.

Definitely post your fix there and post it here as well. I sort of realized after re-reading your post that it wasn't simply a result of breaking it in. But being a newbie (i.e. I've owned a gun less than four months) I didn't quite pick up on that point the first time.

[Ultona]

My slide stop had a little bit too much material on the bottom pad (bright square area) that dictates its at rest position.



With no mag in the gun, the slide stop had NO verticle play up and down at all and was actually rubbing on the under side of the slide during some of its travel. Under recoil it would just manage to catch the notch in the slide and lock it open. Took just a few thousandths off that pad with a jeweler's file to give it some clearance. I also checked the slide lock spring, at rest the little arm should be pushing on that little shelf in the frame, but mine was just a hair above it.




I carefully gave it just a slight tweak and it was back where it should be supplying the right amount of tension. I think the slide stop clearance issue was the main factor in my problem but this wasn't helping either. Another 50 rounds with zero issues today, so she's running fine now. Checking that spring was a no brainer, but if your spring is ok and bullet noses aren't causing the issue, it doesn't hurt to check your slide lock/slide/frame clearance if you are still having premature lock backs.