So what's with all the MK9 posts the last few days?

[gb6491]

All these posts about folks picking up a MK9 or revisiting threads about their recoil assemblies and such......it's a conspiracy I tell ya..

I pop into my favorite local shop today to test out Al's (Lakeline LLC) new stainless steel striker guide for the XD-S and what do I spy in one of the cabinets?
Yes sir, a used MK9. I can't recall ever seeing a MK anything in this shop other than a MK40 one of the guys there carries from time to time. The MK9 has a few wear spots and the grip screws are beat up a bit, but overall it's in good shape. It's not a consignment gun and as I've never fired a MK anything, I ask to put a few rounds through it and they oblige. Bad move, the friggin gun shoots great for me (almost as well as Genin's at ten yds.). I can't resist, this might be Excalibur...so I'm the proud owner of a used, but sweet shooting MK9.
Here's a photo of it after cleaning up the screws and blasting the few wear marks (it's sitting on top of the target I used to test it):

As an added bonus, the magazine that came with it has one of Kahr's old metal followers in it and it works great so far


For any XD-S users out there, Al's new striker guide looks like to be a winner (worked as advertised for me this afternoon):

This puppy ain't going to crack like the OEM plastic one can.

Regards,
Greg

[Ed M]

Congrats on your find, Greg.

She's a looker, for sure! There's something about the steel framed Kahrs that just screams quality.

Some of the things I find appealing about Kahr pistols:

- thin, compact design.
- easy to conceal. They just seem to vanish in the right holster, and are super comfortable to carry.
- very good factory sights. The bar dot sight system is quick and easy to obtain a good sight picture.
- simple design that is easy to disassemble, clean, and maintain.
- that wonderful Kahr trigger....
- excellent ergonomics. So comfortable, and easy to shoot.
- low perceived recoil. Even better with steel framed ones.
- looks. All Kahrs look appealing to me, but those steel framed ones....
- build quality. Kahrs are just well made. Great basic design.

I'm sure I could come up with more things I like about Kahr's designs. To me, the MK9 takes the Kahr basic design to it's highest level. The only negative I typically hear is weight. Yeah, a CM9 is lighter, but 22 oz is pretty light in actuality. I have no problem pocket carrying my MK9. In anything but dress slacks, it's not uncomfortable at all.

Stupid analogy, but comparing polymer framed Kahrs with the steel framed ones is like comparing a very talented rookie athlete to a veteran athlete at the peak of their career. Smooth and refined, they're the best at what makes them great.

[Bills1873]

Where else you going to find a stainless micro 9 of that quality for the money? The pretty little guns have them all beat! A real value

[Phish]

I agree with posts by everyone. I haven't been able to stop laughing at myself on Cabelas screw up and keep thinking if I am on their radar next time I swing thru their library.

I like the metal follower better then the plastic one.

[Ikeo74]

It looks brand new after your clean-up, congratulations. I bought mine used from Buds and I couldn't ever find any evidence of it being used either.

[Genin]

gb,
oh baby that's sweet! Fantastic shooting and definitely just as good as I. Those grips look cool, almost like a rubberized version. Are they just a different factory style from an earlier version or an aftermarket grip?

[JohnR]

Didn't they used to come with rubber grips, like the K9? When I had both, I ordered some rubber K9 grips from Kahr and chopped them down to fit my MK9. Ended up selling both guns, often wish I still had the K9. But I have a CW9 and CM9 that are 80-90% as good but they're lighter and easier to carry. The only difference to me between the metal and plastic Kahrs is that the metal ones look better, feel better in the hand, and have only a slight advantage in recoil absorption. The other patented features do great things for recoil in the plastic framed model. If a gun were a fashion statement I'd carry a K9 or MK9 or T9 open carry!

[Alfonse]

Great find Greg! Count me as an MK fan.

[CPTKILLER]

I like mine for very compact carry, accuracy, and reliability.

[Redstate]

I was thinking the same thing about the grips as far as looking like the K9 rubber like feeling grips. Good find.

I also like when this subforum gets fired up.

[gb6491]

Hey everyone,
Thank you all for your comments, very much appreciated

Ed M, Kahr should hire you to do marketing for them.

As to the grips, they are not rubber. They are made by Hogue and have more of a nylon feel to me. My MK9 is a GAO9XX serial number gun (circa 1997), so I guess Al's G10 grips are out of the picture (disappointed at that as I like the look of them). I recently reacquired the older K9 I used to own (a little worse for wear, so I might refinish it), so here's a shot of it (with rubber grips) next to the MK9:

These two are probably within a year or so of production dates.

Regards,
Greg

[WesLey]

Nice find ... The MK9 is a fine piece of equipment ...

[Alfonse]

Hey everyone,

As to the grips, they are not rubber. They are made by Hogue and have more of a nylon feel to me. My MK9 is a GAO9XX serial number gun (circa 1997), so I guess Al's G10 grips are out of the picture (disappointed at that as I like the look of them).

I thought this might come up when I read this post the first time.

I have a thought on how we might be able to fit the G10 grips to the GA frames. It would probably take a drill press to accomplish if you are interested.

The basic problem is the early MK grips are thicker, like the K series grips, by .050 inch. The later grips were made thinner, but the boss was added to give enough material for the screw in the thinner grips. I'll have to check all the dimensions again, but if there is room for the screw head to stay below the surface of the grips, it would be possible to remove the boss and do a thin counter bore from the back with a drill press that will allow a fairly thin stainless washer to be epoxied in to support the screw. If that isn't clear, I could draw it up. The question I have to check is whether the screw head will still be below the surface of the grip. That depends a bit on the washer that is used. It wouldn't be a huge project if a good washer could be located that is thin, strong and stainless.

Just thinkin....

[gb6491]

I thought this might come up when I read this post the first time.

I have a thought on how we might be able to fit the G10 grips to the GA frames. It would probably take a drill press to accomplish if you are interested.

The basic problem is the early MK grips are thicker, like the K series grips, by .050 inch. The later grips were made thinner, but the boss was added to give enough material for the screw in the thinner grips. I'll have to check all the dimensions again, but if there is room for the screw head to stay below the surface of the grips, it would be possible to remove the boss and do a thin counter bore from the back with a drill press that will allow a fairly thin stainless washer to be epoxied in to support the screw. If that isn't clear, I could draw it up. The question I have to check is whether the screw head will still be below the surface of the grip. That depends a bit on the washer that is used. It wouldn't be a huge project if a good washer could be located that is thin, strong and stainless.

Just thinkin....

Hey Al,
Thanks for the post! I understand what you are saying about removing the boss on the back of the grips, then counter boring the hole for a glued in washer to prevent the screw from pulling through (of course, I did go back and look at the 22 page MK9 G10 grip thread).
The grips on my MK9 are in good shape and I like the thickness, so I have no real need (other than liking them) for the G10 at this time, but will keep this in mind. Thanks again Sir!
Regards,
Greg

[Alfonse]

I was just thinking about it really. Since I figure if you wanted to do it, you would figure out how to get it done. So, I mainly just thought "how would Greg do this if he was going to." Anyway, your MK9 looks like a score and this has been a fun thread.