New MK9 -- Purchase and First Impressions

[dss07]

Bought an MK9 a short while ago on gunbroker from the best vendor I've dealt with on the internet (and I buy everything online, from guns to electronics, etc). His name is Jason Pruett, of J&J Guns in Arkansas (http://www.jandjguns.com/). Paid $656 shipped and paid with credit card without any fee/price increase. Communication, shipping speed, and service were the best, bar none. To give you some context, I have purchased firearms from Buds as well (and have been very satisfied with my transactions with them). But Jason's personal service and excellent communication (along with his excellent prices and payment policies) put him in a class of his own. Bottom line: highly recommended.

Finally completed the firearm registration process (I live in DC where politicians--until the SCOTUS forced their hand--liked us completely defenseless and unprotected) and picked up my MK9 today. Wow! At first blush, I am quite impressed by its (apparent) finish and build quality. And it's just great looking! Disassembled, cleaned, and lubed it per the Kahrtalk lube chart, and am looking forward to a range session tomorrow morning. Might even complete the 200rd FMJ break-in tomorrow...Will come back for follow-up post.

As a sidenote, this is the second firearm I register successfully in our Nation's capital, so feel free to throw any questions my way if you are a DC resident and thinking of going through the process (or are just curious).

Best,
DSS

[jreXD9]

last week I traded a PM9 for an MK9. What I gave up in ease of carry I made up for in ease of shooting. IMO, it's still a piece of cake to pocket carry, even with the additional 8oz. It's a MUCH softer shooter than the PM9, though and has been more accurate. Good luck with your MK.....I'm liking mine.

[TucsonMTB]

Hey dss07!

Welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing more about your adventures in Foggy Bottom!

[Willieboy]

Welcome DSS and enjoy your new MK. They are beautiful pistols to be sure.

[JimBianchi]

Great gun I love mine.

I am glad you are no long complete unarmed in DC.

Tough town.

[wayneo1]

Congrats, you are going to love it. Let us know after your range time how you did.

[dss07]

MK9 UPDATE: First Range Session

Data/Numbers:
Rounds Fired: 135
Ammunition: Combination of Winchester and Federal FMJ
FTF: 2
FTE: 4 (all stovepipes)
No failures to return to battery

Observations:
Fantastic weapon so far. A few points for context: this is my first sub-compact handgun, so I am still getting used to grip dynamics, etc. It is also my first Kahr (my other firearm is an M&P), so there is also a trigger and sight picture learning curve. Having said this, I am very please so far (have not completed the manufacturer suggested break-in period).

FAILURES: While I am not used to failures of any kind (my M&P has never had any malfunctions in thousands of rounds), I am still well within Kahr's break-in period and cannot honestly rule out shooter error (see context points above re: grip, trigger, etc). Also, the failures were random and infrequent enough to not suggest part problems (at least at this point).

ACCURACY: I'm struggling here, especially at distances beyond 15 feet. Again, however, I cannot in good conscience attribute it to the gun. I think more trigger time will help me get used to the trigger pull (long, smooth no break) and sight alignment/picture. On a related note, I think that, once mastered, I will be a Kahr trigger and sight convert. I find that I like the long, smooth trigger pull, and that the dot-the-i sight configuration allows for quicker acquisition. On this last point, I would greatly appreciate any thoughts on proper sight picture/alignment in Kahrs.

I will supplement this report after completing the break-in, which might very well happen tomorrow...

Best,
DSS

[xaman]

I'm a Kahr newb too, but I can tell you that after almost 500 rounds through my MK9, I'm getting much better in the accuracy department. The trigger was very new to me, and awkward even though smooth. But I'm learning to like it. Keep shooting!

I have 3 dot sights so I cannot help you there.

[dss07]

Thanks, xaman.

[dss07]

last week I traded a PM9 for an MK9. What I gave up in ease of carry I made up for in ease of shooting. IMO, it's still a piece of cake to pocket carry, even with the additional 8oz. It's a MUCH softer shooter than the PM9, though and has been more accurate. Good luck with your MK.....I'm liking mine.

Could not agree more. I find this gun very shootable and recoil is on par with it's caliber. I even find it less snappy than the larger P9.

And I think I am an all-steel convert now. Love the look and feel of it over polymer.

[dss07]

UPDATE 2: Second Range Session--Three More FTEs

Completed second range session and break-in yesterday. 140 rounds fired (270 total rounds after two sessions). 3 FTE (7 total after two sessions).

The first two malfunctions happened within the 200 round break-in period. They also happened in +1 mags where the first round (chambered) would fire but the second (added after chambering first) created malfunction. Not sure, then, if malfunctions were shooter induced by improperly loading the top round into mag. Has anyone else encountered this issue?

The third malfunction happened well after completing the break-in, but I cannot rule out shooter error, as I was pretty tired by that time and could have limp-wristed.

Finally, I have noticed that, in attempting to clear the malfunctions, racking slide too forcefully would eject the casing but would also eject the next round. If I racked the slide with less force would yield one of two results: it would not clear the failed casing at all, or it would barely clear but cause a feeding malfunction with next round. Any thoughts or experience with this?

On a more positive note, I absolutely LOVE this gun. While still cautiously optimistic about the malfunctions, I love its fit, finish and feel, and my accuracy improved greatly as I continue to get used to the sight picture and trigger.

Best,
DSS

[jlottmc]

To answer that area, dump the +1 mags, and go with the standard 6 rounders. What seems to happen (more in the PM series) is that somehow or other the shooter is putting some kind of odd pressure on that magazine extension (this per Kahr, search the archives to find it, or wait a minute until some one else finds it for you). Then for the oddities with chambering, I would check the magazine follower for any cracks, and replace the spring with a +5-10% from Wolf's. If that doesn't cure it, then move to the extractor spring, and extractor.

[grunvs1978]

I recently purchased a p380 from J&J Firearms(Gunbroker). I agree with the OP. Great service, fast shipping, good price, no CC fee!
P.S. I also love my p380!

[Barth]

New to Kahr too...

Just recently got a MK40 Elite.
My 200 round break in was flawless with Winchester LE HP Bonded Rangers.
Fired a variety of Winchester and Speer 135/155/165/180, including
"Big Mouth Bass HP" Speer Short Barrel 180s, with no troubles.
MKs should eat anything you feed them after break in.
Have heard rumors of "hit and miss" mags causing reliability problems.

I also have Night Sights.
Did have combat sights on my Sig P239 and shot badly until
I upgraded to three dot night sights. Just what I normally use.

Good Luck!

[austinguy23]

Just recently got a MK40 Elite.
My 200 round break in was flawless with Winchester LE HP Bonded Rangers.
Fired a variety of Winchester and Speer 135/155/165/180, including
"Big Mouth Bass HP" Speer Short Barrel 180s, with no troubles.
MKs should eat anything you feed them after break in.
Have heard rumors of "hit and miss" mags causing reliability problems.

I also have Night Sights.
Did have combat sights on my Sig P239 and shot badly until
I upgraded to three dot night sights. Just what I normally use.

Good Luck!

Pics of the Elite, please