New MK9 -- Purchase and First Impressions

[QuercusMax]

Somewhat disappointed so far, but maybe there's hope

I got a MK9 Elite in May of this year, intending to use it with my new carry permit.

It's a beautiful piece mechanically and in appearance, so that part I like a lot. Being all stainless it is a bit heavier than I would like for everyday carry, but that is a trade-off that I am still contemplating (maybe for another post).

I've shot it twice now and have put 300-400 rounds through it, and while it has been perfect mechanically, I was dismayed that I can't seem to hit anything with it, or even achieve a good degree of consistency. I'm not an expert, but I've shot quite a few handguns of various types and calibers, and this is the only one that makes me doubt my ability.

One other person pointed out that the trigger takes some getting used to and practice, so I'm going to work on that.

But I also discovered that the sights are off, as received new in the box. Not sure why I didn't notice this right away, but now that I have examined it carefully, I can see that the front sight is not absolutely centered on the frame or the barrel, which might account for some of my issues especially on a piece like this with such a short sight radius.

I know that Kahr sights can be adjusted in their dovetail grooves, but are really tight, so others have recommended getting a special tool to do this (or use a gunsmith or send back to Kahr).

[Barth]

Pics of the Elite, please

[Barth]

Being all stainless it is a bit heavier than I would like for everyday carry, but that is a trade-off that I am still contemplating

The trick for me with concealed carry of a 25 oz pistol is a good reinforced belt.
There are lots of belts out there.
And I've tried a few.
For me the perfect belt is a Galco SB1.
It's flexible, comfortable and good looking.
A little bit expensive. But you get what you pay for.

BTW, and I don't know why, lot's of products are cheaper third party than from the manufacturer.

[Cokeman]

I know that Kahr sights can be adjusted in their dovetail grooves, but are really tight, so others have recommended getting a special tool to do this (or use a gunsmith or send back to Kahr).

I recommend letting Kahr fix it.

[Barth]

I recommend letting Kahr fix it.

+1 on that.
My Elite shot perfect from the factory.
So should yours.

The DOA trigger took a little getting use to just because of the travel.
But in 20/30 rounds I was loving the glassy clean break.

[QuercusMax]

Sights off

I agree - one should expect it to come perfect from the factory. Every other item in my little collection (which includes Berettas, Brownings and Kimbers) did.

Getting the sights aligned correctly should be just as much of the manufacturing process as making sure all of the other parts fit correctly.

I'm mulling over the prospect of sending it back. Kahr says it takes "2 to 3 weeks" which isn't a problem for me, but somehow I don't like the idea of sending it in. But I also don't like the inaccuracy, which won't fix itself. I think I'll contact Kahr and see what they have to say.

[Barth]

I agree - one should expect it to come perfect from the factory. Every other item in my little collection (which includes Berettas, Brownings and Kimbers) did.

Getting the sights aligned correctly should be just as much of the manufacturing process as making sure all of the other parts fit correctly.

I'm mulling over the prospect of sending it back. Kahr says it takes "2 to 3 weeks" which isn't a problem for me, but somehow I don't like the idea of sending it in. But I also don't like the inaccuracy, which won't fix itself. I think I'll contact Kahr and see what they have to say.

Sending guns in the mail makes me uncomfortable too.
Still, I sent slide only to Sig Sauer for night sights and everything went well.
Only problem I had was that regular UPS stores won't ship handguns.
Not even parts. You have to go to a UPS hub (distribution center) for that.
And they don't have the same packaging options as the regular stores.
So it's a good idea to package it before you go to ship.
The strangeness is the regular UPS stores can receive, but not ship!?!

Moral to this story is it's a good idea to check with Kahr, and the shipper, before you attempt shipping.

[wyntrout]

An alternative is to schedule pickup. I got an online account and printed up the label after filling out the forms and paying with a CC online. Box it yourself and let them pick it up for a fee... UPS or FedEx.
For me, shipping ammo, I had to drive 20 miles across town to the outskirts, taking about an hour each way and a good three gallons of gas... no savings there and a PITA. The next time, I paid for and scheduled home pickup for $7 something more, saving gas and my TIME. You have to be home for the pickup, though.
For guns, specifically Kahrs, all but one have been pickups at my home by FedEx, with labels emailed from Kahr. I once scheduled a Kahr return and FedEx didn't show. An hour after the appointed time, I called and found that I HADN"T scheduled pickup, so I had to drive about 19 miles each way to the airport to drop it off before 8:30 PM that FRIDAY evening... the latest that I could find in town. That was MY screw up, though.
Guns can only be shipped certain ways, though. I haven't paid for shipping one and haven't used UPS for that. When I used FedEx and was filling out the label myself, using Kahr's account number, as authorized, I chose the 2nd most expensive way for next day delivery. The corporate rate is half or less what YOU will have to pay, though... under $30(Kahr) and you'll probably have to pay over $60. So get them to pay! It would be nice if they used their rate and charged you a flat $30, using their label.

Oh, both UPS and FedEx require you to put the package in the hands of the driver, or a real employee at one of THEIR centers. Those "UPS Stores" and such franchises can't handle hazardous stuff or weapons. They aren't company employees.

Wynn

[QuercusMax]

Still uncomfortable with the prospect of shipping my MK9 Elite back to Kahr to deal with the apparent misplacement of the front sight, I found that a friend of mine had a sight adjustment tool: a B&J Machine model 500 universal sight adjustment tool that he got from Midway USA.

What a nicely made little tool! It is designed especially for adjusting the sights of guns that have dovetail sights, including most Kahrs and Kimbers (as I have) and probably others.

I put the slide of my MK9 into this little device, clamped everything in place, and then carefully turned the screw that pushes the sight sideways in the dovetail groove. My goodness, but that thing was tight! I can't imagine how you could move it without a tool like this. But I did nudge it just slightly sideways so at least now it appears to be aligned with the front of the barrel.

So now the next step will be to load it up and test it out. I haven't shot the little Kahr for a couple of months now so it will be interesting to see.

[TucsonMTB]

Good news, QuercusMax! I have been lusting after one of those machines myself. So far, I have resisted.

Best of luck at the range. Were I you, I would take your friend's tool along for minor tweaks at the range . . . after firing from a rest of course.

[Barth]

If the sight tool doesn't work for you one more option is to upgrade.
I put a XS Systems Big Dot front sight on my S&W 342. It's truly amazing.
Even if the rear aren't NS it would be an upgrade for sure.
Gunsmith charged me $10 bucks to install.

[QuercusMax]

I put the slide of my MK9 into this little device, clamped everything in place, and then carefully turned the screw that pushes the sight sideways in the dovetail groove. My goodness, but that thing was tight! I can't imagine how you could move it without a tool like this. But I did nudge it just slightly sideways so at least now it appears to be aligned with the front of the barrel.

So now the next step will be to load it up and test it out. I haven't shot the little Kahr for a couple of months now so it will be interesting to see.

Finally got out today to test out my front sight adjustment. I'm happy to say that it worked! Even with just a very tiny adjustment, I had much better results today than in my earlier (pre- sight adjustment) sessions. My shots were now all on centerline, though tending low. I suspect this might be the result of over-gripping - I'm still getting used to the small grip on the Kahr and thus might be over-compensating, because it doesn't happen when I shoot guns with larger grips.

Oh well, that means I'll just have to go out for another practice session with the little Kahr sometime soon - what a hardship.

[MikeyKahr]

Great to hear! I think you're most likely right about tending low. What a chore it will be, 200 more WWB.

Sent using Tapatalk