MK9 wood grips yes or no

[wayneo1]

I am thinking about getting the wood grips for my MK9. Was wondering if anyone that has them could chime in as to weather they fit well, and are they worth it. I was looking to increase the thickness of the grip a little in hopes of a little more sure grip on the gun, at least the feeling of a surer grip.

[CPO15]

Love mine. Really dress-up the gun. Had to do a little fitting with a wood chisel on an interior panel (1/16th inch?). Be sure to check the Kahr website for the grips as there is a particular serial number range which the grips will not fit (and do not throw away the screws which ship with the grips).

[taxifolia]

I am thinking about getting the wood grips for my MK9. Was wondering if anyone that has them could chime in as to weather they fit well, and are they worth it. I was looking to increase the thickness of the grip a little in hopes of a little more sure grip on the gun, at least the feeling of a surer grip.

From KAHR - the older GA series MK has some extra material on the frame where the top grip screw goes in that does not allow the wood grips to fit. There is not much, just causes a small gap in the grips. The inside part of the grip can be modified with a Dremel.

[hollander]

Had them on my MK9 and then sold it - stupid me! Got them for the MK40 and had to do a little work with the Dremel but no problem. I had the checkered grips on the MK9 and they were a little bothersome when the gun was carried against the skin. I have the smooth on the MK 40 and I think I like them better. They do dress up the gun.

[Bawanna]

Had them on my MK9 and then sold it - stupid me! Got them for the MK40 and had to do a little work with the Dremel but no problem. I had the checkered grips on the MK9 and they were a little bothersome when the gun was carried against the skin. I have the smooth on the MK 40 and I think I like them better. They do dress up the gun.

If you ever have checkered grips that irritate or feel too agressive in your hand or on your skin just take a piece of medium sandpaper like 280 or so on a block and just knock off the points a little bit. You'll still get a good grip surface but not have the bite. Usually the checkered area is not finished so you can put a little linseed oil or tung oil or whatever you got on it when your done, brush the heck out of it with a toothbrush, preferably someone elses toothbrush to get the oil in good without plugging up the grooves.
Easy fix.

[recoilguy]

Wood grips are so nice on any gun that accepts them. On the MK9 they look great!!!!!!!!!!!

RCG

[Barth]

Looks wood / concealment factory

Pictures on the net of MK40s with wood grips looked great
So I ordered the checkered ones. They require some fitting.
So I ordered the smooth and they required fitting too.
It looks like both grips will add thickness to the overall grip.
Which sounds good for feel. But I think the stock grips
are flatter and better for concealment.
So I’m sticking with the factory grips.

Footnote -
I’ve got Eagle Secret Service grips for two smith revolvers
and they fit perfect?!? Both my sigs have Hogue rubber finger grove
combat grips. But no such think for a Kahr (it seems).

[Bawanna]

Pictures on the net of MK40s with wood grips looked great
So I ordered the checkered ones. They require some fitting.
So I ordered the smooth and they required fitting too.
It looks like both grips will add thickness to the overall grip.
Which sounds good for feel. But I think the stock grips
are flatter and better for concealment.
So I’m sticking with the factory grips.

Footnote -
I’ve got Eagle Secret Service grips for two smith revolvers
and they fit perfect?!? Both my sigs have Hogue rubber finger grove
combat grips. But no such think for a Kahr (it seems).

Hogue makes the factory grips that come on Kahrs, no finger grooves that I've ever heard of.
I'm not sure why they leave the wood grips as thick as they are. The screws are deeply recessed and they can easily be slimmed down to match the factory rubber (good) or factory hard plastic (not so good) grips. I've matched that factory thickness on several. I thought at first the narrower grip in wood would be uncomfortable on the hand more so than factory but it didn't make any difference even on my K40.
The factory smooth grips could easily be thinned and refinished. Probably nearly a 1/4" per side which would slim the grip down alot overall.

[Barth]

Hogue makes the factory grips that come on Kahrs, no finger grooves that I've ever heard of.
I'm not sure why they leave the wood grips as thick as they are. The screws are deeply recessed and they can easily be slimmed down to match the factory rubber (good) or factory hard plastic (not so good) grips. I've matched that factory thickness on several. I thought at first the narrower grip in wood would be uncomfortable on the hand more so than factory but it didn't make any difference even on my K40.
The factory smooth grips could easily be thinned and refinished. Probably nearly a 1/4" per side which would slim the grip down alot overall.

Thanks for the tip.
I'll consider it after my S&W 342 comes out of the shop.
(Getting a SS trigger, action job with over travel adjustment,
XS Big Dot front sight and Black Onyx Secret Service grips - Woo Hoo!)

[photoshooter]

I might as well add my thousand words.
No fitting required, just popped them right on there.

[Barth]

I might as well add my thousand words.
No fitting required, just popped them right on there.

Totally not fair - LOL!
I tried twice with no joy..... (New MK40 Elite)

[dzldust]

Gotta get a set soon for my "GAXxx" MK 9

[Cookster]

I'll have to share my story about the wood grips on my MK9. They are exactly the same as the one's on photoshooter's heater.

Long story short. . .

Put them on. They fit great and feel good for shooting. Carry IWB, but wood is in direct contact with my skin (summer carry).

After about two weeks or so of carrying I notice a rash, and damn if its not in the same shape and size of the grip of my MK9. Stop carrying it, but the rash soon quadruples in size (maybe larger), despite putting some OTC anti-itch stuff on it like calamine lotion and other products.

Go to doctor. Can't recall it exactly, but his diagnosis is something like contact dermatosis and writes a script for me for a topical lotion. Most of the rash clears up within 2-3 weeks, but it took much longer for it to disappear completely.

I still have the grips because I put them back on in the winter when I am wearing a t-shirt tucked in and then a heavier shirt over that.

I'd say my skin is more or less normal, but the checkering on the grip was agressive enough to penetrate / abrade my skin, and then the stain / paint / laquer / whatever they use to treat the wood was then introduced to my body, thus creating the rash in that area.

Rob

[Bawanna]

I suspect more than just the abrasion you are sensitive to the toxic stuff in the wood.
When I'm in Coco Bolo alot my hands blister, my shirt collar even turns reddish. Some woods are even worse to breath or get into your bloodstream. Putting more oil or a poly type finish might help some. I resort to rubber gloves sometimes but I hate em.

[Barth]

I'll have to share my story about the wood grips on my MK9. They are exactly the same as the one's on photoshooter's heater.

Long story short. . .

Put them on. They fit great and feel good for shooting. Carry IWB, but wood is in direct contact with my skin (summer carry).

After about two weeks or so of carrying I notice a rash, and damn if its not in the same shape and size of the grip of my MK9. Stop carrying it, but the rash soon quadruples in size (maybe larger), despite putting some OTC anti-itch stuff on it like calamine lotion and other products.

Go to doctor. Can't recall it exactly, but his diagnosis is something like contact dermatosis and writes a script for me for a topical lotion. Most of the rash clears up within 2-3 weeks, but it took much longer for it to disappear completely.

I still have the grips because I put them back on in the winter when I am wearing a t-shirt tucked in and then a heavier shirt over that.

I'd say my skin is more or less normal, but the checkering on the grip was agressive enough to penetrate / abrade my skin, and then the stain / paint / laquer / whatever they use to treat the wood was then introduced to my body, thus creating the rash in that area.

Rob

I live in Tampa Florida, perpetual summer, and carry daily.
Wore the rubber smooth on my Uncle Mikes boot grips on my J-frame!
My skin is semi-sensitive anyway. Have to ware gloves at the gym.
I'm totally sticking with the hard, flat, plastic Hogues that came with the gun. They conceal fantastic and are growing on me - LOL.

Thanks for the info...