Kahr black Finish or elite on a K40

[phil413tx]

Hey group! I am looking at buying a new k40. I have a k9 but wanted to add a .40 to my collection. I was think about getting the elite '03 or going with the black finish. I just want it to look a little different from my k9. How does the black finish hold up on the K's? Is it worth the money to buy the elite? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[jocko]

yup super hard finsih. U will love it..


A couple of years back Kahr decided to discontinue carbon steel guns and manufacture all slides and steel frames from stainless steel. Most consumers liked the corrosion resistance of stainless.
However, Kahr quickly discovered that not all consumers wanted bright and shiny guns. In dim light, the glint of a stainless slide being withdrawn by an undercover operative could lead to fatal complications.
To solve this problem and darken the stainless slide, Kahr flirted briefly with baked-on Teflon used by many manufacturers but found the results less than satisfactory. The economy of the finish was appealing to Kahr, but is soon discovered that the cosmetics were short-lived. Kahr tried another process that required substantial heat. This actually changed the metal's molecular structure and made it more brittle. Finally, Kahr developed its proprietary Tungsten Diamond-Like-Coating (Tungsten DLC), which uses a process called Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition to coat the parts.
Tungsten DLC is applied in a vacuum chamber where cathodes transform the tungsten into a gas that plates the parts. The process increases the surface hardness to a whopping 90 on the Rockwell C scale. Just for comparison, your average 1911 frame will register about 28 to 30 on the same scale.
One of the best selling points of the Diamond-Like Coating in that the parts are never heated over 300 degrees Fahrenheit, so there's no need to worry about the parts losing their temper, softening, or becoming brittle. Also, only about two microns of the material is deposited on the slide. In case you're wondering, that amounts to about 80 millionths of an inch-far too little to affect the parts' function or fit.
Kahr's Tungsten DLC thoroughly impresses me. Not only does it perform its intended task of coloring the bright stainless steel to a matte, non-reflective black, it also provides a tough, corrosion-proof covering that is virtually scratch proof. And it will not wear even when subjected to extensive holster carry. For a gun that will be used exclusively for concealed carry, the Tungsten DLC finish makes a lot of sense

[phil413tx]

Wow!!! Now that was a great post! That is the answer I was looking for and hoping for. I really like the black finish on the Kahr. I was hoping it was tough because it would be concealed carried a lot!

[Bawanna]

That had to be a cut and paste, my jaw is on the floor. First short sentence is normal Jocko, then the rest is from another planet.

[jocko]

boy ur not cutting ol jocko any slack, and here it is yule tide season. I will remember that. (probalby at leat 15 minutes) gut I will remember that. That is the point, jUST SAYIN

Pilot, my ass!!! probably next month ur avitar will show u on a Harley,,, then I am outta here:001_huh:

[Bawanna]

You didn't see the full size version of that avatar did ya. It's got 5 horses and 2 trolls on the side panel.

Let me see if I can find that for ya.

[jocko]

what does a troll look like???? I can picture the horses,(or part of them anyhow) as I have been around them for years

[Bawanna]

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n538/hopke5/AceColBawanna1_zpsfb3c9eed.png

Tinman thunk it up so send him the horse head. I got another hit today so need to add another.

[jocko]

leave it to tinman to do it up right. thats a good one colonel.

come to think of it my Harley leather helmet and googles look just like that. course they came from an army surplus store back in the 70's from a war surplus store in Casper, Wyoming. Just sayin

[Bawanna]

One more recent photo and we'll return this to the heavily suntanned diamond like finish discussion.

[jocko]

u only wish "colonel"...

[phil413tx]

Wow! This thread went a whole other direction!:confused::D:D

[knkali]

I have the black finish on my P40. I think it is the same as what you are considering. I like it a lot but it is not as durable as I thought it would be. I thought of powder coating durable.. it is not.

[7shot]

I have the black finish on my K9 and like it a lot. It's not scratch free but holds its finish (at least on mine) during holstering in my leather Tucker holster.

[Gliderguy]

I guess they had to make the other wing of the plane longer, that is the side they painted all the chicken kills. Now that I look at it, that looks remarkably like a tow pilot I used to work with around Memphis. He flew B17's back in the day. No longer with us, passed about 5 years ago.

[phil413tx]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all of the posts. I just wish I could see them both in person. It is so hard to find any Kahrs in my area. I have had to special order all of mine. I am really leaning towards the black.