Received my first Kahr today, question about Wolff Guide Rod+Spring :-)

[ffemt]

Just finished CA's ten day wait and got to pick up my first Kahr! While waiting I found some wood grips that fortunately did not require fitting and a GI Silent Thunder AIWB holster. Lastly, I have some K920 8rounder mags on the way.. Just need to buy a stainless steel guide rod and it'll be set. Then eventually I want to cerakote it a dark grey-black to clone a mini looking 1911 :-)

Question on the Wolff guide rod + recoil spring combo Reduced Power 18.5 lbs vs. Factory Standard 20.5 lbs.

I will be using this mostly for CCW, any reasons to get one over the other? I did some basic research so far and had read that the reduced one will open up options for any ammo types but the gun should function fine..

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz29/joecristi/2014-06/6E955917-9268-4556-B0DD-0FCAA1E0F419_zpsczkap92m.jpg (http://s810.photobucket.com/user/joecristi/media/2014-06/6E955917-9268-4556-B0DD-0FCAA1E0F419_zpsczkap92m.jpg.html)

[b4uqzme]

I've always used the factory springs. My only experience with a reduced power recoil spring is with a worn-out factory spring. A worn out spring causes increased felt recoil as the slide still has rearward momentum when it reaches the end of its travel. Just something to consider.

I'm not sure what the 18.5 spring upside is unless you plan to run really weak ammo. It also could make the pistol a little easier to rack. Mine runs everything I've fed it just fine with the factory spring and is typically stiff to rack like most Kahrs...but OK.

Great purchase BTW. You are gonna love it. :D

[ffemt]

I've always used the factory springs. My only experience with a reduced power recoil spring is with a worn-out factory spring. A worn out spring causes increased felt recoil as the slide still has rearward momentum when it reaches the end of its travel. Just something to consider.

I'm not sure what the 18.5 spring upside is unless you plan to run really weak ammo. It also could make the pistol a little easier to rack. Mine runs everything I've fed it just fine with the factory spring and is typically stiff to rack like most Kahrs...but OK.

Great purchase BTW. You are gonna love it. :D


Standard seems the way to go then for reliability and less recoil.. Can't wait to shoot it! Picked it yup yesterday and as of right now my wife is in labor for our first kiddo since 8pm last night so no range time in the near future ;-)


actually u got it backwards. Your MK9 now has the 18.5 # recoil spring in it. The 20.5# is an option that will work perfectly to. U can still shoot ay kind of ammo through the gun with the 20.#5 spring. If u gain anythging u might get some felt reduced recoil and u will get longer life out of the recoil springs. Nice gun, keep that right grip screws tight, as shooting tends to loosen um up some and it will cause possable trigger bar malfunction. U canorder a nice 5# striker spring that drops right in that gun to. makes a nice trigger feel. I would suggest u do the propper prep thread to and go through allt he tips mentioed thee. Make that first shoot a fun one and knowing u have been all through the gun to. Sometimes kahr leaves alot of sh!t in their guns. welcome to the forum...keep ur sessions short. 50-100 rounds so u don't get tired and then things happen and the gun gets blamed for it, Shoot American made fmj ammo for break in and then test out a defense round of ur choice. To many good brand sout there so what ever you pick,,, priority #1 has to be total reliability..


Just curious, how do you know it's the 18.5 lbs spring? And is the #5 striker spring also a Wolff product?

Thanks for the info!

[berettabone]

I put the standard spring in mine...............works just fine. I just looked at my package, and it's the 20.5:o

[Bawanna]

Standard seems the way to go then for reliability and less recoil.. Can't wait to shoot it! Picked it yup yesterday and as of right now my wife is in labor for our first kiddo since 8pm last night so no range time in the near future ;-)




Just curious, how do you know it's the 18.5 lbs spring? And is the #5 striker spring also a Wolff product?

Thanks for the info!

Started to just say Jocko knows everything but I went to Wolff's website and they list the 20# as the standard replacement. The 18.5 is reduced power and as I recall they also offer a 22# extra power.
So now I'm more confused than I was before.

[jocko]

and I truly am 100% wrong on that. I misread and thought ( a problem of late) that he was talking about the cm and pm 9 which the 18# is standard and 20.5 is extra power. I do stand corrected colonel and so glad u were on top of this to. I would not advise putti9ng the 18.5 reduced power in the MK9, stick with factory or up it to 22#

the 5# striker spring is offered only b y wolffs and it will fit every kahr except the 3870 model. This is a nice little change.

sorry about the mistake kguys. FIRST fokking mistake in over 5 yearts on this forum and who would catch it, but somone who is less "brite" than I even...

It always amazed me though that the MK9 takes a 20# recol spring while the pm andcm kahrs in 9 and 40 call come standare with the `18# recoil spring. Both slides are stainless so why would not the PM and cm 9 and jexpecialy the 40 cal use the same poundage in the cm and pm models. Just sayin

some years back kahr had introduced the lady PM9 and the onlyt difference in it was that it used a 16# recoil spring, that is not even listed anymore, but tyhis gun never went over good enough to stick in the line, but to me it does show that one can fokk around with the recoil po9undage some and hot hurt anything. Just sayin

[kerby9mm]

When I first got my mk9 I wanted to get the ss guide rod. I read posts on it & saw different ways to install it. Three years later I still have the stock RSA in it & it shoots great. Its lighter & it flexes with the movement of the slide& barrel when shooting. It also has no scratches on it & still looks brand new. As stated earlier watch your grip screws when shooting. On my mk40 they all back out on the mk9 bottom right mostly. I use a dime at the range to tighten them.

[b4uqzme]

Standard seems the way to go then for reliability and less recoil.. Can't wait to shoot it! Picked it yup yesterday and as of right now my wife is in labor for our first kiddo since 8pm last night so no range time in the near future ;-)




Just curious, how do you know it's the 18.5 lbs spring? And is the #5 striker spring also a Wolff product?

Thanks for the info!

Hey, we're so busy talkin' 'bout guns and stuff that I almost missed the labor thing. Congratulations. I hope everyone is doing OK.

[b4uqzme]

and I truly am 100% wrong on that. I misread and thought ( a problem of late) that he was talking about the cm and pm 9 which the 18# is standard and 20.5 is extra power. I do stand corrected colonel and so glad u were on top of this to. I would not advise putti9ng the 18.5 reduced power in the MK9, stick with factory or up it to 22#...

It always amazed me though that the MK9 takes a 20# recol spring while the pm andcm kahrs in 9 and 40 call come standare with the `18# recoil spring. Both slides are stainless so why would not the PM and cm 9 and jexpecialy the 40 cal use the same poundage in the cm and pm models...

Yeah, I typically recommend the factory spring or one stiffer for the 40cal. I think the factory spring is just fine for the 9mm (not that I'm the expert). I don't have a problem with the plastic guide rod either. Has anyone had one break?

[marshal kane]

. . . As stated earlier watch your grip screws when shooting. On my mk40 they all back out on the mk9 bottom right mostly. I use a dime at the range to tighten them.
Might try a bit of blue Loctite on those grip screws. DON'T use the red Loctite unless you plan to never take your grips off. The blue breaks free with a screwdriver.

[ffemt]

Hey, we're so busy talkin' 'bout guns and stuff that I almost missed the labor thing. Congratulations. I hope everyone is doing OK.


Thanks I really appreciate it! Just catching up on all my gun forums now :-)

Emmett 7.5lbs 20", 41 hour labor but all natural, mama and baby are both healthy!

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz29/joecristi/2014-06/439E207A-E704-425B-A932-BA2E8A348892_zpshewclu8b.jpg (http://s810.photobucket.com/user/joecristi/media/2014-06/439E207A-E704-425B-A932-BA2E8A348892_zpshewclu8b.jpg.html)

[Bawanna]

Damn, would you look at the hair on that cutie pie!

Bet mom's had enough of labor for awhile. 41 hours!

Well done, my best to the family and a big hug for mom.

[Southerngunner]

Congrats and best wishes to you and yours.:amflag:

[ffemt]

Thanks guys I'm in cloud 9 right now and will hopefully be discharged in a few hours. Back to the spring question here's what Wolff sent over:

"Thank you for your email and inquiry. It is difficult for me to tell you what is the best recoil spring you should use. We generally rely of ejection distance when determining the correct recoil spring for a pistol, shooter and ammunition. 3 to 6 feet ejection is considered ideal. 2 feet and under, you should reduce the strength of the recoil spring, 10 feet and over, increase the strength of the recoil spring. You should base your decision after firing your pistol with the factory spring (or its equivalent) installed using the ammunition you would normally fire/use in the firearm."

They're fairly cheap so I may buy the correct rod and then the factory and Xtra power spring to play with.

[muggsy]

and I truly am 100% wrong on that. I misread and thought ( a problem of late) that he was talking about the cm and pm 9 which the 18# is standard and 20.5 is extra power. I do stand corrected colonel and so glad u were on top of this to. I would not advise putti9ng the 18.5 reduced power in the MK9, stick with factory or up it to 22#

the 5# striker spring is offered only b y wolffs and it will fit every kahr except the 3870 model. This is a nice little change.

sorry about the mistake kguys. FIRST fokking mistake in over 5 yearts on this forum and who would catch it, but somone who is less "brite" than I even...

It always amazed me though that the MK9 takes a 20# recol spring while the pm andcm kahrs in 9 and 40 call come standare with the `18# recoil spring. Both slides are stainless so why would not the PM and cm 9 and jexpecialy the 40 cal use the same poundage in the cm and pm models. Just sayin

some years back kahr had introduced the lady PM9 and the onlyt difference in it was that it used a 16# recoil spring, that is not even listed anymore, but tyhis gun never went over good enough to stick in the line, but to me it does show that one can fokk around with the recoil po9undage some and hot hurt anything. Just sayin

You know, old timer, that they make a thing called bi-focals. :rolleyes:

[muggsy]

18# light loads, 20# standard loads, 22# heavy loads. Makes sense to me. :)

[berettabone]

I use the #20, and even with 115 gr. it ejects the cases straight right about 3 ft.

[ffemt]

I just bought the standard power spring along with the Wolff guide rod combo and also their 5# hammer spring. I appreciate all the advice and kind words for the new addition to my family :-)

Can't wait to shoot this MK9!

[b4uqzme]

Fyi...there's threads on replacing that striker spring. Please don't miss the recommendation to work inside a large plastic bag so stuff doesn't go flying across the room.

[ffemt]

Fyi...there's threads on replacing that striker spring. Please don't miss the recommendation to work inside a large plastic bag so stuff doesn't go flying across the room.

Thanks for this!

Also, I had the chance to leave the wifey & baby at home for a few hours and shoot the MK9 and wow I'm more accurate with it than my P2000sk but still far from good. I love the trigger and now I'm curious if that #5 spring from Wolff will still be needed :-)

This was five shots at just 15 feet taking my time, slow trigger pull, etc
http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz29/joecristi/AR15/8077D11F-EED6-4D0C-8641-2066D7449539_zpsneurxrlh.jpg (http://s810.photobucket.com/user/joecristi/media/AR15/8077D11F-EED6-4D0C-8641-2066D7449539_zpsneurxrlh.jpg.html)

Shot five a little quicker, four shots around 7 o clock and one at 3 o clock (I think I jerked the trigger)
http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz29/joecristi/AR15/E9FD5F1E-6BCC-46FC-862C-4F58C69DD4E7_zpszulcmqhf.jpg (http://s810.photobucket.com/user/joecristi/media/AR15/E9FD5F1E-6BCC-46FC-862C-4F58C69DD4E7_zpszulcmqhf.jpg.html)

[tv_racin_fan]

Why are you changing springs already? New gun? I believe they come standard with Wolff springs...

I have a pair of older non stainless K 9s, one has a stainless guide rod the other has the standard rod. I think I changed springs but I did so to make it easier to rack for the wife and I may have changed em back when she still couldn't do it to satisfy her (she runs her CW9 well enough).

Nice enough shootin.

The wife had a S&W Sigma.. I got an el cheapo laser to try on it just to see if we liked that idea.. so one day at the range she turns it on to give it a try and then turns it off because she is wallowing all over the target and self consious about it.. she then proceeded to put 4 of the next 5 in the bull and I told her she should have left the laser on, it aint about the wallow it is about the when you pull the trigger.

[ffemt]

Why are you changing springs already? New gun? I believe they come standard with Wolff springs...

I have a pair of older non stainless K 9s, one has a stainless guide rod the other has the standard rod. I think I changed springs but I did so to make it easier to rack for the wife and I may have changed em back when she still couldn't do it to satisfy her (she runs her CW9 well enough).

Nice enough shootin.

The wife had a S&W Sigma.. I got an el cheapo laser to try on it just to see if we liked that idea.. so one day at the range she turns it on to give it a try and then turns it off because she is wallowing all over the target and self consious about it.. she then proceeded to put 4 of the next 5 in the bull and I told her she should have left the laser on, it aint about the wallow it is about the when you pull the trigger.

I ended up going with the standard strength spring and since I wanted to upgrade to a Wolff SS guide rod it made sense to buy the spring+rod combo pack. As for the 5# hammer spring I chose that based on the majority of people loving the slightly lighter trigger pull and my own experience swapping the stock one out on my P2000sk for a lighter one.

The MK9 definitely has a smooth but long trigger pull than what I'm used to.. Will be taking it to the range a few more times and dry firing it a lot till I'm 100% confident.

[ffemt]

For anyone interested here's how the Wolff guide rod looks :-)

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz29/joecristi/AR15/7A72C2D5-6C67-47C0-8375-DAB0A544A89F_zpsirwukzqv.jpg (http://s810.photobucket.com/user/joecristi/media/AR15/7A72C2D5-6C67-47C0-8375-DAB0A544A89F_zpsirwukzqv.jpg.html)

[Firewire]

Interesting! Thanks for the pic!


For anyone interested here's how the Wolff guide rod looks :-)

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz29/joecristi/AR15/7A72C2D5-6C67-47C0-8375-DAB0A544A89F_zpsirwukzqv.jpg (http://s810.photobucket.com/user/joecristi/media/AR15/7A72C2D5-6C67-47C0-8375-DAB0A544A89F_zpsirwukzqv.jpg.html)

[Alfonse]

For anyone interested here's how the Wolff guide rod looks :-)

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz29/joecristi/AR15/7A72C2D5-6C67-47C0-8375-DAB0A544A89F_zpsirwukzqv.jpg (http://s810.photobucket.com/user/joecristi/media/AR15/7A72C2D5-6C67-47C0-8375-DAB0A544A89F_zpsirwukzqv.jpg.html)

Is that a crack starting in the slide under the barrel, or just something on it? I broke the edge on the inside to reduce the stress concentration that could cause a crack there. Hope it is just grease or something.

[ffemt]

Is that a crack starting in the slide under the barrel, or just something on it? I broke the edge on the inside to reduce the stress concentration that could cause a crack there. Hope it is just grease or something.

Yes it was a hairline crack between the openings. Kahr covered it all and I had a new slide and barrel in 3 days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Firewire]

Does the Wolff setup make reassembly difficult or frustrating?

[ffemt]

Does the Wolff setup make reassembly difficult or frustrating?

Neither, reassembly was just as easy with all the parts and springs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Alfonse]

Neither, reassembly was just as easy with all the parts and springs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I suppose with that established, I will probably get the Wolf setup when I change out springs. Not having a nut relying on locktite seems like the way to go for my simple brain.