MK9 - Guide rod question...

[davcar45]

I ordered an MK9, don't have it yet. Should be here by next week.

I've been reading the forum and see many people buy a stainless guide rod for their MK9. Is the stock rod plastic? Or blue steel? The stock unit looks like some kind of captured unit, is that what it is? Can someone post a picture of the stainless rod setup outside the gun?

Thanks

I assume one end of this unscrews so you can get the inner spring on and off. I have a Kimber Ultra, is the recoil assembly similar to those.? And it says may require fitting? What has to be fit on a guide rod?

http://www.kahr.com/GetDynamicImage.aspx?dir=itemImages&path=Stainless-Steel-Guide-Rod-MK-Series1006.jpg&w=326&h=278

[Barth]

I ordered an MK9, don't have it yet. Should be here by next week.

I've been reading the forum and see many people buy a stainless guide rod for their MK9. Is the stock rod plastic? Or blue steel? The stock unit looks like some kind of captured unit, is that what it is? Can someone post a picture of the stainless rod setup outside the gun?

Thanks

I assume one end of this unscrews so you can get the inner spring on and off. I have a Kimber Ultra, is the recoil assembly similar to those.? And it says may require fitting? What has to be fit on a guide rod?



I have a stainless guide rod for my MK40 Elite.
Is the stock rod plastic? Or blue steel? Plastic.
I assume one end of this unscrews so you can get the inner spring on and off. That's correct.
And it says may require fitting? Mine didn't require any fitting.

I took the spring off the OEM plastic RSA and put it on the SS one.
Added lock tight to the top cap and screwed it back on.
IMHO it looks sweet, but there's nothing really wrong with the OEM unit.

[davcar45]

Thanks Barth

One more question. When replacing recoil springs, do you have to buy the entire recoil assembly from Kahr for $14 or can you just buy the inner and outer springs.

Wolff springs says their recoil spring sets are an inner and outer spring, non captured and meant to work with Wolff guide rod components.


RECOIL SPRINGS MK-9, MK-40Fits Kahr MK-9, MK-40 Only
Recoil Springs - Wolff recoil springs for the Kahr MK9 and MK40 are matched sets of inner and outer springs. Extra power spring sets help improve recoil function in these pistols. Springs are for use with Wolff Guide Rod Components. Springs are non-captive for easy changes on Wolff guide rods listed below. A replacement factory strength striker spring is included. Please Note: Not for use in PM (Polymer) series pistols.


Reduced Power...: 18.5 Lb.
Factory Standard.: 20.5 Lb.
Extra Power.........: 22.5 & 24.5 Lb.

[Cokeman]

I have a stainless guide rod for my MK40 Elite.
Is the stock rod plastic? Or blue steel? Plastic.
I assume one end of this unscrews so you can get the inner spring on and off. That's correct.
And it says may require fitting? Mine didn't require any fitting.

I took the spring off the OEM plastic RSA and put it on the SS one.
Added lock tight to the top cap and screwed it back on.
IMHO it looks sweet, but there's nothing really wrong with the OEM unit.

Got a pic?

[berettabone]

I tried to take a pic for you, but my camera was dead............................................th e Wolff guide rod and spring set looks just like the original, except it's not captured. Approx. 4" long. Same as original except it all comes apart separately. Easier to clean and replace springs, and no screws......................

[Bawanna]

Most people when the time comes to replace recoil springs just replace the outer spring anyhow.

The less you remove that captive nut on the end the better. And remember the loc tite and check it periodically.

I've no experience with the Wolff guide rod system but it sounds like a good thing.

Kahrs springs are made by Wolff so it's all still in the family.

[davcar45]

I ordered a stainless steel one from Kahr. It looks so much better IMO. ;)

[Firewire]

So how is everyone destroying the plastic and not affecting the spring? I want to do either the Wolff or Kahr or TCS Guns option, but if I risk boogering up a spring the Wolff package seems like the way to go.

[kerby9mm]

When I first got my mk9 & mk40 I wanted the $50 guide rods too. 3+ years later the plastic ones have worked fine. I WAS going to lock the slide back & then clip the plastic end off of the rod then take the gun down & remove the springs. I read where you could also put the RSA in a vice take a skinny metal rod insert it in the hole in front & tap the end off.

[Firewire]

Thank you! Put in and lock slide back. Makes sense and easy. And take care disassembling to avoid the spring(s) flying.

[berettabone]

Standard spring and rod setup on left...............................Wolff rod and spring setup on right.

[Alfonse]

That photo does make it look like the standard one is much easier to get in the pistol than the Wolf setup. I finally bought a metal Kahr, MK9, and compared to the PM9 it is easy to get the spring back on the barrel after a field strip. It barely has to be compressed at all. I maybe should replace the set on my MK9 since I don't know how much it has been shot. I don't think is was used much, there is hardly even a scuff on anything from use including the barrel.

Really like the MK9. It pocket carries just fine for me. It is an older one, GC series. The slide release sure sticks out a long ways although it doesn't seem to keep it from working in any of my PM9 holsters.

[Firewire]

Finally! A side by side pic! Do you have a preference of captured vs non?


Standard spring and rod setup on left...............................Wolff rod and spring setup on right.

[berettabone]

I like the Wolff setup better.............................it isn't hard to put in/assemble, and it seems to function well, I haven't had any problems. I like to be able to disassemble to clean and lube. I also stay away from anything with a screw on the end. Less is more in my book....................................

[davcar45]

I have since gones with the wolff set up. I should have just done that in the first place. I bought the Kahr stainless rod but it keeps coming loose. I got tired of screwing with it and just bought the Wolff.

[ppsnatcher]

I think the tcs and kahr part are the same, I went with the wolf setup.

[HawkeyeFan]

Added the TCS SS rod yesterday (purely for aesthetics) and added a drop of blue loctite. I'll be shooting it tomorrow, so I'm interested to see if it stays in place. Definitely a sharp piece, though.

[davcar45]

Added the TCS SS rod yesterday (purely for aesthetics) and added a drop of blue loctite. I'll be shooting it tomorrow, so I'm interested to see if it stays in place. Definitely a sharp piece, though.

I used Red on mine and it was still coming unscrewed.

[berettabone]

Not a very good pic, but this is what the Wolff rod looks like on the business end, polished a bit.....................and yes it was loaded....................................I must have kept my finger off of the trigger:p

[Firewire]

I've found the Wolff setup to be an easy no nonsense setup. I was worried about it not being captured and the frustrations of a long spring, but it goes together quite easy and smooth. A sig p938 is more difficult to reassemble, which is an uncaptured rod system, then the Wolff on an MK. Wolff + MK = easy reassembly (no issues).

[Redstate]

Is the Wolff set-up all metal?

[HawkeyeFan]

I used Red on mine and it was still coming unscrewed.

100 rounds through it without problems. Definitely happy with it.

[berettabone]

Is the Wolff set-up all metal?

All metal, except for the plug....................it seems to be some kind of plastic.

[Redstate]

Thanks berettabone.

[Firewire]

All metal, except for the plug....................it seems to be some kind of plastic.

Yeah, it may feel like plastic because it feels so light, but the "ping" sound to it makes me think it is light metal. Plus the Wolff description says all machined but I guess it could be machine plastic since it doesn't specify:

RECOIL GUIDE ROD SETS Only
Wolff recoil guide rod sets for the Kahr MK9/MK40 are high quality CNC machined components. A corrosion resistant finish protects material. Use with Wolff recoil springs above. Please Note: Not for use in PM (Polymer) series pistols

[berettabone]

Yeah, it may feel like plastic because it feels so light, but the "ping" sound to it makes me think it is light metal. Plus the Wolff description says all machined but I guess it could be machine plastic since it doesn't specify:

RECOIL GUIDE ROD SETS Only
Wolff recoil guide rod sets for the Kahr MK9/MK40 are high quality CNC machined components. A corrosion resistant finish protects material. Use with Wolff recoil springs above. Please Note: Not for use in PM (Polymer) series pistols

You may be correct................it sure feels like plastic...........if it is metal, it is super light material.