View Full Version : Slide racking difference between K9 and MK9
Redstate
11-18-2014, 07:34 PM
I have a MK9 and the slide is a little difficult to rack. My wife is not able to rack it. Is the K9 slide (no dual recoil spring) significantly easier to rack than the MK9 slide?
muggsy
11-18-2014, 07:41 PM
How are to racking the slide? Are you using just your thumb and index finger or are you wrapping your entire hand over the top of the slide? It makes a big difference. See the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjLbFOw8sow
Redstate
11-18-2014, 07:58 PM
I have no issues racking the slide; nevertheless, the pressure needed for the MK9 is more than say for example my Glock 26. And yes, my wife does not do it correctly, but I will attempt to teach her, when she is ready. She is somewhat resistant at this point.
Just want to know if there is any signifcant difference between the Mk9 and the K9. Thanks.
Bawanna
11-18-2014, 08:02 PM
Really not much difference. The K might be just a tad easier but they are both sadly kind of tough. A lot happening in a small package.
When your wife is ready, and if she really wants too she'll be able to do it. The video is the ticket for woman and girly men. Myself included more and more all the time.
They do get considerable better after being shot a bunch, you don't mention a round count or anything. Even then they require good effort.
My best wishes to getting your wife on board.
b4uqzme
11-18-2014, 08:21 PM
There's a little more to hold onto with the K9 (slide and grip) but otherwise I find them similar. Good technique is helpful although I use the lazyman's thumb and forefinger slingshot all the time. My left hand might be a little stronger than average after a lifetime of fretting acoustic guitars. We won't talk about my right hand. :o
Redstate
11-18-2014, 08:25 PM
Thanks Bawanna. One of these days she will be ready. Kinda of surprised that you say there is not much difference in this regard from the MK9 to the K9 in light of the fact that the K9 has the single recoil spring. It is what I wanted to hear but not what I was expecting.
Redstate
11-18-2014, 08:28 PM
There's a little more to hold onto with the K9 (slide and grip) but otherwise I find them similar. ... :o
Thanks. I guess you posted while I was composing my last response to Bawanna. Again, pleased but surprised to hear that they are somewhat comparable.
Please allow my to step into this conversation for a moment.
I've trained and educated hundreds of women, regarding the safe use of firearms. Although each person is unique, there are trends.
Women suffer from poor hand strength, and poor manual dexterity. There are exceptions to both, of course. We're talking trends....
Because of the poor strength and dexterity issues, there are several problems with the safe functioning of firearms, specifically handguns.
1. Unable to rack slide to chamber round
2. Unable to load magazine
3. Unable to rack slide to UNCHAMBER a round to make the FIREARM SAFE
4. Unable to rack slide sufficiently to ascertain that the chamber is empty
5. Unable to cock the hammer (sometimes) on a revolver or autoloader
6. Unable to DE-cock the hammer on a revolver safely
Remember - its not only the shooting, but "making the handgun safe" that matters.
I find that the tip up barrel .22's and .380's work ok for ladies, expecially if they have decockers and double action triggers.
The best, is the double action only (DAO) hammerless revolver. That is, there is not way to keep it cocked, and if you swing out the cylinder, its safe. Also easy to CHECK the chambers. The vast majority of ladies can manipulate this type of revolver, and shoot it sort of adequately at a full size silhouette at 15 feet.
Ok,.... I'll get off the soapbox.
ReManG
11-18-2014, 08:53 PM
Thanks Bawanna. One of these days she will be ready. Kinda of surprised that you say there is not much difference in this regard from the MK9 to the K9 in light of the fact that the K9 has the single recoil spring. It is what I wanted to hear but not what I was expecting.
In effect, the dual recoil spring has no overall poundage difference i.e. if you have 18lb recoil springs in a MK and a K they will require 18lbs to cycle. The difference is that the MK with the dual recoil spring will initially be easier to rack, but harder to rack fully. The reason is that there is less dwell time of the bullet in a shorter barrel (Must keep breech closed when bullet is in the bore, or BOOM out of the ejection port), therefore the slide can recoil earlier with the MK vs the K. The slide will then hit the second spring after partial recoil cycling and slow faster as the second spring engages. Why would this have to be on the shorter MK vs the K? Because there is less mass in the shorter slide, therefore less resistance to cycling, coupled with less dwell time of the bullet in the bore with the shorter barrel, you need dual recoil springs in shorter pistols. They are only a bit easier to initially rack the MK vs the K, but the K will be the same strength the entire time to rack the slide.
The video is good, but do not press too hard, there are other options....
If you want to get a centerfire pistol for your wife that she can rack, the CT380 may be the way to go, but I have not handled one to check and see if the slide is less stiff to cycle. Two centerfire pistols that ARE easy to cycle, the SIG P250 IN .380, and the Walther PK380. Try them out if you see them in a LGS and take her in to try them as well... I think they are both great pistols to train weaker handed/less enthusiastic shooters on for semi autos. My favorite is the P250 in .380, very nice and either 12 or 15 rounds in a compact pistol.
If you just want to get her familiar with semi auto handguns, a pistol she can have fun shooting and practice owning a semi auto on, get her a Ruger SR22... My missus is having a blast with hers, even likes cleaning it as the thing shoots with no recoil and eats lots of ammo without a hiccup... I really wish Kahr would produce a .22...
Redstate
11-18-2014, 08:57 PM
Thanks for the explanation, ReManG. Makes sense.
muggsy
11-19-2014, 07:50 AM
There's a little more to hold onto with the K9 (slide and grip) but otherwise I find them similar. Good technique is helpful although I use the lazyman's thumb and forefinger slingshot all the time. My left hand might be a little stronger than average after a lifetime of fretting acoustic guitars. We won't talk about my right hand. :o
We all know the true source of the strength in your right hand and it comes from strumming something other that yer guitar. :)
ReManG
11-19-2014, 08:10 AM
But if you are built like a hermit crab..... Everything in moderation..... Seems like B4uqzme HAS to keep his balance, no better excuse than a medical one... :cool:
berettabone
11-19-2014, 09:49 AM
I wouldn't wait too long for either one to loosen up.....................I'm hoping mine will loosen up a bit at 2000 rds.:D
JohnR
11-19-2014, 10:55 AM
My K9 is very hard to rack. My PM45 is difficult, but that's partly because there's so little to grab on to.
Bawanna
11-19-2014, 11:10 AM
CJB input good stuff too.
My wife carries a Smith 638 for all the reasons he states. Very easy to clearly see if it's loaded. She doesn't practice enough and I would not call her proficient with it. She does carry a speed strip so she has a reload but I seriously doubt anything would ever go that far. She's comfortable and we learn more when we can.
The 638 allows me to still thumb the hammer back, I'm a cowboy at heart but it is real tricky to let that hammer down safely and not slip out from under your thumb.
It could benefit from a trigger job, it's a little heavy but tolerable and add some adrenaline and it might go unnoticed.
My elderly aunt has one of the tip up 380s which she gets along well with. There's a manual of arms to learn there but nothing too tough.
jocko
11-19-2014, 12:12 PM
Please allow my to step into this conversation for a moment.
I've trained and educated hundreds of women, regarding the safe use of firearms. Although each person is unique, there are trends.
Women suffer from poor hand strength, and poor manual dexterity. There are exceptions to both, of course. We're talking trends....
Because of the poor strength and dexterity issues, there are several problems with the safe functioning of firearms, specifically handguns.
1. Unable to rack slide to chamber round
2. Unable to load magazine
3. Unable to rack slide to UNCHAMBER a round to make the FIREARM SAFE
4. Unable to rack slide sufficiently to ascertain that the chamber is empty
5. Unable to cock the hammer (sometimes) on a revolver or autoloader
6. Unable to DE-cock the hammer on a revolver safely
Remember - its not only the shooting, but "making the handgun safe" that matters.
I find that the tip up barrel .22's and .380's work ok for ladies, expecially if they have decockers and double action triggers.
The best, is the double action only (DAO) hammerless revolver. That is, there is not way to keep it cocked, and if you swing out the cylinder, its safe. Also easy to CHECK the chambers. The vast majority of ladies can manipulate this type of revolver, and shoot it sort of adequately at a full size silhouette at 15 feet.
Ok,.... I'll get off the soapbox.
\no soap box here CJB. I have preac hed this for years. IMO it is the only gun for 95% of women, meaning a wheel gun, and like the colonel said the hammer wheel guns are ok but if u cock it kand then dont shoot it, then u could be fokked. Not a safe thing to do. cold weather and utter sh!t causes things to happen that are unplanned for. A hammerless DA or the ol.d model smith with the grip safety smilarto those butt ugly 1011, is also a good choice, although u don't see them much anymore. Personally every smith needs a trigger job, some are stiffer than a well diggers tool. Certainly they won't shoot a wheel gun as good as a semi, but again, if she can't load it and unload it properly then SHE WILL NOT CARR IT EITHER. that is a fact. any BG doesn't want to encounter any women with a damn gun, so the bang thing when it happens in te hands of a women is a major threat to any man. Confidence with the gun is #1 wit ny woman, accurcry comes later down the road. Don't force ur needs on them, they mostly arent gun savvy and hell we have alot of owner shere who can't hand rack a kahr properly eiter, let alone in a sh!t hits the fan situaton. BUY HERE A WHEEL GU. IMO the hammerless is the way to go, Hell put soe shot shells in it for here even, she doesn't have to be right o target and in her home she would feel even more competent with a round like that if she knows its not gonna through the wall and hit their kid sleeping. Course IMO f u are buying her a gun for te home, U can't beat the taurus judge or the smith governor with 3" 410 OO buck in it .
CJB IS DEAD ON TARGET with his comments... U can teach a women the basic with a wheel gun in 10 minutes, u can't do that with a semi... Just sayin
jocko
11-19-2014, 12:21 PM
Thanks for the explanation, ReManG. Makes sense. damn near any woman can shoot a semi, if u hand it to here loaded, its a no brainer. I sold guns for over 40 years kand ween many guys come in to uy tei8r sweetie a gun, and I let them shoot their mouth off and suggest what they6 thought the sweetie kneeded. None would ask for a wheel gun, m8ist would go the macho route back then Ruger 9mm was big b ack then. They could not make it work, they couold not make it work even after I showed them ow and what to do, Now comes out the wheel gun, 5 minutes later she could open the cylinder blindfolded, , she couldsee it was either loaded or unloaded. She could unload it blindfolded, she could pull the trigger. Her confidence was with the wheel gun and most guys either didn't buy hgere a gun or bought her a wheel gun, Back the the Model 36 and 37 were the most popular whgeel guns, the hammerless althought offered was not welcomed by most, for some reason.
I wouldnot buy here a 357 wheel gun unless urgonna put 38 rounds in it. Normally their bigger and heavier to, but again that depend son the women.
I just read here in Indiana thgat there are now women only gun clubs/organizations geared to ccw women. iT IS GROWING REALLY FAST to. more and more women wantt o shoot guns but feel so much more comforatble with utter women in their groups and not all by themselves with men at the range...8 chapters in Indiana and it is geared to ccw carry women more than any match type sh!t. I think the corbon glazer 38 spe rounds are even better than the shotsheel rounds... Just sayin
berettabone
11-19-2014, 12:54 PM
I'm going to stick my neck out, and say that a lot of women, just aren't mechanically minded/inclined. So, the less mechanical tasks, the better. My wife can rack some semis, some she can't. When I put a revolver in her hand, you could see a loss of some tension,..........that this firearm wasn't as complicated. A revolver is a perfect place to start. Agreed with .38 special.
Alfonse
11-19-2014, 01:24 PM
I took my wife to the gun store, and she ended up liking the XDs in 9mm, even though I made sure she looked at the CW9 as well. She could rack either, but the XDs was easier to operate. If she's happy.....
muggsy
11-19-2014, 02:34 PM
Never underestimate a woman's capabilities. If a woman can drive a two thousand pound automobile with hundreds of moving parts then I'm sure that a woman can handle a two pound semi-auto with less than a dozen moving parts. Hell, my wife was smart enough to get me to agree to a life long commitment, so who's the dummy here? Wait a minute, did that come out right? I think you guys know what I meant. Hell, maybe I should get a revolver??? :)
JohnR
11-19-2014, 02:39 PM
If you think you can pick out a gun for your wife, ask her to pick out shoes or clothes for you, or a car, and see what you end up with.
b4uqzme
11-19-2014, 03:24 PM
\no soap box here CJB. I have preac hed this for years. IMO it is the only gun for 95% of women, meaning a wheel gun, and like the colonel said the hammer wheel guns are ok but if u cock it kand then dont shoot it, then u could be fokked. Not a safe thing to do. cold weather and utter sh!t causes things to happen that are unplanned for. A hammerless DA or the ol.d model smith with the grip safety smilarto those butt ugly 1011, is also a good choice, although u don't see them much anymore. Personally every smith needs a trigger job, some are stiffer than a well diggers tool. Certainly they won't shoot a wheel gun as good as a semi, but again, if she can't load it and unload it properly then SHE WILL NOT CARR IT EITHER. that is a fact. any BG doesn't want to encounter any women with a damn gun, so the bang thing when it happens in te hands of a women is a major threat to any man. Confidence with the gun is #1 wit ny woman, accurcry comes later down the road. Don't force ur needs on them, they mostly arent gun savvy and hell we have alot of owner shere who can't hand rack a kahr properly eiter, let alone in a sh!t hits the fan situaton. BUY HERE A WHEEL GU. IMO the hammerless is the way to go, Hell put soe shot shells in it for here even, she doesn't have to be right o target and in her home she would feel even more competent with a round like that if she knows its not gonna through the wall and hit their kid sleeping. Course IMO f u are buying her a gun for te home, U can't beat the taurus judge or the smith governor with 3" 410 OO buck in it .
CJB IS DEAD ON TARGET with his comments... U can teach a women the basic with a wheel gun in 10 minutes, u can't do that with a semi... Just sayin
I can teach Mrs b4uqzme how to shoot a semi in 10 minutes too. Problem is, in anutter 15 minutes, she's forgot already. What's up with that?!?!
b4uqzme
11-19-2014, 03:25 PM
We all know the true source of the strength in your right hand and it comes from strumming something other that yer guitar. :)
I thought we wouldn't talk about that right hand. :cool:
jocko
11-19-2014, 05:49 PM
I thought we wouldn't talk about that right hand. :cool:
I'm left handed. HELP.
where's Monica when u need her???? Just sayin
b4uqzme
11-19-2014, 06:12 PM
I'm left handed. HELP.
where's Monica when u need her???? Just sayin
That reminds me...I'm out of cigars...;)
Reminds me to waterproof my tack!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.