Older-model K9 -- Differences / concerns?

[TheMightyLevon]

New member and soon-to-be Kahr owner... Picking up a used K9, which the owner believes is an older model from sometime in the mid-late 1990's. I know gun models can undergo subtle tweaks over time. When it comes to shopping for holsters/accessories, are there any major "red flag" things that won't fit an older-model gun correctly? I'd hate to guy buy a shiny new holster only to find out the shape of the gun went and changed on me.

Still, I'm looking forward to it -- I read great things about the K9, and while this one is old, previous owner says he bought it with only a few hundred rounds through and rarely used it, so I'm excited to get my hands on what seems like a fantastic gun!

[b4uqzme]

My K40 is from 1998. No issues with it whatsoever. There is a different dovetail for the sights. So be aware of that if you need to order any. I can say that my K40 is the only Kahr I own that has never ever suffered any kind of failure. It's my number one companion.

There were some carbon steel models very early on. Your K9 will also probably have a slightly heavier trigger than current Kahrs (what we call a NYPD trigger) unless it is an Elite model. Neither should cause you any concern.

I recommend you break it in like a new gun. It will give you and the gun a chance to mate up. Read the stickies. My stainless Kahrs like to run lightly lubed vs. the plastic frame guns that prefer to be shot "wet".

And flush the striker channel out with some non clorinated brake cleaner and run it dry. Use the clean out hole. Some prefer to disassemble the slide but it's not necessary IMHO.

Welcome!

[Bawanna]

Regarding your holster question, I don't think you'll have any issues there. They haven't changed that much, should be pretty easy to fit. Finding one that is comfortable and meets your personal preferences might be a challenge but that goes for any gun.

That's why we all have a drawer full of holster from the past. Great rigs that just didn't pan out.

[TheMightyLevon]

My K40 is from 1998. No issues with it whatsoever. There is a different dovetail for the sights. So be aware of that if you need to order any. I can say that my K40 is the only Kahr I own that has never ever suffered any kind of failure. It's my number one companion.

There were some carbon steel models very early on. Your K9 will also probably have a slightly heavier trigger than current Kahrs (what we call a NYPD trigger) unless it is an Elite model. Neither should cause you any concern.

I recommend you break it in like a new gun. It will give you and the gun a chance to mate up. Read the stickies. My stainless Kahrs like to run lightly lubed vs. the plastic frame guns that prefer to be shot "wet".

And flush the striker channel out with some non clorinated brake cleaner and run it dry. Use the clean out hole. Some prefer to disassemble the slide but it's not necessary IMHO.

Welcome!

Good to know! Being an older gun that I'm not familiar with, I'll probably replace the recoil spring / guide rod and have the striker / mag springs replaced, as well, just to ensure things are up and running nice and smoothly. Picking up the gun this weekend and I have some extended vacation time over New Years, so I'm looking forward to breaking it in then.

[SIGWolf]

My first Kahr, which I just purchased, is also an early gun and members here have indicated it is one of the carbon steel, early guns. The receipt in the box confirms that as it's dates 1997. I understand that Kahr debuted at the 1994 Shot Show and the all wise internet says the company started in 1995. That would make 1997 very early on in production. Obviously I don't know when the gun was actually manufactured, just when the original owner purchased it.

The serial number is AD15XX.

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[Greg]

Below are 2 links concerning Kahr s/n history. I have a K9 from 1996 manufacture that has a carbon steel frame and black ss slide. It has proven super reliable and is one of my favorite firearms. The balance and way the K9 sits in your hand just seems to feel about perfect to me.

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268364
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?25510-Find-born-date-for-K9

[TheMightyLevon]

Thanks for those links -- when I have the gun, I'll be interested to look up and see exactly where the gun dates from.

[TheMightyLevon]

The deal has been done -- traded my LC380, and got ahold of this little beauty. Looks in great shape!

Any suggestions on taking it down, though? The slide is pretty heavy and trying to hold it in place while also attempting to wiggle out the pin is proving to be a huge pain...

http://i62.tinypic.com/21kgne1.jpg

[Bawanna]

You might have to hold it in place and tap it with a rubber hammer or use a screwdriver handle, dowel etc.

I often times can't pop my take down pin out without a helper tool.

You may struggle a bit at first but it will become perfectly natural after a few times. I just put my left thumb under the trigger guard, gun pointing left, fingers over top of slide and I can fairly easily hold the slide in the right position while I give that pin a little tap.

Let us know if you continue to struggle, lots of help around here.

[TheMightyLevon]

Well, my hands hurt like a son of a, but I got it taken down.. And immediately spent the 5 bucks on Kahr's website to order the takedown block, because I'll shred my hands apart if I ever have to try this again >.> Going to give it a basic cleaning / lubing, and hopefully take it to the range next week on my vacation time.

[Bawanna]

Shouldn't be that tough buddy. Really. I never heard of their take down block. I know some use like chopsticks to hold it in place.

Don't see how your hands can get shredded, really don't. I'm going through routine cleaning some of my toys, I'll try to take a picture after awhile on how I hold it to get it apart. If I can do it anybody can do it. I'm physically challenged in sooooo many ways.

[Redstate]

You may want to go to the Kahr website http://www.kahr.com/ and scroll down to close to the bottom right where there are videos that include one for disassembly of the K9. Hope that helps.

[JustinN]

Like Bawanna said I just hold my K9 in one hand, keeping the slide pulled back to match the notch on the frame, and I use the base of a magazine to pop the pin out. Mine literally pops out too when I do it (and using a plastic mag base there is no chance it'll scratch my frame).

[TheMightyLevon]

Maybe it's the fact that I'm 5'4'' with tiny hands, haha.. I had a hell of a time keeping the slide where it's supposed to be. Eventually managed to stick the soft rubber handles of a pair of clippers into the slide to hold it at just the right spot to bang the pin out with a plastic screwdriver head. Gave the gun a quick clean/lube so it'll be ready for the range later this week. When I re-assembled, the first time I re-inserted the slide stop the gun wouldn't lock open, but it did the second time I tried. Not quite sure what happened there, but right now the gun is back together and ready to roll.

Holster and ammo should be coming in the mail before the New Year.

[Bawanna]

OH here's the opening for short people jokes right here! I literally tower over you at 5'6", course that was when I was standing up, now I'm about 4'11" on a good day when I can hold me head up proud, which don't happen to awful often of late.

[TheMightyLevon]

Haha yes, I've opened myself right up, I know >.> Little man, little hands, hard slides. Considering my last semi-auto was a Ruger LC380 which was painfully easy to rack, this is a big shift.

[b4uqzme]

I married a girl with little hands. It's good for the self esteem. Just sayin'.

It does get a little easier to take down with practice. And make sure you get the slidestop thru the kidney hole when you reassemble. You need to nudge the slide back just a bit to expose the hole. That may have been your reassembly problem.

P.S. You are gonna love that gun!

[TheMightyLevon]

That's what everyone keeps telling me.. I can't wait to shoot it! I was also pleasantly surprised to find a metal guide rod when I stripped the gun -- from looking at Kahr's parts order website, I was under the impression the guide rod was plastic.

[Redstate]

Looking forward to your range report.

[jocko]

Like Bawanna said I just hold my K9 in one hand, keeping the slide pulled back to match the notch on the frame, and I use the base of a magazine to pop the pin out. Mine literally pops out too when I do it (and using a plastic mag base there is no chance it'll scratch my frame).

iheard today tat Savage recalling the POS rifle u bought. Please send it to my address for repairs,. as I am their author8ized service center. we will send u anutter rifle similar indesign, but one that is safer. Just sayin

[jocko]

Shouldn't be that tough buddy. Really. I never heard of their take down block. I know some use like chopsticks to hold it in place.

Don't see how your hands can get shredded, really don't. I'm going through routine cleaning some of my toys, I'll try to take a picture after awhile on how I hold it to get it apart. If I can do it anybody can do it. I'm physically challenged in sooooo many ways.

Kahr once told me that even an idiot can remove the slide on a K series, so when the colonel talks, I know it to be true. Just sayin

[Bawanna]

Guess we all need a purpose in life even if it is being an example of idiots of the world.

[jocko]

everyone has a purpose in life. It gives us all sumpin to compare to. Just sayin

come first of the year colonel, I have decided to be very complimentary to all on this forum. So no doubty I will posting far less to..Just sayin

[TheMightyLevon]

And as an added point of trivia: got a reply from Kahr service -- this particular gun was made in August 1998... I was only 12 haha

[Bawanna]

You wuz 12 in 1998? Why you ain't long out of short pants now.

[Sgt 127]

You wuz 12 in 1998?....

I'd been a cop for 14 years in 1998.....

sigh

[sharpetop]

Hell, I was a cop, salesman and a truck driver by 1998. Three different careers from when I graduated in 1974.