Kahr Charging Handle Prototype

[Alfonse]

I have a new prototype on the way for a Charging Handle for Kahr 9mm pistols. This product is based on a suggestion from a Kahrtalk member.

It should help those that have trouble gripping the Kahr slides. It also allows one-handed operation using a belt, table, or corner surface to cycle the slide. It replaces the back plate on the back of the slide and comes out a bit wider than the slide.

This is a first cut. After getting the prototypes and playing with them, I expect I would make some adjustments and changes. Yes, I could do a .380 too.

What do you think?

https://lakelinellc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Charging-Handle-Prototype.jpg

[Bawanna]

It's an excellent concept. I'm sure you were able to play with the prototype to see if its functionable.

Would have to be a pretty strong belt to rack a Kahr on me thinks.

I'm anxious to see one installed. Should give folks a much improved grasping advantage.

Might be a disadvantage to those who prefer pocket carry, I'm not one of those so not a negative to me at all.

[b4uqzme]

+1. I'm curious to see what it looks like installed.

[DMR]

Something like the HK VP9 charging supports? I might be interested in a trimmer version closer to the VP, but not as big as your proposal. Funny thing is I was just looking at some of those aftermarket "vanity" plates for Glocks and M&P's and thinking they would be good for the Kahr.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hk+vp9+charging+supports&biw=1280&bih=969&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwj38Yqlo7nLAhVBOSYKHVDOCAsQ7AkIKA

[Alfonse]

Something like the HK VP9 charging supports? I might be interested in a trimmer version closer to the VP, but not as big as your proposal. Funny thing is I was just looking at some of those aftermarket "vanity" plates for Glocks and M&P's and thinking they would be good for the Kahr.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hk+vp9+charging+supports&biw=1280&bih=969&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwj38Yqlo7nLAhVBOSYKHVDOCAsQ7AkIKA

Yes, I want to play with the size of the thing. It actually doesn't stick out much different than the VP9 supports, I think. That is because the slide is wider than the back plate, so looking at the thing all out there by itself, I think it looks like it projects further out than it actually does. It currently is .2" or so projection past the slide on each side. I figured that is a pretty good starting point.

And, since prototypes are about learning, by making it towards the large side, I can grind on it to see how smaller feels. I have a couple of steel prototypes coming, but think I would make them in anodized aluminum for production. But, believe it or not, steel was less expensive to prototype.

I'm curious to see it installed too. I expect I will optimize the fit more after actually seeing some. I also have to see what I can do to simplify it. As it is, it would have to be machined on all 6 sides. The factory back plate is MIM, which is fine. But, I won't have the volume to do that. I am guessing the price would have to be less than $30, and hopefully closer to $20, to be marketable. So, I can't have too much machining for that.

Thanks!

[DMR]

Yea, a quick look at the Glock's is $20 for a standard vanity back in metal. If you could add the wings you might be able to push to $30, but you have to find a way to drive them up market.

[Alfonse]

Yea, a quick look at the Glock's is $20 for a standard vanity back in metal. If you could add the wings you might be able to push to $30, but you have to find a way to drive them up market.

A "vanity" plate can be made with just machining from 2 sides, easy relative to this part. In fact, there is no comparison. I'll have to simplify this part from a machining standpoint, but it isn't like building the standard sized end plate.

[Alfonse]

It's an excellent concept. I'm sure you were able to play with the prototype to see if its functionable.

Would have to be a pretty strong belt to rack a Kahr on me thinks.

I'm anxious to see one installed. Should give folks a much improved grasping advantage.

Might be a disadvantage to those who prefer pocket carry, I'm not one of those so not a negative to me at all.

I have a belt it could be done with, wear it all the time. It isn't really a part I see myself using, at least so far, I can grasp and rack a Kahr just fine. And, I do like to throw a Kahr in a pocket from time to time. So, no, I don't think it would be for everybody, just a great thing for those who it really helps out.

[Bawanna]

My everyday belt could do it also. Most consider that as a secondary means of racking. Like your shot in one arm and need to clear with one hand. Certainly wouldn't be a normal occurrence.

Seeing your last post that the ears don't stick out as far as they seem might take away the pocket disadvantage also. Like you say it's hard to pass judgment without seeing it installed.

I think it would be a plus even to those who don't use it all the time, just an extra advantage just in case.

[Longitude Zero]

Excellent idea for the Kahr. It is already a proven type product on the market for Glocks, Springfield Armories XD etc. It would be nice to see one for the Kahr. Springer Precision for the XD and Suarez for the Glock.

[Redfish]

Could always leave the wings too big and up to the individual to finish. No refund, of course, if you file it down too small.
The ones on my VP-9 have a bevel that makes them very difficult to hook on anything. Great for pulling with my hand but I could not get them to hook on any belt I have. I even had trouble getting them to hook on a boot sole.
Know who really needs this? CZ. Slide hits hammer close to it's fulcrum so there's very little leverage to cock the hammer. And the slide rails being inside the frame instead of the other way around leaves little to grab. Don't know if you're on their forum but they're an active bunch and I think they would welcome something like this.
I can cycle my Kahr using the aftermarket rear sight on a reasonably stiff belt.

[Bawanna]

1600 hrs here 4 PM for you civies, I could use a good belt.

[Alfonse]

The prototypes were waiting for me this morning at the post office. I have some fitting to do, but am pretty impressed with the printed parts in steel and stainless. I believe the "real" parts will be machined aluminum though.

Hopefully some photos in the next couple of days.

[Alfonse]

Could always leave the wings too big and up to the individual to finish. No refund, of course, if you file it down too small.
The ones on my VP-9 have a bevel that makes them very difficult to hook on anything. Great for pulling with my hand but I could not get them to hook on any belt I have. I even had trouble getting them to hook on a boot sole.
Know who really needs this? CZ. Slide hits hammer close to it's fulcrum so there's very little leverage to cock the hammer. And the slide rails being inside the frame instead of the other way around leaves little to grab. Don't know if you're on their forum but they're an active bunch and I think they would welcome something like this.
I can cycle my Kahr using the aftermarket rear sight on a reasonably stiff belt.

I love my CZs. David at Cajun and the CZ Customs guys are great. Bawanna is right, a stiff belt would be good about now.

[Redfish]

Here I am describing the issue with the hammer on the CZ totally oblivious to the fact that this replaces the rear cover on a striker-fired. Oops. Suppose I could do with a stiff belt myself.

[Alfonse]

Here are some photos of a steel prototype. The printed metal parts do not seem to be quite as accurate as the plastic I usually use for checking fits. It took a bunch of filing on this one to get it to fit. The stainless is harder, so I probably won't fit it.

https://lakelinellc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Top-of-slide-proto-3-30-resized.jpg

https://lakelinellc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Third-view-proto-3-30-resized.jpg

https://lakelinellc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Bottom-of-slide-proto-3-30-resized.jpg

On another note, this was a reason to take the slide down on my oldest Kahr, with the most rounds, a blunt nosed PM9. After pushing the plunger down and installing the Ripley Retractor, I saw a bunch of brass in the cup of the back plate and the plate was stuck. But, after seeing the gunk, I was determined to get it apart. I ended up using a punch in the cup for the striker spring to pry it against the slide as I held the little plunger down.

Pretty much all of the little brass shavings had been blown to the back where the plunger sits in the back plate. The striker and channel were clear. There was another thread yesterday where somebody was asking about the 9mm strikers and looking at it, it should have plenty of material to be strong enough to never break.

[hardluk1]

I like your design and would get on your buy list for a couple for them .

[Alfonse]

"Version 2" which would be easier to manufacture and I think has a cleaner look. Probably still one or two refinements to go...

https://lakelinellc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Prototype-2-image-4-resized.jpg

https://lakelinellc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Prototype-2-image-3-resized.jpg



https://lakelinellc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Charging-Handle-4-22-C-resized.jpg

https://lakelinellc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Charging-Handle-4-22-B-resized.jpg

https://lakelinellc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Charging-Handle-4-22-A-resized.jpg