Who's done the Elite upgrade to a P9?

[FreeMe]

Picked up a killer deal on a P9 recently. I'd like to have the same trigger on it that my K9 Elite has. I emailed Kahr about this, and Mark at CS sent me a list of the parts to do it myself. I could send it in for them to do it, but can anyone tell me how difficult it is to do at home?

This is the list...

009K9E - Elite Trigger - $15.40


010K9S - Trigger Spring - $6.60


011K9S - Trigger Spacer - $2.20
P^
013K9S - Trigger Bar - $14.30


014K9S - Trigger Bar Spring - $6.60

[FreeMe]

Related question.....
Would you rather have the Elite trigger installed, the Galloway flat trigger, or both?

[gb6491]

Picked up a killer deal on a P9 recently. I'd like to have the same trigger on it that my K9 Elite has. I emailed Kahr about this, and Mark at CS sent me a list of the parts to do it myself. I could send it in for them to do it, but can anyone tell me how difficult it is to do at home?

This is the list...

009K9E - Elite Trigger - $15.40


010K9S - Trigger Spring - $6.60


011K9S - Trigger Spacer - $2.20
P^
013K9S - Trigger Bar - $14.30


014K9S - Trigger Bar Spring - $6.60
Your P9 already has the "Elite" trigger. All currently manufactured Kahrs do.

I have the Galloway trigger on my P45, but I doubt I will install it on any of my other Kahrs. My main interest in it was the over travel screw, but it looks so funky when adjusted properly that I just adjusted it flush with the trigger.

Regards,
Greg

[FreeMe]

Your P9 already has the "Elite" trigger. All currently manufactured Kahrs do.

I have the Galloway trigger on my P45, but I doubt I will install it on any of my other Kahrs. My main interest in it was the over travel screw, but it looks so funky when adjusted properly that I just adjusted it flush with the trigger.

Regards,
Greg

Yeah, I've read that claim and probably repeated it, but it turns out that it just isn't true. I have an original K9, a K9 Elite, and this P9. the original and the P9 have the same trigger, although the K9 is smoother, of course. The Elite trigger pull is definitely better and shorter than the P9 or the early K9.

Thanks for the info on the Galloway trigger. I'm also not interested in the overtravel screw on a carry piece. Did it otherwise improve your trigger?

[FreeMe]

The P9 was bought new, just a couple weeks ago. I suppose there's a chance it was NOS. I'm going to have a chat with CS and find out what the born on date was, and what having them do the installation will cost.

[gb6491]

Yeah, I've read that claim and probably repeated it, but it turns out that it just isn't true. I have an original K9, a K9 Elite, and this P9. the original and the P9 have the same trigger, although the K9 is smoother, of course. The Elite trigger pull is definitely better and shorter than the P9 or the early K9.

Thanks for the info on the Galloway trigger. I'm also not interested in the overtravel screw on a carry piece. Did it otherwise improve your trigger?
Believe what you will about whether that is true or not, but check those part numbers Kahr CS gave you.
009K9E - Elite Trigger - $15.40 - K9, MK40 Elite Trigger" https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/pistol-parts/kahr-009k9e-trigger-009k9e.asp


010K9S - Trigger Spring - $6.60 - "All Modes Trigger Spring"https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/pistol-parts/kahr-010cm40-trigger-spring-010k9s.asp


011K9S - Trigger Spacer - $2.20 - "K/MK/T40, K45, K/MK/T9 Trigger Spacer" https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/pistol-parts/kahr-010m9s-trigger-spacer-011k9s.asp

013K9S - Trigger Bar - $14.30 - "K/MK/T40, K/MK/T9 Trigger Bar" https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/pistol-parts/kahr-013k4b-trigger-bar-013k9s.asp


014K9S - Trigger Bar Spring - $6.60 - "All Models Trigger Bar Spring" https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/pistol-parts/kahr-014cm40-trigger-bar-spring-014k9s.asp

The only one that implies anything "Elite" is the trigger. I'd be surprised if there is any difference between that trigger and any of the others.

The rest of the parts are generic to many or all models.

I don't doubt you can feel differences between the Kahrs you have, All my Kahrs have nuances in their triggers that make them slightly distinctive from one another. My early K9 had a trigger heavier than the rest, but a modern trigger spring fixed that.

FWIW, Kahr did at one time offer a trigger package/action work that was supposed to make it better than stock. I don't remember if this was called enhanced or elite or if it was done on the "Elite" series pistols.



The flat trigger is a different feel along with a possible gain in leverage at the start of the trigger pull. I like that it goes vertical when you take up the slack. It looks a little bulky so I slimmed mine down a tiny bit. I think it looks alright on the 45, but maybe still a bit to large to look at home on the smaller caliber guns.
https://i.postimg.cc/ZRyjh6k0/ftcwp45-865-copy.jpg
There are more photos and my intial thoughts on it here: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?33070-Galloway-Precision-Gallowglass-Flat-Faced-Short-Stroke-Trigger-for-Kahr-9-40-and-45

Regards,
Greg

[FreeMe]

To clarify..... it's not a matter of what I feel. It's a measurement. My Elite 03 trigger has 25% less travel than the other two. That matches what I recall was reported when the Elite was first introduced. I also note that the part numbers for the P9 trigger and trigger bar are different from the K9 part numbers that Mark gave.

[gb6491]

To clarify..... it's not a matter of what I feel. It's a measurement. My Elite 03 trigger has 25% less travel than the other two. That matches what I recall was reported when the Elite was first introduced. I also note that the part numbers for the P9 trigger and trigger bar are different from the K9 part numbers that Mark gave.
Both trigger bar numbers are used in a wide range of models: 013K9S - K/MK/T40, K/MK/T9 Trigger Bar (https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/pistol-parts/kahr-013k4b-trigger-bar-013k9s.asp), 013P9 - CM/CT/CW/P/PM/TP40, CM/CT/CW/P/PM/ST9/TP9 Trigger Bar (https://shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com/pistol-parts/kahr-013cm40-trigger-bar-013p9.asp)

Kahr did not spec the K9 Elite 98 or Elite 2003 as having a shorter trigger pull:
https://web.archive.org/web/20030212121412fw_/http://www.kahr.com/images/SS_K9096A.PDF
https://web.archive.org/web/20061031033503fw_/http://www.kahr.com/images/SS_K9098.PDF

Still the NYPD trigger had a longer pull, "The NYCPD trigger length of pull is 1/2" versus 3/8" on all other Kahr pistols...", and Old No7 posted that he was able to eliminate that by replacing the trigger, trigger spring, and spacer: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?30925-Upgraded-My-K9-s-quot-NYPD-quot-Trigger-to-quot-Elite-quot-Status

If you move ahead perhaps that would be the way to go (using that 009K9E - Elite Trigger to see if it makes any difference).



FWIW, The custom package i mentioned earlier was called Custom Carry Packages for Kahr Arms:

"Custom Carry Packages for Kahr Arms

Shown KA802 Package on MK9

>> Order Custom Package

Steel frame Kahr: K9, K40, MK9, MK40

KA800 Package #1
Re-crown barrel 11 degrees for improved accuracy
Throat and polish the barrel feed ramp for improved feeding reliability
Radius and tension the extractor for improved feeding, extraction and ejection reliability
Trigger job to smooth and lighten trigger pull
Test fire with ball and jacketed hollow point ammunition for reliablility and zero for windage

KA801 Package #2
Following features added to package #1
Stipple Front Strap for improved grip under all conditions
Stipple Back of Grip for improved grip under all conditions
XS fixed 24/7 sights with tritium lights installed for night carry
Bevel slide stop edges for improved conceal carry

KA802 Package #3
Following features added to package #2
Bevel magazine well for improved speed loading
Serrate top of slide 30 LPI for reduced sighting glare
Radius and polish trigger for more comfortable and controlled firing
Carry bevel all edges and corners of the pistol for more comfortable concealed carry and easier draw from holster
High polish sides of the slide for improved cosmetics
Barsto barrel for greatly improved accuracy

>> Order Custom Package


Polymer frame Kahr: P9, P40, PM9, PM40

KA803 Package #1
Re-crown barrel 11 degrees for improved accuracy
Throat and polish the barrel feed ramp for improved feeding reliability
Radius and tension the extractor for improved feeding, extraction and ejection reliability
Trigger job to smooth and lighten trigger pull
Test fire with ball and jacketed hollow point ammunition for reliablility and zero for windage

KA804 Package #2
Following features added to package #1
XS fixed 24/7 sights with tritium lights installed for night carry
Bevel slide stop edges for improved conceal carry
Radius and polish trigger for more comfortable and controlled firing

KA805 Package #3
Following features added to package #2
Bevel magazine well for improved speed loading
Serrate top of slide 30 LPI for reduced sighting glare
Carry bevel all edges and corners of the pistol for more comfortable concealed carry and easier draw from holster
High polish sides of the slide for improved cosmetics
Barsto barrel for greatly improved accuracy"

They mention smoothing and lightening the trigger.

If you feel like it please post a video of your Elite's trigger. That would be interesting to see.

Regards,
Greg

[FreeMe]

Thanks for all that info, Greg.

So, I'm baffled. I talked to CS at Kahr, and they confirmed that all Kahr pistols since 2008 have the same "Elite" trigger. However, the trigger itself on the P series is apparently different from the K series (must be due to the different frame?). When I look at all three pistols together, the P9 trigger has the same external profile as the vintage K9, but IIRC it's not the same inside the frame. The K9 Elite 03 definitely has a different external profile than the other two. Comparing trigger pulls again, the Elite breaks with less movement after taking up slack, and does so farther forward of the frame than the other two. The trigger in the P9 is just like that in the vintage K9 - except for a gritty spot just before the break. Kahr CS was baffled about the difference too, and offered that I could send it in for warranty. They did also confirm that my P9 was manufactured in 2020 (I was wondering if I somehow ended up with NOS).

I'm not inclined to do anything with it just yet though, except shoot it a bunch. That gritty spot isn't really effecting my ability to shoot it accurately, and neither is the longer pull and more rearward break (I am used to the vintage K9, after all). But at some point, I think I will want to see if I can get it to work more like my Elite 03. If the grit goes away with break-in or I end up fixing that by polishing the trigger bar, I may just try the Galloway flat trigger. Incidentally, that site's been showing the trigger out of stock for a while now, but I talked to Galloway last week, and he expects to have more in a couple weeks.