CT9 modification questions

[Elkins45]

My carry gun for 15+ years has been a P9. It’s obviously the old design so finding replacement night sights that aren’t already halfway dim isn’t easy. I see the CT9 available at a decent price and I like the idea of a 4” barrel but I don’t like the taller grip.

My inclination would be to grind off the bottom of the frame to accept my 7 round P9 mags but I know that on the newer guns the serial number is on a plate imbedded in the bottom of the grip frame. Is there enough extra material between the plate and the bottom of the frame to grind it off without obscuring the serial number?

Also, are decent night sights available for the CT guns? I saw a front night sight on the Kahr shop site but I couldn’t find a rear. Are they the same as the others?

[Bawanna]

Might consider having a machinist cut you a new dovetail for whatever sight you prefer. Cheaper than a new gun. BUT if you want a new gun, forget I said anything. I don't have an answer to your grip question as I don't have one, someone with one will be along I'm sure.

[Elkins45]

Might consider having a machinist cut you a new dovetail for whatever sight you prefer. Cheaper than a new gun. BUT if you want a new gun, forget I said anything. I don't have an answer to your grip question as I don't have one, someone with one will be along I'm sure.
Of course I want a new gun. But only if I can do the modifications I want.

Who am I kidding? I’m probably going to buy it anyway :)

[Bawanna]

I detected that very thing. I'll use any excuse no matter how weak to buy a new gun, or a new old gun.

[Old No7]

Call the Kittery Trading Post in Kittery Maine; when I was there last week, they still have the P9 that I'd cutdown into a "P9 Covert" -- P9 barrel length, with PM9 grip. They could ship it to your FFL.

I see Kahrs selling for LOW $$$$ lately as everybody wants the latest gee-whiz double-stack red-dot-capable 9mm shootsumalotum.


Kahr used to make the P9 Covert (not to be confused with "PM9 Covert" which is the opposite) and I had one of those too (sold years ago), so I cutdown my own -- then sold that one. You can search on my name and find images about it.

Good luck.

Old No7

[Elkins45]

Call the Kittery Trading Post in Kittery Maine; when I was there last week, they still have the P9 that I'd cutdown into a "P9 Covert" -- P9 barrel length, with PM9 grip. They could ship it to your FFL.

I see Kahrs selling for LOW $$$$ lately as everybody wants the latest gee-whiz double-stack red-dot-capable 9mm shootsumalotum.


Kahr used to make the P9 Covert (not to be confused with "PM9 Covert" which is the opposite) and I had one of those too (sold years ago), so I cutdown my own -- then sold that one. You can search on my name and find images about it.

Good luck.

Old No7
That wouldn’t give me the 4” barrel of the CT. Besides, I could just do that to my own P9 if I wanted.

[BirdsThaWord]

That wouldn’t give me the 4” barrel of the CT. Besides, I could just do that to my own P9 if I wanted.

You did ask about grinding down your frame. I think OldNo7 was just letting you know that it could be done and was giving reference to his posts on where he had done just that.

[Bawanna]

Of course, OldNo7's P9 probably didn't have the SN plate on the grip which is the original issue in this saga.

It was a fine idea though just the same.

[DJK11]

That dang blasted SN tag. I had the same problem when I wanted to cut down the grip on my P380.

[Elkins45]

Of course, OldNo7's P9 probably didn't have the SN plate on the grip which is the original issue in this saga.

It was a fine idea though just the same.

Yeah, the serial number plate is the big potential issue here. I just don’t know how close it is to the bottom on the CT frame. I liked the original location on the dust cover.

Edit: here’s something interesting. The pictures on the Kahr website don’t show it on either side of the frame. Maybe they didn’t move it on the CT series because they didn’t want to lay for a new mold? https://www.kahr.com/kahr-ct9-value-priced-9mm-pistol-review/

Edit again: that article must have been the older ones. This is the current photo:
19576

[getsome]

Why did Kahr move the SN tag from the dust cover to the grip frame? To me a guns looks are important and having a license plate on the grip is just butt ugly and a reason I would look at another pistol……..

[yqtszhj]

Why did Kahr move the SN tag from the dust cover to the grip frame? To me a guns looks are important and having a license plate on the grip is just butt ugly and a reason I would look at another pistol……..

Maybe it is to add some “bling” to the gun. Kinda like that newly released Black Cherry colored Desert Eagle. :rolleyes:

[Elkins45]

Since we’re talking about single stack mags it seems obvious that the difference in height between an eight shot mag and a seven shot is the diameter of a 9mm round. Looking at that photo it doesn’t seem like there’s that much space between the bottom of the magwell and the bottom of the SN plate.

Wonder if I could just drop the CT9 slide onto my P9 frame?

[FreeMe]

Why did Kahr move the SN tag from the dust cover to the grip frame? To me a guns looks are important and having a license plate on the grip is just butt ugly and a reason I would look at another pistol……..

The obvious answer is that it's probably cheaper and easier to put the plate there, rather than the dust cover.

Between this and the magazine angst thread, the strange priority of cosmetics over function makes my head spin. I thought we all got over that with the longevity of the Glock line, but I guess I was wrong. Who buys a plastic frame pistol for its good looks anyway?

[bugs]

just spit balling here; does the SN have to be on the grip? can it be engraved on the hood? how about moving the plate to the bottom of the dust cover with epoxy ?

[Bawanna]

That would be a question for the BATF. Personally I think it falls under the category of ask for forgiveness rather than permission. Usually much easier and certainly quicker that way.

One would also need to figure out a way to cover the unsightly spot where the original SN was located. A grip sleeve would work but it would also cover the SN so nothing gained.

I doubt they would allow engraving, probably a slim possibility, moving the plate would be ok.

[FreeMe]

I wouldn't assume that the BATF would give you a pass on moving the serial number plate. Moving it would have to begin with removing it - which would be a definite no-no. From the atf.gov website...


By engraving, casting, stamping (impressing), or otherwise conspicuously placing or causing to be engraved, cast, stamped (impressed) or placed on the frame, receiver, or barrel thereof certain additional information. This information must be placed in a manner not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed....

BTW - covering the plate with a grip sleeve is a non-issue. It's not like it has to be read from a distance like a car's license plate.

[yqtszhj]

Explanation….. I’m so sorry sir (or ma’am if it applies). I ran over the gun with the car by accident and the SN popped off. I had to fix the grip and place the SN back on the pistol at a place that I could get it to stay. It is right above where it was originally located. I also had the SN laser engraved on the slide just to make sure everything was like it outta be.

[FreeMe]

Explanation….. I’m so sorry sir (or ma’am if it applies). I ran over the gun with the car by accident and the SN popped off. I had to fix the grip and place the SN back on the pistol at a place that I could get it to stay. It is right above where it was originally located. I also had the SN laser engraved on the slide just to make sure everything was like it outta be.


Yeah, that's creative. But you gotta realize who it is we're dealing with. The ATF is not your friend and doesn't want to be.

[yqtszhj]

Yeah, that's creative. But you gotta realize who it is we're dealing with. The ATF is not your friend and doesn't want to be.

True, Funny how Biden and Kamala can play dumb and get away with it but we can’t.

[getsome]

True, Funny how Biden and Kamala can play dumb and get away with it but we can’t.

Unfortunately neither one of them are playing.....

[fsilber]

Yeah, the serial number plate is the big potential issue here. I just donÂ’t know how close it is to the bottom on the CT frame. I liked the original location on the dust cover.


I have the same serial number plate on my TP-2. There is barely 3/8" of plastic below the serial number plate, and to make the 7-round magazine fit you would have to remove a half inch (4/8") of length.

Your best bet would be to try to find one of the older ones. And I would not trust an online sale -- I would have to verify the placement of the serial number.

[Elkins45]

Can you just mount the CT9 slide/barrel on a P9 frame?

[fsilber]

Can you just mount the CT9 slide/barrel on a P9 frame?

I have a 23 year-old P9. I was able to mount its slide on a CT9 frame and on a TP9-2 frame. I did not try to fire it. It might be useful if you wanted to be able to press the gun against the target without pushing the slide out of battery.

I could not mount the TP-2 slide nor the CT9 slide on the P-9 frame. But if if someone has a newer P-9 or a CW-9 they might try it.

[fsilber]

I have the same serial number plate on my TP-2. There is barely 3/8" of plastic below the serial number plate, and to make the 7-round magazine fit you would have to remove a half inch (4/8") of length.

Experimenting further, I noticed that the thin metal floorplate of the MK-9 / PM-9 does not cover up as much of the magazine body as does the plastic floorplate that comes with CW9 / P-9 / CT9 / TP9 magazines.

So, if you replaced the magazine floor plate with the metal one (you can get them from Kahr), and cut 3/8" from the handle, it might work.
In fact, it probably will work, if you're willing to shave down a tiny bit from the bottom corner of the serial number shield.

I suppose that what's most important is that you can still read the number. And you might be able to shave a tiny bit of plastic even from under the corner of the serial number shield.

If you're worried about pricking your hand with that corner when you slam the magazine home, you might just add a tiny bit of material (e.g. epoxy paste) on the bottom of the floorplate to keep your flesh from pushing against the serial number shield corner.

So, yeah, you can probably make it work if you switch to using the metal floorplate. But there's no question if you can get your hands on an older model TP9 / CT9.

[fsilber]

Since we’re talking about single stack mags it seems obvious that the difference in height between an eight shot mag and a seven shot is the diameter of a 9mm round. Looking at that photo it doesn’t seem like there’s that much space between the bottom of the magwell and the bottom of the SN plate.

The difference in length of the magazines is half an inch -- more than the diameter of a cartridge. I suppose every increase in capacity adds to the weight of the rounds, which requires a stronger and longer spring, and maybe more room to hold the fully compacted spring. (But see my earlier comments.)