K9 customization….. or lack there of

[JaminC3]

Hello all, I am new to the forum (except as a reader). I wanted some input and discussion regarding Kahr customization. My daily carry for the last 10 years has been my K9 Elite 03 and I love it. However, recently I have wanted some changes. I began to look at a couple Wilson Combat pistols to replace my K9 and was danger close to making the purchase. I however did not purchase a new pistol and opted to add some of the enhancements onto my K9 that I was missing. I am excited about the updates but am saddened that Kahr is so bad at any customizations. Maybe they think you can’t improve on perfection, but I just wanted a little more. Here are the few things I am working on to customize my K9. Let me know what you think and if you have any advice / suggestions.

- Gallowglass flat faced short stroke trigger
- wood grips (cant believe there are so little options)
- milled slide to accept a Shield RMSc optic
- lakeline metal magazine follower

still looking to find someone to:
- front strap milling on grip
- top strap milling on slide (ribbing similar to my S&W 66 no dash)
- Barrel crown bevel

let me know what you think!!! Here is a picture of her so far, I will update as more gets completed and especially when I get my slide back.

https://www.kahrtalk.com/blob:https://www.kahrtalk.com/52650d54-a277-4720-8483-e5ae45283f6c
https://share.icloud.com/photos/071O6934XoYm9airjeTX6oYaw

https://www.kahrtalk.com/blob:https://www.kahrtalk.com/9a974e26-6ad9-4583-afb5-4b8e5778a894
https://share.icloud.com/photos/071O6934XoYm9airjeTX6oYaw

https://www.icloud.com/photos/

[zamboni]

That is a lot of customization. My opinion is why try to turn your kahr into a Wilson? It would probably be cheaper to just get the Wilson.

[FreeMe]

I tried the Galloway flat trigger on my P9 and was unimpressed. I like a flat trigger on a couple other pistols I've had, but I took that off and put it back to stock. OTOH, I had Galloway mill the slide on the P9 for a Holosun 407k, and I'm completely happy with that. One warning though - you will be stuck with it that way because you don't get a cover plate to use if you decide to remove the optic. You could buy an extra slide and have that milled, of course.

Can't help you with the rest, but if you haven't already added night sights, I'd suggest you start there.

[BirdsThaWord]

Hey JaminC3,
Looking great so far. I think that if you do everything you’ve listed, you’ll have a jammin K9! You (if it’s your thing) can also change out the grips screws to hex head. Lot’s of cool one’s out there for 1911’s that will fit. Just make sure you get one’s that are specified for thin grips. As far as some of the other work, I know that there is a company by the name of Robar that has done work on Kahr’s. I’ve never used them but have seen some pics of some of the Kahr’s they’ve customized and it looks like they do good work.
I take it the C3 in your user name is for a C3 Vette?

[Bawanna]

Robar is gone now. They quit doing gun work 2 or 3 years ago. Sad day!. We had them do a lot of stuff on department guns. They textured all the department Glocks.

I know a guy that knows a guy that might help on the wood grips. Depending on what exactly one is looking for.

[JaminC3]

Zamboni, you are correct, it is a lot. I still may get the Wilson but my conundrum was to have it replace my K9 as my daily carry. I decided against that because of all of the work I have put in over the lats 10 years on the Kahr (with on tuning/polishing and training). The changes I want to make are easier to make on the Kahr rather than start from the beginning on tuning, training, and figuring out the Wilson.

[Bawanna]

I'd stick with the Kahr in your shoes. The slide can be milled. You can do the flat trigger yourself or have it done by a gunsmith, I like the flat triggers (dont have one on my Kahrs) but wouldn't mess with the stroke and reset myself.
Everything can be done by somebody.

[BirdsThaWord]

Robar is gone now. They quit doing gun work 2 or 3 years ago.
Had no idea. I still see pics of their work/Kahrs they've done (very cool), but guess the internet is forever and we aint. 😁

[JaminC3]

Freeme, Thank you for the input. I have yet to try the new trigger out at the range but after working things through I got my trigger to be perfect, with the only downfall for me being the angle of pull with the stock trigger. The new one seams to resolve that issue for me as I dry fire it. Also, she has only ever known night sights (I would not have it any other way).

BirdsThaWord, I will look into the new grip screws. When I put the wood grips on it caused a grittiness in the trigger. Inside the grip is a metal trim piece that rides against the trigger bar that I had to polish so that it would match the polish of the other working parts to get my super smooth trigger back. I am sad to hear that Robar does not do gun work any longer. I will keep up the search. Also, yes, I am a happy Kahr and Corvette owner.

[Bawanna]

The metal trim piece is actually to keep the rear little ear of wood from cracking and breaking off. They generally have the metal on both sides for that purpose. It's just a coincidence that the right side aligns with the trigger bar.
I generally set my metal pieces a little deep so they don't extend above the wood. Polishing it as you did, should cure any negatives involved.

[BirdsThaWord]

Freeme, Thank you for the input. I have yet to try the new trigger out at the range but after working things through I got my trigger to be perfect, with the only downfall for me being the angle of pull with the stock trigger. The new one seams to resolve that issue for me as I dry fire it. Also, she has only ever known night sights (I would not have it any other way).

BirdsThaWord, I will look into the new grip screws. When I put the wood grips on it caused a grittiness in the trigger. Inside the grip is a metal trim piece that rides against the trigger bar that I had to polish so that it would match the polish of the other working parts to get my super smooth trigger back. I am sad to hear that Robar does not do gun work any longer. I will keep up the search. Also, yes, I am a happy Kahr and Corvette owner.
Glad you got it smoothed out. What year Vette? I used to have a ‘69 & a ‘72. Wish I still did. Sadly, I just can’t climb in, under, around to hot rod them anymore. Now I just hot rod pistols ;)
20693
20694

[djd100]

Glad you got it smoothed out. What year Vette? I used to have a ‘69 & a ‘72. Wish I still did. Sadly, I just can’t climb in, under, around to hot rod them anymore. Now I just hot rod pistols ;)
20693
20694

Sweet...

https://i.postimg.cc/Y0hKzCm9/sidebackvet(3).jpg (https://postimages.org/)

71 Coupe with a 406 SB, 700R4 OD Auto, Rack & Pinion.

10-4 on working on them now, got old so sticking to the easy stuff top-side LOL!

https://i.postimg.cc/Y23hXnLB/2-KFRC-35-KMiles.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

2000 FRC, stock aside from LED projector headlights and modded shifter.

[gb6491]

I second the 1911 grip screws suggestion:hippie:
I have some rather plain ones on my MK9, but think they enhance it's look: https://i.postimg.cc/VvXyyLdZ/mk1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Regards,
Greg

[JaminC3]

[QUOTE=BirdsThaWord;442843]Glad you got it smoothed out. What year Vette? I used to have a ‘69 & a ‘72. Wish I still did. Sadly, I just can’t climb in, under, around to hot rod them anymore. Now I just hot rod pistols ;)

My Bette is a 1982 (Last year). I am the second owner, and it is all original with 20,000 miles. It was my retirement gift to myself. Will send pictures when I am allowed to attach them.

[JaminC3]

I second the 1911 grip screws suggestion:hippie:
I have some rather plain ones on my MK9, but think they enhance it's look: https://i.postimg.cc/VvXyyLdZ/mk1.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Regards,
Greg


Wow, I really like the screws. I am making my decision on them now. I think I will go with some from Challis Grips.

[187911]

Funny these post about grip screws popped up. I just happened to have my MK40 in my pocket today. The most upgrades I've ever done or felt needed to be done were Wolff springs to better the trigger and extra power mag springs to make the mag more dependable. Lakeline aluminum followers. Aftermarket grips, grip screws, and sights. The MK, K, and T Kahrs do not need anything else done to them. IMHO, Glocks, 1911s, and other platforms lend themselves better when it comes to people who feel the need to tinker just for the he'll of it and/or add a whole bunch of extras that, IMHO, don't really add any value other than making your firearm more unique.

Manufactured exactly 24 years ago in February 2000. I think I may have gotten the idea from another member on this forum to add new grip screws.
https://i.imgur.com/XNgtN7zl.jpg

[JaminC3]

Funny these post about grip screws popped up. I just happened to have my MK40 in my pocket today. The most upgrades I've ever done or felt needed to be done were Wolff springs to better the trigger and extra power mag springs to make the mag more dependable. Lakeline aluminum followers. Aftermarket grips, grip screws, and sights. The MK, K, and T Kahrs do not need anything else done to them. IMHO, Glocks, 1911s, and other platforms lend themselves better when it comes to people who feel the need to tinker just for the he'll of it and/or add a whole bunch of extras that, IMHO, don't really add any value other than making your firearm more unique.

Manufactured exactly 24 years ago in February 2000. I think I may have gotten the idea from another member on this forum to add new grip screws.
https://i.imgur.com/XNgtN7zl.jpg


great looking mk9. It sounds like you have been able to fine tune things with the trigger and magazine. I do like the grips and screws as well. Thanks for sharing!!

[JaminC3]

I was able to take the advice and get new screws. As I cannot yet post pictures here is the link to see my K9 so far.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0a89gEGI-KLwLL71z83X0suFw

pictured is also what has become my favorite magazine. Oddly enough it is a promag. When I got it, it was the normal crappy mag that did not work. After I dismantled, sanded/polished, adjusted the follower and replaced the spring, it is now the slickest and best feeding mag I have.

[Bawanna]

I wasn't aware promag even made Kahr magazines. Fine looking gun, love the flat trigger. I'm too skeered to put one in mine.

[JaminC3]

I wasn't aware promag even made Kahr magazines. Fine looking gun, love the flat trigger. I'm too skeered to put one in mine.

It was definitely nerve wracking to get the trigger pin out. Once it is budged then it was not too difficult to install.

[JaminC3]

Happy Friday!! I received my optics milled slide back from Galloway Precission and they did a GREAT job. I did remove my RMSc sight from the slide to test if a cover plate would work. The SIG Sauer P365 cover plate that I have links up perfectly, with the exception of an ear tab on the front of the cover plate that tucks into the P365 slide (see first link to picture). I am ordering a spare cover plate and will grind off the tap so that I can take the sight off and use the cover plate if I need to. The second link is my assembled K9 with all customization done so far (optics slide cut, flat faced tiger, Wood grips w/custom 1911 screws, highly modified ProMag magazine (see previous link picture), and high polish of all metal on metal interworking parts. In addition my K9 is an Elite 03 that came with night sights.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/076VMezx5FjYR61jLYSjDwcBQ

https://share.icloud.com/photos/03buBxq8YbD5g1RYXeJUsBJEQhttps://share.icloud.com/photos/03buBxq8YbD5g1RYXeJUsBJEQ

Thank you all for your input and recommendations so far. I am still looking for some place to checker the front strap but have ordered a Talon DIY sheet to try it on the front strap till I can find someone to mill the checkering on it (just like the T9 elite). I also ordered Pearce magazine baseplates; even though they are of good quality the gap between the base plate and the grip is substantial and the extension is far more than I need with the K9 grip so I have decided not to use them. I imagine that they work better with the MK9.

Please keep chiming in with your customizations and any recommendation and information on other options that may be out there. Enjoy the Weekend!

[FreeMe]

Nice!
And thanks for the tip about the 365 cover plate. I hadn't thought of that for mine.

Unfortunately, I haven't found any aftermarket source for non-plastic mag baseplates for any Kahrs. I do recommend replacing your stock baseplates with the steel baseplates from Kahr, for reliability's sake. Yeah, they're not pretty, but also not likely to break - as I have had happen with the stock plastic base.