Kahr K9 FTF

[poundfoolish]

Greetings fellow Kahr K9 owners. I'm hoping that some of you would be kind enough to share your experience and expertise with me.

I recently acquired what appears to be an very gently used Kahr K9. I checked the serial number and believe that the pistol was made around 1995. I have put about 600 rounds through the weapon (on six separate trips to the range), using strictly WWB FMJ ammo. The problem is that I usually get one or two FTF's in the course of 100 rounds, typically due to FTE's. That failure rate is concerning since I'd like to make this my CC weapon. I keep the weapon clean and lubed and make an effort not to limp-wrist the pistol, but I cannot make it through 100 rounds with a failure. I can't honestly blame the pistol (yet) though since I am definitely not an expert shooter.

What is my next step to try to remedy this problem? Should I have the gun inspected? Before I drop $90 on a holster I'd like the pistol to operate at close to 100%. I'm to the point where I'm toying with the idea of selling the pistol and picking up a PM9, mainly because of the malfunctioning problem, but also because I'm struggling with the though of marring up the finish on this pretty K9 by CC'ing it. :) I do also like the idea of the increased versatility of the PM9......

What would some of you do if you were me? Thanks in advance for your help and sorry for the long post.

[jocko]

first thing, I would do is buy a new set of recoil springs. go to gunsprings.com (wolffs) and order from them, quicker and faster. by the way they make kahrs springs, so ur getting the best..

Ur probably not limping a K9, that gun is really a breeze to shoot. I own one and it is a super nice gun. 2 ftf's in a 100 rounds is strange. I shot the WWF fmj ammo and it is good stuff, so it is not the ammo.

If you have a dremel polish the feed ramp to a mirror finish and inside the chamber also. If you have no dremel, just get some 600+ auto sand paper and do the same thing. You won't be taking off any metal but you willbe smoothing out what might see mlike an already smooth feed ramp. Also make sure your recoil spring is on correctly to. The openendof the recoil spring goes towards the front of the slide--always..

My bet the combination of both the springs and polsih job will solve your problem.

also PM sent

[poundfoolish]

jocko, thanks again for the advice!

[eagle12]

I have a k9 that did the same thing when it was brand new from the box. I ordered a new recoil spring and also sent my barrel to the CUSTOM JEWEL SHOP and they polished my barrel and feed ramp . The way it comes from the factory is pretty rough !! Now I have had no problems with it! I also had them jewel the outer chamber area it looks alot better than the bead blast finish that they put on from the factory! Hope this helps.

[ripley16]

What would some of you do if you were me? Thanks in advance for your help and sorry for the long post.

If I were you I'd go to the Kahr site and order a new recoil spring, a new striker spring, a new extractor, and a extractor spring.

If you are planning on carrying this gun you may want to upgrade to the nicer elite trigger.

Since you have no idea how many rounds are through it, you may want new magazine springs and possibly new followers depending on what they look like.

[poundfoolish]

Thanks guys I appreciate the helpful responses. Looks like refurbishing the K9 will be my holiday project.

[jocko]

If I were you I'd go to the Kahr site and order a new recoil spring, a new striker spring, a new extractor, and a extractor spring.

If you are planning on carrying this gun you may want to upgrade to the nicer elite trigger.

Since you have no idea how many rounds are through it, you may want new magazine springs and possibly new followers depending on what they look like.

difference between the NYPD trigger in the K9 and the elite triggers is 1/8" less travel. NYPD seemed to like that feature and most all shooters would not be able to tell the difference between that 1/8" less travel that the elite trigger gives. Other than that there is no difference in smoothness or quality.

Most smitty's can't put in the elite trigger and IMO to send it back and pay the price of well over $100 to get the elite trigger and then installation and postage to and from, IMO is not worth the 1/8" less travel. YMMV:israel:

[johnh]

I would also suggest trying another type of ammo just to see if the gun is picky. I know WWB is usually fine, but you do only have one sampling to go by. I would buy at least a couple new magazines as you are not sure the history of the ones it came with. Also must agree that paying for the trigger upgrade is probably not needed if you are shooting well with it stock. Kahrs have good triggers for DAO guns--it is just a matter of getting used to it with most shooters. Not that the elite trigger is no improvement, I just think you can spend the money shooting more to get used to the factory one.

John

[jocko]

IMO, it would be very unusual for kahrs to be ammo sensitive and if your kahr won't shoot WWB then IMO something is wrong somewhere. Not sure I would want to spend 90 bucks for a couple magazines either. Maybe new mag springs but with buying new mgazines IMO we are getting into some expensive "trial and error" stuff. YMMV.