Kahr K9 field strip and reassembly

[FriedRice]

I knew it was gonna be hard but really? Are you kidding me? The little orange take down block was helpful in taking the gun apart. Easy to clean and get super obsessive over because with a tactical light and stainless steel, everything is visible. Any tips on reassembly without pointing that muzzle at all the vital parts of your body to get leverage. I got it done but I'm gonna have an unusual assortment of bruises tomorrow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[usp9]

Have you watched the video from the Kahr website?
http://www.kahr.com/OR-1G.html#kvideo

There's some learning curve and familiarity issues that will make the takedown/ reassembly chore easier over time.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Has the design been changed? I purchased an E9 - the same gun as the K9 but with a rougher finish and plastic sights - in 1999 and never had all those problems, even without the "takedown block" (which I presume is wedged in the ejection port to hold the slide in the correct position to insert the slide stop through the barrel cam hole). I do concede that the smaller size of the gun gives you little to hold on to.

 

[usp9]

Has the design been changed?

No, it's the same.

I'm guessing the main problem is in keeping the slide release lever pin straight while also holding the slide in the proper position. The pin tends to wiggle around.

I push the pin in as far as it will go and hold as straight as possible with my thumb, then I retract the slide while applying light pressure on the pin until the slide cutout is lined up with the lever and then I push it in. It will snap in place when lined up correctly and perpendicular to the barrel lug.

I retract the slide one handed by holding the slide overhand, pinky against the rear sight, and my thumb under the beavertail, against the rear grip strap. I can then lever the slide open by squeezing, using my massive man hand muscles.

That's how I do it. Others may have helpful techniques too.

 

[FriedRice]

I can then lever the slide open by squeezing, using my massive man hand muscles.

Yeah, like that. That part was hard. Perhaps I'm lacking such impressive man muscles.

 

[Inspiribomb]

I found my older Kahrs were easier to disassemble, but the new ones I have to tap the slide-lock lever with a mallet. I think the issue is the retaining spring (the one holding in the slide-lock lever) - it seems apply a lot of force in the stock position, making it very difficult to remove. This spring can be bent slightly to reduce the force and make disassembly significantly easier.

 

[Mudinyeri]

Interesting. I have two "newer" Kahrs - a CW and a PM - the only problem I've had in disassembling them was when I incorrectly reassembled one of them. There's definitely a bit of dexterity required but I don't think they require overly strong "man hand muscles."

 

[Inspiribomb]

Let me clarify - my experience only relates to the all-steel Kahr pistols.

 

[usp9]

Interesting. I have two "newer" Kahrs - a CW and a PM - the only problem I've had in disassembling them was when I incorrectly reassembled one of them. There's definitely a bit of dexterity required but I don't think they require overly strong "man hand muscles."

The polymer Kahrs are substancially different and much easier than the K9. Interesting though, is that the T9 is as easy and simple as the polymer Kahrs, and can be disassembled in seconds, as the pin pops out with very moderate pressure, unlike the K9 pin.

FriedRice, I suggest you try various ways to grasp the rear of the slide while levering the slide with your thumb. Are you familiar with the Glock "OK" grasp (make a OK sign with your thumb and forefinger), used to move a Glock slide? Try that or a variation of it.

It's a learning thing... you'll get it.

 

[FriedRice]

I did watch the Kahr video last night. And using the take down block to hold the slide in place while tapping out the pin with a rubber mallet (or flashlight) worked fine. However, doing the reverse was harder. As I'd put the slide back on the rail and pull it back to get into that same position, the guide rod would poke out the end in a way indicating I clearly did something wrong. Turns out it's finicky. It has to be super straight or it won't behave. Then getting that slide back in place (lining up imaginary witness marks that the polymer guns have the the steel ones don't), with one hand, while getting that slide lock back in place was tough. Couldn't do it with one hand. Couldn't figure out how to do it with two hands either. So I went looking for leverage somewhere. I don't suggest the stomach, knees or thighs for this Finally I got it far enough back to throw that orange take down block in there so I could futz with the pin. Done. But it sucked. I'll try the Glock OK grip, still don't think my manly hand muscles are gonna do it. Bending the spring seems like a bad idea. I don't want bent springs in my carry gun.

 

[Kingcreek]

I recently bought a PM9. watched the videos from Kahr and an excellent one from glocktalk. If you think field stripping is a challenge, wait until you try the slide dis-assembly.

 

[Inspiribomb]

The slide disassembly is tricky at first, but quickly gets easier with practice. You just need to make darn sure you don't let any springs go flying.

 

[usp9]

There are few reasons to disassemble the slide, but if you need to... here's a link to a slide disassembly thread. Excellent instructions and tips IMHO.
http://kahrtalk.com/kahr-tech/197-how-detail-strip-kahrs-upper.html

 

[Muddflap]

As I'd put the slide back on the rail and pull it back to get into that same position, the guide rod would poke out the end in a way indicating I clearly did something wrong.

Once you put the slide on, you have to start the takedown pin through the barrel lug before you pull the slide back into position to push the takedown pin all the way in.

 

[NWCP]

My PM9 was a pain in the tail to disassemble/reassemble until I had done it several times. It will get easier for you as time goes along. Until then just think of all the foul language you normally won't use that suddenly spews forth from your lip as you attempt to put the pistol back into fighting form. I do like my PM9. It's just about as small as you can get in a usable self defense round. It is also very easy to conceal which is its saving grace. Did I mention that it has a trigger as smooth as butter? Enjoy!

 

[10-96]

Wailing, gnashing of the teeth, personal injury... I KNEW there was something I was missing by not owning a Kahr.:banghead:

 

[FriedRice]

Yes there was much cussing. I used them as adjectives, verbs, nouns and adverbs. I even had complete sentences with no non cuss words. The Kahr K9 has expanded my vocabulary.

 

[FriedRice]

And the Kahr has also taught me once again, it's useful to ask people who know more than me. Thanks for the tip on the overhand Glock grip. I never learned that one due to my polymer aversion. I field stripped and reassembled today just to try this technique. It's still hard, but no bruises. No cussing at all tonight. With the gun thing anyway.

 

[Snowdog]

Though it's not as convenient as some other designs with a take-down lever, I've never had an issue stripping my K9. Mine is a very early model from around '96, so maybe things are different now.

I don't believe my K9 came with any accoutrement to assist in field stripping. I simply retract the slide to where it needs to be, grip the slide and frame together and tap out the slide release pin (lightly) with the base of a magazine... no problems. Perhaps that's not the most common way to take them apart, but it's work for me for nearly 15 years. This early K9 is still my primary carry.

 

[NoScreenName]

The first half a dozen or so times field stripping my 2009 MK9 Elite was a little... awkward at best but now it's a breeze.

The "OK grip" works pretty well IMO.

 

[usp9]

...tap out the slide release pin (lightly) with the base of a magazine...

That's what I do too.