KAHR Owners Check In. Question.

[cslinger]

On your KAHR pistols are you able to release the slide using the slide release on an empty magazine. To clarify what I mean by release, you would pull the slide back slightly, push the slide release down and then ride the slide into battery on an empty chamber, all with an empty magazine inserted.

I am specifically interested in the MK9.

Now I personally have played with K9s,K40s P9s, P40s and I believe a PM9 and never remember having any problem doing this, nor have I ever had a problem doing this with any pistol I have ever owned or used that acutally had a slide release feature.

This is in relation to a bad exp. I had at a local gunshop and if I am in the wrong I want to set the record straight. The thread can be seen here.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=1477939#post1477939

Thanks so much,

Chris

 

[mtnbkr]

I have one on loan to me and can drop the slide (I don't let it slam down) with a mag in, using the slide release. It's tight, but works.

Chris

 

[DR]

I can do that on mine (Kahr K9). I do have to pull the slide back; I can't just thumb the release with an empty magazine. Practically speaking, I never use the slide lock as a release. I only use it to lock back the slide when there's no magazine in place.

 

[wingman]

My mk9 elite works that way however due to small size of pistol and my old hands it's a tough do sometimes.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

The instruction manual on my K40 Covert specifically said that using the slide release while locked back on an empty magazine would be dificult to do. When the magazine is removed, piece of cake, or when a loaded magazine is put in, still easy. That is how it is designed.

 

[Jonathan]

K9: extremely difficult to use the slide release (without shifting grip) when an empty mag is inserted. Although it can be done, it takes a concerted effort. My GF cannot use the release in that state except when pressing with full force with both thumbs.

 

[cslinger]

When we say it is difficult to do are we talking impossible difficult?

I had somebody else hold the firearm and retract the slide for me while I pushed down on that release with both hands. I am not exactly He-Man but I was applying plenty of downward force on that sucker. It did however work fine with the magazine removed.

Chris

 

[dfariswheel]

The Kahr's run from difficult to release on an empty magazine to darn near impossible, unless you've got hands like King Kong.

Since most people are of the opinion that dropping the slide on an empty chamber and letting the slide slam shut is hard on guns, why do it?

The difficult slide stop on an empty mag is a Kahr "quirk". As long as the stop works properly on a LOADED mag, that's all that's really critical.

 

[SpaceCowboy]

WhoKnowsWho is right. In the manual it states that it is difficult and was a purposeful design feature. I like it that way since I sometimes ride the slide stop with my thumb when I shoot so it will pop up regardless. But with no mag or loaded mag, the slide drops no prob. Very smart IMO.

I think I saw your original post. Even though the Kahr does this, the owner only stated that after several "strange" answers to your wife. You are still in the right in my opinion. He should have just stated the truth in the beginning instead of making stuff up. Makes no sense. But maybe he didn't have enough coffee that day.

 

[Ringer]

No experience with the MK9. FWIW I can drop the slide the way you describe on my PM9 with not that much difficulty.

 

[Old Fud]

I cannot close the action on my K9 with an empty mag inserted.
(Purchased 2004). Period!
I HAVE to remove the magazine.
Then the release works easily & I can dry-fire once.

 

[peashooter]

I tried it with my E-9. No problem. Pull back slide with left hand, slide release down with right thumb, forward goes the slide. My E-9 is almost eight years old but has a new slide and is pretty tight.
Chris, try rocking the gun back to where the muzzle is almost verticle. This will give your thumb more torque
Perhaps you have already tried it that way, forgive me if you have, no offense intended.

 

[cslinger]

Why all the variability????

 

[peashooter]

I would say the variables are due to the fact that every hand is different and even when new, you will find a difference in the same model of gun.
I wouldn't get too worried about it, these are the things that make are sport interesting.

 

[fecmech]

I have a 2004 K9 that works the same way, amost impossible to drop the slide with empty mag installed but you can easily release it with mag removed. I think they are made that way, mine has over 3k trouble free rounds thru it. Don't worry about it. Just looked at the owners manual pg 11, tells you slide release will be very hard on an empty mag! Nick

 

[albanian]

It requires much more force to drop the slide on the empty mag but it is not beyond what a normal thumb can handle. I have had three Kahr K-9s and they have all had about the same amount of force required to drop the slide release. I think most of the variability is do to people's descriptions and differences hands. I would not be surprised at all to find that some Kahrs are harder to drop the slide than others on the empty mag.

It is a good design because you will not accidently drop the slide on an empty mag. It is a pain when you are just messing around with the gun but in real use, it is a good thing. It is a non-issue in terms of reliabilty and such, just an interesting quirk of Kahrs. Kahrs are by the way, the best handgun on the market in case you didn't know. Can you tell I am a big fan of Kahr guns?

 

[wardog]

The instruction manual on my K40 Covert specifically said that using the slide release while locked back on an empty magazine would be dificult to do. When the magazine is removed, piece of cake, or when a loaded magazine is put in, still easy. That is how it is designed.

Ditto my PM9