Having problems with Kahr K9 - Help!!!

[g_gunter]

As much as I hate to admit it I am not enjoying my K9 at this point in time. Its strange but I love everything about the gun (especially the trigger). However, I can't seem to make that thing hit the broadside of a barn out past 10 yards and I really have to work at making it hit at 10 yds.. I'm all over (literally) the paper past 10 - 12 yds. Even with a rest at 21 yds. I having trouble consistently group within 7 inches. I tried with my PM9 and have similar problems. I don't know if maybe I got a couple of problem guns or maybe I'm expecting too much out of them -OR- maybe I'm not used to the trigger?

I have no problems with my Glock 19 or my Glock 26 (2-3 inch groups from a rest all day long at 25 yds.). I thought Kahrs were known for their exceptional accuracy? At this point I would be happy with some semblance of a group anywhere on the paper. BTW, I'm shooting Winchester White Box practice ammo.

Any thoughts?

g_gunter

 

[dfariswheel]

The Kahr is NOT a target gun, it's a "people shooter".

We all love to see nice tight groups centered in the black at range, but that isn't what the Kahr is about.
The Kahr is designed expressly as a defense gun.

People often complain about Kahr's tearing up the brass, denting case mouths, or not shooting tight groups.

Shooting tight groups and being gentle on re-loadable brass are functions of target or "fun" guns, not personal defense weapons.

Your lack of tight groups sounds like you need more practice with the Kahr trigger.
I look at the Kahr as sort of like a magazine fed revolver.
It operates like an auto, but has a trigger like a well-tuned S&W revolver.

DA revolvers are NOT like 1911s or Glocks. They require a different technique, and practice.

Above all, DA triggers don't produce pin point accuracy and tight groups.
For that, you need a single action 1911 trigger or a Glock short "safe action" trigger.

If your intent is to have an effective CCW personal defense WEAPON in a small package that requires no safeties to be released or other preparation for use, the Kahr delivers in spades, but don't expect target groups, certainly not without spending a lot of time "learning" the Kahr DA trigger.

Again, PRACTICE will improve your groups.

 

[g_gunter]

dfariswheel,

Thanks for the response.

I know what you mean about not expecting too much in the way of accuracy, especially when considering the type of trigger on these guns. But that's why I went and did a test from a rest so as to minimize that possible contributing factor (trigger control). Although I agree that the K9 is not a target pistol neither is the G26 (same barrel length). But there is a world of difference in the 'grouping' of the two. Also, I;ve heard others indicate how pleased they are with their K9's and P9's accuracy.

It seems to me that when under controlled conditions (shooting from a rest) one should be able to expect a decent grouping from most handguns of this quality? Remember, my shots are going all over the paper (over about a 12 inch spread) with some of them coming in at around 6-7 inches at 21 yds.

I don't know. I'll keep working at it and see what happens.

Thanks,

g_gunter

 

[joegerardi]

Give it to the best shot you know. Ask him to put a coupla' mags through it. See if it's the gun or you. (No offense meant there...)

I have a K40 Elite 98. The last time I shot it, I was able to remove 5 16oz. water bottles from a berm at 25 yards in 7 shots in about 15 seconds. The Kahr DOES have great accuracy, but the trigger takes a little getting used to. It's a bit longer, has no perceptible take up to the break point, and just all of a sudden goes "boom."

You might want to try just letting the gun surprise you when it fires. That was a trick the former senior pistol instructor from Parris Island taught me when I was getting used to the Glock trigger.

Good luck!

..Joe

 

[wingman]

I have an MK9 that is super accurate, really suprised me, mild recoil, good
trigger and I never was a DA only person, took me approx. 50 rounds to
adapt to trigger. Hang in there, for small, short barrel the Kahr is accurate.

 

[peashooter]

Hmmm, you should be able to get much better groups than what you have experienced . I have an E-9, (same basic gun, different cosmetics) and I have no trouble with nice groups at 25 yards and mine is 7 years old.
Is this a new gun or a used one? How is the barrel lock-up? Slide to frame fit? If all of the above are tight, you need to call Kahr. Their customer service is great and should help iron it out.
Also I would try some other ammo, I usually have fine results with wwb, but hey, try your ccw ammo and see if you get an improvement.

 

[g_gunter]

Thanks for the input folks. I'm gonna put a few more rounds through the gun tomorrow from a rest and see what I can do with it. If I can't get better results I may just go ahead and call Kahr and see what they can do.

g_gunter

 

[albanian]

What I do to test a gun is I fire it at about 10 yards from a bench at a target that I can see clearly. If it produces good groups, I know that it is up to me to make it shoot well at longer ranges. If the gun is shooting fine but you are haveing trouble getting it to be accurate for you, there is nothing that Kahr or any other maker can do. You have to put the effort in to be a better shot, no one can do that for you. Shooting a Kahr is a lot like shooting a revolver in DA mode. If you can't shoot a DA revovler well, you may just need more practice. If practice is still not making it possible to hit well, try another gun. The Kahr is a DAO pistol, it is not fair to expect to be able to shoot it as well as a 1911.

Shoot a small DA revolver in DA mode and see if the Kahr is any worse. My guess is, it will shoot about the same.

 

[g_gunter]

Hi albanian,

Thanks for the input. I totally agree with what your saying except for comparing the K9 to a double action revolver. Except for length of pull, the trigger of the K9 is significantly better than any double action I've tried. Having said that, I agree with you that, assuming the gun is fine, if I'm not doing my part then there is nothing Kahr can do to make it better.

I called Kahr today and spoke with Stefan and explained the situation to him. Since I was already going to send the gun in to have the front site replaced I told him that I thought I'd just get them to take a look at it. He said "no problem" just send the gun in with a test target demonstrating the pattern spread I'm experiencing at 20 yds. (that's the distance of their range) and they will do some testing, as well, and see if the gun needs some tweaking. He seemed very eager to be helpful which goes a long way with me.

I really want this gun to be my primary carry piece since it meets just about every one of my requirements for a CCW. If possible, I want to have it ready for a Tactical II course I'm taking at RangeMaster in Memphis towards the end of September. If not, I'll just take the trusty ole' Glock 19 and shoot them ragged one holers.

Thanks albanian.

g_gunter

 

[g_gunter]

More tests completed today!

I was able to do more thorough testing today now that my backyard range is up. I can take my time now.

After running 5 mags of 7 rounds each into 5 separate targets at 20 yds. (35 rds. total) I've been able to establish that the gun is grouping about 6 -7 inches with WWB and is shooting about 6 inches high and 4.5 inches to the right with POA at 1" below bullseye.

I got the gun sent off today to Stefan to get looked at. I can't wait to get it back. I hope they can fix it?

g_gunter

 

[bad_dad_brad]

I get decent groups (5 inches) at 25 yards with my Kahr MK9. Nothing at all like my G19 or G17 which will group in 2 inches on a good day. They are two different kinds of weapons. The Kahrs are defensive pistols. The Glocks are combat pistols. Hence there should be two different expectations.

 

[g_gunter]

Got my K-9 back in...

Well, I got it back in today after having sent it off to Kahr for work. They changed the front site and barrel. It now shoots dead center but is shooting high at the following ranges:

1.5" high @ 7 yds.
2.5 " high @ 10 yds.
3.5 " high @ 15 yds.
2.5 " high @ 20 yds.

I'm not too concerned with that but am used to the POI being the same as POA at some point in distance. I don't know? What bothers me the most is that the interior of my barrel appears to have what appears to be "scuff" marks rather than being highly polished like my other two Kahrs. I can't tell if it is affecting the performance of my gun but I don't like the idea of the barrel showing this "appearance" of wear when it is brand new. At a minimum, should I decide to sell it, someone might think its been shot a lot more than it is. At worst, it might affect reliability, or the barrell might wear out much sooner, or it won't shoot as well as it is designed. At any rate, I am bothered by the fact that they would let this go out of the factory the second time around without catching a flaw of this sort?

Has anyone else experienced the same problem with the inside of the barrel? I seem to remember someone here has seen this but can't be sure?

Thanks,

Greg

 

[g_gunter]

Disregard this thread....

I've started another one regarding this problem.

Thanks,

Greg