Kahr MK9 Barrel Lockup

[Random Discharge]

If you own one of these, do me a favor and make sure it's unloaded-then grab the slide with one hand and the muzzle of the barrel with a finger or two on the other and tell me if it wiggles side to side a little.

I've shot a number of different Kahr's, and a current MK9 in my collection is the only one I've had to significantly adjust the rear sight for windage on. The rear sight is obviously not centered in the slide now, but after adjustment it shoots "straight". Groups are not as tight as my K9. Perhaps a result of the shorter MK9 sight radius and grip, but my K9 locks up solid as a rock. I'm curious as to whether MK's are built looser by design, or just mine.

Survey says...

Thanks

 

[critter]

Mine is right here to hand right now. Well, the hole in the end of the slide is a little bigger than the OD of the barrel alright, but the end of the barrel is 'sucked' down tight to the bottom of the hole in the slide. It has zero wiggle in it at all.

It is more important that it locks up at the SAME PLACE all time it seems to me.

How much has yours been shot? Could it be due to wear or has it always been like that?

 

[Random Discharge]

Thanks for the feedback critter.

"...suck down tight"... good anology. My K9 barrel does, but the MK9 indeed has a little wiggle. It's always been like that. I would say the gun has about 500-1000 rounds through it; enough to break it in, but not wear it significantly.

I suspect you're right, it is probably consistent. The windage adjustment it needed is what made me wonder. It groups within about 2-3 inches at 7 yards-good enough for self defense. I just can't get the satisfying ragged hole out of it that I do with my K9. That could be due as much to the shorter sight radius and grip as lock-up.

 

[denfoote]

Got mine and it's the same as critter's. Locked up tight to the bottom.
If ithere is any lateral movement, I can't detect it!!!
Mine is a tack driver. I can put rapid fire double taps into a softball size area or smaller at ten yards!!

 

[usnavymasterchief]

My Kahr MK40 is very tight also, it has about .001 side to side movement. All three of my Glocks have about a 1/32" side to side movement, much more than my Kahr. I have been told by folks who should know that slight side to side movement in the slide rails is perfectly normal for Glocks. I don't like it but the Glocks have done this since new.
Like any machine, there has to be some tolerance or the thing would bind up.
RANDOM, you obviously have handgun experience, have you lubed the slide and rails with a high quality gun grease? That may take up a small amount of the movement.
I've owned four Kahrs in my lifetime, all were stainless and very well made. As said in gun magazines, "Like a Swiss watch". My 24/7 carry gun is my MK40 elite that I just traded one of my Glocks for, it's a fantastic piece.

 

[Random Discharge]

Survey says two, maybe three* out of three lock up tight without lateral wiggle. My K9 and BHP Practical lock up tight too; but they're both a lot harder to fit in small spaces! What can I say? I'm a hopeless perfectionist.


*[Masterchief, I was interested in barrel to slide lock up versus slide to frame lockup (which is pretty darn good on mine too!). That's the trouble with trying to describe metal parts fitting together in a few sentences. Good idea on the grease though; the concept still applies-if applied to the barrel]