Kahr MK9 Elite: Opinions/thoughts

[L-Frame]

I came away from the gunshow this weekend with a like new Kahr MK9 Elite. Seems very solidly built for such a compact gun. The recoil spring is incredibly tight. No wonder they said absolutely necessary for a 200 round break in period. I'm usually a revolver guy so I think I'll like the trigger. Any comments/ thoughts on the gun would be welcome.

Dave

 

[Maia007]

I have had an MK Elite 98 for awhile. Its everything one would want in a steel frame auto of that size, provided you don't mind (many do) the DAO trigger that is quite long in travel but very smooth. Mine was fine from the get-go with no "break in" issues.

The extra weight makes it far easier to shoot multiple shots well over the lighter PM/CM polymer series of the same size. But most choose the better selling polymers probably due to the lighter weight and the ability to slip them into a pocket. Carried on the belt, as you will want to with the steel frame, I don't think there is an appreciable felt difference between the two.

As you mention, the recoil spring(s) is quite tight, making the overhand method of slide racking during jam drills more difficult than with other autos. That will lighten up a bit over time, but not much. The trigger will get even smoother over time.

 

[L-Frame]

The one I bought is an '03. Would you know what the differences would be from the '98? Thanks.

 

[C0untZer0]

It's a small heavy pistol

It fills a particular niche for people who want a small profile, but they aren't concerned about the weight - meaning they don't need the pocket-pistol type weight, like the Rohrbaugh R9, Kahr PM9/CM9

 

[Fishbed77]

My father has a MK9 manufactured around 2002. It's a superb little pistol that has been 100% reliable for him. It's very well-made, very simple, and has a nice and smooth (but very long) trigger pull. The standard "straight eight" style Kahr sights are quite nice as well. The only downsides are the glossy black finish on the stainless steel slide, which is prone to scratching, and the weight.

That said, it doesn't offer a whole lot over the polymer-framed PM9/CM9. You would think that the heavier steel frame would reduce felt recoil versus the polymer-framed pistols. However, in shooting my father's MK9 back-to-back with my CM9, the felt recoil is identical, despite the fact that the CM9 is considerably lighter.

 

[critter]

I've had mine for a long time. It has always been 100% from the word go. Accurate, easy to conceal and very 'ergonomic' for me. The ONLY kick against it is that it is a bit heavy. It isn't TOO heavy when you shoot it a lot.

 

[L-Frame]

I'm used to cc'ing SS .357's so I actually like heavy. I don't intend to pocket carry. I don't see how people can do that. Anything larger than a Keltec .32 drives me crazy in my pocket. Thanks for the responses.