[Travclem]

I just picked one of these up at a pawn shop and don't know much about them. what is it worth? How do they shoot? I've found stuff on the elite 98 but not 03, what's the difference?

It seems to be an exceptionally well made pistol and it has bright night sights.

Here it is

 

[ftw13]

buy used,they're ridiculously overpriced new

 

[Travclem]

buy used,they're ridiculously overpriced new

I bought it "used" but it looks brand new. There's no wear inside or out.

 

[ftw13]

good job on that they're 7-800 new so you scored. test it big time for reliability kahrs are kind of hit or miss. although their all steel guns tend to be better

 

[Mr. Gekko]

Congrats. I really like all steel Kahrs. I wouldn't worry too much about the reliability, just a bunch of overblown rumors in my opinion.

 

[Travclem]

I bought it cheap, I was just trying to see how I did.

 

[SouthernBoyVA]

Congrats. I really like all steel Kahrs. I wouldn't worry too much about the reliability, just a bunch of overblown rumors in my opinion.

Well they're not a "bunch of overblown rumors" at all. Kahr has had a number of problems with their pistols, mostly with their polymer framed pieces. I have owned eleven Kahrs and currently still own five. I did once own an MK40 Elite 98 which I ordered new. It had some problems, the only steel framed Kahr I've owned that has ever had any problems at all. It would fail to hold the slide open on the last round about half the time. I sent it back to have it fixed and it still did it. So I sold that one. However, I still have an MK9 which has been flawless.

Polymer framed Kahrs have had two issues in my opinion that have given cause for some of their problems. One is the fact that their tolerances are very tight with their polymer guns. This is why the break in period is so important for those guns. You can accelerate the break in a little by rapidly working the slide back and forth many times. The other problem is the slide stop spring. It is (was??) a poor design.

Their steel framed guns have a good reputation and most always give excellent service to the owner. Four of the five I currently own are steel guns.

 

[Mr. Gekko]

Well they're not a "bunch of overblown rumors" at all. Kahr has had a number of problems with their pistols, mostly with their polymer framed pieces. I have owned eleven Kahrs and currently still own five. I did once own an MK40 Elite 98 which I ordered new. It had some problems, the only steel framed Kahr I've owned that has ever had any problems at all. It would fail to hold the slide open on the last round about half the time. I sent it back to have it fixed and it still did it. So I sold that one. However, I still have an MK9 which has been flawless.

Polymer framed Kahrs have had two issues in my opinion that have given cause for some of their problems. One is the fact that their tolerances are very tight with their polymer guns. This is why the break in period is so important for those guns. You can accelerate the break in a little by rapidly working the slide back and forth many times. The other problem is the slide stop spring. It is (was??) a poor design.

Their steel framed guns have a good reputation and most always give excellent service to the owner. Four of the five I currently own are steel guns.

I will stick to my original opinion. I should have made it clear that I have no experience with the polymers. I have had no issues with the steel models and think they are great handguns. I don't doubt the polymers could have more problems, but I think some people will assume that any problems with the polymers means all of their offerings are problematic as well.

 

[hogship]

I have had two Kahrs, MK40 and K40. The K40, I sold.....but the MK40 is my main ccw, and has been for about six years.

As I understand it, the elite series is just a refinement of details, and a smoother trigger. Nothing that would effect performance, IMHO. The triggers on both mine are very nice.

Both have been flawless, never a misfire of any kind.........

Would I recommend Kahr?......you bet!

hog

 

[BLiTzNicK]

I've owned a P9, PM9, and MK40. The first 2 I couldn't care less about, but I really regret selling the MK40. It was the perfect CCW.

Never really had any problems with the MK40, but had to change several recoil springs on the 9mms. They wore out pretty quickly, 1500 rounds or so. Never experienced this with the MK40.

Really wishing I still had it. Don't know what you paid, but I'm sure it was worth it.

 

[SouthernBoyVA]

Four of the five Kahr's I currently own are in my carry stable. A PM9 (later version), the aforementioned MK9, a K9 Elite '03, and a K40 Elite '98. The fifth one, a T9 with night sights is one I will not carry.... because it's just too damned pretty. Really a beautiful piece.

I would not sell one of these Kahr's as they all are proven guns and really fine in my opinion. The other six I owned were;

o K40 (early version, all black)
o P9 (early version)
o PM40 Covert
o PM9 (early version)
o MK40 Elite '98
o PM40

The first two Kahr's on this list never had any problems of any kind. I sold them for "normal" reasons. The other four all had some sort of problem or anomaly that gave me cause for concern. The only one of them I ever sent back to Kahr for service was the MK40 Elite '98 which as I mentioned, they did not properly correct.

Kahr's are also prone to ammunition sensitivity so make certain the loads you use for self defense with these guns are reliable in them.

 

[SouthernBoyVA]

As for the Elite series of Kahrs, they introduced these guns a few years after their products hit the market. Basically, they were refined on the outside (cosmetically) and had smoother triggers and I think polished feed ramps. The big difference was in trigger travel. They shortened the travel from 1/2" to 3/8", taking the 1/8" from the rear of the trigger.; this meant that you did not have to pull it to the rear as far before the gun fired. A few years later, this trigger was adapted to the rest of the line because it was so much better. My MK9 has the older 1/2" trigger and it is definitely noticeable when compared to the "Elite" trigger.

The Kahr trigger has a shorter travel than does the Glock.

 

[Travclem]

I have had two Kahrs, MK40 and K40. The K40, I sold.....but the MK40 is my main ccw, and has been for about six years.

As I understand it, the elite series is just a refinement of details, and a smoother trigger. Nothing that would effect performance, IMHO. The triggers on both mine

hog

where did you get those wood grips On the k40? I need some for my mk.

 

[G26S239]

I have an MK9 since July 2005 and a K9 since April 2010. Both are very well built, reliable and accurate.

 

[hogship]

where did you get those wood grips On the k40? I need some for my mk.

Those are nice grips.....always did like those.......

They are standard Kahr wooden/checkered grips purchased directly from Kahr.......go to the Kahr site to find them.

hog

 

[Travclem]

Those are nice grips.....always did like those.......

They are standard Kahr wooden/checkered grips purchased directly from Kahr.......go to the Kahr site to find them.

hog

Thanks!

 

[SouthernBoyVA]

Those are nice grips.....always did like those.......

They are standard Kahr wooden/checkered grips purchased directly from Kahr.......go to the Kahr site to find them.

hog

I put a set of the smooth wood grips on my SS K40 Elite '98 many years ago. They are perfect for the purpose to which I put that gun.

 

[Travclem]

I was looking at kahr's website and noticed the oem factory recoil assembly is captured. Mine is uncaptured. Is this old or aftermarket?

 

[G26S239]

I was looking at kahr's website and noticed the oem factory recoil assembly is captured. Mine is uncaptured. Is this old or aftermarket?

It might be a Wolff non captured set up.

 

[Travclem]

I went and shot it today.

-100 WWB 165gr
-50 federal 180gr fmj
-50 Speer Lawman 165gr
-50 Speer Gold Dot 165gr

No jams or other problems and it was very accurate. Recoil wasn't bad at all with plinking ammo but my hand was hurting after the 50 GDs though. I am happy with it except I need to get a factory recoil spring and some wood grips.