Why is this MK9 so cheap?

[ElyasWolff]

I have been wanting a PM or MK9 for some time (I am skinny and sometimes the G26 is too big) I have not ordered on because of the insanly high retail price.
But then I noticed the two tone MK9 M9093-BOX is only $475?! What makes this one so much less expencive than the other MKs?

Thanks guys

[warmrain]

Originally posted by ElyasWolff
I have been wanting a PM or MK9 for some time (I am skinny and sometimes the G26 is too big) I have not ordered on because of the insanly high retail price.
But then I noticed the two tone MK9 M9093-BOX is only $475?! What makes this one so much less expencive than the other MKs?

Thanks guys
Don't consider the retail price, only the street price.
The "BOX" is a stainless frame and a Black Oxide coated high carbon steel slide (AFAIK...)
According to reports here the BOX doesn't necessarily hold up well to body acids during concealed carry.
If budget is a real concern then look at the street prices for a K9 or MK9 or consider a used example.
The MK9 is one of the best pistols that Kahr makes!

[sx-al]

It can always be refinished.

[warmrain]

Originally posted by sx-al
It can always be refinished.
Right! It could be done in a Robar Industries (http://www.robarguns.com) finish. NP3 would be matte silver (looking a lot like matte stainless) or Roguard (black) would retain, even enhance the two-tone finish. And there is the option of Nickle for a polished appearance.

Either coating is lifetime and the slide will be less prone to rust than stainless. Though that offsets the cost some about $95.00, though it would be striking.

http://www.robarguns.com/images/colt.gif

[No Quarter]

Kahr made a small run of "BOX" models that actually had a stainless slide that they have "passivated" (blackened). I got mine for only $380, turns out it is the same as a regular all stainless MK9. They ran out of carbon slides and used stainless. Luckiest purchase of my life. Everytiem I see a "BOX" model, i check to see if it is like mine. It is marked as stainless on the right side of the slide above the dust cover area. Next time I ever see one, I'll buy it!

FWIW, the dealer had NO idea that this was not actually a BOX model gun.

It was a good day :)

[warmrain]

It sounds like the stainless steel mark is easy to see and does not require field stripping? What is the mark (e.g. Kimber uses "S" but you need to feild strip to see it)?

[No Quarter]

Here is a pic. You can see the "stainless" marking right above the dust cover area...

[No Quarter]

and another pic of the other side.

[No Quarter]

Dottie w/Kahr confirmed it to me that this was indeed a run of BOX models that they had to use stainless for due to running out of carbon steel slides and they had to fill the order!

I have hundreds of rounds through it, carry it in my pocket every day and the finish has shown ZERO wear thus far.

I could not be happier with it as a pocket gun.

NQ

[warmrain]

That's interesting NQ,

I never thought the mark to be so obvious; imagine marking a stainless slide "stainless". I was thinking it something criptic. Well, you've got a very special Kahr MK9 (I've got an Elite 98 and love it!), an limited number, sort of a cult pistol among cult pistols.

This also explains something I saw the other day at a dealer. He had several different matte stainless slide Kahr models and some of them had bluish/black colored extractors...

He couldn't explain it, but I suspect it's the same thing...

[No Quarter]

I am pleased with it for sure. Everyone else said it was just a basic BOX model, it took an email to Dottie for me to get the real deal!

the best part is, if the finish gets too worn out, I can just buff it out and I'll have a shiny new Kahr stainless slide underneath it all. The stainless appears to be nice and smooth - not matte.

NQ

[Undead Jed]

I traded into my two tone model because I thought it was stainless underneath. That's the way they advertise all their guns as... stainless.. so I didn't even think twice about it.

I eventually found out they are carbon steel. The slide is already starting to rust. The gun has been flawless, but I'm really not happy with it because I HAVE to have stainless guns. Blued guns always rust on me and I just can't buy them. Something about my sweat I guess. I've only had the gun since November of last year or about a year now. I'm going to email Kahr and see if they're willing to do anything about it.

[warmrain]

Joe,

You could still have it re-coated. The Roguard is just about salt water impervious (1000 spray tested Mil-Spec, IIRC). Of course that's $90, but it would be the last time you would have to worry about it...

[silky]

I bought an MK9-BOX in August on Gunbroker for $400 with 2 mags. They usually come with only one - another way to keep the price down. There are good deals to be had on these pistols.

I was more interested in getting the polygonal rifled barrel than with the stainless slide.

The slide finish is a dull black. It's a nice contrast to the stainless frame & black grips, but it would look drab if the whole gun was that way. I thought about Robar but decided to wait and see how the black oxide holds up. No wear problems or rust in this short time.