MK 40 or Elite98?

[monkeywrencher]

Looking at picking up a secondhand MK40 or an elite 98. Since there are no shops in the vicinity that I can actually hold the two side by side, I am having trouble deciding between
them. Is the price Elite 98 price variable worth it for the trigger and dehone? Or will the Mk40 do all right?
Any input is appreciated...:)

[LGCubana]

What's the price differance ?

[SouthernBoyVA]

I have a K40 Elite 98 (early model, purchased new). It's been flawless. Has never had a failure to fire or feed, and is amazingly accurate for a DAO (obviously the shorter and smoother trigger). I put the smooth wood grips on it right after I bought it. This is one gun that is going to remain in my stable and not be sold or traded.

[warmrain]

An Elite 98 also in .40...?

If this gun is going to be more than just an appliance, something if pride in ownership is involved, I think you will see a big difference in the finish quality of the Elite 98. The trigger is improved too, or at least it was during the years I bought my MK9 Elite 98.

Comparing the machining on the slide of my PM9, the Rollmarks and the finish, to the MK9 makes it obvious to me...

Of course it depends on the price difference and how much importance you put on finish, assuming they are the same caliber.

[monkeywrencher]

Thanks for the replies. It boils down to this.
Gun A. MK40 , night sites, seller I feel comfortable with.
Gun B. Mk40 elite 98 , no night sites.. $100 more.
I'm thinking if I get night sites installed in the elite, it will put it overa $200 price difference.
I do plan on getting some nice rosewood grips and plan on EDC'ing it in place of my G27.
I'm finding it's tough to come by a used mk or , elite so this is the rub...
However I have I have been contemplating purchasing a NIB MK9 box and getting it armor koted in OD green;P

[monkeywrencher]

Thanks for the replies. It boils down to this.
Gun A. MK40 , night sites, seller I feel comfortable with.
Gun B. Mk40 elite 98 , no night sites.. $100 more.
I'm thinking if I get night sites installed in the elite, it will put it overa $200 price difference.
I do plan on getting some nice rosewood grips and plan on EDC'ing it in place of my G27.
I'm finding it's tough to come by a used mk or , elite so this is the rub...
However I have been contemplating purchasing a NIB MK9 box and getting it armor koted in OD green;P

[warmrain]

monkeywrencher,

Yea, for my the night sights were $120 and then the install on top of that... I forget the cost of the installation. I think you're looking at more like $260 difference unless you can get the night sights discounted and they slip right on without any slide machining.

If you do get the elite and order sights check on the Kahr web site to learn how to determine if you have an early or late slide. The dove tails are different and so are the sights.

If you buy the Elite 98 you can pick your sights and get fresh ones (are the ones you saw still reasonably bright?). This probably is not an issue as they ought to be good for 10-20 IIRC.

On the other hand, as much as I love my Elite 98, in this situation I might lean toward the other pistol.

Don't forget, the trigger on the Elite is a shorter pull IIRC...

Attached is my MK9 Elite 98 with SS guide rod, front strap checkering and XS 24/7 night sights. (I like the sights but they are the weakest in terms of brightness of all the ones I have, Meps are brightest.)

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c151/warmrain/CheckeredFrontStrapsMK9andNAA.jpg

[Zundfolge]

I'd get the standard MK40 and upgrade the trigger ... especially if you want to refinish the gun.

You can upgrade the standard MK40 to an Elite trigger for under $50 easily. Read how here: http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=175493

The only other difference is that the Elite98 will be shiner and have "Elite98" engraved on it.


Both of the MK's I've owned have been Elite 98s and I like the trigger better than the standard one.

[monkeywrencher]

Wow...She is beauuuutiiffuull:)

I really like the dehorned package, but when you put the difference at $260..Well that's getting a little un ruly. The seller of the standard MK states that the nightsites "Are bright" but I don't think he knows if they are Meps or Trij's..

[monkeywrencher]

Originally posted by Zundfolge
I'd get the standard MK40 and upgrade the trigger ... especially if you want to refinish the gun.

You can upgrade the standard MK40 to an Elite trigger for under $50 easily. Read how here: http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=175493

The only other difference is that the Elite98 will be shiner and have "Elite98" engraved on it.


Both of the MK's I've owned have been Elite 98s and I like the trigger better than the standard one.

This sounds like the best solution. I am not so concerned about laser engraving or even the polished finish (There's always a dremel and flitz for that;f ), The trigger job sounds doable so this is very helpful stuff!

[warmrain]

Originally posted by monkeywrencher
This sounds like the best solution. I am not so concerned about laser engraving or even the polished finish (There's always a dremel and flitz for that;f ), The trigger job sounds doable so this is very helpful stuff!
monkeywrencher,

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, now that I see the reasonable cost of installing the Elite trigger, I think the MK with night sights is the best choice (IMHO). As long as you can see the sights in a darkened (not pitch black) environment you're good to go...

P.S. unless you are very skilled keep the Dremel away from your gun and do it by hand... Probably wet and dry 1000+ paper and oil followed by Flitz or something similar. Michigun will know!

[AZ Traveler]

All Kahrs of recent manufacture (last couple of years at least) have the Elite Trigger with the exception of the K9 NYCPD. I would get the S/N of the MK40 and find out from Kahr when it was made and if it has the Elite trigger.

This may help you with your decsion.

[warmrain]

Originally posted by AZ Traveler
All Kahrs of recent manufacture (last couple of years at least) have the Elite Trigger with the exception of the K9 NYCPD. I would get the S/N of the MK40 and find out from Kahr when it was made and if it has the Elite trigger.

This may help you with your decsion.
'Traveler,
I wonder what we get for our Elite $$$ now besides the polished stainless? Any ideas? I thouht the whole Elite deal was the trigger...

What are the benifits now of the Elite 2003s?

[AZ Traveler]

Quote from Kahr website.

"The Elite 2003 performs as well as it looks. The polished stainless steel finish and laser etching on the frame are available on all Kahr Elite 2003 pistols - the K9, MK9, K40 and the MK40. The lustrous finish complements our innovative designs and solid construction. The magazine well is beveled for easier magazine reloading. The feed ramp on the barrel is polished to a high luster to insure reliable feeding with all types of ammo. Laser engraving on the frame provides the finishing touch to the polished stainless steel - for an appearance as impressive as its capabilities."

It appears that most of the differences are appearance related. Although the basic dehorning (I read the "beveled edges" as dehorning) job can have advantages for concealed carry. Also polishing the feed ramp can help any firearm.

When Kahr replaced my K40 Covert, with a MK40, I requested that an elite trigger be added. The response I got was that they "all" have them, no need to added it. I read someplace earlier that all polymer Kahrs have the elite trigger.

[warmrain]

Looking at my MK9 Elite 98 and new PM9, I don't see any de-horning per say in the Elite 98. I think the only beveling done is to the magazine well (on the 2003, my '98 is not).

So it seems that in early years (circa 1998) you got the Elite 98 for the trigger mostly and then for the polished finish.

Today you do it for the beveled mag well and polished feed ramp (and the highly polished finish).

The feed ramp is easy to polish. I suppose you could do the mag well too with care...

Like I said my MK9 Elite 98 does not have the beveled mag well, but my PM9 has both the Elite trigger AND a beveled mag well.

Not much of a difference anymore. Back when I got my '98 the trigger was all the rage.

[AZ Traveler]

The Graphic of the Kahr website points to beveled edges at the muzzle, edges of the slide and Slide Stop Lever on the Elite 2003.

I understand that the K9 NYCPD trigger is the old non-elite trigger.

[warmrain]

Originally posted by AZ Traveler
The Graphic of the Kahr website points to beveled edges at the muzzle, edges of the slide and Slide Stop Lever on the Elite 2003.

I understand that the K9 NYCPD trigger is the old non-elite trigger.
So the Elite 2003 may in fact be dehorned while my '98 is not...

It sounds like the NYCPD has a trigger demanded by a NYC lawyer... ;)

[AZ Traveler]

That's how I take it.


;)

[hayseed_40]

My MK40 came with the factory elite trigger. Not worth any extra money for the elite98 IMHO.

[warmrain]

Originally posted by hayseed_40
My MK40 came with the factory elite trigger. Not worth any extra money for the elite98 IMHO.
I think the Elite 98s have all been discontinued in favor of the Elite 2003. In any case it does seem that the Elite trigger is now standard on all Kahrs except the NYCPD version. As a MK9 Elite 98 and recent PM9 owner I can vouch for the fact that the "Elite" trigger is std. on the PM9 (if not all non-NYCPD).

There is the de-horning (not much more than std. if I'm looking correctly), the polished feed ramp (I do that to all my semi-auto pistols, takes 30 minutes tops), the beveled mag well (that is std. in the "P" series and I could do that too with care), the dehorned slide stop (what, this is an issue... It has not been for me but a little wet and dry 1000 and some oil...).

So it seems now that the trigger is not an issue, there's not a lot of reason.

Oh, yea... The slide is brightly polished.. ;)

[AZ Traveler]

Don't Forget the "Laser Engraving".

I'm sure that will make it shoot better and easier to carry. !NOT!

But with Wood Grips, stainless hex head screws and stainless steel guide rod, I bet they are purtty.

;f