what's special about the K9 Elite 2003?

[Joaquin]

I've decided on a K9 as a carry gun (just got my CCW) and wonder what the K9 Elite now has that the "ordinary" K9 doesn't have. I'm told that the Elite differs from the ordinary K9 only in that it has a highly polished slide and nicer lettering. A dealer told me that the "ordinary" K9 has the same bevelling and the same Elite trigger that the Elite K9 has. I understand that the ordinary K9 has a matte finish slide.

It takes some months to get the Elite and the "ordinary" K9 is readily available (and a bit less expensive).

This is my first posting in the Kahr Club and I really appreciate all the information that you all have posted that have made my decision relatively easy.

[AZ Traveler]

The newest K9's have the NYCPD trigger which is the old non-elite trigger. The model number is something like K9093C or K9093NC. An N after the number is for Night Sites, the C I believe is for the NYCPD trigger. All of my Kahrs had an A at the end of the model number although the A is not listed on their website. For example my MK40/NS is a M4043NA, and my P40 Covert is a KPS4043A.

I guess what I am saying is if there is a C at/or near the end of the model number, then it does not have the Elite trigger.

Also older models do not have the elite trigger. If it was produced in 2003 or 2004 their is a good chance that it has the elite trigger. You can check with Kahr to find it born on date.

There was a time when everything Kahr made had the Elite trigger. I do not know when that started, however the NYCPD trigger in the K9 only started earlier this year and only the K9 model have the NYCPD trigger.

Also note that the parts to convert a non-elite trigger to an elite trigger are less then $30, last time a checked.

[warmrain]

Joaquin,

The only thing you did not mention was the beveled mag well and the polished feed ramp that the web illustration lists as Elite features.

Quite franky my Kahr performed polishing of the feed ramp on a warranty returned barrel was so badly botched it took me an afternoon to polish out the grinder marks and the divots so that it would chamber the initial round and would feed hollow points.

The chamber is also heavy scored with grinder marks and I may have to address that if it doesn't become 100% reliable in the next 100 rounds or so.

So I say the Elite is not worth it. Almost anywone with care and WITHOUT a Dremel tool can polish the feed ramp (by hand) better than the ham fisted Kahr employee who did mine and the chamber is probably OK the way it is (even if it isn't, that is nothing for a 'smith do do). The trigger is probably already "Elite" and if it isn't the parts are cheap. Someone with a little knowledge and skill can bevel the mag well if it's important (the Elite 98 does not have a beveled well and I've never noticed). All seem to have the slight "dehorning" which is really an overstatement.

So stray away from the NYCPD version and you probably have everything you may need or desire.

[warmrain]

test post to be deleted.

OK, SO I CAN NOT DELETE MY OWN POST. SORRY... If I knew this I would not have been so silly as to have tested... ;Q

[Joaquin]

Thank you warmrain and AZ Traveler for your advice. I've now ordered the non-Elite K9 and hope to have it some time in the next week or so.

[Undead Jed]

My MK9 "BOX" model was made in early 04' and has the standard trigger. I prefer the standard trigger over the "elite" one. The standard trigger is actually lighter and smoother, but it's longer.

I don't know if the NYPD trigger is the same as the old standard trigger, but some people here say so, so I guess it must be.

As far as the bevelled magwell, I do always like that feature and may do some light dremel work on it someday.

[warmrain]

Originally posted by Undead Jed
...As far as the bevelled magwell, I do always like that feature and may do some light dremel work on it someday.
I think you may acheive a better result using a very fine bastard file.