recoil reducer? [Archive]

BackDraft

09-21-2006, 02:17

Its a Harrts Recoil Reducer. The company is no longer in business but their product does work. I have one in my E9 and K40 and I have noticed the difference with the K40. In my E9 it works but not as noticable. It shaved my split times down when I was being timed. If you wait and keep an eye on Ebay you can get it for a lower price. I paid less than $20.00 each for mine.Here is more information ,this is a copy from Combat Handguns

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COMBAT TEST:

NEW KAHR K40 .40S&W

Compact sharpshooter is now all dressed up in good lookin',
tough wearin' electroless nickel!
COMBAT HANDGUNS, p. 34 - 37
June 1997, by Gary Paul Johnston

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Kahr Arms' new K40 is now available in a tough electroless nickel finish. The gun's single column magazine holds 6 rounds of .40 S&W ammunition, seen here, right, compared with the 9mm.
When Kahr Arms first debuted their 9mm K9 double action only semi-automatic pistol a couple of years ago, shooters literally lined up at their door to get one.

Of the highest quality, the little Kahr pistol was manufactured of the finest materials implementing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and advanced, high precision computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine tools.

Looking something like a miniature Glock, the Kahr is striker-fired and the slide group operates much the same way as does the Glock, but beyond that a number of differences were apparent.

Machined from high grade steel, the K9 uses a uniquely simple double action mechanism. Consisting of a rotating shaft with a double sear-like piece in the center, the system both retracts the striker (and releases it) and deactivates the firing pin (striker) safety. Like the Glock, the Kahr's slide pre-sets the sear each time it's retracted.

Simplified in its design, the Kahr's striker reduces the number of parts needed and allows for more robust construction of these parts. This simple, strong and compact system allows the Kahr to use a very short slide while still incorporating a barrel 3.5 inches long.

Field stripping the K40 is simple and requires no tools. The Harrts Recoil Reducer is shown here above the factory recoil spring guide that it replaces. Johnston found the device reduced muzzle flip by about 20%.

Shown here with its slide locked to the rear, the double action only kahr K40 has just two external controls, the magazine release and slide stop.

Jay Jackson fires the K40. Recoil was quite manageable and the pistol never malfunctioned.
Of pocket-pistol size, the K9 uses a 7-shot single-column box magazine with a 1911-style release located just behind its large trigger guard. The only other control on the pistol is the conventional slide stop. Designed to sit as low as possible in the hand, the Kahr's feed ramp is off-set to allow the trigger to ride next to it rather than below as in most autopistols. In addition, the rear of the trigger guard is undercut to let the pistol naturally point on target.

Standard on the K9 are excellent recoil-absorbing Hogue rubber grips that seem to make the gun feel like an extension of the hand. With only a short distance to the trigger the Kahr is as ergonomic as it gets.

Pulling the Kahr's trigger is a shooter's dream. Giving definition to the word "smooth," this trigger is so easy to use that even those with disabilities such as arthritis usually find it comfortable.

Now In .40 S&W Caliber
Designed to take any factory 9x19mm ammunition, including the +P varieties, the Kahr is a 9mm compact with a full size punch, and with 9mm ammunition now available economically, one can afford to practice with the gun abundantly. What more could one ask for? Well, for starters, a Kahr in .40 S&W caliber, and not only has the company satisfied this ever-growing demand, but the new K40 Kahr can also be had in a durable electroless nickel finish like its 9mm sibling.

All key components of the Kahr are coated with a tough, glare-free corrosion-resistant, bonded gray nickel finish that actually out-performs stainless steel against corrosion. In addition, the internal parts are finished with a teflon-like PTFE component that provides added dry lubricity to further smooth the operation of the pistol.

Having just received a sample new .40 S&W nickeled K40 pistol, I can assure you that it's everything the K9 is and more. Holding 6 rounds of your favorite forty in its magazine gives the K40 a total capacity of 7 shots, and it is as simple to use as a revolver. So, with that said, how does it perform?

Shots Fired
With its greater momentum the .40 S&W cartridge generates more recoil than the 9mm, and this translates directly to the shooter's hand. However, we found that the Hogue rubber grips come to the rescue to absorb the force just as with the 9mm K9, and we suffered no abuse from this compact forty.

Accuracy from our sample K40 was excellent. Shown here is the best 5-shot group fired-2.03 inches at 25 yards with Federal .40 S&W Tactical. Average accuracy at this distance was just 3.03 inches. hard to believe, but true.

All major parts of the Kahr are CNC machined from the highest quality solid steel billets. The result is a pistol of the highest integrity.
Firing the K40 both out of the box and with a Harrts Recoil Reducer installed, i noticed an estimated drop in felt recoil of about 20% during rapid fire (yes, the Harrts really works), but again, I thought the gun was pretty controllable as issued. The only time the K40 really kicked was with some .40 S&W ammunition loaded with light bullets at high velocity. While not labeled as such, some of this ammunition approaches the +P category and that brings us back to this argument, so here's what I think.

Ammunition loaded to +P performance originally came about as a result of the thought that it produced greater "shock" from greater velocity. This higher velocity also helped the older types of hollowpoint bullets expand. Not only do I not agree with the notion that much is gained from higher velocity in most self-defense handguns, but bullets have changed, too.

With the dramatic advances made in bullet technology during the past six or seven years, we now see many of them not only offering optimum penetration, but expansion, too. Recently I was privileged to test Federal's new Personal Defense ammunition at Thunder Ranch, in Texas. using new computer-designed bullets, this ammunition offers less recoil with performance equal to +P ammunition. for example, Personal Defense ammunition in .40 S&W offers a reduction in recoil of about 14%, and penetrates over 11 inches in 10% gelatin with heavy clothing in front of it.

Ammunition loaded to +P pressure brings a number of things to the self-defense table that's less than desirable. First, it causes more wear and tear to your gun. While this may be of no concern in a gunfight, +P ammo also produces more muzzle blast (if not more muzzle flash).

Most undesirable about +P ammunition is that it produces much more recoil. Heavy recoil diminishes your ability to make rapid, accurate follow-up shots, and in a gunfight, fast well-placed multiple hits are what will save your life. I don't care if a particular cartridge has a 99% record of "one-shot-stops." With your luck, you'll be that one percent, so make sure you can deliver enough hits to survive.

All major ammunition manufacturers now offer loads using new state-of-the-art expanding bullets at standard velocities. Of course, if you can hit just as well with +P ammunition, and prefer it, have at it, as the K40 will handle it fine.

So what about accuracy from the K40? Well, sample Kahr 9mm pistols I've tested, while by no means "Match Grade," have performed satisfactorily out to 25 yards, producing 5-shot groups of about 4 inches (sometimes more). However, in the case of our sample K40, I'm happy to report that this little gun consistently put five shots into well under 4 inches with most types averaging about three inches as 25 yards. This is real combat accuracy, and the little Kahr performed perfectly, never missing a hitch with any forty fodder.

Accuracy Chart
Cartridge Velocity Small Group Large Group Average
Black Hills 180 JHP 956 2.86 3.19 3.08
Cor-Bon 165 JHP 1138 3.10 3.31 3.21
Federal 135 Personal Def 1102 2.72 3.07 2.92
Federal 180 Tactical JHP 967 2.04 3.21 2.44
Remington 165 Gold Saber 1109 2.78 3.23 3.11
Speer 155 Gold Dot JHP 1131 2.94 3.38 3.26
Winchester 180 SXT JHP 989 3.04 3.42 3.19
Five 5-shot hand-held 25-yard groups using Oehler P35 chronograph. Bullet weight is measured in grains, velocity in feet per second, group size in inches. Overall average with all loads fired = 3.03".

Druthers
So what would I change about the K40? I had to work some to come up with something to fill this. For one thing, lightweight the Kahr ain't, but I carry big guns for self-defense, and this all-steel masterpiece doesn't bother me in that respect. I'll carry it in the Alessi holster I have for my K9. The only addition to the .40 caliber pistol I can think of off hand is the Harrts Recoil Reducer, and it will remain in this K40.

perfect for concealed carry self-defense or home protection, the Kahr has taken its rightful place in the pistol world. If you're in the market for a compact double action only semi-automatic pistol of the highest quality, the Kahr was designed to fill your needs. Look for the new nickel or newer-still stainless .40 S&W caliber K40 at your dealers, or contact Kahr Arms, Dept. CH, PO Box 220, Blauvelt, NY 10913; (845) 353-7770.

Specifications: Kahr K40
Caliber .40 S&W
Barrel 3.5"
Overall Length 6.1"
Height 4.55"
Slide Width 0.94"
Weight 26 oz
Sights (Front) Combat blade dove-tailed in slide; (Rear) "U" notch drift adjustable for W/E, optional tritium night sights
Grips Black pebble grained rubber by Hogue
Operation Modified Browning short recoil
Type Of Fire Semi-automatic, double action only
Finish Electroless nickel
Safety Striker (drop) safety
Feed Device 6-shot box magazine