Grand Power K100 - First Impressions

[Ganderite]

I unboxed a new pistol that arrived just as I was leaving for the range. I took it with me and fired two loads (lead bullets). Both grouped well.

I bought this real cheap on EE. But even for $100 more, this is a very good pistol.

It is a full sized polymer framed 9mm. DA/SA The DA is fairly smooth. The SA is perfectly light and crisp. Nothing like a M&P9 or a Glock.

Inside I found everything very well finished. Nothing like a Norinco. Fit was tight and slick.

The lock up is via a rotating bolt, rather than some variation of a Browning design. This puts the barrel slightly lower in the slide than the others.

It has a safety, much like a 1911, but not quite as easy to use. No decocker.

Mags don't fall free. They fire out!

Takedown is simple. No levers to turn or pins to pullout. Just pull the front of the triggerguard forward and pull the slide back and up. Just like a PPK.

It has a replaceable back strap, available in 4 sizes, but these are not included in the guns sold in Canada. Unfortunate, because I think this is an important feature. I bought 4 from Dlask for $50. It appears that the included grip is "Large". I tried one size smaller and the pistol feels better. And I have a fairly large hand.

I own a lot of pistols, and I would rank this the best economical pistol I ever bought. It might yet prove to be the best pistol - period.

 

[Can-down]

They are good guns for sure and very accurate and easy to shoot well.
The trigger guard slide lock is not my favorite and the newest generation has gone away from it, however the older ones are functional and cheaper to buy.

 

[saskgunowner101]

I don't know why these aren't more popular, had mine to the range twice and absolutely love it.

 

[Canuck223]

One the subject of the backstraps, it's a matter of distributor preference.

We offer most of the guns in either the small or large box to the distributors.
We expected that most would opt for the large box that contains the three additional backstraps.
However, it does cost more and adds to the MSRP.

For those looking for take down instructions....

 

[Import]

Ganderite....I agree completely, its a great pistol to shoot...field strip is a little clunky sometimes and the full tear down is scary ( I asked cannuck223 for a tutorial) but the SA trigger is the best I've had so far....mine is the older version so the back straps arn't changeable, luckily it fits me just fine.. I to don't understand why these pistols arn't more popular?

 

[Canuck223]

Ganderite....I agree completely, its a great pistol to shoot...field strip is a little clunky sometimes and the full tear down is scary ( I asked cannuck223 for a tutorial) but the SA trigger is the best I've had so far....mine is the older version so the back straps arn't changeable, luckily it fits me just fine.. I to don't understand why these pistols arn't more popular?

Availability seems to be the primary issue.

 

[sailor723]

I just ordered a K100 MK7 on sale from Dlask...no mention of additional back straps but I think I'll wait and see how the standard grip fits my hand.

I have shot a Beretta PX4 Storm and liked it but for about 1/2 the price I thought I'd give the Grand Power a try

 

[Canuck223]

I have shot a Beretta PX4 Storm and liked it but for about 1/2 the price I thought I'd give the Grand Power a try

At our booth at IWA, we had a noticeable number of guys in Beretta shirts scoping out the new models.

 

[sailor723]

At our booth at IWA, we had a noticeable number of guys in Beretta shirts scoping out the new models.

Well, I liked the Storm but the K100 Mk 7 I ordered will land on my doorstep for almost exactly $400 less than the Beretta PX4 would have cost me. (and I think extra mags are about half as well) Time will tell but most of the reviews seem very positive. Now the waiting begins.....

 

[Import]

Sailor723
I'm sure you won't be disappointed.....they shoot really well...

 

[Chuck3436]

This gun was an instant love affair for me.

The trigger is phenomenal stock and the gun is very ergonomic.
The double action puts 90% of other DA triggers to shame, and the SA is in a class all its own. There is nothing with as short a reset in SA as this gun, rapid fire follow up shots are a dream.

I now tell everyone I know looking to buy a new pistol to try this first.

 

[Hitzy]

I really don't want one of these but they are looking neater every time I see a thread. $399 at Dlask for the old model is pretty tempting

 

[saskgunowner101]

I really don't want one of these but they are looking neater every time I see a thread. $399 at Dlask for the old model is pretty tempting

I know hey! This pistol was on my arm long list to buy, and I came across the sale and that was it....

 

[bushwhacker]

I have two, the old Mk5? target that was originally distributed by Marstar and a X-caliber. Like them both.

 

[Canuck223]

I have two, the old Mk5? target that was originally distributed by Marstar and a X-caliber. Like them both.

If the front of the trigger guard is angled, its a Mk5. If it's square, it's a Mk6.

 

[Auggie Doggie]

I have an old K100 patrol I picked up about 9 years ago when they first became available to us. It is a pleasure to shoot. I can't adequately described the recoil. It is unlike anything else I own.

Auggie D.

 

[sailor723]

So, if these pistols are so good (and cheap) why aren't they everywhere?

I'm not trying to put them down (and I hope I've found a great deal on a hidden gem) but you have to wonder.....


another thing I'm wondering about.....if the takedown method is the only difference between the MK 7 and the MK 12, why bother to make the change? Is it just because of consumer resistance to bending the trigger guard down like that to remove the slide or were there issues....if you bend anything often enough can you break it?

 

[New Camper]

I've been wanting to handle the X-caliber and target models, but non are available locally... I am impressed by what I read and the options provided in these pistols that are rare all in one package elsewhere... I've been considering CZ 75T and Jericho 941 because of what is on paper about them, however IWI is vague about the safety mechanism and typically is fitted with fixed sights. Still leaning towards the Grand Power models but haven't seen anything but the K100.

 

[Import]

I've been wanting to handle the X-caliber and target models, but non are available locally... I am impressed by what I read and the options provided in these pistols that are rare all in one package elsewhere... I've been considering CZ 75T and Jericho 941 because of what is on paper about them, however IWI is vague about the safety mechanism and typically is fitted with fixed sights. Still leaning towards the Grand Power models but haven't seen anything but the K100.

Pm Canuck223... He has all the info...

 

[Canuck223]

Another thing I'm wondering about.....if the takedown method is the only difference between the MK 7 and the MK 12, why bother to make the change? Is it just because of consumer resistance to bending the trigger guard down like that to remove the slide or were there issues....if you bend anything often enough can you break it?

The trigger guard takes about 4 minutes to replace if it is broken, and it does double duty as a shock buffer.

However, some folks mistakenly thought it was like a S&W 41 or Walther PPK, and tried to pull the trigger guard down like it was a hinge, cracking the polymer grip.
We also had some grips broken when people accidently failed to snap the trigger guard fully closed on reassembly.

When we were engineering the grip for the larger magazine .40 and .45 models, we went to a disassembly latch instead.
We applied the same system to the mold for the 9mm grip shortly after.