The closed ends should be to the rear of the guide rod. Kahr is very specific about that. The closed ends grips the guide rod to keep it in place and not allow it over the flange to the rear of the guide rod.
The open ends goes to the front of the pistol and is open to allow it free movement to compress during firing and returning to battery. While re-assembling the slide, I twirl the recoil assembly as I align and push the rod trough the hole in the slide. I watch and start over if the spring tries to get through first.
All of the Kahrs are designed this way and the manual shows pictures and the video at kahr.com cautions you to keep the closed ends of the recoil springs to the rear.
If the open end is to the rear, the spring can override the flange and jam your pistol... not a good thing to happen when you're perhaps fighting for your life. It isn't that hard to install the recoil assembly correctly!
Wynn
USAF Retired '88, NRA Life Member. Wife USAF Retired '96
Avatar: Wynn re-enlists his wife Desiree, circa 1988 Loring AFB, ME. 42nd BMW, Heavy (SAC) B-52G's
Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, The Law: http://mises.org/books/thelaw.pdf
Thomas Jefferson said
“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
and
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".