Tell me about Kahr CW9 Pistol

[BCGlocker]

I am considering the Kahr CW9 as my super light weight summer gym shorts carry. I read at various forums stated the model is hit and miss on reliability. Can anyone provide additional inputs?

[Lon]

I've had 2. Both ran 100% after the first 200 rounds. I think kahr even tells you that you need to break them in. I chopped both mine down to take the PM size mags for easier pocket carry. The guys I sold them to still have them and carry them as backup/off duty guns. Both mine had really sharp edges. Nothing a little dremel or file work couldn't fix. Had to take a dremel/sand paper/file to my K9 as well. Kahr need to carry bevel their guns. I prefer the CW9 size guns to the smaller PM9 size guns.

[LSP972]

Kahr need to carry bevel their guns.

The P9 has "softer" edges; also a polygonally-rifled barrel, dovetailed front sight, and comes with three magazines instead of one.

I'm thinking about one of these myself; its just as hot and miserable here in south Louisiana as it is in south Texas… and this summer is supposed to be particularly wretched.

I had a PM9- it ran fine, until I blew the extractor out with a bad round (not the gun's fault; the cartridge failed at the extractor rim). I couldn't even FIND the extractor. I sent it back to Kahr, with a humble confession. They sent it back fixed and good as new; no charge.

These little polymer Kahrs are, from what I can gather, a bit ammo-sensitive. IOW, you need to try different "duty" rounds to see what it likes best. My PM9 was not, but I've heard it too many times from competent people to discount it. I was considering the plain-vanilla CW9 pistol because of the button-rifled bore; can shoot lead bullet reloads in that with no concern. If the slide has some sharp edges, those can be dealt with easily; its stainless steel, who gives a shit what it looks like?

I say go for it, BCG; it will "fill your hand" better than a G43… at least, it does for me.

BTW; I also had a P45. Nice piece, shot well, but was a BITCH to hang onto with full-power "duty" .45ACP. The trigger-cocking-only action on these guns takes a bit of getting used to if you are a striker guy… as an old revolver shooter and current LEM disciple, the Kahr trigger bothers me not at all. YMMV.

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[SecondsCount]

A good friend has one as well as my brother in law. Both ran when I shot them and never saw any failures or heard complaints.

One of them had the Hogue Handall slip on grip and it made it much more comfortable. One thing about Kahrs to remember is the maintenance of the recoil spring.

[Tamara]

The P9 has "softer" edges; also a polygonally-rifled barrel, dovetailed front sight, and comes with three magazines instead of one.

Also, the CW series guns have MIM takedown levers instead of machined ones, IIRC.

[LSP972]

You are correct. I forgot to mention that.

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[BCGlocker]

I prefer the CW9 size guns to the smaller PM9 size guns.

I am so glad you said that. I compared CM9 and CW9. To me, the CM9 is too small where I don't like the 3-finger grip (I know I can get mag extensions) and due to its smallness, I can't draw from IWB as fast as a bigger gun (CW9) where I can get a good grip. CW9 is 2 ozs more but I am happy to deal with two more ozs and gain better grip and capacity.

[BCGlocker]

Also, the CW series guns have MIM takedown levers instead of machined ones, IIRC.

I have no knowledge in the manufacture process. What is the practical difference between the two?

[warpedcamshaft]

I had a CW9 a while back.

I fired around 1500-2000 rounds through it of all types of ammunition with no stoppages. It was surprisingly accurate at 25 yards. I didn't mind the long trigger.
In my mind, at the time, the Shield made the CW9 obsolete. I shot the Shield when they first came out, and sold the CW9 a month later. It was faster to shoot, and sat lower in my hand. (I never actually bought a shield)



A CM9 I've interacted with suffered 2 serious issues (I bring this up from a KAHR quality viewpoint):

1: Frame would not allow trigger to be pulled at temperatures below about 10 degrees if I remember right. (Kahr slightly relieved an area of the frame and fixed it completely. They paid shipping and charged me nothing for the fix)

2: Complete catastrophic rapid disassembly of the recoil spring assembly. (CW9 has a much different set up recoil spring wise)



Compared to the PF9 or LC9... the CW9 is superior in my experience. (In my own hands, and in student's hands)

The Shield, PPS, and Glock 43 complicate things a bit...

If you get a CW9... get a tight mag carrier, as the top round tends to walk if not in a tight carrier.

[Tamara]

I have no knowledge in the manufacture process. What is the practical difference between the two?

Truthfully? Bupkis.