CW9 - my first Kahr!!

[Coffin Filler]

I got a CW9 about three weeks ago. It is remarkable how such a light gun is so easy to shoot. I was really concerned a one pound gun would have too much recoil which is why I got the 9mm. It actually kicks less than my Walther PPK/S! Even my 120lb girlfriend enjoys shooting it!

It is not as accurate as my Kimber Ultra Carry but for its intended purpose it is more than adequate. (Shoots one inch groups at 7 yards hand held)

So far, have put about 800 rounds through it. I let some other guys shoot it at the Cowboy Practise two weeks ago. After shooting mine, one of the guys went out and bought a P9 - he fell in love with the Kahr and had to have one! He was using it at the CCW practice today and we were both smiling like two kids.

The only problem I had was getting the mag to drop. I guess the quality control on the "cheapies" is not that great. It was easily solved by wrapping a strip of 220 grip self adhesive sandpaper from my Porter Cable sander to the mag, putting a few drops of gun oil on it and repeatedly inserting into the mag well until the high spots were sanded away. I also sanded down the flash on the gun as it caused irritation when firing more than 100 rounds during a range session.

I like the conventional barrel as I can shoot cheap reloads with lead bullets. Using a light load (3.8 gr of W231 with 125 gr bullet) it cycles with no problems. No leading yet.

I had some 124 Gr Speer Gold Dots that I am using for carry ammo and it shoots to POA with both the cast and factory loads - nice.

I got some cheap mags off Ebay put they will not drop free. Haven't figured out why yet but that is my next "project". If I can't get them to work I will need to breakdown and get Kahr mags; but at $35 each they seem rather expensive. I will post if I find a solution that gets the cheap mags to work.

I am very pleased with the gun and everyone who has fired it has been impressed.

:cool: :cool: :cool:

[skypan1]

Glad to hear the positive feedback on the CW9 I just put $$$ on one and will be able to pick it up on Fri.

Only getting one mag does kind of suck, but that is what ebay if for I geuss.
I carry a Kel-Tec 380 for the summer but it is getting cold here now and BG are starting to wear heavy coats instead of T-shirts.

I wanted something with a little more Bite for the winter months but need to be as small as possible and this little 9 seemed to fit the bill.

Well I will have a range report on my CW9 on Sat

[Coffin Filler]

Skypan1,

I looked at a few holster options and decided on the Fist "shirt tucker" model in Kydex. It can be adjusted for cant and it has a variety of belt attachment options - so lots of flexibility.

I use it as a "normal" IWB when wearing a sweater or long shirt loose over pants. But it is nice to have the ability to tuck in a regular dress shirt or golf shirt and still carry the gun without a jacket etc.

I almost went with the Comp-Tac holster as I have three of their Kydex holsters for my 1911. I much prefer the Fist holster and will probably order a Fist for the 1911.

I hear you about wondering if the 380 is enough gun - especially during the winter when the BGs are dressed up warm. That is why the 1911 (in 45 ACP) is still my first choice. The "bad" news is that the Kahr is so much more comfortable and concealable that I will continue to carry it most of the time. There is also the advantage of the Kahr's long DAO trigger and the reduced risk of an AD - which becomes a big factor when the manure hits the ventilator and the adrenaline is pumping.

Hope you have good luck with your CW9 and I am looking forward to your range report this weekend.

Be safe

[FLGlock30]

Went to the ole gun show this past weekend and also got my first Kahr. I wanted the pm9 but got a decent deal on a new cw9. feels great and cant wait to shoot her. going to the range on Friday. heard some good things about kahrs in general and i know this is the economy line but will see how it does.'

skypan. I also carry a p3-at and got this to be my more powerful pocket gun. size is not too bad as i can fit in most of my shorts with no probs. ;c

[skypan1]

Coffin Filler
Do you have a website for the holster you are talking about ? I did a search and found some but there were a few variations of it like the K8 - K10........
if these were the ones you were talking about.

Yup I need the ability to carry with out a jacket, as all of my carry will be with-in my own 4 walls at my place of business. IL is a very bad state to live in when it comes to carry issues. When I leave my place of business the CW9 will have to go back in a case for Leagle travel :(

I would love to carry my Les Baer TRS 1911 but I will be made with it right away and that won't be an acceptable thing. I really need to stick with the sub compacts or mini.

I like the G26 but, for the best CC the little Kahr wins out. AS long as it proves to be reliable. Should it not prove to be something I will trust my life to, down the road it will go and a G26 will be in its place and I will have to make what ever changes I need to so I am not printed.I have some flex in dress at my place of business. I have done some smothing out and polishing on my Kel-Tec 380 and it is going BANG every time I pull the trigger with out any sort of malfunctions (so far) after about 300rds.

I hope I never have to be in a possition to make a life changing desision by taking out a BG but I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

FLGlock30
I to wanted a PM9 but they didnt have one in the case when I was at the LGS. The CW9 was there and if felt good in my paw so I went for it, $419.00 seem like the upper end of the retail price but it is only money, will go make more tomarow.

Sounds like we should have 2 range reports by Sat night on the new little CW, hope all goes well with yours.

[Coffin Filler]

http://www.fist-inc.com/holsters/k1/K8.htm

Skypan1,

The above URL will take you to the holster I bought. I also got one of their mag holders. Shipping was quick.

Note: I did not get the "Ultra Thin" model as I wanted to make sure the holster did not collapse and make re-holstering difficult. The Thin model works great for me.

You can see the multitude of belt clip options.

Also, they say it takes about 200 rounds to break in the Kahr. So don't give up on it if you have a few hang ups initially. I was "lucky" and mine was flawless from the get go. There are posts here on what and how to polish the gun to make it feed better and slick it up a bit. I am getting some Flitz to do mine even though it works fine. A carry gun can never be too perfect.

Wish you luck with yours

[skypan1]

That is one of the ones I was looking at, seems to have lots of options for it, looks like it will work for my application just fine.

I will run 400 - 500 rounds through it before I make a decision on the reliability of the little gun along with some polishing here and there to smooth things up.
After that many rounds if I have any trouble OR I have to send it back to manufactur couple of times I will lose trust in it as my carry gun.

I belive all guns have to be broke in and you have to try a number of diffrent ammo to see what it likes to digest. I have had some guns that will run flawless on cirtain ammo (once you find what that is) and if you change it will give nothing but problems, so there is a little investment in ammo but you will know forsure what works and what dont.

I have gotten some great deals on guns from people that say there new ???? dont work good and is not as accurat as they thought. I ask them if they have tryed to use diff ammo to see if it is better and usually the answer is no. I then ask how many rounds have they shot and they say 20 -50 and tell them function and accuracy may improve it they try diff ammo and and run few more (hundred) through it. Some will say ok and some will sell imeadiatly at a very good price.

[skypan1]

Picked up the CW9 tonight ;f every thing seems pretty tight, (slide to frame fit)
pleanty of oil on it too.

I will get it tore down and cleaned up, re-lubed with slide glide and will hopefully be heading for the range tomaow with 250rd to shoot through it, Winchester 115gn target loads for some break-in.

Also bought Fed 147gn HS JHP, Fed135gn HS JHP, Rem147gn Golden Saber JHP, and some Hornady, 124gn TAP FPD to see what it group and cycles best with.

I will have my report on this new little 9 of mine when I return from the range.

[FLGlock30]

Well where should I start........:steamed:
The CW9 is the biggest piece of ***** I have ever purchased so far, and i have owned alot of handguns and none have done this.

Like the new guns I have purchased before I break them down and clean them before use, like the manufactures say to. SO i did this on my CW9 and no probs. The frame and slide fit real tight, I checked to see if the internal safety's work and all is good. This gun is real appealing to the eye.

Well I finally found some time to go to the range on FRI and packed up the CW9 along with 500rds of win white box and 50 rds of 115gr +p Ranger SXT and on my way out the door I decided to grab the G19 to shoot too. Thank god I did. I get to the range load up a mag for the CW9 and get her locked and loaded, Point down range and CLICK

What the Hell is CLICK. so I drop the mag and eject the round. nothing on the primer so load the gun try again and CLICK, and CLICK
Nothing. I take it to the GS at the range and he takes a look at it and tries to disasemble it and the gun will not even break down, and he believes it will not even fully return to battery hence never being able to fire.

KARH firesarms, You've let me down in a BIG way. They try to make a more affordable model to attract new buyers and they make a gun that doesnt work. I excpected a FTF or FTE maybe in the first 300rds but for it to not even work. EVEN Hipoints work. Kahr is closed on the weekend so I will let them try to make this situation right at the begining of next week. I also contacted the dealer i purchased the gun from and he too is on my side to make things right. He says Kahr is better to individuals than they are to Dealers.

I hope the other range reports are better and maybe be by a fluke I finally purchased a dud after owning over fifty differernt guns over eight years.

Thankfully i brought the G19 and thats a gun you can trust you life too. :)

Take care.;c

[skypan1]

Well I didn't get to the range today but I did get my new CW9 apart to initially clean and inspect before going to shoot and was really disapointed in seeing all the plastic shavings, and limited metal shavings on the inside of this gun.

there was pleanty of flashing left on it, and every where a matchine tool went over it there were (burrs) from the plastic. Shavings every where, gun had oil put on it and assembled for shipping.

I did carfully clean off all the burrs, and chips with a #11 exacto blade and re-lubed, assembled. This is not what I expected for a $400.00 plus gun, I know it is there more affordable gun but.......

Hope it don,t go -- CLICK -- tomarow instead of BANG ! I know it is possible to get a dud now and then with anything we buy, I cant wait to hear what customer Service says and how they handle it, Let us know.

[Coffin Filler]

Took it to the range yesterday and put another 250 rounds through it. I had the slide lock back once but I think I may have bumped the side lock with my thumb under recoil. Otherwise no FTFs.
Used handloads with both cast and Remington Golden Saber bullets.

Accuracy at 50ft was not that great 4-5" groups. I shot my Kimber and it was doing 2". Not sure if the problem is me (getting used to trigger), handloads, or gun.

Next session I will bring some factory ammo and a pistol rest. Hope the problem is me - I love having an excuse to get more trigger time.

[skypan1]

Well back from the range and run about 125 rounds in all through the new CW9. I know that isnt enough to get it broke in but it should be a start to tell me how this little gun will be for the longer haul.

The Good: no FTF or FTE

The Bad: couldn,t get it to group well (consistantly) with any of the ammo that
I brought with me.

The Ugly: The Trigger.

I am hopeing that it is mostly the trigger that is cousing it not to group well even at closer ranges 12' to 18'.

I will get another 150rds through it in the nexed few days and see where it ends up to be with the accuracy.

A good trigger job shur would help out alot on this gun, anyone else think the trigger sucks on this gun? I did shoot the G19 that I had with me and was able to put the shots right where I wanted them with a lot more accuracy.

More later.

[Coffin Filler]

Skypan
See my post above - I was grouping OK at 7 yds (75 rounds into one ragged 3" hole - sustained fire -- 1" groups - slow fire) but kind of spraying them at 50 ft.

Best way to tell if the gun can shoot is to use a rest and try 4-5 different loads. Then, if the gun is fine, and you are shooting fine with your other guns, it is a matter of getting used to the trigger (or getting the trigger worked on)

I had an XD (bought off the internet) that came with a factory target showing a 6" group (at 10 yds I think). The darn thing would not shoot with anything I put through it and I sold it at a small loss. I have no use for a gun that shoots that badly.

I think that off a rest we should be getting under 3" groups at 50'. I would be interested to hear what the experience of others has been. Not that there is much of a need to fire at that range in the real world - it is mostly a confidence builder. Knowing you can hit what you aim at - "Priceless".

Good luck!

[FLGlock30]

Helllo all :)

I spoke with Dottie in person and threw e-mails over the last two days and she is a pleasure to speak with.
Status of my issue: There picking up my gun. No cost to me and sending it to the factory. They will either fix the original and fire several houndred rounds to break it in for me. Or the will replace the whole gun and break that one in as well. Saves me money on shipping her and 40dollars break in ammo. They seem take care of "biddness" over there. Ill let you know how it goes and how long it really takes. Take care ;c ;c



stay tuned............................

[skypan1]

That is the kind of cust service we like to hear about.

Shot another 175rds through the CW9 tonight and I had one FTF out of that, for now I am going to blame that on the mag. I do have 3 new mags to try out but have not gone to pick them up from the LGS yet.

Groups were getting better at about 15yds, I didnt put it on the bench just off hand but I think I am getting used to the trigger a little more. I am also thinking of getting some kind of a houge grip for it or something just to try a little thicker grip.

Any one else try using thicker grips ?

[joemerchant24]

My wife requested a Hogue grip on her's. I haven't had a chance to fire it since I put it on, though.

[Michigun]

Originally posted by FLGlock30
Well where should I start........:steamed:
The CW9 is the biggest piece of ***** I have ever purchased so far, and i have owned alot of handguns and none have done this.

Like the new guns I have purchased before I break them down and clean them before use, like the manufactures say to. SO i did this on my CW9 and no probs. The frame and slide fit real tight, I checked to see if the internal safety's work and all is good. This gun is real appealing to the eye.

Well I finally found some time to go to the range on FRI and packed up the CW9 along with 500rds of win white box and 50 rds of 115gr +p Ranger SXT and on my way out the door I decided to grab the G19 to shoot too. Thank god I did. I get to the range load up a mag for the CW9 and get her locked and loaded, Point down range and CLICK

What the Hell is CLICK. so I drop the mag and eject the round. nothing on the primer so load the gun try again and CLICK, and CLICK
Nothing. I take it to the GS at the range and he takes a look at it and tries to disasemble it and the gun will not even break down, and he believes it will not even fully return to battery hence never being able to fire.

KARH firesarms, You've let me down in a BIG way. They try to make a more affordable model to attract new buyers and they make a gun that doesnt work. I excpected a FTF or FTE maybe in the first 300rds but for it to not even work. EVEN Hipoints work. Kahr is closed on the weekend so I will let them try to make this situation right at the begining of next week. I also contacted the dealer i purchased the gun from and he too is on my side to make things right. He says Kahr is better to individuals than they are to Dealers.

I hope the other range reports are better and maybe be by a fluke I finally purchased a dud after owning over fifty differernt guns over eight years.

Thankfully i brought the G19 and thats a gun you can trust you life too. :)

Take care.;c

Sounds like you installed your recoil spring in backwards.......

[skypan1]

Just order a Hogue Handall to slip around the the little CW9, for $8.00 I had to give it a try and see what diffrence it will make. Should have it in a few days.

[FLGlock30]

Michigun,

Nice try but um....NO!

The gun doesnt work, Kahr is going to make it right and I am going to give the the chance.

Thanks for the reply though

[skypan1]

Handall is on the CW9 and another 125 or so rounds through it, so that is about 425-450rds now as of now no FTF or FTE.

I would say that it should be broke - in now, this being a carry gun only for me I have only been shooting it at actual distance/distances ( 0-21ft ) that I would have to take a shot/shots at with it.

There is a much better feel to the gun with the handall on it and I also added a strip of skateboard tape to the underside of the trigger gaurd, I hold as high as I can on the gun and like the way the trigger gaurd locks in on my index finger on my left hand. I was pushing shots low and to the left and with the skateboard tape on it has helped with things and being more concious of how I pull the trigger.

I had my G23 along tonight and I was switching between shooting that and the CW9. I was shooting the G23 I think a little better than the CW9, the little bigger 23 eventhough a .40 seemed more controlable and could I could re aquire the target little faster. The CW9 seemed to have little more muzzle jump and getting back on target with multiple shots was harder to do than with the G23.

It is hard to beat the concelability of the Kahr, and that is what makes it worth looking at to me. I am going to get the smart-carry holster and see how that works with both the G23 and the CW9. I have been reading some posts on it and most all that try it seem to like it, I have been looking for some time now on what may work for my situation as far as a holster.

If the G23 carrys as well and as comfortable as the CW9 in this type of holster the G23 may see more carry time.

Bottom line -- I am ok with the CW9 at the distances that I will have to use it at (if needed) BUT I can shoot my G23 faster/more accurately it seems.



Gun Control:
Using two hands ;a

[FLGlock30]

Got my Cw-9 back from kahr today with a brand new slide. They tested and say no malfunctions. Well now it will go up for sale though, In the 6 weeks since purchase i have put away enough for the pm9.

take care and enjoy your kahr

bummer ill never get to shoot it;P

[josp]

What do you want for it?

[MTPD]

I tested a buddy's new Kahr CW9 ($389) today. Three failures to feed with about 100 rds fired total, always with the first 115gr JRN round in the mag hanging up half way into the chamber when a full mag was inserted and the slide dropped.

Accuracy was very good = 2" at 10 yards shooting one shot per second.

The trigger is gritty.

Maybe all this will clear up with more shots fired. Maybe not?

IN CONTRAST, MY MK9 HAS NEVER MALFUNCTIONED IN 500+ ROUNDS, THE TRIGGER HAS ALWAYS BEEN SMOOTH, AND ACCURACY EXCELLENT.

[bharen]

Gawd, where do you guys find these malfunctioning Kahrs? I own a CW9 and have used two other P9s. All have functioned 100% IF I DO MY PART. When I bought my CW9 the dealer gave me a stern admonition: "Do not limp wrist this gun!". He was right. If I limp wrist it I get an FTF. If I hold it steady it runs like a Lexus (smooth, sure, fast and 100% reliable).

[MTPD]

CW9 update: After another 100 rounds it is still malfunctioning as described above. Maybe a bad mag? Maybe a rough chamber? Maybe a weak recoil spring?

It's not my pistol, thank God. After shooting it my wife changed her mind about buying one. Her G-19 has never malfunctioned in 2000+ rounds.

[ridetime]

Over 1000 rounds through my CW now and it has never done anything but work perfectly. Trigger is smooth as silk. I try to make it fail at the range and can't. Limp wrist, upside down limp wrist. banger style limp wrist. No matter what I do it just keeps going bang.

[joemerchant24]

We're at about 300 rounds through my wife's CW9. The last 200 were Ultramax lead reloads, becuase I figured if anything would jam that thing up, it's UM.

Only two FTFs and those were directly caused by my wife riding the slide down on a fresh mag.

The trigger is a little longer than my GLOCKs, but not horrible. Smooth, at least. I can keep them all in a 4" circle from 21ft, that's about all I ask.

Now, if I could just get some more mags for less than $35...

[MTPD]

UPDATE: My friend's CW9 that experienced numerous failures to feed in the first 150 rounds is now 100% reliable after 250 rounds.

My new personal CW9 has about 250 rounds through it with zero malfunctions.

I'm buying a second one for my wife. She can't stand her Kel-Tec P-11's lousy trigger pull.

[ecmills]

Originally posted by MTPD
CW9 update: It's not my pistol, thank God. After shooting it my wife changed her mind about buying one. Her G-19 has never malfunctioned in 2000+ rounds.

Several months later:

Originally posted by MTPD
My new personal CW9 has about 250 rounds through it with zero malfunctions.

I'm buying a second one for my wife. She can't stand her Kel-Tec P-11's lousy trigger pull.

Kahr wins over some more converts. :)

They're not impossible to get a malfunction on like 75% of the Glocks out there, but if you do your part, a CW9 is perfectly reliable.

My theory on the cause of this problem is this: We know kahr used to use a stronger recoil spring, but many people complained about how hard it was to rack the slide. Sure, they were probably doing it TV-style (gentle tug to the rear, hold it back so it's obvious what you're doing to the viewers, and then let it go gently) instead of the SNAP-SNAP! you get when you do it fast & hard like you're supposed to in real life... combine that with the offset feed ramp that has a pretty steep angle and it's smaller surface area rubbing the tip of the cartridge (more friction), and there's not nearly as much force shoving that round into the barrel as there is on most other autopistols.

Personally, I plan to swap in a stronger spring (maybe the P40?) when mine wears out a couple years down the road. The only downsides I expect to see from this are that press-checks will be tougher to execute without inadvertently ejecting the round, and limp-wrisitng might cause a problem as well.

Try something: Slingshot the slide, and ride it forward. As we both know, on a P9/CW9 this is guaranteed to result in the first round hung up on the feed ramp. Then give the butt of the gun a good, hard smack. Did it chamber the stuck round?

If I don't rack the slide like I'm in a hurry to get it up and ready, it'll hang up. So I've stopped doing that. I always insert a fresh magazine and give it a firm smack, and it has never failed to fully return to battery with a properly chambered round, so I've been doing that to my CW9 each and every time I insert a magazine, in the hopes that if I ever have to use the pistol in a defense situation... I'll automaticaly do it that way.

After carrying around a G19 or a Kimber, the little CW9 is just plain forgettable, isn't it? ;f

[Coffin Filler]

Well, after over 1500 rounds I could not be happier. Just superb reliability with both factory and handloaded ammo. Even cast bullets have worked flawlessly.

It has replaced my Kimbers as my main carry gun. Rides in a Fist tuckable holster.

Two other guys in my CCW classes have purchased Kahrs after seeing/using mine. They are converts too!

Added the A-grip and it is a good accessory.

My only "concern" is that the bullets tend to jump out of mags when carried in a pocket. This is not a problem when carried in the Fist mag holders.

CW9's may be the low end gun but they perform extremely well.

Coffin Filler