Skeptical about Kahr

[hpg]

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking about a Kahr CW9, but I've been reading about all the trigger issues and now I'm not sure I want a Kahr.....:eek:..hpg

[wayne100]

I bought a cw9 back in June and have had no problems at all. Have about 1500 rounds through it. It is a loooong pull, but thats what I wanted for a carry piece.

[hpg]

How does it compare to the Ruger LC9...talk about a long trigger pull....:eek:

[yqtszhj]

Welcome to the forum

I had a CW9 and put probably 1000 rounds through it with never one problem. I traded it for a CM9 and I have 700+ rounds through it and no problems there either. I still miss the CW9.

If you get the CW9 you will not be disappointed. it is a great gun. You should have no problems with it. Clean it and lube it before going to the range and it will run all day.

[yqtszhj]

CW9 has long trigger pull but much better than an LCP. The trigget is long (for safety) and SMOOTH

[Bill K]

Welcome to KahrTalk...

Once again I'm clueless. I've not heard of anything about trigger issues particular to the CW9 or any other Kahr model for that matter.

[hpg]

I traded my LC9 off and I carry a Glock 27 which is a litttle bulky at times. I've been looking at Kahr for about a month....hpg

[hpg]

Bill K, there are currently about 3 threads on this subject that are current...hpg

[yqtszhj]

The Kahr has a better "double action" trigger than my beretta 92

[KMA]

Do not be skeptical; Kahrs are quality firearms. It is true that they have a long trigger, but IMO it is one of the best existing DAO triggers.

[MO_Soldier]

I've only ever heard of Kahr's trigger being the best and smoothest of all DOA triggers. It IS long though.

[yqtszhj]

Oh FYI,
I'll just mention this since you are new to us. I know we have only given good reports but I just want to let you know you will not find a whole bunch of "Kahr Snobs" here. Folks here will tell you what they really think. Check out this .380 thread sne see what's NOT here as a recomendation:

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10413

I have found that the CW9 and CM9 Kahr's design and function well represent well what they really are. A less than one inch wide CC weapon with a long smooth but not too heavy DAO trigger and no safety that is very reliable. And mine have run on every round like the old Japaneese cars did back in the 70's .

[les strat]

I have never heard anything about problems with Kahr triggers, They are long, but like butter. That is the safety of the gun, many which get pocket carried. I have owned the LCP, LC9 (wife's), and the CM9. The all-metal, smooth Kahr trigger is leagues above the Ruger plastic long-pull triggers. The Kahr doesn't bite like they do either.

[TheTman]

The CW9 will have a much smoother trigger pull than the LC9. I traded off my LC9, Kept my CW40. If you go by every bad report you read on the internet, you'll never buy a gun. A very small percentage of CW9 owners have problems, and if they do Kahhr is eager to help solve them.

[jocko]

I've only ever heard of Kahr's trigger being the best and smoothest of all DOA triggers. It IS long though.

3/8" trigger travel. IMO that is plentyt long enoug. We get enough complaints on that length even. not a target trigger system but certinly the smoothest trigger system out there IMO.

[LaP]

My CW9 has no problems..... trigger, slide, magazines, etc.
I carry it.... therefore I trust it.

[patbelly]

I've heard some people say they didn't like the Kahr triggers. Hey, that's the way it goes, but never heard of "issues" with the trigger. My two Kahrs, CW9 and CW45, have excellent triggers. Try out the CW9 or any others. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Welcome to Kahr!

[Cokeman]

What are the trigger problems?

[jocko]

What are the trigger problems?

trigger bar has been a subject of some issues, due to out of spec . It is considered part of the trigger system. Lately though have not really read anyore about this occuring either

[CJB]

Not picking on ya HPG..... but there seems to be a little pattern going on.

Welcome all newcomers!

The board will get a fairly new, and/or previously lurking member, who reads and reads and soaks in all the information here, and begins to get skeptical of the Kahrs.

Don't be.

EVERY GUN MANUFACTURER puts out an item here and there that has issues.
For me -
Ruger Super Blackhawk 7-1/2 had bad recoil plate
Ruger Blackhawk 357 had a bad cylinder.
Smith & Wesson Model 60 broke a pin in the frame
H&K P9s sheared its screws in the frame twice!
FN Herstal FAL (civilian, semi auto) kept going full auto... gas mechanism problem
Trying to think of others... bad barrels from Colt in the late 80's .. galore.

Ok - problems happen. Right now I'm manufacturing some parts for irrigation use... big irrigation... sprinklers that throw 90 feet. I've got a part I sub out that is giving us fits. We can make them one off, but the sub cannot make them in production. I've been there four times correcting problems. I think we finally got it down "perfect". I feel the pain of Kahr or Ruger or Colt or any of 'em... its a hard thing to do, even with automation.

So, problems happen - the question is - what do they do about it?

Kahr replaced my frame, and slide... in about 15 days. That was a PM45 that had 300-400 rounds through it. Since then, great stuff, ZERO problems. I was impressed to say the least! So much so, I had no hesitation buying good clean USED Kahr's (pre-owned?). They both shot GREAT. That was a PM9 and a PM45 that I bought from members here. ZERO issues... great transactions... and I didn't have to spend on ammo to break them in :)

Kahr's design is a good one. Justin did his homework.

I love my .45's... now they're called "1911s". Back when I was starting to shoot, the 1911 was just known as "a forty five", and that was it. I've owned at least 25 of them, built up countless numbers of them, reworked even countless more... built and worked on guns that were winners in the Team Challenge events. I like 45's. I think I've got 8 or 9 of 'em right now. I'd have to count! Last three were built with Colt and Remington-Rand and ODI slides on Caspian frames... everything done "my way" (which is not mainstream to say the least!). This was all prior to my Kahr days.

Then I went to look at a Kahr, during Daytona Bike Week last year. That was it. I knew it when I saw it. Small, light, good design (simple, even elegantly so). I bought it, and now I own three. Speaking of elegant.... the design of the Kahr cocking cam is as elegant as it gets. What it does, so simply, by its complex design... is just amazing, and its the heart and soul of the Kahr trigger's great feel. Just an amazing piece of design work, and implementation.

Kahr's are good. They are not target guns, but they're accurate. They're a special breed, designed and intended for carry, and carry performance.

They do it well.

I hope all the newbies take this monolog to heart. Dismiss the problems - this board exists in many ways, to help with problems, so you're gonna see problems here. Look at the big picture... look at what you're getting... jeeze, its a Kahr pistol... a GREAT PISTOL... nothing shoots or carries like a Kahr. I know, because I've carried quite a few pistols (and a few revolvers).

There ya go. Said my stuff. Be happy. Get a Kahr.

[TriggerMan]

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking about a Kahr CW9, but I've been reading about all the trigger issues and now I'm not sure I want a Kahr.....:eek:..hpgKahr's don't have trigger issues. It has a long smooth DA trigger. You either accept it and like it or you don't.

You truly need to shoot a couple of Kahrs. If you like the ergos, the trigger and its accurate for you at self defense range, BUY it. Otherwise keep looking.

[JFootin]

Very well said, CJB! +++

[jouesdeveau]

Sure it's a long trigger pull, but let's put it in perspective. One of the best pulls in the history of hand guns was the pre-1948 S&W M&Ps.

Yup, youngsters: that's a revolver and one of the smoothest DAs ever. And NO safety. I would compare it with the Kahr PM9. All it takes is a little getting used to.

In some way it's helpful being sooo smooth that you can't feel the break coming. A PM9 is not designed for target work, but that unannounced break after a long pull is great for it.

[TriggerMan]

Sure it's a long trigger pull, but let's put it in perspective. One of the best pulls in the history of hand guns was the pre-1948 S&W M&Ps.

Yup, youngsters: that's a revolver and one of the smoothest DAs ever. And NO safety. I would compare it with the Kahr PM9. All it takes is a little getting used to.

In some way it's helpful being sooo smooth that you can't feel the break coming. A PM9 is not designed for target work, but that unannounced break after a long pull is great for it.There comes a time when you may actually want to aim at something and hit it. I've noticed many guns come with sights, often, night sights. If you assume you will be within arms length, any gun will do. We wouldn't need to discuss our favorite brands. Give me a SA trigger or a shorter, slightly lighter DA pull. I don't need a long trigger as a safety, I use a quality holster and keep my finger where it belongs. Two sides to every story.

[jouesdeveau]

There comes a time when you may actually want to aim at something and hit it. I've noticed many guns come with sights, often, night sights. If you assume you will be within arms length, any gun will do. We wouldn't need to discuss our favorite brands. Give me a SA trigger or a shorter, slightly lighter DA pull. I don't need a long trigger as a safety, I use a quality holster and keep my finger where it belongs. Two sides to every story.

I agree with you. If you're looking for protection at close range, you can eliminate many of the issues we normally discuss. It all depends on you're "aiming at" (so to speak).

I got my PM9 for concealed carry, but the fact is that I often bring it to the range and have a lot of fun target shooting or just plinking. The nice thing about a Kahr is that although it's designed for one purpose (protection), it may serve others as well (having fun).

[Bobby]

Yeah thoses long trigger pulls take sooooooo long to pull throught... see video below.. :rolleyes:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f81/bobbyjmestepey/th_VIDEO0063.jpg (http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f81/bobbyjmestepey/?action=view&current=VIDEO0063.mp4)

:eek:

[raptorider]

Kahr triggers are way better than the lc9,,last lc9 I shot the trigger was horrible,my cw45 and cm9 are way better,,better than my glock's too..trying to trade my g-19 for a pm9 now!!!(in all black)

[hpg]

The horrible trigger pull is the main reason I traded my LC9.....I believe I'm going to order a CW9 and give it a try....hpg:cool:

[Squib]

Right now I would not even consider a P380. However, my CW9 has never missed a beat. It has been flawless out of the box and has cycled everything I've fed it. Granted the trigger is somewhat long, but that's a safety issue.

[Bawanna]

Yeah thoses long trigger pulls take sooooooo long to pull throught... see video below.. :rolleyes:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f81/bobbyjmestepey/th_VIDEO0063.jpg (http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f81/bobbyjmestepey/?action=view&current=VIDEO0063.mp4)

:eek:

Whats that video look like when it's not in slow motion?

Seriously (well I don't do serious) but that's really putting em down lickety split.

[Bobby]

Yeah I work on mag dumps every once in a while and have them under 3 sec on the cw in under 200 rds. But I do have a LOT of trigger time on a old 1944 SW MP 38spl 4"... My way of training for hits is steel plate rack..


http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f81/bobbyjmestepey/th_VIDEO0059.jpg (http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f81/bobbyjmestepey/?action=view&current=VIDEO0059.mp4)

No not as fast but thats head shots at 10 yrds... :D

[muggsy]

The horrible trigger pull is the main reason I traded my LC9.....I believe I'm going to order a CW9 and give it a try....hpg:cool:

I have a suggestion for you, hpg. Go to your LGS. Ask for permission to try the trigger pull on a CM9. Do a safety check and pull the trigger. If you don't like it don't buy it. It's as simple as that.

[BrewerGeorge]

Once you learn this trigger, it is exceptionally accurate. If you've got hundreds of thousands of rounds through 1911's, you might be too much of an "old dog" to learn this new trick, but if you can learn it you can do some great shooting. My CM9 will put 7 rounds in an 8" circle at 25 yds if I take my time, and I wouldn't call myself the world's best pistol shooter by any means.

[yqtszhj]

My CM9 will put 7 rounds in an 8" circle at 25 yds if I take my time, and I wouldn't call myself the world's best pistol shooter by any means.

Same here. the CM9 can do it if I do my part. It's one fine gun.

[jocko]

I can put 7 rounds in a 8" circle at 25 yards, THAT IS 7 rounds out of 200!!!

[NoScreenName]

What trigger issues?



No really... What issues?

[jjmc2001]

The CM9 is cheaper than the PM9. The MK9 is a totally different gun than the CW9 and also less expensive.

[skiflydive]

I wanted a small format pistol for easy carry. It needed to be light. It needed to be a very close tolerance (because I appreciate the art) well built gun. It needed to be at least 9mm. I did a ton of research to find a gun that was highly thought of by it's forum members. I don't need a match grade barrel. I'll never own a lot of guns and I'll never spend a ton of money on guns. CM9 fits the bill exactly.

[hpg]

Just ordered my CW9...hope I don't regret it.....hpg

[jocko]

Just ordered my CW9...hope I don't regret it.....hpg

won't but IMO that is not showing much confidence either:confused:

[jocko]

I wanted a small format pistol for easy carry. It needed to be light. It needed to be a very close tolerance (because I appreciate the art) well built gun. It needed to be at least 9mm. I did a ton of research to find a gun that was highly thought of by it's forum members. I don't need a match grade barrel. I'll never own a lot of guns and I'll never spend a ton of money on guns. CM9 fits the bill exactly.

bOUGHT the cm9 back 5 years ago had it been offered. my pm9 IS MY WORKING/PROTECTOR/24/7 GUN. tHE CM9 WILL DO THE SAME THING

[hpg]

jocko,

How can I show confidence? I've never owned any Kahr before in my life..I've only held one and it was a CW9 and it was in April 2011. I'm just that way with anything I've no experience with. I'm not ditching Kahr in any way at all.

I own Rugers, handled and purchased an LC9.. Horrible trigger on that gun. I traded it heads up for a S&W 457 2-tone:D..hpg

[Armybrat]

Well, as Jocko would say....quit yakkin' about your doubts, go out & shoot it like you stole it from Wayne LaPierre. :D

BTW - how is your S&W? My brother has a S&W 4006 that I used to qualify for My Texas CHL in 1995. It's a sweet shooter.

[hpg]

I traded for it on Christmas Eve...haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. If it shoots as good as it looks it will be a keeper.:)

[jocko]

it will, do the prep and lube stuff, get to know the gun before that first bang thing happens. These guys here are here to help ya if needed, where as I am here just to b.s you:19:

[nksmfamjp]

I don't know about trigger issues. . . I think training can overcome most Kahr trigger issues. It is long, moderately heavy, but for me, it is very easy to have the sights on target at the break point. That is what I look for in a CCW.

I would have called BS on this thread, but my friend hates this style trigger also. Hmm, I would say training, but frankly I was shooting incredible groups with my Kahr from day 1.

I do a lot of dry fire with all my guns to train familiarity with the triggers. I think dry fire is actually better than live fire for training trigger control. It allows you to seperate the actual firing and recoil control from trigger training. I find that once I learn the trigger of a gun, shooting it becomes much easier.

[jocko]

why is the 1911's so popular with plate shooters. SINGLE ACTION ANY DAY, ALL DAY,

[hpg]

I should have my CW9 on the 18th according to FedEx's site....:)

[Bawanna]

jocko,

How can I show confidence? I've never owned any Kahr before in my life..I've only held one and it was a CW9 and it was in April 2011. I'm just that way with anything I've no experience with. I'm not ditching Kahr in any way at all.

I own Rugers, handled and purchased an LC9.. Horrible trigger on that gun. I traded it heads up for a S&W 457 2-tone:D..hpg

Focus on success and don't dwell on failure. You got a good support group right here and if there's a boggle (won't be) Kahr will take care of it. No question about it.

Be a little patient (I suck at this usually). Get to know it, if you shoot like Jocko (he does some incredible one shot groups, sometimes it's even on his own target.) first trip out just shoot one shot per target and call it a group.

You'll get better as time goes by and you'll become an addict like the rest of us. Positive karma lives.

[jocko]

FOCUS ON SUCCESS: NOW THAT IS SO DAMN ORIGINAL, I just had to repat that. Bawanna, u just amaze this ol timer.

[JFootin]

why is the 1911's so popular with plate shooters. SINGLE ACTION ANY DAY, ALL DAY,

But you don't carry a single action 1911 in your left front pocket every day, now do you? :behindsofa:

[hpg]

My CW9 left FedEx terminal in Texas and is on it's way to Kentucky. Should have it Wednesday sometime.....:)hpg

[yqtszhj]

Oh your lucky. You must be living right or something. Do the prep and lube thing when you get it and let us know how that first range visit goes. I'm sure you'll be pleased.

[tconroy]

next time you're in a gun store pick up the best DA revolver they have and pull the trigger back, The CW9 is smoother and lighter. I have a ruger sp 101 and the trigger pull is about 5 lbs heavier than the Kahr and not near as smooth, plus its a heck of a lot harder to clean than the Kahr, no tools required.:D

[TriggerMan]

But you don't carry a single action 1911 in your left front pocket every day, now do you? :behindsofa:SIG P238 with pocket holster by Sig. So YES!

[jocko]

cocked and locked or hammer down??

[hpg]

FedEx dropped off my CW9093 about an hour ago. I've cleaned it the best I can here at work. I will give it a good lubricating tonight when I get home..:)
I really like the quality of this little gun.:D And it's the bottom of the Kahr lineup, can't help but wonder if the top of the line P series can be much better quality? hpg

[JFootin]

FedEx dropped off my CW9093 about an hour ago. I've cleaned it the best I can here at work. I will give it a good lubricating tonight when I get home..:)
I really like the quality of this little gun.:D And it's the bottom of the Kahr lineup, can't help but wonder if the top of the line P series can be much better quality? hpg

I felt the same way when I bought my first Kahr, a CW9, a few years ago. I am over it, now. The CW and CM series are just smack dab great values! And functionally, they are just as good as the Ps and PMs. There are a few things that you give up: polygonal rifled barrel, forged slide stop, dovetail metal front sight, extra magazine and the option to get the black slide and/or night sights. Many people go the extra money to have those features, and that is great. But personally, I am fine with the SS slide and the pinned front sight, and I get an added dose of satisfaction knowing what a great value I got. If money were no object (or less of, at any rate), I would go for the Cadillac every time. But, hey, these CW/CMs are Buicks, not Chevettes! :)

[TriggerMan]

cocked and locked or hammer down??
Cocked and locked. Got it in a IWB leather /kydex holster as I type. I will pocket carry when usinhg it as a BUG or when out for a walk. If I plan to sit, I don't care for pocket carry.

[JFootin]

Cocked and locked. Got it in a IWB leather /kydex holster as I type. I will pocket carry when usinhg it as a BUG or when out for a walk. If I plan to sit, I don't care for pocket carry.

With that holster (what brand, BTW), doesn't it look like a wallet in your front pocket?

[TriggerMan]

With that holster (what brand, BTW), doesn't it look like a wallet in your front pocket?
Its a Sig branded pocket holster from their own site. Cost $25 in leather.

It prints like a wallet only when I sit. I only use it in dressier pants, no jeans. Too big for a rear pocket too.

[JFootin]

Its a Sig branded pocket holster from their own site. Cost $25 in leather.

It prints like a wallet only when I sit. I only use it in dressier pants, no jeans. Too big for a rear pocket too.

So why don't you like to pocket carry if you are going to sit? Slow draw?

[TriggerMan]

So why don't you like to pocket carry if you are going to sit? Slow draw?Primarily slow or impossible draw, also it's only .380.

[JFootin]

Primarily slow or impossible draw, also it's only .380.

I know. That new Sig 938 looks interesting.