New to Kahr Pistols

[1evil57]

Hello All

I took my new CW9 shooting over the weekend and after 250 rounds I have to say I really like it, I bought it for its compact size and figured if I fired enough rounds through it I would be comfortable carrying it.

When I do feel the need to have a pistol with me it’s usually a Ruger SP101 .357 or a Springfield Armory 1911 Officers .45.

I ordered a set of the Trijicon sights today but was wondering about the stainless steel guide rods.
Is there a problem with the factory guide rod? I didn’t have any issues and didn’t see any unusual wear when I cleaned my CW9.
One last question does anyone use the Hogue rubber sleeve on their CW9’s and does it help with the thin grip?

Thanks
1evil57

[Diocoles]

The Hogue to me makes it feel too thick.
I use an Agrip for the Kahr. Nice and soft.

[Bill K]

Welcome to KahrTalk.

That's a pretty eclectic group of carry guns you now have.

I haven't heard about any systemic guide rod problems on any of the Kahrs.

[JFootin]

The Hogue grip kind of defeats the designed in thinness of th gun, IMO. I like the Qwik-Grip (http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Products.aspx?CAT=84). No bulges, no finger grooves, just a nice positive grip that covers the cheese graters on the front and back and cushions recoil somewhat, which isn't bad anyway on these kahrs.

[1evil57]

Appreciate the quick replies and you’re right on the grip making the pistol thicker, one of the reasons I bought the Kahr was its thin size.
As for the recoil it’s not bad I was expecting for a pistol so light it would be worse than it is.
I was figuring after a 1000 rounds I should have it broken in and should start to see anything that might be a future issue.
So far the only negative is it doesn’t seem to like the Remington Golden Saber 124gr JHP, I was hoping after another 750 rounds it will feed better.
1evil57

[JFootin]

What I like is the sure purchase it gives when handling the gun. One caveat is that it really ruins pocket carry, making it extremely difficult to draw the gun. I don't pocket carry my CM9 so it is not a problem for me.

[1evil57]

Yea I used to carry my SP101 in a Desantis Nemesis holster, I'm a pretty big guy so I could hide it well. not sure where I'm going to carry this one maybe SOB.

1evil57

[jocko]

Appreciate the quick replies and you’re right on the grip making the pistol thicker, one of the reasons I bought the Kahr was its thin size.
As for the recoil it’s not bad I was expecting for a pistol so light it would be worse than it is.
I was figuring after a 1000 rounds I should have it broken in and should start to see anything that might be a future issue.
So far the only negative is it doesn’t seem to like the Remington Golden Saber 124gr JHP, I was hoping after another 750 rounds it will feed better.
1evil57

be well broikenin at 500 rounds that is fur sure. trust ol jocko on that, Just sayin. nice report, I wll shot GS after to, no reason why it shouldnot do so. If not to manyt othger good defense round sout there to worry about one brand and load..

[AlbinLee]

The guide rod that came with my CW9 was steel from the factory, only it had a blackened finish. I imagine yours is the same? I don't see the need for a polished stainless one, unless you are doing it for looks. Then again, you could probably polish the factory black off and get the same results with the one you've already got. Anybody correct me if I'm wrong.

[CoryB]

On my CW9, I've found that the first 124gr Golden Saber will only chamber if I use the slide-stop lever as per Kahr instructions. If I slingshot the slide it won't go into battery.

Once the first round loads, the rest chamber and shoot just fine.

As for the guide rod, mine was black and I polished that finish off. It's still got lots of small black specks in it, but it looks better and feels smoother. I didn't want to sand it any further because I was afraid I might change the rod diameter too much.

[CJB]

Congrats, and the Hogue seems fairly popular as an accessory

[1evil57]

My Son and I decited to go shootin this coming weekend so I figure I'll put another 200 rounds through it and check for wear, I have only one Polymer Pistol in my safe and its a XD45.
I have to get used to the whole pocket pistol thing I guess, until last week for me a pocket pistol was a snubby .357

[1evil57]

One more question while I have your attention

Do you guys carry with one chambered?
I'm used to a 1911 cocked and locked, a Blackhawk on a empty cyl or a DA Revolver, not positive I trust a striker pistol with one chambered.

Any feedback?

[stumprat]

I always carry chambered. Never had a problem.

[JFootin]

One more question while I have your attention

Do you guys carry with one chambered?
I'm used to a 1911 cocked and locked, a Blackhawk on a empty cyl or a DA Revolver, not positive I trust a striker pistol with one chambered.

Any feedback?

Try this with the gun unloaded and double checked. Put a loaded magazine in it so the weight is maxed. Point the muzzle toward the ground (with the striker pre-cocked). Now, insert your finger and, using your other hand just to balance the gun, lift and move the gun with all of its weight coming down on the trigger. You will find it very difficult to get the striker to fire. The trigger poundage is about 5 times the weight of the gun, the trigger throw is 3/8" and the internal striker block safety won't get out of the way until the trigger is fully pulled.

There is, of course, also a trigger guard to prevent things from snagging the trigger. There is nothing in a holster that is going to snag the trigger, and when pocket carrying there should be nothing else in that pocket except a pocket holster; no keys, cell phone, pocket knife, change, finger nail clippers, pack of gum, tin of snuff, spare mag or loose bullets - nothing.

Every gun should be handled as if it is loaded. With this in mind, I can handle my CM9 with a round in the chamber with complete confidence.

Actually, a cocked and locked SA action bothers me because the gun is not ready to fire when drawn, until the safety lever is disengaged, and the SA trigger is way too light to disengage the safety while the gun is still in the holster. Many of them do not have a right side safety lever for lefties like me, and I refuse to own such a gun. It seems almost safer and easier to carry one of those uncocked and unlocked because the hammer can, with practice, be cocked as fast as the safety can be disengaged. It can be done with a very quick swipe of the weak hand while maintaining a firing grip on the gun. Of course, if you're Bob Munden you can draw, cock, fire and reholster a SA revolver from the hip with perfect accuracy in .06 seconds, but he is a Superhuman!

The beauty of the Kahr in a s.h.t.f. situation is that you don't have to do anything but draw, point and pull the trigger.

[1evil57]

Thanks JFootin

I did not know there was a striker safety when I asked about having a round in the chamber I guess I should have done a little more research before asking the question.
As for carrying the 1911 cocked and locked I have been doing that since 1970 when my Dad put one in my hand and took me shootin for the first time, being in the Corps only reinforced that.
I guess I have to get used to my CW9, hell I’ve only had a week and took it shootin once.
1evil57

[Bawanna]

The beauty of going from a 1911 to the Kahr is when you sweep the safety off which I can do about a 1000 times faster than pulling the hammer back and it's not there you'll still be ready to go.
Stay familiar with the 1911 and you won't have any problem. If you get conditioned to no safety then you might have a problem when you forget it on the 1911 or any other gun with a thumb safety.

I'd have no concern carrying a Kahr fully loaded. Very safe.