CW9 Break-in, Range Report, Photos

[Rescue271]

First off I'll give you a little background about myself. I'm a 21 year old Pennsylvania native, active duty U.S. Army Firefighter with one combat tour in Afghanistan OEF 09-10.

I bought my CW9 from Ace Sporting Goods in Washington County, PA. Well... I traded my Glock 22 Gen4 for it, call me crazy yeah yeah i've heard worse.

I loved everything about the CW9, the way it felt in my hand, the slim profile, the light weight, and the DAO and slide release as well as the polished feed ramp.

I use this weapon as my everyday CCW, inside the waistband of my pants right hand hip side. Without a holster for now until I get my Crossbreed Minituck for my birthday.

I made a few upgrades to the weapon before the break-in period.



Kahr Stainless Steel Guide Rod
Hogue Handall Jr. (flipped upside down)
Pearce Mag Extenders
Crimson Trace LG-437 Laserguard

I cleaned and lubed the Pistol following the Kahr Lube Diagram found on the website.

I went to my local indoor range with 200 rounds of Winchester white box, which would not be my first choice but Walmart didn't have federal in stock. I also had a box of 50 Remington UMC.

The weapon DID NOT HAVE A SINGLE MALFUNCTION.

I loaded my 2 magazines in 5 round increments.

I went through 200 rounds fairly quick, not worried about accuracy or grouping.

The next 50 rounds I focused on shooting fundamentals (Steady Aim, Breath Control, Trigger Squeeze, Grip)

I couldn't get enough so I bought 50 rounds of what the range had. Some Fiocchi, which was actually rather impressive. I used the last 50 rounds to Zero and sight in my CT Laserguard.

The weapon is now dead on at 25 yards. It may be more accurate than I am, The way a good weapon should be.

After my first range visit I rigorously cleaned my CW9, with brass dust and carbon all over it.

Yesterday, A week later I went back to the range with my Dad, and shot 75 more rounds. Again ZERO MALFUNCTIONS, and still a Tack Driving Well Oiled Machine.

I COULDN'T BE ANY HAPPIER WITH THIS WEAPON.

After everything I read, I went to the range expecting the worst, hoping for the best. And the best is what I got.

If you take care of your weapon, your weapon will take care of you. It is your friend, your lifeline...treat it as such.


-Rescue271http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2hi0maiJJ1rtkltso1_1280.jpghttp://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2hi2v8Uk61rtkltso1_1280.jpghttp://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2hi3xSmXS1rtkltso1_1280.jpg

[jocko]

knda hard to out shoot ct on a gun, nice report, no not really nice. HOW ABOUT EXCELLENT. course we ar eused to that here, so keep shootin i9t, u can't hurt it and it will only smooth out more.

[Rescue271]

Thanks Jocko,

I think a lot of the bad reports on here are from some inexperienced or uneducated shooters.

I'm constantly around weapons and I take excellent care of them, because my life depends on it.

[jocko]

indeed and kahrs are not for everyone either but it seems if u start out right with them and keep ur cool if issues happen the gun will reward u in the end. I sure read alot on this fourm of glock owners trading in their glocks for a kahr and never lookng back and that to me is not a negative towards glocks eithger. I own one and love it but it is my home queen and ready to go also, where as my PM9 is my 24/7 pocket gun..

[MW surveyor]

Rescue271 - Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new CW9.

One thing that you have to remember is that on just about any firearm specific forum, you are going to get a lot of people that have problems with a specific gun. That's just the way it is and we here at KT try to help as much as possible.

[Tinman507]

Rescue271 welcome to Kahrtalk. Thank you for your service.
Congratulations on the CW9.
Glad to see and hear you're enjoying success with it.

[Rescue271]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys

I will definitely try to post as often as possible, maybe even start making a couple youtube videos

[Rescue271]

Jocko,

It is fact that kahr pistols are not for everyone. My father has large hands (he plays the bass for a living) and he prefers larger pistols, such as the M&P 9 he has in the duty model and a Ruger GP100 4" barrel. He tried my kahr and did not shoot well with it just because of how it felt in his hand. I'm not particularly biased on what weapons I like or don't like based on look or feel... I need function. If it puts rounds down range consistently without malfunction I will shoot it.

[rigel]

I LOVE my CW9. This is my first Kahr pistol and I have enjoyed it from round one. I have never had a jam (Hope I dont jinx myself). The only problem I have had is sighting the gun - shoots low and left. Still working on that. It does give a good grouping.

[MW surveyor]

rigel - hate to say this but........it's you, not the gun! Don't worry, you'll get better at it :)

[KahrArmed]

Great report! I too just posted one on my day today shooting my brand new P45, but was not nearly ad detailed. I too was worried after hearing so many bad reports about jams and mags falling out. I was stunned about how smooth the gun was. The only problems I encountered were not the gun's fault. I limp-wristed my first shot with my weak hand and the round didn't eject properly, and the Critical Defense rounds I tested would not feed properly, they were clipping the nose. This will be my carry weapon and I am thrilled with it so far. How are the Hogue grips? I too think the cheese graders are a bit much.

Good Shooting!

[Rescue271]

Thanks KahrArmed,

The Hogue grip might be my single favorite upgrade just because of how comfortable it makes shooting feel, makes the recoil feel like nothing. There are also good grips that pachmayr makes, however I have not tried them only heard some things on the internet..

[KahrArmed]

Thanks for the grip suggestion. I have to say, my grouping looked not nearly as nice as yours. I did also shoot my Kimber Royal II and the recoil felt about the same, so I am mostly interested in eliminating the grating effect of the cheese graters on my palm.

[jocko]

could not one takesome fine 600+ grip auto paper andsandthecheese graters. Ur not gonna take alot off with the 600+ grit soany sanding IMO wold be merely dulling the corners of the cheese graters.U could also grip stipple the gun..:popcorn:

Besides the grips being good cheese graters,I have been told by some that they work extremely well in FISH SCALING to. They are like a swwiss army knife, so many useful things AT NO CHARGE EVEN. Just sayin:D:D

[Rescue271]

I have also heard of people taking heavy duty bicycle tire innertubes and cutting sections off to fit them over the grips, and then trim to desired shape with an exacto knife.

But i just said F@#$ it and bought the 8 dollar hogue grip

[RedRyder]

Low and left usually means jerking the trigger just as the shot breaks. Get some snap caps and have someone else load your mags with one or two of these interspersed and it will really show up your jerk or anticipated shot break. It's a good training tool for even, steady trigger pull. You've got a great weapon there and I have the same problem with my new P9, especially being used to DA/SA guns in my past.

[Rescue271]

Yeah I would agree he's jerking it :-P

The CT laserguard also helps diagnose shooting errors. You can definitely tell when you jerk one

[rvanpelt]

I have also heard of people taking heavy duty bicycle tire innertubes and cutting sections off to fit them over the grips, and then trim to desired shape with an exacto knife.

But i just said F@#$ it and bought the 8 dollar hogue grip

Yep, here's my Glock 36 and Kahr CW9 with puncture proof tube. Went on like a sock...cost $0.:)
Rod
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad154/vanpeltrk/20120401100329.jpg

[deputy tom]

Rescue271, nice shooting. I just picked up a CW9 and am looking forward to shooting it.tom.

[TominCA]

My PM9 is the same - perfect - Now I want a CT!

[Rescue271]

thanks deputy tom,

and Tomin, it is an incredible investment. once it is sighted in you can shoot it from any position. it's a force multiplier if i've ever seen one

[DKD]

RESCUE271, spoken like a real US Army Trooper. Take care of your weapon son and it will take care of you. UH RA !

[GeezerDave]

I now have over 500 rds. through my CW9 and have to say I am loving it! Since I bought it three weeks ago my fingers on my right hand have gotten quite arthritic so I officially became a LEFTY this past week. Had a bit of trouble sighting at first, but finally got it right.

I am also getting some friction and not pain, but discomfort when I shoot a lot of rounds all at one time. So I would like to get some grips. It looks as through the Hogue grips work just fine. Has anyone used the Agrips that are sold by Kahr?

[JFootin]

I am also getting some friction and not pain, but discomfort when I shoot a lot of rounds all at one time. So I would like to get some grips. It looks as through the Hogue grips work just fine. Has anyone used the Agrips that are sold by Kahr?

I really like the Qwik-Grips. Nice fit, nice feel and no palm swell or finger grooves, so added bulk is minimized.

[Frayed Knot]

Has anyone used the Agrips that are sold by Kahr?


I have some Agrips on order for my CM9. I'll provide a range report as soon as I get them. I'm optimistic they will tame the cheese grater. Although, it's really only a slight problem when I shoot 100 rounds or more.

[Rescue271]

There's a fellow on youtube who has 2 videos with the cw9 that uses the Agrips. he says he likes them, but the adhesive must not come into contact with any gun lube/oil or it starts to gunk up. The hogue is by far the cheapest, and it feels great

[LampShadeActual]

"I think a lot of the bad reports on here are from some inexperienced or uneducated shooters. I'm constantly around weapons and I take excellent care of them, because my life depends on it."

I am glad you are happy with your experience.

Your idea above has some merit in some cases. In other cases unhappy people have mechanical problems that the user cannot define or adequately explain in function words. They just know something happened that should not happen.

I would suggest that their experience not be trivialized. You might just find that your "experience" is rather minimal compared to any number of other fellows.

Being around weapons, using them, and taking care of them actually leads to little understanding as to how they work, how they experience failure modes, and failure repair/causation.

There are any number of users here who have machinery and engineering along with rather extensive firearms experience and can tell accurately what is going wrong, the symptoms, and possible ways to fix/prevent future failures. Plus the skills and tools to do it without introducing new problems. The last is the key. First of all, do no harm.

If you have read any of my threads, you should get the picture by now.

The CW9 deciding to drop its magazine yesterday is just the last in a long line of what the Hello is happening here. It was remarkable to me because in 20+ years of carrying a service size auto pistol most days, never once did one of them drop a mag unasked for. The M22 Glock has an extended mag release that sticks out a mile. It has never released itself in umpteen years since its installation somewhere around the late 1990's. (No way would I sell the M22 to check out something else.)

As I say, I am happy you are having a positive experience and hope it continues. You might review my threads to give you a hint of what to watch for.

[GeezerDave]

Been trying to find the Quik Grips with no success. Finally ordered the Hogue Handall Jr. from Amazon for $8 - no tax and free shipping. Looks to me that the photos show they add a bit in circumference overall and a place to rest my fingers - hope they do as well as they look.

[JFootin]

Been trying to find the Quik Grips with no success. Finally ordered the Hogue Handall Jr. from Amazon for $8 - no tax and free shipping. Looks to me that the photos show they add a bit in circumference overall and a place to rest my fingers - hope they do as well as they look.

All you had to do was ask...
http://www.lonewolfdist.com/Products.aspx?CAT=84

[GeezerDave]

Well I got the Hogue Handall Jr. grips and installed a couple of days ago. Feels really nice! I went out and shot about 100 rds. of FMJ and then a full mag of Federal 124 gr. +P HST and it went well - in fact I am loving this gun even more.

The move to lefty is complete now that I can sight with either my left eye or both eyes open and with practice I am getting as good as I was with my right hand.

Will order some of the othe grips noted on the site just in case.

[GeezerDave]

update on Grips: Now about 300 rds. with grips - perfect!

Questions:
1. I have an odd discoloring around the barrel on the slide. I cannot get it off with the ususal cleaning supplies. Any suggestions?

2. Has anyone installed a Fiber optic Front site on a CW9?

Again, I am really loving this pistol!