Another CM45 range report and review

[pbagley]

Yesterday I ordered a CM45 from my local gun shop. Today they called and my new Kahr was in and ready for me to pick up. Turned out that their regular supplier was out of stock. 14 wholesalers later they had one ordered for me, and it was shipped overnight. Great service, and excellent price from my favorite local store - DK Mags in New Brighton, MN.

Tonight my son-in-law and I had some car work to do (daughter's car). We needed a make a parts run, so we went to the parts store near the range. Of course this meant a range visit to try out the CM45.

My range is a 25 and 50 yard bullseye range. I did absolutely no prep, just shot it as it came from the box. Here's the first target.
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/20140712.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=742&u=13629574)

Things proceeded nicely, groups all nearly the same as I worked my way through 90 rounds of WWB 230 gr. RN's. I added some mil-spec oil after 40 rounds - I like a well oiled machine. After 70 rounds I tried one handed, strong and weak hand, and suffered failure to feed on round 2 and 3, rounds 4 and 5 loaded just fine. Rounds 81-90 also had issues with round 2 and 3, so perhaps this is a dirty gun issue. Here is the last target:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/20140713.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=743&u=13629574)

This is nearly the same accuracy performance as my CW 45, which I think is quite impressive.

Continuing with the comparison to the CW45, I was surprised that the CM45 was not that much smaller than the CW 45.
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/img_6010.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=744&u=13629574)

And side by side:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/img_0210.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=745&u=13629574)

The other 10 rounds of the 100 round WWB package were shot through my CW45. In comparison there was not a lot of difference in recoil between the two. Accuracy was nearly the same. My son-in-law felt the CM45 felt smoother then the CW45.

I also compared the CM45 to a CM40. The CM40 is a bit smaller. The CM40 recoil is a bit sharper and quicker, the CM45 actually seems to have less recoil.

Overall, I really like the CM45 a lot. I'll clean it tomorrow, including the striker.

[Southerngunner]

Congrats on the CM45 and thanks for the range report. I thought it would be a good bit smaller than it appears, I believe the CM40 is about the same size as my MK40 would you happen to have a picture comparing both of your CMs the 45 and40?

[2tango2]

The double spring of the CM probably absorbs much more of the recoil than the CW single spring

[pbagley]

... would you happen to have a picture comparing both of your CMs the 45 and40?

Thanks for asking. I shot these tonight, everything is still dirty. Here is a comparison of what I have:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/p7170610.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=746&u=13629574)
Left to right: CW380, CM9, CM40, CM45, CW45

From the front:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/p7170611.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=747&u=13629574)

CM40 vs. CM45:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/p7170612.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=748&u=13629574)

CM9 vs CM45:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/p7170613.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=749&u=13629574)

CW380 vs CM45:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/p7170614.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=750&u=13629574)

Holster for the CM9 is not a great fit, I expect the CW45 shell to be a better fit.
CM9:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/p7170615.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=751&u=13629574)

CM40:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/p7170616.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=752&u=13629574)

CM45:
http://i39.servimg.com/u/f39/13/62/95/74/p7170617.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=753&u=13629574)

[gb6491]

Excellent review and photos (especially the size comparisons):)
Thanks for taking the time to put all that together.
Regards,
Greg

[Southerngunner]

Very nice collection and Thank you very much for the size comparison. Now I have to decide what is my next one.

[DavidR]

Great pictures - now I want a 45!

[pbagley]

Thanks. Just don't ask me to name my favorite. Each has it's merits, each has it's faults, and I enjoy them all. I may end up carrying the 380 more just because it it so small and light. IWB in the AlienGear the CM9 vs CM40 is a tough call. CM45 vs CW45 is another tough call. It is good to have choices.

[2tango2]

I was thinking of a CW45 but I may just go for a CM45 now.

Do you find the CM45 kicks a bit more than the CW45?

My CT45 is pretty tame

[yqtszhj]

I wish you wouldnt have posted all this. Now if I see one its coming home with me. How am I gonna explain that to thw wife? :rolleyes:

[pbagley]

I wish you wouldnt have posted all this. Now if I see one its coming home with me. How am I gonna explain that to thw wife? :rolleyes:

A few suggestions:
1) get a second job, use the money for your enjoyment.
2) save up your "pin money" for a while (the money you don't spend from your weekly allowance for fuel and lunches).
3) sell some of your old stuff on Craig's List to fund a new purchase.
4) just spend it, and ask for forgiveness if (when) she discovers the unauthorized spending.

Good luck!

[pbagley]

One detail I neglected to include in the review above that may be of interest:
- I have a tendency to allow my right thumb to flop about. This habit caused two unintentional magazine releases and one unintentional slide stop activation. This is a user error, but it never happens with a 1911 using the same two hand grip. The problem is rooted in target shooting training where the finger tips and thumb are kept off the handle - only the front and back straps are touching the hand (one hand bullseye hold). When adding the second (weak) hand both thumbs are kept off the handle, and my habit has been to have both together with the thumbnail facing my eyes. The same thing happens with the CW45 and the CM40.

This is noted with the expectation that most will never suffer this problem.

[Southerngunner]

I wish you wouldnt have posted all this. Now if I see one its coming home with me. How am I gonna explain that to thw wife? :rolleyes:


My wife got a little concered when I told her I was buying another Kahr:yell:,but when I got home with the pistol she was relieved. We have an agreement that as long as the bills are paid and the savings is left alone I don't say anything about her $300 + purses she stays out of the gun purchases:rolleyes: Sometimes it even works:p

[b4uqzme]

4) just spend it, and ask for forgiveness if (when) she discovers the unauthorized spending.

Good luck!

It's always better to ask for forgiveness vs. permission.

[yqtszhj]

My wife got a little concered when I told her I was buying another Kahr:yell:,but when I got home with the pistol she was relieved. We have an agreement that as long as the bills are paid and the savings is left alone I don't say anything about her $300 + purses she stays out of the gun purchases:rolleyes: Sometimes it even works:p
Thats the part that hurts, I buy a gun and her a $300 dollar purse.

[pbagley]

I was thinking of a CW45 but I may just go for a CM45 now.

Do you find the CM45 kicks a bit more than the CW45?

My CT45 is pretty tame

I don't detect much difference in recoil between the two. Very slightly more accurate with the CW45, but it's within a point on the targets pictured above at 25 yards.

[2tango2]

I don't detect much difference in recoil between the two. Very slightly more accurate with the CW45, but it's within a point on the targets pictured above at 25 yards.
Aha, reread your original post and you cover my question nicely [emoji106]