View Full Version : CW40 LEO backup weapon... Mistake?
FALaholic
07-25-2010, 11:17 AM
I found a CW40 at the local gun shop for $400, and decided to make that my backup weapon for duty use. Im hoping that I havent made a $400 mistake in choosing this weapon after reading some of the issues here, but also I'm second guessing now thinking it may be too big for an ankle holster.
What do you guys think?
jocko
07-25-2010, 11:29 AM
for get the issue U READ. just follow the khart tech section and find the proper prepping of your new kahr and that damn gun will totally surpriseyou. It is a lightweight, so expect some recoil. good grip goes a long way but the cw 40 is a proven gun. Many issue tha tyou read are just repeats from other forums, and normally is is owner mistake for not prepping his kahr before hand. They are excellent guns and kahr will stand behind your purchase. They certainly want LEO's to be totally happy..
prep it, and then just shoot it like you stole it.... chat with you after the shoot, if u can put it down long enough to let us know .....It is one hellof a back up gun for sure.
cgo99
07-25-2010, 11:42 AM
The CW series is only slightly larger than the PM series, I don't like ankle carry because I'm one of those guys with tiny ankles and when I tried my friends CW9 on my ankle it was good fit. Still not my thing but I don't think it would be an issue.
Follow jocko's advice on prepping you Kahr and should not have any issues with it and even if you have any problems Kahr customer service is outstanding.
Welcome to the forum.
jlottmc
07-25-2010, 12:10 PM
If ankle carry is a must, the CW series would be as large as I would go. In your line of work, I would use a holster that has retention, and a calf strap. Galco makes a good one. As has been said, prep it, then shoot it shoot it some more, rinse and repeat. I may use my P45 as a back up when I finish my CJ studies and join a department.
RogerP9fan
07-25-2010, 01:08 PM
I recently ordered the Galco Ankle Lite for my 27 oz. (loaded) G27 6.2'' long x 1.18'' wide x 4.17'' height. I hear the Galco is so comfy you'll forget you're even carrying this brick! By comparison, the CW40 would be a pleasure, I'd imagine. Good tip given above regarding the strap, I didn't order one though. :(
FALaholic
07-25-2010, 01:54 PM
Thanks for the advice guys. Unfortunately, an ankle holster is the only thing I can think of for discreet carry (plain clothes, NC heat, etc.) My dept will only allow a max. cal. of .40, but we are issued the SIg Sauer P229R in .40 so it made sense to go with a pistol of the same cal.
Any other comments or guidance is welcome.
jocko
07-25-2010, 02:00 PM
some LEO'S don't do alot of walking either. I guess alot depends on the job. If your a highway patroleman or riding partner, quite possably an ankle hoster would be Ok. If you do alot of walking, I do think the cw40 as nice as it is , might end up being a burden, just my 2 cents. It is slightly bigger than the PM40 but it is indeed bigger and there comes a time when alittle bit more is just to much...agree though, if your duty gun is a 40 cal, stick wioththe 40 cal kahr, ur gonna notice a different in the sig 229 and this cw40, IMO, big time, almost half the weight, so expect the gun to talk to you but I do think you will fall in love with the cw40.
FALaholic
07-25-2010, 02:33 PM
Thanks jocko. I will report back when I can get it out of lay-away and to the range.
jfrey
07-25-2010, 02:59 PM
I admit Texas may be one of the few places folks do this regularly, but I stick my CW9 in one of those cheap nylon holsters with the metal clip on the top, and the whole thing goes in the top of my boot. It is very comfortable and you can't even tell it is there due to the slim size. The Kahr is a lot thinner than my G36 or Taurus revolver, which is a big plus. This may not work for everybody, but it works for me quite often.
jlottmc
07-25-2010, 04:16 PM
The reason I suggested a retention strap is that in the event of a foot pursuit, you are less likely to have the weapon pop out and get kicked (usually towards a suspect, really sucks trust me). The calf strap helps make it comfy all day. One thing I've seen a bunch of LEO's do is use the side pocket on your body armor, or a holster shirt over the body armor. I've been through a few summers in NC, using the body armor to carry would be my way to go. If you use a holster that will fit a Sig 239, it will also fit a Kahr P-series and by extension a CW series. That gives a few more options. http://www.uncle-mikes.com/products/ankle_holsters.html A belly band, again with a retention strap is also a good way to go. Galco makes holsters with a strap, that velcro to your body armor as well. Make sure that you don't mind something hanging on your ankle as well. There is an ankle rig that has some lambs wool on the calf strap. That would be the rig I would use if I had to use an ankle rig. CopsPlus.com: Bianchi 150 Negotiator Ankle Holster (http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum9287.php) I can't find the one I'm looking for right now, and since I'm at work, don't have all my links.
O'Dell
07-25-2010, 05:36 PM
I'm not crazy about ankle carry, but I have a holster that fits my CW9 and PM45. Sometimes I'll use it if I'm going to spend a long time in the car. That's one place where they work well.
jlottmc
07-25-2010, 06:20 PM
I'm not crazy about ankle carry, but I have a holster that fits my CW9 and PM45. Sometimes I'll use it if I'm going to spend a long time in the car. That's one place where they work well.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
mr surveyor
07-25-2010, 07:02 PM
I also "boot carry" my CW9 quite often. On those occassions when it's just too hot to wear a cover garment, and an untucked shirt just won't fit the decor, the CW goes into my everyday Don Hume single clip, right into the boot top. With dress slacks or dockers (which I rarely wear), access is no more problematic than an ankle holster, and since it fits pretty well into the boot top there's only an apparant bulge, but nothing obvious. I'm not that big a guy, 5'-8" - 180 lbs, so I generally have to be creative in concealing.
surv:)
skychief12
07-26-2010, 08:49 AM
Thanks for the advice guys. Unfortunately, an ankle holster is the only thing I can think of for discreet carry (plain clothes, NC heat, etc.) My dept will only allow a max. cal. of .40, but we are issued the SIg Sauer P229R in .40 so it made sense to go with a pistol of the same cal.
Any other comments or guidance is welcome.
I wear a comp-tec IWB with my CW40 in the Texas heat. I place my cell phone on top of that as a distraction (horizontal not vertical). T-shirt outside and bunched up behind the phone works great for me. If I have to tuck in, I just blouse my shirt. I don't plan to be fighting with an ankle rig at an already bad time IMHO.
Mudinyeri
07-26-2010, 10:40 AM
Ankle-carrying a CW would seem to be a bit awkward if you have to do any running at all. Other than that, I like my CW40 a lot. It's my primary CC weapon. I just put a 5# striker spring in it and REALLY like the trigger now. (Not that I didn't like it before.)
FALaholic
07-27-2010, 09:49 AM
I also "boot carry" my CW9 quite often. On those occassions when it's just too hot to wear a cover garment, and an untucked shirt just won't fit the decor, the CW goes into my everyday Don Hume single clip, right into the boot top. With dress slacks or dockers (which I rarely wear), access is no more problematic than an ankle holster, and since it fits pretty well into the boot top there's only an apparant bulge, but nothing obvious. I'm not that big a guy, 5'-8" - 180 lbs, so I generally have to be creative in concealing.
surv:)
My CW40 (when I get it out of layaway) shouldnt be much bigger than your CW9 if I decide to ankle carry. Found this fella carrying a 1911 so if he can do it..... 1st week wearing my Galco Ankle Holster (Ultra CDP II) - CalCCW (http://tinyurl.com/2c43d79)
wyntrout
07-27-2010, 10:12 AM
I guess the bottom photo answers part of my question about ankle-holster OC in shorts. What do you carry on the other ankle for balance... and how about collisions between ankles and the equipment?:confused:
Inquiring minds want to know.
Wynn:behindsofa::D
I carry a CW9 everyday as my plainclothes duty gun. Mainly on the belt, but will pocket and ankle as the situation changes. The CW40 is slightly bigger, but should pose no problems. The vest holster is easy to get to when seated in a car, and that's what I did when I was in uniform.
jlottmc
07-27-2010, 08:47 PM
My CW40 (when I get it out of layaway) shouldnt be much bigger than your CW9 if I decide to ankle carry. Found this fella carrying a 1911 so if he can do it..... 1st week wearing my Galco Ankle Holster (Ultra CDP II) - CalCCW (http://tinyurl.com/2c43d79)
Remember one thing, that Kimber Ultra has a 3" barrel...
Roadblock
07-28-2010, 01:15 AM
You have to take into account that for every person who complains about an issue, 1000 others probably have ZERO issues.
Clean it, inspect it, inspect it again... Then put a few HUNDRED rounds threw it. Also put threw a sizable amount of whatever your carry ammo is going to be to make sure the function there is good.
If you see no issues, carry with peace of mind.
I don't care if a gun is brand new or 10,000 rounds used and well broken in, I will NOT carry a gun until I've put a few hundred rounds threw it and made sure its 100% reliable.
My P9 is my daily pocket carry and I haven't had a single failure to do anything in the past 2500~3000 rounds (lost track but I'm sure its well over 2500 and almost near 3k). Not a single failure to feed or anything. Waiting for springs to crap out but so far nothing.
I found a CW40 at the local gun shop for $400, and decided to make that my backup weapon for duty use. Im hoping that I havent made a $400 mistake in choosing this weapon after reading some of the issues here, but also I'm second guessing now thinking it may be too big for an ankle holster.
What do you guys think?
I'm a LEO as well. I have carried my CW45 in a Desantis Ankle Holster as a back up frequently.
I do prefer my K9 in the same ankle holster as the grip is shorter and won't print or hang up on the fabric of the pants as much. I carry the K9 all the time. It depends on your pants and how loose they are in the ankle area. 5.11 pants work well as they're cut loose in the ankle area.
You could go with the K40 and get the same size as the K9 with the .40 caliber you require.
No matter what pistol you have, follow the Prep Section as it makes all the difference in the world.
Make sure the ankle holster you get has retention, being in a fight and seeing a gun on the ground and realizing it's yours is a bad thing.
Be Safe Brother.
Tack
RogerP9fan
07-29-2010, 01:27 PM
I admit Texas may be one of the few places folks do this regularly, but I stick my CW9 in one of those cheap nylon holsters with the metal clip on the top, and the whole thing goes in the top of my boot. It is very comfortable and you can't even tell it is there due to the slim size. The Kahr is a lot thinner than my G36 or Taurus revolver, which is a big plus. This may not work for everybody, but it works for me quite often.
Kinda makes me wanna move to Texas! Hell, that and the friendly Texans!
mr surveyor
07-29-2010, 10:56 PM
Kinda makes me wanna move to Texas! Hell, that and the friendly Texans!
bring your boots, practice your drawl (not draw:)), and come on. We still accept legal immigration.
surv
jlottmc
07-31-2010, 09:36 AM
That's about the sum of it surv. Roadblok, I hadn't gotten to the make for real sure it's a reliable cannon part yet. Great post either way.
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