CW9 vs the rest... Thoughts?

[ceNex]

Hi all,

Relatively new-ish (5 years or so) shooter here. Had a Taurus 709 slim for the last few years and was my preferred single stack 9. Gun was pretty sweet (apart from shooting low and that is not the shooter!!) and never had any kind of failure. Time for a change and I am looking at new single stack 9.

Prefer to carry IWB.Can do OWB and is not a problem in the cold MN weather. While I was out browsing and looking around, I saw the CM9. Too small for my liking and a google search led me to the CW9. I looked a lot of 9s; Don't care for the Nano or the Walther CCP. Walther PPS is too much money for me to be spending.

I have it narrowed down to: XDS-9 4.0, Shield, LC9S and the CW9.

How does the CW9 compare to the other 3? My wrists are affected to carpal tunnel and recoil is a factor.

Lack of external safety is another concern. I carry a Taurus Model 85 and have no problem, but have never carried a semi-auto with no safety.

What makes the CW9 a better pistol than the other 3?

[greg_r]

Never shot the CW9, but I have handled it. I own the CW45 and the CT380. I used to own the M&P 40 Shield. Traded it for my Kahr. I just do not like the XD, sure it is a fine gun, just dosent do it for me. Finally, I am an admitted Ruger Fanboi, give me a LC9S Pro and I would be very happy. My favorite handguns for target and hunting are single actions and consider the 1911 and the Ruger Blackhawk the best of the best. And finally, I think handguns for social work should be point and shoot simple. Something to base your opinion of my opinion on!

First the Kahr. I think it's just about the perfect handgun for social work. I would prefer it be double action only hammer fired, but I am at peace with it being striker fired since it is not pre-tensioned. It's as simple and safe as your M85. Dosent need a safety as it operates just like your M85. There are passive safeties built in though. It's not going to fire unless you pull the trigger. ( this is true of all the guns you mentioned)

The Shield is also a fine handgun. I didn't choose the Kahr over the Smith because I thought it was better, but because there were a few things about the Kahr that I personally think is better. First, the Kahr just seems to fit me a little better. Second, it is not available in my favorite semi automatic calibers, with the Kahr, I can have my favorite calibers and they are all the same except the size. Third, the Smith is pre-tensioned. Imagine your M85 cocked, that's basically the Shield. Of course it's still not going to fire unless you pull the trigger, but I just do not feel as warm and fuzzy about it. A few things I like about the Smith over the Kahr. First, because the striker is pre-tensioned it has a better trigger. The trigger also has a better reset. Finally, the Smith is easier to break down. FWIW, I didn't trade my Smith because I didn't like it, on the contrary, but because I didn't like the 40s&w. I prefer the Shield without tha manual safety.

The Springfield? I'll stay mum on this, see my comment about it above.

The Ruger LC9S. I preferred the hammer on the LC9, but like the Smith, the striker allows it to have a better trigger. A few things about the Ruger I don't like. First the bladed trigger, just do not personally like a bladed trigger. Second is the magazine disconnect. One of the reasons if I bought one, it would be the "Pro" version. The Pro does away with the magazine disconnect and the manual safety. And while the Ruger feels good in my hand, it just dosent feel as good to me as the Smith or Kahr. I do not know if the LC9S is pre-tensioned or not.

There you have it. My 2¢ worth. I am in the market for a new 9mm and if I do decide to purchase one, it will be the Kahr CT9.

[b4uqzme]

I think all 3 guns you mention are fine. Kahr triggers are unique and, if you like it, then that's the gun for you. Also if you prefer the point-and-shoot simplicity of a Kahr, then that's for you. My advice is to consolidate all your carry guns' operation. I prefer Kahr because I also like to carry revolvers. Any carry gun with a manual safety just doesn't work for me. But they may for you. Finally, how does it feel in the hand? and how does it shoot for you? These are factors to consider and the answers are subjective. Good luck.

[ceNex]

Thank you, guys.

They both feel fine in the hand. However, the grip texture on the Kahr seem a bit too aggressive for me. Same as the XDs 9. Am sure the Talon grips would fix that problem.

The big problem around here: no rentals. So, essentially a gamble with what I pick. From what I've read here (and everywhere else) the Shield is the front runner with the Kahr a close second...

[dkelly27]

I have a CW9 and I love it. I also have Carpal Tunnel and it doesn't bother me when I shoot it. Very accurate and reliable.

[Bills1873]

I have a pm9, which is basically the same as the cm9, one round shy of the cw. Really gentle recoil, even with the hot loads I reload for sd. As many use on this forum, bicycle inner tube smooths out the serrations without adding much bulk to the grip. Great to shoot and carry.

[berettabone]

You may want to try an M&P compact...................I purchased one, and so far, I like it a lot. I would eliminate the XD, because I don't like grip safeties. I would eliminate the Ruger, because of the trigger and sights, IMHO.

[ceNex]

You may want to try an M&P compact...................I purchased one, and so far, I like it a lot. I would eliminate the XD, because I don't like grip safeties. I would eliminate the Ruger, because of the trigger and sights, IMHO.

I've got a Taurus Millennium G2 that does what the M&P Compact does. LC9S, at least I felt, had a good trigger. Not sure how much fun the takedown and the recoil is going to be.

[berettabone]

I don't feel that any of them have a difficult takedown.............JMHO, wouldn't trust a Taurus as far as I could throw it. It's why I own an MK.............................:)

[kwh]

For me it usually is not which pistol is better, but which one fits my hands best. I have a Shield in .40 S&W, it is fine, but my every day carry is a Kahr. It feels right. I like the trigger and do not feel the need for a safety.
Some might add the single stack Glock to the mix. For me I do not like ugly guns. I have never shot a Glock. I feel more comfortable carrying a Kahr trigger than a Glock trigger.

[zredwire]

If you are looking at guns as heavy as the XD-s 9mm and you want low recoil why don't you take a look at the Kahr K9 and MK9. I find the steel Karhs more comfortable to shoot and their grips are not as aggressive.

[CJB]

Walther P99cAS is worth a long look

[lamppa]

Put a rubber tube over the grip, it's the only way that is free and noon permanent

[yqtszhj]

The cw9 is a fine pistol. I had one that was flawless and foolishly traded for a cm9. I should have just bought the cm9 outright and kept the cw9. Now i have the cm9 and a ct9. All the 9's are sweet shooters.