Very Disappointing CW9 First Impression

[NuNinja]

Let me start off by saying that I own a CM9 and love it, which is why I decided to purchase a brand new CW9 on a whim today.
First things first, when I got home I attempted to field strip my new CW9 for a quick wipe down and oil. It was impossible to do by hand. I had to use a pop bottle so I could push the gun down with both hands to depress the pin enough to thread a zip tie through the other side and make a loop to pull the pin the rest of the way out.
Next to my surprise the inside of the slide looks and feels like sand paper.
And the worst for last. THE TRIGGER IS TERRIBLE! Nothing like my smooth clean CM9 trigger. It's squeeky and spongy.
:(
http://i68.tinypic.com/20gk4zr.jpghttp://i63.tinypic.com/11iq3bs.jpg

[JMag]

Have you contacted Kahr? I would.

[NuNinja]

I am doing that now, I will update with what happens.

[Bobshouse]

Looks like someone forgot to change or sharpen the CNC blades and tried to finish it with a drill bit.

[CJB]

I dont have a problem with whats in tge pictures. All the rough spots dont actually touch other parts in their functioning.

Trigger rough? Clean striker. Dry fire a bit.

[downtownv]

Well, welcome to the forum. sorry to see your intro being that of a unhappy hello. I'm sure Kahr will make it right for you....

[captainkirk05]

My trigger was creaky and gritty at first too. I put a drop of oil on the trigger spring, shot a few rounds, and it became smooth as butter.

[b4uqzme]

Sorry about your disappointment. FWIW the take down and the trigger should improve with the break-in. But if the machining marks bother you, contact Kahr. Good luck.

[NuNinja]

Well, welcome to the forum. sorry to see your intro being that of a unhappy hello. I'm sure Kahr will make it right for you....
Thank you, I sure hope so.

Sorry about your disappointment. FWIW the take down and the trigger should improve with the break-in. But if the machining marks bother you, contact Kahr. Good luck.
I was just really thrown because my CM9 was perfect out of the box. Thank you, I'm waiting to hear what they say.

[b4uqzme]

Yeah. The first one spoiled you maybe. I know how you feel. I bought most of my Kahrs used after the break-in was completed. My CM45 was bought new and, while it ran well, it took some time to really smooth out. But we hate to see you disappointed and look forward to a happy range report in your future.

[DavidWJ]

Send it back. The slide machining on my CW9 is smooth with only a couple of "circular" marks. The trigger on mine has one point where it scrapes as it overcomes the spring tension. My only misgiving about this pistol is the spring tension on the slide. After racking it a couple hundred times and shooting a couple hundred rounds it loosened up but is still rather stiff and requires far more effort to rack than my Colt .380.

[b4uqzme]

^^^ yep. Spring tension will improve but it will always be more stout than your Colt.

[NuNinja]

Emailed Kahr and talked to Jon. Just sent in an RMA request as advised. I don't know if they'll just send me a shipping label or if I have to ask.

[muggsy]

You have to ask. They are under no obligation to provide one. If they decline the cheapest legal way to return the gun is through your local LGS.

[NuNinja]

You have to ask. They are under no obligation to provide one. If they decline the cheapest legal way to return the gun is through your local LGS.

I've heard they were generous with labels and luckily they sent me one and processed my RMA request quicker through email. Now my CW9's fate is in the hands of the Federal Express. :o

[DavidWJ]

^^^ yep. Spring tension will improve but it will always be more stout than your Colt.

I'm not clear on why the spring tension is so high. I've shot .45s that had easier slides. Would you consider the stiff Kahr slide a drawback or an advantage? E.g. a reduced chance of a misfeed with the strong spring?

My CW9 has been a flawless shooter so far.

[b4uqzme]

Kahr recoil springs are stouter than every gun I own except a Browning HiPower .40SW. That one's a stiffie!

As for drawback/advantage: I think both. 1) it's an advantage if it makes the gun run right and 2) a disadvantage because some shooters simply cannot rack the slide or clear a malfunction.

[berettabone]

I'm not clear on why the spring tension is so high. I've shot .45s that had easier slides. Would you consider the stiff Kahr slide a drawback or an advantage? E.g. a reduced chance of a misfeed with the strong spring?

My CW9 has been a flawless shooter so far.

A weaker recoil spring has less resistance to recoil force and allows the slide to recoil faster. It also has less force to push the slide back. Slower cycle time. It's the opposite with stronger recoil springs. Ammunition can affect recoil time, but not total cycle time. A Kahr is too small to have a slower cycle time, hence the stronger springs. Plus, look what kinds of ammo people are using in these small firearms these days! It's a fine timing line. The break in time with standard springs is a good barometer on how your springs will work, once they take a set.. Some firearms have more spring options than others.

[DavidWJ]

Yes, I've noticed I rack the slide with the palm of my hand over the ejection port. I grasp the slide with my left hand and my thumb pointing toward the rear and the muzzle pointed down and to the left. It's a bit difficult to rack the slide between my thumb and forefinger (thumb toward the target) while holding the pistol out and level toward the target. Other pistols are relatively easy to charge while holding them toward the target.

[berettabone]

If I am alone, I point the firearm down and to the left, and grab the end of the slide with my left thumb and first finger, and just pull the slide back, and then let it go. It's called slingshotting. Everyone does it a bit different, but same ol, same ol. If there are other people present, I use your method. I point the firearm in the opposite direction, for me left, and pull the slide back with basically, the whole hand over the top. It's much easier to slingshot. Either way would be acceptable to me, alone, or in a group.............as long as the firearm is always pointing away. My Kahr............I go get a prybar..............I then lay it down sideways on a flat surface, stand on it, and insert the prybar in the ejection port, and pry the slide back.:o

[Bills1873]

My P345 slide travels about 1.75", where the cm45 travels about 1,5". More tolerance on that big Ruger equals easier slide movement, I suppose. Also, the slide is just plain big, which also helps to grab it.

[Ronni3_J]

Sorry to hear about your issues. My CW9 as well as my parents was really tight when they were brand new. Now with them both being well broken in anybody can sling shot them. We really didn't have any issues during the break in period


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[muggsy]

Who taught you how to rack a slide? Four fingers over the top of the slide and the heal of your off hand against the slide. Pull the slide all the way to the rear and let it go. Don't ride the slide back to battery. Your racking the gun like a little girl.

How to properly rack a slide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q8ZRlkdWVc

[NuNinja]

Hello,

Your firearm was received on 04/06/16. Our gunsmiths are currently experiencing a four to six week turnaround time on all service and repairs and will service your firearm as soon as possible.

Thanks
As long as it's fixed... :\

But while waiting to get it back I ended up getting a PPS M2 and love the thing!

[NuNinja]

Got it back Monday and they fixed my issues 100% I am very satisfied. :)

[Alfonse]

Got it back Monday and they fixed my issues 100% I am very satisfied. :)

Glad to hear. Thanks for letting us know.

[gb6491]

Glad to hear. Thanks for letting us know.
Yep, good to hear and thanks for the follow up!
Regards,
Greg

[Ronni3_J]

Thats great to hear! I love my CW9

[Bills1873]

Now, shoot the heck out of it!

[NuNinja]

Now, shoot the heck out of it!

Will do! :)