Anyone cut the grip of CW45?

[zaitcev]

CC experts sometimes observe that it's easier to conceal a pistol with a longer barrel than with a longer handle. Grant Cunningham made that point in his book, for example. Some companies even started making guns with such a profile. In particular Sprigfield issued longer barrel options for XD-S and EMP. And of course Glock did it from the start with Glock 36 and Glock 42. Having used those, it seems disadvantageous that Kahr guns are always "square": if you want a longer barrel, you have to put up with a longer grip.

Note that in a .45 Kahr, you cannot just put a longer slide on top of a shorter frame, because the frame has lower rails at the front that the very tip of the slide rides. So, how about the opposite? Start with CW45, then lop off just enough of the handle so the magazine of PM45 fits exactly. The only downside that I see is the resale value hit. But is there a problem that I do not foresee?

[RonW]

Other than you can kiss your warranty & resell value goodby I just don't see any advantage in why someone would do this when there are so many differnt choices of pistols on the market...

[yqtszhj]

Its been done with the cw9 successfully as reported here. I think there was even a cw9 covert at one time. If youre so inclined and know your cw45 works well as is I say go for it.

[nmkahrshooter]

I would say buy another gun that fits your requirements. I hate when guns are highly modified by owners. Just waiting for an accident to happen.

[unclenunzie]

I would say buy another gun that fits your requirements. I hate when guns are highly modified by owners. Just waiting for an accident to happen.

I'll agree that anything that reduces safety may not be a good idea in a defensive weapon. But I wouldn't consider a grip chop to be a safety risk, and in fact did so to my own TP45 to P45/CW45 length. As far as contributing to an accident, I'm not sure how a grip chop would do that. There's no active components in the grip and if it fits your hand better, it might make handling better, so even safer perhaps.

These are done professionally as a pretty simple modification, so while you might argue against a poorly executed home job, I would not argue against a good one.

For some folks, buy another gun may not be possible, and in my own case a TP45 covert or P45 longslide doesn't exist in the marketplace. The OP may have considered that the longer slide with shorter grip is desirable, just as I did.

[gb6491]

CC experts sometimes observe that it's easier to conceal a pistol with a longer barrel than with a longer handle. Grant Cunningham made that point in his book, for example. Some companies even started making guns with such a profile. In particular Sprigfield issued longer barrel options for XD-S and EMP. And of course Glock did it from the start with Glock 36 and Glock 42. Having used those, it seems disadvantageous that Kahr guns are always "square": if you want a longer barrel, you have to put up with a longer grip.

Note that in a .45 Kahr, you cannot just put a longer slide on top of a shorter frame, because the frame has lower rails at the front that the very tip of the slide rides. So, how about the opposite? Start with CW45, then lop off just enough of the handle so the magazine of PM45 fits exactly. The only downside that I see is the resale value hit. But is there a problem that I do not foresee?

Personally, I like to see customized firearms. So, I'm already in the "go for it" corner.
Aside from a poorly done job, I don't foresee a problem in chopping the grip of a P/CW45.
Below the magazine catch, there are (as unclenuzie wrote) "... no active components in the grip...", so chop away.

BTW, to answer the question asked in the thread title; yes, someone has cut the grip of their CW45:
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?26559-I-love-my-new-CW45-Covert

Now, with that said, I would like to point out there may not be as big a benefit to doing this chop if you are going to use the plastic mag plates on the PM/CM 45 magazines.
Here's the second photo islandson827 posted of his "chopped" CW45 in the linked thread:
http://i64.tinypic.com/23igzdx.jpg
Notice he has the plastic base plate installed on his magazine.
Now here is my CW45 with a flush fitting magazine :
http://i53.tinypic.com/1z1zeao.jpg
Taking into consideration islandson827 larger hands, I can't help but wonder if just going to a flush fitting mag wouldn't have given him a solution similar to the chop, but without sacrificing a round.

Regards,
Greg

[yqtszhj]

Check this out...

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?28864-My-TP45-Covert-P45-size-grip-cut

[zaitcev]

Now here is my CW45 with a flush fitting magazine :
Thanks a lot for the info and the pictures. I've seen the stickied thread in the P subforum, so I'm going to start with a Kimber magazine first.

[Armybrat]

I like carrying mine with the MecGar Officer's flush fitting mag, even though it won't lock back after the last round. Don't carry any extra mags with me.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/2c61554adc11be02ad1ec32552f16a414366bb0.jpg

[RolandD]

I like carrying mine with the MecGar Officer's flush fitting mag, even though it won't lock back after the last round. Don't carry any extra mags with me.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/2c61554adc11be02ad1ec32552f16a414366bb0.jpg

Will the Kahr follower work in the MecGar mag? It should lock back, if it fits.

[zaitcev]

Will the Kahr follower work in the MecGar mag? It should lock back, if it fits.
There's a stickie on this topic in the P subforum:
http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?3317-CW45-P45-Flush-fit-magazine-UPDATED
The reports are generally positive. Some mags even work with original followers, but mostly people use Kahr followers.