New CW9 Owner in Idaho

[Tomac]

I recently purchased a S&W M&P 9mm to replace my FN57 as my primary/nightstand gun (love the FN57 but the price of ammo severely limits my range time).

Figured it was also time to replace my .32 Tomcat w/something in 9mm for CCW (more powerful and 9mm ammo is much cheaper than .32ACP) and at first was considering the subcompact version of the S&W. However, the weight/thickness was making me hesitate.

About this time I received a promo from Cabela's: "Spend $500 or more and get a $150 store card!"
"Heck!" says I, "maybe I could get my new CCW 9mm and $150 to spend on ammo/holsters/etc!"
So I checked their online catalog for 9mm handguns and didn't see anything that looked promising...
... until I saw the Kahr CW9.

Did some quick research online and was both impressed and surprised that I haven't heard more about Kahrs!

Hmmm... price was right and my local Cabela's had just one left in stock ("Hey, wife! We're going to Cabela's... yes, we can go to your favorite restaurant afterwards...";)).

Got to Cabelas, checked the CW9 for fit (wow, it presents right on-target even w/such a small grip!), tried the DAO trigger a few times (my eyebrows went up, such a nice, smooth pull!) and told the clerk "I'll take it!" along w/a Bianchi IWB clip holster to reach the required $500.
Used the $150 store card for $650rds of FMJ and headed for home.

Cleaned/lubed before heading for the range this morning and ran 80rds through it w/o a hitch (72rds 115gr FMJ followed by 8rds of 115gr JHP).
Recoil was stout but manageable and not punishing, the little Kahr is surprisingly accurate once you learn the trigger (7yds was the max range I tested today), I'm sure both speed and accuracy w/improve w/time.

I could have easily shot lots more ammo except for a minor problem I seem to encounter w/nearly every centerfire pistol I've used: After a certain number of rds I start wearing a blister on the right side of the joint where the thumb attaches to the palm (any ideas on how to prevent/counter this aside from shooting gloves???)

So far I'm *very* pleased w/the CW9, it's exactly what I was thinking of as a relatively inexpensive replacement for the Tomcat: Light, small, easy to conceal yet much more powerful & shares the same ammo as the S&W. Now, all I need is a really good/comfortable AIWB holster and I'm set!...
Tomac
ETA: My wife is a casual shooter at most and she's shown a surprising amount of interest in the CW9, could be there's another CW9 in our future!

The CW9 w/the new S&W and the Tomcat the CW9 is replacing for CCW duty:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Tomac/ResizeofRotationofKahrCW9002.jpg

[kpm9]

Welcome and whatever you do, don't touch or shoot a PM9! Unless you want 2 Kahrs.
Check you grip those blisters shouldn't be happening. Congrats on the CW9 and welcome again.

[Tomac]

Welcome and whatever you do, don't touch or shoot a PM9! Unless you want 2 Kahrs.
Check you grip those blisters shouldn't be happening. Congrats on the CW9 and welcome again.

Thx! Regarding the blisters, I wonder if it has to do w/my having large palms but normal-length fingers. I've tried changing my grip w/little success, the grip that feels best and brings the sights on-target also presses the right side of that joint against the side of the pistol (sigh...)
Tomac

[Tilos]

Tomac:
A "glock sock" will end the those blisters.(bicycle innertube)
Just sayin'
Tilos

[Tomac]

Tomac:
A "glock sock" will end the those blisters.(bicycle innertube)
Just sayin'
Tilos

Interesting... How does this work to prevent the blisters? The side of the joint touches the grip at the bottom portion of the slide overhang, I don't think the "glock sock" will fit far enough up the grip to cover that spot (or am I misunderstanding and missing something here?... :confused:). Thx!...
Tomac

[Tilos]

The grip is turning in your hand.
You can cut the sock to cover the blister area but that may not be needed if you can stop the twisting.
The blistered area is just the thinnest skin touching the gun.
Are you shooting with a 2 hand grip?
Just sayin'
Tilos


Oh...punctured inner tubes, free at your local bike shop.

[Tilos]

Tomac:

The slide rack issue.

Try racking the slide with arms out straight, elbows locked, and using your shoulders to rack the slide.
This has worked for anyone I've seen trying to rack a stiff gun.

Is clearing a jam your reason to slingshot rack?
I've never had a jam but it can happen.

I have shot my CW9 empty and could not get the slide to release with the lever, after putting in a full mag once.
I just did a slingshot and it did what it is supposed to, and I continued shooting.

I would suggest removing the mag and cycling the slide a couple of hundred times wearing work gloves.
This will improve having a trouble free range trip and help with the racking issue.

Just sayin'
Tilos

[Tomac]

Tomac:

The slide rack issue.

Try racking the slide with arms out straight, elbows locked, and using your shoulders to rack the slide.
This has worked for anyone I've seen trying to rack a stiff gun.

Is clearing a jam your reason to slingshot rack?
I've never had a jam but it can happen.

I have shot my CW9 empty and could not get the slide to release with the lever, after putting in a full mag once.
I just did a slingshot and it did what it is supposed to, and I continued shooting.

I would suggest removing the mag and cycling the slide a couple of hundred times wearing work gloves.
This will improve having a trouble free range trip and help with the racking issue.

Just sayin'
Tilos

What slide rack issue???? :confused: I don't slingshot and have no problems racking the slide by hand if needbe. My only problem has been the blister issue (and yes, that's w/2-handed shooting).
Tomac

[Tomac]

Okay, I carefully examined my grip and where the blister is contacting the frame.
Looks like the very upper back part of the side stippling has got a slight edge on it and this is what's rubbing and causing the blister.
I suppose I could smooth this area out a little, any ideas as to the best way to accomplish this (judicious sanding, small/thin coat of epoxy, something else)?
Thx!...
Tomac

[Bawanna]

Okay, I carefully examined my grip and where the blister is contacting the frame.
Looks like the very upper back part of the side stippling has got a slight edge on it and this is what's rubbing and causing the blister.
I suppose I could smooth this area out a little, any ideas as to the best way to accomplish this (judicious sanding, small/thin coat of epoxy, something else)?
Thx!...
Tomac

I just took sandpaper to mine at first. I put the innertube on afterwards and things vastly improved. A little filing in the trouble spot might speed up the sanding operation.

[Tomac]

I just took sandpaper to mine at first. I put the innertube on afterwards and things vastly improved. A little filing in the trouble spot might speed up the sanding operation.

Thx! I just finished gently using the end of a fine circular file from my locksmithing days and it's already much smoother than at first. I think I'll try it like this and only sand/file further if the rubbing continues.
Tomac

[Tilos]

Thanks for reading my post and calling me on the slide issue as I meant that for another thread.

My bad...Just sayin'

Try a winnie the pooh bandaid on that blister:o

[Tomac]

Thanks for reading my post and calling me on the slide issue as I meant that for another thread.
My bad...Just sayin'
Try a winnie the pooh bandaid on that blister:o

No problem, just wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something and thanks for all the constructive input, it's appreciated.
Tomac
PS- Real men use "Tinkerbell" bandaids... ;)

[Tilos]

Bawanna45cal:
I've done some filing/sanding on a glock and it took on a grayish color that I could never get rid of.
Do you know any tricks to blend in the filed area, color wise?

Just askin'
Tilos

[Bawanna]

Bawanna45cal:
I've done some filing/sanding on a glock and it took on a grayish color that I could never get rid of.
Do you know any tricks to blend in the filed area, color wise?

Just askin'
Tilos

I usually use a small buffing wheel like on a dremel and a little polishing compound. Just need to try to make it smooth. I think is the roughness that makes the color look wrong. Flitz or I've even used liquid car wax to almost put moisture back into it. No idea why or how it would permeate plastic but it seems to work. I've done it to several Glocks and my PM45.

[Tilos]

Thanks, I'll give that a try...on the glock 1st;)
The glock's been demoted to range gun:rolleyes:

Just sayin'
Tilos

[Tomac]

Update: After smoothing the frame area that was contacting the knuckle in question I hit the range today and w/some buds that met me there we put the CW9 well past the 150rd mark w/zero problems.
I discovered if I increase my lower grip pressure I don't seem to suffer the bloody knuckle any longer (yay!) but I don't know how much of the "cure" might be due to the smoothing as well.
Everyone who tried the CW9 liked it including a couple of guys who now want to sell their subcompact Glocks & replace them w/Kahrs!
The more I use it the better I'm getting w/the Kahr's revolver-like trigger, now getting hits on rocks out to 15-20yds. If I'm relatively slow & deliberate I'm more accurate than I initially thought the CW9 was capable of.
No doubt about it, the CW9 is my perfect replacement for the Tomcat I used to carry, no other compact 9mm I've tried better fulfills my particulars needs.
Thanks for all the help/info I've received here!
Tomac