MJR
08-15-2010, 06:34 PM
Good afternoon all. I have been looking into purchasing a new CCW handgun for well over a year now. I am not rich but I don’t like to buy cheap either. That is why over the past year I have been researching numerous websites and forums to make sure I get the best, and most reliable, bang for my buck. One of the many forums I have been reviewing articles from is KahrTalk.com. I would like to thank all of the forum’s contributors for very helpful and informative posts.
With that being said, I ordered a Kahr CW9 yesterday afternoon. It is scheduled to arrive at the dealer on Thursday. I do have a few questions before my new Kahr arrives but first I would like to give some background information on myself and why I purchased the Kahr CW9. The purpose of my background info is two-fold: 1) I hope this background info helps prospective handgun buyers make an informed decision before they purchase their next handgun and 2) I hope this background info gives the rest of the forum a better understanding of myself and how I plan to use the weapon so the can best answer my questions.
My background…
I am 6’00” tall and about 280lbs. I have been hunting and shooting for over 23 years now. Most of that experience is with rifles and shotguns. About four years ago I purchased my first handgun, a Glock 23 (40 cal), for the purpose of CCW and home defense. I love shooting the G23 but hate carrying it around. It is just too bulky for me to comfortably carry concealed on a regular basis. I believe a CCW gun does you no good unless you have it with you all the time, as much as the law will allow.
When deciding on a new CCW handgun, my research quickly became narrowed down to four main weapons: 1) Kahr CW9, 2) Kahr PM9, 3) KelTec PF9, 4) Glock 26. I do not intend to talk bad about other guns or companies but here are some of the reasons/thoughts that ultimately led to my purchase of the CW9…
Reason 1: The Kahr and Glock models seemed to have a reliable reputation; the last thing I want is for my gun to not work when I need it to the most. I am hesitant on the reliability of the Keltec. I am not saying keltecs are not reliable, just that I read too many articles about problems and how you need to make fixes/mods before you can consider them reliable.
Reason 2: A lot of the Kahr features seemed similar to my Glock; I would like an easy shooting transition back and forth between the two weapons.
Reason 3: For me, the cost of the CW9, PF9, and G26 was more affordable/realistic than the PM9; as previously stated, I am not rich.
Reason 4: The CW9 and PF9 overall size (height and length) fit perfect in my hands. They are small enough to conceal but large enough for me to comfortably shoot; I won’t carry a gun I am not accurate with and I wont practice with a gun I can’t comfortably shoot. The grips on the PM9 and the G26 were just too short.
Reason 5: The thinness of the CW9, PM9 and PF9 allows me to use an IWB holster with comfort. The G26 is too thick for my liking. Because of my profession, I am usually dressed up with a tie, collared dress shirt (tucked in), and sometimes a suit/sport jacket. When not in work clothes, I usually wear jeans or shorts and a polo shirt tucked in. I am looking to use an IWB and shoulder rig (when wearing jacket) as my carry options.
Reason 6: The overall quality, of Kahr and Glock handguns, is high. I am not sure about the quality of KelTec. Not saying they are bad, just not sure. I have a personal rule that you never sell a firearm (unless family needs money). Once purchased, you keep them until you die, at which point you hand them down to your children/grandchildren. I would like all of my weapons to be used with pride through multiple generations in my family.
I understand that my above thoughts are very subjective. Again, I am not trying to talk ill about any specific gun or company. This is just what I have found through my research during the last year or so. I only hope that this information helps someone else further their research before making a CCW purchase decision. In the end, I thought long and hard about the above reasons and ultimately decided that the CW9 was the best option for my everyday CCW.
Now that the forum members have some background on myself, I would appreciate any help in answering the below questions before my Kahr CW9 arrives on Thursday…
1. I am looking for some good concealment holsters for a reasonable price (under $100 each). I am leaning towards purchasing an IWB holster (4 o’clock) and a shoulder harness but open to any other suggestions you may have. I have seen some other articles in the Kahr forums talking about specific styles/models but not sure if the recommended holsters would meet my needs and dress style. Based on my background, any suggestions would be appreciated.
2. What all needs to be done to prepare the gun for its first visit to the range? I have seen posts about cleaning out the breach hole? Could some please explain in further detail? Is there anything else to do before the range visit? Any other places to clean/prep?
3. Any recommendations on ammo to use? What ammo to stay away from?
4. I understand that some handguns require you to release the trigger fully between each round. Is this the case with Kahr? I am used to my Glock where I can release the trigger about 1/8”-1/4” and then I can pull again. I like this feature because it helps with my accuracy. Will I be able to only release the 1/8”-1/4” on a Kahr or will I need to re-train?
5. The one thing that I am not sure I will like about the Kahr CW9 is the end of the magazine that protrudes from the grip. I know that I can go to Kahr’s website and buy a metal piece to slide onto the base of the magazine. However, looking at other posts, that option doesn’t seem to really help. The magazine still protrudes from the grip. Does Kahr or any other manufacture make a flush magazine for the CW9, like the one that is made for the PM9? I am willing to give up a round in the magazine if I need to.
I am getting excited to receive my new Kahr and will add on to this thread, or create a new one, once I get my new Kahr and take it to the range. In the meantime, I would appreciate any answers you may be able to provide to my questions. Also, any additional advise on my new Kahr would also be appreciated. Thank you all in advance for the great information!
P.S. Pictures are always welcome!
-MJR-
With that being said, I ordered a Kahr CW9 yesterday afternoon. It is scheduled to arrive at the dealer on Thursday. I do have a few questions before my new Kahr arrives but first I would like to give some background information on myself and why I purchased the Kahr CW9. The purpose of my background info is two-fold: 1) I hope this background info helps prospective handgun buyers make an informed decision before they purchase their next handgun and 2) I hope this background info gives the rest of the forum a better understanding of myself and how I plan to use the weapon so the can best answer my questions.
My background…
I am 6’00” tall and about 280lbs. I have been hunting and shooting for over 23 years now. Most of that experience is with rifles and shotguns. About four years ago I purchased my first handgun, a Glock 23 (40 cal), for the purpose of CCW and home defense. I love shooting the G23 but hate carrying it around. It is just too bulky for me to comfortably carry concealed on a regular basis. I believe a CCW gun does you no good unless you have it with you all the time, as much as the law will allow.
When deciding on a new CCW handgun, my research quickly became narrowed down to four main weapons: 1) Kahr CW9, 2) Kahr PM9, 3) KelTec PF9, 4) Glock 26. I do not intend to talk bad about other guns or companies but here are some of the reasons/thoughts that ultimately led to my purchase of the CW9…
Reason 1: The Kahr and Glock models seemed to have a reliable reputation; the last thing I want is for my gun to not work when I need it to the most. I am hesitant on the reliability of the Keltec. I am not saying keltecs are not reliable, just that I read too many articles about problems and how you need to make fixes/mods before you can consider them reliable.
Reason 2: A lot of the Kahr features seemed similar to my Glock; I would like an easy shooting transition back and forth between the two weapons.
Reason 3: For me, the cost of the CW9, PF9, and G26 was more affordable/realistic than the PM9; as previously stated, I am not rich.
Reason 4: The CW9 and PF9 overall size (height and length) fit perfect in my hands. They are small enough to conceal but large enough for me to comfortably shoot; I won’t carry a gun I am not accurate with and I wont practice with a gun I can’t comfortably shoot. The grips on the PM9 and the G26 were just too short.
Reason 5: The thinness of the CW9, PM9 and PF9 allows me to use an IWB holster with comfort. The G26 is too thick for my liking. Because of my profession, I am usually dressed up with a tie, collared dress shirt (tucked in), and sometimes a suit/sport jacket. When not in work clothes, I usually wear jeans or shorts and a polo shirt tucked in. I am looking to use an IWB and shoulder rig (when wearing jacket) as my carry options.
Reason 6: The overall quality, of Kahr and Glock handguns, is high. I am not sure about the quality of KelTec. Not saying they are bad, just not sure. I have a personal rule that you never sell a firearm (unless family needs money). Once purchased, you keep them until you die, at which point you hand them down to your children/grandchildren. I would like all of my weapons to be used with pride through multiple generations in my family.
I understand that my above thoughts are very subjective. Again, I am not trying to talk ill about any specific gun or company. This is just what I have found through my research during the last year or so. I only hope that this information helps someone else further their research before making a CCW purchase decision. In the end, I thought long and hard about the above reasons and ultimately decided that the CW9 was the best option for my everyday CCW.
Now that the forum members have some background on myself, I would appreciate any help in answering the below questions before my Kahr CW9 arrives on Thursday…
1. I am looking for some good concealment holsters for a reasonable price (under $100 each). I am leaning towards purchasing an IWB holster (4 o’clock) and a shoulder harness but open to any other suggestions you may have. I have seen some other articles in the Kahr forums talking about specific styles/models but not sure if the recommended holsters would meet my needs and dress style. Based on my background, any suggestions would be appreciated.
2. What all needs to be done to prepare the gun for its first visit to the range? I have seen posts about cleaning out the breach hole? Could some please explain in further detail? Is there anything else to do before the range visit? Any other places to clean/prep?
3. Any recommendations on ammo to use? What ammo to stay away from?
4. I understand that some handguns require you to release the trigger fully between each round. Is this the case with Kahr? I am used to my Glock where I can release the trigger about 1/8”-1/4” and then I can pull again. I like this feature because it helps with my accuracy. Will I be able to only release the 1/8”-1/4” on a Kahr or will I need to re-train?
5. The one thing that I am not sure I will like about the Kahr CW9 is the end of the magazine that protrudes from the grip. I know that I can go to Kahr’s website and buy a metal piece to slide onto the base of the magazine. However, looking at other posts, that option doesn’t seem to really help. The magazine still protrudes from the grip. Does Kahr or any other manufacture make a flush magazine for the CW9, like the one that is made for the PM9? I am willing to give up a round in the magazine if I need to.
I am getting excited to receive my new Kahr and will add on to this thread, or create a new one, once I get my new Kahr and take it to the range. In the meantime, I would appreciate any answers you may be able to provide to my questions. Also, any additional advise on my new Kahr would also be appreciated. Thank you all in advance for the great information!
P.S. Pictures are always welcome!
-MJR-