My First Kahr: CW 45. I'm impressed.

[Redcoat3340]

Finally took delivery of my first Kahr -- A CW45 and it's a very good little gun.
Haven't had it to the range yet but doing a bunch of dry firing with a laser "bullet."

I am wowed by the trigger. Smooth, about 5 lbs, and as good as any I've had.

I'm thinking of another, just gotta figure out which one. Would love a safety and round in chamber indicator, but after being something of a snob (S&W, Walther, Beretta, and Sig) I'm glad I found Kahr.

Wondering how folks who carry these guns carry them -- one in the chamber or condition 3? At 5 pounds I'm a bit leary of "loaded" pocket or IWB carry, but I'm willing to consider changing my ways.

Have a few mags on order and found one of my 1911 mags works well enough.

[Bawanna]

In my book, an empty chamber is an empty gun. I carry my Kahrs with the chamber full. No worries or concerns at all. Course I never pocket carry, never cared for it but that's just my personal take on that. Not worth the cyber bytes it took to type this.
The long trigger pull gives a pretty good margin for error.

[berettabone]

A gun with an empty chamber is a hammer. Good holster, safe carry. IMHO, a safety is just something else to have to flip off when in a serious condition. Personally, I don't own a firearm with a safety.

[King Rat]

I would think about the events that happen if you had to use your firearm for defense. One is the time element. You might have only a second or so to draw, you gun and shoot the bad guy. You are at a disadvantage from the beginning. One of the beauties of the Kahr is the DAO trigger. I won't go into detail, but you might want to learn from research why it is a safer trigger. And then Kahr is so nice because it is one of the best made DAO triggers ever to be produced. Smooth, Deliberate pull.
On many other guns with light crisp trigger's (as they are described) I would never carry one without a safety. Extremely dangerous IMO. Others love them and even get after market triggers to make them even lighter. Sorry, not me. Each to his own.
You now own a wonderful, high quality pistol And I believe once you learn the DAO, you might be like a lot of us and never want to go back to a light trigger.

I have never shot the Kahr in 45 cal. A large cartridge in a small package.But very interested in how you like it after a few range trips. Congratulations on the Kahr and Welcome.

[yqtszhj]

Finally took delivery of my first Kahr -- A CW45 and it's a very good little gun.
Haven't had it to the range yet but doing a bunch of dry firing with a laser "bullet."

I am wowed by the trigger. Smooth, about 5 lbs, and as good as any I've had.

I'm thinking of another, just gotta figure out which one. Would love a safety and round in chamber indicator, but after being something of a snob (S&W, Walther, Beretta, and Sig) I'm glad I found Kahr.

Wondering how folks who carry these guns carry them -- one in the chamber or condition 3? At 5 pounds I'm a bit leary of "loaded" pocket or IWB carry, but I'm willing to consider changing my ways.

Have a few mags on order and found one of my 1911 mags works well enough.

Glad to hear that you like your gun. I have the CW45 and PM45 along with 2 Kahr 9mm and a ,380 and I like them all. I have found like you that some 1911 mags worked well in the CW45.

as far as how to carry, I always have one in the chamber, and carry either IWB or pocket. With the Kahr LONG but smooth trigger, as long as you have it secured in a good holster with good retention, you should have no problem.

Because of how I carry, I NEVER, and I mean Never, reholster the gun while the holster is IWB or in my pocket. It takes no more than 2 or 3 seconds to remove the holster from my belt and then reholster. I’m not in any kind of reholster race anyway.

One exception is my hammer fired DA pistols, where I do not remove the holster from my belt, but I can thumb the hammer. Plus the trigger on those are 10 to 12 pounds probably anyway.

For the majority of my striker pistols, mostly Glock and Kahr, I use a kydex holster. I do have a couple of nice leather holsters but IWB with leather to me sometimes defeats the purpose of a thin pistol.

Let us know how your first range trip goes. I’m thinking about shooting my PM45 next time out. It’s been a while since I shot it.

[FreeMe]

Finally took delivery of my first Kahr -- A CW45 and it's a very good little gun.
Haven't had it to the range yet but doing a bunch of dry firing with a laser "bullet."

I am wowed by the trigger. Smooth, about 5 lbs, and as good as any I've had.

I'm thinking of another, just gotta figure out which one. Would love a safety and round in chamber indicator, but after being something of a snob (S&W, Walther, Beretta, and Sig) I'm glad I found Kahr.

Wondering how folks who carry these guns carry them -- one in the chamber or condition 3? At 5 pounds I'm a bit leary of "loaded" pocket or IWB carry, but I'm willing to consider changing my ways.

Have a few mags on order and found one of my 1911 mags works well enough.

Yes, I'll be interested in your range report as well. I've been thinking about a CT45 since I had to give up on the 1911 for personal physical reasons.

As for carrying with a round in the chamber (as I always do with any of my Kahrs), it helps to understand how the Kahr system functions. The sear is only partially cocked until the trigger is pulled all the way to the release. In this respect, it is technically a DAO system, unlike some other striker fired pistols such as the Sig P320. Because of that and the internal striker block, the Kahr will not fire without a long pull of the trigger. So simply put, practice care while holstering and finger outside of the trigger guard until you intend to shoot, and no worries.

[FreeMe]

Oh - and BTW, you do have a chambered round indicator. It's the extractor, which stands proud when a round is chambered. It's very obvious by simply laying your finger on it.

[sorcerer]

Pocket carrying a pm9 as I type. In a Sticky holster and as should be, the only thing in that pocket. It’s not the most ideal carry method but it has its place and time.

[berettabone]

I pocket carried almost exclusively, an MK9 in a Desantis Nemesis holster for almost 9 years. I kind of laugh when I hear people thinking that the PM9 is too heavy. :D A .380 I probably wouldn't even notice....................

[Scott321]

I tried different firearm options, including multiple from the Kahr line before I finished with the CW45 (although I occasionally carry the PM45 when I want something a tad smaller). I did have to chamfer the edges at the top of the frame by the backstrap for a higher hold... I love it, but I have boney hands, and it might not be good for everyone.

Personally, I modified a Vedder holster for AIWB carry. I tried it at the 4-5 o'clock position but the handle stuck out more than I was comfortable for CCW combined with my daily activities. There are other manufacturers that make holsters already configured like how I modified mine, but I was happy with it, the mods were inexpensive, and I prefer the metal tuckable belt clip. My suggestion is to get a plastic/kydex with a "claw" for IWB... if AIWB, also add a "wedge" and adjustable height clip. I use a 1911 Kahr PMC Pocket Magazine Carrier for my extra magazine. There are belt magazine holsters available if that fits your attire.

I'd grab a Galco Fletch holster for OWB if they made one for the CW45 but they don't. I have one for the K9 that I am very happy with. For OWB, I use a Kramer horsehide Vertical Scabbard, but it places the handle out there at the 3 o'clock position (they have a regular Scabbard/pancake style that I have for my K frame). If it weren't for the price and wait time, I'd add a Scab for the Kahr and Vert Scab for the K-frame, but I rarely carry OWB.

I'll add, I've been happy with the Galco Lite Shoulder Holster with the CW45 (CT45 front sights catch). However, many don't prefer a horizontal shoulder holster system. If your requirements merit that system, I replaced the included shoulder straps with Galco's Extra Wide 2.5" shoulder harness straps and replaced the single mag carrier with a double mag carrier. This setup is very comfortable, but the bulges are noticeable with anything other than a heavy winter jacket.

[Scott321]

Everyone has their own requirements and standards. For me, with 1911 mags and limited modification, the rounds were being pushed into the top of the chamber instead of the feed ramp. I didn't feel comfortable with that, since for minimal sized micro guns like the Kahr it's my understanding that tolerances and mechanical design are more vulnerable to problems.

[gb6491]

Redcoat3340,
Congrats on the CW45!

I carry with one in the pipe.

Among other holsters, I like the Mitch Rosen 5JR-Express the best (though the CW45 wore a hole in it by the ejection port):
https://i.postimg.cc/vBf188kX/holsters1.jpg


Everyone has their own requirements and standards. For me, with 1911 mags and limited modification, the rounds were being pushed into the top of the chamber instead of the feed ramp. I didn't feel comfortable with that, since for minimal sized micro guns like the Kahr it's my understanding that tolerances and mechanical design are more vulnerable to problems.
Yes, different strokes for different folks:cool: Run what works for you.

FWIW, I've been running 1911 Officers size mags (with Kahr internals) in my CW45 (now P45) for about 13 years without incident. I'm not even sure where the Kahr mags for it are.

The CW45 was my first Kahr pistol. It's was my favorite Kahr pistol. It still is my favorite though it has morphed into a P45. It's my favorite of the small 45ACP guns I own or have shot extensively.
https://i.postimg.cc/zDPmDwwt/cw45-copya.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/B6zGz2MV/45comp2.jpg

About the time the Trijicon front sight I put on it was too dim to be useful, I came across a deal for a P45 top end. I now run that with some sights that I like.
https://i.postimg.cc/7hVPW5JG/p-cw451000.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/0y6xpWnJ/tprorear.jpg

Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

I like the looks of the flat trigger too. I don't have the guts to try that on for size myself. Color me skeered. I also like that rounded at the bottom rear sight. I have that on several pistols. Seems to work better for me. Still don't shoot as good as you but I've been doing pretty good with my new Tisas. Actually shot pretty good with several last time out. If my arms were longer I'd of patted myself on the back. Oh well.

[Scott321]

...

FWIW, I've been running 1911 Officers size mags (with Kahr internals) in my CW45 (now P45) for about 13 years without incident. I'm not even sure where the Kahr mags for it are.

The CW45 was my first Kahr pistol. It's was my favorite Kahr pistol. It still is my favorite though it has morphed into a P45. It's my favorite of the small 45ACP guns I own or have shot extensively....

Regards,
Greg

Very nice! My CW45 is definitely one of my favorites.

Quick question... What do you do to keep the magazine release button from rusting? After a few months of EDC (including some lengthy, sweaty labor intensive work) the button on mine started to rust. I ended up purchasing new mag release buttons and having them plated. Since then I've had no problems.

Also, did you have to replace some of your holsters for the P45 slide? I'm thinking of getting a used CW45 or P45 and swapping in my TP45 slide (I know I'll have to replace my holsters for that).

[gb6491]

Very nice! My CW45 is definitely one of my favorites.

Quick question... What do you do to keep the magazine release button from rusting? After a few months of EDC (including some lengthy, sweaty labor intensive work) the button on mine started to rust. I ended up purchasing new mag release buttons and having them plated. Since then I've had no problems.

Also, did you have to replace some of your holsters for the P45 slide? I'm thinking of getting a used CW45 or P45 and swapping in my TP45 slide (I know I'll have to replace my holsters for that).
Thanks:)

I wipe the metal parts with a Sentry Tuf-Cloth. My mag release shows wear, but hasn't rusted.
https://i.postimg.cc/YCxjf99D/424p45-3c1000.jpg

The P45 is a good fit in the leather holsters I have for the CW45. Kydex might be a different story, but I don't have any for either gun.

Regards,
Greg

[Armybrat]

My CW45 was a soft shooter for a big bore. Kinda surprised me.
My son carries it now.