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View Full Version : 240 round CW9 Break In Range Report: Good News



KahrCarry
11-24-2010, 09:01 PM
Just a relevant FYI. I'm a pretty serious person when it comes to focusing on any task at hand, and tonight was my dedicated break in run with my new CW9.

Basically, my intent was to fire at least 200 rounds (I ended up firing 240 rounds), and also, to try to induce a malfunction.

Why try to induce a malfunction? Because the world isn't some controlled environment, whereby everything goes smoothly, and it's smart and good, IMO, to interject some adverse conditions to what otherwise would be a very controlled environment range session. One will never be able to replicate the stress of a real life or death situation at the range, but it's good to at least to do something - anything - to make things more challenging (while paying strict adherence to safe weapon handling protocol).

I fired 200 rounds of Winchester White Box Value Pack Ammunition, 9mm, 115 grain, and 40 rounds of Speer Gold Dot, 124 grain 9mm, with Zero failures of any kind. No failures to feed, eject, fire or any other issues of any kind.

Here is my testimony, itemized:

1) I used only one factory supplied 7 round magazine, reloading the same after each 8 round volley.

2) I intentionally chambered one round from a full magazine via racking the slide, rather than using the slide stop method recommended by Kahr (not because it will cause damage, but because Kahr maintains this is the best way to ensure that the slide returns to full battery), and I then reinserted a full magazine. This did not cause any issues chambering cartridges, but I was sure to utilize a firmly seated magazine, and to use sufficient force racking the slide.

3) I - not the weapon - was shooting low and left at first, but this is because I was utilizing poor trigger control, and because I also was flinching a bit in anticipation of each detonation. Accuracy improved significantly by the third magazine, with quite a few quarter sized groups at 15 feet and 21 feet. By round 100+, I was obtaining relatively decent groups center of mass at approximately 35 feet, which was the maximum distance I used during this first range session, and I even had some decent groups in the head region of the paper target.

4) Again, I had zero malfunctions of any kind, even when I tried to intentionally limp wrist the weapon. No failures to fire, feed or eject were observed.

5) Felt recoil was far less stout than I had anticipated, based on the fact that this weapon has a polymer frame, and only weighs about 20 ounces loaded, and under 16 ounces unloaded.

6) Speer Gold Dots JHP fed, fired and ejected flawlessly.

7) Contrary to reports of abuse to the hand because of recoil and aggressive checkering on the front and rear grip points of contact, I experiences absolutely no such issues. This was the most surprising development (or non-development, if you will) for me.

Overally, I am very impressed with these results.

The magazine did not drop free, but only dropped about an inch, and I had to manually remove the magazine from there. I am not sure whether I will seek to achieve drop free status given the flawless performance of the weapon, as Kahr advises this would mandate a return trip of the entire weapon to Kahr, which they agreed to cover the shipping for both ways, should I choose to try and have them remedy this issue.

I am going to fire another 240 rounds next week. If I get similar results, I will then order spare magazines, a Don Hume IWB or similar holster, and night sites, and utilize this weapon as my EDC.

franco45
11-24-2010, 09:21 PM
Thanks for the report. I had a similar experience during the break in period on my CW9. About 300 rounds of various ammo over a 2 week period. The gun performed flawlessly. I use a High Noon Mr. Softy iwb holster. I am also looking into night sights for both the CW9 and my CW45. By the way the CW45 did need the break in. There were a couple of fte in the first 50 rounds. It has been perfect for over 300 rounds though.

mr surveyor
11-24-2010, 10:06 PM
Dang... you boys have a long way to go. I am over 800 rounds into the break in of my CW9, and I still can't get it to break:D

Never the first malfunction, and I too tried everything from weak hand limpwristing to allowing close to 20 other folks (including 5 different kids from France that had never handled a pistol before) to shoot it. And as for charging from slide lock..... the only time I do that is at the range when it tells me it's time to feed it more. Otherwise it's the standard agressive slingshot for me. Never a glitch. After a field strip and quick lube right out of the box I did a one magazine "function test" in the back yard (it's great living out of the city limits). Then took it inside and did a detail strip of the upper (instructions can be found here at KahrTalk) and gave it a thorough cleaning and inspection. I can't say how impressed I was (am) with the overall quality and workmanship for a handgun priced under $500.

Just follow Jocko's recommendation on flushing out the striker channel, keep it dry and free of crud, keep the extractor and breach face clean, and keep the chamber and feed ramp clean and dry, a little dab of your favorite lube on the rails and other suggested lube points, and shoot it til you run out of ammunition funds.

I too find the CW9 to be a pleasant shooter, and personally like the "agressive" texture on the grip.

Always good to hear other's success with one of my (now) all time favorite handguns.


surv:)

KahrCarry
11-24-2010, 11:06 PM
Indeed.

A couple more range sessions like tonight's with the CW9, and as the Beetles say, "...now I'm a believer."

Now to find the right holster. I'm thinking Don Hume IWB.

All I know is I've never owned a 9mm that's as easily concealed and comfortable to carry as the CW9 - not even close.

sharpetop
11-25-2010, 12:58 AM
Indeed.

A couple more range sessions like tonight's with the CW9, and as the Beetles say, "...now I'm a believer."

Now to find the right holster. I'm thinking Don Hume IWB.

All I know is I've never owned a 9mm that's as easily concealed and comfortable to carry as the CW9 - not even close.

I dare say it was the Monkee's song which you quote! ;)

My CW9 had some teething problems with light primer strikes within the first 300 rounds. After installing a new [longer] recoil spring and new striker spring, all is well.

Bawanna
11-25-2010, 01:05 AM
Indeed, the Monkees for sure but I'm not gonna make you my stepping stone for one little slip.

KahrCarry
11-25-2010, 01:59 AM
Doh!

You guys are correct. It's the Monkees.

My bad. :o

jocko
11-25-2010, 07:41 AM
kahr karry: send the damn gun back, it is just working to good. !!! Kahrs willdo that you know!! Nice report. Ihave found it is harder to TRY to limp a gun to actually find yourself doing it...

recoilguy
11-25-2010, 08:25 AM
The CW9 os a great gun! not just a great gun for the money but a great gun. Mine has been flawless also and others shooting mine has made at least 4 new Kahr owners. I call mine "The Recruiter"

It is easy to carry easy to shoot and easy to clean....the pistol hat trick!!!

RCG

yqtszhj
11-25-2010, 07:13 PM
I love my CW9. I'm into it 530 rounds now and it's Fantastic. No problems at all from the gun. I did hit the mag release twice and it didn't feed the next round but that's me not the CW9.

Have 670 rounds left in the cabinet to fire. I can't pass up a good ammo buy when I see it on sale and then I get $30 off if I order $150 or more.

If I could find another CW9 cheap I'd get it and try the covert mod. One fine gun. I like it better than my beretta 92FS Inox.

cw45fan
11-25-2010, 08:32 PM
I initiated my new 8-rd. factory mag for my CW9 yesterday at the range. Everything went swimmingly for me as well... So I'm Giving Thanks too...
Such a pleasant shooter!

mr surveyor
11-25-2010, 09:52 PM
Indeed.

A couple more range sessions like tonight's with the CW9, and as the Beetles say, "...now I'm a believer."

Now to find the right holster. I'm thinking Don Hume IWB.

All I know is I've never owned a 9mm that's as easily concealed and comfortable to carry as the CW9 - not even close.


I know there are many, many offerings of high quality holsters for the CW9, but I found that my CW9 carries perfectly in a Don Hume 713, single clip leather IWB holster originally made for an officers model 1911. The beauty of it is the ability to disarm in those rare occassions (for me anyway) when you are entering statuatory off limits locations such as post office, court house, etc. Leave the weapon in the holster and slip the entire holster/pistol combination out of the waist band. It slips into the waist band with the same ease, and the single belt clip (given you tightern your belt as much as I do) gives the entire rig extremely good retention. For under 30 bucks, and normally ready to ship availability, they are worth checking in to. I lucked out several years ago finding one "lightly used" for 10 bucks in the used holster bin at one of the shops I frequent. Since then I've comfortably carried my Kimber Compact, a KT PF9, and now mostly my CW9 in the Hume.

surv