Just got my 1st Kahr! CW9

[Todd]

Hi gang!

Yesterday I finally made a move to a CC 9mm that I had been contemplating for a long time. Originally Kel Tec's PF9 was tops on my list but when I was in my LGS and handled the CW9, I just knew it was right.

I come from an almost strictly 1911 background so I am completely used to SA triggers and heavy sidearms. I've got 5'ers, a 4"er, and a 3"er and even one 5"er in 9mm so I was hesitant to get into a Polymer CC gun with a DAO trigger. Only range time will tell on that perspective.

Having said all of that, I am truly impressed with my very first impressions of this little gun. It's small but not too small, it's pocket carry-able, at least for me, heavy but not too heavy, light but not too light...it's like the perfect porridge for Goldie Locks! The fit was acceptable for this price point, my only minor gripe was that the pinky rest doesn't seat flush with the bottom of the magwel but that's no big deal at all.

Tear down was really easy and I had a question about that...for whatever reason I find it much easier to remove the slide stop when the slide stop is aligned with the "large cutout" where you'd normally hook the slide back as opposed to the "small cutout". Would this damage the pistol in any way?

Tonight will be the first shoot out at the range so I'll come back to post a range report but I just wanted to say Hi and introduce myself.

Thanks

[Bawanna]

Hey Todd, ya done good. The perfect poridge indeed. Glad ya found us. We'll anxiously await your first range report.
I think your gonna like it alot.

Excellent move bypassing your first CCW choice in my personal for what it's worth opinion.

[Todd]

hey Thanks Bawanna!

You know it's sorta funny...I didn't intend to spend quite as much as I did on the Kahr with that Kel Tec...but in handling them both, it became readily apparent to me that an implement meant to protect your (and other) lives isn't really where you want to save a hundred bucks.

I don't feel any buyer's remorse at all...well not on this gun anyway. However it has made me re-consider the $900 I spent on my Colt New Agent HAHA! Oh well... easy come, easy go. I try not to regret gun purchases.

Thanks for the warm welcome... as rainy as it is out here (I'm in Portland).
I'm sure you can appreciate that :D



Hey Todd, ya done good. The perfect poridge indeed. Glad ya found us. We'll anxiously await your first range report.
I think your gonna like it alot.

Excellent move bypassing your first CCW choice in my personal for what it's worth opinion.

[TheTman]

I too looked at the PF9, but when I compared it to the CW40, the CW40 won hands down. Plus I did my research, and the PF9 seems to have a LOT more unhappy customers than the Kahrs did. I think the PF9 would be a great weapon if they would get them right. I went with the CW40 over the 9mm since it packs a little more punch than the 9. I guess I'm a believer in the old saying "never bring a gun to a gun fight whose caliber doesn't start with a 4".
Good luck with your weapon and welcome to the forum. Hope you did Jocko's prep and lubed it well. The prep instructions and lube chart can be found in the Kahr-Tech section in case you missed them. Here is a link for the prep http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1521 the lube chat is right below it.
Both of my Kahrs came pretty clean and well lubed, but I've read several posts about the pistols having some "gunk" in them that should be removed prior to firing them.

[Bawanna]

hey Thanks Bawanna!

You know it's sorta funny...I didn't intend to spend quite as much as I did on the Kahr with that Kel Tec...but in handling them both, it became readily apparent to me that an implement meant to protect your (and other) lives isn't really where you want to save a hundred bucks.

I don't feel any buyer's remorse at all...well not on this gun anyway. However it has made me re-consider the $900 I spent on my Colt New Agent HAHA! Oh well... easy come, easy go. I try not to regret gun purchases.

Thanks for the warm welcome... as rainy as it is out here (I'm in Portland).
I'm sure you can appreciate that :D

Oh yeah, we sure had it last night, hail covered the ground, lighting, wind, cold. Not a great night for baseball practice. I'm east of Everett a far piece north of you but you might have gotten some of it too. Didn't last long but it was cold.

[jocko]

considering kel teak doesn't make a 40 cal anymore. They used to at one time but the shooter and the gun couldn't handle each other. U made the right choice in a kahr and especially in a 40 cal. Kahrs lower bore axis is just a rtremendous help in such a small ass lightweight gun. If it feels harsh, PORT IT and then enjoy it more.

[Bawanna]

thetmanski, looks like from your signature all your guns qualify for carry with the prerequisite 4 beginning. I adhere to that same theology myself whenever possible.
Never ran into a case where I couldn't make it work. I like my 4's to end with a 5 but thats just a personal malady I'm trying to work myself thru.

[Todd]

Thanks Tom, I sure did! It's been SOP for me since my first 1911 though...it's sort of a ritual I have when I get a new piece...the first night is tear down and familiarize night.

I have to admit though, I'm only about 200 or so hand cycles into my 500 haha. My hand got tired.

I will say that probably the hardest part about the tear-down and reassembly came when I needed to compress the recoil spring back into the installed location. I had a couple slips and the guide rod sailing across the room before I figured out a little trick to holding it and compressing the spring. After that it was a non-issue but it makes me wonder why Kahr chose not to use a Glock like spring that is all one piece.

The internals of mine were fairly clean however I did get a few polymer shavings out of the insides...nothing I'd worry about but still best to be running clean and well lubed.

EDIT: I will most likely stay out of any 9mm vs .40(5) debate, my "normal" carry is a 4" 45 ACP 1911 (Kimber Pro TLE/RL if you're curious)...this gun was purchased for a Summer Pocket Carry solution so unless I run into a bad guy wearing 3 layers of heavy clothing in the summer, I'm not worried about the stopping power of the 9mm round.



I too looked at the PF9, but when I compared it to the CW40, the CW40 won hands down. Plus I did my research, and the PF9 seems to have a LOT more unhappy customers than the Kahrs did. I think the PF9 would be a great weapon if they would get them right. I went with the CW40 over the 9mm since it packs a little more punch than the 9. I guess I'm a believer in the old saying "never bring a gun to a gun fight whose caliber doesn't start with a 4".
Good luck with your weapon and welcome to the forum. Hope you did Jocko's prep and lubed it well. The prep instructions and lube chart can be found in the Kahr-Tech section in case you missed them. Here is a link for the prep http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=1521 the lube chat is right below it.
Both of my Kahrs came pretty clean and well lubed, but I've read several posts about the pistols having some "gunk" in them that should be removed prior to firing them.

[recoilguy]

Nicely played the CW is a great weapon.....enjoy

Picking a CW9 over the PF9 was the best move you could have made.

RCG

[joe d]

Picking a CW9 over the PF9 was the best move you could have made.

+1 on that ! I own and carried a PF9 for about the past year...My Kahr will be my carry now.. To me, there is little to no comparison in the two...Just my .02

[Todd]

I do appreciate the votes of confidence. I'm counting the hours left here at work until I can get down to the range :music:

[TheTman]

Hi Bawanna, I do have a couple .357's that I hide around the home (no small ones to worry about, plus they are mostly out of reach for a child), and a .22 for plinking, but when I carry a weapon, it's usually a .40 and up. I've long been a fan of the .45, but the Beretta Cougar came from a riding buddy's estate, and thought it needed a companion so I got my first Kahr in .40. Those and a Charter Arms .44 special (I carry that one on my bike) are my main carrry pieces. I prefer the .40 over the .45 in some guns, since they give you a few extra few shots. I've read up a lot of the .40 and although this may be blasphemy to some, I think it holds it's own with the .45 in many regards. If you go strictly by ballistics, there are quite a few .40 loads that deliver around 500 pounds of energy and around a couple thousand FPS more velocity. Most of the .45 loads deliver around 400 pounds or less at around 800 FPS. It's hard to argue with a bigger hole in the bad guy, but we all know well placed shots from even a .380 will bring down a person quicker than poorly placed shots from a bigger weapon. I also think it fills the gap between 9mm and .45 very well. I've looked at a couple of "one shot stop" tables, and there is very little difference between the better .40 and the better .45 loads. I don't place a lot of value in those tables, just another resource to use.
I'm sure the .40 vs .45 subject has been argued to death on many forums, so not looking to start another discussion, just stating my personal preferences. I still prefer the .45 in the Kahr pistols. where you don't get extra shots from a .40. Having shot both the CW40 and 45, the .45 seems more "managable" to get a 2nd shot off than the .40 does. There is a price to be paid for the extra FPS and energy which translates into more muzzle flip for me. That's why I was looking into the 4" ported .40 barrel awhile back. I would swear that they offered them when I joined the forum, but they quit selling them soon after. One would think that a drop in part that tamed the muzzle flip of a .40 would be a hot seller, but apparently Kahr and/or the market disagrees. I don't quite understand why they offer it in the very manageable 9mm and not the .40 or .45. I may have the CW40 magna-ported once I get the .45 broke in enough to carry, but I probably won't bother. Not that I intend to get rid of the CW40 anytime soon, but you never know when you might need the cash, and some people won't buy a ported barrel weapon in case they get in a struggle with a bad guy and the gun goes off blowing burning powder and hot gasses into their face. I've never heard of this actually happening, but I suppose it's something to consider.
My laser is supposed to arrive tomorrow, and I called about the extra mags and they were ready to be shipped, so hopefully by this time next week I'll have range report. (with pictures, if I'm not too embaressed by my shooting that day) I'm taking my crippled up buddy along, he's never shot a .40 and is anxious to try it out. Probably take my Cougar along so he can see how it shoots in a heavier gun. The Beretta does a pretty good job of taming the .40 recoil and muzzle flip. He's rethinking his choice of the Kimber for his carry piece, since he doesn't want to see a $1000 gun going into an evidence bag with no idea when and/or if it will be returned.
Sorry for the book (again) just have trouble keeping my posts short and to the point.

[Todd]

Ok as promised, here are my first range impressions of my new CW9.

Notes: I shoot at a very old school range which is not the most up to date therefore we are required to have our target carriers at full pull which is 50 feet.

Rounds fired = 135 (100 to warm up, 35 for effect)
Types Fired = Majority 115gr FMJ, minority were British Military Surplus overruns...a semi-metal jacketed hollowpoint.

Well, in a word WOW. I have to admit, this gun has restored my faith in a polymer gun performing well right out of the box. I've had Glocks in the past and could never shoot them well. I don't want to bash any one and just chose to mention my G's as an example of a polymer gun. They're pretty much why I went 100% metal 1911's for a while.

So, as suspected, my Achilles Heel turned out to be the DAO trigger pull. This is not to say that it was bad, but it was simply longer than I was used to...for the first 100 rounds that is. At about the 121st round something just clicked and all of a sudden I had found some sort of a sweet spot. The pull was in fact extremely smooth and to me broke cleanly and with little variation in feel.

As you can see in the pic below, I had a few fliers, the target to the left was 2 mags followed by the target on the right with my last 3 mags. Bear in mind that I'm no competition grade shooter and this was at 50 full feet. I may need a slight drift as I was grouping left but I won't touch a thing until I've isolated my technique.

Overall I felt the perceived recoil was completely manageable and unobtrusive to my concentration...much easier to control than my 3" 1911 which I use as an example of my most "buck wild" handgun.

But here's the kicker folks...right out of the box...I took it home, field stripped, cleaned, lubed, and worked the slide about 400 cycles before tearing down again, re-lubing, and heading out.

Get this...


Failure to Feed (FTF) = ZERO
Failure to Eject (FTE) = ZERO
Hot brass to the Face = ONE in 135 total rounds fired
Rounds on target paper = 100% @ 50ft.

I could not be happier with this guns performance. Mine left a little to be desired as I need to continue working on not "rushing" the trigger pull. I know this gun is very accurate as when the recoil "surprised" me as it should...it was a tack driver. The fliers were most definitely caused by my anticipating recoil and trying to get a feel for the length of the trigger pull. That being said, even the errant fliers were still on target paper at 50ft. Once I dial in my technique this will be one sweet summer carry shooter.

Sorry for the novel, just had to share!
**Thanks to Mr. 300 WinMag for the kickstand :D **



http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/13/img0364w.jpg


http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/1267/kahrtargets.jpg

[jocko]

perswonal;ly I would have expected no less of your success. That is just one trouble free semi. nice report.

[Todd]

I am very much excited about this gun.

All the online research in the world can't compare to first hand experience. When you get into a new line of gun I think you're inherently taking a gamble. I'm glad this one pays out well!

Can't wait for a sunny day so I can take this one to my outdoor range and see how I do at a more realistic engagement distance :hungry:

[TheTman]

Very cool Toddm glad you and the gun are getting off to a great start.

[Todd]

Me too! I look forward to a few dozen more mags here soon.



Very cool Toddm glad you and the gun are getting off to a great start.

[Bill K]

That is great!

Now if the CW9 were only a little shorter, a little lighter, had more machining, .... Oops! Then it'd be a PM9 wouldn't it? :)

Continued good shooting.

Bill K.

[deadhead1971]

Todd,

I see that you are right handed. :)

Your first targets look a lot like my first targets. Yep...hitting about 2" left and a little low. This is NORMAL. Look at my targets http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=444

On page 1, my first targets have hits to the left. Now on page 3, my hits move back to the center.

Your sights are fine. Don't move them. Once you figure out the trigger pull, your hits will be point of aim--it may take a few hundred rounds. Even now, I catch myself jerking the trigger low and left.

I can't speak for everyone, but a center hold works good for the Kahr. see here http://www.bobtuley.com/sight_picture.htm

[Bawanna]

I noticed that as well and agree that center hold works best for me much like the XS system. Cover what you want to hit.

According to the magical target chart posted somewhere around here that I printed so I'd be able to access it but still had to hunt for an hour to find a little more finger on the trigger might aid in getting things shifted back to the right a touch.
Tightening fingers or slapping or jerking the trigger would account for the low.

I think with a little more time you'll dial em right in there just like deadhead did.

[Todd]

Thanks again guys, yeah I totally agree on the low-left and yes I am right handed.

Those 2 in the orange ring were both POA hits where the recoil surprised me so I know the gun is certainly capable of puting rounds on target.

The rest is up to me, thankfully practicing with this gun is much more fun than practicing my trombone was in school HAHA.

Thanks for the super warm welcome all!

[Bawanna]

Understand, just tips and help, not criticism. You got this by the tail.
We try to focus all our criticism on Jocko or Wynn, or sometimes Jlottmc they enjoy it.

You got to play trombone. I played accordian. True story.

[Todd]

"And a One and a two"


...sorry, couldn't resist a LW joke :D




You got to play trombone. I played accordian. True story.

[BeyondTaboo]

I had the same experiance with the CW9 onmy first trip. The low/left phenomenon. I put about 310 round through that baby and it never had a single issue. Love my CW9!