New Member - CW Series Question

[Freejay]

Been lurking on the site for a month or so, interested in learning more about the Kahr CW/PM/CM series.

Hoping and praying IL finally gets CCW legislation enacted, like everyone else, and I am thinking of acquiring a CW9 for IWB (tucked and covered) for when the time DOES come. ;)

Only problem is, in Central IL, I can not find any local gun shops, large chain stores (gander, etc) or even gun owners that have one for me to even see, let alone handle.

Ideally I'd love to find someplace that has the CW and PM/CM series available to lovingly peruse and compare/contrast to one another. Anyone have advice of where I can go to find them around my neck of the woods?

Thanks, all.
J

[Bill K]

Have you tried Cabela's in Hoffman Estates, IL? They also have one in Hammond, IN and in Hazelwood, MO. Cabela's does carry Khars.

Bill K.

[Freejay]

Bill,

Thanks for the reply... I was kinda afraid I'd have to hoof it to see one, be it the Chicago suburbs, St. Louis, Indy, etc. I will have to make a road trip with a friend or two.

Thanks!
J

[Bill K]

Oh, welcome to Kahrtalk!


Bill K.

[Kingcreek]

Freejay, where are you in Illinois?
and welcome to the forum, from a fellow IL resident also hoping we get RTC this year!

[jocko]

I wonderif Ill, will reciprocate with states????

[Bill K]

Did you guys from IL see this?

:cheer2:

http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/04/robert-farago/chicago-cops-come-out-for-concealed-carry/

Bill K.

[Freejay]

@Bill - Thanks!

@Kingcreek - Shelby County, and no kidding!

@jocko - I keep hearing it go back and forth. Certainly hope so!

Also, since I have your ear, if I am going to go IWB carry, is the CW9 able to do so easily? Or should I look at getting the CM9 with the shorter grip/barrel? I do not want to pocket carry... I wear khaki/jeans w/ dress shirt to work daily. I own a 3.8" XDM 9mm (full size, not the new compact), and try as I might, there is NO way I'd be able to CCW it in a IWB holster. I'm 5'9" and ~185. Just looking for opinions... I have read most of the posts, and I know I prefer a full grip vs. the pinky hang... but just making sure. Thanks all!

[Freejay]

I think we are getting close to the 71 votes needed in order to stop the Governor's veto, too!

[Bill K]

Seeing as you asked...

Grip height, like you allude to, is an important dimension in carrying concealed. I know that the CM9 being .5" less in grip height will certainly conceal better but not a whole lot more. You might down the road change your mind about pocket carry (my favored method of concealed carry), for sure the CM9 will pocket better than the CW9.

Bill K.

[Kingcreek]

I have a pm9 and a cw9. I don't like pocket carry and that is the only reason to choose the pm/cm size over the cw IMO. The little bit extra in the grip is more comfortable and easier to shoot and no harder to conceal in a good iwb holster. I'm in Henry co but if you find yourself in the area you are welcome to try them out.

[Freejay]

Thanks, Kingcreek. I used to live in Bloomington, so I actually know where Henry County is! I believe I would like to be able to enjoy shooting the 9mm pistol I carry at the range as much as possible, which seems to point to the CW9 as well.

I really appreciate the feedback from everyone.

J

[rogerthedodger]

I bought my CW9 for IWB, my Glocks felt like a growth on my side. CW9 will carry IWB very well, just get the right holster to your fit.
Roger

[Freejay]

What would you recommend? I'm 5'9" and 185, 34-36 waist. I like walks on the beach, and talking about... err... wait... my POINT is I have read about a few of the larger known brands, and keep coming back to the Crossbreed SuperTuck Deluxe or QwikClip. Am I limiting my options? Assuming we do get CCW in IL... I really need something that I can cover with a dress shirt (tucked in and covered) or untucked and still covered by the shirt.

Thanks again, everyone.
J

[noslolo]

I carry a CW40 and have no problem with it at all. I carry OWB, but with the CW IWB won't be an issue.

[Kingcreek]

Between the SuperTuck and the QuickClip is the MiniTuck by CrossBreed. Its what I carry my PM9 in but it fits my CW9 also. Its perfect for this size and weight gun. I bought the lightly used PM with CT laser first, liked it a lot, then bought the new CW9 at a bargain price just because I couldn't think of a reason why I shouldn't. If I had bought the CW first? I probably would not have bought the PM since I don't believe in pocket carry (ever try to draw a pocketed gun while sitting strapped in a car seat?)
The CW is actually being legally transfered to my daughter who resides in a state that honors my non-res CCW permit and a place I like to visit at least a couple times a year. So its HER GUN should she need it, but for me to borrow when visiting so I don't have to hassle with airline handgun policies. I think my next purchase will be a metal frame Kahr, just because...

[MrToad]

Welcome, Freejay from a former long-time IL resident from the northern parts and with experience driving down I-90 (and the old US 51/251) down the length of the state. You know, I learned the northern county names due to severe thunderstorm/tornado watches/warnings "The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the following counties: Jo Davies, Stephenson, Lee, Whiteside, Ogle, Winnebago, Boone, DeKalb, McHenry, Kane, Cook...":D

Slightly smaller than the CW series is the K series, which is heavier as it is all metal. Crossbreed holsters are nice; I own one myself for my K40.

[jdavis]

Freejay, I have similar physical characteristics and dress habits as you. I never felt comfortable or discrete enough with any IWB holster that I tried. I discovered the Smart Carry holster and have been pleased with it.
In an office environment nothing compares with it for discrete carry. Don't let it's appearance fool you. This thing is practical and works as advertised. Here in Florida, I am often in shorts and tucked golf shirt and no one has a clue that I a carrying.

[Freejay]

I truly appreciate all the feedback.

I think the MiniTuck would fit my purposes for either the CW9 or the CM9, from what I am reading.

The problem remains, will I be able to conceal it comfortably/sensibly.

This keeps me going back and forth between the .5" difference on the two models... even though I know its silly. I just need to go find some to handle and then make my decision before I make myself nuts. :crazy:

Thanks everyone!

J

[Freejay]

...I have tried since my last post in April to find/see/locate/touch a Kahr firearm of ANY type. I'd have to find myself in St. Louis or Chicago, which isn't happening at the moment.

So, I did the logical thing. I just ordered one from my LGS, sight unseen. :rolleyes:

Pick it up Monday/Tuesday. Where is the best place to pick up a couple of magazines (flush fit) online?

FJ

[Cornel]

I got couple from this place:

http://www.gunclipsrus.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&manufacturer_id=44&Itemid=109

But I'm sure you may get other internet places. Just happens that this people have them on stock all the time.

[Freejay]

Thanks, Cornel!

[Bob G]

I am 5'9" 175.. I carry my CW9 w/laserguard in a Kholster.. I have gone on long walks with it and have had it on all day. After you get it adjusted right and find the right spot you will forget you have it on..Easy one hand reholster....

[G3709]

You can try www.thegunsource.com (http://www.thegunsource.com). Most of them are priced at $30.99. Shipping is $2.95, only one charge for 1, 2, 3, 4... items.

[Freejay]

My CW9 came today! I must say, having never held one or even seen one in person, my gamble of buying one sight unseen paid off.

So far, its everything I hoped for quality and fit/finish-wise. Its the perfect size I was hoping for, very glad I did not go for the CM9 (*yet*). Now, if IL will just jump on the CC bandwagon!

Detail stripped it, and prepped/lubed it up per the two excellent posts... and was happy to find the striker channel clean, and everything came apart and went back together well. I did notice a couple of abnormal looking burrs of sorts around the rear assembly of the striker channel and cover... but I will wait to see if they are even a problem once I get to the range.

I must really thank all of you, and I am quite glad I read up on the gun for 3+ months here on the forum, as it allowed me to be prepared for many of the "is this normal" kind of stuff while giving it a once over. I did, during careful and cautious hand cycling and ejecting of a few rounds, notice the "nose dive" problem when you don't cycle the slide fully/correctly by hand, but doing a full cycle slide release never recreated the problem.

So... thanks to you all, I am very happy. I doubt any *real* problems will crop up, but if any do, I'll stick this out and I will check back when I get it to the range for its first 200 rounds sometime in the next couple of weeks.

FJ

[Freejay]

Short version:
I am one happy camper. :D
207 rounds fired over 3 hour time period.
No problems to report.
Absolute joy to shoot.
Accurate.

Long Version (for those of us who like the details!):
First of all, had this been my first handgun, and had I not read up on the Kahr here on the forum for a couple/three months before making the plunge, I think my expectations would have been much different. I hope that makes sense to all of you on here. Knowing what I knew (thanks to all of you), this thing was an absolute joy.

Recoil is very manageable, surprisingly so, even compared to a full size 9mm. The raised grip did make my hand a little red, a little sore, but skin not broken. I will not be getting a grip cover or bicycle tube grip for it, as I initially planned I would. Heck, I would have shot another 100 rounds if I had brought them, but I know I was getting a little tired, as my accuracy suffered towards the end. Trigger is expectedly long, but very smooth. Very happy with how accurate it is. All shots save for one was at 25 feet. I took one shot on the 25 yard berm, at a golf ball. I didn't hit it, but it was close enough it moved, so I was happy. ;)

I had two 7 round magazines, loaded them each about 15 times. On one (and only one) occasion, I forgot to use the slide release, and did my normal XDM/Sig slingshot. Resulted in the first round nosediving and holding the slide open. Pulled it back, used the slide release without touching the top round. Slid home without problem.

Had more than a few people at the range today, and had some come up and admire the gun, and shoot it. All were pleasantly surprised with how it handled, and more than one remarked how it would be worth getting if Illinois ever gets any CCW legislature through.

Rounds fired:
100 Federal 115gr FMJ (booooooring...)
50 TulAmmo 115gr FMJ (yeah, the crappy steel stuff... I liked it and so did the CW9!)
50 RWS 124gr FMJ (pleasantly surprised with this stuff)
7 MagTech 115gr JHP (forgot I had loaded one magazine up when it was in the safe)

Was very easy to clean up upon returning home, as well. Did not notice any signs of abnormal wear, peening, or even any shavings of any sort. I did notice the distinctive striker mark on the primers, as expected.

Honestly, had someone told me a year ago I would purchase a gun, sight unseen, no direct or related experience (except from online reviews and forum members and info), and consider it one of my favorite firearms purchases, I'd have asked them to get their head examined. But then, they would have been correct.

This all being said, I am now unofficially one of Kahr's newest cheerleaders. :cheer2:
(I always wanted a reason to use that emoticon.)

[Fulton_722]

Great Report !

I've also had good results with RWS. It's a strong load with recoil close to the premium rounds I use.