New CW45

[phattony]

Picked up a used CW45 this week for a good price.
Heard some good and not so good comments about the pistols, but decided to go with it anyways.
Brought the gun to the range a few hours after buying it and went through 100+ Winchester 230 FMJ with a few FTE completely and a few stovepipes while trying to rapid fire. (but I think those were from trying to fire too rapidly while not focusing on my grip.)
My first impression of the gun is that it is extremely accurate. I was able to hit quarter sized clay pigeon pieces at 25 meters quite often.
I like the size and comfortability of the pistol. The grip or recoil doesnt seem to bother my hand which has been a problem with some larger framed autos after a few too many breaks in my shooting hand.

Went home the first night and cleaned and lubed the pistol, and the next day went for round 2.
Although I didnt have any stovepipes, I did have several FTE completely where the extracting round managed to turn a complete 180 and jam itself backwards as the slide came forward. A little frustrating, but still am pleased with the pistol.
I found this forum this afternoon and after much browsing I decided to give it a good scrubbing and prep following the sticky in the tech section.
I'm going to head back out tomorrow and see if it paid off any.
Any additional help would be appreciate.
Thanks and this is a great site.
Tony

[gb6491]

...
Although I didnt have any stovepipes, I did have several FTE completely where the extracting round managed to turn a complete 180 and jam itself backwards as the slide came forward...
Welcome to the forums Tony:)
What round count is the FTE happening on (randomly, last round, etc.)?
Regards,
Greg

[phattony]

Seems to be random. Most as I can remember are around midway through the magazine with 1 to 3 left.

[2edgesword]

My first impression of the gun is that it is extremely accurate. I was able to hit quarter sized clay pigeon pieces at 25 meters quite often.

Is that quarter like in 25 cent size clay pigeons at 25 meters? If so you a MUCH better shot then I am.

[gb6491]

Seems to be random. Most as I can remember are around midway through the magazine with 1 to 3 left.
If you haven't done so, you might want to break the slide down and give the extractor components a good cleaning.
Regards,
Greg

[phattony]

If you haven't done so, you might want to break the slide down and give the extractor components a good cleaning.
Regards,
Greg

Thanks Greg, will try.

and yes, those are 25 cent sized pieces of clay pigeon.

[TheTman]

Welcome to the forum phattony! Don't have any advice for you, I leave that to the more experienced folks. Good luck with your .45!!!

[phattony]

I cleaned and lubed the CW45 last night. I used brake cleaner to clean out the clean-out hole on the bottom of the slide. Lubed lightly with Rem-Oil and greased the slide guides with Tetra Gun Grease and worked the slide several times and wiped the excess that came through.

I put around 75 FMJ through the gun, and then 20 Remington 230 grain BJHP through to test.
I had 2 FTE, 1 FTF, and 1 mag drop, but that could have been my fault.
The last 3-4 magazines were completely failure free, with the last two being ball and hollow point rapid fire.

I am going to completely take the slide down today. I am going to brake clean all parts and reassemble.

Still pretty impressed with the accuracy. I am seriously considering tritium night sights.
Come on IL, pass HB0148! Ready to start carrying.
I have heard through some other places that the bill will be heard before the house soon after Easter.
Tony

[Bawanna]

Be sure to make you up a bent coat hanger to hold that striker spring. It sure makes things easier.
If you have it all apart you really don't need brake cleaner but it will sure work.
Theres a chain in the extractor tube, I had to use a small wire to push it all out the first time. Note how everything comes out and of course the orientation of the extractor itself.
I'd lightly lube the extractor chain, extractor spring and pin, can't remember now if there one more piece in there. Not tough.

I'd leave the extractor dry. Or oil it and then wipe it all off. It will work fine left dry.

Seems like your guns working itself out to me. Lets hope so anyhow.

[vwguy]

Good purchase, I just got one this past week as well. It seems that you and I live in the only states w/out Concealed Carry, hopefully that'll change soon!

Brian

[phattony]

Complete breakdown of the slide is complete. I didnt build myself the coat hanger tool, just took everything apart inside a gallon freezer bag. Quite easy to disassemble and reassemble.
I did find that there was an excessive amount of carbon build-up on the extractor, and the small area between the extractor and the corner of the striker face. Quite possible that this was causing the FTE. I completed a functions check and it appears that everything is running smooth.
I think that I will try to get out again later this week and shoot again.
Thanks for the help!

[Pa Kahr]

had many problems with FTE and the rounds not clearing the ejection port. Sent it back to Kahr and they replaced the extractor and polished the ejector...no problems siince.

[phattony]

After several thorough cleanings and retesting at the range I noticed that there seems to be a burr/rough edge on my barrel
it's on the extractor side, where the barrel slams into the slide.
I tried to take several close-ups to no avail. I edited in paint and added an arrow to what I'm talking about.
Does anyone elses have this rough edge. The top side seems to have a burr that will snag my finger when rubbed across it.
could this somehow be causing FTE?

[Bawanna]

That occurs quite frequently, many folks here have encountered that. You can just take a fine file and knock off that little bur or some fine sandpaper. Once it's smoothed off it normally doesn't return.

If you just leave it it will probably not get much worse. Just fitting itself a little bit. Doesn't hurt anything. I'd probably clean it up a little as it is a sharp edge that can cut your finger and I do so hate the sight of blood on stainless steel.

[gb6491]

That occurs quite frequently, many folks here have encountered that. You can just take a fine file and knock off that little bur or some fine sandpaper. Once it's smoothed off it normally doesn't return.

If you just leave it it will probably not get much worse. Just fitting itself a little bit. Doesn't hurt anything. I'd probably clean it up a little as it is a sharp edge that can cut your finger and I do so hate the sight of blood on stainless steel.
+1 on what Bawanna said.:cheer2:
On my CW45, I just knocked the sharp points (on the left) off:
http://i54.tinypic.com/2mgo8hv.jpg
Regards,
Greg

[Cornel]

Boy!! You guys made me go back to my CW45 and take a close look at this part. It certainly looks the same as the pic's posted by Greg.

In any event I don't think this "tip" affects anything with FTE's

[Bawanna]

Nothing at all really. It's just cosmetic. Like you most dont even notice it until someone points it out. It's definitely a non worry issue for sure.

[phattony]

Well after a few minor hiccups, I think the CW45 is up and running smooth.
I emailed Kahrt to discuss returning the pistol to them for trouble shooting.
Got a response from Jay stating that since I purchased used that it wouldnt be covered under warranty. He stated that since the round count was unknown, he would suggest checking the recoil spring and the extractor. It was going to cost me $65 for labor, plus parts and shipping. I wasnt about to drop another $100 dollars into the pistol so I decided to order the parts direct from Kahr and give it a shot.
The parts came yesterday in the mail so I replaced them and took it to the range.
I also took a file and rubbed the spot on the barrel lug smooth to knock the burr off.

After nearly 80 rounds yesterday, and another 20 or so today, it is malfunction free.
I guess the extractor was worn enough to not cause a clean bite on the rim of the cartridge.
The recoil spring that came as a replacement is quite a bit longer and plenty tighter.
I am glad that the quick fix worked.
Thanks all for your suggestions.
PT.
Now, if only my holster would arrive.

[gb6491]

Nice work, it's good to hear you have it up and running:)
Regards,
Greg

[JBowl1]

Phattony: What holster did you decide upon?

[Nomad11]

I also purchased a CW45 somewhat on impulse as well. First time at the range I had no problems with shooting 200 rounds of Sellier and Bellot 230gr. However, You must be a far better shooter than me because I did not get the accuracy that you achieved. I was shooting from ~40 feet and couldn't do much better than keeping shots inside an 8" circle. It could have been because the pistol was new, and this was the break-in period.
I did not like the sights that came with at, and yesterday I changed them for the Trijicon night sights, sold on their web site. I am going to the range today to check them out today (if the weather clears), and I'll let you know if I can do better today.