My CW45 (because everyone needs to show them off right?)

[sinac84]

Well, after carrying this CW45 for a week now I've decided to keep it as my main CC weapon. Love the size and slimness of the CW45. I almost forget its on me sometimes. One of the biggest complants I had with the other CC pistols was having safelys or grips digging into my hip/small of back when sitting on the couch or car seat. The CW is so comfortable compared to the Glock36, Kimber Tactical Pro ii, and SIG P250 I've owned in the past. (On a side note, the holster I use is a Bianchi Evader for the Glock36 I had previously, it works perfectly for the CW45.) I also like the fact that I can dump the magazine and release the slide lock with my thumb without having to handle the weapon in a weird way. Moreover, one of my pet peeves is a short grip and letting the pinky ride on a magazine extension. Usually my pinky get pinched when shooting or my palm gets pinched when changing magazines (i.e. Glock 36). The trigger is wonderful too. No stacking and as smooth as any SIG trigger.

I got this Kahr CW45 in a trade. Traded my Glock36 with night sights. I do need to get some night sights installed on it. I might just have the front sight done and leave the rear as is. I really like the 2 dot more than the 3 dot. Didn't want to put any $$ into it until I was sure I wanted to keep it. I put 100 flawless rounds (reloads) through it a few days ago. No FTFs or FTEs. Magazine didn't fall out or anything. My carry ammo of choice is the Pow'rBall +p round. They feed reliably everytime. Thats a success in my book. I'm estimating the total round count on this pistol around 225. Just broken in. I tracked down the original owner (through the trading forum I use). I'm actually the 3rd owner. First guy put 100 through it, 2nd guy 25, and me 100. So, LOTS of life left.

I did have to add some TractionGrips to the grip to help keep the gun from moving around in my hand when firing. Also added a strip to the trigger. I did not like the smooth texture of the trigger itself so the rubber stick on piece improved it nicely. So far I'm very happy with the Kahr and the modifications only improved the feel. I know it was never designed as a all day shooter and I don't plan on using it that way. I plan to get a TP45 for that. Might even get a CW9 for the old lady.

Anyway, here is the gun porn...

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo246/sinac84/IMAG0034.jpg

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo246/sinac84/IMAG0035.jpg

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo246/sinac84/IMAG0036.jpg

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo246/sinac84/IMAG0037.jpg

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo246/sinac84/IMAG0038.jpg

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo246/sinac84/IMAG0041.jpg

[Charlie98]

Very nice!!!

I recently bought a CW9 to replace my CCW 1911 and, too, am impressed with the size and comfort of it... and the reliability; so much so, I have a P45 in the works.

My used CW9 came with the stickygrips installed... I LOVE them, and they really help with control (my hands sweat when I shoot and the plastic grip moves around in my hand too much.)

Where did you get your TractionGrip from?

[jocko]

sinac84. IMO ur right, just buy the front nite sight. u caninstall that yourself in nothing flat. really the back sight is not needed in ns version.

What u said about tradingin ur glock would be blasphemy over on GLOCK TALK, probably get u such a rash of sh-t to. for as u know there is only one semi auto.:der:

[TheTman]

I have CW45 that is my EDC now. I chose the CT laserguard over night sights, I felt the laser gives you more options for fireing your weapon from cover than the night sights do. Of course it runs on a battery, and I suppose that will fail at the worst possible time. I was thinking perhaps changing it out once a year at the spring daylight savings time change, along with smoke detector batteries and such.
The gun did have to be returned to the factory for some work after the trigger failed to reset after firing, and I did get a new recoil spring when it failed to process +P ammo reliably. I have 350-400 trouble free shots downrange, with the only problem being trying to use the 7 round mags, they just won't feed reliably, I can find nothing that should keep them from working, there's no more play in them than the 6 round mags. Kahr wants me to send the gun in to see why it doesn't work with 7 round mags, probably be a good idea if they will do it on their dime.

[OldLincoln]

Sinac84, Great choice and welcome to the forum. I really like your pics, they are close enough that it's almost like holding it and plenty of them.

[ptoemmes]

Yes, very nice pics and choice.

One thing that stands out to me - a fellow newbie with a P45 for all of one day - is that slide serrations on the CW are almost the full height of the slide whereas on the P45 they are not - about half of the CW from what I can tell.

I realize this is not news to most here.

I really felt it doing the manual break in today - all 500 slide racks even with holding the slide and moving the frame.

Pete

[jocko]

probably not necessary to do 500 racks but if u can take the pain (so to say) ur certainly prepping the gun better IMO. Ur gonna love that P45. If by chance any issues pop up come back to this forum, some of these guys have cures for small glitchs in semi's... shoot good amercan brand ammo, preferally fmj for break in time, no sense wasting money on hp ammo until the gun is in your mind running right,..

[sinac84]

Where did you get your TractionGrip from?


http://www.tractiongrips.com/

[lugnut]

Looking good. I like the tractiongrip

[sinac84]

Looking good. I like the tractiongrip

They definitely help. Easy to apply as well. I had to cut some custom pieces for the upper part above the back strap and I didn't like the size of the pre-cut piece for the trigger guard so I made one slightly wider and longer. They hold up amazingly well for stick on stuff.

[sinac84]

Update. Decided that the way I have to grip the gun was alittle unnatural for me so I added a Hogue grip sleeve. That made things alot better. Also, my LGS was not able to get in any CW45 6rd mags so they had one with the model number 625G. I was able to cut away some of the grip extension to make it work with my CW45. I feel alot better now that I have atleast 1 extra magazine to carry. I usually carry two. I always try to buy locally before I buy online.
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo246/sinac84/IMAG0051.jpg
" http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo246/sinac84/IMAG0054.jpg

[Bill K]

sinac84,

If I were to ever NEED (:)) a .45 ACP besides Kahr I'd be looking at the Glock 36. Would you expound bit more of why you'd choose the CW45 over the Glock 36 of SD carry? Thanks...

[sinac84]

sinac84,

If I were to ever NEED (:)) a .45 ACP besides Kahr I'd be looking at the Glock 36. Would you expound bit more of why you'd choose the CW45 over the Glock 36 of SD carry? Thanks...

Main reason for the switch to the cw45 over the glock36 is the grip. I like having all my fingers on the grip when changing magazines. With the glock36 I would pinch the skin of my palm slamming the magazine into the magazine well. Also, releasing the slide lock is alot more ergonomic with the kahr. As a matter of fact all the ergonomics of the kahr are better. The kahr is slightly smaller and slightly thinner so it holds against my body better. The fit and finish of the kahr (to me) is better. The kahr is designed and made in America. I love the smooth, no stack trigger. I hate a glock trigger. I think the kahr is a better looking gun (because that always matters). I could probably think of more but that's all I got right now. :)

[jdlott74]

I love my CW45 and had to put a sleeve on it as well. I just don't like the way the grip is in my hands and hurts it too much without it.

[sinac84]

I love my CW45 and had to put a sleeve on it as well. I just don't like the way the grip is in my hands and hurts it too much without it.


The grip texture never bothered me because the CW is a defensive weapon not a all day shooter but what did bother me was the fact that the grip didn't fill my hand naturally. The sides were too flat and I wasn't able to hold it naturally. The Hogue sleeve fixed that. Just gotta get a front night sight installed.

[TheTman]

jdlott, I have some biker/weightlifter shorty gloves (short fingered) with padded palms that make shooting these guns with aggressive grips much more comfortable. Got em at the flea market for $5 a pair. You can usually find them at any motorcycle accessory shop too.
Have 2 pairs, 1 all leather, and another pair with a nylon web for the back of the hand. I use the pair with the web for shooting. Also helps tame recoil a little in my larger revolvers (.357 and .44 mag). Any they are much more comfortable than having that aggresive checkering on some grips chewing up your hand.

[Bill K]

Main reason for the switch to the cw45 over the glock36 is the grip. I like having all my fingers on the grip when changing magazines. With the glock36 I would pinch the skin of my palm slamming the magazine into the magazine well. Also, releasing the slide lock is alot more ergonomic with the kahr. As a matter of fact all the ergonomics of the kahr are better. The kahr is slightly smaller and slightly thinner so it holds against my body better. The fit and finish of the kahr (to me) is better. The kahr is designed and made in America. I love the smooth, no stack trigger. I hate a glock trigger. I think the kahr is a better looking gun (because that always matters). I could probably think of more but that's all I got right now. :)

Thanks, I'll tuck your information away till such time as I get serious about getting a .45 ACP of some sort.

[sinac84]

Thanks, I'll tuck your information away till such time as I get serious about getting a .45 ACP of some sort.

They don't call the 45acp " man stopper" for no reason... ;)

[Bawanna]

They don't call the 45acp " man stopper" for no reason... ;)

Amen!

[sinac84]

Thanks, I'll tuck your information away till such time as I get serious about getting a .45 ACP of some sort.


Just to be clear, the Glock36 is a fine CCW. Just not for me. I had a 3.5lb connector installed that helped the trigger feel. I'm not a fan of a trigger that stacks or that has a trigger safety. The only safety I need is my own finger. I do wish the CW45's trigger reset was shorter like the Glocks, thats something I'll miss. The trigger pull is alittle long too. All and all trigger feel, length of trigger pull and stacking of the trigger won't mean anything if you have to protect your life or the life of others with your CCW. Just get the rounds down range and hit your target.

[Bill K]

J... All and all trigger feel, length of trigger pull and stacking of the trigger won't mean anything if you have to protect your life or the life of others with your CCW. Just get the rounds down range and hit your target.

Yep, what you say is essentially true and there are times and circumstances when even something less than a 45 will save the day.

[sinac84]

I checked with Custome Service today and the manufacter date of my CW, late 2009. Older than I thought but has not been shot much. I have barely any wear on on the barrel. I don't think it has ever been carried (other than by myself) because everything is just as new looking as a new one.

Still super happy. Front Trijicon night sight and 1 more magazine for CC and I'm done for a CCW.

[sinac84]

Put another 50 flawless rounds through the CW today. Got another 6 round may for CC. Still gotta get use to the combat sights.

[cw45fan]

Way back before I bought my CW45, I was also considering a G36 and rented both for comparison. I'm very happy with my CW45 choice. Here's a very straightforward video comparing the two:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHF4s1B4yPg

[sinac84]

Seen it. I actually watched it before I traded my G36 for the CW45. I'm still very happy with this gun as a CCW. I don't enjoy shooting it as much as I would like but I can hit what I'm aming at so thats all that matters to me in a CCW. So far no issues with magazines, no FTFs or FTEs. Gonna get my Trijicon front sight installed after X-mas ( the gf is getting it for me as a gift ). After that I can decide on the next pistol to get as a range shooter. It will probably be a Glock21. I plan to look at the TP45 but I will definitely need to shoot it before I buy one. Something about how far I have to pull the trigger before the gun fires on the Kahr doesn't really "feel good". Its alittle too long for me as a all day range shooter. I'd really love to have a TP45 because the weapon system is basically the same but if the trigger breaks the same and it feels the same as my CW then who knows what I'll end up buying.

[sinac84]

Front Trijicon night sight installed. Couldn't find any masking tape, scratched the slide, :blushing:. I think I'm gonna have my LGS install my rear sight. Gonna carry it this way and try and get a sight picture with different low lighting and see how it feels. Install was a breeze. Came with locktite in the box.

Front
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo246/sinac84/IMAG0075.jpg