Very impressed with CW pistols!

[Jayta98]

New member! NOOB ALERT!!

I always heard about Kahr and how good are they. I visit my local gun show last weekend and finally got tol see them and feel them. I love 45 cal but like usual is going to be big carry. I have glock 23(40cal) as my main CW but I still like to carry 45. I also have a glock 21(45 full size) that I can carry and I do. I use a comptac MTAC holter and belt so is very comfortable.

I also have a glock 19 mostly for home protection for the wife. I carry a keltec PF9 in situations were I have to sit for long periods of time.
I feel in love with the CW9. I love the size and how it feels. The CW9 will be more reliable in my books than keltec. Im not bashing Keltec as I do own their sub2000 and it has never failed me. The one that really caught my eye was the CW45, wow thats a really small 45 and it feels good too.

So I think that my next 2 purchases are going to be these guns. Can someone give any good and bad feedback that I should consider before buying these? How is the recoil on these since they are small?

My other 2 options i'm considering is a Glock 30 and the beretta nano. Thanks.

[OldLincoln]

Hi Jay and welcome to the forum. If you like the caliber of the 45 and the concealment of the CW9, you might compare the CW9 to the concealment of the PM45. I haven't had both to compare but I expect others here have and they should be close.

[jocko]

PM45 even smaller and lighter, nothingin its class if a 45 is what ur after, IMO still not pocketable loike a PM9 or even that NANO. I even feel the cw9 is a tad big for the pocket but many carry that way, so what he hell do I know


by the way as old lincoln said. Welcome to the forum. We are not all nuts here either buyt many are working towards that goal..

[Bawanna]

It is important to have a goal.

Check out the PM45 Jay, you'll dig it, I just know you will. If the size isn't critical the CW45 is a heck of a nice gun too.

[Bill K]

Welcome to KahrTalk!

The Glock 30 is going to be noticeably thicker than the CW45 but will of course hold more rounds. IWB I'd probably go with the CW45; OWB then perhaps I'd give the G30 the nod.

Me, I'd wait a bit on the Nano it being so new an offering.

[cw45fan]

I purchased a CW45 first (and immediately added CT)... Liked it so much I got a CW9 a few months later. Both have been completely reliable. The CW9 is a very soft shooter and its smaller size has made it one of my main two carries... about 50% of the time. The CW9 especially fits my hand perfectly and I am always surprised at its accuracy at the range. I usually carry it in a very light fabric shoulder rig balanced with a backup mag on the other side... easy... comfy. (That's a 7-rd - 7+1 - extended mag on the 45 in the pic.)
http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab293/tel_meagain/SNV32538.jpg

[O'Dell]

Welcome Jayta98. I replaced an ammo finicky PF9 with a CW9 five years ago and never looked back. I will also endorse the PM45. I liked mine very much before it was stolen. It will be replaced later by another or a CM45. Although not completely pocketable like a PM9, I found it was very convenient to carry in an inside jacket pocket, especially a leather blazer or jacket or a heavy canvas jacket. Then if you have to remove your coat, you won't be exposing a belt carried pistol. It also works very well in an ankle rig if you will be sitting or driving a lot. I have looked at both the G30 and G36, and the PM is much better for my needs.

[TheTman]

I have the CW45 and after a trip back to Kahr, it's been functioning flawlessly except for 1. When using 7 round mags, it just doesn't like them, and 2. When using +P ammo it would hang up until Kahr sent a new recoil spring, now it handles everything fed from the 6 round mags. Ian suggest I send the gun and 7 round mags back for evaluation, not sure I want to be without it for a week or two, but just may have too, I like that extra round in the mag. Many people report having great success with Wilson Mags or other mags made for 1911's with feedlips modified so as not to contact the slide during shooting.

[Jayta98]

cool. thanks for all the replies. As far a glock 30 it dont bug me the size ans its almost as big as my G23, I will look into the cw45 and pm45 in the future they both look great.

I'm really thinking about the CW9. I have a friend interested in my PF9 and someone locally is selling a CW9 for a good price. Is descrbed as LNIB for $300 with one mag and case. I can get it new for around $400. Any issues with these gun that i need to be concerned with? I only saw one reply about some issues with feeding but apparently got resolved after a trip to Kahr.

[ptoemmes]

Welcome jayta from an also newbie.

Went through a similar decision "struggle" starting with wanting to pocket carry something (Nano, PM/CM9, others) but really wanting a 45 in something and ended up with a P45 for planned IWB carry using a remora.

I am NOT an expert in CCW and I have no practical hands on firing (yet) so you can stop reading now if you want...

I physically compared the PM45 to the P45/CW45 and convinced myself that the P/CW45 was not all that much bigger/heavier than the PM45. Probably bigger/heavier enough, though, to make a marginal PM45 for pocket carry not doable for a P/CW45 - for me. But, what is marginal not doable for one can be da bomb for another.

I also did not want to master the two finger-pinky wrap on the P/CW45, but that's wimpy me. Nor did I want to carry an extended mag for the PM45 to make it three-finger figuring, if I did, then again why not the P/CW45.

In the end you will make the right decision for you and if you get both...

Pete

[Jayta98]

I'm a still a glock guy mostly as far reliability not because of their "perfection" (because they really are not when I bought my brand new out of the box G30 SF and it jammed multiple times) but because they had never failed me since i got them. Thats how I ended up with my G21 because I returned the G30SF and they offer exchange. After some research it turned out the SF models have alot of issues. The downfall with glock is that they are way too big for something close to pocket carry. I still love my glock but is really uncomfortable to sit at the movies or a restaurant for 2 hrs with a glock in my IWB holster. That's were the PF9 shines. I use the small side clip and it like is not there. The only problem with my PF9 is reliability. I had issues at the beginning and after a trip to keltec it looks like it got resolved but I need more rounds to trust it. It is still a great gun but I will like something better as far as reliable.

[Jayta98]

Im already liking this site. Looks like lots of good people in here. It kinda sucks that i like glocks so much but the glocks sites that i joined are not that helpful...

[MW surveyor]

Jayta98 - Welcome to the forum. We really take all kinds here. (Even people that like glocks) I'd imagine that the majority of the people here have more than one brand of handgun. I know that I have four different makers and I'm in the minority of handgun owners.

In any event, that $300 for a LNIB CW9 sounds like a good deal. I've got a CW9 that I've had for a year now and have over 3,000 rounds through it without any problems that were not induced by my reloads. (and damned few of those either). I pocket carry the gun 95% of the time. Sure it is just a little big but it does fit as long as you are not wearing really tight jeans.

[jocko]

Im already liking this site. Looks like lots of good people in here. It kinda sucks that i like glocks so much but the glocks sites that i joined are not that helpful...

big differene in this forum THAN ANY OTHER FORUM. Been on many myself, now down to only this one..

[O'Dell]

big differene in this forum THAN ANY OTHER FORUM. Been on many myself, now down to only this one..

How many of those OTHER FORUMS banned you? :D

My record is two outright bans and one 'Don't come back'.

[OldLincoln]

big differene in this forum THAN ANY OTHER FORUM. Been on many myself, now down to only this one..
He just says that because he hasn't been banned here - YET!!!! :)

[jocko]

now u make a damn good point there to. On the others, I have managed to resign from the forum just days before the BAN button was hit.

Naw God's truth, never been banned but come so close a few times on other forums that I felt it was best to move on, some I did just that, some I kindly had my name removed on my own accord to let um know that aI was outta there-pronto . I have never ever been abl eto get registered on the Glock Talk forum, tried a dozen times and never beenable to get past the actual registration process. No one will answer any emails as to why or what either, so I guess I should know that someone in the power to be there has kept me from entering thatexclusive bunch of people. Hell all I wanted was to be able to communicate on glocktalk/kahr section. Now that we have this fine forum, fokk GLOCK TALK.

[O'Dell]

now u make a damn good point there to. On the others, I have managed to resign from the forum just days before the BAN button was hit.

Naw God's truth, never been banned but come so close a few times on other forums that I felt it was best to move on, some I did just that, some I kindly had my name removed on my own accord to let um know that aI was outta there-pronto . I have never ever been abl eto get registered on the Glock Talk forum, tried a dozen times and never beenable to get past the actual registration process. No one will answer any emails as to why or what either, so I guess I should know that someone in the power to be there has kept me from entering thatexclusive bunch of people. Hell all I wanted was to be able to communicate on glocktalk/kahr section. Now that we have this fine forum, fokk GLOCK TALK.

Probably no great loss at GT. I did get registered 2 or 3 years ago, but I only lasted a couple of weeks. I think that was the "don't come back".

I don't think I ever learned to play well with others.

[JFootin]

Probably no great loss at GT. I did get registered 2 or 3 years ago, but I only lasted a couple of weeks. I think that was the "don't come back".

I don't think I ever learned to play well with others.

Nah, O'Dell, its just that those bunch of pr|cs over there have never learned to play well with others. You're alright with us!

[kahrinca]

PM45 even smaller and lighter, nothingin its class if a 45 is what ur after, IMO still not pocketable loike a PM9 or even that NANO. I even feel the cw9 is a tad big for the pocket but many carry that way, so what he hell do I know


..

I pocket carry my CW9 in a DeSantis Nemesis without a problem.

[Jayta98]

Well it's been a while and I still haven't purchase a Kahr. I know shame on me. I talked to a LEO today that works at my staion. He carries a PM9 BD and gave a lot of real good feedback on it. he even showed to me and broke down. The gun feel awesome and has a nice trigger pull. I might get me the PM9 instead of the CW9.

[Tinman507]

Seriously take a look at the CM9 if you were sold on the CW9 at one time.
You're going to pay a lot more for the PM9. CM9 is the same physical size and weight without some of the bellls & whistles for generally $200 less.

[Jayta98]

yeah i realize I will pay more. I going to get some qoute since I can get LEO discount. whats the main differences? they are the same size. The only things I see is the barrel is different and the front sight in pinned in front sight. I dont mind paying a little extra if is worth it. I want something that will last and it reliable which is hard to find in sub compact guns these days.

[jocko]

what tinman507 stated is dead right. te cm9 is far lessmoney and basically the same exact gun. It is a real steal IMO>

[Jayta98]

There is a guy selling an used PM9 for $500. Of course I havent seen it so I don't know the condition but he claims he had put 3 boxes of ammo. Comes with everything.

[JFootin]

There is a guy selling an used PM9 for $500. Of course I havent seen it so I don't know the condition but he claims he had put 3 boxes of ammo. Comes with everything.

That sounds good, although you can get a CM9 with a LEO discount for well under $400 with a 5 year warranty. The PM9 is the way to go if you want the black finish or night sights. It also has a second mag that is extended to 7 shots, but a lot of people don't like them and ask Kahr to exchange them for a 6 rounder.

They are essentially the same gun, so decide if you want any of those features that are only on the PM9 and whether it is worth the difference in price. You will be very pleased with either gun! IMO, they are the best concealed carry, and even pocketable, guns on the market. Thin, light weight, great long smooth trigger, low recoil for such a small gun, and a real quality gun. You will never wear one out. One of our long time members, Jocko, has put over 32,000 rounds through his PM9, and it is in his front pocket every day. They are tight when new, and become incredibly smooth performers with a few hundred rounds through them.

[jocko]

buy the cm9, warranty is priceless - sometimes.

[Jayta98]

That sounds good, although you can get a CM9 with a LEO discount for well under $400 with a 5 year warranty. The PM9 is the way to go if you want the black finish or night sights. It also has a second mag that is extended to 7 shots, but a lot of people don't like them and ask Kahr to exchange them for a 6 rounder.

They are essentially the same gun, so decide if you want any of those features that are only on the PM9 and whether it is worth the difference in price. You will be very pleased with either gun! IMO, they are the best concealed carry, and even pocketable, guns on the market. Thin, light weight, great long smooth trigger, low recoil for such a small gun, and a real quality gun. You will never wear one out. One of our long time members, Jocko, has put over 32,000 rounds through his PM9, and it is in his front pocket every day. They are tight when new, and become incredibly smooth performers with a few hundred rounds through them.

Thanks for the input. I can get the CM9 for $437 out the door new with LEO discount. The PM9 $645 out the door new also. I really don't care for cosmetics. I'm more concern with recoil, trigger pull(feeling) and maybe adding night sights. I believe the barrels are different on these meaning the CM9 is cheaper made but i will think it should last a while. I know kahr has a front night sight upgrade for the CM9 and i think I can install a rear night sight?

Im kinda of tired of my Keltec PF9 and 380. I want something more solid and reliable. I might take a drive and look at the PM9 and CM9 to get a feeling for them and decide.

[Jayta98]

buy the cm9, warranty is priceless - sometimes.

so i hear you are mr 32k. thats impressive.

[JFootin]

Here is the Trijicon sight set for the CM9 at Kahr:
http://www.kahr.com/Sights/Kahr-CWCM-Trijicon-Night-Sights.asp (There is an installation instructions document available there. They say you need a sight pusher.)

The front sight is an easy install, but the rear sight on these Kahrs can be a real bear and will probably need fitting (you need to know what you are doing). Warming up the slide will make it easier to push the old one off. That and cooling the new sight in the freezer can help to get it on. But if you have no experience doing it, send the slide to kahr by insured US Mail and they will install them and guarantee their work:

Sight Installation Service
Installation of sights performed by a factory technician.
$40.00 plus the cost of sights. + S&H ($25.00)
A heads up: XS is getting ready to release a Big Dot sight for the CW/CM series.

[Jayta98]

Here is the Trijicon sight set for the CM9 at Kahr:
http://www.kahr.com/Sights/Kahr-CWCM-Trijicon-Night-Sights.asp (There is an installation instructions document available there. They say you need a sight pusher.)

The front sight is an easy install, but the rear sight on these Kahrs can be a real bear and will probably need fitting (you need to know what you are doing). Warming up the slide will make it easier to push the old one off. That and cooling the new sight in the freezer can help to get it on. But if you have no experience doing it, send the slide to kahr by insured US Mail and they will install them and guarantee their work:

Sight Installation Service
Installation of sights performed by a factory technician.
$40.00 plus the cost of sights. + S&H ($25.00)
A heads up: XS is getting ready to release a Big Dot sight for the CW/CM series.

Thanks for the info.