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Dredly
Junior Member
USA
108 Posts |
 Posted - 07/04/2008 : 22:01:54
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Took my wife's new Kahr CW9 for its break in shooting, went with a buddy of mine who is brand new to pistol shooting and also took my RIA 1911 for some more trigger time.
The good:
Recoil was VERY acceptable for quick shooting, This was a huge concern as the CW9 is very light and slim. I was able to quickly get back on target and was able to fire rapidly reliably.
Sights, while not night sights, did work very well for rapid target aiming. There is the standard sights but they also have a white stripe down the center of the rear sight and the front blade (not my pic)
We went through about 100 rounds relatively slowly just to ensure feeding was not an issue with the mag it came with and a second mag I purchased, then we went to faster shooting. 0 failures of any kind. Every round went bang. Both mags dropped clear very easily. I was also a bit concerned with the slide as it is a little difficult to release when the gun is empty, this isn't a problem at all when there is a loaded mag in the gun.
The grip was excellent, I was concerned with how slim it was however this was not an issue at all, the grip length was excellent as well, very surprising for a compact weapon designed for carry.
Cons:
The sights are off, my buddy and I were both hitting the same place... to the left about 3 inches. I need to adjust the sight. Not sure how it managed to get out of the factory like this
Ammo capacity of course... its a single stack 9mm... ammo capacity is always going to suffer for slim profile.
The trigger is a little strange, I'm used to SA so the DA trigger was a little longer then I'm used to, didn't take long to get used to it though.
Overall I'm extremely satisfied with the CW9. The profile is excellent for carrying IWB however it also slim enough to fit in a pocket in a pinch. The total price for me was under 420 (PA has a lot of stupid fees added to it and taxes). If anyone is looking for a new CCW weapon definately check out the CW line! |
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Drew
Advanced Member
USA
3240 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 02:27:15
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| Nice review. I like Khar alright, but they are actually too small for me. |
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Tim
Junior Member
302 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 10:56:03
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| I've got 600 rounds through mine now with no problems. Definitely an easy gun to conceal and shoot! I want to try it with a slip-on grip though, as I think it may be a little small for my hand as well. |
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mattinglyt
Watchdog
USA
11937 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 12:19:09
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Judging from the picture the sights are drift adjustable. I cannot see if there is a set screw or a stake hole. If not you only need a non marking punch to lighly hammer it over. Or any good gunsmith can do this for you, they should also have a sight press that you put the slide in a non marking vise and uses a screw press to push the sights over a little.
Good Review also, we are looking at possibilities for my wife. |
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Drew
Advanced Member
USA
3240 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 12:27:32
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| Khar sites are indeed drift adjustable. |
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Drew
Advanced Member
USA
3240 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 12:29:23
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| I am looking at one of these for my wife as well actually. Anyone else have any testimonials as to their experience with the CW9 or CW40? |
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holycow
Average Member
546 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 12:36:53
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quote:
Originally posted by Drew
I am looking at one of these for my wife as well actually. Anyone else have any testimonials as to their experience with the CW9 or CW40?
When me and the misses went shopping for her 9mm, the khar was what we actually went to go check out. Once there and we were able to handle it, cycle the action, and talk to the people that actually sell them all day, we decided it was a no go. Quality of the firearm seemed very sub-par, the action was choppy and unprecise, and from what I have heard from both of the gun stores in my area, is that more of them come back then stay sold.
We moved right on over to the XDs :) |
"Those without swords, can still die upon them" - J.R.R. Tolkien |
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Dredly
Junior Member
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 16:00:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Drew
I am looking at one of these for my wife as well actually. Anyone else have any testimonials as to their experience with the CW9 or CW40?
Did the same thing as HolyCow... went looking for a gun we could both shoot. My wife is about average size and hand size / strength.
We went to a local shop looking specifically for a CCW weapon, checked out the PF9 from keltec and it was garbage, she didn't like the width of the grip or the angle on the baby glock and I hated the length of the grip (yeah I know you can add the extension but that kind of ruins the purpose).
We looked at the Xd but I just didn't really like it in Sub-Compact and this had to do double duty for shootability and living in a purse... I don't know if it was how close the end of the barrel was to my grip (just being stupid I know but...) or the look, she didn't like the grip either and has a little trouble reaching the trigger and pulling it.
He showed us a CW45 and it was pefect. It fit her hand very well, it was long enough for me to hold all my fingers on and it was extremly thin, which makes it perfect for carrying in a purse or in a pocket.
The 45 would probably have been a bit to much kick so we went with the CW9. and it does its job of hiding very well. I've carried it a few times in a cheap holster that we bought for in her purse and it is so light you don't even know its there after a few minutes, no worries of printing at all, I've also carried it in the pockets of my cargo shorts while hiking a few times and once again, no issues at all.
The slide did have me a bit concerned... it isn't easy to let down on an empty chamber, according to Kahr that is a feature of some sort to prevent pistol damage... no idea. but on a loaded mag it drops without an issue at all.
Also no real safety and DA Only may be a concern to some but its as safe as any other DA out there.
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Tim
Junior Member
302 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 16:31:08
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| Dredly, the slide release is only hard to press when the magazine is empty and still in the gun. If you drop the magazine out or reload it and put it back in, the slide is easy to release. Kahr states this is intentional to let the shooter know he has just put in an empty magazine if reloading in a hurry and accidentally put in an empty magazine. |
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Dredly
Junior Member
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 16:34:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Tim
Dredly, the slide release is only hard to press when the magazine is empty and still in the gun. If you drop the magazine out or reload it and put it back in, the slide is easy to release. Kahr states this is intentional to let the shooter know he has just put in an empty magazine if reloading in a hurry and accidentally put in an empty magazine.
Yup, I mentioned that, it worried me at first until I looked in the manual (who really reads the directions before racking the slide?) |
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wvshooter
Junior Member
USA
366 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 20:52:16
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Congrats on the Kahr. I've had my CW9 for a little over a year with lots of rounds downrange. The light weight and slim profile of the Kahr's make them hard to beat for CC. I bought mine used and it has always been dead on accurate from the get go. Of course it's not a target gun but that's not needed for self defense work.
I've noticed I am most accurate when I place the last pad of my trigger finger over the trigger as opposed to resting the first finger joint over the trigger. Doing this feels a little awkward due to the thinness of the grip but it pays dividends in accuracy. |
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Stdole
New Member
USA
98 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 21:00:26
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| I do not think the model CW9 sight is adjustable on the front end at least.. I have the P-40 and K-40 and P-9... but to my recollection the sights are permanent on the CW.. |
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Tim
Junior Member
302 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 21:42:59
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| CW sights are only adjustable in the rear. Which does the job, not sure about the need to be adjustable in both places... |
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Drew
Advanced Member
USA
3240 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2008 : 23:18:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Tim
CW sights are only adjustable in the rear. Which does the job, not sure about the need to be adjustable in both places...
Once again, the sight are drift adjustable. not elevation adjustable. just drift. |
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mattinglyt
Watchdog
USA
11937 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2008 : 00:00:37
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You should never really need to adjust the front sight on any pistol other than to make sure it is centered. All of your windage adjustments should generally take place on the rear sight. Move the rear sight in the direction you want the bullet to go. For example, if you're shooting low, raise the rear sight. If you're shooting left, move the rear sight to the right.
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sidroski
Advanced Member
USA
2521 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2008 : 01:06:14
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| I had a Kahr on loan from my son and when I gave it back he included it in a trade. I would have given him whatever he got in trade, great pocket pistol or a bug. I don't think I would even use the sights if someone was right on me. |
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DogRanger
New Member
86 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2008 : 21:03:41
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| My MK9 and PM9 both run great. I carry the MK9 90% of the time. |
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Barry in IN
Advanced Member
3178 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2008 : 22:12:30
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Nice review.
Some comments about things that have been mentioned (in the review and since):
I carry a PM9 Covert everday.
I find the length of the trigger pull hard to describe. It's obviously longer than a SA, and feels shorter than a typical DA, but not like Glock short either. It's kind of a good balance really: Long enough to feel OK about carrying in the pocket, and short enough to shoot well.
I was pleasantly surprised with the control and recoil also. It's pretty enjoyable to shoot.
Slide stop: I don't use them to release the slide, so never noticed it being a problem. I use the overhand slide pull-back realease (works the same on every gun). The lower rear corner of the slide stop has a too-sharp edge for me though, and cut my thumb before I rounded it off.
FWIW, I think the grip feels like a tiny Browning HiPower. It's much thinner and smaller overall, but the backstrap hump and general shape feels HiPower-ish in my hand. That may matter little to most, but since I usually carry a HiPower, it's nice for me.
My first one (MK9) had a few cases where the slide failed to close fully. I traded it off.
The second one, the PM9 Covert, has been trouble-free. I've been carrying it daily for close to four years now. I am a S&W J-frame nut, and never thought anything would force a J-frame out of my pocket, but this Kahr did. I can shoot it a LOT better, plus it has more ammo in it, is more controllable, has better sights, I think the trigger is better (but some don't), reloads are quicker and easier, etc. But just the fact that I shoot it better is reason enough. |
"I like marksmanship and think it is a good judge of character. A good shot is almost always a good man, because shooting calls for self-control, and self-control is one of the important aspects of a good man."
-Col. Jeff Cooper |
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andersmg
Junior Member
USA
125 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2008 : 19:11:38
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I have my CW40 on as I type this, in a IWB CTAC MTAC and I really enjoy carrying and shooting this gun! It is my summer carry because it is so slim, the recoil is subjective but the 40 is no problem for me to shoot at all. I also own a PM9 and I carry it when I need more concealment or if I am dressing a little nicer than my normal attire. I can shoot either gun well enough to suit me and headshots are no problem at self defense distances. I also own a glock 23 and 27 and carry them as well but not as much in the summer, I like them all for different reasons and they give me options for carry so I can change them up or carry multiple weapons if need be.
I would highly recommend the CW series Kahrs for their price,quality and dependability after break in. |
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Guns and more
New Member
65 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2008 : 20:31:47
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quote:
I was also a bit concerned with the slide as it is a little difficult to release when the gun is empty, this isn't a problem at all when there is a loaded mag in the gun.
I have the PM-9 and the manual states that the slide release is very difficult to release with an empty magazine in the gun. Release the magazine and the slide will cycle easily. Or replace the empty mag with a full one and it will cycle easily also. Nothing to worry about. |
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ppro
Starting Member
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2008 : 19:19:27
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I can't find much fault with my CW 9, it's digested 100 percent of every type of duty load, and handload I have tried in it. Accuracy is ok, design is good, weight and size are good. I really can't ask for more with out giving up something balanced out in the CW 9 equation.
What would I change on it if I could ? Nothing really....all things considered. |
Paul |
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Terry
Starting Member
1 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2008 : 22:02:43
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| We bought a CW9 for my wife and she liked it well enough but she thought 9mm was a little to powerful for her to control. At 4'11" I could understand that, so we got her a Sig P232 380 cal. which she loves. I have started using the Kahr CW9 as a ccw because it just disappears in an IWB holster. I wore it today with just a cotton pull over short sleeve shirt and it was undetectable. It doesn't replace my Warthog 45 but it is a good back up when needed. Of all the times I've taken it to the range (to many to count) and all the rounds that I have put through it, I have never had a misfire, jam or failure to fire. I feel very confident that if needed, it will work the first time every time. |
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Stoble
Junior Member
USA
266 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2008 : 13:29:55
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| Dredly, sorry to hear the PF9 was "garbage". To each his own but this gun has a lot of happy followers. It is not meant to be a pretty gun just a small CCW with 9mm cal. I have carried one most of this summer and it has been very impressive. I did the recommended polishing inside the gun and it has never had a single failure. The accuracy is very good and much better than I expected. The PF9 is the most comfortable gun I have carried and all I use is a clip from Clipdraw. No added bulk for a holster and quick on and off carry. It looks cheap and it was for just $275.00 out the door. Best money I have spent on concealed carry. Not pretty like my highly polished S&W or impressive like my early model Kimber but mine sure does what it was designed to do. Just wanted to share another view. |
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CRISSLE
Junior Member
USA
127 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2008 : 20:39:05
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| I have around 1000 rounds through my CW9 and not one failure. I absolutly love it, it conceals well and it is light weight. If you carry a reload with it and good +p ammo it should suit anyone just fine far a compact carry gun |
NRA ENDOWMENT MEMBER
LIVE FREE OR DIE |
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zonker1986
Advanced Member
USA
8191 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2008 : 02:58:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Stoble
It looks cheap and it was for just $275.00 out the door. Best money I have spent on concealed carry. Not pretty like my highly polished S&W or impressive like my early model Kimber but mine sure does what it was designed to do. Just wanted to share another view.
Couldn't bring myself to drop $450 on a gun for my pocket so I passed on the CW9.
I like my PF-9 so much I decided to buy another piece of "garbage", the Kel-tec P11 ($249). These are now my two "always" guns along with my Glock 19. Diamonds in the rough...... |
...7 Round Mag Limit? Silly Politicians!! |
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Tim
Junior Member
302 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2008 : 08:59:03
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| $450 is waay too much, I paid $359 for mine, but you should be able to find them under $400. |
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Topic |
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Kahr CW9 - Review
