[Scarpia]

Hi...a frivolous posting I know but there's more coming. I acquired a PM9 several weeks ago at a local shop, I wasn't looking a Kahr of any caliber but stumbled across a used MA compliant PM9, put it in my hand and knew I wanted that gun. Out the door at $348 ($319,+sales tax), after a 10 day wait, I finally took possession of it but could not shoot it for a few weeks due to covid-19 range closure. Once I fired that gun, I became a Kahr believer, what a sweat, accurate shooter! Next up I knew would be a CW45 or PM45. Found a CW45 on GB (several always posted) with a starting bid of $300, no bidders, none, zero...auction expired and the seller reposted with a starting bid again of 300 bucks. This time, I bid that 300 and waited. I won the auction, not one bid but mine, she has shipped at $339 (300,+3%CC,+ shipping). Are these guns so bad that no one would even consider them but me? The fit and finish, not to mention the accuracy, of the PM9 is truly impressive so why not the same for the CW45? Every YT video I have seen on the CW45 or any Kahr model raves about the gun. What am I missing here?

I'll take possession of the CW45 in about two weeks, shipping + 10 day wait and when I do and get her to the range, I'll add a range report to this post. Meanwhile, I'll shop around for an 'officer's' magazine for that extra round, suggestions?

PM9, Hogue Sig P365 grip sleeve, Magguts +1 mag spring/follower, Pearce grip extender

Sportsman's Warehouse has the CW45 listed at $369 so my final GB price $339 +$25(transfer fee)+sales tax ($33) = $397 is still less than their price (369+tax~405).

 

[spentcase]

I think Kahrs are falling victim to the increasing availability of easy to rack guns. My LGS guy tells me that he can't move them because anyone who handles one complains of the stiffness of the action. Of course his shelves are nearly empty now but he still says he won't take any more in on trade.

I use ArachnaGrips on mine and it helps immensely but there are still many guns out there that are easier to manipulate.

Also, the trends towards SA striker fired guns seems to be growing. While at one time Kahr carved a niche for itself with its smooth DA pull of its guns, at a time when there weren't a lot of other small and easily concealable semi autos out there, that time has passed, and people find they like the SA triggers on other small striker fired guns preferable. Which leaves nice examples at a great price available for you, me, and (some), others.

Oh, and then there's the capacity thing...

Just my $.04

 

[Higgy Baby]

I agree with spentcase...for new users nowdays the Kahrs are a bit stiff. They are still fine guns though....just not for everyone.
Many folks (since March 20) have recently purchased their first handgun ever, and as you can easily see- most gun shelves are empty. The more popular stuff is gone within a few hours after hitting the shelf.

I like my CW9 and CT380. Both are still in my rotation group.

 

[Scarpia]

Yeah, I agree with both posts above. But if the three of us, indeed, everyone on this forum are Kahr fan boys, why is it that few if any bids are offered on GB for at least the CW45? I'm not complaining, just making an observation. Heck, if the prices stay low, I'll just continue adding Kahr's to my collection like I have with other guns. I recently completed the entire series of the Ruger SR guns: SR45, SR9, SR40, SR9C, SR40C.

I find it ironic that many will carry a 5 or 6 round revolver yet shy away from a 5+1 semi. My plan is to replace the Kahr 6+1 magazine with an 7 round 1911 Officer's magazine and possibly an 8 rounder if it's out there. I'll see what's in my 1911 box of magazines and figure that one out after I take possession. Eight 45ACP slugs is awesome by any standard. I'm sure that we all know, and it has been documented, that three rounds in a real shooting is typical. Stay tuned...

 

[spentcase]

I don't see myself so much a Kahr fan boy, as an admirer of all nice guns. If I only bought Kahrs, or bought every one that I see selling for less than it should I wouldn't have the funds for the other brands that I have bought. :grin:

 

[vmr357]

The PM9 is a great little gun. As you said nicely sized, easy to shoot and accurate. I think there are couple of things working against it. It's a small brand that doesn't take up a lot of shelf space in the stores. The slide is a little stiff and if you are a newbie who doesn't understand how things work, you don't see that as the advantage it really is. But I think the real problem is magazine capacity. I've got both the PM9 and a P9, but I've been tempted by the Sig P365xl.

Keep us posted on the .45. I've got a friend with a CW45. He likes it, but it seems to tumble it's bullets on our short range, indoor lanes.

 

[Scarpia]

My transfer FFL received the CW45 yesterday so I was at least able to put it in my hand. I won't take possession of it for 10-12 days thanks to the new WA state gun laws. It felt great in-hand and I am super anxious to pop off a few rounds with it. I'm now looking for the best 7 round magazine. From what I've been reading and watching YT videos, the ACT Officer's magazine is a good choice.

As far as magazine capacity goes, I personally am not hung up over that. I'm not against carrying a 6 round revolver (Rossi 462 SS 357) so why should I not carry a 6 round 45ACP? The reality is that in a real confrontation, 3 rounds is typical, plus with a small 5 or 6 round magazine it is easy to carry a spare.

Back to my PM9, I replaced the ugly short Kahr +1 magazine extension with the Lakeline extension for a better fit to hand plus I installed the Magguts +1 spring and follower to the Kahr 7 round mag. It is now 8+1, looks and feels great so I'm carrying the PM9 with 9 rounds. I'll post a pix of later.

https://lakelinellc.com/shop/magazine-sleeve-and-base-plate-to-fit-9mm-kahr-1-round-extended-magazines/

 

[Scarpia]

It's official, I took possession of my recently acquired CW45 (GB $300). I've shot about 60-70 rounds through it, that is, when it manages to chamber a round. Being a used gun (super clean), I have no idea how many rounds have been down the pipe. There's plenty of videos and postings on how to correct or improve the function of the extractor which apparently is the reason it won't chamber a round. (The case rim fails to get under the extractor causing the cartridge to hang up). I disassembled the extractor assembly, took about 0.020" off the front extractor post (rear side that touches the spring, not the beveled front that engages the extractor) so the extractor opens farther allowing the rim to slip under completely. I have hand cycled many rounds and will take it to my range today for a test. When it did fire, it was a sweet shooter as expected. Stay tuned...

I also got a Kimber 1911 Compact 7 round magazine (Kimber #1000173A, Stainless, flush bottom plate). I had to grind the lips of the magazine so they don't interfere with the slide, plus I added Hogue's Ruger Security Nine (Regular, not Compact) grip sleeve which gives the gun a robust feel in hand. This Kimber magazine's follower does engage the slide stop so it should remain open after the last round.

CW45 with Kimber magazine and Hogue Security Nine Regular grip sleeve, PM9 with Security Nine Compact grip sleeve.

https://store.kimberamerica.com/7-round-stainless-steel-magazine-compact

 

[Scarpia]

Went to my range this morning and popped off a bunch of rounds through the CW45. The results were so-so. Still some failures to chamber a round requiring a push on the slide so the extractor engages the brass rim. In all fairness to the gun, it did unload an entire magazine for maybe 40% of the time. This isn't good 'nuff for me, I won't settle for less than 100% functionality. After I brought the gun home, I removed the extractor and filed the area that engages the brass's rim, I polished every surface I had access to. I removed more material from the round end of the extractor push rod and polished that too. Reassembled the slide and hand cycled many rounds all of which were snagged by the extractor like it is supposed to do. I won't be able to test at the range until Wednesday so I'll post a range report then. Stay tuned...

 

[ron54]

Looks like you did a great job there ...... hopefully it did the trick ...... congrats on the gun by the way !!


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[Scarpia]

Good news! I made it to the range yesterday and put about 40 rounds downrange with the CW45, NO issues this time. Shortening the front extractor rod, rounding the extractor's sharp corner and buffing all contactor surfaces seems to have done the trick. I used both 185 and 230 grain bullets with Bullseye and my go-to 45 powder, Alliant Reddot. The Kimber magazine, however, needs work. The follower actually popped out of the magazine and went down range, not far but I had to call for a cease fire to get it, HA! I'll use small dabs of JB Weld to secure the follower to the spring where they contact, that will secure it in place. Once I get that fixed, I'll get more rounds down range then put it in the carry rotation.

 

[Asimmonds]

Great work on that 45. I agree with everything said before. Especially about the trigger being a main reason why the Kahrs don't sell that well. My LGS has also stopped supporting the brand. I was attracted to my CM9 because of the low weight but I love everything about it including that sweet shooting trigger. What I have noticed at the range though is that when you go through the drills no matter how good your grip and mechanics are because of the "slow" trigger and the short barrel you have to concentrate really hard to get effective shots on target. With the newer guns recoil control is easier and shooting more accurate. Your sights just come back on target faster and with less effort. So people shy away from the Kahrs. I, however, love the feel of my CM9 and CW380. If my groups are a little bigger than with some other guns as long as they stay in that combat effective zone I get to have the best of both worlds. I'll always be a Kahr fan.

 

[ron54]

Just a side comment in agreement with above poster..... for me the Kahrs are self defense weapons, and as such while accuracy is important I don’t really consider them to be bullseye target shooters .... just my own opinion ?


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[spentcase]

I agree. They are the proper tool for the right job (ie close quarter self defense). And for the most part that job's description does not include distances over a "self-defense" scenario's reasonable expected distance.

 

[FR8TRAIN]

Newbie here. I just picked up my first Kahr firearm earlier this month, a CW45 I got off of GB for $369. After following the pre-range break in (cleaned & lubed, rack the slide about 300 times, locked the slide back and left it for a couple of days), I ran 150 rounds through it without a single FTF, stovepipe or any other malfunction. Just fell in love with it. Took a bit to get use to this little cannon but now, my accuracy has improved tremendously given I haven't picked up a handgun in over 25 years.

 

[spentcase]

That is indeed a little cannon. Good to hear it worked out well for you. Welcome to the board!

 

[ron54]

Well done ... while the CW45 is a little hand cannon, it should be a smooth shooter as that caliber is a low pressure round and is comfortable to shoot .....


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[Scarpia]

Well, it's been a long time since the last posting, the world continues to go nutso, Covid, Ukraine, where does it end?
Anyhow, I have since acquired a Kahr K9 Elite '98. The pix, clockwise left to right, is the CW45, K9 '98 and the PM9.

The CW45 continues to shoot flawlessly since I did my fixes. The PM9 has always shot out of the box perfectly as does the K9 '98. I found the K9 at a local shop and gave them big bucks, used, out the door at $660. No regrets, she's an amazing shooter plus has nearly the best feel in-hand as any of my guns. Next up will be a K40, if I can find one or possibly a MK40, no decbision yet. The K9 elite models are highly polished SS with the improved (shorter pull trigger). Since 1998, all Kahr triggers went to the short pull so the newer "elites" have other improvements or refinements.

 

[Scarpia]

Update...I did something I thought I'd never do, I bought a freakin' GLOCK (G27, Gen3, 40S&W)!! Yep, inspired by the design of the Kahr trigger, that is, to complete the striker spring compression then release the sear, I discovered that's the same method Glock uses in their "safe action" trigger/striker. It appears Justin copied or was inspired by Gaston's method and used it in his K9. Glock uses the long straight pull of the trigger to compress the striker spring whereas Kahr takes advantage of the rotary action of the "cam". Rotating the cam takes less trigger pull to get the same amount of compression as the Glock's long straight pull. The result is the same spring compression in a smaller package. Brilliant. I'd bet that the boys at Glock are asking themselves 'why didn't we think of that'??

(Re-G27: I'm in the ten day wait period where the State of Washington goes through my approval process. We used to be able to lay down the cash and walk out with a new gun if you had a CCW permit but the rules have changed. The state now has to verify you are not accused of domestic violence or a host of other bad things. The fact that you already might own a gun doesn't matter. I guess if you are prone to do bad stuff, you need a new gun to be a threat. I can understand a background check for a new gun owner but for someone who already owns a gun, it make s zero sense. It's truly amazing the logic these politicians and anti-2A crowd use.)

Meanwhile, the K40 project will have to wait until the play money stash gets replenished.

 

[spentcase]

I feel your pain. Makes even less sense when you go into the store legally carrying your concealed pistol.

I liked my G27, for a time. Ended up selling the Glocks off though. Maybe yours will stay with you longer.