Shield 9 vs. Kahr CW9

Agreed the trigger is awful... at this point i'm actually debating on whether to do apex or just go back to the glock 27 as my carry.
 
Even though this thread is almost a year old I'll throw in my 2 cents.

I own a Shield, Compact and FS all in 9. I like them, I like them a LOT.

However lately when I reach into the safe for my EDC of the day it is more than likely going to be my Kahr CW9 or CW380. I always poo-poohed Kahrs until I actually handled a few. Once you get used to the long butter smooth trigger you get hooked.

In fact I'm looking to add a CW45 soon. My hope is to find a used one as a lot of folks will buy a Kahr and never quite like the trigger and trade it in. That's how I got my CW9 for less $$.

Thumbs up for Kahrs in my book
 
Mumbleypeg1 said:
Glad you like the Kahr. My son had one before he sold it a while back. IMHO you don't need $92 of parts for the Shield trigger. I can't understand why anyone wants to spend money on a trigger kit before even shooting 200+ rounds down range. Then if you still don't like it, knock yourself out tuning it up. My recently purchased Shield has a much improved trigger versus my older 9c, so much so that I don't plan to do anything to it. As for the "fit in the hand" that is subjective. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I much prefer the Shield, not even close. It just points naturally for me. As for accuracy, at least with me shooting, the Shield wins. I'm sure you can easily recoup your money on the Shield, maybe even make a profit. Better hurry though, before the " pop-gun-culture" fades!
Click to expand...

You also run the risk of getting picked apart by a legal defense attorney regarding your "intent" to shoot someone if you upgrade your trigger, add a crimson trace laser, etc. Not saying it sticks, but more and more, I read or hear anecdotes regarding this topic.

I'm stock, other than changing out the sights for TruGlos.
 
I have both and both are great firearms. Can't complain about the kahr or shield. The kahr with the flush mag is a little longer in the grip thou. They hang out about 1/8" where the shield is flush. Easier to conceal my shield.
 
I have both just shot them yesterday I bought the Shield because I love the trigger on my M&Pc9 and was hoping the shield trigger would be as good and it is.The CW9 & CM9 (have both) are great but I can't get use to the lone trigger pull or reset so I'll most likely carry the Shield. Everyone has different, say what feels good to them EDC what you shoot and handle best.
SHOOT STRAIGHT BE SAFE
 
Kahr cw9

I just picked up a cw9 new in box for 300 OTD. I had one and traded it for a Ruger sr9c. Its a great gun I carry every day. Its a on the large size but it is a great all round gun. The CW9 is an inbetween gun size. My CW9 I sold was very accurate and I was surprised how it shot out of the box. The shield I was very interested in but could not find one for less then about 400. There is a place near here that had them for 345 plus tax. I bought my Kahr for 275 plus tax. The down side is only one magazine. How much does one mag cost Kahr? 10 dollars? I found one place that sells factory new ones for 27, not too bad.
 
Loved all the six polymer Kahr's I owned...until each one had reliability problems I could not trust my life to. If yours runs fine, go for it. Mine were love affairs gone bad. Loved the grip, trigger and accuracy. Not knowing WHEN it would choke was too much stress. So went with Glocks...until the other day I shot the Shield. Hello dependability and accuracy.
 
dullh said:
My Kahr was $300 even (NIB from Woodbury Outfitters), free shipping, $10 transfer fee upon arrival from an online auction. If you didn't know, the CW9 is the economy model Kahr.

The Shield was $519 + tax at a local gun shop.

That's how I figure the Kahr was $200 cheaper.

And, yes, considering what the Shields are going for nowadays (I've seen online auctions asking as much as $700 for them - no way I would pay that), I could sell it and make a profit...but I follow advice from Jeff Cooper I read a long time ago...I don't sell guns, because when you do the gun is gone and sooner than later so is the money you got for it.
Click to expand...
Wow, just bought my Shield last week from Gun Genie for $375+tax.
 
I have a Kahr CW9 and it runs ok. The mags are wonky, and sometimes the first round nosedives, especially the 8 round mag. The mags are well made, but the design holds the top round at a weird angle relative to the round under it. Once I get the first round chambered I have not had a problem.

I strongly considered the Shield and have shot rentals. It has some advantages with dovetailed front site, non-weird mags and a shorter trigger pull. Disadvantages are the higher weight and shorter barrel for a gun that is almost identical in size.

I would like to get one eventually and I really like my M&P 45, gritty take-up and all. I'm not fussy about triggers and I think too much is made about them unless you shoot bullseye. I will agree that pull length affects the ability to shoot rapidly, but I never tried to measure the difference.
 
Wow, makes no sence to me why a guy would talk down about a brand new pistol that he hasnt shot yet. why did you even buy it if you have your mind set that it already needs money invested in it to make it "run better"? If you want to spend $92 bux on a aftermarket trigger because you feel the engineers at S&W are incompetent then that's your choice. Me, I would rather see you spend $92 bux on ammo and then come back & talk to us about how smooth the pistol got after you ran 500 rounds thru it.

The Shield MRSP is $449, the Kahr MRSP is $460


I owned a Kahr CW40 which is very similar to your CW9. And although I did like it initially, it wasnt my cup of tea & I traded it in for a new Shield 40. Although both pistols are nearly the same in size the grip on the kahr with a magazine is about 1/2" longer.

Things I didnt like about the Kahr.

1. Grip was too thin for my hand (i have medium size hands)
2. Front sight is pinned on polymer plastic
3. comes with only one magazine
4. Magazine springs were a b!tch to put back in after disassembly for cleaning & the polymer follower has this silly metal tab in it that protrudes & rubs against the inside of the mag well..
5. There was noticable play (up/down movement) in the rear of the slide when pulling the trigger.
6. there is only one recoil spring that is apart from the recoil guide rod (non captive spring) and it's not the easiest to put back in after cleaning... and finally.
7. Take down on all Kahr's is not difficult but if you're not careful you can damage the slide release spring when reinserting the take down/slide lock lever. That spring by the way is screwed into the polymer frame, if that ever strips out, you're going to have to get the frame replaced...In addition Kahr only has a 5 year warranty and the warranty is not transferable to a new owner if you go to sell it.

Now on to the S&W Shield & why I traded my Kahr for another Shield.

1. S&W lifetime service warranty that is transferable
2. the fit & finish on the Shield is top quaility, no movement of the slide while depressing the trigger.
3. recoil springs are a captive design making it much easier for maintainence
4. Shield's come with two magazines.
5. Shield fits better in my hand...
6. Both front & rear sights are steel
7. Magazines are easier to disassemble & reassemble & are smoother in operation when compared to the Kahr.
8. There are more accessories & holsters available on the market for the Shield's.
9. Take down is much simplier & easier than the Kahr.

What stores can you name sell Kahr magazines? The Academy 2.8 miles from my home stocks S&W mags for many models including the shield every day. Kahr mags cost a few bucks more too ...

Now dont get me wrong, Kahr makes a fine pistol but for the money invested, one is better off with a M&P Shield. I feel the quaility, fit & finish, the extra mag, the much better captive recoil spring, the melanite coating on the slide is the toughest in the industry & the S&W lifetime warranty for the Shield is a no brainer...

I have a Texas CHL & my Shield 40 is what I trust my life with...
 
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CaptRon956 said:
Wow, makes no sence to me why a guy would talk down about a brand new pistol that he hasnt shot yet. why did you even buy it if you have your mind set that it already needs money invested in it to make it "run better"? If you want to spend $92 bux on a aftermarket trigger because you feel the engineers at S&W are incompetent then that's your choice. Me, I would rather see you spend $92 bux on ammo and then come back & talk to us about how smooth the pistol got after you ran 500 rounds thru it.

The Shield MRSP is $449, the Kahr MRSP is $460


I owned a Kahr CW40 which is very similar to your CW9. And although I did like it initially, it wasnt my cup of tea & I traded it in for a new Shield 40. Although both pistols are nearly the same in size the grip on the kahr with a magazine is about 1/2" longer.

Things I didnt like about the Kahr.

1. Grip was too thin for my hand (i have medium size hands)
2. Front sight is pinned on polymer plastic
3. comes with only one magazine
4. Magazine springs were a b!tch to put back in after disassembly for cleaning & the polymer follower has this silly metal tab in it that protrudes & rubs against the inside of the mag well..
5. There was noticable play (up/down movement) in the rear of the slide when pulling the trigger.
6. there is only one recoil spring that is apart from the recoil guide rod (non captive spring) and it's not the easiest to put back in after cleaning... and finally.
7. Take down on all Kahr's is not difficult but if you're not careful you can damage the slide release spring when reinserting the take down/slide lock lever. That spring by the way is screwed into the polymer frame, if that ever strips out, you're going to have to get the frame replaced...In addition Kahr only has a 5 year warranty and the warranty is not transferable to a new owner if you go to sell it.

Now on to the S&W Shield & why I traded my Kahr for another Shield.

1. S&W lifetime service warranty that is transferable
2. the fit & finish on the Shield is top quaility, no movement of the slide while depressing the trigger.
3. recoil springs are a captive design making it much easier for maintainence
4. Shield's come with two magazines.
5. Shield fits better in my hand...
6. Both front & rear sights are steel
7. Magazines are easier to disassemble & reassemble & are smoother in operation when compared to the Kahr.
8. There are more accessories & holsters available on the market for the Shield's.

What stores can you name sell Kahr magazines? The Academy 2.8 miles from my home stocks S&W mags for many models including the shield every day. Kahr mags cost a few bucks more too ...

Now dont get me wrong, Kahr makes a fine pistol but for the money invested, one is better off with a M&P Shield. I feel the quaility, fit & finish, the extra mag, the much better captive recoil spring, the melanite coating on the slide is the toughest in the industry & the S&W lifetime warranty for the Shield is a no brainer...

I have a Texas CHL & my Shield 40 is what I trust my life with...
Click to expand...
The mag purchase thing is different everywhere. None of my stores carry Shield or Kahr mags unless it's just some off chance they got a few. Otherwise it's Sig 226, 220, Glock and M&P
 
Either will get the job done

Really can't go wrong with either, I've found when comparing just about any other quality EDC against a Kahr it all comes down whether one likes, tolerates, or hates the Kahr triggers.

I was an early adopter of the PM9 and it is my summertime EDC. In colder months I transition to an XDs .45. I also have a CW9 and love it as much as my PM9 but will probably "move it along" because it really doesn't fit into my rotation. I'm in the camp that loves the Kahr triggers. I love the smoothness and the predictable break you get with the Kahrs. Now, I will admit there have been times when I've recently transitioned from the XDs that I have short stroked the Kahr trigger. That aside, my Kahrs have been Uber reliable and I'm a fan of Kahrs in general.

On the flip side my nightstand gun is a 40c and I also have a Pro 9 5". I love the M&P line and they have their place with me as well, just not as carry pieces. My EDC must be small, even pocket-able in the warmer months. It also must be at least a 9mm. So in conclusion, if you like or tolerate the Kahr trigger it's hard to beat a PM/CM9 for carry period. If you are moving up to something the size of a Shield then the Shield would probably get my vote even though the CW9 is a great value. Also worth considering, with the Shield there is better aftermarket support especially regarding sights and trigger upgrades.
 
I bought my Shield for $362 without the thumb safety and good have purchased the Shield with the thumb safety for $349.99. As far as what Hickok45 likes, he likes the trigger on the Shield just fine and recently stated that he purchased one for himself and has been carrying it. I just purchased mine and have ordered 1,000 rounds of 124 grain 9mm ammo from Freedom Ammunition and will see how I like the trigger after putting 200 to 500 rounds through the gun. Right now it doesn't feel bad to me and is actually better than the one that came with my M&P Pro that had a 7 lb. trigger pull (per specs, should have been 4 - 5 1/2) but rather than sending it back to S&W I went for the Apex FSS trigger kit to also reduce the travel. I had rented a Kahr and I thought that the trigger pull was way more than what I have with the Shield right now. I have large hands but the Shield feels just fine, especially with the extended mag, and between the grip and the trigger, I'm now selling my XDS. Anyway, it's all personal preferences regarding guns and the Kahr and Shield are both fine guns. However, I think you got ripped off on what you paid for your Shield. The only place I've seen that price is at Cabela's. Regards, Elliot45
 
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dullh said:
My Kahr was $300 even (NIB from Woodbury Outfitters), free shipping, $10 transfer fee upon arrival from an online auction. If you didn't know, the CW9 is the economy model Kahr.

The Shield was $519 + tax at a local gun shop.

That's how I figure the Kahr was $200 cheaper.

And, yes, considering what the Shields are going for nowadays (I've seen online auctions asking as much as $700 for them - no way I would pay that), I could sell it and make a profit...but I follow advice from Jeff Cooper I read a long time ago...I don't sell guns, because when you do the gun is gone and sooner than later so is the money you got for it.
Click to expand...


Wow! I paid $439 + tax for my new Shield 40 last week.
 
Looks like it's been a while since the last post but I will put in my two cents anyway. I am very fond of my Kahr's (CT45, CW40, K40 and P380) and I carry the CW40 daily with the P380 as a backup. Also love my M&P40 and my M&P45c to a lesser degree. Did own a 9mm Shield for a short time. Traded it as I don't like thumb safeties. Today I stumbled onto a new Shield in 40 cal with no thumb safety priced at $399.99 at my local pawn shop. I'm considering it but even if I do purchase it none of my Kahr's will go. Not going to break up the family. Have the triggers improved? Seems like I read that somewhere.
 
I have several different brands of guns and don't like confusion on where the safety is. I don't need it. I know some do. I will be back tomorrow to take a more detailed look at the Shield. I really don't need it but want often overpowers need with me.
 
FWIW- I paid $351.00 in October including tax and background check for a Shield with a made date on 4/29/15. The trigger is very good out of the box. With 1000+ rounds it's great. I considered doing a trigger kid but mine is too good to mess with.

If you have an older Shield, look into this DIY trigger work.
S&W M&P Trigger Job

I did have to adjust the rear sight and now it is a very accurate gun!
 
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