M&P Shield 9mm or Kahr CW9 for carry

I would choose the Shield only for the fact that it's a Smith & Wesson M&P.

I suggest that you try to rent or borrow both & make a comparison. Go with the one you shoot best & fits the type of use that you plan for it.

If you were to buy a handgun at a police supply store the Shield sells for $399 including 2 mags whereas the Kahr CM 9/40 has a $364 with one mag. The Kahr CW 9/40 with one mag sells for $344. Basically a wash. Expect up to a year wait at those type of stores for Shields. I don't know about the Kahr.

Concealability is not a factor for me. I conceal a FS M&P 40 & Sigma 40VE (same basic size as a Glock 23) pretty well & have a 40 compact on order which I expect to conceal somewhat better.

I'm sure price & availability at a regular gun store is altogether different.
 
Biscut said:
I was under the impression home base is MA but assembly operations in NY. Could be wrong though.
Click to expand...

The Kahr Arms website's Company Profile says: Kahr's corporate headquarters are located in Blauvelt, New York. Production and assembly operations are located in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the region commonly known as "Gun Valley."
 
Long time lurker but had to get in on this. I own a shield 9, CW9 and CM9. All are great firearms.

I would never say Kahr is "garbage" they are fantastic especially the c series for the price.

I carry my XDS or my CM9 most of the time. Its not that I don't like the shield, its great but not as small as the CM9. I rarely carry the CW just because its bigger much like the shield (about the same size). The triggers are completely different with Kahr being more of a DA smooth longer pull. Revolvers guys love the kahr triggers. Shield is your run of the mill striker trigger which is great.

as far as fit, the CW9 fits most hands PERFECTLY. Kahr does a great job with ergo's and both of my kahrs have NEVER failed a single round with about 600+ rounds thru each. Take down is a little harder but if I can do it anyone can. you just have to pull out the lever instead of just rotating it like on the shield. NOT a factor in deciding..

I love all of them to be honest and wouldn't sell any of them ever. they all have their place. Let your hand be the guide, hold them, shoot them if you can and see what fits you. Neither is a bad choice. Both Kahr and SW make quality guns and I would never call either junk. I love my shield but the kahr points a little more naturally for me.
 
Hunter991 said:
I would never say Kahr is "garbage" they are fantastic especially the c series for the price.
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I bought a new CM40, had several failure to feeds within the first 100 round, tore a ton of skin off my trigger finger & the follower on one of the mags with 30-40 rounds broke during the initial range session. I'm glad you've had luck with yours, but it's the only gun I've ever shot I'd describe as a ***. Never had any issue with my M&P 40s, I've owned Glock & H&K and all have functioned flawlessly over thousands of rounds.

I sold the CM40 back to the LGS the same day at a significant loss, if I was unable to sell it, I would have tossed it in the garbage where it belonged.
 
I guess what it really comes down is personal choice. Each of us are correct in our assessment. But, it is individual choice and OP will have figure it out for himself.
 
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I am new to the Forum and the M&P Shield 9mm. I bought it for conceal carry. I use a Desantis Super Fly pocket holster. After I got the holster I put the pistol in the holster over night for a few nights and the pistol comes out fast and crisp. When I draw from the front pocket I quickly found out my rear sights were 'snagging' on my pocket. I had to wiggle a few times and the pistol would come out fine. I made a draw correction: I now draw with my index finger down the side, three other fingers on the pistol grip, and my thumb on top of the rear sights. I have no more 'snags' with my thumb as I draw out. With this hold my pistol draws out in a second or less and no issues with my Desantis Super Fly pocket holster moving. Also, as my pistol comes up to a horizontal position my safety is switched off with my thumb (all in one motion). I am extremely happy with my M&P Shield 9mm and my pocket holster. I just need a belt. :-)
 
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choices

Have a kahr pm9
Had 9mm shield
Both are nice enough.
I have had 2 kahr 9mm never a jam.
Shield worked fine also.
Personal preferences will vary
Now if kahr had a glock trigger I'd be delighted.
 
Shield all day. I have both the Shield and the CW9 and it's a world of difference. Especially in the trigger, the CW9 trigger isn't that great in my opinion. Very vague, you can't judge very well when it is going to trip the sear. Even the Shield is more practical for me when CC, I have a thin frame (me, not the gun) and the Shield just sits better in my waistband and doesn't protrude as much.
 
Now ol' Doc Sunshine says the Kahr =trash, but I just don't agree with that. I have had a Kahr CW9 for a lot of years and carry it about everywhere I go. I have sent a lot of lead through the bore and have yet to have the first problem with it. Maybe the shield is just as good, I don't know, don't own one, but if there's a better totin', better shootin' gun than the Kahr, I ain't seen it.
 
DocSunShine said:
I bought a new CM40, had several failure to feeds within the first 100 round, tore a ton of skin off my trigger finger & the follower on one of the mags with 30-40 rounds broke during the initial range session. I'm glad you've had luck with yours, but it's the only gun I've ever shot I'd describe as a ***. Never had any issue with my M&P 40s, I've owned Glock & H&K and all have functioned flawlessly over thousands of rounds.

I sold the CM40 back to the LGS the same day at a significant loss, if I was unable to sell it, I would have tossed it in the garbage where it belonged.
Click to expand...

The CN40 had some issues with mag followers, not the 9mm as far as I know. Kahr has been very good about fixing them for those affected.
 
I have the Kahr PM9 and the Shield 9...love them both. I've not had one issue with my Kahr and have put hundreds of rounds through it, I would trust it with my life. I don't have as many rounds down range with my Shield, as it's still relatively new, but based upon my experience with my M&P's (3 other pistols) I don't anticipate any issues with the Shield. In my experience, the M&P line is spot on.

To each his or her own. You can't go wrong with either one, it's a matter of what feels good to you.
 
Hello to all members:

I feel disappointed as We that have some pistols . . . . S&W ! So when we are in need on parts The S&W refuse to supply that specific parts.
I have a question on what is their responsibility as a distributer, or as a Dealer , to provide the parts as need by their customer's; or is like they don't want to go the extra mile to help those persons that have purchased their bred new PISTOLS!? I don't believe that they are restricted to supply parts for our pistols; they only want to close the Doro on our face. What is your opinion?
 
Before the Shield came out I got a CM9. Went to the tech forum for Kahrs and did a lot of reading. Followed all the tips. My gun is finicky with ball ammo. The 7 round mag never was reliable. The followers of both the 6 and 7 round mags hit the mag catch on the way up. I don't understand why they would design it that way. The only reason I carry it is because it fits in my front pocket.
The Shield is bigger but if I had to do it again I would pass on the Kahr.
I feel it is too finicky on ammo and magazines.
 
I love, love love my Shield! I have shot about 700 rounds through it so far and it has never failed me. It is accurate. The only problem I have with it is after taking it down and cleaning and putting it back together you have to lock the slide back. It is so stiff and hard to get it all the way back & lock. It could be that I am a woman with small weak hands. I am 63. It is slowly getting easier. That spring is so stiff, I hope it will eventually break in. I am very happy with it, especially after having issues with my Bodyguard 380 which is a bit finicky with ammo. I feel like the Shield is more reliable, but harder to conceal. I can carry in my purse just fine, don't know if I could conceal on body like I can the 380. Having a harder time finding 380 ammo also. My store has quite a bit of 9mm now so this is now my favorite gun to shoot, besides my M&P 15-22 rifle, LOL.
 
CW9 v M&P Shield

Have had both, but I prefer the Shield for several reasons:

The Shield has a safety that the Kahr does not have.
The Shield, being S&W, will have a better selection of holsters available when the dust settles.
The rails on the Kahr polymers are not reinforced with steel.
The Shield trigger, a personal preference issue, is like the triggers on the other M&P guns. Aftermarket APEX trigger kits for the Shield make it even better than it is from the factory.

Gave my CW9 to my son. He likes it, but likes the Shield better.

Both of our guns have CT chin lasers on them.

Have had 3 Kahrs and 5 M&Ps at one time or another over the years. The M&Ps will win hands down 90% of the time for me. If you have an interest in another great, but underappreciated gun, try the Ruger SR9c. The Shield is slightly thinner, but the SR9c is a more robust gun than either the Shield or CW9.
 
Smith or Kahr

rzola said:
I know this is a S&W
forum but I am torn between these two handguns for personal carry. I am not interested in the smaller framed Kahrs. What are the pros and cons of these two pieces. Interested minds want to know.
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I bought the 40 cal. MP Shield and I've had problems with magazine dropping while shooting a magazine. The dealer said to pump some more rounds through it, hoping apparently to loosing things up. It's tough to get rounds through it when every other round fails to feed property. Go with the Kahr.
 
pistol said:
I love, love love my Shield! I have shot about 700 rounds through it so far and it has never failed me. It is accurate. The only problem I have with it is after taking it down and cleaning and putting it back together you have to lock the slide back. It is so stiff and hard to get it all the way back & lock. It could be that I am a woman with small weak hands. I am 63. It is slowly getting easier. That spring is so stiff, I hope it will eventually break in. I am very happy with it, especially after having issues with my Bodyguard 380 which is a bit finicky with ammo. I feel like the Shield is more reliable, but harder to conceal. I can carry in my purse just fine, don't know if I could conceal on body like I can the 380. Having a harder time finding 380 ammo also. My store has quite a bit of 9mm now so this is now my favorite gun to shoot, besides my M&P 15-22 rifle, LOL.
Click to expand...

Hey, pistol. I'm with you on the tight spring on the Shield. It can be a bear to lock back when putting it back together after cleaning. It's definitely not as easy as my M&P 9 and 9c. Hopefully, it'll get easier:eek:

Sent from my SCH-I905 using Tapatalk 2
 
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Squash15B said:
Have had both, but I prefer the Shield for several reasons:

The Shield has a safety that the Kahr does not have.
The Shield, being S&W, will have a better selection of holsters available when the dust settles.
The rails on the Kahr polymers are not reinforced with steel.
The Shield trigger, a personal preference issue, is like the triggers on the other M&P guns. Aftermarket APEX trigger kits for the Shield make it even better than it is from the factory.

Gave my CW9 to my son. He likes it, but likes the Shield better.

Both of our guns have CT chin lasers on them.

Have had 3 Kahrs and 5 M&Ps at one time or another over the years. The M&Ps will win hands down 90% of the time for me. If you have an interest in another great, but underappreciated gun, try the Ruger SR9c. The Shield is slightly thinner, but the SR9c is a more robust gun than either the Shield or CW9.
Click to expand...

Not true on the rails. They are not polymer they have steel inlay. Geeezzzz
 
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