I know this isn't a S&W question but, KAHR CW40? Update

[walnutred]

I've been handling one at the LGS and have been seriously tempted. They feel good in my hand, for a plastic grip, and seem to point naturally. 80% of the time I carry a KelTec P380, 15% a S&W M37 and the rest of the time whatever catches my fancy. I've been looking at 40 S&W for some time. A friend of ours has a CW9 Which we both have fired and like.

So does anyone have one they are willing to comment about? I have a KelTec P11 so I'm not looking for another CCS 9mm.

 

[Rufus]

I have a Kahr CW40, and I love it. It is very accurate on the range, and feels very nice in my hand. It fits perfectly in my car center console, and it's the gun that I most often take with me out of the house. Like many others, I frequently go to schools and other facilities that prohibit firearms, so most often I carry my gun the the car. I have never had a failure, no matter what ammo I use.

 

[GKC]

I just bought a Kahr CW9. I was very tempted between the CW9, the CW40, or the CW45. I currently have five 1911s in .45 ACP, and my wife has two 9mm handguns (a M&P9c and a LC9.) I wanted a smaller, polymer pistol to carry (on body and in the car) and so I finally decided on the CW9 so I could stay with the two calibers I currently have ammo for. I thought the CW9 might be easier to carry and handle than the 40 or 45 versions.

Having said that, one of my 1911s is a Colt Defender in .45, so go figure...my logic isn't always logical!

 

[StatesRightist]

I can't speak to the CW40, but I have a CW9 and have shot the CW45. Both are great guns and perfect for concealment, my CW9 fits in a front pocket. The only caveat is the stippling on the grip will eat your hand after about 20 rounds of +P stuff. Regular loads, 50 are no problem. Buy it, you'll like it IMO.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have owned 3 Kahr pistols over the past 12 years including a P9, P40, and CW40. All have been extremely reliable with any ammunition, easy to shoot well, and commendably accurate for the size and weight of the pistols. I would not hesitate to recommend any of them for defensive use.

 

[growr]

If you happen to be an NRA Instructor, Kahr has an Instructor purchase program. If I remember correctly it is 50% of retail. As an Instructor you may purchase one per year under this program.

Randy

 

[much ado]

Kahr 40

I have owned 3 Kahrs and all of them have been afflicted with mostly small things although one blew up.The first:a K40,it really shot well but had to send it to the plant twice ,once because the rear sight was loose in cut and it would shake off the gun,later because the the trigger pin would work out under fire.The K is HEAVY! and led me to trade it on a P40.That gun seemed to have a problem going completely in battery and I thought I had shot the problem out of it but alas,one afternoon in a rapid fire sequence it fired while not completely in battery and blew the grip out in my palm.It didn`t hurt a lot and kind of resembled the smack in the palms my second grade teacher would give us(me)when we got out of line.It took Kahr 3 months to replace it...I don`t know if they were waiting to hear from a lawyer but I only wanted my pistol back and finally they sent a new one.I still have that one and it`s been 9& 1/2 years.Its been a little problematic over the years with ammo as it will lock the slide open as the round hits the interior of the slide lock. I`ve learned to shave a little off the part(they did send me a new one) but the same thing happened again.The problem does not occur when I use the old style Federal 155 or 180 as the projectile is more pointed(Hydra Shoks work fine too) as opposed to the kind of bulbous shape of an HST. Also the barrel hood has worn down considerably resulting in a loss of accuracy.Its still probably as accurate as a J-frame would be under whatever encounter one is likely to have with either. As far as maintenance it seems to love new recoil springs fairly often as well as magazine springs and followers which seem to have a built in time to break

These guns had a lifetime warranty when I bought it but Kahr lowered that to 5 years a little later. Tell you anything ???

If it were me I would look at the new M&P coming out or maybe the Ruger 9. Ruger states "no warranty" but their track record doesn`t show that.

Best of Luck With Your Decision,
John

 

[Beejabbers]

I have no personal experience with the KAHR CW40, but was in a local gun store when a person came in trying to sell one. The shop owner knew the gun owner but, would not even make an offer or allow the gun owner to leave it on consignment. The shop sells Kahr, not this model. After the shop owner turned it down, I asked to see it and it didn't feel good in my hand so I gave it back without asking how much he wanted. I just may be spoiled by my M&P 40c. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[walnutred]

Thanks for the input, I'll probably give the CW40 a try. One of the reasons I'm looking at these is price. I can get a new Kahr CW40 for $355, a M&P 40 Compact would add $150 or so to the price.

 

[cshoff]

Very fond of my CW9 and my brother really likes his CW40. Great little guns.

 

[Neumann]

The CW40 is identical to the more expensive PW40, except that it has different markings, a MIM takedown lever and non-replaceable sights. IMO, it's worth the extra $150 to have the PW and night sights.

Kahr pistols are very well made and have an outstanding trigger - smooth and non-stacking. They are accurate and very easy to shoot, having a two-stage recoil spring and good ergonomics. I have a PW45, and love it. (The CW45 is significantly larger than the PW45).

The downside is that it takes a lot of effort and care to rack the slide to chamber a round. Kahr recommends you release the slide lock to chamber a round (which you can do by sling-shotting the slide). There is very little overtravel beyond the locked position.

 

[Goldstar225]

I had a CW40. I loved everything about the gun except the horrible reliability. After three trips back to the factory I could not count on going 25 rounds without a fail to feed. The accuracy, grip, trigger, recoil and weight were fine and I really wanted the gun to work. I seem to be in the minority as many other CW40 owners have had no problem.

I liked the Kahr size and trigger so much that I bought a K40 that has been 100% reliable and is my primary off-duty carry weapon.

 

[WP]

Isn't S&W but Kahr CW40

I must be in the minority. I do think Kahrs are fantastic pistols but they just don't work for me. My trigger finger is so long that when I quickly draw the pistol my finger extends past the second joint. When I try to pull the trigger my finger then pulls sideways across the face of the trigger and many time stops the trigger from fully engaging and will not fire. You may not have this problem.

 

[pineappleshooter]

I can't speak to the CW series but I have a PM9 and love it. I am more accurate with it than with my larger 9's. In addition to the differences listed above the PM series has a match grade barrel where the CW series does not. I think my next purchase will be a MK9 (same as PM but with a steel frame).

 

[Sgt405]

I have two. CW40 and PM9. I use the PM9 as my BUG on duty. Both have been reliable and accurate.

 

[PeterCartwright]

I can't speak to the Kahr 40's, but I own a K9 and P9. I'm very happy with the guns. I elected to NOT get my Kahrs in .40 S&W simply because I think it's too much of a good thing in this small package. That's purely my subjective opinion. The 9X19 cartridge has come a long way offering dependable, defensive ammunition. I'm quite happy with the 9 in the Kahrs.

PC

 

[walnutred]

My concern with the 9mm is reports of over penetration and I'm looking at this to replace my KelTec P11 for that very reason. The tests I've read on the old Winchester STHP in 40 S&W give expansion to .70 with about one foot of penetration in clothed ballistic gelatin. I like those numbers in a close range defense ctg especially as this would be my Goin' to Town sidearm. Working around the house or out in the country where I live I'm quite happy with my old 3" M37. However I've been wondering about down range effects of the 9x19 in my P11 lately.

 

[PeterCartwright]

There are far more informed folks on this board to respond to concerns about over penetration, but I'd suggest there are any number of 9X19 ammo choices which make that concern no greater than any .40 S&W choice you might make. Personally, I've sorta decided that, provided I make appropriate selections of anti-personnel ammunition matched to matching barrel length, etc., it doesn't matter all that much which of the service cartridges I choose to carry.

PC

 

[walnutred]

I picked up the CW40 but I admit I was VERY tempted by the CW9. Have not been to the range yet but when I brought it home I ignored the instructions from the factory and simply ran a patch through the bore before going out behind the barn to test fire it. Fired half a box of 165gn WWB at dandelions with only one quirk becoming evident. If I try and fire one handed it drops the magazine with every shot unless I rest my pinky finger under the magazine. I assume that under the, whats the proper word, enthusiastic recoil my finger is slipping up and hitting the magazine release. I'm hoping that a Hogue slip grip will help keep my fingers where they should be.

Walking the dog with my wife latter I showed her the pistol and after handling it she said she was "jealous". After firing it though I suspect she will be buying the CW9. To my wife these CW series pistols have the simplicity of a Glock, grip angle of a 1911 and trigger and carry-ability of a J Frame.

So far what I do NOT like is the takedown procedure. In my opinion this is not a user friendly pistol from that standpoint. Today I took the day off for my wifes birthday and we did some hiking,shopping and generally running around and this pistol is everything I hoped for regarding portability.

And I'll admit that I was looking for a reason to buy a 40 S&W something. It's one of the few pistol calibers I have no experience with.

 

[M29since14]

I bet that thing is a handful. I have a PM9 and I agree with Statesrightist about recoil and the surface of the grip's frontstrap. A .40 would be much worse, I'm sure. Also have to agree these guns are a bit of a nuisance to take down. I guess compromises have to be made to get a small, flat, lightweight package, but the main thing is, the little guns seem to have a good track record for being accurate and reliable. I am a little curious about longevity. I don't see much written anywhere about how long they last. Probably the 9mm would have some advantage over the .40, but I am sure neither one is intended to last like a target pistol.