Bargain CW Kahr models vs. costlier P and K models?

[Elkins45]

There are some screaming deals on the Kahr CW models at the moment. I've seen the CW40 for $350 through Buds, KY sales tax included!

My question is how they compare to the older, more expensive models in terms of reliability and function? Do the corners that were cut to lower the price have any practical impact on the overall suitability of the guns for self-defense? Does anyone have both and how do you think they compare?

TIA for any replies.

 

[usp9]

It's hard to tell exactly how Kahr cuts the amount of price for their economy line, other than the obvious missing second magazine. The frame is the same, the working parts of the slide and striker are the same. Only the slide release is a different part, and they interchange with the more expensive PM or P models.

IMHO, most of the other differences, the barrel and slide machining are non-factors. The factors that may matter are the missing front dovetail cut that allow more options of aftermarket sights and the fact that the C line does not come in black.

Functionally the C and P are close enough to not matter.

I'm still not sure why such a large price difference. The one MIM part can't account for too much. The barrels... Ok , maybe $50? The mag is about $30. The plastic sights, maybe $10.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

My question is how they compare to the older, more expensive models in terms of reliability and function?

No difference there, only in the external finish and a few small details.

Do the corners that were cut to lower the price have any practical impact on the overall suitability of the guns for self-defense?

It will be harder, if not impossible, to add night sights, since the front sight is plastic and sort of "melted" under the slide to hold it in place, vs. being dovetailed. This kind of sight actually fell off an older E9 that I had, but I'm sure they're made better these days. As a believer in always carrying a reload with a CCW, I think you will want more than the one magazine they come with. These will run you ~$35-$40. The premium models have more rounded edges and corners than the "facets" of the CW, but I doubt if they will cut you. The BG won't know the difference if the bullet came out of a conventionally rifled barrel vs. the polygonal of the premium models.

 

[Redlg155]

The C series has conventional rifling while the P series is polygonal.

If I'm not mistaken, Kahr also charges a premium for the "Elite" trigger on the P Series.

From a practical standpoint, the C series are a great value. I can't justify paying twice as much for a P.

 

[rodinal220]

I do not have any of the CW line pistols,but I do have the older K9 and K40 in blue finish.The K series for me have been great pistols and I bought my Kahrs after seeing them debut at SHOT years ago and liked the way they went with old school forged,milled billet construction.They are small pistols like a Walther PPk/s but handle like a full size pistol.

The newer CW line uses several ways to save money,The slide is machined differently(different profile) to save machine time,it is laser engraved not roll marked.The front sight is not dovetailed.The slide stop/release is MIM,not machined bar stock.The gun comes with one magazine. Barrel with traditional-style cut rifling instead of a Lothar barrel with polygonal rifling.The frames on the P and CW series are supposed to be the same according to Kahr.

At least Kahr re engineered the slide stop and made it beefier when they switched manufacturing process for the CW line,kudos to Kahr.

 

[usp9]

If I'm not mistaken, Kahr also charges a premium for the "Elite" trigger on the P Series.

Sorry, but you are mistaken. The elite trigger is standard on all Kahrs except the K series.

 

[mgmorden]

It will be harder, if not impossible, to add night sights, since the front sight is plastic and sort of "melted" under the slide to hold it in place, vs. being dovetailed.

Kahr actually sells nightsights for the CW series guns. You basically pull the existing sight out with some pliers, and the night-sight goes into that hole and a screw is added from underneath to hold it in place.

Works a lot like the Glock front sights actually. Granted, I'd prefer a dovetail, but what they have does work.

 

[hardluk1]

I have 2 low cost kahrs CM9 and CW9. Dawson also makes sights for the cm/cw's and that locktite and ping the post over to hold in place, tool included with purchase and work great. I find nothing the costlier poly framed versions have I care to pay for and have no interst in the all matel models.

 

[Girodin]

The differences are not huge. Off the top of my head:

A MIM slide stop

A slide that is a little less fancy. It doesn't have the same machined in groves and the roll marks on the C series is much more pedestrian.

Conventional rifling rather than Polygonal

Only comes with one mag (and Kahr mags aren't the cheapest mags in the world)

A pined front sight rather than a dove tailed front sight.

Having put in time with multiple K9s, a P9 and a CM9 I think the C series guns are a pretty good buy. I don't regret buying a CM9 for $350 rather than paying another $200 or so to get a PM. The K and P are a little nicer but functionally I have not found there to be any notable difference between the P and C series guns.

The above mentioned Trijicon front night sight for the CW/CM guns. http://www.kahr.com/Sights/Kahr-CWCM-Trijicon-Front-Sight-KitKWTFNSKT.asp

Kahr also sells a front fiber optic for those guns as well.

 

[Skylerbone]

I don't own both but I've bought a CW and a K (SS frame) Series. I was truly intrigued by the CW9 after some research and an explanation from a trusted source (a Mod on this forum). Found one locally a short time later and five minutes after that it was mine. Took it home, cleaned it up, loaded a half-dozen small batch test loads for it and 3 days later gave it to my father. He loves it and carries it and has never experienced a failure.

I waited for another to show up at the LGS with no luck. While skimming the threads I caught a post about K9 NYPD trade-ins for $299 and jumped on one. Though I'm still waiting on a custom holster for more comfortable carry, I had a small Galco that fit and it's been with me more often than not. Like the CW, no failures including a 500 round no cleaning test.

I'll probably revisit the idea of another CW9 for myself once I've finished a number of current firearm projects. In other words, I don't feel the CW series is any less reliable or durable than Kahr's most expensive offerings. If you need magazines, and who doesn't, Bud's sells them for under $28.

 

[chris in va]

I have one of those weird 'special edition' K9's. Carbon steel black slide, stainless frame, NY 1/2" trigger, non-elite.

Frankly it's worked very well, no jams. Balances nicely and is a soft shooter. Trigger is very nice despite being longer than the elite 3/8" version. I'm still amazed my large hands fit the grip perfectly with a nice palmswell.

Negatives?

The rear sight is loose and drifts sideways a couple milimeters. My LGS tried to peen the sight back in place to no avail. The edges on the grip were quite sharp before I took a polishing wheel to it. The barrel is polygonal and I can't shoot my LRN through it. Single stack magazine, surprising as there is room for at least a 1.5 stack. The magazine follower is designed so you can't release the slide with an empty mag in place. It won't even let you ride the slide forward by hand.

But honestly these are niggling issues and I keep it for 'deeper' concealment purposes.