XD subcompact 45 vs Kahr CW45

[TennJed]

Ok, I have my first 45acp on it's way. A Remington 1911. Of course my next purchase research must begin All good metal guns need a plastic buddy. So I am doing some reading up on small poly 45s for someday in the future.

Looking around town today I am really interested in the Kahr CW45 and the XD subcompact.
The kahr was $369. The XD was $539 (but black and I would want stainless) So the kahr has the advantage price wise.

The CW45 felt good in my hands but the XD felt GREAT in my hand. Unfortunately they were at different shops and could not do a side by side comparison. The XD seem a fair amount larger. I would prefer it as small as possible for potential carry one day.

First impressions have me leaning toward the XD, even though it is about 60% more.

What can you good folks tell me about these 2 guns. How reliable are each one? Accuracy? Feeding issued? Size comparison? Is the XD worth the higher price.

I would be willing to look at others but as of now no glocks (I reload lead so do not want the rifling) do not like the feel of the lower end Sigs. The M&P is an obvious option, but I have a couple of smiths already and want to try out a company that I have never had before

 

[hardluk1]

First they are very different pistols. Trigger pull, weight, how it feels in the hand. All that aside. The 45 kahr has a smoother more control slide function to me. I also grew up shooting revolvers so the trigger pull feels natrual. Last is just how it carries and that would be the kahr. Now I don't own ether but a buddy does and we tag team break in of new pistols sometimes. And I have right around 250 rounds fired in a kahr cw45. He also owns several XD's in 45. Now I do know if I shot XD enough it probably would not matter the brand. You do seem to see more people have issues with a kahr but I have owned several brands many others have issues with including my cw9 and a new cm9 I carry. Bought the cw9 cheap because some guy said it was junk. Been a great pistol for me. Go figure. I do think the heavier pistol is easier for the average person to shoot and the XD has 6oz on the kahr and a bit of with. That is almost 1/3rd the kahrs weight

Shoot them both if you can and buy the one you like best. Or atleast the same cartidge , 9mm or 40 in both pistols just to is how each feels to you. That is the bottom line. What you like.

 

[9mmepiphany]

The two defining things about the Kahr are going to be it's thinness (easier to carry) and it's trigger (more like a smooth DA revolver). It these are priorities to you, the Kahr is a better choice.

What you get in the size trade off with a XD is a gun that is a bit easier to shoot as it is larger and heavier. If you want to take it to a 250, or 500, round class the XD will be gentler to your hand.

The Kahr will be easier to CCW, the XD better as a bedside gun...but if wanted that, wouldn't you be better off with a FS model

 

[Mr. S]

I'm confused about what model Xd you are referring to.
There is no such thing as an XD45 subcompact.
There is an XD45 compact with a 4" barrel and shorter grip with a 10 round mag and a 13 rd mag with a grip extension giving it a full size grip.
There is also the XDS in 45 which I don't think is available yet.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

I'm wondering if he meant the XDM 3.8" in .45acp?

At any rate, any XD will be "better" than the Kahr CW45--they are more accurate, have a higher capacity, have better triggers, and are lighter on recoil. That's nothing against Kahr... Kahrs are FANTASTIC, in my opinion. But Kahrs are made for specific reasons, namely, concealability.

Make your purchase the XD UNLESS you think you'll need a smaller gun for deeper concealed carry, which is why the Kahr exists.

A note on Kahr reliability... I've never shot anything like a Kahr. Many companies recommend a "break-in" period for their firearms, but this was never more true that with Kahrs. It takes a couple hundred rounds to get them to top reliability. They're made that way! They're also a little finicky at first in different ways. For example, in order to load the first round, they recommend engaging the slide release. If you try to rack it by hand, it often has problems (again, just for the first few hundred rounds).

In my opinion, there is nothing better for deep concealment than a BROKEN-IN Kahr. But like I said at first, for every other purpose, go with the XD... More accurate, higher capacity, less recoil, and greater reliability out of the box.

 

[mio]

im going to assume he meant the 3.8" xdm compact as well. this is a very timely thread i shot both today. i own the cw45 and a buddy owns the xdm and we finally got together to shoot today.

ill start with the cw45. i love it. it has the longest in class grip i found when researching. it fits my hands well even though i have kinda big hands and although im at 140rds of the 200rd break-in ive had one jam with federal 230grn walmart ammo. that was with a 725mag (7rds not fluch fitting no pinky grip) when firing rapid as possible it was the last rd.
my budy and my bil both had jams with the same ammo in just a couple mags. limp wristing is suspected by my buddy and i.
accuracy is decent and about what you would expect its more than capable of stopping a threat but you wouldnt take it to a compitition.
i dont think you will find another .45 thats as easy to conceal.
however it is very ammo picky nolikin tulammo or underwood hp or hornady zombies. the slide wont go all the way foreward with any. it does like remington hd ammo.

and now the xdm. i ran a couple mags though it. they were the longer mags because i hate shooting with a 2 finger grip.
it felt like a full size pistol and handled like one. better accuracy, easier follow-ups and eats what its fed.
not as concealable especially with the longer mag but i think it would work for me in most places and i have an uncenventional carry method.
the trigger is better probably because it has the grip safety they had less liability.

i dont regret buying the kahr but since you like the way the xdm feels better already id suggest buying it and a good holster. its probably a better gun.

 

[TennJed]

Sorry for the confusion, I am not well versed in the XP line. I held it in the store and it really felt good in my hand so it became a gun of interest immediately.

I guess it was the 3.8" compact. It was smaller than the other XD they had in the store and I commented to the clerk about the size and asked him if it was there subcompact 45 and he said "yep". As always this site is a tremendous help. After further review it does seem the XD will be larger than the Kahr by more than I was thinking.

The CW45 really appeals to me from price, size, caliber, and feel in hand. The reliability issues and breakin period concern me some, but I had the same concerns when I bought my kel tecs and have been more than pleased with them.

How is kahr's customer service?

 

[hardluk1]

I had some questions one of my kahrs about some possible wear or factory fitting in the barrel lug area, they asked for photos, I sent photos. I was called with in the hour say'n he wanted to check my pistol. They sent a shipping label that morning. Nothing was wrong and it turns out it did have some hand fitting done. My pistol was back with in 6 days with an extra mag. It seems like they were ready to deal with any thing that may happen. They have been know to ship parts to customers that seem to now what they need to fix an issue. That was something you know KT was good for too.

I had no break in on mine . Check at kahr forum . I do tend to smooth all sharp edges on the slide and rails on a pistol , even the mag follower and lube well . You might look at the TP45 also. If a heavier version is wanted. 4" barrel and a bit longer grip and 23oz.