Got a kahr TP-45 Today

[ulflyer]

Took it home and did some polishing and slathering of JB compound on the rails, racked it a couple hundred times, and then fired 80 rounds with the compound in it, without any malfunction. Started with WWB then went to hollowpoints and then a variety of reloads and powders in tapered flat points and semi-wad cutters. It shoots a couple inches low at 12 yards but I'll work up a reload for target shooting that seems reasonably accurate before messing with the sights. Needless to say I'm pleased as these guns don't have the best "out of the box" history with many having to be sent back to Kahr a time or two.
I wanted something similar in size and thinness to replace my Mak that is currently my carry gun.

 

[distra]

Congrats on the Kahr. I've had a P-45 for awhile now and after the initial trigger reset issues, (one trip to Kahr) it's functioned flawlessly. It was a bit frustrating that right after the 500rd break-in it had issues. It's fixed now and I haven't looked back. Enjoy!

 

[Sigdude]

The Stainless Frames are Better

A gun dealer told me that the plastic frame Kahrs,in the .45 cal., give you a more diffecult time when you try to release the return slide handle after you replace the empty mag. with the new reloaded one.It seems that a metal slide on a metal frame is alot smoother on the .45 series of this brand.The downside of this is a heavier peice though.

 

[ulflyer]

Sigdude: Normally I just pull back on the slide, release it, and let it go forward (slingshoting) rather than using the slide release. I did use the release once just to see and it worked just like my 1911 types. I also slingshot my 1911's.

Distra: Hope mine holds up as well.

For those who keep track of when they were made, mine was made 30 Aug 06. I know they do this on the Glock forum but for some reason i can't get registered there; something about my "IP".

 

[Mr. S]

Kahr doesn't make a stainless frame 45ACP,but I wish they would!

ulflyer
Where are the pics???

 

[ulflyer]

Mr. S....I'm not too swift posting pics. Sorry.

Say, if any of you Kahr owners have trimmed/smoothed/filed/sanded down the rough grips, what technique did you use? I gotta get those rough edges off, especially the front ones.
I used a glove yesterday which worked well since it moderately cold anyway. I had read that Kahr said not to use lead bullets; but they only said to make sure, when using lead, it was not allowed to build up. Heck, I clean every time I shoot anyway.

 

[Jamie C.]

I'm not too swift posting pics. Sorry.

Here, let me help:

Not a bad looking shooter.
I'd rather have one of the all-stainless 9mm ones, but still, not bad. Not bad at all.


J.C.

 

[ulflyer]

More reloads thru the barrel

After my initial 80 rounds with zero hang-ups I was pretty sure mine was a good one. Then I worked up some more fresh reloads yesterday with the result that a few did not go into battery or occasionally did not eject. Got out the caliper and did some measurements and found that my dies were just slightly out of adjustment...at least for the kahr. Had to shorthen the OAL and tighten up the crimp a hair on the lead bullets which are .452 whereas the jacketed ones are .451 and functioned fine. The kahr seems to have a fairly tight chamber and the 'ramps' where they honed down the lands/groves (whatever you call them on polygonal barrel) for the bullet to transition into the barrel from the chamber is rough and tends to lead up a little. Anyway, after figuring all this out the last 50 rounds went thru perfectly. It didn't seem to mind the lighter loads either and tossed the empties over my head or shoulder. These were 225gr BBTFP lead over 3.4 gr plain Clays. I worked down from 3.7gr one grain at a time.

 

[Grayrider]

What is the recoil like on the Kahr 45s? I have a P9 and like everything about it except the caliber. I have thought about trading up, but 20 oz. seems like a handful in 45. Of course being a 10mm fan, I am not particularly recoil averse.

John

 

[Bart Noir]

So what happens to a factory warrenty when you buy a new gun and then get right to work lightly gunsmithing it? And after all this lapping, you find it has a problem, and send it to Kahr for repairs? Will they "decline" to work on it since it has been modified?

Bart Noir

 

[ulflyer]

Grayrider: Truth be known, I've only run about 20 rounds of full loads thru it and it has a pretty good recoil. I used a glove because with my small hands the kickback hits the knuckle of my thumb. The 45 "kick" is more like a quick push. I'm not at all partial to snappie kickers, which is what I call every 9mm I've owned. I started off with 9mm's long ago and graduated to 45 because, to me, they are milder/easier on the hand. I've now found a nice light target load that the Kahr likes and put about 60 more rounds thru this pm without any glitch's. If you can tolerate the smaller 9mm kahr you wouldn't have any trouble with the 45. I've had, and a buddy currently has, a Taurus Millinium in 45 and they are easy enough on the hand. Lots cheaper too, but I just wanted to try a kahr.

Bart: No I don't imagine Kahr or any manufacturer would honor a warranty if a bunch of home smithing had been done to it. If your are referring to my "slathering JB compound etc" thats just a thorough cleaning compound good for bores and rails to help polish them up. Kahr calls for 200 round thru before its ''broken in'' so I thought I'd help the process along by racking the slide that many times with the compound on all rubbing surfaces. The gun performed well, whether that helped or not, theres no way to tell. Just made me feel better. Now that I've run enough rounds thru it to satisify me that it functions well, I've filed off the sharp serations on the front and back of the grip. For tender hands like mine, they would tear me up without gloves. You can't tell by looking at it that anything has been done...they just don't jab anymore.

 

[Grayrider]

Thank you for the response. I thought about a Mil Pro, but the Taurus is so flat that really helps hide it. I need to shoot a friend's Taurus. He swears by it.

John

 

[ulflyer]

Grayrider: one diff between the Kahr and Taurus I forgot to mention is the trigger pull on the Kahr is so buttery smooth all the way to let off. They both have a long pull and the Taurus isn't bad, just the Kahr is better. I don't know the measurements but the Kahr seems to be slimmer. Since Kahr recently went up on thier prices you can just about get two Taurus's for price of one Kahr.

 

[El Tejon]

ul, thanks for the review. I must admit that this pistol has roused my interest.

 

[ulflyer]

El Tejon: I now have about 700 rounds of my reloads thru it with no malfunctions attributed to the gun unless the couple of primers that didn't ignite might be a light firing pin strike. Both fired the second time. I've recently filed the front sight down to get a 6 o'clock sight pic and its shooting in the bull...when I can hold it steady enuf. I also painted the front and rear flat black which suits be best since I shoot outdoors. If you get one you might try the "slathering of JB Bore Cleaner" which is a trick I learned from a 1911 Guru smith and shooter. I have to believe it helped speed the break-in.

 

[happy g]

Ulflyer,

What holster are you using for that Kahr TP45?

 

[Zundfolge]

I really wish they would make an all stainless .45 (and then a 10mm of course ).

 

[ulflyer]

Happy G: I made my own. Fits good but I put the belt loop low to make it ride high and the butt tends to lean out a bit. Bought a new piece of leather the other day and may have a try at a second holster. Heres a Pic:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=264603

 

[orionengnr]

And what is a "TP45"?

I have (and love) a P45.

I've read of the possibility of a PM45 (and hope they build it).

BTW, my P45 is holstered in a UBG Holster (google UBG Holsters). Similar in concept to a Milt Sparks VMII, but about 1/2 the price and about three month's fewer wait...

 

[Rustynuts]

I'm waiting for the PM45