Kahr cw, or Smith &Wesson M&P compact?

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Clint C

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Guys I'm looking at getting a new concealed Pistol and would like to get some info from you guys that have them. I'm looking at one of the Kahr cw pistols, and the Smith & Wesson M&P compact. I'll probably go for a 9mm, but haven't decided yet. If you guys can give me the pros and cons I would appreciate it. The Kahr is $425.00 and the Smith is $445.00.

Thanks, Clint
 
Kahr = thin
Thin = concealable and comfy
Kahr has a very nice DAO trigger. Long, but smooth.
You lose mag capacity due to the Kahr having a single stack.... So you'll have to decide how many rounds you need.
 
I don't have a Kahr CW, but I do have a K9. I also have a M&P40c that I understand is identical in size to the M&P9c. The K9 is roughly the same size as the M&P compact in height and length, but certainly feels more compact.

The trigger on my M&P isn't bad but isn't as smooth as the K9 (though has a much shorter pull, like a heavy SA).

Both are nice, it's a tough call.

M&P compact middle, K9 far right (UC9 far left, similar in size).

5891789163_9b1bd6c812_z.jpg
 
The big advantage of the Kahr is the thinness of it's slide. The DAO trigger is also very easy to learn and control...it feels like a nicely tuned S&W K-frame
 
Kahr....... at .9 inch thin this gun was made to conceal.

I never thought .2 inch would make that much of a difference in IWB CCW, but it does.


And..... its a nice pistol as well. The trigger takes some time (I moved from a DA/SA)
to learn. Many people shoot it low because of the long trigger pull.

The pistol seems to just fit the hand well.

If you get a Kahr, make sure that you lube it correctly and wait for the 200 rounds breakin to judge the gun,
 
The only advantage in my books with the CW is how thin it is. There is no doubt, it conceals very well. My dad owned a CW40 and put close to 500 rounds through it. He had numberous FTF's and he couldn't carry it because he couldn't trust it. Long story short he sold it within the first 6 months he purchased it. Personally I didn't like the trigger on the CW as well. While I'm not big on the lack of trigger reset on the M&P's I'd much prefer it over the CW. Best case for you is try to find a place you can rent both and try them out yourself and continue your research.
 
I had a M&Pc in 9mm for about a week. I am the biggest fan there is of the M&P line, but the "c" versions don't carry much better than a full size M&P 40 or 9.
For CC, IMHO, the Kahr wins hands down.

YMMV
 
I carry both the CW9 and the M&P 9c. CW9 conceals better but then again it's one of the best conceal compact guns on the market. M&P 9c conceals well to and better than most but you are comparing a single stack vs a double stack ... single stack whens in concealment.

Since I live in Phoenix, weather (heat to be more exact) comes into my decision and I do carry the CW9 more in the summer, however, I feel better with the M&P 9c because of capacity. Consider this:

  • CW9 = 6 + 1 = 7 + 6 = 13 rounds with 1 spare magazine
  • M&P 9c = 12 + 1 = 13 + 12 = 25 rounds with 1 spare magazine

I like capacity so from that perspective the M&P 9c wins. Plus, if I want, I can carry the full-size 17 round magazine with the 9c and a grip extension ... that would put the 9c at 30 rounds. If weather wasn't a problem and I could choose only one then I'd get the M&P. But I got both and like them very much.

Good luck in your decision.

EDIT: Trigger pull on the CW9 is very long and heavy, feels like my DAO j-frame but you get used to it and it's actually very smooth. Personally, I'm ok with the M&P trigger but others seem to not like it. I've got stock sights on both guns and they work fine. My accuracy with both is great, probably more so with the M&P though. I use GD or HST 124gr +P in both guns and they work great. The break-in period with the CW9 is a little strange but very necessary. Once I got past 200-250 rounds the CW9 has been very reliable with no FTF/FTE issues at all. I've never had an issue with the M&P. Most of my family (wife and 2 teenage daughters) like the M&P 9c better but they don't practice as much as I do. The M&P 9c is better right out of the box in my opinion too. Again, love both guns but my pick would be the 9c. Shoot them both if you can and see which fits your hand better and feels best to shoot for you. Good luck!!
 
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I would take the M&Pc any day over the Kahr..

I much prefer the M&P trigger and higher capacity.
 
The CW9 doesnt have a heavy trigger pull. It is longer than others but its ~7lbs. If thats heavy, you need to hit the gym.
 
Very different pistols, one lighter thinner with less capacity if the matters and can hide be concealed better. Might want to add the CM9 to that as it can use the longer mags as backup and could be pocket carried and lighter still. Might depend more how you carry orthen buy the one you shot best. I have 2 kahrs. Bother triggers brake at or bearly over 6lb and very smooooth. It can superize shooters how nice it is.
 
I have a M&P 40c and like it a lot. One thing no one has mentioned is if you want a Crimson Trace laser grip it's as simple as pulling the backstrap off and slip the Crimson Trace on. The Crimson Trace grip is two watch batteries thicker. Also just so you know, the compact back straps aren't interchangeable with the FS, so if you have the CT grips the don't work with both sizes. I have the CT grips on my compact and carry mine in an IWB Kholster and it conceals fine. Even with shorts and a loose T shirt. The compact hold 12 rounds in 9mm and 10 in the 40. the FS holds 17 in 9mm and 15 in the 40. I bought a couple of grip sleeves so I can use a full size mag if I want. I also have a M&P Pro I shoot for USPSA but I've started shooting the compact with the short mags in IDPA matches. If you don't like the trigger reset on the M&P you can buy a RAM from APEX. Also the M&P can be bought with or without a thumb safety if that's important to you.

I don't have any experience with Kahr so can't comment on them.
 
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Both are great guns. You have to make a choice as to whether you would prefer a slim and comfy gun that is slightly more concealable (CW9) or a gun that is a little less comfortable and less concealable, albeit with higher capacity(M&P9C). Both are great as a CCW.

I have a Kahr PM9 and M&P9C. Both are fantastic guns.

The CW9 doesnt have a heavy trigger pull. It is longer than others but its ~7lbs. If thats heavy, you need to hit the gym.
Click to expand...

And do finger pushups? :p Or perhaps curl some "finger bells?"
 
Thanks for all the info guys, you all have given me much more to think about. Cost and fit are my main factors. I just seen a Kahr cw45 for sale not to far from me, cost is $300.00, and hasn't even had 300 rounds through it! But don't have the money today to even consider going and looking at it, have to wait to sell my Honda cb175.

I'm leaning towards the Smith & Wesson, but I like the weight factor of the Kahr. I do need to get out and size them up though.

Thanks again you all, Clint
 
I loved my Kahr CW9 and CW40. Thin, light, decent stock trigger, great feel, decent accuracy. I absolutely loved them ... on those rare occasions either one would get thru a range session without choking or breaking completely - all well after the 200 rd break-in. Let your Google Fu guide you for other similar experiences. I know their steel pistols have a great reputation, but unless changes have been made I just couldn't trust a Kahr poly pistol again.

The upside is that Kahr customer service was great. All three trips back to the company (2x .40 and 1x 9mm) they were stellar. :D
 
The trigger on the Kahr is one of the best I have seen on a DAO pistol

NOT HEAVY AT ALL

Better than the the M&P. I have only shot the M&P once.

To me, the THIN, makes sure that it gets carried.
 
I have the M&P9c and find myself carrying it more often then not over the summer. It conceals well, 12+1 capacity, plus it will take the 17 round full size mags, that's 30 rds of 9mm in small package. I also own a Kahr P380 and love this little gun for pocket carry and I've been eye the CW9, but my M&P9c really fills that niche. Most (not all) people who comment on the M&P trigger don't own one and have not taken the time to train using the firearm. Apex makes some drop in kits, but IMHO they are not needed. I've shot my M&P9c quite a bit both in IDPA matches and just training with it. I did the same with P380 and all my carry guns. I recommend the M&P9c based in capacity, ease of concealment, reliability, S&W customer service and availability of aftermarket accessories. Some will say self defense shooting are typically less than 6 rds and you don't need 30, but if you can carry more in almost the same size why limit yourself. The CW9 is really not a pocket gun so you still need an IWB rig to carry it. If you are already doing the IWB holster why not have the extra rounds? Just my $0.02. YMMV
 
I don't carry a double stack gun because I don't want to buy pants, shorts and shirts one size bigger to deal with a noticeably thicker and heavier gun.

The only advantages of the m&pc in my eyes is capacity and mag cost. Both my CW9s had been 100% reliable(2500 combined rounds through them) so reliability is a moot point. The advantages of the CW9 is that its priced cheaper, better factory trigger, easier to conceal, smaller/lighter/thinner and it has a larger grip area w/out needing to use extended mags.
 
I carry a Kahr PM40 or the P45 IWB. I can almost forget the gun is there. Kahr(s) handle recoil better than any gun that size and are totally reliable after the 200 round break-in period.
 
The M&P9c was my first EDC handgun and I think it is a fine weapon. I liked the trigger and found it to accurate and comfortable to shoot. However, carrying it got to be a bit of a PITA to EDC it in the Texas heat. A few months ago I traded it for a Kahr P9 and never looked back. The Kahr was used and already had around 2-300 rds through it. I have put around 400rds through it and it has been absolutely flawless with no failures of any type. To be fair, my M&P was also flawless in operation through over 1,000rds. Some people hate the Kahr trigger. I think it is a thing of beauty. Something about it just feels right.

IMO, the Kahr may be better for a more experienced shooter or for someone who prefers a DA revolver. I think most people would find the short striker fired M&P trigger easier to get comfortable with. For me personally, the difference in magazine capacity was not an issue. The fact that my Kahr is so comfortable to carry that I often forget it's there is...
 
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