Kahr CW40/45 vs Ruger LCR

[onebadcaballero]

I purchased a Ruger Speed Six 2.75" (sweet gun) about a 6 months ago as a kind of an all around range, carry, plinker, woods gun and I think I underestimated the heft of this revolver. I tried it with an IWB holster @ 6'o clock and it was pulling my pants down. Anywhere else the gun seems to print and get kind of heavy. It works good in shoulder holster out in the woods and the extra weight makes the gun perfect, fun and accurate for extended range and plinking sessions but I guess I'm not dedicated enough to carrying an all steel medium frame revolver.

So this leads to my question. I'm looking to spend around $400 for a dedicated carry gun. After looking around I came up with ruger LCR (in 38 special)for option 1. They fit the bill price wise, they fit my hand well and the trigger on the one I dry fired at the store was probably the best out of the box wheel gun trigger I've felt.

Option 2 would be a Kahr CW40 or 45. I've only ever held and dry fired the 40 but my experience with it was this. The gun is also ergonomic and the trigger is probably the best double action automatic I've felt. Price is in the high 3's.

As you can infer I like double action triggers and an ergonomic grip is important to me. I was set on a j frame smith but I wasn't really a fan of the trigger on my buddies 638. If anyone has these guns please post pics. None of the stores that have these guns have both or all three so I cant get a side by side comparison. Any input from experience with all or either would also be much appreciated!

 

[RonAMOK]

This was a hard one for me, I voted for the LCR, because I agree with you and believe it has the best out of the box DA revolver trigger currently available and I like the range in power levels available for revolvers. What made it a hard decision is because my carry choice is a Kahr P9. I have and have carried a Kahr P45, but I prefer the quicker fallow up shots I get with the 9mm. I practice enough I will make hits and I can make 4 with the 9 in the same time as 3 with the 45. Good luck. All three are good choices.

 

[horsemen61]

I voted for the LCR because I have one in 357 and I love it so I highly recommend the LCR and you are right it does have a sweet trigger.

 

[Broker]

I have multiple semi-autos, & revolvers too. I have two Kahrs, a CW9, & a CW45. For daily carry, I'd recommend the CW45. Flat & light, carries great, & MUCH easier to shoot well than a short barreled revolver. And, something that's very important to me in a carry gun, night sights. Kahr has Trijicon night sights available for the CW's. I have them on both of mine. The CW Kahrs can be bought for about $400, then night sights, extra mags & holsters added as you can afford them. Good luck with your choice, there are many good choices available now, fer shure!

 

[silicosys4]

I have had too many problems with my pm40 and cw40 to recommend them, so I voted the LCR

 

[onebadcaballero]

I've heard some mixed reviews about Kahrs . I think some of them have to do with proper gun break in but how many of them are just break in issues, I don't know. The LCR's trigger can not be understated for sure. Which is more concealable between the LCR and Kahr. For some reason I've heard people pocket carry the lcr but say the kahr cw is too large for pocket carry. Looking at some quick numbers

CW 45 Length 6.32" Height 4.8" Width 1.01"
CW 40 Length 6.36" Height 4.62" Width 0.94"
LCR Length 6.5" Height 4.5" Width 1.28"

???

 

[Haywood]

I carry a LCR357 every day as back up in my pocket. It carries in all the pants pockets I wear.The 357 round has always been my favorite. While full power 357 is rather harsh there are a few 357 Self Defence Rounds that are not bad at all. 38+P is perfect with the weight of the 357 Gun and the Tamer Grip. I carry Cobon DPX or Corbon 125g. JHP 357. I would feel just as well protected with Gold Dot 135g. +P 38 Spl.this round has good results on the street out of 2" Guns. Along with the LCR357, my main Carry is a SP101 or a 7 shot 357 Taurus.

 

[Dframe]

Ergonomics, is often ignored as an important feature of a carry gun. You are right to consider it. Everyone will have a favorite here. I've fired all of the guns you listed, and like them all. My preference would be the CW-40 only because I have one and it's flawless after 2400 rounds of every conceivable sort of 40 S&W ammo. Everything from full power 180 grain service ammo to lead bullet plinkers have been fed through mine without a single problem of any kind. It is also light, ergonomically sound, fits my hand well, and everything about the small pistol operates as it should.

 

[cwl1862]

In addition to the LCR you may want to consider the S&W 642 or the 442 both are Aluminum framed Airweights and are within you price range, although the LCR is an excellent choice. Another firearm worth your consideration is the Ruger LC9 it's small compact, lightweight, also in you price range and since your already accustom to DA trigger pulls the transition to the LC9 shouldn't be an issue. JMHO/YMMV
I personally have no experience with Kahr firearms so I won't comment on them, other than to say they look and feel good in the hand.

 

[SDGlock23]

CW40/45 for me. Higher capacity, quicker reload, more power, bigger bullet, it just makes sense.

 

[pezo]

I carry a lcr in .38 plus p. with the stock xs sights and boot grips. It's a very convenient and powerful weapon. I've fired various brand and varying power loads with it no problems and 0 malfunctions. I am revolver biased, don't own or have even shot any of the auto loader options you mentioned can only vouch for the lcr. I carry iwb, appendix in a de santis leather holster. The thing disappears on me. I'm 165 pounds and built straight as a board. The polymere frame soaks recoil real good and the gun shoots like its a bigger gun even with the boot grips, for me anyways.

 

[hardluk1]

If your willing to carry any 38sp why not add a 9mm that capable that's designed for +P ammo to your list. In the size and weight of the handguns your looking at I would pick a cw9 over the others. I CC'd a 38snubby for 20 years. Still have that great old revolver but now carry ether kahr a cm9 kahr for pocket or a cw9 for iwb duty. Also have the tp40 for when I can wear a cover . I have shot a cm40 and a cw40 and they do get your attention and I can see less shooting at the range with them. I like a 45 but would save that for a larger tp frame size. I carry 124gr gd +P in both 9mm kahrs and have 7+1 in the pistol with a 8 round mag as back up. Rather have a more controllable 9mm with more rounds at hand if ever needed and I can shot more rounds before discomfort sets in. Just my 2 cents.

I never felt under gunned with a 38 and the 9mm is a bit of a plus with more rounds and higher energy but still very controllable for my shooters .

 

[onebadcaballero]

Even though the LCR is similar in size compared to the kahrs the common consensus seems to be it carry's better. As far as J frames I'm not a fan of there triggers. The Ruger LC9 is not uncomfortable but compared to the other guns it doesn't fit my hand as well. If I get the LCR it's gonna get an XS big dot for sure later on down the road. As far as not listing the cw9, I figured since the cw40 and 45 are only marginally larger and only carry 1 less round I'd go with the larger calibers. It is true they kick more but the only gun I've fired that I wouldn't want to put more then 50 rounds through was a scandium j-frame 357. It is true the LCR will be down in fire power but I shoot revolvers at least decently and it has similar controls (ie button release cylinder) as my Speed Six.

 

[Wevil]

I have a LCR 357 and a CW9. The LCR has been left to glove box gun and I carry the CW9. The Kahr rides slim and comfortable IWB and has 3 more rounds than the LCR.

 

[Inebriated]

Kahr over Ruger every single time. The CW40 is just unpleasant, so the CW45 get's my vote.

 

[hardluk1]

Onebad IF you have not shot the 40 and 45 cw you do want to do so before buying one. You may not want one afterwards. The 9mm may suddenly look good. I personaly would rather own a pistol and can fire double or triple taps quickly with more rounds on hand rather than chase the pistols recoil between shots. That is a real issue with the larger calibers. Just don't see any reason why a 5 shot 38 snubby would do when a 8 shot 9mm would not !! But it is your choice so good luck. At least with a kahr you get the DA trigger pull, just waaay better than a revolver can be.

 

[Dean1818]

The kahrs are decent, but if I was going to IWB carry, I'd go with my Shield


But IF I HAD to pocket carry.......LCR

Much quicker draw than a kahr...... (Or a semi auto)

 

[Dframe]

The Kahr with it's excellent smooth trigger pull shoots as fast as you can pull the trigger. I don't understand the folks who claim the CW-40s recoil is punishing. I've never found it so. In fact I've fired several "Mystery Metal" S&Ws that were FAR more punishing. One belonging to a friend, and shooting 357s was brutal. I fired five rounds and wanted NO MORE. I can shoot my Kahr all afternoon.

 

[mio]

I have a Kahr CW45 I'm well past the 200rd break-in and it still fails to feed fmj ammo. It's going back to the factory. At this time I have to recommend the LCR.

 

[hardluk1]

Dean1818 You have experience with a cm kahr pocket drawing?? I spent 20 years mainly pocket CC'n a snubby . The cm9 is by far a better for pocket duty. So far 1500 rounds thru it. 0 issues.

Dframe Your right about recoil in ultra light revolvers. A 357 , even some 38sp +P loads in a 13oz or lighter revolver with a 2 finger grip is crazy. But the 40 and 45 in some small handgun is more than some ever figure out regardless of skill levels.

 

[Dean1818]

Dean1818 You have experience with a cm kahr pocket drawing?? I spent 20 years mainly pocket CC'n a snubby . The cm9 is by far a better for pocket duty. So far 1500 rounds thru it. 0 issues.

Dframe Your right about recoil in ultra light revolvers. A 357 , even some 38sp +P loads in a 13oz or lighter revolver with a 2 finger grip is crazy. But the 40 and 45 in some small handgun is more than some ever figure out regardless of skill levels.

I had a K9 and a CM9, so yes I do have experience with them
I used several pocket carry holsters, but didnt like the draw


The problem with semi autos for pocket carry is the back end

Put an LCR nose down next to a CM9 nose down

That raised sharp angle you see slows a pocket draw in many pants pockets

I found I could quickly get to an LCR size revolver and draw, but still no where near as fast and smooth as IWB

Also, practice the tueller drill.


Its almost impossible from a draw in the pocket

I found I am much faster with IWB than I am pocket pull. (Most do)


Many people (including me) wouldnt dare carry a pistol that fails 4 out of 100 times

Pull your hand out of your pocket then quickly draw your CM9 from deep in the pocket FAST, 100 times.

I guarantee, you will fail more than 4 times.


The kahrs are nice, but I didnt like the long trigger (forget accurate double taps)
And didnt like the reset


Overall, pocket carry is my least favorite method of carry. I think a tussle on the ground would put someone in a bad way trying to get into a pocket.

What if you are sitting in your car.....Pocket carry access just became almost impossible

 

[Dean1818]

I've heard some mixed reviews about Kahrs . I think some of them have to do with proper gun break in but how many of them are just break in issues, I don't know. The LCR's trigger can not be understated for sure. Which is more concealable between the LCR and Kahr. For some reason I've heard people pocket carry the lcr but say the kahr cw is too large for pocket carry. Looking at some quick numbers

CW 45 Length 6.32" Height 4.8" Width 1.01"
CW 40 Length 6.36" Height 4.62" Width 0.94"
LCR Length 6.5" Height 4.5" Width 1.28"

???

As I say in my post put both nose down, on a table will see why one is better for the pocket

 

[peacemaker45]

If you want a new gun, by all means get a new gun. If you just want to stop your CCW pulling your pants down, though, try a proper gunbelt. Most reputable leather makers also make a belt that's much sturdier than a thin dress belt or Wally-world special. A $70 belt is a lot cheaper than a $400 pistol.

For any of the ultralights you list, you'd do well to shoot them before buying, if possible. The LCR might not be too bad, but the .40 and .45 are likely to be ... Rambunctious, let's say.

 

[hardluk1]

Dean My view is about pocket carry and you have your take on it and I have mine on pocketing pistol. I don't table top carry and that has npthing to do with a verticaly carried pocket carry in a good holster. I spent 20 years pocket cc'n a revolver and 6 with pistols 4 a kahr cm9. I will never carry a revolver again period for CC . I know I can clear my kahr cm9 quicker no matter how you look at it as I have tried a shot timer to check. I to rather IWB when it is more practical and then again its with a pistol I have several that serve for iwb duty not the little cm9. Only time I use a revolver anymore is for hunting and that get a cross chest holster.

 

[onebadcaballero]

As I said earlier I've fired off 357 magnum from a scandium j frame. To be exact it was a box of 50, 125 grain. I don't think a 20 ounce 45 or 40 (in an automatic platform none the less) will be as punishing as that. I decided to take some stock photos and keep them scaled to manufacture dimensions. Should give a pretty good idea of size and shape. Yes, yes... I do kind of want an excuse to buy a new gun (mat, not doormat).