Kahr CW45 Running Like a Champ (finally)

[Tony k]

I've been whining quite a bit about my trials and tribulations with my new CW45. I'm happy to finally report a good day at the range!

I put 100 rounds through my cw45 yesterday, and for the first time since I got it, I had no problems. Horay! I was shooting 230 grain xtreme plated round nose bullets over 6 grains of unique loaded to 1.23" and 1.24" oal

This gun is picky about factory ammo, I think because it has a shorter throat than most 45s. PMC 230 grain FMJs were more reliable (fewer nose dives) than Winchester white box 230 grain, and the only difference I could find is that the Winchesters are loaded to an oal of 1.265, while the PMCs were loaded to 1.255.

As far as SD ammo, I've tested Hornady 185grain critical defence (40 rounds), Remmington golden saber 230grain (25 rounds), and Federal 230 grain hydrashock (20 rounds). The golden sabers and the hydrashocks had several feed issues. The hornadys worked flawlessly. I'll try other 185 grain and 200 grain SD loads. I'm not abig fan of 185s, but if that's what this gun likes, that's what I'll use for SD loads. I hate buying ammo (price), so I may also load up some XTPs and see how they do.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited. Not only did it run smoothly, but I was very successful with follow up shots and overall accuracy. I'm really starting to like the trigger.

 

[hardluk1]

A 100 rounds of 45! Hows that hand feel?? I would have some tender spots I think with a 45.

I like a 200gr in a 45. let you keep velocity up in short barrels and most 200grhps will MOL ..O45 or shorter than most 230gr loads. If you have not tried Bayou bullets or sns give them a try. No leading even when stepped on . The poly coating has a very high melt point. and the 200gr swc at least for me shoots very well. Speers GD or bonded hp is my favored bullet but getting any is hell. XTP does work well .

I really like underwoods ammo but ya gota add that shipping charge in but they do have some speer bonded hp and xtp in stock in 200gr. Maybe get some buddies to add to make an order worth while ?? Good stuff for me so far in 9mm 40sw and 45 for my carry ammo. Georgia arms is the other one that uses speer GD and bonded in there new loads that show up at some SE gun shows with some even when there on line stock shows none.

Any how , glad you have your 45 running well. Now you gota try some 1911 mags in it??

 

[Dframe]

Good news. Glad to hear your guns running well now.
My CW-40 has never failed in 2500 rounds.

 

[Tony k]

hand feels just fine hardluk. I can handle 100 rounds. I start to complain at about 200 rounds (only made that mistake once)

I think I've actually tracked down the root cause of the nosedives and jams.

The portion of the slide stop that contacts the follower is too long. As bullets feed past the slide stop mechanism, they rub against it.

I've tested my theory by cleaning the slide stop, then hand cycling a few magazines full of factory ammo that gave me problems. The end result is a tiny spot of copper on the slide stop where bullets make contact. In addition, when I insert a magazine loaded with the problem ammo, I can see and feel the bullet rubbing against the slide stop.

THis only happens when the round is shoved slightly foreward (which happens as rounds are cycled and the upper round drags on the lower round).

This slide lock theory also explains why I've never had any problems with 185 grain hornady xtps. They have an extremely tapered/ pointy profile that doesn't come anywhere near the slide stop. It also explains why shorter reloads function well.

I sent an e-mail to Kahr requesting a new slide lock. I can easily file off a small amount of the problem spot, but I'd rather have a replacement in hand just in case.

I swear these Kahrs should come with a dremel :banghead: But I've got to say that I really like the way it handles and shoots.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Man, my CW 45 eats anything and runs like a champ.

But, when I first got it I locked it up trying to take the slide off. Yea, rooky mistake!

 

[Tony k]

I called Kahr today and explained my problem. I spoke with Ian (the fella with the Irish? accent). Very nice guy.

He asked if I'd been seeing copper on the slide stop. I said yes. He asked me for my mailing address and said he'd get a new slide stop in the mail to me.

While I'd prefer better quality control so that this issue never surfaced, I'm complely satisfied with this customer service. This is the kind of treatment that will result in me buying another Kahr. Hmm...CW9 for my girlfriend or CM45 for me?

 

[hardluk1]

You feeling greedy?? Get your girl friend one , just besure she can rack your 45 first. maybe she will ,, keep it !
Don't pass up on the larger tp or ct series if you get a chance. They shoot nice and carry well too.

 

[Tony k]

Greedy? Obsessive might be a better description And maybe a little impulsive about buying things I want . Once I figure something out, I like to toy around with it. You know, change variables, etc.

I got this CW45 running good, and in the process I learned a lot about what makes Kahrs tick. I feel like that knowledge is transferable to other Kahrs that I'd like to get.

We've been considering getting a 9mm for her for a while. She handles a 1911 fairly well and enjoys shooting it, but the stiffer recoil spring of the CW45 is just a little bit too much for her. Maybe she just needs to try different ways of racking the slide. She usually racks a slide in the "slingshot" method (but she knows to lock the slide back on the Kahr). Maybe if she tried pushing the slide in more of a cross-body method she could get better leverage.

 

[JERRY]

kahrs can be tricky, you can get a great gun just as often as you can get a lemon.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I got my girlfriend a CW9 first and after shooting her's I got me a CW45. Both shoot great so far. I love carrying the CW45 and her CW9 fits in her Gun Toting Momma purse perfectly.