Kahr CW9: Difficult slide release...

[error4o4]

I bought my first handgun this past weekend, a NIB Kahr CW9. The recommended break-in period is 200 rds., which I went through this past weekend shortly after purchase. Brought the gun home, field stripped and cleaned it. Re-assembled and performed a function test.

1. The slide stop will not engage automatically when the slide is pulled back manually.

2. The slide stop is very difficult to release, BUT only if there is an empty magazine present. If there is a round in the magazine, or no magazine present at all, the slide stop performs as expected.

Being not only my first Kahr, but also my first handgun, I'm looking for a more expert opinion regarding my CW9's function. Is this typical function, or is something not working properly?

 

[DZL HOG]

Those probs arent b/c its a Kahr CW9, it doing that stuff because its a semi-auto handgun.

1. Its not supposed to lock back if there is no mag, or a mag with rounds in it, in the gun.

2. The follower in the mag is what activates the slide lock. So with the empty mag in place, you are pushing the follower down also with the tiny slide release, making it more difficult than with no mag.

Everything seems to fine to me.

 

[error4o4]

exactly what i was looking for. awesome. thanks!

 

[kludge]

Not a Kahr expert, but...

1. The slide stop will only hold the slide back when the magazine is empty

2. The magazine follower engages the slide stop when the magazin is empty. The extra tension the follower puts on the slide stop could be the cause of your experience. When there is a round (or several) in the magazine the follower no is no longer in contact with the slide stop making it easier to release.

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I would recommend NOT using the slide stop as a "slide release". I would recommend instead learning to release the slide by pulling back on the slide and then letting go.

The reason for this is tactical in nature and has to do with muscle memory under stress.

Finger off the trigger. Insert loaded magazine and ram it home. Rack the slide. Bring pistol on target.

(DO NOT ride the slide foreward. When you let go of the slide your weak hand should hit your shoulder, practice this until it becomes habit.)

Reload: Finger off trigger. Drop empty magazine. Get fresh magazine. Insert fresh magazine. Ram it home. Rack the slide. Back on target.

Tactical reload: Finger off trigger. Drop partial magazine into hand. Put mag in pocket. Get fresh magazine. Insert fresh magazine. Ram it home. Rack the slide. Get back on target.

Misfeed/Misfire/FTE/etc. Finger off trigger. Smack the magazine to make to it's fully seated. Rack the slide. Get back on target.

Seeing a pattern?

Muscle memory. Fully seat the mag. Rack the Slide. Get on target.

It's the same drill for every situation, you only learn one motion, and with practice (and more pratice) you'll be more likely to perform the task under stress.

 

[dogtown tom]

kludge:

I would recommend NOT using the slide stop as a "slide release". I would recommend instead learning to release the slide by pulling back on the slide and then letting go.

Absolutely do not do this with a Kahr. The owners manual says specifically to load from slide lock. Some Kahrs (like my CW9) I can slingshot the slide. Others like my PM9 and K9 work best loading from slide lock.

 

[kludge]

It's bad technique that gets you in trouble. Kahr just doesn't want guns coming back cuz people are riding the slide.

 

[IdahoLT1]

Kahrs seem to be very tight fitting guns. They are meant to slam into battery. I can take my Beretta and bring the slide back and then slowly/quietly move it into battery, chambering a round. The Kahr will not do this.

Other than that, like others said, its acting like any semi auto handgun. You made a good choice getting the Kahr. Hopefully you have or youre going to get a concealed weapons permit to go along with the gun.

 

[Ala Dan]

Congratulations~!

on the Kahr CW-9, which is a great pistol for the money~! I just wish
they supplied an extra magazine with each weapon sold.

 

[Papaster]

The CW-9 (I believe this was in the owner's manual) is designed to be difficult to depress the slide-lock lever down with an empty magazine inserted, as a reminder to the shooter that they are about to drop the slide without a round in the chamber. You'll notice that there is no difficulty either with no magazine inserted, or with a loaded magazine to depress this lever. This is how they engineered the pistol.
I love the CW-9. Awesome trigger and a great carry size. Congratulations on your acquisition! Do read the manual. There's good info in there for a first-time handgun owner (or anyone).

 

[Hawaiian]

My PM9 is harder to release the slide lock than most other firearms. Even with a loaded mag in place. This is how Kahr designs them. And they recommend using the slide release rather than the sling shot method, which does not always work.

 

[biggiesmalls]

read the manual cover to cover, especially since it's your first pistol. inside it says that the gun was designed to have the slide release be hard to depress if the slide is locked back on an empty mag. congrats on a fine weapon at a reasonable price.

 

[rcmodel]

read the manual cover to cover, especially since it's your first pistol.

Read the manual? On your first ever pistol?
Shirley, you jest!

I know, don't call you Shirley!