Kahr CW9 for concealed carry

[Michigan Trigger]

I've been looking online for quite some time about obtaining a nice, full powered cartridge 9mm auto for CCW. From what I've read, the Kahr CW9 might be the right choice for me. I plan on taking a CCW class in the next 3 months. Anyone have some input for me concerning this pistol?? I'm also open for input of a similar sized auto as well. I currently have a full sized Beretta PX4 .40 S&W for house protection and I love the single action trigger pull...very crisp. I suppose I've really grown to love a 4 pound trigger pull. The only thing I'm concerned with the CW9 so far would be the trigger, from others who have commented on it from other forums. Others have stated that the Kahr trigger pull is quite long, this might be an issue because of the pull I'm already used to. Thank you for your input for assisting me with this info.

 

[Dane17]

I got one for my wife. She took it thru a 500 round 2 day course without a failure. She's stubborn though and ultimately insisted on a glock 23.

The cw9 has now defaulted to my second most common concealed carry piece simply because it's light and fits in my pocket easily (including a pocket holster).

Having said all that I don't find it very accurate in my large hands.

 

[Nushif]

Most people I know who compare the Kahr trigger to a normal DA trigger have never even touched one.

The length if pull on my E9 is half that of my DA Beretta; and is slightly lighter at that ... after the Beretta has been tuned down to minimal reliability weight. And no gunsmith has ever even touched the Kahr's trigger.

Before you go and listen to internet advice go to a shop or show and (I know, heresy! Nobody should do this!) dryfire it. If you can't shoot a Kahr reasonably well you're not a good shot, is my opinion.

 

[catnphx]

Love my CW9 ... great concealment and shoots well; never had any problems with about 1,500+ rounds through it. Fits my hand like a glove and I knew from that moment I would get one ... it felt that good.

The trigger is very long but smooth. It's different but if you are going to CCW, then you need to be shooting it alot and you'll get used to it.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[tangomike706]

I own the CW40, which aside from being chambered in 40 S&W is the same pistol (mechanically) you will find that it's easily concealable, and more accurate than expected. I picked mine up for around 400 ish , and know they can be had for less. overall , I'd say it's a good pick for concealed carry. once you put some time into shooting it , that trigger is real nice.

 

[Michigan Trigger]

Thanx everyone for the advice. If i do purchase this pistol, I plan on shooting it a lot until I get used to it. I want to get the muscle memory down so it will be like second nature to pull the trigger. I also like that this kahr has conventional rifling, that way i can reload and shoot lead ammo through it. I would probably carry with the hornady critical defense ammo.

 

[bdb benzino]

+1 on the CW9 being an outstanding CCW! Easy to carry and shoot, and with a set of $80 Trijicon night sights it is one of my best CC pistols.

 

[usp9]

If you want to shoot lead, then the economy line of Kahr is best for you. The primary drawback to the "C" models is the lack of a dovetailed front sight, thereby limiting the number of sights available. The "C" line only comes in stainless, no black finish, if that should be a desired feature.

The trigger is most often compared to a DA revolver. The length of pull is long when compared to a SA, but short and light compared to a DA/SA first pull with the hammer down. Kahr claims 3/8" pull at around 7#. There's is some slight vaiance between Kahrs and some feel smoother than others, (there may be many reasons for this).

IMHO, the feature that gives the Kahr trigger a different or awkward feel, that takes some getting used to, is the length of reach. The distance from the trigger to the backstrap is short and by the time you pull the trigger and are expecting it to break, it feels as if you're about to touch your trigger finger to your hand. The trigger finger is almost pointed back at you, not flat to the trigger. Takes some getting used to.

 

[Jbabbler]

The CW9, CW40, BP9, BP40, PPS are all similarly sized. To me this is the perfect balance between concealability and shooting comfort. I would say that a CW9 is comfortable enough to shoot hundreds of rounds through at the range and still easy to hide with minimal "dressing around".
Shoot the heck out of it and make sure you "get" the trigger system and reset point. I have had several of theses guns and was able to make all but one of them reliable without Kahr involvement. One... not so much, 3 trips back and still choked.

 

[hardluk1]

I bought a used cw9 that gave the owner fits and he gave up. I can't come up with any reason that he could not shoot it except maybe he was just not meant to shot smaller light guns. It has been completely reliable for me and that caused me to then go out and buy a cm9 for pocket carry. Trigger pull will lighten with rounds fired . both mine or right at 6lbs . I carry a 124gr +P load in both but practice with what ever is cheap. Even 115gr runs just fine. Shop around as prices around here are in the very low 400 dollar range.

 

[taosgunguy]

I have the Kahr CW40 and it's great. However, I bought the CM9 for the smaller size, and it's awesome. If it's for concealed carry, why not buy the smaller one? Also, first of the year Kahr is bringing out the CM40, only a tiny bit larger than CM9, and I'll be getting one as soon as possible, as I like the 40 knockdown power better.

 

[Michigan Trigger]

Sound like i need to get to the regional sporting good store and handle a few of these pistols. I have relatively small hands, so maybe i can get my pinky on the bottom the the CM9 grip. Does the CM line of pistols have a pinky magazine extension available as an aftermarket item??

Thanx again for all the great advice

 

[Jbabbler]

Sound like i need to get to the regional sporting good store and handle a few of these pistols. I have relatively small hands, so maybe i can get my pinky on the bottom the the CM9 grip. Does the CM line of pistols have a pinky magazine extension available as an aftermarket item??

Thanx again for all the great advice

You can put an extension on the mags. All Kahr mags are the same (as long as they are long enough) and can interchange. You can put the CW mags in the CM and they will work just fine.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

 

[hardluk1]

They don't come with a extention but you could use a factory +1 mag for range work and use the standard for CC. I also have a cm9 for pocket carry and swap the cw mags to it at the range and carry the extra 8 shot mag. The cm9 is still a very controlable pistol with only two fingers on the grip.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I've got about 500 rounds through my cw9 with no trouble.

Yes, the trigger pull is a little long. There is no reset. There is just a long, smooth trigger pull like a nice revolver. It is pretty light, though. It took some getting used to for me.

It is slim, and it is small. It carries well. I love wearing it owb as it is comfortable and you hardly know it is there. I bought a $20 gould and goodrich holster from midway fully expecting it to be awful, but good enough to practice with until I get familiar. Turns out I actually like it and wear it out.

The sights are pretty decent considering the price of the pistol. I'll probably order the front night sight sooner or later.

Edit:: I much prefer a glock 26, glock 19 or s&w m&p 9c. But since the Kahr carries so easily, I reach for it more often than not when getting dressed. Slimmer and lighter than a compact 1911 and very noticeably slimmer than the glock, m&p, xd or px4's. I've heard the Kahr cw9 has a rep for being unreliable, but I haven't found that to be the case. I've used hornady critical defense, gold dots, the evil tula steel cased ammo, wwb and just about anything I have laying around. All functioned perfectly even during the recommended 200 round break in.

 

[340PD]

I have the PM9. It is sized for carry. I use both a IWB and pocket holster. I am attending a function this evening requiring a suit and tie. I just compared my trusty 340pd and my KAHR in a pocket holster wearing wool dress pants. The KAHR actually feels and looks smaller in my pocket. It will be with me tonight. I load only plated bullets so I have no issues with reloads and my barrel. I train with my gun at 30'. I shoot it as accurately as any of my guns at that distance. I do agree the trigger pill is very smooth and long. That is exactly what I want in a carry gun. I added Pearce extensions on my mags for a slightly longer grip. They work great. It functions flawlessly with any of my reloads. Lot's more info over here.

http://kahrtalk.com/forum.php

 

[TonyT]

The Kahr CW9 is the "budget" priced version of the Kahr PM-9 which I carry. Mine had been reliable and very accurate - I can place 7 shots within a 3 inch circle at 7 to 10 yards. Kahr's trigger system is unique and best described as a smoth light DA revolver trigger.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Kahr's trigger system is unique and best described as a smoth light DA revolver trigger.

Yep. It is smooth and very light, like a ruger LCR or a tuned smith. Takes some getting used to if you are accustomed to bottom-feeders instead of revolvers.

 

[hardluk1]

Tony T do you mean the CM not the CW. The cw model is larger. The CM is the lower cost version of the PM To many letters to close to being the same.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Tony T do you mean the CM not the CW. The cw model is larger.

Yup CM9 is the economy version of the PM9. The CW9 is the economy version of the P9

The CW9 is very is very accurate, mine has replaced my 642 as my go-everywhere CCW...it is fully capable of holding < 2" at 5-7 yards

 

[Orion8472]

I recently picked one up. Quite comfortable to carry. Only have 115 rounds through it, but all trouble free.

 

[LCPor9mm]

CM9

The CM9 is a very good CCW. The bottom of the slide on mine ate my thumb the first time out. Either the 400 grit sandpaper or a slightly different hold has changed that and this is rapidly becoming one of my favorite small guns. I find it easier to control than my Ruger .380 LCP and almost as easy to carry. I like my MK9 even better.

 

[Michigan Trigger]

Thanks again everyone for the input. I went to a large sporting goods store on Friday and was able to size up/handle the CM9, CW9, & CW40. My hands fit the CW pistols better, I wasn't very fond of the two fingered hold on the CM9. The trigger was a lot smother than expected, but long. I'm certain with practice that I could get used to the trigger travel. I'm actually considering getting the CW40 because I already have dies for the .40 S&W. I also like the slim grip of this pistol because of the single stack design, it fits more like a 1911 rather than the double stack Beretta that I have at my bedside safe. My only real concern between the 9mm vs .40 is the step up in recoil in such a light pistol.

 

[JDGray]

My CW9 shoots like a much larger pistol, I dont think one in 40S&W will be an issue. I can group my CW9 like I do my CZ75, in slowfire, so the accuracy is there. The rest is just practice......

 

[usp9]

My only real concern between the 9mm vs .40 is the step up in recoil in such a light pistol.

It is fairly easy to put a lot of rounds, hundreds, through a 9mm Kahr during one range session. But even the 9mm are not like shooting a full size duty gun. You feel the recoil, no doubt. The .40 will be less comfortable faster... that's all. The fact is a 18 ounce gun in a major caliber has some recoil associated with it.

I occationally shoot +P and +P+ through my 9mm Kahrs which sort of mimics a standard .40 round. The difference is noticable. IMHO, if you are an seasoned shooter with experience in the .40, then you know what you're getting. If not, maybe the 9mm would be easier to train with.