New carry gun

[ATBackPackin]

So it looks like I may be in the market for a new carry gun soon. I want something in 9mm, thin, and 3 - 3.5 inch barrel along with the obvious reliable and accurate.

Here are a few that I have come up with:

Kahr CW9

Walther PPS

S&W 3913

I know they vary in price and the S&W is DA and the first two are DAO. Out of the three I have only shot the PPS and I liked that. I have heard people rave about their Kahr's. Likewise, I have heard nothing but spectacular things about third generation S&W's.

So what I would like to hear from you fine people is facts and opinions about these three weapons and perhaps others that fit my criteria. Just please try to refrain from " X is great. Buy it and you won't regret it" or " Y sucks".

Thanks a trillion,

Shawn

 

[David E]

Of the ones you mention, I'd pick the Kahr, hands down.

 

[Country_boy_88]

if money was no option maybe the kahr. I still like my taurus 709 slim

 

[David E]

The CW-9 is fairly cheap compared to the other guns in the Kahr line. A very good value for the money, easily found to be in the $399 range.

 

[ATBackPackin]

David, care to elaborate?

Country boy, the Kahr is actually cheaper than the Walther and the S&W is about the same price but used. Now as far as the Taurus, I personally have nothing against them but I have heard SO many negative things that it makes me quite nervous. Any bad experiences with yours?

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[Pilot]

I had a 3913 and couldn't hit a thing with it. I traded to a friend of mine whome came to the same conclusion and subsequently traded it on something else at his local gunshop. That may have just been mine as I've heard they are good pistols. I also didn't like the fact that I couldn't manually cock the hammer as they are bobbed from the factory. Just a personal preference.

Of the three, I would go with the Walther PPS, but I would also consider the current crop of German surplus HK P7 PSP. Yes they are heavier, but are slim, classic, accurate and superbly reliable pistol. It will be in your possesion far after the others have gone.

 

[Hotspur]

3913 thoughts

I have a 3913 LS that I love. Very accurate and has never failed to feed. I was seriously looking at the CW9. Had some reservations about their occasional problems but had decided to get one. Had $$ in my pocket and was going into the door to buy it. Gun shop was busy and I got tired of waiting so I left. Then a good deal came along on the 3913's brother--the 3953. This one is the DOA version and it is one of the models that has a shortened grip. I bought it and a few weeks later took it to the gun shop to compare. It is heavier by about 8 oz and is a 1/4 inch taller than the Kahr.

The 3953 is very accurate and eats everything. Mags & holsters have not been hard to find. I am happy with my choice and probably would have been happy with the Kahr. If you look at the pictures on the left, you will see it's size relative to my EDC knife.

You have listed three fine choices. Shoot them, feel them, read about them, and pick one. Take good care of it and you will be happy.

Hotspur

Left Two: S&W 3913 ------------------- Right Two: S&W 3953
Regular Grip ------------------------ Shortened Grip

 

[Country_boy_88]

@atbackpackin

well im not a big fan of the walther really and well the smith just would be to heavy for me. I have no experience with the kahr but i have heard they are quality made but expensive.

I used to hear some not so good remarks about taurus but i was able to shoot a pt1911 and found it to my liking. The slim line came out and I was very pleased with the pistol.
Ive probably put 600 rounds through it and it has only jammed a couple of times due to some really cheap range reloads.

My brother bought the millenium pro which has a slighty higher mag capacity but it weighs a ton compared to the little 709.

Both have given us zero problems and my only complaint is i have not been able to get a extended magazine

 

[David E]

The 3913/14 is a great gun. I have one of each. The 3914 was my backup gun when I was a cop. I had the trigger worked on to minimize the hard DA pull. SA was always fine. I made Master with it in IDPA and won a State title or two with it.

But it requires the shooter to remember to decock the gun if the hammer is back on a loaded chamber, but the need for shooting has passed. THEN, it requires the shooter to remember to flick the decocker "off" so it'll fire at the next trigger pull. Most people are not willing to put the time in to master those gun handling protocols. As a result, I have a hard time recommending it.

The DAO version, the 3953, is a viable alternative. No decocking/undecocking needed ever.

I had a Walther in the shop recently and was thoroughly unimpressed. It seemed unnecessarily clunky and not nearly as thin as the advertisements made me think it was. The trigger wasn't all that great either, but maybe that can be fixed. I also thought it too big for the role it was supposed to fill.

The Kahr, tho, is a winner. The CW-9 is a good value for the money. Here, they go for $400 or so. I have a P-9 and a K-40 and like them both quite a bit. The last CW-9 I looked at had a decent trigger on it. For the size, it's a pretty good handful of power.

 

[ATBackPackin]

Thanks for the replies and the updates gentlemen. I went to a gun shop the other day that had them all and it came down to the Kahr or the Walther. I liked the trigger a little better on the Walther. I really liked the Kahr as well, just a longer trigger pull but probably not a bad thing on a gun with no external safety. I bought the Kahr because it had everything I was looking for and it was $220 cheaper than the Walther. I'll just have to get used the longer trigger pull.

Anybody know a good holster for the Kahr CW9?

Shawn

 

[Quack]

EMP 9mm?

 

[tackstrp]

i agree on the Taurus 709 slim but would add the kel tec PF9. if it will not fit in my front pocket doubt that i would ever carry. Just me, i am sure .

 

[18DAI]

Another vote for the 3913. As compared to your other two choices, I find the 3913 to surpass them in reliability, durability, thin slide, and cost. Good luck! TJ

 

[lions]

Anybody know a good holster for the Kahr CW9?

I carry mine in a Comp-Tac Spartan every day. It is fantastic, very comfortable and it conceals the gun well. Very secure too, my CW9 didn't budge with me sprinting and jumping across the yard a couple times.

I vote for the Kahr if you couldn't have guessed it. It is very thin and I love that. The trigger is pretty long but it is smooth, no stacking. Very accurate at the range, the long pull makes for a surprise break most of the time. I also really like the bar-dot sights for more practical shooting. I have absolutely no trouble picking up decent flash sight pictures while drawing from concealment and double taps and such.

It didn't take long to get used to the trigger pull. I think you made a fine decision. Probably couldn't have gone wrong though, all good guns.

 

[SigP229R]

I have a Sig Sauer P6 and a S&W 5903 the smith is a bit larger than the P6 due to the fact it has a rail, both are excellent weapons. Right now top gun supply has some 228's coming in from switzerland and they are probably as good if not a little better than the P6's. Also you may be able to look around like on J&G'S sight and find some P6'S but I understand theirs or at least some of them have cracked frames. Anyway that is just my input. I'm sure others will have other thoughts as well. Good luck on whatever you get.

 

[Chortdraw]

Check out the Bersa 9 uc. Good price and a very accurate and reliable gun. I own 3 Bersa's and they are fine weapons.

 

[Pilot]

Nothing wrong with the Kahr. Many carry them and really like them. Curious to hear how it shoots for you.

 

[Ala Dan]

As a matter of fact, I just had my Kahr CW-9 out today. These are great,
inexpensive firearms with quality built in. For $399-450, you simply can't
go wrong~!