Smith and Wesson M&P9c ($439) or Kahr CW9 ($339) for range fun/CCW?

[David007]

I went to the range and rented alot of 9mm.

i was most accurate with the M&P9c. (Ironically, the full size M&P9 came in at #3 behind the Glock 19. )

So when i see the M&P9c on sale again for $439 + FFL, i'm getting it.
Then i saw the CW9 for $339 +FFL. That's an amazing price for a Kahr.

The purpose of the gun is probably 80% range plinker/20% CCW for when i goto places i'm not familiar with.

also, i've never shot a Kahr CW9 nor do any of the ranges rent one. Should i buy it blind?
hm.. it also only comes with one mag so the price bumps up w/additional mags.

Which would you buy? Why?
Thx

 

[catnphx]

I've got both a M&P 9 and 9c and like them both very much. They are American made, S&W has great service, they both shoot very well and we've had zero problems. We've put 500 rounds through each of them with all types of ammo. The M&P platform is fantastic ... plus, if you can find one under $450 then you've got yourself a good deal.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[mfcmb]

When shopping for a compact 9mm some years ago I tried everything I could rent; including Kahr, M&P, Glock, Sig, etc. I found I liked the compactness, hand-fit, etc. of the Kahr CW9 best. I've been very happy with it.

 

[Ankeny]

I have both pistols. Like mfcbm, I really like the compactness, weight, etc. of the Kahr. It's a great gun. But...for just plain shooting, I prefer the M&P9c. If could have only one it would be the M&P.

 

[Kingofthehill]

The price on the M&P9c is a damn good one! I love the M&P line. Huge fan really and they are great. By getting the Compact you could always put on an x-Grip to make it more like a Full Size if you ever get the urge.

The Kahr CW9 for $339 is a good price but nothing out of the ordinary... Locally you find the CW9 for $359 and buds gun shop has them out the door for $369... IMO that lineup of the Kahr isn't where they really shine, their P Series are much better.

If you find that price again on the M&P 9c i would totally jump on it. If this is primarily a plinking gun the key IMO is comfort and i wouldn't buy a gun without first trying it.

Have you shot/tried the Ruger SR9c?

Since you are looking for a Plinker, have you ever tried/considered the CZ line? They are amazingly accurate and the CZ-P07 can be had for $428.

 

[Skylerbone]

After shooting the CW9 I'm a fan and it's on my short list of new carry options.

As an owner of a 9c I am well satisfied with it's accuracy, dependability and ergonomics. That being said, the Kahr can be slipped into a pocket (and removed from said pocket) with relative ease. The M&P cannot.

Sight unseen is not much different than buying without shooting. If the model is reliable, chances are the example will be as well (no guarantees). Whether or not it suits you is the real question.

 

[jawn]

Even as a Glock person (for striker-fired), I'd get the M&P9C in a heartbeat at that price, especially if it's serving as mostly a range plinker. It has great ergonomics (no pinky dangle for an average person's hands, unlike say, a Glock 26) and is well-sized for IWB carry.

 

[Ringer]

I own M&P, Kahr and Glock pistols.

The M&P I think fits both roles better. The CW9 is slimmer, but you say 80% range. The CW9 has pretty low capacity for a range gun. The trigger is going to be way different on the Kahr than the M&P and the Glock. It's long and heavy similar to a revolver and does not have a quick reset like the others. I wouldn't buy one without trying if first. If you shoot revolvers well DA then may not be a concern.

For me the M&P is is my favorite at the range. G19 is most carried. Kahr PM9 and P9 are for deeper/easier concealment.

 

[M&PVolk]

FWIW, I would go the M&P route. I stay away from the Kahr CW series, as I had a very negative experience with it and their customer service. The M&P has been flawless.

 

[m2steven]

I have several Kahr 9mm pistols. The triggers on the kahrs are superb. They are also supremely accurate and reliable. As someone pointed out, they won't hold the number of cartridges that the m&p or glock or ruger 9mm will. However, in my opinion, the quality of Kahr is second to none. When I carry a pistol, it's usually my PM9 or my SIG 238. I use Buffalo Bore 380 ammo for the SIG and it hits hard.

 

[yhtomit]

If it was only CCW, and I was the one choosing, I'd go for the Kahr; I have the same model, it fits my hands about perfectly, and I think is easier to produce from a holster. I've shot and enjoyed the M&P, too, and think it has a more *comfortable* grip, just one that seems slightly more obstructive to producing it, as smoothed as it is. Nothing like *bad* -- I'd just give the Kahr the edge. But for 80pct range time? I'd choose the M&P for hand comfort, and because you'll need to reload your mags somewhat less

(Not that higher capacity doesn't fall on the pro-M&P side for CCW, too, but the gap between no gun and a decent gun -- as are either of the ones you're considering -- is way, way bigger than that between them.)

timothy

 

[Ala Dan]

CW 9 us hard too beat~!

 

[Skylerbone]

One more thing to consider is that, depending on your geography, wardrobe and how you carry, the M&P will always require a holster whereas the Kahr CAN be pocket carried. My father dropped his into the front pocket of his old man casual slacks with no discernible print and no snagging. A good holster for the M&P will set you back another $80. It's a much better range option in my opinion for reasons already stated by others but you have to decide if the 20% carry time is more important than the 80% fun time.

One last thing; the Kahr with it's included magazine (and you'll need a second for carry, $40) has a longer grip than the M&P compact with the grip extension installed.

 

[Ringer]

CW9 would be too large for me to pocket carry. My PM9 is pushing it, for me anyway. Either way you'd still need a holster for it.

 

[Fremmer]

If you know that you shoot the S&W well, then go with it.

 

[Ledgehammer]

The Kahr CW9 for $339 is a good price but nothing out of the ordinary... Locally you find the CW9 for $359 and buds gun shop has them out the door for $369... IMO that lineup of the Kahr isn't where they really shine, their P Series are much better.

Yea out the door + tax,ffl fee and shipping cost. To me OTD means what my receipt says at the very bottom. 339 is a good price for a sweet gun. The capacity is the only thing your giving up. My CW9 has been accurate and reliable right out of the box.

 

[skoro]

I've had an M&P9c for three years now. It's a great compact auto. Never shot a Kahr, but they seem to be well made from the ones I've handled. But I can enthusiastically recommend the M&P.

 

[ScottM]

M&P 9c is my new carry gun, replaced a well used Sig P225. Can't say enough good about it. As already mentioned, for long range sesions I have the Xgrip and full size mags.

No experiance with the Kahr, although I have heard alot of positive things abount them from some of the guys that carry them from my local PD

 

[David007]

One more thing to consider is that, depending on your geography, wardrobe and how you carry, the M&P will always require a holster whereas the Kahr CAN be pocket carried. My father dropped his into the front pocket of his old man casual slacks with no discernible print and no snagging. A good holster for the M&P will set you back another $80. It's a much better range option in my opinion for reasons already stated by others but you have to decide if the 20% carry time is more important than the 80% fun time.

One last thing; the Kahr with it's included magazine (and you'll need a second for carry, $40) has a longer grip than the M&P compact with the grip extension installed.

the kahr has a longer grip than the m&p9c w/the xgrip?!

then how can you pocket carry it and why does it have LESS rounds?

also, you need the xgrip for more capacity? you cant just drop in a full size m&p9 mag like you can drop in a glock17 mag into a glock19?

How much is the xgrip extension?

 

[Skylerbone]

Whoa!!! There are some terminology mix-ups going on here.

S&W has a flat base and an extended base (pinky rest) for the M&P compact line. Arredondo (IIRC) makes an aftermarket sleeve, the XGrip that allows ergonomic use of a full size magazine.

With the factory extended base pad magazine the M&P's grip is still shorter than the Kahr's. The Kahr is more pocketable because it weighs half as much and is thinner.

I'll post some pics after work of the two side by side. The grip "extension" (for full size mags.) is about $14 and is a molded rubber sleeve that slips over the magazine and turns it's bottom 1/3 into a grip extension. You can and I have used the 17 round mag. in the compact sans "extension", more appropriately a sleeve.

 

[Skylerbone]

Pictures as promised:

And just for fun the Kahr and a Colt Govt. 1911:

I do love my M&Ps, all 3 of them but after buying that CW9 for my dad I decided it would have to be added to my gotta get one for myself list. Even at 6'3" and 230 with hands to match the Kahr was never uncomfortable in my experience. My father is closer to normal size, 5'10" and 175 and has finally found a non-1911 autoloader he can smile about.

His first group (close range, about 10yds)