I want to purchase a CW45, but...

[onalandline]

I have been researching the CW45 for some time now, and I like what I see, but not so much of what I have been hearing. The gun is being sold at a very reasonable price, and is made in the U.S. by a reputable gun manufacturer, but there seems to be some quality, finishing issues with this pistol. I hear too many times of folks having ammo issues and unusual wear issues. The solutions always seem to be file this, sand that. To me, this is unacceptable. I guess that is what you get for a pistol that is half the price of their other models. I am a Glock guy. All of my Glocks have shot fine right out of the box, never having an issue - flawless. I really like the CW45 and still would like to get one, but I have some reservations. My other choice would be the Glock 36, but I like the profile of the CW45 with the full grip. I hope Kahr is listening to people and maybe refining the CW line to eliminate these issues.

Can someone please convince me to get a CW45?

[yqtszhj]

Give me a week and a half and maybe I can give a new range report on mine that should be arriving. There are some other recent good reports that have been posted.

[Deano]

I have a glock 19 and a CW45. I have 200 rounds through my CW45 with one FTE. The glock has NEVER failed to fire or eject. For home defense the glock is at my bedside. Carry is another matter. My CW45 and CM9 will go places the glock won't. That is their big advantage. Reducing the size of the gun so much reduces tolerances to the point that it needs to be just right to function properly. Sometimes it takes a little tinkering. Some function perfectly right off the bat. I've had one of each. Once you get them working like they should, you will be glad you did. If the purpose of the CW45 for you will be concealed carry, the kahr line-up can not be beat, IMO. If it's sole purpose is home defense, get the glock.

If there are times that you will not carry because your glock is too big, you need to get a kahr. :53:

[ilmbaba]

Please read my thread on my purchase and Range Report on the CW45 I bought last week. I had the exact same reservations as you. It has been fine. I firmly believe that following some of the prep steps posted in this forum makes a big difference.

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13485

Also, check out my reply oon Page 4 of this thread:

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13425&page=4

I had the same concerns, and my CM40 did go back for a broken mag follower. Even so, there have been too many stories about how great Kahrs become after the break-in period, and very few about how they never got better. I'm pretty sure that most people with issues just pulled them out of the box and started shooting. Yes, you can do that with a Glock (if you don't mind the copper lube getting everywhere, and the Kahr is a tad more sensitive, but it's worth it for me, so far. I have a Glock 21SF which I love dearly, and I can shoot it well (especially with my Lone Wolf 6 1/2" barrel). I bought the CW45 for a lighter carry in the woods when bears aren't the issue.
Like you, I also did a lot of research, and it was a toss-up between the CW45, the Taurus PT145 Millenium Pro, and the S&W Sigma (in .40 S&W). I had a Glock 36 and didn't like it (also, it has some bad press too). They were all in my price range, and oddly enough, they all had a fair amount of negative press, as well as a bunch of people who swear by them. In the end, I went with the Kahr because they showed me great Customer Service when I had my issue (by the way, the CM40 continued to function after the follower broke, and I had none of the FTF or FTE issues people complain about).
Ultimately, you have to do what you are most comfortable with, but for me, I rolled the dice and I am happy I did.
Let me know what you decide.

[wyntrout]

The reliability and price suit a lot of people. That's why Glocks have a large following... BUT, they are just large and BLOCKY to me. The Kahrs are slim and compact... great for CCW, which is what Justin Moon was aiming for. Yes, sometimes these compact, tight-tolerance Kahrs need breaking in and some tinkering, but they are worth the trouble for the smooth trigger and compact firepower. Most of us have made minor adjustments and tweaks learned here from our own experience or those of others. That's the great thing about this forum. You're not alone if you need help or suggestions for just about anything.

I tried looking for a revolver for my wife at the gun show yesterday and I couldn't believe how heavy and rough all of the triggers were! That's one terrific thing about Kahrs... the smooth consistent trigger! My wife needs practice and increasing her hand strength to work the slide.

Kahr and the rest of us can't guarantee that you'll get a problem-free pistol, but we'll try to help you, and Kahr Customer Service is terrific, though they don't always get it right the first trip back to the factory, either. ALL of my NEW Kahrs have been back at least once, on Kahr's dime, and all function reliably and hit the mark if I do my part.

Welcome to the forum, and I hope you have a favorable experience if you do take the plunge on a Kahr pistol.

Wynn

[dudechevy]

I have been researching the CW45 for some time now, and I like what I see, but not so much of what I have been hearing. The gun is being sold at a very reasonable price, and is made in the U.S. by a reputable gun manufacturer, but there seems to be some quality, finishing issues with this pistol. I hear too many times of folks having ammo issues and unusual wear issues. The solutions always seem to be file this, sand that. To me, this is unacceptable. I guess that is what you get for a pistol that is half the price of their other models. I am a Glock guy. All of my Glocks have shot fine right out of the box, never having an issue - flawless. I really like the CW45 and still would like to get one, but I have some reservations. My other choice would be the Glock 36, but I like the profile of the CW45 with the full grip. I hope Kahr is listening to people and maybe refining the CW line to eliminate these issues.

Can someone please convince me to get a CW45?

I bought my CW45 and have had nothing but problems with it. mostly ftf and stovepipes. I have done all the prepping and fixes suggested and am going to send my gun back to Kahr.

[TheTman]

dudechevy, I'd send that gun back in a heartbeat, Kahr will make it right. I had to send my CW45 in right after I bought it due to the tirgger not resetting, and they had it back exactly one week later. I sent it in again last Wednesday or Thursday, and Fed Ex called today to say they will have a package for me tomorrow, Even quicker than last time. Give Kahr a chance to make it right and they will fix it or replace it. Since it went in the first time, it has since proved reliable enough to be included in my Daily Carry guns. I usually either have the CW45 or the Boberg XR9S on. Once in awhile I carry my .44 snubbie, and my CW40. The holster for the CW40 is kind of a pain to put on, so I mostly either grab the CW45 or Boberg.

One thing I would do first, is to let someone else shoot the gun and see if they have the same problems. I had problems with my CW40, It was my first polymer gun, that showed I was limp wristing it some, while others shot it just fine. So I changed the way I held the gun, and my problems disappeared. I'd shot a lot of othe semi-auto's, but they were all steel framed, and weren't as susceptible to limp wristing as a polymer gun is, since the frame flexes more than steel or aluminum.

[dudechevy]

dudechevy, I'd send that gun back in a heartbeat, Kahr will make it right. I had to send my CW45 in right after I bought it due to the tirgger not resetting, and they had it back exactly one week later. I sent it in again last Wednesday or Thursday, and Fed Ex called today to say they will have a package for me tomorrow, Even quicker than last time. Give Kahr a chance to make it right and they will fix it or replace it. Since it went in the first time, it has since proved reliable enough to be included in my Daily Carry guns. I usually either have the CW45 or the Boberg XR9S on. Once in awhile I carry my .44 snubbie, and my CW40. The holster for the CW40 is kind of a pain to put on, so I mostly either grab the CW45 or Boberg.

One thing I would do first, is to let someone else shoot the gun and see if they have the same problems. I had problems with my CW40, It was my first polymer gun, that showed I was limp wristing it some, while others shot it just fine. So I changed the way I held the gun, and my problems disappeared. I'd shot a lot of othe semi-auto's, but they were all steel framed, and weren't as susceptible to limp wristing as a polymer gun is, since the frame flexes more than steel or aluminum.

I did have others shoot my gun with the same results. I called Kahr today and shipped them the gun which cost me $61 out of my pocket. If I am still not happy with it after I get it back I will just trade it or sell it. I guess guns just don't have the quality built into them today like they used to.

Best of luck to the orginal poster to this thread,
David

[MERCTECH]

If you need to be talked into buying a cw45, maybe you need to move on. It seems like if you do buy one your going to be looking for something to complain about anyway. Its probably not for you. It is a great gun BTW.

[downtownv]

If you need to be talked into buying a cw45, maybe you need to move on. It seems like if you do buy one your going to be looking for something to complain about anyway. Its probably not for you. It is a great gun BTW.

I agree when you need us to convince you look at something else, it will never live up to your expectations.....

[Armybrat]

If I relied on the internet critiques before purchasing a handgun of any brand (Glock, Colt, S&W, Sig, Kahr, Ruger, etc), then I'd probably just carry a baseball bat or a wheelbarrow full of bricks.

[onalandline]

Give me a week and a half and maybe I can give a new range report on mine that should be arriving. There are some other recent good reports that have been posted.

Thanks. Looking forward to it.

[onalandline]

I have a glock 19 and a CW45. I have 200 rounds through my CW45 with one FTE. The glock has NEVER failed to fire or eject. For home defense the glock is at my bedside. Carry is another matter. My CW45 and CM9 will go places the glock won't. That is their big advantage. Reducing the size of the gun so much reduces tolerances to the point that it needs to be just right to function properly. Sometimes it takes a little tinkering. Some function perfectly right off the bat. I've had one of each. Once you get them working like they should, you will be glad you did. If the purpose of the CW45 for you will be concealed carry, the kahr line-up can not be beat, IMO. If it's sole purpose is home defense, get the glock.

If there are times that you will not carry because your glock is too big, you need to get a kahr. :53:

Right now, my G19 with a TLR-1s is my bedside pistol. I am interested in the CW45 for carry. I do have the G27, which I love, but the CW45 is just thinner. My LCP is real concealable, but I like more firepower.

[onalandline]

Please read my thread on my purchase and Range Report on the CW45 I bought last week. I had the exact same reservations as you. It has been fine. I firmly believe that following some of the prep steps posted in this forum makes a big difference.

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13485

Also, check out my reply oon Page 4 of this thread:

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=13425&page=4

I had the same concerns, and my CM40 did go back for a broken mag follower. Even so, there have been too many stories about how great Kahrs become after the break-in period, and very few about how they never got better. I'm pretty sure that most people with issues just pulled them out of the box and started shooting. Yes, you can do that with a Glock (if you don't mind the copper lube getting everywhere, and the Kahr is a tad more sensitive, but it's worth it for me, so far. I have a Glock 21SF which I love dearly, and I can shoot it well (especially with my Lone Wolf 6 1/2" barrel). I bought the CW45 for a lighter carry in the woods when bears aren't the issue.
Like you, I also did a lot of research, and it was a toss-up between the CW45, the Taurus PT145 Millenium Pro, and the S&W Sigma (in .40 S&W). I had a Glock 36 and didn't like it (also, it has some bad press too). They were all in my price range, and oddly enough, they all had a fair amount of negative press, as well as a bunch of people who swear by them. In the end, I went with the Kahr because they showed me great Customer Service when I had my issue (by the way, the CM40 continued to function after the follower broke, and I had none of the FTF or FTE issues people complain about).
Ultimately, you have to do what you are most comfortable with, but for me, I rolled the dice and I am happy I did.
Let me know what you decide.

I think I have already read some of that, but will go back and look again. Thanks.

[onalandline]

The reliability and price suit a lot of people. That's why Glocks have a large following... BUT, they are just large and BLOCKY to me. The Kahrs are slim and compact... great for CCW, which is what Justin Moon was aiming for. Yes, sometimes these compact, tight-tolerance Kahrs need breaking in and some tinkering, but they are worth the trouble for the smooth trigger and compact firepower. Most of us have made minor adjustments and tweaks learned here from our own experience or those of others. That's the great thing about this forum. You're not alone if you need help or suggestions for just about anything.

I tried looking for a revolver for my wife at the gun show yesterday and I couldn't believe how heavy and rough all of the triggers were! That's one terrific thing about Kahrs... the smooth consistent trigger! My wife needs practice and increasing her hand strength to work the slide.

Kahr and the rest of us can't guarantee that you'll get a problem-free pistol, but we'll try to help you, and Kahr Customer Service is terrific, though they don't always get it right the first trip back to the factory, either. ALL of my NEW Kahrs have been back at least once, on Kahr's dime, and all function reliably and hit the mark if I do my part.

Welcome to the forum, and I hope you have a favorable experience if you do take the plunge on a Kahr pistol.

Wynn

Thanks for the encouragement. I am just an anal SOB, and want things to work perfect. I will more than likely pick up a CW45 and hope for the best.