take on the CW45 ?

[gb6491]

I've had some issues with my CW45. I probably should have sent the pistol back to Kahr for repair (as I bought it new), but decided to tackle the issues myself (note: the issues would have required three separate trips back as they developed at different times). The pistol is operating very well at this point and I am nearing 500, post repair, rounds fired without any problems that were not ammo related (some misshaped reloads did give a few feed problems). Now, that I've worked out the bugs with my particular pistol, I'm pretty pleased with it. I like the ergonomics and looks of the gun. I find it a pleasure to carry and very accurate. That said and knowing what I do about the gun I have, I wouldn't carry a CW45 for self defense without first modifying the magazines. I know many others have not had issue with their pistols, but I also know that the potential for problem is there and that two changes to the magazine would, IMO, significantly reduce the chance of weapon failure.

In regards to the G36/CW45 discussion: I like .45ACP and have tried several pistols as a replacement for my G27 as a carry piece. I shot a G36 and G30 quite extensively as a possible candidates. I had several instances of double feeds with the G36. In all honesty, these could have been instances of "limp wristing", but, as these were range guns, I could not investigate further than clearing the jams. IMO, there is also a lot of wasted area on the G36 grip (it could be a lot smaller front to back) and I don't care for the large base plate (a similar plate is also used on the G30, but there is a 9 round magazine with a smaller plate available for it). Based on that experience, I bought a new G30SF. This gun developed a problem right away. However, the problem was well known on Glock Talk and a simply polishing of an internal part resolved it. The 30SF is a fine pistol and, after the fix, never gave me a problem performance wise. It was accurate as well. The big downside for me is the aircraft carrier sized slide on the 30; it's just too uncomfortable for me to carry IWB. If I'm going to carry OWB and dress accordingly, I prefer a 1911...much prefer it over the fat slide G30. (note: I really think Glock missed the boat here: a G30SF lower mated to the much thinner G36 upper would be the way to go). I traded the G30SF in on my current CW45 vice going with a G36. I'm still carrying the G27, but have high hopes for the CW...just need to get some more rounds down range with it.

Here's a good video for size comparison of the CW45 and a G36:
YouTube - Glock 36 vs. Kahr CW45

Regards,
Greg

[Vinikahr]

I've had some issues with my CW45. I probably should have sent the pistol back to Kahr for repair (as I bought it new), but decided to tackle the issues myself (note: the issues would have required three separate trips back as they developed at different times). The pistol is operating very well at this point and I am nearing 500, post repair, rounds fired without any problems that were not ammo related (some misshaped reloads did give a few feed problems). Now, that I've worked out the bugs with my particular pistol, I'm pretty pleased with it. I like the ergonomics and looks of the gun. I find it a pleasure to carry and very accurate. That said and knowing what I do about the gun I have, I wouldn't carry a CW45 for self defense without first modifying the magazines. I know many others have not had issue with their pistols, but I also know that the potential for problem is there and that two changes to the magazine would, IMO, significantly reduce the chance of weapon failure.

In regards to the G36/CW45 discussion: I like .45ACP and have tried several pistols as a replacement for my G27 as a carry piece. I shot a G36 and G30 quite extensively as a possible candidates. I had several instances of double feeds with the G36. In all honesty, these could have been instances of "limp wristing", but, as these were range guns, I could not investigate further than clearing the jams. IMO, there is also a lot of wasted area on the G36 grip (it could be a lot smaller front to back) and I don't care for the large base plate (a similar plate is also used on the G30, but there is a 9 round magazine with a smaller plate available for it). Based on that experience, I bought a new G30SF. This gun developed a problem right away. However, the problem was well known on Glock Talk and a simply polishing of an internal part resolved it. The 30SF is a fine pistol and, after the fix, never gave me a problem performance wise. It was accurate as well. The big downside for me is the aircraft carrier sized slide on the 30; it's just too uncomfortable for me to carry IWB. If I'm going to carry OWB and dress accordingly, I prefer a 1911...much prefer it over the fat slide G30. (note: I really think Glock missed the boat here: a G30SF lower mated to the much thinner G36 upper would be the way to go). I traded the G30SF in on my current CW45 vice going with a G36. I'm still carrying the G27, but have high hopes for the CW...just need to get some more rounds down range with it.

Here's a good video for size comparison of the CW45 and a G36:
YouTube - Glock 36 vs. Kahr CW45

Regards,
Greg

Thanks for sharing, very eloquently put!

[PaiN]

Thanks for sharing, very eloquently put!

Really...thanks gb6491 that is nice info on your CW45. What "issues" did you have and what did you do to fix them?
I feel the same way on the G30, it is a fright train , both in standard and SF, far to fat for my tastes. I did read somewhere that the Glock 21, 30 were simple refits of the 20 and 29 designed for 10mm....The 36 was a a ground up design by Glock for .45ACP.

[jeep45238]

while the 36 is all business.

Nah, looks like it hasn't seen the outside of a safe yet .

[jocko]

no doubt the DLC finish on the cw series kahrs would me one awesome gun, tha tmight challenge the looks of the glocks to. Maybe someday kahr will get around to offering that as an option, along with maybe xs big dot sights from the factory also. Price would certainly be more but people like that cw and to me the extra price would certainly be worth it.

for about $4 bills the cw kahrs are very har dto beat with any other brand gun. It is a gun u can shoot till the cows come home...

[gb6491]

Really...thanks gb6491 that is nice info on your CW45. What "issues" did you have and what did you do to fix them?
I feel the same way on the G30, it is a fright train , both in standard and SF, far to fat for my tastes. I did read somewhere that the Glock 21, 30 were simple refits of the 20 and 29 designed for 10mm....The 36 was a a ground up design by Glock for .45ACP.

Hi PaiN,
I linked to a thread that covers the issues/fixes/upgrades of my CW45 in my post above, but in case that link isn't working for you here it is in a different format:
http://kahrtalk.com/kahr-tech/1612-c...ues-fixes.html

Thanks for the info about the Glock 45s

Vinikahr,
Your comments are much appreciated.

Regards,
Greg

[PaiN]

Thank you for the link....and for scaring me off the CW45
There is one other viable option in .45 the SA XD .45 I can get one NIB out the door for under $550($545.66 ), which is less than a NIB Glock36 and it includes all the XD gear, these will be extra with the G36 and I would need some gear eventually.
I don't know much about the XD's other than they have a solid reputation and the .45 has sweet 13+1 capacity

[Bawanna]

Thank you for the link....and for scaring me off the CW45
There is one other viable option in .45 the SA XD .45 I can get one NIB out the door for under $550($545.66 ), which is less than a NIB Glock36 and it includes all the XD gear, these will be extra with the G36 and I would need some gear eventually.
I don't know much about the XD's other than they have a solid reputation and the .45 has sweet 13+1 capacity

I have 2 XD 45's and they are very nice but you are not comparing similar size guns. The 36 and the CW45 are much much smaller. If that isn't the factor for you, I say go for the XD. You'll like it. I'm looking hard at the S&W Compact M&P 45. Have not shot the compact yet but held it. The full size shoots very nice. Sorry if I stirred up the mud here.

[PaiN]

I don't want the .45 as a CCW, that is what my P9 is for. Its going to be a range gun and big fire power if ever SHTF....
My first real(not a .22lr plinker) pistol was a full size M&P9, shot the hell out of it at the range and IDPA style local matches and it never missed a beat, ever. I traded it for a 1911 when I had the itch to try one of those...
Thanks for stirring up the pot and making me miss my M&P

[PaiN]

Oh Crap!!! I just happened to pop over to my favorite shop's sight and was hit with a big banner ad...

"Springfield Armory XD45 Sale"

jeez um...only $429 for the standard... this is like a sign from above

http://www.hoffgun.com/specials.htm

[Bawanna]

Oh Crap!!! I just happened to pop over to my favorite shop's sight and was hit with a big banner ad...

"Springfield ArmoryXD45 Sale"

jeez um...only $429 for the standard... this is like a sign from above

Hoffman's Gun Center- Sales & Specials

I'd say it's a bona fide omen for sure. Best run not walk, in fact take the car and get over there before their all gone. Pics when it happens, I'm so happy for you, sorry I stirred the mud.

[gb6491]

Thank you for the link....and for scaring me off the CW45

Oops, that surely was not my intention. That thread was meant to chronicle the issues and (more importantly) their solutions that I experienced with my particular CW45. I was not passing judgment on any of the other Kahr 45s out there as this is the only one I have first hand knowledge of. I'm sure Kahr would have made things right with my gun, but I made the choice to do it myself. I hope that was not construed as an indictment of Kahr service.
I feel I need to reiterate that I'm pretty happy with the pistol as it is now. However, I do stand by the comment I made about not carrying my CW45 as a CCW piece without modified magazines YMMV.

All that said, I shot a SA XDM in 9mm last week and now I'm thinking about replacing my CZ75 with one (or at least getting the XDM and making the CZ a dedicated .22). If the XD 45 is as good as the XDM and you go that route, I think you will be a happy camper.

Regards,
Greg

[PaiN]

Oops, that surely was not my intention. That thread was meant to chronicle the issues and (more importantly) their solutions that I experienced with my particular CW45. I was not passing judgment on any of the other Kahr 45s out there as this is the only one I have first hand knowledge of. I'm sure Kahr would have made things right with my gun, but I made the choice to do it myself. I hope that was not construed as an indictment of Kahr service.
I feel I need to reiterate that I'm pretty happy with the pistol as it is now. However, I do stand by the comment I made about not carrying my CW45 as a CCW piece without modified magazines YMMV.

All that said, I shot a SA XDM in 9mm last week and now I'm thinking about replacing my CZ75 with one (or at least getting the XDM and making the CZ a dedicated .22). If the XD 45 is as good as the XDM and you go that route, I think you will be a happy camper.

Regards,
Greg

If its any consolation, I was looking for an excuse to not want a CW45.... The pistols price(lowest of the .45 choices) kept me on it. To be honest, the other guns were more of what I was looking for.
I'm in the store I linked too frequently enough, the last time I glanced over the SA section, those XDs were ~$550....they are looking almost to good to pass up at $120 off