Should I get a CW45 or XDS-45?

[O'Dell]

The rails on the frame of the cw's are plastic, not steel.

You are looking at the guides for positioning the slide. The rails are part of a steel cage that wraps under the slide inside the polymer frame.

[smokersteve]

Here is what happens to the "guides" - which are part of the rails, over time.

[O'Dell]

Here is what happens to the "guides" - which are part of the rails, over time.

The guides are not part of the rails. As I said, the guides are just for positioning the slide on the frame when you reassemble it. That's never happened to any of my seven Kahrs BTW, but it doesn't matter anyway. The pistol will still function normally.

[getsome]

Welcome to Kahrtalk tycoonbob, you have found the right place to answer your questions....Now choosing a gun is a very personal decision and you should hold, dry fire and if possible rent and shoot both but if thats not possible then I'll make it simple, go with the CW45 and don't look back....

Both are great high quality guns and you wont go wrong with either one but since you aren't turned off by the lefty deal I think the Kahr would suit you well, in fact being a lefty is better because you wont likely hit the mag release button when he gun recoils like some right handers do....You are correct that if you haven't solved a problem with 6 rounds then you should have brought along some armed friends...The CW45 will disappear in a nice belt holster or IWB rig and you will forget you are carrying it in no time....If you belt carry the CW line of pistols can't be beat for quality, concealability and user friendly design....

The XD's had a recall to correct some pistols that would fire while on safe so if you do decide to go with the XD be sure it's not one of the defective ones or has already been back for correction or be prepared to wait 30 days or more to get it back from the factory, just something to keep in mind...

As for whether a CW40 would be better than a CW45 I would say no....I have a PM40 and really like the gun as I pocket carry and it's been 100% reliable but if I had to do it over again I wouild have gone with a PM9 or maybe a PM45....The .40 S&W caliber is fine in a bigger gun like my M&P but in a sub compact gun the .40 really isn't very much fun at all to shoot....Now some brave souls here will say they can shoot their little .40 all day without a problem all I know is that after 25 rounds or so through my PM40 I'm ready to put it down and shoot something easier on my old hand....

Good luck in your decision and no matter which one you choose be sure to come back here and let us know....This is a great forum and we all like to cut up and have a good time and we all love to talk about guns and shooting....If you decide on the Kahr really be sure to read all the great info in the new member section and there are lots of good folks, (even you Jocko) who will be glad to help you out with any questions or problems you may have....Good luck with your new pistol which ever one you choose....

[JERRY]

get the Kahr.

[gb6491]

The rails on the frame of the cw's are plastic, not steel.

You are looking at the guides for positioning the slide. The rails are part of a steel cage that wraps under the slide inside the polymer frame.

Here is what happens to the "guides" - which are part of the rails, over time.

The guides are not part of the rails. As I said, the guides are just for positioning the slide on the frame when you reassemble it. That's never happened to any of my seven Kahrs BTW, but it doesn't matter anyway. The pistol will still function normally.

O'Dell is correct on all accounts.
Kahr frames have steel rails imbedded in the frame that the slide rides on.


Following photo was posted by Ken6PPC on another forum:


The plastic "rails" serve as guides for installing the slide. These guides will generally wear some from when they are factory fresh, but they reach a point where the wear from the slide operating will cease. Any damage beyond that point is probably from sloppy technique when removing the slide during dis-assembly. That's not to say they can't fail, but it's true that you could cut them off and the gun would function fine without them (there's a post here where a member did that to one of the front pieces).

For the OP;
I have both an XD-S in .45ACP and a Kahr CW45.

Each is reliable and accurate.
First ten round I put through the XD-S at ten yards (standing):

Here's three magazines worth of Blazer 230 gr. ball from my CW45 (two mags at 10 yards and one at 25: all two handed standing):

I think you would be well served by either.

Regards,
Greg

FWIW: if I could only keep one of the two, it would be the CW45. I like that has 6 in a non-extended mag (vice 5 in the XD-S). I also prefer it's trigger and ergonomics (that's not to say the XD-S is a slouch in either department, but it's trigger did require some work post recall).

[smokersteve]

Sorry, I was wrong in calling the "guide" the rails. My bad.
I still would go with a Glock over Kahr after handling, dismantling, and shooting both.

[MarkB1]

Both guns are quality, accurate guns. Either would be a good choice.

I have the XD-S. I like that it has a grip safety, trigger safety and striker block safety. I also have small hands that fit the XD-S. I have problems with a double stack gun.

I also have a P380 that is also very good.

One of the major differences is the trigger. The Kahr has a long, very smooth trigger pull while the XD-S is much shorter. You should try both guns to see which style of trigger you prefer. Some hate the Kahr trigger and many more love it.

If you do get a XD-S make sure you have a post-recall gun. The repaired XD-S can be identified by a small roll pin in the side of the grip safety.

You can see it here: http://springfieldrecall.com/TechnicalBackground.asp

FYI - The reason for the recall was one owner's gun went full auto with a full mag when he pulled the trigger - Not good! No one was hurt, thank God.

[gb6491]

Sorry, I was wrong in calling the "guide" the rails. My bad.
I still would go with a Glock over Kahr after handling, dismantling, and shooting both.

I like Glocks myself, just not their .45s. I owned a 30SF when they first came out; it had the failure to return to battery issue many were having then, but I got that fixed. I just couldn't find any love for the aircraft carrier size slide on it and the 21. The one 36 I had experience with was not reliable (failures to feed), so I ended up with the CW45 (to be fair, I didn't own that 36, but I now think the issue could have been resolved). I do like the feel of the new, thinner slide G30S and G41 (local shop has one for display purposes only), but I hate the finish Glock is using on their slides now (everyone I have looked at shows wear from just being in the box).

My newish G19 had some erratic ejection, but an old machined extractor I had on hand fixed that. If I could only have one 9mm it would be the one (though the CZ75 might give it a run). The only pistol I own chambered in .40S&W is a G27
Regards,
Greg

[phil413tx]

Should I get a CW45 or XDS-45?

I personally have to vote for the XDs. I love Kahr in 9mm and .380 but for some reason I have had trouble with the .45s. My XDS has been great. I love the trigger. Post recall, the trigger was a little different but I really like it.

[yqtszhj]

I've had both. I kept my Kahr and sold my XDs-45. You can't beat the trigger on the CW45. It has a much nicer trigger in my opinion. I will never sell my Kahr CW45 or CM9. The CW45 works with 7 round Act-Mag magazines also flawlessly for me.

[h2ohhh]

I love my CW-45. Manageable recoil, easy to conceal and a very comfortable 5 finger grip plus after the break in period it's as smooth as 12 year old whiskey. The .40 on the other hand is snappy to me.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[JERRY]

my PM45 has a few issues in the beginning. nothing more than a bit more ammo to smooth it out but I was frustrated as hell after ponying up all that dough. however, after the XDs trigger safety issue id take another Kahr 45 before I tried a XDs.


my PM45 just needed more breaking in than usual, the XDs had a design flaw....

[tycoonbob]

Well everyone, I'm sitting in the parking lot of KY Gun Co...with my newly purchased CW45! $350 plus tax, and I couldn't be happier. Hopefully I will still be as happy once I get to shoot it!

[smokersteve]

Sweet. Great price also