CW45 and Reloads

[Sloman]

Just got a CW45 from the original owner that shot about 275 rounds through it. So I went to the range and attempted to put some FreedomMunitions reloads through it. Several failures to feed.
Is it the ammo? Anyone else have that problem with their reloads and their CW45?

[leftysixty]

Most likely the ammo. Good reloads should be no problem!

[Ikeo74]

When reloads FAIL the most often it is because the OAL is just a bit too long. Do the drop in test to see if the bullet drops into and back out of a removed barrel of your gun. If they don't seat all the way, check the ammo spects for the shortest recommended OAL and run them back through your press to shorten a little at a time until they seat. Don't go shorter than bullet specifications. Kahrs have a short chamber. Shorter than most other guns that will shoot the same reload without fail.

[Sloman]

I guess I should add this: the problem was the nose of the bullet rammed up against the feed ramp and would not go into the chamber. I did not "sling" the slide but used the slide release to chamber the first round.

[tony k]

When reloads FAIL the most often it is because the OAL is just a bit too long. Do the drop in test to see if the bullet drops into and back out of a removed barrel of your gun. If they don't seat all the way, check the ammo spects for the shortest recommended OAL and run them back through your press to shorten a little at a time until they seat. Don't go shorter than bullet specifications. Kahrs have a short chamber. Shorter than most other guns that will shoot the same reload without fail.

+1 When I first got my cw45, I was having failures to go in to battery because my reloads were too long. I was loading 230 grain FMJ to 1.26" for my 1911. The CW45 has a short throat and likes 1.23" or 1.24" I bought some freedom munitions a few years ago, and I think they were 1.26" Never tried them in a Kahr.

[tony k]

I guess I should add this: the problem was the nose of the bullet rammed up against the feed ramp and would not go into the chamber. I did not "sling" the slide but used the slide release to chamber the first round.

If not an overall length issue, then it might be a magazine issue.

I'd still lean toward it being related to the ammo. have you tried anything else? If not, I'd try some winchester white box or some PMC Bronze, or similar "plinking" ammo with brass cases.