CW45/P45: Flush fit magazine - UPDATED

[Maverick64]

Here's the procedure as it was orginally presented:
http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7813
Regards,
Greg

great link......so you now have 7 rounder and lockback??

[FirstKahr]

did you have to alter the frame of the P45?...................some posts report cutting the bottom mag well of the frame to accommodate the mag..........That's where I draw the line

I did not have to alter the frame on my P45. I used the Kimber Compact 7 round mag PN#1000172. I removed the Kimber guts, modified the feed lips as advised and installed a Kahr mag spring and follower. No mods to the mag release slot were necessary. The base plate of the new mag is just about as close to the bottom of the frame as in Greg's pictures.
I would post a picture but I can't get a clear one. They're all just a blur.

[gb6491]

great link......so you now have 7 rounder and lockback??

Unfortunately, the Kimber follower didn't work as well for me as it did for others in that thread (it failed to lock the slide back consistently in my pistol, YMMV). That said, if I'm not going to carry a spare magazine I use the Kimber or another flush fit 7 rd. magazine.
Regards,
Greg

[thatguytoo]

CW45 Flush fit magazine problem solved

I am new to this forum, and I must not have the privilege to provide pictures yet, so I will explain below.

I've been working on this project for a while now, and here is what I found to work 100%.

I bought a Kimber KimPro Tac 7rd magazine (compact), and removed the spring and follower. I then filed-opened the magazine lock window both on the forward and on the bottom of the window slightly. This will allow the magazine lock to fully engage to avoid the magazine from dropping out while shooting. The best way to ensure an exact fit is to pull the lock button out of the gun, and mate or check it against the magazine after removing the material. Once it nestles against the magazine, and you can no longer see gaps between the lock button contour and magazine, you have removed enough material. Just work it slowly with a Moto tool, and/or small file. Window opening should be .150” x .350” . [<-->]

Now, you will need to slightly modify and file the top feed lips to provide clearance from the slide, and extractor. Using the stock CW45 magazine as a template, mark the KimPro with a felt pen, you can eyeball this close enough. Remove only material forward of the feed lips, and a very slight bit on the top until the slide can travel without contacting the top of the magazine. You are about 50% done now. Next, on the top rear of the magazine you will see |___| where the rear of the bullet nests. Using a round file, put a .050” radius in it to match the stock CW45 magazine. Now, debur and polish all the areas you have ground on, and give it a good cleaning.

Carefully reassemble the KimPro magazine using the CW45 magazine follower and spring. You have to work the follower in from the top, so be patient.

Now, you have a 6 rd, flush fit magazine that is ideal for a conceal carry weapon, and 100% slide lock back on the last round fired! I have several rounds through mine, and not one problem.

DO NOT be tempted or try modifying the KimPro follower with 7 rounds. It does not work. The gun will lock up, and slide lock does not always work. Trust me on this… Don’t get hung up on trying to squeeze a 7th round in.

You can order a stock replacement follower and spring from Kahr IF you’d like to keep your stock magazine for the range. I hope this helps everyone looking for a solution that works.

Larry

[Maverick64]

Kimber Pro Mag

Ok using follower and spring from Kimber mag, I have 100% lockback.....and seven rounds. performed all the steps including rounding out rear top portion of mag....... problem is that when i Manually rack slide to extract rounds, it is jamming but they are coming out although relunctly.....not smooth.....should I make any adjustment?....



I am usually a very strong guy to begin with.............have to range test it to see if it jams

[thatguytoo]

Kimber mag

I had too many problems using the stock KimPro follower and spring as well. Way too much pressure on the slide, and made it very difficult (tight) to rack. That is why I installed the CW45 follower, and went to 6 rounds, not 7. This made it very easy to rack the slide, and 100% reliable including lock back.

Larry

[Maverick64]

switched to kahr follower and spring

i switched to the Kahr follower and spring and it will cycle manually but it still has some rounds that are jamming....I guess I have to test fire........to see if slide cycles.

[thatguytoo]

switched to kahr follower and spring

At what point of the cycle are the rounds jamming? I do know that if you manually cycle rounds slowly they can tend to hang up. Things need to move pretty quickly, and with some force in semi-autos for them to function properly. Please keep me posted if you have any issues at the range, but I believe you shouldn't have any problems.

[Maverick64]

trying

I can rack slide to load, locks back everytime.. when I am manually cycling the slide it hangs up........I will test fire.......Great forum by the way...........

[thatguytoo]

Be safe

Just be sure that the slide and/or extractor are NOT coming in contact in any way with the new magazine throughout the slides travel. Do this with empty mag looking carefully several times to be sure.

[Maverick64]

yes I made sure..............will have a range report when I can get down to range...............

[n2brk]

I just ordered three MGCO4506B's... I'm very glad that everyone shared their experiences in this thread, it's a big help to a nqqbie like me

Wally

[n2brk]

UPDATE: this mod can be done to a Mec-Gar 6rd. Officer's magazine (MGCO4506) and mine functions perfectly to include locking back with the Mec-Gar components (follower and spring) installed. I believe this to be the least expensive, viable way to go. Again, this is how I did it, not a "how to": proceed with any modifications at your own risk.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BABY!!!!!!! I went the Mec Gar route and bought three of them. I just did the first one in very short time. Great suggestion on using this magazine! The angle of the round on the follower/lips is just like the stock Kahr mag. I inserted the mag into the well with the slide locked open, and saw the point of contact as described. I took off a little and tested (repeated a few times) and it was a perfect fit. I took a Sharpie and painted over the now fresh areas from filing, and retested and examined to see if the paint was scraped off indicating a high spot of drag; none found. I polished the follower to a mirror and the feed lips as well. Reassembly and testing indicate things are perfect. I'll do the other two and then give it the litmus test at the range.

Thanks for helping newbies like me to do what Kahr should be offering!

Wally

[n2brk]

this is great! I just did the third one. I whipped it out in mere minutes freehand with a bench grinder, followed by a stone to smooth the shape. If you are on the fence, just do it!

[n2brk]

Range report - I put a couple hundred through the new trio, without a single hiccup. THANK YOU to those sharing this great info.