P45 or CW45?

[Bawanna]

Not correct. The slide rides on metal front and rear. The front the rails are only visible for a small area but they are actually one piece encapsulated in polymer, so stronger than they appear.
All the poly frames are essentially the same design.

[jlottmc]

The frames look identical to me. There are some internal differences on the slides but bear in mind that my P45 is older by several years. Like I said, I took the top ends and switched them, but didn't shoot them just to show my wife that she really does have what is basically a P45 that is less costly. The frame rails are there, and what you're looking at are not what the slide rides on. What the slide rides on is where the beloved notch is. There is metal were the slide rides, it just doesn't look like it.

[Old Salt]

I have both the CW45 and CW9 both great shooting guns with 0 malfuctions. My new full time carry is the CW45 with 6+1 230 grain speer gold dot.

[gb6491]

Not correct. The slide rides on metal front and rear. The front the rails are only visible for a small area but they are actually one piece encapsulated in polymer, so stronger than they appear.
All the poly frames are essentially the same design.

To add to Bawanna's excellent description of the rails on the poly frame guns,
you might want to take a look here: http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765313 or this video I made as a response on another forum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0CTP0iidUU
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Excellent links and video GB. You never fail to amaze me with the good stuff you share. What a great trick with the magnet. I learned of it seeing a picture of one blown up. The magnet is way more better.

[gb6491]

Thanks boss!

[PCollen]

To add to Bawanna's excellent description of the rails on the poly frame guns,
you might want to take a look here: http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765313 or this video I made as a response on another forum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0CTP0iidUU
Regards,
Greg

Those forward 'rails' you refer to are NOT what the slide rides on. Those are part of the steel frame reinforcement that is installed recessed into the poly frame fromt and rear (see the P or PM series product video's on the Kahr web site). The bottom of the steel slide does not extend below the top of the poly frame..yet it would have to if it were to ride on those steel reinforcing 'rails'. The slide rails to secure the slide to the gun, and control it's fore and aft, and left to right motion, and what the slide rides on are those inverted L-shaped tracks molded into the top of the poly body. The magnet in your video is being attracted to the front and rear reinforcing frame, not to the the slide rails.

[Bawanna]

You must have a different one. The front of my slide extends below the top of the frame and has narrow slots that align perfectly where your reinforcing metal strips are. About the front 3/4" or so of the slide rides on them rails.

My bad.

[PCollen]

You must have a different one. The front of my slide extends below the top of the frame and has narrow slots that align perfectly where your reinforcing metal strips are. About the front 3/4" or so of the slide rides on them rails.

My bad.

To clarify, I DON't have a Kahr and that is why I was asking about it. I only watched the product and takedown videos for the P-series Kahrs, cause I am interested in the PM9, and what I think I observed was that the slide rides on rails that are formed of poly on the upper edge of the poly frame; the rails and frame are all of one piece. I compared that to the metal rails clearly shown in the following Glock video starting around 4:00:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4wgK...feature=relmfu

I'll just have to go to my local gun shop and ask to see one, and have the guy break it down for me as part of my consideration on whether to buy it. Thanks for your reply, though.

[Bawanna]

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-PM9.asp

If you look at this diagram, it's the best I could find at the moment and look at the very front end of the slide you'll see the grooves I mention that ride on those thin narrow rails in the PM9 and other polymer frame Kahrs.

Theres actually more slide rail bearing surface on the Kahr than the 4 contact points of the Glock. This isn't a negative to Glock they work fine, but theres no shortage of rails on the Kahr either.

If you look at one in person, you won't even have to take it down in order to see it from the front. I just looked at my PM45 along with a quick close up view of a very large Gold Dot Hollow Point at the other end. My life passed before my eyes. Don't try this at home kids. I learned it from Wyn.

[jocko]

the bulk of the force of the kahr slides is the back rails. which are also one peace inbedded in the polymer. the front rails just keep the slide in total alignment..

[gb6491]

Those forward 'rails' you refer to are NOT what the slide rides on. Those are part of the steel frame reinforcement that is installed recessed into the poly frame fromt and rear (see the P or PM series product video's on the Kahr web site). The bottom of the steel slide does not extend below the top of the poly frame..yet it would have to if it were to ride on those steel reinforcing 'rails'. The slide rails to secure the slide to the gun, and control it's fore and aft, and left to right motion, and what the slide rides on are those inverted L-shaped tracks molded into the top of the poly body. The magnet in your video is being attracted to the front and rear reinforcing frame, not to the the slide rails.

No, you are mistaken in your assumption (understandable, as you mention in a later post that you don't have a Kahr pistol). Those rails that I pointed out in the video (and nebodaky circled in the photo from the Glock Talk link above) are what the slide rides on. Bawanna and Jocko have explained it, but here are a few photos that should further illustrate the slide's interface with the steel rails molded into the frame:



The poly rails you mention serve to guide the slide onto the metal rails. The pistol would function fine without them. I'm sure that once you have the opportunity to actually handle/inspect a poly frame Kahr you'll see what we are trying to convey to you.
Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Excellent photos GB (as usual). Pictures are worth at least a 1000 words.

Makes it much more clear to understand.

You rock.

[jocko]

yes indeed a picture tutorial is always better than a jocko explanation. nice job again gb, so so glad we have u here. thats an awfully big hole in that barrel that wouldn't be one of those new fangled 45's, now would it.

[Bawanna]

I think it's one of those new foul weather NW barrels. When it goes to raining too hard you can just crawl inside and stay dry.