CW9 ... Ready to Roll!!

[CatnPhx]

Howdy ... new guy to Kahr but not guns. Purchased my first non-S&W pistol so I'm excited and a little nervous to get at the range tomorrow. I got the CW9 at Sportsman Warehouse for $420 yesterday and it came with 1 mag. Last night, I purchased 2 more mags online at Cheaper Than Dirt for $28.67 per mag.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/27392-36.html

Tonight, I did a pre-break-in activity for the pistol. I put on two work gloves and manually worked the slide back and forth about 500 times. Then I thoroughly cleaned and lubed the gun. First thing in the morning I'll hit the range. I'm hoping this pre-activity will give me fewer (and hopefully none) FTF/FTE issues in my first 200-300 shots.

My 2 M&P pistols have never had any issues in about 2,500 rounds and I'm hoping my luck continues with the CW9. I have an M&P 9c with a Crossbreed Supertuck IWB holster that I normally wear and many times I'll also wear a S&W 640-1 .357 in a Galco Kingtuk IWB holster. I've always wanted a single stack for those times that I need something thinner and my new CW9 is hopefully the answer.

Wish me luck tomorrow and I'll report back on the results.

[xaman]

Congrats on the new gun, and you were smart to do the pre-break in routine. Good luck tomorrow, here's to hoping it meets all your expectations.

[jocko]

catnphix. no luck needed the gun will do its part.

[newkahrowner]

indeed, i have NEVER had an issue with my cw9, my cw45 had a few ftf but it was because of me not oiling it before going to the range! after i cleaned and oiled the 45 i have not had a problem since.

[tconroy]

catnphix, welcome to the forum and your gonna love this gun! You wont need luck but your other guns will be lucky if they get carried much anymore. the CW9 is awsome. Most of my guns are sold to family members but this one isnt going anywhere. its MINE!!!

[CatnPhx]

Thanks ... I hope you're right. Last night I bought a holster for the CW9 ... the Kholster Crescent. Well, off to the range and I'll give you my feedback later.

[JimBianchi]

I bought a Kholster for my MK9 when they were $30 delivered last year.

The holster is a poor knock-off of my Crossbreed SuperTuck.

When my G26 or G30 are in their CBST I can turn the holster upside down and the gun remain secure, no rattle or movement, trigger fully covered.

In the Kholster the MK9 will fall out. The Kydex is also slightly out of spec covering only 3/4 of the trigger area and the very poor quality leather contributes to the lack of retention.

I soaked it in 5:1 parts water/ammonia for 12hrs to stiffen it up some (air dried for 12hrs also in the hot sun). That and a heat gun to redo the kydex seems to have improved the retention enough that I can safely use the Kholster.

I then cut away a lot of that additional leather (I used to make western holster and have some experience) to make it a much trimmer and more comfortable IWB holster. (I think the leather is that shape to avoid being sued by Crossbreed or comp-tac)

This process took a 30 to 40 hrs total to make it OK, not perfect, just OK.

I would say for the work I put into it, another CBST would have been a better deal.

[CatnPhx]

First break-in session today was interesting. My 16 year old daughter and I fired about 100 rounds through the CW9 ... we split the 100 rounds 50/50 and shot at 10 yards. We shot mainly 115 gr Federal Champion from Wal-Mart plus a few Golden Sabers 124 gr +P and Speer Gold Dot 124 gr.

Of my 50 rounds, I had no FTF or FTE issues. The trigger was long ... longer than I anticipated and it took some getting used too. It reminds me of my S&W 640-1 .357 but I think it's even longer. Anyway, the gun was very accurate and felt good in the hand.

My daughter's 50 rounds were interesting and I believe she caused much of her own problem. She had approximately 4-5 FTF/FTE situations. I think she was either limp wristing the gun and/or she was letting the long trigger pull the gun upward combined with anticipation of the recoil and I'm betting that caused her issues.

Every time I shot the gun it went smoothly so I'm betting she was the cause of the issues. That said, it was only the first 100 rounds and we'll take her for another test drive again. I cleaned and lubed the gun again and she will be ready soon for the next 100-200 rounds. It went fairly slow today because I've only got the 1 mag and it was a pain reloading so often. I ordered 2 more mags that I should get next week.

Anyway, the gun has a ways to go before I carry it but I'm confident it will be fine after a few more sessions.

[CatnPhx]

Well, it was a beautiful day in Phoenix so I left work early and hit the range to finish the break-in period of my CW9. I ran another 250 rounds of Wal-Mart Federal ammo and it went very well. If my memory serves me, I didn't have any FTF/FTE.

I loaded the 7+1 several times to see how the full load of ammo in the chamber and magazine would handle the situation ... it handled it like a champ. I shot with only 1 hand (which I suck at by the way and I need way more practice) but it also handled it like a champ. I ran the 250 rounds rather quickly with a hot barrel and sore hand. The "cheese grader" grip did start hurting my bare hand in the last 50-75 rounds ... I might have to get something to deal with the grip but I'm not likely to shoot 250 rounds in 1 session again.

My eye sight is bad, which means I need some glasses, but the gun shot very well at 15 yards. I was very impressed with its accuracy. The poly frame is pretty well chewed up (which does concern me) but from what I read that is to be expected.

Know that I've run a total of 350 rounds through the gun, I need to put some more "hot" rounds through it to make sure it can handle it on a consistent basis before I start carrying it. My Kholster Crescent IWB holster should arrive mid-next week so I hope to run a few more rounds this weekend for final approval.

Overall, I'm impressed and starting to get used to the trigger. My double and triple taps (or best I could do on such a long trigger) went very well and I could unload the entire magazine very quickly with some confidence that it would feed properly and be fairly accurate. I'm a happy camper so far.

[09crue]

congrats on the new cw9,you made a good choice

[CatnPhx]

I ran another 100 rounds through the CW9 today, which takes the total up to just shy of 500 rounds. I ran some of the good stuff in the gun today too (in addition to the Walmart Federal stuff) - Gold Dot 124gr +P and Golden Saber 124gr +P. The only issue I had today was one FTF after the 1st shot with the Golden Saber ... the 2nd bullet didn't feed. The slide stayed open and all I had to do was push the slide release lever and we were back in business. The Gold Dots ran very well through the gun and they'll probably be my carry ammo.

I also put on a $7 Hogue Jr grip, which magically kept the "cheese grater" grip from ruining my manicure.

Next week, I should get my Kholster Crescent IWB holster and I'm starting to gain some confidence in the weapon. I want to put some more rounds through it before I consider it 100% reliable but I'm sure that is right around the corner. At that point in time I will put it in the rotation with my M&P 9c and S&W 640-1 .357. With the Phoenix summer right around the corner, I'm hoping to have the slimmer CW9 and 640-1 be my summer carry weapons, which in Phoenix is about 6 months (May-Oct).

[BEARDOG]

I ran another 100 rounds through the CW9 today, which takes the total up to just shy of 500 rounds. I ran some of the good stuff in the gun today too (in addition to the Walmart Federal stuff) - Gold Dot 124gr +P and Golden Saber 124gr +P. The only issue I had today was one FTF after the 1st shot with the Golden Saber ... the 2nd bullet didn't feed. The slide stayed open and all I had to do was push the slide release lever and we were back in business. The Gold Dots ran very well through the gun and they'll probably be my carry ammo.

Just so you know, it's a known issue...
FYI
http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6066

[CatnPhx]

Interesting, BEARDOG ... thanks for the link.

Looks like Golden Saber 124gr may be an issue in this gun. Gold Dots will probably be my carry ammo but I'll have to run some more through it to verify. This issue only happened once in about 500 rounds so I'm not too worried about it.

[TheTman]

Welcome to the forum CatnPhx. Glad to hear your gun is behaving like it should. I agree with your assesment that your daughter's problems were most likely shooter error. These little polymer frame guns seem to point out any problems you have with your shooting technique rather quickly. I had some issues with my CW40 that went away when I learned how to shoot it properly. Sounds like you're on your way to a beautiful relationship.

[CatnPhx]

Ran another 100 rounds (up to 600 now) this past weekend and I ran mostly the hot stuff (GD 124gr +P) through the CW9. Had zero issues and it seems like it has found its sweet spot. If I have another range session like this then I should be good to go for regular carry.