I just picked up a CW45

wnycollector · May 27, 2013, 08:31 PM

I have been in the market for a single stack compact 45. I narrowed it down to the Glock 36, the Springfield XDs and the Kahr CW45. After handling all three pistols and shooting a friends XDs, I decided on the CW45 last week. As a guy that grew up shooting DA revolvers, the CW45 trigger was the deciding factor...it's great!

Over the two range trips I have put 300 (100 Federal FMJ, 100 rounds Blazer FMJ and 100 rounds of Fiocchi JHP) virtually trouble free rounds through the pistol. The only issues I encountered were two light primer strikes on some older Fiocchi JHP that I had lying around for ~a half dozen years. Both rounds fired on the second try. When I tried a newer box of Fiocchi JHP, all 50 rounds fired without issue.

After doing some searching over at Kahrtalk, I read that ACT 7 round 1911 officers mags are a low cost alternative to Kahr factory mags (two ACT mags cost less than one 7 round Kahr factory mag). So for my second range session (150 rounds) I used two ACT 7 round mags. They locked the slide back every time and ran with 100% reliability.

As far as accuracy, this pistol is more than adequate for it's intended CCW job. At 30 feet I kept all rounds within a 5" shoot and see target. When I stretched the distance's out to 25 yards all shots remained in the COM on an IPSC target.

My only negative comment are that after the first 50 rounds with the pistol, I developed a blister at the base of my thumb from rubbing on the rear corner of the Kahr backstrap. For my second range trip, I put a band aid on my thumb so that the blister could heal. I think I'm going to get the sandpaper out and do a little re-contouring. I also put a Hogue Handall Jr. on my pistol to minimize the "cheese grater" feel of the front and rear back straps.

All in all, I'm very happy with with the CW45 and look forward to carrying and shooting it for years to come.

franco45 · May 27, 2013, 09:51 PM

I love my CW45. It is my main cold weather carry. The trigger is smooth and predictable and the accuracy is very good for this little powerhouse.

kahrguy · May 29, 2013, 11:05 AM

Glad you like your kahr cw45. It does seem more practical for use revolver shooters to like a kahrs trigger system. I have not shot that cartridge in a kahr yet!! I have not had any hard primers yet but some of the import ammo does the same thing to other shooters and guns from time to time.

I can tell you if you want low cost help with holding on to your chesse grater stop by a bicycle shop and get a free used up 1.75" inner tube. Then you can cut a custom fit grip cover that will help to hold on. Ain't as pretty as aftermarket slip ons but covers more grip and cost is right. See Photo below.

I did the same thing you did to my thumbs rear knuckle first time out with my cw9 proofing some 124gr+p loads for carry. Took two weeks to heal. Dummy of a shooter!? Just have to learn when shooting enough of a lite harder recoiling handgun is enough. Now I have a cm9 for pocket cc and tp 40 for when a cover shirt is practical.

Jaywalker · May 30, 2013, 06:26 PM

I'm glad to hear you like your CW45. I'm happy with my K9 for carry, but after the recent ammunition panic cleared out most/all of the available 9mm, I may be looking at getting another caliber just so I'll be able to find cartridges next time.

It's funny. Thirty years ago I got rid of almost everything but 9mm handguns just so I wouldn't have to stock so many different calibers...

wnycollector · May 30, 2013, 07:17 PM

Kahrguy thanks for the tip on the bike tube. I had read about it before, but no one ever stated the best size.

kahrguy · May 31, 2013, 06:37 AM

The inner tube can be a pain to get on but does work well and if you think you want some added thickness you can cut smaller to larger pieces to build up a bit of palm swell too. Ain't the best looking but does a better job than aftermarket slip ons as they cover a smaller area of grip. I think my oldest inner tube grippy has been on my cw9 now for 4 1/2 years. Have it on a cm9 cw9 and tp40. I have given some tube to 5 other shooters for there cc pistol and still have a pile of tube left!!

Enjoy that 45.

s4s4u · May 31, 2013, 08:45 PM

Quote:

get the sandpaper

That is what I did. The Kahr stippling is aggressive. A little 600 grit emery cloth did nicely to soften the edges without losing any grip. Go for it.

May 27, 2013, 08:31 PM	#1
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	I just picked up a CW45 I have been in the market for a single stack compact 45. I narrowed it down to the Glock 36, the Springfield XDs and the Kahr CW45. After handling all three pistols and shooting a friends XDs, I decided on the CW45 last week. As a guy that grew up shooting DA revolvers, the CW45 trigger was the deciding factor...it's great! Over the two range trips I have put 300 (100 Federal FMJ, 100 rounds Blazer FMJ and 100 rounds of Fiocchi JHP) virtually trouble free rounds through the pistol. The only issues I encountered were two light primer strikes on some older Fiocchi JHP that I had lying around for ~a half dozen years. Both rounds fired on the second try. When I tried a newer box of Fiocchi JHP, all 50 rounds fired without issue. After doing some searching over at Kahrtalk, I read that ACT 7 round 1911 officers mags are a low cost alternative to Kahr factory mags (two ACT mags cost less than one 7 round Kahr factory mag). So for my second range session (150 rounds) I used two ACT 7 round mags. They locked the slide back every time and ran with 100% reliability. As far as accuracy, this pistol is more than adequate for it's intended CCW job. At 30 feet I kept all rounds within a 5" shoot and see target. When I stretched the distance's out to 25 yards all shots remained in the COM on an IPSC target. My only negative comment are that after the first 50 rounds with the pistol, I developed a blister at the base of my thumb from rubbing on the rear corner of the Kahr backstrap. For my second range trip, I put a band aid on my thumb so that the blister could heal. I think I'm going to get the sandpaper out and do a little re-contouring. I also put a Hogue Handall Jr. on my pistol to minimize the "cheese grater" feel of the front and rear back straps. All in all, I'm very happy with with the CW45 and look forward to carrying and shooting it for years to come. Last edited by wnycollector; May 27, 2013 at 08:47 PM. Reason: typo

May 27, 2013, 09:51 PM	#2
franco45 Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2010 Location: Toledo Ohio Posts: 475	I love my CW45. It is my main cold weather carry. The trigger is smooth and predictable and the accuracy is very good for this little powerhouse.

May 29, 2013, 11:05 AM	#3
kahrguy Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2012 Posts: 561	Glad you like your kahr cw45. It does seem more practical for use revolver shooters to like a kahrs trigger system. I have not shot that cartridge in a kahr yet!! I have not had any hard primers yet but some of the import ammo does the same thing to other shooters and guns from time to time. I can tell you if you want low cost help with holding on to your chesse grater stop by a bicycle shop and get a free used up 1.75" inner tube. Then you can cut a custom fit grip cover that will help to hold on. Ain't as pretty as aftermarket slip ons but covers more grip and cost is right. See Photo below. I did the same thing you did to my thumbs rear knuckle first time out with my cw9 proofing some 124gr+p loads for carry. Took two weeks to heal. Dummy of a shooter!? Just have to learn when shooting enough of a lite harder recoiling handgun is enough. Now I have a cm9 for pocket cc and tp 40 for when a cover shirt is practical.

May 30, 2013, 06:26 PM	#4
Jaywalker Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 346	I'm glad to hear you like your CW45. I'm happy with my K9 for carry, but after the recent ammunition panic cleared out most/all of the available 9mm, I may be looking at getting another caliber just so I'll be able to find cartridges next time. It's funny. Thirty years ago I got rid of almost everything but 9mm handguns just so I wouldn't have to stock so many different calibers...

May 30, 2013, 07:17 PM	#5
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	Kahrguy thanks for the tip on the bike tube. I had read about it before, but no one ever stated the best size.

May 31, 2013, 06:37 AM	#6
kahrguy Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2012 Posts: 561	The inner tube can be a pain to get on but does work well and if you think you want some added thickness you can cut smaller to larger pieces to build up a bit of palm swell too. Ain't the best looking but does a better job than aftermarket slip ons as they cover a smaller area of grip. I think my oldest inner tube grippy has been on my cw9 now for 4 1/2 years. Have it on a cm9 cw9 and tp40. I have given some tube to 5 other shooters for there cc pistol and still have a pile of tube left!! Enjoy that 45.