thinking about a new carry .45 thinking about Kahr, need opinions

therealtwitch · May 2, 2009, 09:44 PM

I recently handled a kahr .45 and really liked it, but I had a few issues. first I found the trigger gaurds shape to be a little uncomfortable(i can live with it though) and second I am nervous about it not having any external safty. those of you with a kahr do you carry with one in the chamber. Also I have never fired one, so what does every one think of how they shoot?

I am in the market cause Although I love my xd 45acp it is just too bulky and heavy for conceled carry for me. So far the Kahr is the first gun to catch my fancy since deciding to buy a new gun. However I am very open to suguestion. So what do you guys carry and recomend. My to biggest concerns are relyability, and size/weight. Thanks in advance every one.

Kyo · May 2, 2009, 10:05 PM

Ruger p345. I carry it. 4.2 inch barrel, really slim, 8 shot 45. It shot for me 99% of the time. The other 1% was user error, my index finger was pushing the slide lock button out because I was firing with the middle finger. So the gun would lock up. After I noticed this, 100% period. I call it user error. 500 bucks is the range.
My other suggestion for a 45 is the taurus. 12 shot is nice, grip is nice, also has external safeties, and is also around 500 bucks. I really like the way this one feels, but not as much as what I carry.

Auto426 · May 2, 2009, 10:07 PM

The baby Glocks are very popular carry guns. Typical Glock reliability, small size and good capacity. They don't have an external safety though.

Compact 1911's are another popular carry gun. Pretty much every manufacturer has their own version. Colt and Springfield are two popular options. Colt makes the Defender and the New Agent, both 3" guns on Officer's sized frames. Springfield makes a their Ultra Compact in a few varieties, the GI (basic) and Loaded (optioned out) series. Being a 1911, it will have an external safety allowing cocked and locked carry.

Springfield also makes a sub-compact XD (If that's not the gun you already have). It has a 3" barrel and a shortened grip. It can also use mags with grip extensions of them to increase capacity and grip size.

nase · May 2, 2009, 10:27 PM

Like Kyo, I also used to have a Ruger P345 (until it got stolen...). It was a pleasure to shoot and 100% reliable. But it was just too big to be my carry pistol, so I ended up buying a Kahr PM9.

I carry it chambered, and the lack of a safety bothered me a little at first too... but now I prefer it that way. If I have to use it in self defense, I want as few things distracting me as possible. Just draw and squeeze, no fumbling about with a safety. And as long as it's in a good holster, I don't think there's nothing to worry about. I haven't shot any of the .45 Kahrs... probably a little snappier than the 9 mm, but I hear it's manageable. The Kahr's a great concealement weapon... IWB or a pocket holster and it just disappears.

hdawson228 · May 2, 2009, 10:40 PM

Ive been very happy with my Kahr CW9. Not a single hiccup. And so very concealable. The XD not so much. And yes, I carry with one in the chamber and feel very safe doing it with the smooth, long, crisp DAO trigger. Recoil is minimal. Not sure what the .45 would be like.

wyohusker · May 2, 2009, 10:47 PM

I like the feel of the Kahr also. Great gun and very slim. Have a friend with a CW 9 and he loves his. I have a Taurus PT-145 so I have not made the commitment to the Kahr yet because I love the PT. It does have a external safety and holds 10 in the mag in one in the pipe.

glock06 · May 3, 2009, 03:16 AM

45 in a Kahr--big caliber, but small lightweight gun so it will be snappy with recoil

How small do you need a new 45 to be??

Advantages-thin, and light, big caliber. Reliable?? You have to run 200 rounds thru one to see!!

Disadvantages- small grip,steep barrel bullet ramp(reliability and maybe bullet configuration issues?), high recoil, accuracy potential?

On smaller guns I feel reliability and number of rounds carried is the most important issue.Personally, in 45's I don't want much smaller than a Glock 36. I have big hands and this gun is very reliable and instinctively points well for me. For a smaller hand and smaller guns the Kahrs in 9mm have definite attraction.My wife loves shooting hers but it is almost too small for me.

Ultimately its what you prefer. I would really suggest test shooting this gun before buying though--

CDW4ME · May 3, 2009, 06:36 AM

I bought a Kahr PM45 recently. Read the full report in the link below. Basically, it had 4 failures to feed in the first 20 rounds with Fed 185 JHP, then 1 failure to feed in the next 30 rounds with the same ammo. I shot about 50 rounds each of Fed. 230 HS and Remington 185 JHP without a problem. After 150 rounds I tried the Fed. 185 JHP again and an entire box of 50 ran through without a problem completing the 200 round break in. I really like the gun and sold a Glock 36 since I bought the PM45. The Glock had a small space between the magazine base pad and the frame that would pinch the crap out of my little finger, very annoying. I am a Glock fan and like other models; I'm also a Kahr fan.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=353424

pogo2 · May 3, 2009, 11:04 AM

I like Kahrs in general and own a MK9 that works perfectly, but I am cautious about the polymer Kahr 45s based on comments from others who own them, like the poster above. So I probably wouldn't buy one.

The Glock 36 is certainly a contender in this category, and also the 3 inch 1911s. I have had a Colt Defender for a couple of years that has worked perfectly, and holds 7+1 rounds. It conceals very easily, and I would recommend it for those wanting a very small 45.

BoneDigger · May 3, 2009, 12:29 PM

I have not shot the PM45 but I am willing to bet that it has quite a bit of recoil to it. I have decided to stop by and put a PM9 on layaway on monday. i have been eyeing this little gun for a while and I think it's time to just go ahead and make it mine (or at least reserve it to be mine).

My primary carry is a MP9c and I carry it most of the time. But, with summer here, I want something for the pocket and want to stiock with the 9mm if possible.

Todd

Don P · May 3, 2009, 08:19 PM

Junk.

jpoolsmyd2 · May 3, 2009, 08:35 PM

Bonedigger,
Yeah, I want a PM9, too. Trouble is I can't find one! All the shops here are sold out. So is bud's online. Are there more around in TX?

rsxr22 · May 3, 2009, 10:38 PM

I unfortunetly did not have good luck w/ my cw40. I will explain why there are a few reasons.
When i handled the gun in the store, i loved the way it felt in my hand but once i shot it i did not think it was a very comfortable gun. I met my 200 round break in period and was still having issues with reliability. I called kahr sent it back and they did some kind of work and sent the gun back, still had the problems after i received it. I decided to sell it because i couldnt carry it. I was really dissapointed because i really wanted to like the gun. From what i have gathered from other kahr owners and knowlegeable people is that the 9mm's are their best functioning caliber and their steel framed guns are much more reliable.

gotigers · May 4, 2009, 07:15 AM

what about the Para LDA guns. They are a bit higher priced tho.

3KahrGarage · May 12, 2009, 07:53 PM

Love my PM45. Carry it about half the time (PM9 the other half). No problems so far. Conceals great and the recoil isn't bad at all from such a small, light gun.

Armybrat · May 12, 2009, 08:09 PM

Love my PM9, but would like to have a P45 since it makes bigger holes.

Kahrs are fine weapons.

HellBillySuperstar · May 12, 2009, 08:48 PM

I owned a cw40 and ran a few boxes of ammo through it. I never had an issue with it once. I guess I just got one of the good ones. Anyway, I carried it in a shoulder holster with a round in the chamber. The lack of a safety didn't bother me mostly because of the 2 extra feet of trigger pull before it would actually fire. That is actually the reason that I sold it. When you pull the trigger you end up waiting...and waiting...and waiting. Then when you are about to check to see *** is wrong with your gun...

BLAM!

Takes a little getting used to

obxned · May 12, 2009, 08:55 PM

Super small pistols will always be unpleasant to shoot numerous times at the range due to the small grips. If things get weird, you will have that pistol with you and won't notice the recoil.

CDW4ME · May 13, 2009, 05:58 AM

The Kahr PM45 in my above post now has about 250 rounds through it and it works great. The one ammo (Fed 185 JHP) that initally caused trouble feeds fine. It's worked flawlessly since approximately the 85-100 round mark. The owners manual advises a 200 round break-in and I agree. I really like this gun.

randyc74 · May 13, 2009, 08:27 PM

I've had a Kahr PM45 for about a year. I had a couple FTF with the first 30 rounds or so. It's preformed flawlessly ever since. One of my local gun shops ran a $565.00 special on the PM45 so I couldn't turnn it down. It's im my pocket as a respond to this thread.

Randy

greenjeans · May 13, 2009, 08:33 PM

I have a CW45 and a CW9 and both have been flawless. The CW is larger than the PM and is really easy to shoot. Not nearly as tough on the hand as a .40 caliber. I am a big Kahr fan.

Dubs · May 13, 2009, 08:36 PM

They are great after the break-in. My only personal problem with the Kahrs - and its minor - is they seem to love to fling brass just about everywhere.

J.Netto · May 13, 2009, 08:51 PM

I've never bought one, they seem to be priced really high for what it is. What are some typical prices? Maybe they are priced high like that around here, but reasonable other places.

hdawson228 · May 13, 2009, 08:59 PM

$409 for the CW9 here in NC.

error4o4 · May 14, 2009, 01:05 AM

I have a CW9 (FWIW, I paid 410) and it has been flawless. I had two FTE's in the first 100 rounds, which is within the recommended 200 round break in period. I have roughly 2000 rounds through it now, with absolutely no problems. This is also the gun I used for my CCHL qualification, and made one ragged hole. I love this trigger. Even though it's DAO, it is smooth as silk and has a clean break. At less than 1" thick, it's ridiculously easy to carry/conceal.

May 2, 2009, 09:44 PM	#1
therealtwitch Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2007 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 295	thinking about a new carry .45 thinking about Kahr, need opinions I recently handled a kahr .45 and really liked it, but I had a few issues. first I found the trigger gaurds shape to be a little uncomfortable(i can live with it though) and second I am nervous about it not having any external safty. those of you with a kahr do you carry with one in the chamber. Also I have never fired one, so what does every one think of how they shoot? I am in the market cause Although I love my xd 45acp it is just too bulky and heavy for conceled carry for me. So far the Kahr is the first gun to catch my fancy since deciding to buy a new gun. However I am very open to suguestion. So what do you guys carry and recomend. My to biggest concerns are relyability, and size/weight. Thanks in advance every one.

May 2, 2009, 10:07 PM	#3
Auto426 Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 382	The baby Glocks are very popular carry guns. Typical Glock reliability, small size and good capacity. They don't have an external safety though. Compact 1911's are another popular carry gun. Pretty much every manufacturer has their own version. Colt and Springfield are two popular options. Colt makes the Defender and the New Agent, both 3" guns on Officer's sized frames. Springfield makes a their Ultra Compact in a few varieties, the GI (basic) and Loaded (optioned out) series. Being a 1911, it will have an external safety allowing cocked and locked carry. Springfield also makes a sub-compact XD (If that's not the gun you already have). It has a 3" barrel and a shortened grip. It can also use mags with grip extensions of them to increase capacity and grip size. __________________ *"Si vis pacem, para bellum"* - If you want peace, prepare for war.

May 3, 2009, 11:04 AM	#9
pogo2 Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2002 Location: Southwest Posts: 761	Small .45s I like Kahrs in general and own a MK9 that works perfectly, but I am cautious about the polymer Kahr 45s based on comments from others who own them, like the poster above. So I probably wouldn't buy one. The Glock 36 is certainly a contender in this category, and also the 3 inch 1911s. I have had a Colt Defender for a couple of years that has worked perfectly, and holds 7+1 rounds. It conceals very easily, and I would recommend it for those wanting a very small 45.

May 3, 2009, 12:29 PM	#10
BoneDigger Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2005 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 601	Kahr... I have not shot the PM45 but I am willing to bet that it has quite a bit of recoil to it. I have decided to stop by and put a PM9 on layaway on monday. i have been eyeing this little gun for a while and I think it's time to just go ahead and make it mine (or at least reserve it to be mine). My primary carry is a MP9c and I carry it most of the time. But, with summer here, I want something for the pocket and want to stiock with the 9mm if possible. Todd

May 3, 2009, 08:19 PM	#11
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Tin Foil Alley with a Swamp Goddess in sunny FLA Posts: 1,901	Junk. __________________ NRA Life Member, IDPA Safety Officer "If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy" James Madison

May 2, 2009, 10:05 PM	#2
Kyo Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2009 Posts: 820	Ruger p345. I carry it. 4.2 inch barrel, really slim, 8 shot 45. It shot for me 99% of the time. The other 1% was user error, my index finger was pushing the slide lock button out because I was firing with the middle finger. So the gun would lock up. After I noticed this, 100% period. I call it user error. 500 bucks is the range. My other suggestion for a 45 is the taurus. 12 shot is nice, grip is nice, also has external safeties, and is also around 500 bucks. I really like the way this one feels, but not as much as what I carry.

May 2, 2009, 10:27 PM	#4
nase Junior Member Join Date: June 9, 2008 Posts: 5	Like Kyo, I also used to have a Ruger P345 (until it got stolen...). It was a pleasure to shoot and 100% reliable. But it was just too big to be my carry pistol, so I ended up buying a Kahr PM9. I carry it chambered, and the lack of a safety bothered me a little at first too... but now I prefer it that way. If I have to use it in self defense, I want as few things distracting me as possible. Just draw and squeeze, no fumbling about with a safety. And as long as it's in a good holster, I don't think there's nothing to worry about. I haven't shot any of the .45 Kahrs... probably a little snappier than the 9 mm, but I hear it's manageable. The Kahr's a great concealement weapon... IWB or a pocket holster and it just disappears.

May 2, 2009, 10:40 PM	#5
hdawson228 Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2006 Posts: 1,253	Ive been very happy with my Kahr CW9. Not a single hiccup. And so very concealable. The XD not so much. And yes, I carry with one in the chamber and feel very safe doing it with the smooth, long, crisp DAO trigger. Recoil is minimal. Not sure what the .45 would be like.

May 2, 2009, 10:47 PM	#6
wyohusker Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2007 Location: Middle of Wyoming Somewhere Posts: 100	I like the feel of the Kahr also. Great gun and very slim. Have a friend with a CW 9 and he loves his. I have a Taurus PT-145 so I have not made the commitment to the Kahr yet because I love the PT. It does have a external safety and holds 10 in the mag in one in the pipe.

May 3, 2009, 03:16 AM	#7
glock06 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2009 Posts: 113	45 in a Kahr--big caliber, but small lightweight gun so it will be snappy with recoil How small do you need a new 45 to be?? Advantages-thin, and light, big caliber. Reliable?? You have to run 200 rounds thru one to see!! Disadvantages- small grip,steep barrel bullet ramp(reliability and maybe bullet configuration issues?), high recoil, accuracy potential? On smaller guns I feel reliability and number of rounds carried is the most important issue.Personally, in 45's I don't want much smaller than a Glock 36. I have big hands and this gun is very reliable and instinctively points well for me. For a smaller hand and smaller guns the Kahrs in 9mm have definite attraction.My wife loves shooting hers but it is almost too small for me. Ultimately its what you prefer. I would really suggest test shooting this gun before buying though--

May 3, 2009, 06:36 AM	#8
CDW4ME Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 223	I bought a Kahr PM45 recently. Read the full report in the link below. Basically, it had 4 failures to feed in the first 20 rounds with Fed 185 JHP, then 1 failure to feed in the next 30 rounds with the same ammo. I shot about 50 rounds each of Fed. 230 HS and Remington 185 JHP without a problem. After 150 rounds I tried the Fed. 185 JHP again and an entire box of 50 ran through without a problem completing the 200 round break in. I really like the gun and sold a Glock 36 since I bought the PM45. The Glock had a small space between the magazine base pad and the frame that would pinch the crap out of my little finger, very annoying. I am a Glock fan and like other models; I'm also a Kahr fan. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=353424

May 3, 2009, 08:35 PM	#12
jpoolsmyd2 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: NoVA Posts: 178	Bonedigger, Yeah, I want a PM9, too. Trouble is I can't find one! All the shops here are sold out. So is bud's online. Are there more around in TX?

May 3, 2009, 10:38 PM	#13
rsxr22 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2009 Location: Youngstown, OH Posts: 1,577	I unfortunetly did not have good luck w/ my cw40. I will explain why there are a few reasons. When i handled the gun in the store, i loved the way it felt in my hand but once i shot it i did not think it was a very comfortable gun. I met my 200 round break in period and was still having issues with reliability. I called kahr sent it back and they did some kind of work and sent the gun back, still had the problems after i received it. I decided to sell it because i couldnt carry it. I was really dissapointed because i really wanted to like the gun. From what i have gathered from other kahr owners and knowlegeable people is that the 9mm's are their best functioning caliber and their steel framed guns are much more reliable.

May 4, 2009, 07:15 AM	#14
gotigers Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2009 Location: Memphis Posts: 321	what about the Para LDA guns. They are a bit higher priced tho.

May 12, 2009, 07:53 PM	#15
3KahrGarage Junior Member Join Date: May 2, 2009 Posts: 1	Love my PM45. Carry it about half the time (PM9 the other half). No problems so far. Conceals great and the recoil isn't bad at all from such a small, light gun. __________________ -LP "The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed." - Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers at 184-188 Last edited by 3KahrGarage; May 12, 2009 at 07:54 PM. Reason: spelling

May 12, 2009, 08:09 PM	#16
Armybrat Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 44	Love my PM9, but would like to have a P45 since it makes bigger holes. Kahrs are fine weapons.

May 12, 2009, 08:48 PM	#17
HellBillySuperstar Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 116	I owned a cw40 and ran a few boxes of ammo through it. I never had an issue with it once. I guess I just got one of the good ones. Anyway, I carried it in a shoulder holster with a round in the chamber. The lack of a safety didn't bother me mostly because of the 2 extra feet of trigger pull before it would actually fire. That is actually the reason that I sold it. When you pull the trigger you end up waiting...and waiting...and waiting. Then when you are about to check to see *** is wrong with your gun... BLAM! Takes a little getting used to __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

May 12, 2009, 08:55 PM	#18
obxned Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Location: OBX, NC Posts: 1,064	Super small pistols will always be unpleasant to shoot numerous times at the range due to the small grips. If things get weird, you will have that pistol with you and won't notice the recoil. __________________ "The people are the masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it." Abraham Lincoln "For evil to flourish, all that is needed is for good people to do nothing." Edmund Burke

May 13, 2009, 05:58 AM	#19
CDW4ME Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 223	The Kahr PM45 in my above post now has about 250 rounds through it and it works great. The one ammo (Fed 185 JHP) that initally caused trouble feeds fine. It's worked flawlessly since approximately the 85-100 round mark. The owners manual advises a 200 round break-in and I agree. I really like this gun.

May 13, 2009, 08:33 PM	#21
greenjeans Member Join Date: August 22, 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 52	I have a CW45 and a CW9 and both have been flawless. The CW is larger than the PM and is really easy to shoot. Not nearly as tough on the hand as a .40 caliber. I am a big Kahr fan.

May 13, 2009, 08:36 PM	#22
Dubs Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2009 Posts: 108	They are great after the break-in. My only personal problem with the Kahrs - and its minor - is they seem to love to fling brass just about everywhere.

May 13, 2009, 08:51 PM	#23
J.Netto Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2009 Location: Elizabethtown, KY Posts: 705	I've never bought one, they seem to be priced really high for what it is. What are some typical prices? Maybe they are priced high like that around here, but reasonable other places.

May 13, 2009, 08:59 PM	#24
hdawson228 Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2006 Posts: 1,253	$409 for the CW9 here in NC.

May 14, 2009, 01:05 AM	#25
error4o4 Junior Member Join Date: November 18, 2007 Posts: 11	I have a CW9 (FWIW, I paid 410) and it has been flawless. I had two FTE's in the first 100 rounds, which is within the recommended 200 round break in period. I have roughly 2000 rounds through it now, with absolutely no problems. This is also the gun I used for my CCHL qualification, and made one ragged hole. I love this trigger. Even though it's DAO, it is smooth as silk and has a clean break. At less than 1" thick, it's ridiculously easy to carry/conceal.