• You are using the old High Contrast theme. We have installed a new dark theme for you, called UI.X. This will work better with the new upgrade of our software. You can select it at the bottom of any page.

Kahr CW9 9mm vs. S&W Airweight J-frame .38

Assume only these two guns exist. Which is better for self defense/carry?

  • Total voters
    231
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
At this time, with 201 votes tallied, it's greater than 2-1 favoring the Airweight.

Keep the votes coming!
 
Note that recoil, IMO, is not a significant issue at all with the Kahr CW9. I even shot 3 or 4 +P+ BB with it. I also shot Fed HST, Cor-Bon 115gr JHP +P, factory new Black Hills +P, etc. These +P were shot during my second range trip, which I have not yet reported on the thread, but will when I have the time.
 
I think the Kahr is so much better to shoot accurately that it clearly wins out on that ground alone.
Click to expand...
and
Keep the votes coming!
Click to expand...

brentfoto - I think the j-frame wins, which means exactly nothing. You chose the Kahr, which is a great gun, but your choice happens to go against what the majority thinks is best for CCW.

I'm not sure of your motivation for wanting this poll to go on and on. I for one have read all I need to, and will be unsubscribing. I say, go forth and enjoy your Kahr - you don't have to convince anyone else that they should come to the same conclusion you did...
 
Where do you get off saying that? Don't read the thread, then. I, for one, was surprised at my selection. There's more than one way to do things, bud!

This is a forum, where opinions are expressed! Sorry to offend you for expressing my newly formed opinion!
 
Where do you get off saying that? Don't read the thread, then. I, for one, was surprised at my selection. There's more than one way to do things, bud!

This is a forum, where opinions are expressed! Sorry to offend you for expressing my newly formed opinion!
Click to expand...

If you are offended, then perhaps you mistook my tone - I really didn't mean any offense. It just seems like you are practically begging people to agree with your conclusion that Kahr is a better choice.

It seemed to start off as a legitimate solicitation of opinion to help you make a choice. But now that you've made your choice, I just don't see why you want more and more people to pile on... It's my fault for subscribing to the thread so I got e-mail notifications with each post - it started out interesting enough to warrant that, but grew repetitive and tiresome - that's my fault though, not yours!

I really am sorry - I can't stand snarky people on these boards, and genuinely regret that I came off that way. I sincerely hope you enjoy your Kahr, I've shot the PM9 and liked it very much. M&P340 j-frame with CT grips is the pocket gun for me, but I certainly know it's not for everybody.

Best regards,
FT
 
Defend yourself with style

I voted for the snub.

But you've got the wrong snub listed there. You don't want some contemporary aluminum/plastic POS that looks like it was made in China. Get a real 'piece' . Say, a colt detective special with like new shiny nickel finish, preferably the very 1st model without the shrouded ejector.

Now if some guy tries to hold you up and you pull a Kahr, sure, he'll be surprised. He'll be thinking "****, this guy's gonna burn me down."

But if you get held up and you pull a Colt detective special, he'll be surprised and impressed. Then he'll be thinking, "****, not only is this dude gon' burn me down, he's gon' burn me down with class. :cool:

http://www.snubnose.info/images/GunPornTheColtDetectiveSpecial_208/Colt_Detective_Special_5003.jpg
 
brentfoto quote:
Where do you get off saying that? Don't read the thread, then. I, for one, was surprised at my selection. There's more than one way to do things, bud!

This is a forum, where opinions are expressed! Sorry to offend you for expressing my newly formed opinion!
Click to expand...

FranklyTodd Quote:
If you are offended, then perhaps you mistook my tone - I really didn't mean any offense. It just seems like you are practically begging people to agree with your conclusion that Kahr is a better choice.

It seemed to start off as a legitimate solicitation of opinion to help you make a choice. But now that you've made your choice, I just don't see why you want more and more people to pile on... It's my fault for subscribing to the thread so I got e-mail notifications with each post - it started out interesting enough to warrant that, but grew repetitive and tiresome - that's my fault though, not yours!

I really am sorry - I can't stand snarky people on these boards, and genuinely regret that I came off that way. I sincerely hope you enjoy your Kahr, I've shot the PM9 and liked it very much. M&P340 j-frame with CT grips is the pocket gun for me, but I certainly know it's not for everybody.

Best regards,
FT
Today 02:34 PM
Click to expand...

My difference in attitude and tone is attributable to two factors, in order of importance, with #1 far more persuasive:

1. When I started the poll, I did not have the Kahr in my possession. After I got it a few days ago, I took it to the range. After two range trips, my opinion (where before I had none because I could not compare the two), has now been forumulated-I favor the Kahr.

2. Since I started the thread I incurred a broken trigger stud with my J-frame and it's being returned for repair. New gun-less than a month old. 1000-1500 dry-fires plus about 300 +P fired. No revolver is infallible.

I've just been 'converted' and like all 'converts' I'm enthusiastic. Keep an open mind for change, man!

I don't care if the J-frame wins. It's not a scientific poll. If it were, the requirement would have been that only owners of both guns would be qualified to participate in it. Now I'm just looking for potential Kahr (Mooney) LOL 'converts' :D. The ideal is to own both.
 
Selling my CW9 (paid $400). I love mine but am looking to sell it to fund a new gun purchase, and I just don't carry that often. Less than 200rds through it, excellent condition. Comes with 7rd mag w/pearce grip ext, 8rd mag w/factory grip extension, stainless guide rod (plus original) Hogue rubber sleeve grip, and Uncle Mikes rubber sleeve grip. Blade-Tech kydex IWB holster.

Btw article on CW9 in new issue of AutoPistols magazine.

New001.jpg
New001-1.gif
New002.gif
 
by NWdude83-Hogue rubber sleeve grip, and Uncle Mikes rubber sleeve grip.
Click to expand...

I didn't see any reference to Kahr compatibility on Hogue website.

Would appreciate if you would please comment on these rubber sleeves and how they fit, and which one you think might be better for the CW9, if you have such a preference.
 
Dear NWdude83-

Have you sold your CW9 with slip-ons, etc?

I'm not looking for finger grooves, so I guess UM would be better for me?

I'm really only interested in slip-ons to better position my hand on grip to more likely avoid engagement of the mag release (I'm left-handed).

What SIZE do you recommend in the UM? I don't know if they're still being sold. Guess I'll look on Midway, or maybe we can arrange something.

Update: Are your UM product #50542? They used to make the small, med (50542) and the large. Now they only make the medium and large. Looks like the UM (Butler Creek) have finger grooves also.

Are you able to seat all three fingers with the Hogue and UM slip-ons on the gun? That is important to me that I have all three fingers on the grip of the slip-on, or at least have enough room beyond the slip-on to position that third finger on the grip of the gun.

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Okay, thanks. I guess that I should get the mediums, because I have not heard from you otherwise and Butler guy recommended medium and not large for my Kahr.

I'll probably get the Hogue Handall JR, too, just because...

Thanks very kindly NWDude...

brent
 
Wanted to thank you all for your informative discussion(s) on the CW9 vs Airweight poll. I am new to the world of handguns. It is a COMPLETELY different style of shooting than what I am used to. Even though I've hunted with shotguns and rifles for over 30 years, firing handguns is like learning to shoot all over again.

I'm looking into a purchase for CCW. Wouldn't you know that I had my choices narrowed down to two pieces; Kahr CW9 and S&W 642 Airweight. Did a google search and your forum practically jumped out of my computer screen. VERY informative discussion by y'all. A beginner like myself needs as much experienced input as he can get beforehand.

Enjoyed reading these posts so much that now I'm a member.

I am seesawing back and forth between the two. Both have pros and cons. My shooting is more accurate with the 9mm automatics that I've rented but all the firearms I've ever owned have been of the simple and reliable kind (my one shotgun is a side by side 12ga and my deer rifle is a single shot .243). As of now I'm leaning towards the revolver but this homework stage is far from over. Hope to have a decision made soon. Who knows, I may even get both!!

Thanks again from a handgun rookie.
 
Last edited:
Sorry, but it just ain't so.

The second is, they don't really jam. If you have to fire with the gun pressed up against your body or the bad guy (like in a scuffle) it won't jam up on you.
Click to expand...

This is just not true.

This seems to come up quite a bit, the idea that a revolver may be placed against an opponent's body in a close confrontation/grapple situation, and fired with reliability, while the semi-auto can't be employed in the same fashion. Elmer Keith touted this in his classic work, Sixguns.

Massad Ayoob debunked this several years ago. He was involved in the courtroom defense of a man who had allegedly pressed his revolver into his opponent's body before firing, IIRC, several times. In Ayoob's test, when an identical gun was placed against a raw beef roast and fired, the blow back from the bullet strike and the expelled propellant gas ejected enough flesh from the wound that it actually tied up the gun, making follow up shots impossible. Clothing would only add to this mess.

The selection of a carry gun should not be based on this false capability of revolvers compared to semi-automatics.
 
when an identical gun was placed against a raw beef roast and fired, the blow back from the bullet strike and the expelled propellant gas ejected enough flesh from the wound that it actually tied up the gun
Click to expand...

Okay, GROSS :uhoh:

Also, do you know if the roast was wearing a full suit or just a t-shirt?
 
I like mine 'medium-rare' to 'rare'. :D

No medium, medium-well, or well-done.

I'd much rather eat a roast than shoot at it. :)
 
Steve from Ohio--

Get them both, you'll have the best of both world's...

If you buy one alone, for instance, the snub, I think you'd be less happy with it than if you bought the Kahr alone.

Shooting snubnose is not for the unitiated. It takes a while and can be frustrating and sometimes downright painful.
 
owlhoot said:


Quote:
It is flat and easy to carry. It has a better trigger than an out of the box J frame. It is more accurate. It has less felt recoil which means a faster recovery. It holds 75% more ammo. It is quicker and easier to reload. Carrying a spare speedloader is for the birds. Carrying an extra magazine is a piece of cake.

Owen Meany Said:

You make a compelling case. And yet, the J-frame still got my vote, because after everything was said and done, the deciding factor was the most subjective one of all: how the gun feels to the shooter (me, in this case), and the ability of that shooter to handle the gun well.

I don't know what it is that makes the J-frame handle so well for me, but I have a level of confidence in it (and me, shooting it) that isn't matched by the reliable and accurate Kahr K40 that I sometimes shoot.

Of course, there are actual, objective advantages to the Centennial J-frame, one of which, at least, I consider extremely important:

1) The revolver is practically snag-proof, so much so that one can fire it repeatedly within a pocket, never needing to expose it to view. Also, even outside a pocket, the revolver with its lack of a reciprocating slide makes for a more reliable weapon when used in extreme close quarters, where the slide of the semi-auto might encounter obstructions - most likely your body or that of the opponent - that could impede cycling.

Also,

2) I believe that, overall, the J-frame is a good deal more concealable than the Kahr. The cylinder is only thicker than the auto for a very small area (far smaller than the rectangular profile of the cylinder when viewed from the side), after which the revolver is both thinner and shorter (height-wise). It may exceed the Kahr slightly in overall length, but for most carry methods, that is the least critical dimension.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I had a Kahr PM9, keyword is HAD.

Nothing wrong with the gun per se, but the J-Frame is better in the Pocket Gun role IMHO.

BikerRN
 
I'd have to give it to the Kahr on shootability alone--and it wins by a HUGE margin in that category, IMO.
 
Biker RN - J frame is only slightly better for pocket carry, in my view.

JohnKSA - I could not agree with you more, though I am becoming more proficient with the J than before. Still, the Kahr clearly wins out as a better shooter.

NWDude - I got the Hogues, only. I have to figure out how to place them easily on the frame. Any suggestions other than what is contained in the instructions? Any particular methodology?

If you want to part with the UM Butler Creeks I might be interested. Let me know and I'll let you know after I finally get the Hogue's on the gun. Haven't had a moment.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Recoil: Kahr PM9 vs. Airweight J-Frames
Replies
16
Views
2K
Loomis
L
T
  • Locked
Recoil- Airweight J-frame vs. .380 PPK
2
Replies
34
Views
4K
jmoln
J
U
  • Locked
PM9 vs J-frame for pocket carry ? Why ?
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
1911.45
1
B
  • Locked
what would you put on this short list of pocket guns?
2
Replies
49
Views
3K
LASur5r
L
J
  • Locked
Switching CCW Calibers
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
orionengnr
O
Back
Top