Kahr CW45
- Thread starter CZguy
- Start date
- Status
The_Armed_Therapist
Member
As far as a concealable, reliable alternative, there isn't a whole lot. The Kahr PM45 is a little big smaller, and is essentially the smallest .45 on the market. Anything else will be bigger than the CW40; but the closest are:
Taurus PT745 (single stack)
Taurus PT145 (double stack)
Glock 36
Springfield XDS
Taurus PT745 (single stack)
Taurus PT145 (double stack)
Glock 36
Springfield XDS
There are not many .45 in the Kahr's class to choose from. It's pretty much the lightest and thinnest .45 I can think of, other than derringers. The only .45 that I can think of is the PM45, another Kahr.
Just said pretty much the same thing as the poster above me.
Just said pretty much the same thing as the poster above me.
The_Armed_Therapist
Member
Not a problem! Who has time to read every post on every thread? LOL
Isn't the XD-S thinner than the Kahr .45s? It's certainly shorter in height than the CW45, but it also gives up a round. I think the PM45 is a closer match to the XD-S. Either way, I'd skip the Kahr and get a XD-S. I'll never own another Kahr after my pm9 experience. Their guns are hit or miss. Either they work flawlessly and people love them or they are total lemons and jam-o-matics. Just not worth the gamble IMHO. I haven't even shot the XD-S yet, but I already know Springfield puts out a consistent and reliable product. I have zero doubts about the XD-S as far as reliability goes.
Great advice CP, recommending a gun you never shot, but they sure sound good...
I'm in the "Trouble free Kahr club", and dont think your gonna find a similar gun for the money. However the G36 is a nice gun to look at also. If the CW45 performs like my CW9, you will be very happy.
I'm in the "Trouble free Kahr club", and dont think your gonna find a similar gun for the money. However the G36 is a nice gun to look at also. If the CW45 performs like my CW9, you will be very happy.
jfrey
Member
A friend has a CW45 and I think it has been back to the factory 3 times. Kahrs are sort of hit or miss, as is their CS. I shot his next to my G36 and decided to keep the Glock. They seem to do fairly well with factory ammo but if you reload you can get into problems pretty fast. Bullets have to be set fairly short and most people wind up using Federal primers only to prevent light strikes. This is the reason I got rid of my CW9.
The_Armed_Therapist
Member
PM45
L: 5.79"
H: 4.49"
W: 1.01"
B: 3.24"
C: 5+1
P45
L: 6.07"
H: 4.80"
W: 1.01"
B: 3.54"
C: 6+1
CW45
L: 1.01"
H: 4.80"
W: 1.01"
B: 3.64"
C: 6+1
Springfield XDS
L: 6.30"
H: 4.40"
W: 1.00"
B: 3.30"
C: 5+1
Taurus PT745
L: 6.00"
H: 5.20"
W: 1.13"
B: 3.25"
C: 6+1
Taurus PT145
L: 6.13"
H: 5.13"
W: 1.25"
B: 3.25"
C: 10+1
Glock G36
L: 6.97"
H: 4.76"
W: 1.10"
B: 3.78"
C: 6+1
Glock G30
L: 6.97"
H: 4.45"
W: 1.28"
B: 3.78"
C: 10+1
L: 5.79"
H: 4.49"
W: 1.01"
B: 3.24"
C: 5+1
P45
L: 6.07"
H: 4.80"
W: 1.01"
B: 3.54"
C: 6+1
CW45
L: 1.01"
H: 4.80"
W: 1.01"
B: 3.64"
C: 6+1
Springfield XDS
L: 6.30"
H: 4.40"
W: 1.00"
B: 3.30"
C: 5+1
Taurus PT745
L: 6.00"
H: 5.20"
W: 1.13"
B: 3.25"
C: 6+1
Taurus PT145
L: 6.13"
H: 5.13"
W: 1.25"
B: 3.25"
C: 10+1
Glock G36
L: 6.97"
H: 4.76"
W: 1.10"
B: 3.78"
C: 6+1
Glock G30
L: 6.97"
H: 4.45"
W: 1.28"
B: 3.78"
C: 10+1
The_Armed_Therapist
Member
My experience has shown that reliability suffers with increased concealability. I have come to be a very firm believer in carrying as big as you can. Obvious, not all situations allow for a 1911 or CZ75 on everyone. Kahrs can be picky, that's for sure. For mine (CW40), the "200-round break-in" couldn't have been more true. You have to treat your Kahrs like babies until they mature. Kahrs are NOT for beginners, in my opinion. They get away with it, and many put up with it, because of the lack of competition in their size class. Time will tell if other companies can make more reliable products that are the Kahr's equal as far as concealability. The XDS looks promising.
wally
Member
Use the search, no shortage of issues with the XDS.
All guns that are small for their caliber have issues in some hands.
All guns that are small for their caliber have issues in some hands.
Skylerbone
Member
A very common theme I've noticed in Kahr related threads is that former owners rarely disclose anything more than "I tried everything" or "___ trips back to Kahr". Most common malady: feed issues. I've seen one or two "I polished the feed ramp" but every Kahr I've seen has had a very decent ramp to begin with.
I don't mean this to be an indictment, just what I've read from other threads. I've owned exactly one autoloader that exhibited feeding problems. I've owned a dozen or two more that had zero problems. Not a single one however that I didn't address every possible reliability issue with regardless.
Now an old high school teacher of mine was fond of reminding us mush heads that you can't make chicken salad out of chicken you-know-what but when a design is proven, more often than not the solution is a minor fix. Taking the time to identify it before sending it to a tech who may test-fire it once lacking any specifics is simply a waste of time. Doesn't excuse a "lemon" from the factory but I prefer that chicken salad to losing a hundred bucks in trade and a tale of the POS I used to own.
That problematic autoloader? Never made it back to Beretta and hasn't misbehaved since I fixed it by easing the sharp top edge of the feed ramp.
I don't mean this to be an indictment, just what I've read from other threads. I've owned exactly one autoloader that exhibited feeding problems. I've owned a dozen or two more that had zero problems. Not a single one however that I didn't address every possible reliability issue with regardless.
Now an old high school teacher of mine was fond of reminding us mush heads that you can't make chicken salad out of chicken you-know-what but when a design is proven, more often than not the solution is a minor fix. Taking the time to identify it before sending it to a tech who may test-fire it once lacking any specifics is simply a waste of time. Doesn't excuse a "lemon" from the factory but I prefer that chicken salad to losing a hundred bucks in trade and a tale of the POS I used to own.
That problematic autoloader? Never made it back to Beretta and hasn't misbehaved since I fixed it by easing the sharp top edge of the feed ramp.
Nushif
Member
Ex-Owner here.
Great trigger, never had a failure.
Only reason I sold my E9 is because the guy who has it now needs it way more than me.
SharpsDressedMan
member
Currently following the problems a friend is having with his CW45. It has feeding problems, and is now letting the mag eject while firing ( a new problem). They apparently do not supply you with a prepaid label to return for service, like S&W, so the owner is prepping to pay $50-$60 just to return for inspection and such, and it may no longer be on warranty. No gunsmiths around here qualified to service it.
chris in va
Member
My LGS only charges ~$14 to ship a handgun through UPS.
One thing to consider, the smartphone-sized 45's are not a joy to shoot at the range.
One thing to consider, the smartphone-sized 45's are not a joy to shoot at the range.
SharpsDressedMan
member
UPS requires next day delivery and rates (violating the req's is probably fraud). You might mean the LGS ships through USPS (postal service), but many gunstores also require a transfer fee ($20-$40) in addition to the flat rate postal fee.
- Status
