I sold a Kahr CW45 a while back and wanted to give that a deal a little breathing room before I posted this. Yes, this post is super long but really it's intended for anyone that might be researching Kahrs. I'm posting this in reviews because this is my experience but I don't mind contrasting viewpoints.
I was 100% honest and forthcoming in that deal that sold mine so I sleep just fine about it. I will also note that apparently some Kahr CW45s perform just fine. It's my understanding that the gunsmith work I paid for should make the one I sold just fine. The problem is that not all of them do.
I loved the Kahr CW45 for it's general form. It was the best small 45 I could find with an acceptable capacity and ease of shooting. It's no 1911 but it felt fine at the range. Many others were far worse in that regard.
The problem... My Kahr CW45 would stove pipe every once in a while. I researched the crap out of the issue and had a gunsmith do a little work on it. They polished the feed ramp and just did minor adjustments to the stock parts. It performed fine after the gunsmith work, but that was with a very well lubricated gun and with perfect stance. The range deemed the gun to be in perfect working order so I asked them for a trade-in value. They took an uncomfortable amount of time to give me a response. They gave me a number but at the same time suggested I try a website called the Outd... LOL. Anyway, I still didn't have confidence with the gun so I sold it (with all details included in the ad).
I understand the importance of firearm maintenance but I have fired a lot of firearms without them being super clean. Many have been fired by new shooters with limp wrists. Almost all still function without issue. That was not the case with my Kahr CW45. Apparently, it has a reputation for being cranky. For me, I just don't have patience for a cranky gun when there are so many forgiving firearms on the market.
Now, I stick with 1911s for 45acp or any number of 9mm handguns for general use.
I was 100% honest and forthcoming in that deal that sold mine so I sleep just fine about it. I will also note that apparently some Kahr CW45s perform just fine. It's my understanding that the gunsmith work I paid for should make the one I sold just fine. The problem is that not all of them do.
I loved the Kahr CW45 for it's general form. It was the best small 45 I could find with an acceptable capacity and ease of shooting. It's no 1911 but it felt fine at the range. Many others were far worse in that regard.
The problem... My Kahr CW45 would stove pipe every once in a while. I researched the crap out of the issue and had a gunsmith do a little work on it. They polished the feed ramp and just did minor adjustments to the stock parts. It performed fine after the gunsmith work, but that was with a very well lubricated gun and with perfect stance. The range deemed the gun to be in perfect working order so I asked them for a trade-in value. They took an uncomfortable amount of time to give me a response. They gave me a number but at the same time suggested I try a website called the Outd... LOL. Anyway, I still didn't have confidence with the gun so I sold it (with all details included in the ad).
I understand the importance of firearm maintenance but I have fired a lot of firearms without them being super clean. Many have been fired by new shooters with limp wrists. Almost all still function without issue. That was not the case with my Kahr CW45. Apparently, it has a reputation for being cranky. For me, I just don't have patience for a cranky gun when there are so many forgiving firearms on the market.
Now, I stick with 1911s for 45acp or any number of 9mm handguns for general use.
