Originally Posted by
NickFox
I am going to try at all costs to AVOID this becoming the "typical" Kahr post. 1) It is NOT a bash - these are valid points AND I have un-resolved issues. That said, I REALLY dig the form factor on the Kahr, and it's no-contest between G27 and CW40 for CCW. NO DOUBT. I'm brand new to the forum, but NOT new at all the handguns, and I like alot of the insight I've read in other posts, and thusly, decided to post this.
OK - so to begin, I bought a like-new CW40, so new that you could not see use, and internally, thing looked pristine- right down to the springs. Took down 100% to verify. On first trip to range, had a few FTF (*round kinda got "hung up" between the slide and face of the chamber when slide returned home). I polished all of barrel face, and this has 100% resolved any feeding issues, or so it seems. 550 rounds and counting...
BUT - Here's a serious issue, and it's frustrating the crap out of me. The slide occasionally ceases at the DEAD-STOP. This is completely on back-action. Happens in last (approx.) 1/8th inch of travel, AFTER the slide-stop catch-point. Usually a hand-slap is NOT enough, you need to remove mag, and then give the butt of the slide a good rap on a hard surface. she slams home and will then fire. Happens totally random, and has occurred with ALL of the following ammo:
Hydra Shock
Federal Premium
Winchester white box
Atlantic cheapo range stuff
2) the 2nd time the ceasure happened, coincidentally (maybe) the follower-front cracked, in the typically spot that happens on PM40s (so I'm told by kahr). Again this is a CW model - Kahr says they've not seen breakages like this on CWs, only on older PM models..
FIRST: I do want to say, I called Kahr twice. The first time I was VERY upset - I did not get the warm and fuzzies from the service person, and honestly was AT THAT POINT very dissapointed with my purchase. I am a manufacturers rep - PRODUCTS BREAK. I get that. However I DO want to be dealing with a company that gives a Flying F and will want to service me and make me feel GOOD about purchasing. Sadly, this did not happen the first time around..
GOOD NEWS: Second time around I spoke to a VERY friendly and knowlegable service person, and feel MUCH better about buying the weapon. They were perplexed by the ceasure issue- I don't know if I believe them on this point, but they say they've not seen that... Again, I'm a manuf-rep... Not sure if I believe or not... BUT - I am very happy with the outcome:
Kahr is sending a new return spring, and a mag follower. I'll re-post once spring is installed... Who knows.. maybe it say so long it got lazy, and thus the ceasing issue.. dunno. Kahr seems to think this may resolve. Hope so...
QUESTIONS:
- Anyone ever had this happen?? any of it??
- Has anyone figured out a magic solution to shorten trigger reset yet??
- Has anyone ever tried the "O-ring" trick as a recoil buffer on a CW pistol?? Seems to me like that might do two things: 1) act as a great snap-buffer, 2) actually REDUCE travel by a tiny amount, such that slide would not hang up or "seize"
COMMENTARY:
Again, this is NOT a flame post. In short, I REALLY REALLY dig the tiny size of the CW40.. ALSO, did anyone stop to check out comparative barrel lengths?? this is a VERY serious advantage to the Karh, IMHO (pertaining to accuracy) and despite reading hundreds o user reviews, NO ONE has yet to compare (meaningfully) the barrel length:
Specifically, let's compare a Glock 27 (compact .40) to the Kahr CW40 (one model BIGGER than compact)... The CW40 is not only ALOT thinnner, but 1/8" sharter overall length AND HAS +1/2" WORTH OF BARREL... YES- you read that right. The kahr wins HANDS OWN over the Glock in this department: thinner, shorter AND longer barrel, PLUS the hand-grip gives you secure grip with 4 fingers, rather than 2 or 3..
Recoil: I don't know how to explain this, but despite the lack-luster trigger on the Karh, is DOES somehow not feel quite as "snappy" as my glock.. Either way, recoil doesn't bother me on either, and I'm a fan on .40 cal. Eventually I will buy a .45 though, for reasons we've all read about... this will be ADDED to collection, NOT to replace the kahr .40..
Curious to know if anyone's had this seizing problem. thanks for your responses and thoughts.
In conclusion, I really like BOTH Kahr and Glock. If I needed higher capacity etc, I'd carry the glock, despite the extra chunkiness. 95% of the times though, I'm more concerned for UC duty-carry, and rely on the tiny diminutive size of the Kahrs, vs. the glocks. Despite the hiccups, I must say, there IS no other choice out there for tiny/reliable. ALL small-small pistols have tighter tolerances, and ergo, perhaps the reason there are MANY negative posts about MANY different brands of micro/compact. That said, I wouldn't carry a Kimber nor a PPK, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna bet my life on a Kel-tec 9mm... lol. For me, Glock is still my favorite.. however for CCW duty, the CW frame is VERY hard to beat- it's smaller AND has a longer barrel and more secure-feeling hand swell.
Now I just need to make it as reliable as the Glock, and I'll deal with the trigger...