Some of you might remember that I picked up a Ruger LC9 last summer as a concealed carry weapon. One of the main reasons was the weight factor in favor of the LC9 over my preferred .45 ACP pistols. The only problem was that, as good as the 9mm can be with premium ammo, it just isn't a .45. Well, I just remedied that situation by buying a Kahr CW45.

In the past, I haven't given much thought to Kahr products for general use since they are pretty pricey in their usual form. The introduction of the CW45 changed that by offering a weapon that was priced more in line with the budget of the average gun owner. To do this, they used cut-rifled barrels rather than their usual premium-grade Walther polygonal rifling (far better for lead bullets anyway) and only supplying one magazine rather than the more common two (not unusual since Ruger did the same with the LC9). The CW45 also features a polymer frame and a 6 + 1 capacity. Loaded weight of my example is 27 ounces, the same as a Glock 36 but .12" thinner. Loaded weight of my 5" stainless 1911 is 46 ounces, and my Commander-sized 1911 is only a couple ounces lighter...making the CW45 a definite improvement. It is also thin enough to disappear under a shirt or jacket almost as easily as the LC9.

The CW45 is unencumbered by external safeties or "trick-tab" trigger and has a DAO trigger pull that is rated at 5 pounds. Honestly, it is so smooth that it feels far lighter than that. I haven't had a chance to run many rounds through it yet, but what shooting I have managed has been highly encouraging. Once I got used to aligning the rather odd sights (vertical white bar on the rear and a white dot on the front) it put the last three rounds of the session into a tidy1 1/4" cluster perched right on top of the front sight, unsupported at 10 yards. Not match performance by any means, but more than adequate for "minute of felon", and rather impressive for a 3.64" barrel and a shooter that is more familiar with single-action triggers on autos. Recoil is far less than expected from such a light weapon.

As I get a chance, I'll give it a good work-out and review it here with pictures.

get SSL! Got any pictures? What are you going to do with the LC9?

Here is a quick comparison between one of my full-size 1911 and the Kahr CW45. The camera angle makes the Kahr look slightly larger than it really is.



The LC9 now has a happy home with my daughter.