Kahr CT40 40 S&W

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In the April 2022 issue of Gun Tests, we tested four 40 Smith & Wesson-chambered carry pistols, a Taurus G2c, a S&W SD40 VE, a Kahr CT40, and an FN FNS-40.
The Taurus and the Smith & Wesson were new guns, and the Kahr CT40 and FN FNS-40 were used guns. Both were in Like New in Box condition at the time of our test.
The Kahr was the top-ranked pistol in the original test, earning a B+ grade.
In 2023, we had a chance to spend more time with the Kahr CT40, which we bought for $354.
Kahr launched the full-size value-priced CT series in 2014, and the company still makes the 380 Auto,
9mm, and 45 Auto models. The 40 S&W was dropped in 2019 as popularity for the 40 S&W waned.
The CT series features a full-size polymer frame with a matte-stainless-steel slide. It is a locked-breech, striker-fired pistol.
Kahr’s unique trigger, which has a long smooth pull, cocks and fires the gun. Unlike the
other striker-fires in the test, there is no preload on the striker. A passive striker block in the Kahr prevents the pistol from firing should it be accidentally dropped.
There is no magazine disconnect, so it can be fired without a magazine. The CT series also features a traditionally rifled barrel in lieu of the Lothar Walther match-grade barrels used in Kahr’s PT series. The cosmetics, namely the slide, are also simplified to reduce cost.
The Kahr CT40 center bore axis sat low in the hand so muzzle flip is easier to control.
In hand, the CT40 feels thin. All the edges are rounded, so the pistol is smooth on the outside, perfect
for EDC. The muzzle is chiseled for easier reholstering.
The matte-stainless-steel slide has rear serrations only. We would have liked forward serrations.
It takes about 16 pounds of effort to rack the slide. Still, we found it easy to manipulate the CT40.
The rear sight is drift adjustable and has a notch with a bar, which contrasts nicely with the dot front
sight. The sights are polymer and are basic and easy to use. We liked them.
The polymer frame has a pebble texture on the side grip panels. On the front and rear grip straps is
a coarse, square texture that does not eat the flesh of your palm during recoil. This is how texture should be done for the snappy 40 S&W.
The grip angle is about 18 degrees, so it is a natural pointer. There is no accessory rail on the CT40, but we didn’t miss it.
The slide stop is MIM produced and has serrations. We found it easy to operate for a right-handed shooter.
The small magazine button is oval shaped and serrated.
We needed to adjust our grip to dump the magazine.
The trigger is curved, wide, and smooth faced. Pressing it requires a long stroke, but it is smooth and very consistent. We like the trigger, especially for an EDC gun.
The seven-round magazine is made with a stainless-steel body, and the polymer floor plate forms a lip
on which your small finger may rest.
The magazine is easy to load, even to the seventh round.
The best accuracy was with 155-grain FMJ Federal American Eagles, with a 1.56-inch five-shot group at
15 yards.
It feels similar to a double-action revolver trigger. The initial take-up was short before we hit the wall, then we felt the long, smooth press. The break was consistent, and we could anticipate it.
The CT40 carried well concealed because it was thin. We forgot we were carrying the CT40.
The Kahr CT40 field-strips differently from the others. The slide stop holds all the parts together. You need to line up witness marks on the slide and frame (arrows) and push out the slide stop. Far right: We tapped
the slide stop out using the magazine’s
polymer floor plate. Note the recoil spring and
guide rod are not captured (arrow).
KAHR CT40 40 S&W, $354
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
The used CT40 was thin and had a nice grip angle. We noticed more recoil because the pistol had a singlestack magazine. The recoil pulse was fairly smooth. This is a manageable gun that’s well suited for EDC.