Kahr CW45 Premium Review (HD)

The affordable, the powerful, and the necessary: The Kahr CW45 is a lot of power in a small and concealable package.

[@Chris-ep5mv]

A note on the expensive / hard to find Kahr magazines: you can use 1911 magazines in this gun. I only have the Kahr mag that came with mine and the rest of mine are 1911 mags. Officers size magazines are flush fitting and hold 6 rounds just like the Kahr mags. Then only modification needed to the 1911 mags is a tiny bit of filing on the feed lips. In my experience 1911 mags with plastic followers beat metal followers for this application as they will engage the slide lock after the last round while the metal followers will not. I have several Pro Mag Officers mags I got for $12/mag that work great in the gun oddly enough given that my experience with Pro Mags is that they are garbage. I have had no malfunctions in almost 1,000 rounds with this gun and 80% of that shooting has been with 1911 mags.

[@CitizenCarry]

Hey Chris! Yeah, I covered that about the 1911 mags in my video. HOWEVER...thats damn good information on those mag mods and stuff! So does that mean you'd recommend Pro Mag for the 1911 mags in this gun? It looks like it. Which is (again) great info for the folks!

[@clawhammer704]

Mecgar mags work very well.

[@martinwall7297]

great handgun, have carried one 45acp for the past 6 -7 years and have no problems mechical or otherwise.i have trusted my life with it and will continue to do so.lightweight,reliable,accurate,reasonably priced.what more could you ask for!

[@samiam1150]

The slide material is exactly the PM series. It stainless steel. The front sight on the PM is dovetailed and on the CM it's staked. You can find the mags on line for $28.

[@rodklomp7084]

I think the KAHR CM 45, is a nice offering for a cheaper pistol compared to the P45, I own the KP45, which is the premium gun in the 45, the K stands for the black slide, I have Crimson Trace laser Guard on it as well, the gun has been flawless from the very start, only problem I had was the 7 round mag that came with my gun, the P series guns come with three mags, but the seven round I sent back, and the new one they sent me was bad to, so KAHR is changing it out for a 6 round mag, all in all this gun is awesome and makes a great EDC gun, small enough to conceal well and light enough to carry all day in comfort...

[@NateBFlooring]

Just picked up a CW45 from a friend for $200! Great condition and great gun! My XD Mod 2 might have to sit the bench for awhile.

[@brianj7250]

Lovely deal, hows it working ?

[@roadking681]

I have a Hogue rubber grip on mine and I can shoot it all day, for me its very mild shooting considering the size. Its a great gun and very comfortable to conceal. Thanks for sharing even though your vid is 9 yrs old.

[@CitizenCarry]

My pleasure, and I appreciate you watching!

[@scarpia519]

At around 7:56 he mentions other 1911 magazines will work in the CW45. This is true but I had an issue with a Kimber 1911 Officer 7 round magazine. The lip on the Kimber magazine touched the extractor preventing the gun to go into battery. I lightly sanded (200 grit paper) the lip so the extractor just clears when chambering a round. The CW45's extractor sits "low" on the slide whereas in other 1911 guns, the extractor sits "high", that can be a problem when using other magazines. The Khar stock magazines (6 rounds) clear the extractor. Another issue I had with my CW45 was the extractor would not always 'snap' around the case's rim, again preventing the gun to into battery. A stronger recoil spring might have been a solution, but I removed the extractor rod and took off about 0.03" which reduced the extractor spring compression. That made the extractor much easier to move as a round slid under the extractor while being chambered. At a recent range session, the CW45 fed, fired and ejected many (40?) 200 grain, round nose and 185 grain truncated cone hand loads (I use Alliant Red Dot powder in my 45 loads). All things considered, the CW45 is an excellent and accurate 45ACP carry gun, but not my only one. I also have a M&P Shield 45, Springfield XD Mod 2 Sub Compact, Rock Island GI 1911 Officer, M&P Compact 45 all in the 45ACP carry rotation. (My other Kahr's are the PM9 and K9 Elite 98.)

[@drmitofit2673]

Supposedly the ACT 7rd Officers 45 mag is the best CW45 aftermarket mag, upping the capacity by one round, normal lock back function, unbreakable metal no tilt follower, nicely shaped combat-style base pad, and requires no forward feed lip clearance modification to function in the CW45. Some other brand Officers mags forward of the feed lips will impinge the CW45 extractor or slide and require minor modification. Others may not lock back reliably or nose up jam. I purchased 3 ACT 7rd Officers mags in case I buy a CW45 and in the meantime they will also work in my Colt Lightweight Officers Model. I read dozens of posts on Kahr message boards and the ACT mag comes highly recommended for the reasons Iisted. So although I can't report my own function testing in a CW45, I can confirm that these mags have top notch materials and build quality. For example the ACT mag bodies are made from seamless unwelded tube stock, so smooth inside and out and very strong. The supposedly top of the line Wilson Combat 47 mags are made from sheet metal stock with an inferior rear welded seam design.

[@BladeBarn]

Mine comes on tuesday. Have had every other handgun on the market this is the final chapter so to speak. Will make vids on my thoughts.

[@MizeryScratcher]

about the aggressive grip, watched a vid the guy cut a bicycle innertube and made a sleeve for his kahr! it looked ok he said it worked perfect! also i would get the machined slide release! just don't trust mim with the action it has with the barrel! lay a mim release next to a machined release and smack each with a hammer! i wonder the outcome!

[@dowdawg9165]

I love mine i hit my 12"x12" plate and my 8x8 at 50 yards one shot after the other. Great gun!!! i have them in 9 and 40 also.

[@CitizenCarry]

You have a collection! You going to get the .380?

[@dowdawg9165]

+2improper yes I'm sure I will when one looks at me and says I need a home... LOL

[@joeltowle2737]

Kahr the Original Single Stack Concealed Carry Pistol!

[@bluedial2]

I understand the points you made. However, given some simple stats: A.) 3 rounds(both good and bad guy total) fired. B.)3 seconds and it's over. C.) Finally less than three feet apart. The time needed to swap a mag or takedown the pistol are moot issues. Lastly, the Kahr is by far the easiest to conceal.

[@CitizenCarry]

yep...that speaks of my point about having match grade barrels in self defense guns. It's kind of pointless.

[@pfcomalley1]

Nice video! I think I'm going to pick up a cw45.

[@Bobshouse]

Just a few more "differences"...Kahr PM45 Length 5.79, CW45 Length 6.32....Kahr PM45 Height 4.49, CW45 height 4.8...Kahr PM45 weight 17.3, CW45 weight 19.7...capacity PM45 5, CW45 6...barrel PM45 3.2 inches, CW45 3.64. Now if you really wanted a more inexpensive 45 that is the same size as a PM45, you should look at the CM45! Priced about the same as a CW.

[@Banshee365]

Bobshouse The CW is the value version of the P series, not PM. He had it wrong.

[@CheifDegenerate]

very few slight differences between the CW and PM series. mostly in the "pretty" of the slide. The match grade barrel and the extra mags is what raises the price on for the PM series. But if you're patient, you can usually find extras on eBay or Amazon. love my CW9, I bought the PM9 barrel on eBay for $60. and 3 extra mags for $30. so now I basically have a PM9 but with 1 extra mag, and for $20 less than a new PM9

[@CitizenCarry]

Oh! That's cool! Did you notice any difference in accuracy?

[@CheifDegenerate]

+2improper tightened up groupings slightly at 25 feet. haven't done much shooting past that distance. I wouldn't call it surgical precision in the difference. but that's out of the 9mm. still shopping for the match barrel to put in my cw45 yet

[@Jarhead6]

I love mine! It is my edc!

[@CitizenCarry]

FO SHO! I love it!

[@clawhammer704]

Flat 1911 officer sized polymer pistol in 45acp. I got one too.

[@Banshee365]

The CW line is NOT the value line of the PM series, not even close. The CW line is the value option for the P series. The PM45 is considerably smaller than the CW45. I am a Kahr fan and do not buy into purchasing any of the value line almost solely because of the magazine thing. You make up most of the price difference in getting 3 mags over 1. Also, the difference in barrels isn't so much that the premium line has 'match grade' barrels, it's more than the value line has land and groove rifling while the premium series has polygonal. It's well known that polygonal rifling will give you more muzzle velocity and wear better. I'm sure the reliability of the value line is the same as the premium line, but I see the benefits of the premium line for sure.

[@CitizenCarry]

Banshee365 I referenced the alternative to the PM series because that was considered to be the most commonly purchased premium line at the time. I was not trying to split hairs on the closest match on their entire line. (Remember, I deal primarily in lower cost items).

[@Banshee365]

2improper Channel The value line from Kahr is certainly a great.... Value.

[@mountainmanwatchreviews8081]

I have an opportunity to get one of these gently used or an sd40ve. Both very reasonable prices, both with 2 mags. I know you have both. If you had to pick one for home defense and the occasional hiking trip or winter carry what would you go with?

[@CitizenCarry]

If I am considering both purposes, I'd say the SD. If I chose on the basis of concealment alone I'd say the Kahr: but easier shooting (recoil and follow up shots) and 12 rounds would make me choose the SD.

[@hawghead7]

Are you going to do a review on the CM45. Supposedly it's slightly shorter 3.12" barrel and lighter 17oz. and a little less cost. Have you heard any issues with it? I'm thinking about getting the cm45. Any help suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

[@CitizenCarry]

Hi Hawghead! I don't think I'll be doing that one: (Money....I'm not sponsored yet......that is, YET!) BUT- I have a friend with one and they both shoot identically. In fact, I heard they all have the same trigger system. (CM, CW, PM). The lighter the pistol shooting the 45 ACP round, the less fun it is to shoot. (In my opinion ONLY). I can imagine the CM model is lighter - which would be really awesome! If you don't mind that kick, it'd probably be an awesome carry!

[@roberttodd1642]

2improper Hey thanks 2improper! Appreciate your time to answer. Good luck with your videos.

[@larryproffer8603]

I had a Kahr CW45. Trigger sucked IMHO. The recoil on the other hand was manageable.

[@calvinlong1265]

Has anyone had any problems with the polymer slide rails?

[@Rka1970]

They do not have polymer slide rails, looks that way, but disassemble the gun and look a little closer, really a great design.

[@zachhampton7163]

There’s a spring that rubs. My pm doesn’t do that

[@JudahTribe-lt3ur]

I think I'll have to shoot one, and consider buying one for conceal carry. Thanks

[@Rka1970]

Great gun, capacity is overrated, and the slide does NOT run on polymer rails, take a closer look at it.

[@CitizenCarry]

While I don’t recall saying the gun rides on polymer rails, I can say that two metal platforms support the slides underside on the forward part of the frame, and two metal tabs support the slide in the rear. Beyond those parts the slide rides mostly in polymer. Lots of shooting revealed plastic shavings and pits in the polymer rail grooves. It didn’t seem to adversely affect the shooting. Yet. The pistol has lots of life left in it.

[@martinitime1975]

I just fired my CM45 Sunday and it was an absolute JOY. I tried some of my 1911 mags and had success/failures. Everything was fine until about 120 rounds in I switched to steel cased ammo and on the third round the slide totally seized. I had to have the pro shop guy take it in the back and bang it loose. I won't be using steel cased ammo anymore in that pistol

[@CitizenCarry]

Wow! That's good to know!

[@martinitime1975]

+2improper And I frog lubed the hell out of it, and they said it was bone dry. I just hope I didn't damage the extractor. I cycled some snap caps at home and they ejected just fine.

[@CheifDegenerate]

+martinitime1975 did they say why it seized up? did the steel case ammo split or something? I just bought this pistol, and bought some steel case ammo along with standard brass. haven't fired it yet. So if there is a major issue with it then I'll just use the steel case ammo in a different pistol.

[@martinitime1975]

+Raging Realist No, only that they had a really hard time getting it out. The slide was completely seized. I had extraction problems with Federal HST hollow points, but that was a different problem (they were too large and could not clear the chamber. The turned at an angle and I had to tap them out with the butt of the magazine).

[@CheifDegenerate]

+martinitime1975 I just watched a few more video and they said they had issues with Tula ammo. So I'm probably going to take the advice of others and not fire them through my CW 45. Was your issue with HST ammo from trying to unload the gun? or extraction when firing?

[@glockbrothers]

Better deal with the CW. Mags dang oh costly!

[@CitizenCarry]

I know! I just about fell out when I saw the cost!

[@zachhampton7163]

Cw line have a weird, spongy trigger

[@CitizenCarry]

Zach Hampton Some others have also said that: but I definitely didn’t have a problem with it. It broke consistently and smooth. I’d describe the ‘spongey’ a little more like ‘rolling’.