By Graham Baates
YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video review of the Kahr Arms CW9 in 9mm.
With wins occurring on all fronts, except for the Biden White House, on the fight to keep and bear arms, we’ve all rejoiced at what seems to be a lull in the war on our right to defend ourselves.
This inspired a re-evaluation of the American handgun market and I was a bit saddened to realize just how few choices we have that are actually made in America.
There are a few companies that still manufacture in the US, but those that equate to the Wal-Mart of gun companies didn’t interest me and so I kept looking.
What I found was Kahr and the CW 9 from their Value Series.
Kahr Arms CW9 Pistol
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With an MSRP of $500 and a street price of about $100 less, Kahr has found a way to make a quality firearm in the United States that is both affordable and quality. Cost reduction is accomplished by reducing machining on the slide, conventional rifling, and using a polymer front sight and MIM slide stop lever.
Other that it remains the same quality from Kahr that fans have come to expect.
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The Kahr CW9 Pistol is a Double-Action Only, but the trigger feels more like it is made of ball bearings as it glides through its stroke into the firing position. Perhaps part of that feel comes from the broad metal trigger shoe which feels remarkably comfortable after spending too much time handling guns with trigger-mounted safeties. Comfortable is probably the best single-word description I can offer for the CWP handgun.
Beyond the trigger shoe is the reassuring double action, which provides both safety and readiness while carrying. The 7+1 capacity proved just the right size for my larger hands, remaining slim for carry yet providing enough handle to be comfortable on the range.
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For a tabletop video review of the Kahr Arms CW9 Pistol, check the video below:
Kahr Arms CW 9 Pistol Specifications:
Caliber | 9mm |
Capacity | 7+1 |
Operation | Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; “Browning – type” recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect |
Barrel | 3.6” conventional rifling, 1:10 right-hand twist |
Overall Length | 5.9” |
Height | 4.5” |
Slide Width | 0.9” |
Weight | Pistol 15.8oz Magazine 1.9oz |
The Kahr Arms CW9 Pistol is a great quality “Made in America” handgun and gets thumbs up on the purchase list.
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About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel and blog on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .
I have a CW9 I bought used. Know why it was at the gun store. While the trigger is like butter I have never fired one mag with out stoppages of some type. I wanted it for ccw but it cannot be trusted. Different mags or different ammo always greets me with disappointment.
I’ve carried a CW9 for longer than I can remember. Love it. (Why are all the comments on this dated “7 years ago”?)
My “go to pocket gun” is an ALL stainless steel Kahr MK9 2000 Elite chambered in 9 MM, NOT .380!!!
Have had one for several years now, and I absolutely love this firearm. It’s easy to carry and functions flawlessly. I also have the Kahr P380, which is also a great firearm. The CM9 is my #2 carry gun behind my Kimber 1911. The P380 is my go to pocket gun.
I had mine less than a year. Took it to the range weekly. I never liked it. Sold back to the dealer I bought it from after 8 months.
Trigger reset is way too long.