Took the Kahr for a test drive

[Mom will shoot]

We went to the range yesterday and took my new Kahr CW9 for a test drive. The guy I got it from said that it does not have a break in period, but I know better. Everything I've read says to put 200 rounds through it before trusting your life with it. I think this is just common sense -wouldn't you want to put at least 200 rounds through a new gun, to get used to it? Even if it does work fine out of the box, I would want to plenty of time practicing with it.

There was a small hiccup with the very first shot. But after we got past that initial jam, things went very smoothly. I put 48 rounds through it without another problem. And since I'm not a very accurate shot, at all, my husband put 18 rounds through to test its accuracy. He said it was an accurate little gun.

Here are my two targets for the day. Remember, I'm new to shooting and not very accurate. So just keep that in mind.

Slightly over half of my shots made it onto the target. And they are ALL left. The shots are all over the place, as far as being high/low. I think that has a lot to do with me trying to figure out how to aim and stay steady, without anticipating the shot. Any tips for correcting these issues or more insight as to why its happening? Remember I'm a lefty. If someone wants to take me out, watch me shoot, and give pointers, well I guess I could be ok with that

Also, one thing that I found really weird... Everytime the action was open and I put a new mag in, it made the slide release on its own. It only happened to me, not my husband at all. And it happened every time! I was not touching the slide release at all. Should I be worried about this?

Overall, I really like this gun! It fits nicely in my hand, conceals fairly easily (a better holster will do wonders, I know), and its not a bear to shoot. If I can get my aim better, we'll be great friends!

 

[DaKruiser]

Looks like you did well for being your first time with this gun! Have you ever dry fired to practice? The slide release is kinda crazy, I'm interested in seeing what everybody else has to say about that. Did it chamber a round? Or did it release before the mag was completely seated?

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Nice!!!!

And dry fire, dry fire, dry fire!!

Work on pressing the trigger to the rear and letting the snap/trigger break/shot surprise you.

If it surprises you, then you don't have an opportunity to jerk the gun in anticipation.

Also, practice practice practice! And see if you can't get together with INGO member Jay and a few other "NE Indiana" women for a shooting class. He's great at that kind of thing!

-J-

 

[Mom will shoot]

It actually chambered a round every time. It really flipped me out at first, but hubby said just go with it.

Unfortunately, I cannot take any classes at this time. Since I am pregnant, it is a huge liability. I totally understand that everyone needs to cover their behinds.

 

[JetGirl]

I'm new to shooting and not very accurate. So just keep that in mind.

Girlfriend, stand in front of a mirror with either of those targets held up against you.
Now tell us which hole you'd be willing to get shot through.
If there was a bad guy there behind that target, he'd be just as dead as if all those little holes fit inside a few inches.

 

[cornfused]

Looks like you did great for your first time out with the gun!

I wouldn't worry too much about shot placement yet, I'm sure it will improve when you get more practice with the gun.

Have you watched any of the videos on properly gripping a handgun and proper trigger control?

 

[g00n24]

I dont know about Kahrs and their slide releasing with insertion of a mag...but my glocks will do it quite frequently. It works out well if Im shooting a match. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[ReadnFool]

On the slide release issue I would consider it a possible problem. First thought that comes to mind is that when re assembling the gun the slide release lever may have not gotten back under the little spring properly. Usually this causes the slide to lock open before the mag is empty not release on its own. Kahrs are made to be very stiff to release when an empty mag is in place but easier when the mag is loaded or removed. Are you sure you aren't accidently hitting the release when inserting the mag. Does it happen with both mags. It is possible one empty mag is not fully engaging the lock making it more likely to slip if the next mag is slammed home. If it keeps happening I would suggest asking kahr for advice.

 

[mammynun]

Not to be a party pooper, and remember that I'm a guy (and therefore probably full of poop too ), I wonder about shooting while pregnant. I have no idea if it's a bad thing, but the lead can't be a good thing, can it? If I were preggo, I'd investigate.... That said;

My PM45 will release the slide upon mag insertion every once in a while, my Taurus 24/7 does it almost every time, M&P will if I REALLY smack it in there, and I can't get my P220 to do it at all. Id' be aware of it, but I wouldn't stress on it.

As far as dry firing.... put a piece of 9mm brass on the slide when you do it. When you can reliably dry fire without it falling off, look around the house for more difficult items to balance on it or get some help and place it on the front sight.

Having your hubby sneak a snap cap in the mag when you're at the range can be revealing too....

Happy shooting!

 

[451_Detonics]

When starting out with a new shooter I always start at about 7 feet. When the shooter can group well there we start moving back a little at a time. I also will use ball and dummy practice as well as a few other teaching aids. As others have said dry fire is a great way to learn trigger control. Also put that thing on a bench with sandbags for rests and find out where it actually shoots. Left and right windage adjustments are easy to make. High/low can often be adjusted by changes in ammo.

As far as the lead thing...stay away from indoor ranges, don't eat until you have thoroughly washed your hands with cold water, change clothes asap after shooting

 

[Archbishop]

Looks good to me. There are targets out their that have written descriptions as to what to correct depending on where your shots are hitting. If all your shots were low the description is that you're anticipating the recoil and flinching. etc.

 

[Mom will shoot]

Not to be a party pooper, and remember that I'm a guy (and therefore probably full of poop too ), I wonder about shooting while pregnant.

As far as the lead thing...stay away from indoor ranges, don't eat until you have thoroughly washed your hands with cold water, change clothes asap after shooting

I make sure to do all of this. I wash my hands several times with cool water when we're done shooting. I make hubby do it too.

First thought that comes to mind is that when re assembling the gun the slide release lever may have not gotten back under the little spring properly. Usually this causes the slide to lock open before the mag is empty not release on its own.
I'll look into this. But now that I think about it, there were a few times that it didn't lock open when empty.
Are you sure you aren't accidently hitting the release when inserting the mag.
Positive. I even showed my husband "See, I'm not touching it"
Does it happen with both mags.
I only got one magazine with purchase. Haven't had the chance to buy a second one yet.

Am I maybe inserting the mag too hard? Is that possible?

Girlfriend, stand in front of a mirror with either of those targets held up against you.
Now tell us which hole you'd be willing to get shot through.
If there was a bad guy there behind that target, he'd be just as dead as if all those little holes fit inside a few inches.

Yeah, you're right. I have this horrible perfectionistic personality. I'm really hard on myself sometimes... ok, all the time.

Looks good to me. There are targets out their that have written descriptions as to what to correct depending on where your shots are hitting. If all your shots were low the description is that you're anticipating the recoil and flinching. etc.

I read in this book I have (I had to reverse it for me being left handed) it says possible causes are: Squeezing the whole hand with the trigger pull, slack wrist, or jerking the trigger. But I'm not sure which of these things it is, if its something else, or how to correct it.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

If pregnant...

You REALLY might want to reconsider shooting until after you have the baby.

Not so much from a lead / metals standpoint, but from a noise standpoint.

Sounds are amplified AND travel faster in fluids than they do in the air. Consensus among many physicians is that it's not good on the lil' one's hearing.

-J-

 

[DaKruiser]

I would not say don't shoot, but when my wife was pregnant my son kicked her every time she shot. I guess that's how he let her know not to do that. Lol. He loves to shoot now, and is getting darn good too!

 

[Mom will shoot]

I do understand and appreciate everyone's concerns about me shooting while pregnant. I am past the critical stage, the risk of miscarriage has greatly reduced. And I still have 10-12 weeks before the baby will begin hearing. So at this point, both husband and I are comfortable with me shooting.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

FYI, infants can begin to hear as early as 14 weeks post conception.

"Auditory sense is present in the infant 24 weeks before birth [14 weeks after conception]. This involves brain functioning and memory patterns." M. Clemens, "5th International Congress Psychosomatic," OB & GYN, Rome: Medical Tribune, Mar. 22, 1978, p. 7

Recent technology allowed a tiny microphone to be placed by the fetus’s head and "We heard almost everything, from people talking 12 feet away, to a door opening in the room, to a cart going down the hall with the door closed. The clarity was incredible. It was easy to tell who was talking."
The results showed the fetus hears everything we do, only 10 decibels less. Their earliest response to sound was at 26 weeks. Is Noise an Intrauterine Threat, Phelan & Satt, by R. McGuire, Med. Tribune, Nov. 30, 1989

Obviously, I'm not a physician. But I highly encourage you to talk to your OB about this and get his professional medical opinion.

-J-

 

[wtfd661]

A good way to see if you are indeed anticipating the shot and a way to correct is to have your husband load your mags with "dummy" rounds along with real rounds and the when you are shooting at the range you will see quickly if you are anticipating. When you get to the "dummy" round and nothing happens you will notice that the barrel of the gun will dip down instead of remaining steady. It will also help you with the "clearing a jam/misfire" drills as you will have to rack the slide to get to the next "live" round.

From your targets I think you did a great job, like Jetgirl said hold it up to your chest and see which hole is the best one to get hit at

 

[Mom will shoot]

If there was a bad guy there behind that target, he'd be just as dead as if all those little holes fit inside a few inches.

I've been thinking about this all morning. While yes I agree with you, a hit is a hit. Whether grouped nicely or not, bad guy would have gotten it good... but I keep thinking about the other half of the shots that didn't even make it to the target. That's potentially dangerous, right? I wouldn't want stray bullets to ricochet or accidentally hit an innocent person. I guess more practice should help with that.

FYI, infants can begin to hear as early as 14 weeks post conception.

M. Clemens, "5th International Congress Psychosomatic," OB & GYN, Rome: Medical Tribune, Mar. 22, 1978, p. 7

Recent technology...Is Noise an Intrauterine Threat, Phelan & Satt, by R. McGuire, Med. Tribune, Nov. 30, 1989
-J-

Let me just add this -Everything that I have read says that babies begin hearing outside noises at about 24 weeks gestation. Baby can hear mother's heartbeat and such earlier than that though. Remember that what we know about babies and pregnancy has changed tremendously over the last 20-30 years.

I understand your concern, I really do. But this was just supposed to be a simple range report, not a debate about whether pregnant women should shoot or not. If you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to PM me.

 

[JetGirl]

I keep thinking about the other half of the shots that didn't even make it to the target. That's potentially dangerous, right?

Well, sure. You didn't say how far away your target was placed from you, but if it was further than 30ish feet, that might be part of it. As a beginner and for practicing at a distance that most personal protection instructors recommend for that purpose, 30 or so is right about where you want to be.

 

[sj kahr k40]

As far as the mag causing the slide to come forward, it sounds like the gun may have been assembled wrong, Kahr has a video on their website that shows the proper way to reassembly the gun. Their is a little spring that has to be in the right place or the slide stop won't function properly