CW9 Vs LC9 comparison

[archer51]

Took the wife to the shooting range yesterday. Trying to decide on which gun she wants to carry. Choice is between the Ruger LC9 and the Kahr CW9.

Kahr CW9

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel: 3.6"
Overall Length: 5.9"
Height: 4.5"
Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 17.7 ounces
Grips: Textured polymer
Sights: Drift adjustable white bar-dot combat rear sight, pinned in polymer front sight
Finish: matte stainless steel slide
Magazine: 1 - 7 rd, Stainless

Ruger LC9

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel: 3.12”
Overall Length: 6.0”
Height: 4.5”
Width: .90”
Weight: 17.1 ounces
Grip: Black glass filled nylon, textured
Sights: Drift adjustable white 3 Dot (dovetailed)
Finish: Blued slide
Magazine: 1 – 7 rd, blue

Impression of the 2 guns.

While the Kahr is billed as a TAD shorter in length and the same height, comparing the 2 side by side finds the Ruger about an 1/8th of an inch shorter in length and 1/8 of an inch shorter in height. Weight of the Ruger felt like it was lighter than the .6 ounces billed by the 2 makers (unfortunately I didn’t have a scale to measure them).

Both guns accuracy was acceptable for a short barrel pistol at standard defensive range (21 feet). Sights were easy to use on both guns.

Trigger pull would have to go to the Kahr’s favor. Definitely shorter, lighter and crisper break than the Ruger. The Ruger trigger pull seemed extremely long.

Recoil was manageable with both guns, however the Ruger seemed to have more felt recoil (snappier) than the Kahr.
Both guns functioned well. About 150 rounds through both guns with no FTF or FTE.

Wife liked the Ruger for the size and weight of the gun, and the Kahr for the sight system on it. Deciding factor though was the trigger pull. She had difficulty shooting the Ruger due to the extremely long trigger pull. Her new carry gun is the Kahr CW9 and I’ll keep the LC9 for myself as a toss in the pocket and go gun.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Hiram25]

Happy she found what she likes. You didn't do bad either!

[los]

... While the Kahr is billed as a TAD shorter in length and the same height, comparing the 2 side by side finds the Ruger about an 1/8th of an inch shorter in length and 1/8 of an inch shorter in height.

Kahr has a different and peculiar method for listing handgun dimensions. Kahr's advertised and listed "overall handgun length" is measured by only using the Slide length. Thus, the actual overall length of the handgun will increase when the subject handgun is measured from the widest point (apex) of the frame to the end of the slide , or tip of the barrel.

Additionally, Kahr also lists handgun height which is done by measuring from the top of rear sight to bottom of frame, without magazine inserted. I was advised of this early on but only confirmed it a few days ago. So I'm currently in the process of revising all comparison charts that feature any and all Kahr handguns.. .. ...

Bottom line, Kahr handguns are a little larger than the listed factory dimensions suggest. Your CW9 should have actual dimensions of about 6.22" in total length and 4.88" in total height with magazine. This, according to my scaling/rendering software and methodology. [+/- 1/32"]

FYI, Glock uses the same technique when listing OAL handgun dimension. But Glock at least states that the factory OAL is taken from Slide length, only.