The Kahr's designed (cost-cutting) changes to the more affordable CW9- from the P9 were undertaken AND accomplished without any significant compromising of the pistol's accuracy and reliability.
The CW9 stainless steel barrel features conventional rifling, while the P9's rifling is match-grade polygonal rifling.
The CW9 slide stop lever is metal-injected-molded (MIM), whereas the P9's part is machined.
The CW9 front sight is pinned in place with no dovetail cut, while the P9 front sight IS dovetailed, making it drift-adjustable and easy to upgrade. (Rear sights of both models are dovetailed.)
The CW9 slide is less machined with no lightening grooves or scallops as has the P9.
The CW9 is shipped with one magazine, the P9 comes with two.
In an NRA Journal article, that evaluated and compared the Kahr CW9 and P9, they stated that conventional thinking suggests that polygonal rifling yields superior accuracy. But in testing they found the P9 was only good for groups that were 1/4 inch better on average, from the 25-yard line.
During accuracy testing, the best group WAS fired from the CW9.
They opined that in the final analysis, the "changes" to the CW9 slide and barrel are "inconsequential".
The Kahr CW9, IS an excellent and quality pistol ... and a GOOD buy.