Getting the economy model Kahr CW9 and just wondered if anyone has bought one. The shop I'm buying it from said to clean it really good before I shot it. From what I've heard it's close to the regular P series in quality if not finish. Not as much hand fitting from what I've heard and read.

i had one. very accurate and reliabile

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.

I bought the P-9 as soon as it hit the market, and have been very happy with it on all measures. Never knew they made an economy version. Heck, the P-9 isn't exactly a pricey premium weapon to start with. Well made, but no heirloom. I don't get the need for an economy version.

Theoretically - the P9's poly rifling should give slightly better velocities. And it may be a little easier to clean. And the P9 is arguably nicer looking...

The CW9 came out long after the P9. I would venture a guess that Kahr introduced the CW9 to enhance sales figures after the spike of initial P9 sales cooled down. I doubt that the performance is significantly different between the two, nor is the quality or the durability. If I were a new Kahr buyer on a budget, I would certainly reach for the CW9 before the P9. But I like the steel-frame Kahrs better anyway.