The Two-Kahr Family

kahr_big2

Peach Of A Pair: The Full-Size CT45 And
Compact CM45Provide Big-Bore Punch In
Accurate, Smooth-Shooting DAO Platforms.

Although Kahr’s comparatively compact CM45 has been around for a while, it now has a full-sized stablemate. The CT45 is a more recent addition to the company’s lineup, so let’s look at it first. In the price category, it occupies the “less expensive” area. With Kahr, though, this doesn’t mean it is less carefully made. You still get the quality and dependability the Massachusetts-based company built its considerable reputation on. Both are chambered in the hard-hitting .45 ACP.

The CT45 is a full-sized pistol, but the polymer grip-frame is very slim in cross-section. The single-row magazine holds 7 rounds. The grip-frame is ample for even the largest hands. The front and back have very effective checkering, and there is a deep incurve at upper rear. And, saints be praised, there is no silly “hook” on the front of the triggerguard.

Another thing also mercifully absent is a magazine-disconnect safety. If the magazine is lost in a scuffle, you can still fire a chambered round. With the double-action-only trigger system, there is no manual safety. On the inside, the striker is automatically blocked until the last fraction of the trigger pull.

That trigger pull, by the way, is marvelous. When the slide is cycled, the striker is set in an intermediate position. As the trigger is pulled, the sear rolls over, taking the striker rearward then letting it go. To my trigger finger, this operation felt awesomely smooth. On my Lyman Electronic Scale the measured let-off averaged 5.5 pounds.

The trigger surface is plain, with no annoying ridges. The other controls are the push-button magazine release in the usual location and the slide-release latch. When the slide stays open after the last shot, you’ll find the latch is perfectly located for quick access—at the top of the grip on the left side. It is within easy thumb-reach, without having to shift your hold on the gun.

The sights are square-picture and the dovetail-mounted rear can be drifted laterally. Long ago Kahr hit on a good sight pattern. The front has a white dot and the rear has a white square below the notch. Just put the dot on top of the square and there you are. At 7 and 15 yards, I found both pistols shot to point-of-aim, with no adjustment needed on my part.

All of the features mentioned are essentially the same in the compact CM45—except, of course, its actual size. The shorter barrel and grip frame make it much more concealable (a factor that will be important for some users). Also, as it falls into the next Kahr price category, it costs a little more than the newer CT45.

The shorter grip-frame means a 5-round magazine. However, the 7-round magazine from the CT45 works just fine in it. Thus, if you have both guns, the magazine from the big one could be used if necessary. Even though it is significantly smaller than the CT45, I should mention that the grip-frame of the CM45 has room on the frontstrap for all three fingers of my average-sized hand.

There is one caveat I’d like to make about selecting the smaller CM45. If age or injury has weakened your grip (or your arm), you’d better try it before you decide. The shortened recoil spring system results in pronounced resistance as the slide is retracted to load. This factor is present not only in the Kahr, but in many of the small pistols. Of course, the macho guys will say, “Oh, racking the slide ain’t very hard to do!” Still, if you have diminished strength in your hand or arm, you should try things out before you make the call yourself.

At the range most of the shooting was done at the classic 7-yard combat distance from a standing position with a 2-hand hold. The ammo I used was mostly the standard 230-grain full metal jacket load from Magtech, but I also tried a few 165-grain +P rounds from CorBon. Both guns worked perfectly with both. Felt recoil was not unpleasant, even with the hotter CorBon load in the CM45.

From a standing position with a 2-hand hold, J.B. got 3- and 3.5-inch
groups respectively with the CT45 (above) and the CM45 (below).

My groups were monotonously good and well-centered. Usually, the first two shots would be dead center, with the succeeding ones clustering nearby. With the CT45, group size averaged 3 inches. With the smaller CM45 it was 3.5 inches, I noticed with the larger pistol, the final three shots in each group were above center—with the CM45 they were below. This was very easy to for me to watch happen on the big 8-inch black of the Champion VisiShot targets I was using.

As regular readers may know, my favorite pistol calibers are 9x19mm and .32 ACP. However, if you are a big-bore guy, you need one of these Kahrs—or maybe both. I have visited the Kahr factory, and I can attest to the fact if anything they make isn’t perfect, it doesn’t leave the premises.
By J.B. Wood
Photos By Joseph R. Novelozo

Exposing the Elements

The Kahr disassembles easily into its major components. First, as always, make sure the pistol is unloaded. Remove the magazine, and double-check to ensure the chamber is clear. I stress this not to be redundant, but because you’re going to have to press the trigger to free the striker. This way you won’t have any unwelcome surprises!

OK, once you’ve checked to make sure the chamber is unloaded, pull the slide back until the relief cut in the slide is over the slide stop (on the compact CM45 model, the spring is under a lot of tension, which is why I indicated earlier it may not be the best choice for those with little or diminished manual strength). Next, push out the slide stop. You might need to help things along by using a non-marring hammer or screwdriver handle.

Now, check the chamber again and squeeze the trigger to disengage the striker. Pull the slide off the to the front. The recoil spring isn’t captured, so keep it under control as you lift it from the rear of the slide. You don’t want it flying around the room (speaking of which, it is always a good idea to wear safety glasses when disassembling anything featuring powerful springs). Lift the barrel up and out of the slide and you’re ready to clean or perform routine maintenance chores. Reassemble in reverse order.

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