Tweet
The weather was finally nice enough for me to take my used (new to me) CM40 out to the range. I picked it up on Gun Broker for a steal of a price with an extra magazine. Right off the bat I replaced the followers in the magazines. One was in okay shape, and one was clearly broken (Right magazine in image). the CW/CM/PM series are notorious for breaking magazine followers, especially in the 40 cal. This particular model was used, and appeared to have a Kahr "Ramp-ectomy", which the feed ramp is slightly shorted to prevent collision with the follower. I added Talon Grips, because I like the feel of them over hard plastic. In the photo I aligned the two based on the highest point of the grip, so you can see trigger reach and get a better feeling for you hand hold. The SR40C is 0.25" bigger than a Glock 26/27 in height and length.
The CM40 fully loaded with 5+1 165 grain cartridges is 22 ounces, unloaded with a magazine is 16 ounces, the whole gun is 0.9" to 0.95" thick. The SR40C is 23 ounches unloaded with a magazine and 30 ounces loaded 9+1 with 165 grain cartridges. Ruger has a slide width of 1" but a grip width of 1.15". With the Kahr single stack CM40 you lose 4 rounds and half a pound of weight. The trigger on the Kahr is a long double action only trigger (no manual safety). As a revolver shooter I can say this trigger is mint. Smooth trigger with a clean brake, but a very long reset (like a revolver). It's a large departure from the SR40Cs safe action trigger. The sights on the Kahr rock (line and dot). I think I like it better than a 3 dot.
At the range, I shot about 150 rounds. 50 180 grain federal American Eagle FMJ, and 100 mixed hand-loads (powders and bullet weights). I warmed up with the SR40C, and noticed the federal ammo had a noticeably higher recoil than my handloads. I expected as such, I wanted to try some hard kicking ammo along side the plinking stuff. Right off the bat I was missing the paper (5 bull NRA TQ-3/5). I move over to a single large bull (good for rapid fire self defense practice). and found I was shooting 6 inches low. Tossed some snap caps in my magazine and found out I was pushing the gun forward at the moment of the trigger pull which causes you to shoot low.
With some careful practice I was able to not push the gun, but I need more dry fire practice. The recoil was pretty intense at first. I would compare it to my 4" 357 magnum revolver. I had about 4 failures in my range time. One was absolutely my fault, I failed to reset the trigger completely. 3 other failures (feeding/in battery) came from the Federal ammo. It produced some serous recoil, so I may have been limp wristing or improperly handling the recoil. Or maybe the Kahr doesn't like the federal. Either way, the handloads cycled fine. I shot off a few magazines of Remington 165 grain golden sabers without a hitch.
After an hour at the range I was finally able to keep my groups within a pop can at 7-10 yards. I definitely need more practice with such a small gun. But I in my rapid fire drills I was able to keep inside of an 8 inch target at 10 yards. So I feel confident enough to carry it. I have a a remora and a desanti superfly (worn IWB), and it carrys easily IWB. I don't think pocket carry is for me. It does fit in my pants, but it looks like a weird large wallet in jeans.
After shooting the CM40 for a few magazines it made the SR40C feel like a 9mm. It's funny how relative recoil can be. The CM40 has a bout a 20 round consecutive limit for me before my hand needs a moment. And finally, the CM40 is a ***** and half to field strip. Holding the slide in alignment while trying to push a pin out from the other side is frustrating. I am searching for better ways.
The CM40 fully loaded with 5+1 165 grain cartridges is 22 ounces, unloaded with a magazine is 16 ounces, the whole gun is 0.9" to 0.95" thick. The SR40C is 23 ounches unloaded with a magazine and 30 ounces loaded 9+1 with 165 grain cartridges. Ruger has a slide width of 1" but a grip width of 1.15". With the Kahr single stack CM40 you lose 4 rounds and half a pound of weight. The trigger on the Kahr is a long double action only trigger (no manual safety). As a revolver shooter I can say this trigger is mint. Smooth trigger with a clean brake, but a very long reset (like a revolver). It's a large departure from the SR40Cs safe action trigger. The sights on the Kahr rock (line and dot). I think I like it better than a 3 dot.
At the range, I shot about 150 rounds. 50 180 grain federal American Eagle FMJ, and 100 mixed hand-loads (powders and bullet weights). I warmed up with the SR40C, and noticed the federal ammo had a noticeably higher recoil than my handloads. I expected as such, I wanted to try some hard kicking ammo along side the plinking stuff. Right off the bat I was missing the paper (5 bull NRA TQ-3/5). I move over to a single large bull (good for rapid fire self defense practice). and found I was shooting 6 inches low. Tossed some snap caps in my magazine and found out I was pushing the gun forward at the moment of the trigger pull which causes you to shoot low.
With some careful practice I was able to not push the gun, but I need more dry fire practice. The recoil was pretty intense at first. I would compare it to my 4" 357 magnum revolver. I had about 4 failures in my range time. One was absolutely my fault, I failed to reset the trigger completely. 3 other failures (feeding/in battery) came from the Federal ammo. It produced some serous recoil, so I may have been limp wristing or improperly handling the recoil. Or maybe the Kahr doesn't like the federal. Either way, the handloads cycled fine. I shot off a few magazines of Remington 165 grain golden sabers without a hitch.
After an hour at the range I was finally able to keep my groups within a pop can at 7-10 yards. I definitely need more practice with such a small gun. But I in my rapid fire drills I was able to keep inside of an 8 inch target at 10 yards. So I feel confident enough to carry it. I have a a remora and a desanti superfly (worn IWB), and it carrys easily IWB. I don't think pocket carry is for me. It does fit in my pants, but it looks like a weird large wallet in jeans.
After shooting the CM40 for a few magazines it made the SR40C feel like a 9mm. It's funny how relative recoil can be. The CM40 has a bout a 20 round consecutive limit for me before my hand needs a moment. And finally, the CM40 is a ***** and half to field strip. Holding the slide in alignment while trying to push a pin out from the other side is frustrating. I am searching for better ways.