Would I be able to put a P9 slide on a CW9 lower and vice versa? and would the slide stop of a P9 work on the CW9 if I had to change it? I'm not too fond of MIM parts
THanks

Yes, I have built a P9 using a CW9 frame and a P9 slide and barrel. Everything is identical between the models other then the additional machining of the slide and the 2 piece slide lock on the P9.

The Metal Injection Molding (MIM) process can not produce a part as large as a slide. It can only be used for smaller parts. It is being used more and more extensively for smaller gun parts, just as the lost wax process (investment casting) became more and more prevalent thirty years ago, pioneered by Ruger. Most of the working parts on current S&W revolvers are MIM parts. Appropriately used, there really isn't anything wrong with MIM parts. They aren't quite as tough as machined forgings, but don't really give up anything to investment cast parts. They can save metal and weight, as they can attain shapes that would be impossible to make by other methods. To get internals that are machined forgings these days you have to pay a lot more, and I'm not sure it's worth it. Maybe for a very high wear part, like a trigger/sear combination, it might be worth the bucks. But the triggers and sears on the S&W revolvers are MIM, and I have not heard of them failing prematurely as compared to the older guns. The biggest downside to MIM parts that I know of is that they are a form of stainless steel, and will not take traditional hot salt blueing. So if they are not to be left bright, they have to have some kind of coating as a finish.

I have the slide lock from my Kahr CW9 in my hand. It appears to be one piece, MIM in its entirety. I believe this because I can see no seam or evidence of joining, the finish is totally uniform, and there is a tiny imperfection in the very end of the pin indicating MIM. There is no visible wear on the pin after several hundred rounds.

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Look at the picture of the P9 on the Kahr website. It has a 2 piece slidestop. The picture of the CW9 does not. Look at the pictures of the slidestops under the parts. Different part number, same picture, same price. I'm guessing that if you order a replacement you get a two piece, but that's not what comes on the CW9 new. I just tried to call them, but they're closed. I'll call them in the morning. I know I'm right. I will prove it.

You need to call back and speak with a more experienced tech to get the complete story. (When I pressed the CSR on particulars that he couldn't answer he transferred me to the Lead Tech)

His information:
While recent CW9's MAY have a one piece slide stop lever and pin.......a CW9 made prior to March 2012 will likely have the two piece (just like the picture on the Kahr website). Two piece slide stop assemblies will always have a milled pin.

In short:
CW9's with two piece slide stop assembly.........milled, not MIM slide stop pin.
CW9's with one piece assembly are MIM
Slide stops ARE interchangeable and always have been.

<please remember this is a tech forum>


As I posted above, Kahr only RECENTLY began using one piece MIM slide stop assemblies.

Prospective buyers should not believe new Kahr CW9's will all come with a MIM slide stop assembly.......it will take time to deplete distributor inventory. Further, 99% of CW9's in existence have the two piece MIM lever/milled pin.