Kahr Arms continues to expand on their line of pistols, introducing the CT45 (officially the CT4543) at the SHOT Show this year.  The CT45 is a full-size frame, single stack pistol, dubbed a “value priced” .45 ACP.  Though it may be “value priced” the CT45 still features Kahr’s seven patents and slim single stack design.

Another look at the CT45

The CT45 has a black polymer frame with a stainless steel slide.  Like other Kahr firearms the CT45 is a striker fired double-action only pistol.  The pistol is made with conventional rifling in a 1:16.38 right hand twist.  The Kahr CT45 uses a “Browning-type” recoil lug, A white dot front, and white bar dot rear sight configuration top the slide, and take on a low profile.

The white dot and white dot bar sights of the Kahr CT45

Kahr has continued to grow in the industry due to well built and designed pistols.  Most Kahr firearms are priced in the range that most shooters find affordable.  I was unable to shoot the CT45 at the range this year, but I have shot other Kahr models in the past and found them to perform well.  The trigger is smooth and without play, but the length of pull is a bit long in my opinion.  A couple of friends of mine purchased Kahr pistols last year and both have praised their reliability, accuracy and overall ergonomic feel.

The CT45 has an ergonomic grip and lightweight feel

The ergonomics of the Kahr pistols are well designed to fit the shooter’s hand and provide a solid grip.  Grip texture is aggressive on the front and back straps of the grip, with a more tame texture on the sides of the polymer frame.  The frame is tapered at the top and front to reduce edges and the potential for snag.  Slightly angled grip serrations are located at the rear of the slide.

Kahr advertises the CT45 as a personal defense and concealed carry pistol.  I think it would be fine for personal defense, but the concealed carry option may be hard to accomplish.  The pistol is very thin, but the overall length of the pistol, in combination with a particularly long grip, really make the CT45 too big for most concealed carry situations in my opinion.  For example, when I gripped the CT45 there was nearly an inch of exposed grip below my hand, not including the end plate of the magazine, even though my hand was not tight against the top of the grip.

Observe the long grip of the CT45 extending past my hand.

Kahr CT45 features:

• Action – DAO trigger cocking, with “Browning-type” recoil lug
• Passive striker block with no magazine disconnect safety
• Overall length – 6.57 inches
• Barrel length – 4.04 inches
• Height – 5.25 inches
• Slide width – 1.01 inches
• Weight – 23.7 ounces unloaded; Magazine weighs 2.4 ounces
• Sights – Drift adjustable white bar dot combat rear, pinned polymer dot front sight
• Capacity – 7+1
• One stainless 7-round magazine included
• MSRP – $449

The CT45 will ship with only (1) stainless magazine.