I had problems with my Kahr PM40. The gory details are posted elsewhere on this forum and I won't rehash them for fear of offending the Kahr kult members (Gearheart wrote:I have shot an assortment of steel frame Kahrs and I have never had a problem with one. I have always avoided the plastic ones, and unfortunately, they don't make a steel frame .45.
j/k). In a nutshell, paid over $600 for it new, carried it about a year, went through break-in without issue, but then starting have problems after 500 rounds. Traded it for a shotgun that was worth about $300. I too have heard better reports about the steel-frame Kahrs. Own a Walther PPS 9mm and trust it with my life. But PPS is not problem free; some users have reported serious problems with slide release spring. Have heard of a few more problems with .40-cal than with 9mm versions, but this is just circumstantial (no hard statistical evidence). This is a good forum for discussions specifically related to the PPS http://ppstalk.com/forum/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I had one minor problem with my PPS (broken internal part BUT gun still fired even with broken part). S&W's repair service was less than stellar (sent gun back saying it didn't have a problem when clearly the plastic striker guide was broken in half). Got hold of the right person and they shipped the part to me and I replaced it myself.
Other than that, not a single problem with that gun, which is VERY accurate - even with 3.2-inch barrel probably MORE accurate than my 4-inch barrel Glock 23. The gun has a nice grip and points well too. Had a few rough edges that I smoothed up a bit in the polymer frame (used a fine grit file around the goofy trigger-guard mounted mag release lever).
As for carry, the PPS is much more comfortable to carry than even a "baby" Glock. It disappears in a Crossbreed Supertuck under a tucked shirt.
If you really want a .45, and slim is most important feature, then 1911 is probably the way to go. I wouldn't trust the Kahr 45 (but again, that's just me - don't throw things, Kahr people). The Glock 36 is really no slimmer than a "standard" Glock in 9mm/.40/.357. Maybe a Sig 220 compact? I've held one and they "feel" thinner than a Glock, but not as thin as a 1911.