Kahr P380...finally have one...

[03Lightningrocks]

I picked this up at Bullet Trap tonight. I ordered it about two weeks ago. The elusive Kahr P380. My son and I have been searching for one of these since the release in late October/early November. Picked it up for 599 plus tax which beat the heck out of the 700 plus I have seen them go for on Gun Broker. It is actually my sons gun so I won't be shooting it for a few weeks. It just would not be right to take the fun of breaking her in away from him .

On the surface this handgun appears to be MUCH higher quality than the LCP we got rid of a few months back. I don't think it can help but perform better as the LCP had to be sent back to Ruger numerous times for different issues. the first major malfunction was at 20 rounds. The thing came apart inside. Anyway...looking forward to firing a few rounds out of the Kahr when my son comes into town. Yes, I picked it up and paid for it knowing I was giving it to him for his B-Day. I hope this doesn't make me a scuff-law... . There was not a place on the form for stating that I was purchasing the gun as a gift for my sons B-Day.

Pics to follow showing how thin this darned thing is. It looks like a mini version of my PM9. I may get one for myself eventually.

[03Lightningrocks]

Couple more to compare to my PM9

[mr.72]

Interesting where they put the serial number on these Kahrs.

I think I want one. Wonder if they'll make a clip for it?

[USA1]

sweet . nice touch with the dime . it really puts into perspective how compact it is .

my only complaint is now i want one .
THANKS 03Lightningrocks

[wilder]

Nice! I have a PM9 and an LCP (never any problems with mine) and probably give them about equal time in carry duty. The sights and accuracy are sooo much better on the PM9 that I really should carry it all the time, but the LCP is just so comfortable. The pics of the P380 with the PM9 show me that it's about the same size as the LCP. That is awfully tempting since the Kahr is a much better built/more solid feeling gun.

[03Lightningrocks]

Interesting where they put the serial number on these Kahrs.

I think I want one. Wonder if they'll make a clip for it?

I bet someone will make a clip for it eventually. The delay may be in the fact that these darned guns are elusive as Big Foot and the after market folks want to see they can sell enough clips to make it worth the effort of manufacturing one.

sweet . nice touch with the dime . it really puts into perspective how compact it is .

my only complaint is now i want one .
THANKS 03Lightningrocks

...Yeah, I thought the dime would give a good perspective. You want one.... Want to read something worse than that? Now I want one and can't afford to buy another gun after buying this one for my sons birthday. Maybe I will get him a gift certificate for dinner at Fridays instead and just keep this one for me.

Nice! I have a PM9 and an LCP (never any problems with mine) and probably give them about equal time in carry duty. The sights and accuracy are sooo much better on the PM9 that I really should carry it all the time, but the LCP is just so comfortable. The pics of the P380 with the PM9 show me that it's about the same size as the LCP. That is awfully tempting since the Kahr is a much better built/more solid feeling gun.

I know of several fellers with the LCP who have yet to experience difficulties. Like anything else manufactured by humans, you can get unlucky and have a bad one. For the most part I think the LCP does just fine at what it was made for. I just felt like "the jinx was in" on the one my son owned. We sold it and used that money, in addition to a few bucks I kicked in as a B-day present, and bought the Kahr. I have been a Kahr fan ever since I bought my PM9 so I just had to get this one when they first announced it.

I think it feels a whole lot like the LCP in the size/weight comparison. I only fired the LCP a couple times and really didn't like how it beat my hand. My son didn't seem to mind it. He put the LCP through a couple three hundred rounds so I am anxious to see how he thinks it compares once he fires it. I really do think it "feels" sturdier but this may be more of an illusion than a fact. Since it cost twice as much...LOL...it better be higher quality or I am going to be upset.

LOL...it is killing me not taking her to the range. Maybe just a couple rounds through it.... Nahhh...better not. I would feel guilty giving him a used present. But then again, it would be irresponsible of me to give him a gun that hasn't been properly tested for safety.

[USA1]

Maybe I will get him a gift certificate for dinner at Fridays instead and just keep this one for me.

it would be irresponsible of me to give him a gun that hasn't been properly tested for safety.

i like the way you think

[A-R]

I'm amazed that gun is close to same size/weight as an LCP. Didn't think it was when I saw first photos months ago. But your photos sure are compelling. Any way you could get a photo of it next to an LCP or Kel Tec?

$600 seems steep, but then again I've always thought Kahrs were a bit overpriced (please, no flaming, I'm trying to keep most of my anti-Kahr comments to myself these days )

I'm interested to read a range report after you and your son get a chance to fire it.

My LCP has had no problems (other than recall, of course). But I have no illusions that it is a "lifetime gun" that I'll bequeath to my children. Sooner or later that little collection of metal and plastic is bound to give up and start having problems. 5 years? 10 years? who knows. If Kahr has the reliability up to spec on this gun, should last a lot longer.

Also would be curious to see this Kahr 380 in a side-by-side comparison to a Walther PK380, but those are probably harder to come by than even the Kahr. The micro .380 pocket gun market sure is getting crowded (which is a very GOOD thing, IMHO) ...

Kel Tec P3AT
Ruger LCP
Kahr P380
Walther PK380
Sig P238

and of course the old standbys from Seecamp, NAA etc.

I'm I missing one?

[joe817]

How about the Walther PPk/s and the Mauser HsC? Are those to big?

[mr.72]

Sig P238 and Walther PK380 are not in the same size class as the P380, P3AT, LCP, etc...

And FWIW I think the Kahr P380 is unlikely to be as reliable as a PM9 just based on simple physics. I would think that equaling the PM9's reliability and track record are the goal of the P380.

I like a whole lot of things about my Kahr and would really dig a P380. However, $600 is going to be a tough sale. Maybe if they come out with a CW-type version that is more like $400 like a CW9 then I would be more apt to buy one. I'm just a cheapskate.

[A-R]

Walther PPK is definitely too big. Mauser, not sure.

But the Sig P238 is VERY CLOSE in height and length to LCP/Kel Tec. It's a bit wider to be sure (closer to the PM-size Kahrs). You're probably right that Kel Tec, Ruger, and now Kahr form an even smaller class of weapon, but I think many gun buyer will lump all of these guns together when decidign "which pocket .380 should I buy?".

I didn't realize they'd put the Kahr 380 on this chart now .... http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

According to the chart it is even THINNER than an LCP? I find this very hard to believe and would LOVE to see side-by-side width photos of the two guns. I'm wondering if this has something to do with a small appendage - like the mag release button - sticking out further on the LCP.

[mr.72]

According to the chart it is even THINNER than an LCP? I find this very hard to believe and would LOVE to see side-by-side width photos of the two guns. I'm wondering if this has something to do with a small appendage - like the mag release button - sticking out further on the LCP.

I bet it is the thumb grooves/extrusions on the grip of the LCP. The LCP is .05" thicker than a P3AT and this has to be the reason since it's the primary difference in the guns' relative dimensions.

Of course, according to the chart, the Kahr is even .02" thinner than a P3AT, same thickness as a P32. I thought the P3AT was supposedly "exactly the same dimensions" as a P32, but apparently not.

Anyway, the trigger on the LCP kinda sux and the trigger on my Kahr is sweet. So if they have a similar or identical trigger feel in the P380, then it's on my list :) Probably wind up getting one for my wife one of these days.

Also, the Sig is more comparable in size and weight to typical compact 9mms like a PM9 or a Kel-Tec PF9.

While I'm talking about it, you know the Taurus TCP looks pretty good too. Is it available yet?

[03Lightningrocks]

I found these pictures of an LCP beside the Kahr P380 and then the P380 beside the Keltec. It looks like the Kahr is slightly shorter.

[03Lightningrocks]

Anyway, the trigger on the LCP kinda sux and the trigger on my Kahr is sweet. So if they have a similar or identical trigger feel in the P380, then it's on my list :) Probably wind up getting one for my wife one of these days.

The trigger pull feels exactly like my PM9. It is worlds smoother than what I remember the LCP feeling like.

[Rex B]

Amazing that they can fit dovetailed sights at both ends, and the other guys can't even give us anything usable.
That alone has me taking another look. Also can't believe it's smaller. Amazing!

But it will have to come after the P238. That's next.
One of you guys sure needs to buy my spare Colt Mustang.

BTW, looks to me like that wallet is still too fat after the $600.
Bound to be enough left for a 2nd one