Kahr P380 range report

[shooter521]

with the prices of guns and ammo now days, no matter what your life is worth to you, you may not be able to afford it.

And I'm not big on that argument. If you want/need it badly enough, you'll find a way to make it work. Sell an existing gun, scrimp and save, whatever. I work a second job specifically to buy guns, keep them fed, and train with them, because those things are important to me. IMO, it's just a matter of priorities.

Additionally, I think a lot of people complain about Kahr pricing because the guns are physically small, and we often equate value with quantity or size. Interestingly, many of these same folks wouldn't bat an eye about paying the same money for a Glock, 1911 or Smith revolver...

/Threadjack

 

[Glock Lover]

And I'm not big on that argument. If you want/need it badly enough, you'll find a way to make it work. Sell an existing gun, scrimp and save, whatever. I work a second job specifically to buy guns, keep them fed, and train with them, because those things are important to me. IMO, it's just a matter of priorities.

Additionally, I think a lot of people complain about Kahr pricing because the guns are physically small, and we often equate value with quantity or size. Interestingly, many of these same folks wouldn't bat an eye about paying the same money for a Glock, 1911 or Smith revolver...

/Threadjack

I know I know i've heard this argument. In theory it works. But I'm telling you from experience it just doesn't cut it sometimes. Without revealing to much, because of children, expenses etc I'm down to my department issued duty gun, and a back-up. hmm...whats that leave my wife at home when I'm working. nothing!
So, back-up stays home for the wife! Ok, what do i have as a back-up. Nothing! Do i think a back-up gun is important. I think it's essential!! Do i have the money for one, NO! Do i work trying to get extra money, yes. But money I get from that goes towards LIFE, and has to go to .45 ammo for the primary because department issues none. So my extra money gets me 100 rounds a month to put through that.
If you'll notice the classified I'm working on fixing this problem. i'm saying this because I'm telling you in today's world that argument just doesn't work. No matter how important a certain firearm may be some people just can't cut it. Two jobs, etc etc; save if its important...That all sounds good on paper but just doesn't work sometimes. that's why i've been working with knives more, cheaper alternative to a BUG. Just my .

 

[LLDJR]

I love that P380, it is small enough to carry all the time, anywhere IMO

I may end up trading my PM40 for a P380...

 

[Glock Lover]

My bad for the thread jack! . it just came up in the discussion so I addressed it. OOPs. I'll shut up now. . Back to the review. I think it's a cool pistol, haven't shot it, but fondled one and drooled on it a little the other day. Good review!

 

[inFALable]

The P380 has a lower bore axis then the LCP and P3AT. That contributes alot to its ease of shooting. Its trigger is 100% better and the grip is a tad longer.

Its really just a miniature full size gun if that makes sense. Its having real sights is a big advantage IMO.

 

[cosermann]

Thanks again for your first hand opinions on the P380.
I'm wishing/hoping for a "CW380" version at a lower price point (but not holding my breath).

 

[inFALable]

I really want a .22 conversion kit for Kahr's. My PM 9 makes for cheap practice for my P380.

 

[derrickgoins]

Those Kahr's are pretty nice. Impressive range report and congrats on your new P380.

 

[workinman]

anybody want to buy my lcp? lol. The p380 WILL be mine soon!

 

[shooter521]

I'm wishing/hoping for a "CW380" version at a lower price point (but not holding my breath).

Me too, brother. I'd buy a couple of 'em!

On a related note, I wonder why this little gun uses the "P" series nomenclature instead of "PM"?

 

[cosermann]

Me too, brother. I'd buy a couple of 'em!

On a related note, I wonder why this little gun uses the "P" series nomenclature instead of "PM"?

Same here. And it could potentialy put a "CW380" at a price point between the Kel-Tecs/Ruger offerings and the SIG P238.

As to the "P" vs "PM" designation, maybe Kahr is telegraphing plans for an even smaller Kahr in 380. Pure speculation on my part, but why go "P" instead of "PM" unless you were planning on a future product to fill the "PM" niche? We'll see!

 

[shooter521]

why go "P" instead of "PM" unless you were planning on a future product to fill the "PM" niche?

Could be that in their naming convention, a gun cannot be a "PM" (i.e. compact) without having been derived from a "P" (i.e. full size). The current .380 pistol IS the full-size, so it got a "P" designation even though it is closer to the PM series in design.

I can't imagine a pistol being much smaller than the P380 and still being usable.

 

[cosermann]

I can't imagine a pistol being much smaller than the P380 and still being usable.

True, there's a practical ergonomic limit to these things.

 

[cosermann]

Shooter,

Along these lines, have you had a chance to shoot one of the Magnum Rsch Micro Eagle's in 380? I'm wondering how they compare to the Kahr in terms of the subjective shooting experience/felt recoil. The MR is also on the heavier side of pocket 380s.

 

[shooter521]

Shooter,

Along these lines, have you had a chance to shoot one of the Magnum Rsch Micro Eagle's in 380?

No, but I have handled them fairly extensively. The trigger is way stiffer, the sights suck, and the grip ergos are a little funky - those things were enough to put it out of contention for me. They are also much heavier (14oz. empty), of course, but that may actually help when it comes to shooting. Interestingly MRI advises not to use +P ammo in them. AFAIK, there's no SAAMI spec for .380 +P.

 

[LLDJR]

Do they make a pinky extension for the P380?

 

[shooter521]

Do they make a pinky extension for the P380?

Yes; Pearce PG-K380.

But the grip is so short that, in my hands, even adding an extension would not allow me to get my pinky onboard. Kinda like the +1 extension for the Kel-Tec P32. It would also negate some of the gun's concealability in the pocket, and the P380 handles and shoots just dandy without it.

 

[LLDJR]

I'm sold, picked one up on Guns america today, should get it mid to end of next week

I really liked the Sig P238 but went with the Kahr

 

[shooter521]

I'm sold, picked one up on Guns america today, should get it mid to end of next week

What'd you end up paying?

 

[LLDJR]

What'd you end up paying?

$570 + $15 ship + $10 transfer