joespapa
Well-known member
Looking for a pocket pistol that’s NOT a Ruger. Considering a KAHR and would like to hear from owners.
KAHR 380 Experience
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Oscar Zulu
Well-known member
Tiny, accurate but somewhat finicky about ammo. Stay away from thick rimmed European ammunition, fiocchi especially.
Well made little gun, but possibly too small for the cartridge.
OZ
Well made little gun, but possibly too small for the cartridge.
OZ
I have the p380. Once I ran about 300- 500 rounds through it I have not had any issues with ammo or anything else. I like it but recently purchased the new bodyguard 2.0 and once I break that in it may take the kahr’s spot in the rotation…….only because of the extra rounds.
OutAtTheEdge
Well-known member
No personal experience with their .380s, but I do have quite a bit of experience with the K9 and P45, as well as second-hand experience selling other models.
I really love my K9. It fits my hand like no other pistol I've ever held, but I quit carrying it regularly several years ago. The gun is exquisitely shootable, but part of that is due to the weight of the steel frame, which began to get a bit wearisome for regular carry.
Kahr trigger pull is really more like a very light double action than a typical striker-fired trigger. I personally find it very shootable.
Kahr states right up front in their owner's manuals that you should fire a couple hundred rounds through a new gun to break it in. I believe this is particularly important with their polymer frames, and as far as I can tell, all Kahr .380s are built on their polymer frame. It is normal during this process to get a few stoppages and to find the odd bit of black poly material when cleaning. The break-in process I suggest is to take 200-300 rounds of ammo and cleaning gear to the range. Strip, clean, and lubricate, then shoot a couple mags and clean it again. Then resume shooting. At any time you get a stoppage, quit shooting and clean and lube again.
I really love my K9. It fits my hand like no other pistol I've ever held, but I quit carrying it regularly several years ago. The gun is exquisitely shootable, but part of that is due to the weight of the steel frame, which began to get a bit wearisome for regular carry.
Kahr trigger pull is really more like a very light double action than a typical striker-fired trigger. I personally find it very shootable.
Kahr states right up front in their owner's manuals that you should fire a couple hundred rounds through a new gun to break it in. I believe this is particularly important with their polymer frames, and as far as I can tell, all Kahr .380s are built on their polymer frame. It is normal during this process to get a few stoppages and to find the odd bit of black poly material when cleaning. The break-in process I suggest is to take 200-300 rounds of ammo and cleaning gear to the range. Strip, clean, and lubricate, then shoot a couple mags and clean it again. Then resume shooting. At any time you get a stoppage, quit shooting and clean and lube again.
THE PILGRIM
Well-known member
Have a 9mm PM9.
Also like the trigger, it’s like a Double Action Revolver.
I find it to be a little snappy and I have difficulty accurately shooting it.
Most likely because of that really short grip which of course makes it Jim Dandy for pocket carry!
I’ve experienced no problems with multiple brands of mostly Ball ammo.
Also like the trigger, it’s like a Double Action Revolver.
I find it to be a little snappy and I have difficulty accurately shooting it.
Most likely because of that really short grip which of course makes it Jim Dandy for pocket carry!
I’ve experienced no problems with multiple brands of mostly Ball ammo.
mckenney99
Well-known member
I bought the P380 in 2013 to replace my old Kel-Tec P3AT. I've only shot about 500 rounds of home brew fmj and Hornady factory XTP loads. I don't remember having any notable issues with my P380. I did install a set of XS Big Dot sights just as a fluke to try them and they are perfect for the little guns draw, flash sight picture and shoot purpose. I only carry the little gun when I am going somewhere that requires deep concealment or as a backup to my EDC when I feel it is prudent to do so.
I am a long time fan of Kahr's pistols (I own an early K40, MK9, CM9 & the P380), so I am probably a little biased.
I am a long time fan of Kahr's pistols (I own an early K40, MK9, CM9 & the P380), so I am probably a little biased.
TJm15.38
Well-known member
I'll put in a vote for the Glock 42; surprisingly accurate, decent trigger and very concealable. Shown here with my other "mouse gun" a Kel-Tec P32.
geeollie
Well-known member
I've owned 2 different P380's.
First one was 98 % trouble.....many continual jams of several different types. After the 4th return to factory, Kahr said it was a problem with the molds used to form the plastic part of the firearm. They replaced the 380 and it worked much better. It was still ammo finicky. Federal Hydrashok was 100% reliable. The tiny gun shot well.
I suspect this thread will be much like the S&W Bodyguard 2.0 threads. Many will love it and find it to be 100% reliable. Many others will claim it to be junk that never should have left the factory.
The gun has been on the market many years and I suspect if you buy a new P380 your chances of getting a good one are high. I would avoid a used one since some used ones may be troubled examples.
First one was 98 % trouble.....many continual jams of several different types. After the 4th return to factory, Kahr said it was a problem with the molds used to form the plastic part of the firearm. They replaced the 380 and it worked much better. It was still ammo finicky. Federal Hydrashok was 100% reliable. The tiny gun shot well.
I suspect this thread will be much like the S&W Bodyguard 2.0 threads. Many will love it and find it to be 100% reliable. Many others will claim it to be junk that never should have left the factory.
The gun has been on the market many years and I suspect if you buy a new P380 your chances of getting a good one are high. I would avoid a used one since some used ones may be troubled examples.
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Kahr
recoil springs are VERY heavy , I have had three 380s, two 9mms & one 45. well made guns but hard to rack........... sold them.
recoil springs are VERY heavy , I have had three 380s, two 9mms & one 45. well made guns but hard to rack........... sold them.
hardknocks
Well-known member
P380
I've had several kahr firearms
CW9, K9, PM9, PM45, P380, and another PM9.
Had a couple problems but fixable by me.
Still have 3.
The p380 is very tiny and hard to hold on to I couldn't do a MAG dump with that gun too hard to hold on to it and I don't have weak hands (yet).
Many people have had problems with the Kahr but I like them.
My P380 ejector was too tight I had to shorten a pin that pushes pressure on the ejector it took a few tries after that it was good to go.
Consider a Remington RM380 or Ruger lcp max which have a better grip for the snappy 380.
Good luck
I've had several kahr firearms
CW9, K9, PM9, PM45, P380, and another PM9.
Had a couple problems but fixable by me.
Still have 3.
The p380 is very tiny and hard to hold on to I couldn't do a MAG dump with that gun too hard to hold on to it and I don't have weak hands (yet).
Many people have had problems with the Kahr but I like them.
My P380 ejector was too tight I had to shorten a pin that pushes pressure on the ejector it took a few tries after that it was good to go.
Consider a Remington RM380 or Ruger lcp max which have a better grip for the snappy 380.
Good luck
I don’t have one anymore but it is a well made gun.
LVSteve
Well-known member
I still own a CW9. I swapped out the magazine followers as recommended and that fixed the random loose round issue. I need to fit a flat faced trigger as the OEM piece does not work with my fingers. Recoil is low, but it should be given that I think the recoil spring would support a truck.
Went gun shopping with my boy at Lous Police Supply, some years ago.
Staff said the Kahr 380s might need at least 500 rounds, before being
reliable.
No Mustangs yet, so we left with a Sig P238 Equinox.
Sadly no P238 HDs in stock. A short time after, he bought a G42,
decided he's not a C&L fan. I bought a P238 HD, soon after,
'cause I have two hands.
Thought about an all steel Kahr, but bought two PPKs 380s,
and carry the stainless one. I like DA/SA handguns.
Beats the LCP for accuracy, as Yotes are occasionally
in the Hood. One, bit a man in the knee.
Soon after, I spotted a mangy one, about 30yds away. Called the local PD, they advised not to shoot it, even with the wheel bow, that's always in the boat yard work Van.
No gun range, but Archery in the back yard.
Staff said the Kahr 380s might need at least 500 rounds, before being
reliable.
No Mustangs yet, so we left with a Sig P238 Equinox.
Sadly no P238 HDs in stock. A short time after, he bought a G42,
decided he's not a C&L fan. I bought a P238 HD, soon after,
'cause I have two hands.
Thought about an all steel Kahr, but bought two PPKs 380s,
and carry the stainless one. I like DA/SA handguns.
Beats the LCP for accuracy, as Yotes are occasionally
in the Hood. One, bit a man in the knee.
Soon after, I spotted a mangy one, about 30yds away. Called the local PD, they advised not to shoot it, even with the wheel bow, that's always in the boat yard work Van.
No gun range, but Archery in the back yard.
Last edited:
Buick
Well-known member
I have one. It's been completely reliable with any type of ball ammo, and completely unreliable with any type of hollow point. It's a great size to carry, but I don't. It's more of a tackle box gun.
plvickers
Well-known member
From personal experience, test your carry ammo. Chambers and springs are on the tight side.
I trust any of my five Kahrs for comforting EDC.
I trust any of my five Kahrs for comforting EDC.
Seems like all kahrs are made for +P+ spec ammo !! Yes recoiol springs are heavy but the handguns do break in nicely and hold up very well .
I've had 4 kahrs but no 380 version But a guy I meet at a range had a cw380 . Still a smaller pistol to me and I did get to shoot it . he loved it for pocket carry and his wife had one she carried . My smallest was a cm9 that our youngest daughter has now .
I ended up giving 3 of my four kahrs to family . CM9 CW9 and tp40 that was my at work carry for about 10 years always filled with underwood 155gr 1300fps ammo or home rolled hot loads for practice . After 2 construction related hand surgeries I had to change handgun grip size and trigger pull type !
If would try to compare the Kahr CW380 to there CT380 too . Check these sizes .
I've had 4 kahrs but no 380 version But a guy I meet at a range had a cw380 . Still a smaller pistol to me and I did get to shoot it . he loved it for pocket carry and his wife had one she carried . My smallest was a cm9 that our youngest daughter has now .
I ended up giving 3 of my four kahrs to family . CM9 CW9 and tp40 that was my at work carry for about 10 years always filled with underwood 155gr 1300fps ammo or home rolled hot loads for practice . After 2 construction related hand surgeries I had to change handgun grip size and trigger pull type !
If would try to compare the Kahr CW380 to there CT380 too . Check these sizes .
stanmerrell
Well-known member
I have the PM9. I bought it a long time ago when it was pretty expensive. It's a great pocket carry gun. Almost as important is the holster which is a Safariland pocket holster. Thin Polymer with a little bit of fabric on it to help it stick inside your pocket. Great combo. Pretty accurate for a hide out. Reliable.
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OK - full disclosure here. I am not a Kahr owner however one of my good friends that I shoot with every week is. He has carried a Kahr .380 acp for almost a decade now and I have shot it many many times. Here is my experience from shooting my friend's Kahr.
When he first bought it, the pistol was unreliable and would not fire a full magazine without a malfunction of one sort or another. It took three trips back to the factory to get it running reliably. Since that time it has been very good - up until recently. It is fairly accurate out to 7 yards but I personally do not care for the long trigger pull. I also don't care much for the somewhat low round capacity. He has probably put through 3,000 - 3,500 rounds over the years and about 4 months ago he started having reliability issues once again. He sent it back to Kahr and they replaced all the springs and moving parts - no charge and they returned it within 3 weeks. After he got the gun back he has since shot 200 rounds through it and it once again seems to be reliable. That is what I can tell you about one Kahr pistol. We'll see how it performs going down the road.
When he first bought it, the pistol was unreliable and would not fire a full magazine without a malfunction of one sort or another. It took three trips back to the factory to get it running reliably. Since that time it has been very good - up until recently. It is fairly accurate out to 7 yards but I personally do not care for the long trigger pull. I also don't care much for the somewhat low round capacity. He has probably put through 3,000 - 3,500 rounds over the years and about 4 months ago he started having reliability issues once again. He sent it back to Kahr and they replaced all the springs and moving parts - no charge and they returned it within 3 weeks. After he got the gun back he has since shot 200 rounds through it and it once again seems to be reliable. That is what I can tell you about one Kahr pistol. We'll see how it performs going down the road.
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