p380 issues and comparisons

[VallieRider]

The 380 has had a lot of bad reviews regarding a number of issues. The most recent I read was Dec 2011. It seemed that everything was a problem. Has Kahr done anything on their build. I am considering a CCW and looking at the Ruger LCP, the Sig p238, and the Kahr 380. Don't know anything about the Diamondback. Want accurate, enjoy putting rounds through at range (love to plink with my Browning Buckmark competition model). Suggestions and comments welcome.

[VallieRider]

By the way, I am not a junior and I do not know why the thread says I am.

[jjmc2001]

I carried an LCP for over three years until I bought a P380. If you have the opportunity to shoot an LCP and a P380 and do a side by side comparison you would not even consider the LCP (except for price). I have read all the threads about P380 problems but my two Kahrs have been 100% perfect. By the way I like my LCP it is just totaly outclassed by the Kahr. I have also considered the Sig 238 and I consider it a fine weapon but I am not sold on a single action for pocket carry and it is heavier than the other 380s.

[cesande]

MY P380 is very quickly becoming the LAST weapon I will part with.
It has 546 documented rounds since last issue and has earned its place in my pocket with the matching remora.
The next purchase will definitely be the CM9 for when I can go a bit bigger carry options but living in warm climate the pocket carry will rule for a majority of the time.

I had NEVER thought that the P380 could become a 'range toy' but I have had no problems spending the entire range session with it thus far....

I definitely got a gem or am blessed with well performing guns as I have never had a problematic gun last more than 1 or 2 sessions before it straightens up...

My 2 pennies....

Full history here...

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10312

[Ninjatarian]

My P380 has had wierd issues, not the ones people typically document.

The S&W Bodyguard I had was even worse and S&W has currently not resolved some issues.

The DB380 is sweet but the first ones sucked. Supposedly ZD+ serials have been decent but not flawless.

The only other 380 I would consider is the Taurus TCP, very similar in features to the P380, just no adjustable sites. The "B" series serial number + are said to be pretty good.

The 238 is deffinately larger than the other 380s and I wouldnt want to pocket a single action. If you are considering a Sig 238, just buy a PM9. They are practically the same size side by side.

[Cokeman]

MY P380 is very quickly becoming the LAST weapon I will part with.
It has 546 documented rounds since last issue and has earned its place in my pocket with the matching remora.
The next purchase will definitely be the CM9 for when I can go a bit bigger carry options but living in warm climate the pocket carry will rule for a majority of the time.

I had NEVER thought that the P380 could become a 'range toy' but I have had no problems spending the entire range session with it thus far....

I definitely got a gem or am blessed with well performing guns as I have never had a problematic gun last more than 1 or 2 sessions before it straightens up...

My 2 pennies....

Full history here...

http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?t=10312

Lately, I only shoot my P380 at the range. I took one shot with my Henry Saturday and gave it back to my son after I blew a quarter size hole through a D battery. I'm quite a good shot with the P380.

[kerby9mm]

My preference is the p238. No issues for a long time now. People say they don't like it for pocket carry but they don't say why. The hammer is designed as is the beavertail it sits in to not drag on anything. There are pocket holsters for it. It has great night sights,soft shooting and in my opinion safe to carry cocked and locked. Why would you purchase a p380 that most likely will have to go back to Kahr to make it work. I have Kahr's mk40 and mk9 which is close in size to the pm9 and the p238 is smaller. Both of my p238's are reliable and for a ccw that is a must.

[DJK11]

My P380 has more than 3600 rnds. through it. At 540 rnds. it went back to Kahr for fail to feed issues. All the FTF issues were with FMJ target ammo. Of the first 540 rnds, just more than 100 rnds. were with premium SD ammo. Not one malfunction with the SD ammo. The frame is an RA9xxx serial number. I've "tested" different mag springs, shorten extractor spring pin and various combinations of recoil springs. My pistol was very tight and didn't loosen until 750-800 rnds. Is it a range gun? NO, but I've put 230 rnds. through it at one session with out a problem.

If there is a problem Kahr will correct it.

[Whaleman]

My P380 took 3 trips back and a new frame and now runs perfect. Kahr will fix any issue. I have found the customer service very good. Ask for Jay and he will follow through. Dan

[Retlawman590]

All of Kahrs 9mms "in general" are the most reliable. After all, that's where they started. I I would get the PM9 which is possibly their #1 seller. I personally decided against the .380 after a ton of research and speaking with several LGS and just go slightly larger to the PM9.

[TominCA]

I have had 3 P380's one was replaced (frame) and one had to go back for repair - I currently have 2.

The 200 round breakin is optimistic and the spring strength to slide weight / gun weight means it is very ammo and hold sensitive. But mine run great now and they are nice guns and I like and shoot them often. They are very well made and a lot smoother than the competition.

Having said that Kahr's PM9 is probably just about everyone's first choice but it is a tiny bit bogger - some find it great for pocket carr and some think it is a tad big - depends upon your size and personal tastes.

[jocko]

It is going to take IMO a few years for the bad reputation the P380 started out with to over come now the much better posisitve reports we are reading about. My P380 is the most accurate 380 I have ever shot. I reported even I shoot it better than my PM9 for reason I know not why but I do. I just to this day cannot cuddle up to this gun like I do my PM, not only is the firepower a big big factor but for me reliability.

But I will agree with Tom in ca, it is the best of trhge best when all things are right, feel, looks, shoot abilit, trigger sytem, accuracy, quality and then of course #1 GO BANG EVERY TIME.

[LMT42]

My preference is the p238. No issues for a long time now. People say they don't like it for pocket carry but they don't say why. The hammer is designed as is the beavertail it sits in to not drag on anything. There are pocket holsters for it. It has great night sights,soft shooting and in my opinion safe to carry cocked and locked. Why would you purchase a p380 that most likely will have to go back to Kahr to make it work. I have Kahr's mk40 and mk9 which is close in size to the pm9 and the p238 is smaller. Both of my p238's are reliable and for a ccw that is a must.

I can't speak for everyone, but here's my reason - size and weight. Why carry the p238 when you can carry a PM9? Most people opting for a .380, do so for its small size and the p238 defeats the purpose. It's in another size/weight class compared to the Kahr, Kel-Tec and Ruger offerings.

[kerby9mm]

I can't speak for everyone, but here's my reason - size and weight. Why carry the p238 when you can carry a PM9? Most people opting for a .380, do so for its small size and the p238 defeats the purpose. It's in another size/weight class compared to the Kahr, Kel-Tec and Ruger offerings.

If you don't have a p238 you are making the comparison based on what you read or what someone told you. Those comparison stats can be misleading sometimes. I'm biased because I don't like plastic guns. To each its own

[JFootin]

If you don't have a p238 you are making the comparison based on what you read or what someone told you. Those comparison stats can be misleading sometimes. I'm biased because I don't like plastic guns. To each its own

The 238 is an interresting gun. So is the reintroduced and improved Colt Mustang Pocketlite. Difference being, a few years down the road the Colt is going to be worth a lot more, like all Colts seem to do. I had a Mustang back in the 70s and didn't keep it. Wish I had.