Why not CW380

[markallen]

I recently purchase CM9 and LOVE IT. I also have a Keltec P32. I'm wondering if I could replace my P32 (which I also love) with the CW380 for a little more umph.

Why isn't CW380 listed in top 5 concealable 380s? I mean consistently. They have the "snappy" ruger, Keltec, etc.

Why does Pico claim to be smallest 380? It looks like CW380 is smaller, no?

Has anyone compared the CW380 to Keltec P32 in size, weight, etc? Comments?

Obviously this is a Kahr site, but any pros/cons with CW380?

Thank you!

Mark

[dustnchips]

Some people get bad CW380s and give up on them. Some fight them into reliability. Others like me have no problems after the break in rounds. I followed the stickie in the new members area for new gun prep and lube after I had a miserable first 100 rounds. Since then I have had 800 flawless rounds. Light weight and great trigger are the two best reasons to get one. I carry mine more than my PM9 because of size and weight.

[Alfonse]

I love the CW380. It shoots better than any other little .380, it is actually fun and comfortable to shoot, it has real sights, the slide locks back after the last round. What is not to like? You do have to hold onto it and support it to feed reliably.

[timboy]

I had issues my CW380 that required at trip back to Khar when it was new but it has been great ever since,I enjoy shooting and carrying it.

[Ed M]

While one can see how many people have issues with their 380's, and come here looking for help, what you don't really get a feel for is just how many people own CW380's and have no trouble at all with them.

Once you become familiar with Kahrs, and armed with the enormous amount of great info on this site, your odds of winding up with a reliable weapon are greatly increased, IMHO.

My CW380 has been flawless from round one, with the exception of Perfecta ammo. There's even info here on 2 different fixes that makes this a non-issue as well. I chose not to do them to my CW380, and just not buy Perfecta ammo for it. I'm not concerned about this decision, as I don't reload 380, and can buy practice ammo that I know works fine in it for about a buck more per box. All self defense ammo works fine in it that I've tried.

The only modifications I've made to my CW380 include adding a Talon grip, and installing a Lakeline stainless guide rod and their excellent striker. Broken strikers are a not unheard of problem with Kahr 380's, but like all of Lakeline's products, their striker is pretty much bomb proof. MUCH beefier than the stock unit.

When all is said and done, I find I shoot my CW380 better than any other small 380. I have complete confidence in it, and I literally don't leave home without it.

[markallen]

Like I said, I have the CM9, NS, with Talon grips and love it. But in reviewing the CW380, I find videos that I have trusted in the past, such as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpVKCQLuuG0 (Honest Outlaw Reviews, in case the link is removed). Of course Hickock45 is my favorite, as he can make a pea shooter look match grade. He has several ftfs, then says his friend has the same weapon with the same issue. I know the 200 round rule. And it would be so great if this pistol would work for me.

Good point that people may come here for problems.

Also wanted to share Shooting The Bull's best ammo for short barrel 380s. http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/

Thank you,

Mark




While one can see how many people have issues with their 380's, and come here looking for help, what you don't really get a feel for is just how many people own CW380's and have no trouble at all with them.

Once you become familiar with Kahrs, and armed with the enormous amount of great info on this site, your odds of winding up with a reliable weapon are greatly increased, IMHO.

My CW380 has been flawless from round one, with the exception of Perfecta ammo. There's even info here on 2 different fixes that makes this a non-issue as well. I chose not to do them to my CW380, and just not buy Perfecta ammo for it. I'm not concerned about this decision, as I don't reload 380, and can buy practice ammo that I know works fine in it for about a buck more per box. All self defense ammo works fine in it that I've tried.

The only modifications I've made to my CW380 include adding a Talon grip, and installing a Lakeline stainless guide rod and their excellent striker. Broken strikers are a not unheard of problem with Kahr 380's, but like all of Lakeline's products, their striker is pretty much bomb proof. MUCH beefier than the stock unit.

When all is said and done, I find I shoot my CW380 better than any other small 380. I have complete confidence in it, and I literally don't leave home without it.

[SaltyNC]

Why isn't CW380 listed in top 5 concealable 380s? I mean consistently.

I think lack of consistency is the key to why they are not in the top 5. They are not consistently reliable from the factory. Some people get a CW380 that is flawless from day one. Some people get one that goes back numerous times and some end up with a reliable pistol and others never do, but in both cases often folks lose faith in them for SD after numerous repair attempts. Others have the more typical experience where it fails a few times initially, but then wears in and begins to function fine without going back to the factory. This was my experience. Mine doesn't like some ammo, so I don't shoot that ammo. I do now trust my life to my CW380 with XTP bullets. With the right ammo and doing my part to hold the pistol firmly, it's the best small 380 on the market, IMO. However, I had to be Kahr's quality control department and clean up burrs. I also replaced the follower and spring in the mags with Magguts. It works more reliably than the factory follower (at least the old one). I also replaced the striker with Lakeline's striker as a preventive measure, since some factory strikers have broken.

As for shooting, my CW380 is highly accurate, and it is a pleasure to shoot. I just wish Kahr could up their game (and maybe they have) just a little bit on their final QA. But, once a pistol earns a reputation for being a crap shoot if you'll get a good one out of the box, it's very hard to shake that reputation, and many people just won't put up with failures.

Salty

[ripley16]

I looked at the Kahr very hard when I went looking for a new pocket gun a few months ago. On paper and in the hand it seems to be an almost perfect answer. The lack of a solid reputation for this model and my long history with many other Kahrs led me to bypass it for the Beretta Pico. The Pico also had some question when first debuted, but Beretta took positive, concrete steps to solve the problems and now produces a very reliable gun. The Pico is a little thinner than the Kahr and has a hammer, another feature I prefer. I just don't know if I can rely on a Kahr for a carry gun as I've had just about all of the common failures happen to me in one model or another; light strikes, broken follower, stove pipe, fail to go to battery, etc. It has to work or it's only a range toy.

FWIW; the Pico has been very reliable with every type, brand or weight of ammo I can find. A solid plus for a carry gun.

[markallen]

Excellent responses. Now I just need to decide if I want to take that chance. I want a true pocket pistol. Otherwise I would look at Sig, Glock, etc. And my Keltec P32 is extremely reliable. I might send an email directly to Kahr as express my concerns as see what they say. I will be quoting from this forum. Thanks guys.

Oh yeah, I use Fiochhi for target in my CM9 and NO problems. Interesting problems with CW380. Any last comment on best "target" ammo and best "defense" ammo for CW380? I know I would like XTP for defense.

Again thanks,

Mark


I think lack of consistency is the key to why they are not in the top 5. They are not consistently reliable from the factory. Some people get a CW380 that is flawless from day one. Some people get one that goes back numerous times and some end up with a reliable pistol and others never do, but in both cases often folks lose faith in them for SD after numerous repair attempts. Others have the more typical experience where it fails a few times initially, but then wears in and begins to function fine without going back to the factory. This was my experience. Mine doesn't like some ammo, so I don't shoot that ammo. I do now trust my life to my CW380 with XTP bullets. With the right ammo and doing my part to hold the pistol firmly, it's the best small 380 on the market, IMO. However, I had to be Kahr's quality control department and clean up burrs. I also replaced the follower and spring in the mags with Magguts. It works more reliably than the factory follower (at least the old one). I also replaced the striker with Lakeline's striker as a preventive measure, since some factory strikers have broken.

As for shooting, my CW380 is highly accurate, and it is a pleasure to shoot. I just wish Kahr could up their game (and maybe they have) just a little bit on their final QA. But, once a pistol earns a reputation for being a crap shoot if you'll get a good one out of the box, it's very hard to shake that reputation, and many people just won't put up with failures.

Salty

[dustnchips]

Hickock45 loves 1911 type pistols, period. There were only two points he made that need any consideration in my opinion. Reliability, you can make it reliable with a little work IF you have problems. Sights, I had night sights installed by a gunsmith on mine for a total of $120. All other plusses are either a matter of choice or minuses in my opinion. The sig is wider, heavier, and bigger. A minus for me. Cost, I have just under 500 in mine with night sights and a spare mag. The sig is higher. The sig is better looking, who cares it's in my pocket not a display case. Trigger, the sigs is very sensitive and requires a safety. It also needs to have the hammer in a cocked position in order to be drawn and fired without another motion. The hammer is just something to get caught on your pocket. In a panic situation are you likely to fire another round while trying to pull the gun back down on target due to the sensitive trigger? The Kahr won't go off unless you pull the trigger in his words, a long way. Will it take you an extra half second to get off 7 shots? For my money I would definitely buy a striker fire for a carry gun. It is in your pocket in a safe condition and it is ready to use by just taking it out of your pocket and pulling the trigger. It is the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principal with safety added by the design.
addition. I never shoot more than 100 rounds through my gun at the range and I always carry a clean gun. I do shoot multiple guns when I go to the range. Hickocks complaint of reliability problems after 300 rounds is a non issue in a carry gun. Are you going to carry 300+ rounds in your pocket to support your small easily hidden carry gun?

[SaltyNC]

Markallen,

Your results may vary, but my CW380 hates Fiochhi 380, and doesn't like Winchester white box. The only thing I shoot in mine now is Federal American Eagle for range and Precision One XTP for defense.

Salty

[CharlieR]

I recently replaced my P32 Keltec with a CW380TU3. It has run flawlessly since break-in. I also have a P380 which I had to send back to Kahr before it ran reliably. I agree that some have had spotty performance out of the box, but once they are running right, they are fantastic. The Kahr 380's are more ammo-sensitive than some other brands, but seem to run almost all quality defensive ammo, and most quality ball, with some exceptions. This seems to be due to the clearance of the case rim to fit under the extractor. But there is a fix on this forum for that. I'd highly recommend the CW380 (particularly the TU3 series which has 3-dot USEABLE sights) to replace your P32.

Charlie

Check out the thread about mine at: http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?30108-New-CW380-TU3