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Irelander
08-27-2010, 08:38 AM
Hi all. I just signed up here on Kahrtalk.com. I've been reading and looking at the P380 for a while now and I really think it is the best .380 pistol on the market right now. I have experience with the Keltec P3AT and Ruger LCP and they are nice but actually too small for my hands. The Kahr feels just right and you can't beat the sights for that small of a pistol.

This summer has really gotten me frustrated with dressing around my Glock 26. I find myself leaving it in the car or at home because I can't easily hide with just a T-shirt on. A nice thin .380 should make things a lot easier and the P380 looks like just the ticket. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather carry the .380 as a backup but I'd rather carry it as primary than nothing at all.

I have a Glock 29 that I'm trying to sell or trade for a P380. I listed it in the for sale section. So if you know anyone that is looking for a Glock 29 (10mm), let me know.

deadhead1971
08-27-2010, 09:36 AM
Have you looked at the PM9? I have a LCP but I just don't carry it any more since I can pocket carry the PM9 with +P speer gold dots. With the PM9, you don't have to carry a 380 at all unless you just like the P380, which is a tad smaller than the Pm9.

jocko
08-27-2010, 10:25 AM
the P380 is one hell of a little 380. IMO the best by far on the market. That being said deadhead is dead on, I hardly every carry my P380 or lcp, as my PM9 just fits in the same place in my front pocket WITH EASE. and firepoweer is what it is all about..

Irelander
08-27-2010, 10:48 AM
PM9...huh? I'll check it out.

Anyone have pics of a PM9 and P380 next to each other for comparison?

Bawanna
08-27-2010, 10:54 AM
Agree on the PM9 over the 380. The price and availability of 380 is still insane too. Sorry I don't have no comparison photos but someone here will come thru for ya.

Irelander
08-27-2010, 11:08 AM
I see the PM9 is 0.90" thick while the P380 is 0.75" thick. I know it doesn't sound like much but I think that 0.15" thickness might make all the difference on my thin frame. I think I'll stick to the P380.

I have read several instances where guys have complained that the PM9 is just to thick for pocket carry but the P380 is not.

jocko
08-27-2010, 11:53 AM
no doubt the P380 is going to fit in your pocket better, that is a no brainer. I only weight 165# and my PM9 rides in my tight fitting jeans front pocket in a desantis with ease. mind uyou it is not a fast draw area as nneither would the P380 be in my front pocket, as I own both. The P380 does ride some better to, not going to say it doesn't but there is one hell of a difference in a 380 round and a 9mm round.

if your sold on the P380, then go with it, u can always buy a PM9 later on down the road. Knowing what I know now, I wouldnot have bought my P380 as I had the lcp already and it served me well for what it was. I willsay this, I shoot my P380 far better than I do my PM9 and I have no reasonw hy that is either. The P380 is the best little quality made 380 on the market, I have the xs big dot sights on mine also and I had the grip 360 degree stippled also. A very nice gun..

If size is #1 with you, definitely the P380..

Irelander
08-27-2010, 12:28 PM
I suppose I need to handle both before buying.

What is the price difference between the two? I know my dealer said he could get me the P380 for $539.

wyntrout
08-27-2010, 01:27 PM
Try the underused Kahr.com factory site... lots of infromation:

Kahr Arms | Site Map (http://www.kahr.com/sitemap.html)

Choose P380, then detail at the bottom, then detail at the bottom of that window for comparisons with both the KelTec P3AT and PM9.


OR:

KAHR KP3833 / Detail images (http://www.kahr.com/dtlimg_kp3833vsmp9.html)

Wynn:)

jocko
08-27-2010, 02:29 PM
I suppose I need to handle both before buying.

What is the price difference between the two? I know my dealer said he could get me the P380 for $539.

price the differences of 380 vs 9mm ammo and the availability of each????:israel:

Garland
08-27-2010, 05:54 PM
I purchased my P380 a few weeks ago. Being new to concealed carry, I felt I couldn't go too small-I wanted to make sure that I would not have an excuse not to carry. I will most likely get a PM9 or PM45 later on, but not for pocket-carry. In my limited experience, with the way I dress (mostly shorts), I don't want to go any bigger than the P380 in a pocket holster. But it is such a great little gun that I don't think I would get rid of it even if my collection should grow!

thewhipp
08-27-2010, 10:54 PM
I have a new in box P380 and Pm9 both in two tone.If inrtested shoot me an email thewhipp2002@yahoo.com

Old No7
08-28-2010, 10:25 PM
Take a look at the pix down below and decide for yourself... :cool:

I will carry the PM9 where and when I can, but with shorts and just a T-shirt, the P380 disappears in an IWB holster, or in the front left pocket.

The larger PM9, as least on me, prints under the T-shirt due to the longer & thicker butt. (Possibly due to my skinny butt and belly...) And for me, but maybe not you, the PM9 also prints in a jeans front pocket -- unless its bulky cargo jeans that I'm wearing.

The P380 is thus my summertime or "When I can't carry anything else and it sure beats a rock" carry piece.

But in the fall, winter or spring -- when the perps will also have heavier clothing on too -- the PM9 will get the nod every time.

But it's great to have the choice! :)

Hope these pix are helpful to the discussion.

Tight groups.

Old No7

ps: Check out the slight "palm swell" on the Pachmyer #4 slip-on grip on the P380; that's done by adding a 1/2" round and 1" square of stick-on "soft-side" Velcro on the underside of the rubber grip. I just added one to the PM9 as I liked it so well. Really helps improve the grip and shoot-ability to me.

Side View
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Kahr_PM9_vs_P380_01.jpg

Top/Side View
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Kahr_PM9_vs_P380_02.jpg


Back View
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Kahr_PM9_vs_P380_03.jpg

Bottom View
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Kahr_PM9_vs_P380_04.jpg

Top View
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Kahr_PM9_vs_P380_05.jpg

Bawanna
08-29-2010, 12:53 AM
Thats a nifty idea on that palm swell, hope you don't got a patent on that. I might try to infringe upon it with my innertubes.

Might break out the polishing wheel on the hood of that PM9. Make it way more pretty in about 10 minutes. Plenty pretty as is but would be even prettier.

JoeMB
08-29-2010, 04:29 PM
I was in the same boat P380 vs PM9 and I decided that the 380 was the way to go. The pictures don't do the size and weight difference justice, handle both and then decide. I do agree with the above post on how it just disappears when you wear it IWB or pocket carry. I wore mine out to dinner with the wife and had on dress slacks and a thin shirt and wore it in a IWB holster made for me by one of the KahrTalk members and just about forgot it was there! Load it with some +P rounds and you are good to go!

Irelander
08-30-2010, 07:36 AM
Thanks guys. I am definitely looking for a gun that will seemingly disappear in an IWB holster. The P380 looks like just the ticket. Now I just need to relieve myself of my Glock 29 to fund one.

Irelander
09-09-2010, 01:46 PM
Someone offered me a Colt Mustang for my G29. That is very temping. I'd like to see a picture of the Mustang and the P380 side-by-side from the rear to see the thickness comparison.

kahrseye
09-09-2010, 04:57 PM
I pocket carry my PM9 everyday....except on those days when I pocket carry my PM45. The P380 is my girlfriends. She loves it and shoots it quite well. I don't want to carry anything smaller than a 9mm. I don't remember its in my pocket most of the time. Go with what you are comfortable with.

taseal
10-03-2010, 07:38 AM
It depends on your main purpose and style of carry.

Go get some lightweight shorts (like swimming shorts or something thin) and put a pm9 in your pocket. Then put a p380. You'll know the diff...

You got everyone reccomending the 9 here, and it'll work with some long pants or cargo shorts, but if you're in a hot zone like me in so fla. You'll wear a lot of thin shorts and even a wallet will sag the shorts... you really need the smallest pistol you can get. At least for me. Your mileage may vary.

I usually prefer iwb for 9, and my mp9c works well for that. When I'm dressed very light, a small 380 will do the job