Kahr P380: not for me

[Pine Forest]

I fell in love with this gun when I saw it.
And that’s despite tons of negative online reviews.
Somehow I was hoping I won’t be one of those unhappy customers.
Here is my experience with this pistol:
First 200 break-in rounds: 60% malfunctions
next 300 rounds: the same.
Sent for repair (took one month and half to get it back)
Tried 4 different types of ammo, including the best recommended for this gun,
Hornady critical defense.
Still 70-80% malfunctions, mostly FTF and FTE.
Don’t want to send it back for service although offered:
one Kahr owner said he sent it 5 times and gun is still faulty.
I will have to consign it because factory doesn’t not offer refund for defective products.
My opinion is something is fundamentally wrong with this pistol, it needs to be reengineered.

[Bawanna]

Sorry for your bad experience. More often than not these things work themselves out but you've given it a plenty good chance.

[SlowBurn]

I own 1 of these and 2 CW380s. I love them. The only serious problem I had was with another P380 which I bought used. One day it started having problems that would not go away despite many trips back. Finally they discovered the frame itself had failed -almost imperceptible but just enough to cause these issues. Kahr replaced the frame, which was a PITA because that's the serial numbered part. But it did run great again for a long time until I gave it away.
I'm saying if you'd really like to get a good one, maybe keep trying. Really nothing to lose. If you're not carrying it now anyway, just keep sending it in as long as they pay shipping. And don't waste much ammo trying if its not right. Just fire a few mags, and send it in again. Persistence will pay off.

[Bawanna]

Good plan.

[topgun1953]

I love my 2 P380s. I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. I'm wondering what Kahr did to repair it when you sent it in? They should have sent you a report. I didn't see how much shooting experience you have but if you're new to small handguns, maybe have someone else shoot it to see it problems persist. I'm just speculating here but it could be a grip issue.

[djd100]

I love my 2 P380s. I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. I'm wondering what Kahr did to repair it when you sent it in? They should have sent you a report. I didn't see how much shooting experience you have but if you're new to small handguns, maybe have someone else shoot it to see it problems persist. I'm just speculating here but it could be a grip issue.

+1 on possible grip issue, especially if he has larger hands?

I'd suggest adding a rubber grip sleeve and testing again with a real firm grip on that little 380.

[Armybrat]

I looked at the CW380 for a longtime, but decided it was too small for me - even though my mitts are undersized.
So I bought a CT380 which was a perfect fit and a softer shooter with the long grip.
Later on I gave it to my son after the arthritis made it too much of a chore to rack the slide.
It is still one of the best options for a really thin concealed carry….

[jeepster09]

For me it's hard to beat the cheap KalTec 380 or the Ruger LCP [pretty much an upgraded Kaltec]. Mine has the clip draw on it for those times you want DESCREET.

[BirdsThaWord]

And here I thought I was the only one using a clip draw! +1 on the Keltec 380 (P3AT) Pocketed one of those for the last 2 years, then fell in love with the wife’s G42, so now that’s my b.ug. BUT, the P3AT was WAAAAY more concealable.

[Keebz]

I just bought a new black p380 last week. First 50 various rounds fired everything so far. Only problem I had was the Hornady Critical Defense would get a failure to feed while loading first round but once it seats it will fire entire mag. It really seems to love the Remington HTP ammo. I had a cw380 and p380 older used models that were really finnicky so I sold it towards a Glock 42. What was I thinking? That thing is nice but almost double the size. Same as my edc shield 2.0. So I traded that towards this new p380. Haha. So far so good. I’ve read somewhere from a post that Kahr did a lot of fine tuning on newer models. I seem to have a good one. I’m happy I can go back to ultra deep concealment with this in Vedder Pocket Locker!

[Armybrat]

For me it's hard to beat the cheap KalTec 380 or the Ruger LCP [pretty much an upgraded Kaltec]. Mine has the clip draw on it for those times you want DESCREET.

My EDC is an LCP Max, which replaced the LCP I carried for 15 years…

[Whaleman]

My P380 was not reliable until the factory replaced the frame. Now it is perfect. Dan

[Kkitche]

Recently, I purchased a new PM9 and a new P380. Over 300 rounds each, and I’ve had zero failures on either. Even using 15-year-old Winchester flat tips, which are ‘supposed’ to fail. I fired 100 rounds of .380 Win flat tips and 200 9mm; and all fired well with not one failure. Accuracy is excellent. Also used Hornady critical defense, Blazer, PMC Bronze. Not one failure. Excellent, beautiful pistols.