P380 vs CW380 - what are the actual differences?

[DansGunBlog]

Hey guys,

Trying to decide between the P380 and CW380... Practically speaking, what are the differences?

Curious especially to hear if you've handled / shot both, what stood out.

Is the CW380 less comfortable in the hand, less accurate, worse sights, more recoil, will it snag on your pocket lol, more "failures" in that "breakin period", anything at all.

Thanks!
Dan

[b4uqzme]

From the Kahr website:

"Differences between the Kahr CW380 and Kahr P380 models include: the CW series has a conventional rifled barrel instead of the match grade polygonal barrel found on P models; the CW slide stop lever is MIM (metal-injection-molded) instead of machined; the CW series slide has fewer machining operations, and uses simple roll marking instead of engraved markings; the P380 comes with two magazines, but the CW series comes with one 6 rd steel magazine with flush baseplate... The (CW) pistol features drift adjustable white bar-dot combat rear sight and pinned-in polymer front sight (vs. dove-tailed front and rear on the P380)."

None of the differences impact the quality or fuctionality of either pistol including the MIM CW slide stop. Most owners report the same accuracy from both barrels. Polygonal barrels are prone to leading, however, so you should stick to jacketed bullets with a P model.

The value you place on those differences will be up to you. I tend to think the CW is a bargain = just as good but a little simpler. One of these days I'll break down and buy a CT380 even though I don't need one at all. That's how good they are.

[SlowBurn]

The P comes with some extras too. Plastic case. Extended mag. Maybe another extra mag. It's also available in an all black version.

I have both, and love them, but to me they're the same gun. Many parts including the entire lower are interchangeable. The CW version was not on the market until the P had been around for years and had proven the design. Now that the CW is available, for most people it makes no sense to spend the extra money for the P.

[Bobshouse]

The differences I see are: The P380 is on the California "approved" list, the CW380 isn't...so that's as far as I have to take it.

[SlowBurn]

The differences I see are: The P380 is on the California "approved" list, the CW380 isn't...so that's as far as I have to take it.

And it has to be the P380CA with the LCI and magazine disconnect, not the standard P380. Adds another $66 to the msrp and you get 2 mags instead of the 3 that come with the P380.

So a Kalifornia compliant version is $314 more than a cw380. Probably why everyone is moving to Nevada.

[b4uqzme]

... Probably why everyone is moving to Nevada.

Well, that and the Bunny Ranch.

[anarchy187]

Kahr also has a free mag offer right now with the CW380. Got mine on the way

[TimtheRef]

I got a good deal on a barely used P380 with blackened slide and Trijcon night sights when I was in the market for a better 380 (didn't love my P3AT), and the CW380 was advertised but no gun shops had them. I have loved this little gun, and put many rounds through it to the point where it runs very smoothly and reliably. It is easily my most often carried pistol and for good reason. Legitimate caliber for civilian defense (I'm not an LEO, and while I would like something bigger in the event of a mass-murdering psychopath, I don't know that a 9 mm subcompact is going to make enough of a difference. I carry a CM9 often as well, but just because I like to be different. The statistical probability of being the one to stop the psychopath doesn't outweigh the daily comfort factor. If ever in that nightmare scenario, I'd rather have my AR or even my .270, but those aren't practical for daily carry.) Easy to carry, easy to conceal, and runs like a charm.

Now, all that said, if I could've found a CW380 for less money at the time, I would've been perfectly fine with that. My dad has the CW, and it handles just fine. At the distances worth using a 380 for, you're not going to notice significant differences. And as far as 380's go, I don't think there's a better 380 pocket pistol on the market than what Kahr has made when comparing these pistols as a total package. So spend the money or save the money, you'll be happy either way with the Kahr.

[DansGunBlog]

So a Kalifornia compliant version is $314 more than a cw380. Probably why everyone is moving to Nevada.

Lol I'm dumbfounded that any liberty lovers at all are still left in Kalifornia.

Texas is a pretty good place to be, tho firearm infringements are still far more persistent than the Texas reputation would have folks believe.

We still don't enjoy Constitutional carry (as our friends in Arizona have had for years) but at least Open Carry passed this year's legislature, taking effect in Jan 2016 (as 40+ other states have, sigh). Will be surprised if we don't see uninfringed Constitutional Carry by 2017 - or perhaps sooner via a Texas Constitutional Amendment.

Same story with knife infringements... Texas has a 5.5" blade limit - longer than most places, but sill downright silly. The bill for statewide knife preemption thankfully did pass, so no restricting locking knives or such b.s. in socialist leaning areas like Austin or San Antonio. The bill to strike knife infringements altogether almost passed, tho it was torpedoed at the last minute, even after unanimously passing out of committee.

So Arizona still kicks Texas ass in gun and knife freedoms, but Texas is slowly and steadily going that way.

Dan

[DansGunBlog]

None of the differences impact the quality or fuctionality of either pistol including the MIM CW slide stop. Most owners report the same accuracy from both barrels. Polygonal barrels are prone to leading, however, so you should stick to jacketed bullets with a P model.

The value you place on those differences will be up to you. I tend to think the CW is a bargain = just as good but a little simpler. One of these days I'll break down and buy a CT380 even though I don't need one at all. That's how good they are.

...

The P comes with some extras too. Plastic case. Extended mag. Maybe another extra mag. It's also available in an all black version.

I have both, and love them, but to me they're the same gun. Many parts including the entire lower are interchangeable. The CW version was not on the market until the P had been around for years and had proven the design. Now that the CW is available, for most people it makes no sense to spend the extra money for the P.

Cool, that's literally the type of feedback I was hoping for...

Thanks!
Dan