P380 or PM9?

[deuce]

I have been thinking of purchasing a P380 for my wife to use as her primary carry gun but I have read alot about the pistol being unreliable. First of all, is the P380 a good reliable gun or am I going to have lots of problems with it? I carry a CW45 so I am well aware of the required break-in period of a Kahr but I just wanted to hear from some of you P380 owners out there of your personal opinions. The PM9 is also a possibility as she has always liked shooting 9mm but usually they have been larger frame guns. When you get down to the small, light size that makes it a good ccw piece, alot of times you end up with a bit more recoil. How is the recoil on the PM9? My wife has alot of shooting experience but would still prefer something that isn't going to be to strong on the kick, makes it harder for follow-up shots. Definately sticking with the Kahr, just trying to figure out which one.

[dirty_sanchez]

My 65 year old Mother replaced her Glock 26 sub-compact 9 for MY PM9.

She loves it and carries it more easily and more often than the chunky G26. Recoil with Gold Dot 124gr +P's is very manageable for her and they run like butta through this pistol. As long as I owned the PM9 I have never had a failure of any sort.

I replaced the PM9 for a PM40 as my primary carry.

[xzhync]

Hi, I have both the P380 and the PM9. I have found that the PM9 is very reliable. I haven't had any problems with it. The P380 is a little more fussy (but still a darn nice gun). I think because of its size the tolerances are tighter and its a little easier to experience issues with certain ammo. Also, it is a little easier to limp-wrist it and end up with ejection issues like stove pipes. I have had an LCP, S&W Bodyguard 380 and the P380. The Kahr is the best of the bunch. I would have to say that the PM9 is just a bit more consistent and trust-worthy. The great thing about the P380 is it's size and weight. The PM9 is a darn small 9mm, but the P380 is noticeably smaller and lighter still.

[cgo99]

Recoil in a PM9 is mild at best, not quite as small as on my full size guns but nothing to write home about.
That been said because of its smaller size is not quite as comfortable to shoot for extended periods of time as a full size but you can still have lots of fun at the range (I do ).
I love my PM9 is super easy to carry and fun to shoot, plus is a 9mm witch mean lots of available cheap ammo anywhere you go, not always the case for the .380s.
Lastly I personally think that the PM9 is the smallest gun that I can shoot comfortably, I've shoot smaller ones and while there is nothing wrong with them it just does not feel right. Again just a personal opinion and nothing else.

[Mits3kgt88]

I'm actually having the same debate with myself as well but it would be for my GF. I may trade my P40 for a P380 or PM9 so I'll give either one a spin before I give one to her as a gift for her birthday since she'll be old enough to CC then. So I'll be watching this thread...What I'm concerned most about is concealability. The P380 seems to be the ticket in that case but a PM9 would also be very concealable plus it has more firepower. I do love my PM40's ability to easily conceal with my fit of clothes and it's actually not bad to shoot. It's actually fun to shoot. Not any more recoil than my P40 as far as I can tell. A good and firm grip does wonders.

[Phantom]

I have owned both pistols, still have the p380 as my pocket pistol and have had no problems with it at all. I like the PM9 just fine but prefer the full size grip of the P9.

[jocko]

I think

I have been thinking of purchasing a P380 for my wife to use as her primary carry gun but I have read alot about the pistol being unreliable. First of all, is the P380 a good reliable gun or am I going to have lots of problems with it? I carry a CW45 so I am well aware of the required break-in period of a Kahr but I just wanted to hear from some of you P380 owners out there of your personal opinions. The PM9 is also a possibility as she has always liked shooting 9mm but usually they have been larger frame guns. When you get down to the small, light size that makes it a good ccw piece, alot of times you end up with a bit more recoil. How is the recoil on the PM9? My wife has alot of shooting experience but would still prefer something that isn't going to be to strong on the kick, makes it harder for follow-up shots. Definately sticking with the Kahr, just trying to figure out which one.

we tend to buy WHAT WE THINK ONE SHOULD HAVE alot . The P380 is small and very light, I can tellyou this much a woman willhave extreme difficulty racking the slide on a P380. It is a stout recoil spring on a shrt ass gun that give slittle area to grab on theslide.She won't be able to do it, trust me on that. My wife is a shooter and cannot rack the slide on a P380. I had alot of trouble even at fiest getting proper racking and now after about 1500 rounds I can finally do it OK.

The P380 is also a gun that is very easy to limpwrist, due to it smallsize, just a hard gun to get the right hold of. If a jam happens, personally a woman is just screwed, with this small gun. Ihave one, I never carry it.It is a real shooter, extremely accurate, well made, but mine had to make one trip back to kahr to get right. I would suggest if you can even, to find a range that maybe rents one, or a friend who has one to let her try it out etc, Prove to yourself and to her that it is the gun for her.

I can tell you this from experience in selling guns for over 40 years. Most men come in an buy a gun for their wife with out them having any say so in the matter. That is not the thing to do. If a woman can't make it work, they will immediately loose any confidence n the gun.. Unless a woman is a good shooter and well versed in guns etc, try one out first. take her to a gun shop and let her try to rack the slide etc. I think you will see what I am saying here

the Kahr P380 IMO is the best 380 on the market, but I don't think it is a gun for 90% of women.

[deuce]

Jocko, My wife has held both guns and loved the feel of (again) both guns,but she has always been partial to 9's. The stiff spring on the 380 would absolutely be a problem for her as she has trouble racking most autos. A revolver is out 'cause she really likes autos and wouldn't carry a wheel gun. I was thinking of the concealability of the 380 (if she can't conceal it, she won't carry it) but you're right, if she has a jam, GAME OVER! The trouble with Kahrs is trying to find a range that has one to rent. We will definately visit the LGS again and let her pick the one she wants, Thanks all for your input,it is very much appreciated

[kpm9]

My PM9 has been completely reliable, even with not so great ammo. Can't say the same for the P380, but it has been reliable with quality SD ammo.

[BobR]

Just to add that it would be wise to have the more effective caliber of the two. With modern JHP ammo from quality manufacturers, any of the main calibers are effective for the job, but there is a drop off when you get to a .380 or below in capability. There are types of ammunition that can make them somewhat effective for self defense, but never as effective as a service caliber.

As to the potential troubles with racking a slide, or limp wristing a gun, everybody else covered that. the P380 is a BUG, not a gun for solitary carry, IMO. I'd buy one for the job out of preference over the current rivals, but I wouldn't be caught dead with one as the only gun on me.

[joshh]

decision should depend on how she'll carry. iwb or pocketbook i'd say the pm9 for sure. as far as kick goes it is surprisingly light for a small pistol. my wife is 5'3'' 125lbs and she shoots the pm9 with 115gr federals for fun and likes it. only advantage to the p380 is its smaller and easier to pocket carry. i have finally talked mine into taking the class & getting her LTC here in MA & CT. not sure what i'll get her as our choices are much more limited in this "commonwealth"

[racuda]

My PM9 is 100% reliable and my P380 is...not. The 380 is amazingly accurate, and highly concealable.

Considering the reliability issues and the questionable effectiveness of the caliber, I would recommend NOT getting the P380. Get the PM9. She'll love it.
'

[Jeff00042]

I'm tempted to try the PM9. I really like the P380. However, after two trips to Kahr and 1400 rounds, I still don't trust it. Last outing I fired 75 rounds of Critcal Defense which worked fine for the previous 200 rounds. This time, I experienced 1 light strike failure, 2 stovepipes (actually empties caught in ejection port parallel to barrel), and 1 failure of the trigger to reset. The P380 has a better trigger and better sights than my LCP and I can shoot it more accurately. I carry the LCP, not the P380.

[deuce]

So far I would say we have a 100% vote for the PM9. After handling the 9 again today,it's clear that there is not a huge size difference between the two and will be easily concealed,as my wife is planning to carry in her purse. I really appreciate all the input from y'all and want to let you know that we will be adding a new addition to the Kahr family.....a beautiful new 16 oz. (w/mag) PM9

[Jeremiah/Az]

I have both the P380 & the PM9. Both have been functionally perfect, except I could not slingshot my PM9 at first. I know, Kahr tells you not to. It does now tho. .380 ammo is very hard to find here. The PM9 is with me always.