New Here, dont own a Kahr yet. P380 thread!

[Jinx]

Hey guys First post here. I've kind of been lusting after a Kahr P380 ever since it came out, heck even about 6 months before that. I remember just waiting for a review to come out.. Then a year later stores around me finally had some.. But i'm not quite sure i'm ready to drop 600+ bucks on a tiny gun I cant even shoot first

No range around me has any for rent..(anyone who own one live in WA state nearish seattle?)...

Anyways my consideration is to get one for a any/all the time carry. I dont like to carry big guns on a belt clip as when i go out i'm either doing something some what active and dont want to worry about printing or it becoming unconcealed and generally just the weight issues which cuase me discomfort. I love a little gun that slips into my pocket and dissapears in my mind.

My current pistol of this variety is a Keltec-p32. But upon recently firing it, the slide just cracked above the breech and its locked half open, and i cant move the slide at all. So its defunc now. So since i've been lusting after the Kahr p380, but cant shoot one, I figured i'd ask in probably the most knowledgable place!

Going from a .32 to .380 is definately going to have some noticible increase in recoil, but then again, the keltecs are very thin not-so-comfortable to shoot guns, even in the .32 variety. So how much of an increase can i expect? I'd love to be able to practice with my deep conceal gun, and my keltec is so uncfomortable to shoot, i never really do. I dont have huge man hands, and i'm not a large frame or bulky arms. a ppk in 380 bites and is super uncomfortable to shoot, that same gun in .32 is much more manageable and has less bite, and far more comfortable to shoot (though definately not just ' completely comfortable', like a beretta 92 would be IMO). But if the difference is between a p32 and p380 is going to be like the difference between the ppk .32 and ppk .380. I might have to consider a different choice..

I know this is a long post, but I appreciate any responses on this!

Also am i reading that people need to replace the springs in their mags to fix feed issues? That seems wierd to me for such an expensive gun!

[Dietrich]

Hello Jinx and welcome to the forum.I cannot speak of the recoil of the P380 as I haven`t fired one yet.I have fired several Keltecs in different calibers and noticed that they seem to have more recoil than other brands of firearms.A good friend bought a Keltec 9mm and it wore a blister on the web of his hand between the thumb and forefinger during his first range trip with it.I fired it some that day and it was not in the same league of my PM9.I don`t expect you will have much of an issue with recoil with the Kahr at all.Some of the others here will be able to offer great first hand experiences and I`m sure they will be forthcoming soon.

[BuckeyeBlast]

I had the Kel-Tec 9mm and hated it, sold it for a softer recoiling Glock 26. Loved the Glock, but after several years I switched to a gun that my had could grip better and ended up with the Kahr PM9. Recoil was even less, even though it's a smaller gun. Loved my PM9 so much I ended up getting a P380. Love it as well. Some say the recoil on the P380 is less than the PM9, but I think they're really about the same. I can lay 200 rounds down either one and not worry about my hand getting sore until the last couple magazines. Recoil won't be a problem and you'll enjoy your range time if you're only planning on shooting a couple of boxes like most people do.
I wish I could be there to see the look on your face when you first shoot a P380. The accuracy for such a small gun is amazing. I got my PM9 and had some dry-fire time before going to the range the first time, which gave me time to learn the trigger. Well, as I said... I loved the PM9 so much that I got the P380.

Here's a review I just did on a P380 holster, but it's got some gun pics too: http://kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?p=56494#post56494

[gb6491]

Welcome to the forums Jinx
People here more knowledgeable than I will/already have address your concerns about the P380.
In regards to your P-32, be sure to contact Kel-Tec's customer service about repairing it. They'll most likely make it right for you under warranty.
Regards,
Greg

[jocko]

Jinx, kt will replace your broken P32. send it back. Lifetime warranty. If you buy the 380, IMO your not gonna notice alot of different felt recoil, and especialy if you buy the P380 kahr. It shoots so so much nicer than any kel tec for felt recoil, due to the design of it. It is by far heads above any kt in accuracy also. I have owned 3 kt's and I can shoot my P380 kahr better than any kt I ever. Kahrs are pricey, Kahrs are also quality.

get your P32 kt fixed and then use it as a trade in for a P380. I just don't think you will regret that move. No doubt you can shoo the Kahr P380 easeir to than the kt 32.I would think if you called Kt even and told them what has happened they might even issues a pre pair pick up on the gun even, saving u some big bucks in postage. Just ask them to do it. This is a major break and something that should not happen on any gun, so I would think kt would pay to ge this gun back to.

[copterdrvr]

Welcome aboard Jinx-you can learn alot from the folks here as I know I did!

I own a Keltec P9F and a P3AT as well as a CW9, CW40, PM9 and a P380. The P3AT is definitely my least favorite pistol to shoot and when I do shoot it, I only run acouple mags through it and I've had enough fun with it.

I've shot 200 rounds in a row with my P380 and the only reason I quit shooting was I ran out of bullets! Because of my experience with the P3AT I installed the finger grip extension on my P380 before I shot it for the first time-figured I'd need something more to hold on to. After I shot it the first time I took the pinky extension back off because it was totally unnecessary.

The biggest reason for the perceived difference in recoil is the fact that the bore axis of the Kahrs is significantly lower than the Keltecs. The Kahrs recoil more straight back into your hand and the Keltecs have alot more of a muzzle rise which slaps the pistol mostly into the web area of your hand.

Also, call Keltec-they'll fix you 32 for free as the guns have a lifetime warranty.

Copterdrvr

Edit: Jocko's too fast for me and outposted me while I was typin'!!!! What he said!

[Jeremiah/Az]

I have a PM9 & a P380 & have shot them @ the same outing to compare. To me the P380 has far less recoil than the PM9, but I do not shoot +p in either. I have shot small .22's that had about the recoil of the P380. YMMV. Recoil is subjective & feels different to others.

[Jinx]

Hey thanks for the replys! you guys are very friendly!

I've fired the umm.. I believe P9 and PM9? at a local gun range, I think I remember the P9 being SLIGHTLY larger and a bit more comfortable to shoot than the pm9? the pm9 wasn't too bad, it was a little snappy and i think i did a bit more accurate with the p9 i ermember thinking i'd rather carry the p9 becuase of how much more confidence i had in controlling it than the pm9, so if the p380 has noticible less recoil than the pm9 i might be okay with it! I really hope i can find one locally to shoot first! and even better would be to find a used one for a little cheaper

Here's pictures of my keltec. It was wierd.. I was letting my gf's dad shoot it, and first shot it jammed on a shell, so i cleared it and 2nd shot it jammed the same way, but this time i could not clear the shell. And its been stuck in this position since 3 days ago. It was snowing outside, so probably about 28-30 degree's but i would think the gun could operate in that weather ok? I didn't notice the crack at the time, when i got it home and was trying to rack the slide back with all my strength i was anazlying things and saw the crack. So i have not tried whacking it with a rubber mallet or anything like that, I do not want to touch it if keltec says they might fix it.. My fear is that since I did a fluff and buff (you can see how shiney my block is from polishing it with flitz) that they may say i voided the warranty or something?

[jlottmc]

As for voiding the warranty, I can't see that on a fluff and buff.

[racuda]

As for voiding the warranty, I can't see that on a fluff and buff.

True. EVERYBODY fluffs and buffs a Keltec.

[jlottmc]

I know some people self included that fluff and buff a new gun as part of the prep.
I'm still a little confused on the mouse gun calibers though, from what I hear the 9mm would be a good choice if you are that recoil sensitive. Course I don't like anything smaller than 40 or 357 magnum. There should be a PM9 around to test drive. I had a 380 once for a little while, but always figured I'd have to shoot 'em in the teeth for it to be effective.

[Jinx]

Sent!

Well I went ahead and sent it into keltec we'll see what they do (whether they replace just the slide, or send me a version 2 of the gun, since mine is older version 1).

either way.. I am still considering the kahr!

for me the mousegun appeal is that i'd i'm a smaller framed short guy, and i usually am not comfortable carring something larger in my waistband. In the crack of my back i get back issues and its very uncomfortable sitting. Most of the time i wear tighter shirts which would EASILY pull up and over any gun even inside my waistband on either sides of me, and i just dont want to risk going from 'concealed to unconcealed' and what kind of law ramifcations come along with that.. So a mouse gun goes right into my front pocket, and It doesnt cause any discomfort, no one can ever see it (besides printing) and i forget its there. and it usually doesnt matter WHAT my wardrobe is, more than likely i have pockets (shorts included). And mouse guns tend to be considerably lighter so they dont tug at the pants or become a hassle. at least thast how its been with my keltec.

Caliber arguments can go on and on, i'm sure there' some who will say 40 and 357 isn't good enough it has to be .45. I dont bother getting caught up in those arguments. Point for me is i'd rather ALWAYS carry a .32 or .380 than 'sometimes' carry a 9mm or .45 or .40.

The argument of the pm9 is getting closer to being pocketable though, I concede that point, but the pm9 to me seems just a TAD too large and heavy, to the point where i'd have to cram it into the pocket, and it will print very largely compared the p380 or keltec smaller pistols. I dont dress like a ganster with very loose pants where any size 9mm could be slide into a pocket and no one could tell. Anyones I dont try to convince anyone that they should carry smaller calibers, i just like having something that is transparent to me as the holder in terms of comfort and concern that i can always have with me. That is why i like the mouse gun, every day there it is.

Now if i'm going to a place thats shady, like tacoma, yeah shoulder harness and G17 or my P99. Or maybe that Beretta storm i've been eyeballing

[kahrseye]

I owned a Keltec .380. One of the worst guns I've ever shot. Horrible trigger and no sites. If you buy the P380 you will be amazed at how it shoots. Low recoil and excellent accuracy. You can actually see the sites. Good luck and I hope you get yours soon.

[Bawanna]

Aahhh a true Northwest Native, note the reference to Tacoma. My son had to take a course down there in the Tacoma hood last week.
He took his XD45 in a shoulder rig and I loaned him my PM45 in my ankle holster. He stayed down there in a motel the company booked for him in the wrong part of town.
He didn't get much sleep. Told the boss, if theres a next time he'll book the room on the right side of I 5.

[Jinx]

Aahhh a true Northwest Native, note the reference to Tacoma. My son had to take a course down there in the Tacoma hood last week.
He took his XD45 in a shoulder rig and I loaned him my PM45 in my ankle holster. He stayed down there in a motel the company booked for him in the wrong part of town.
He didn't get much sleep. Told the boss, if theres a next time he'll book the room on the right side of I 5.

'

hahah NICE!

If he comes down again, can you pack a p380 in his lunch so i can finally test fire someone's?!?!!?