Kahr CW 380

[Peakbagger46]

Anyone have one? I’m tempted to get one but had a bad experience with a PM 40 years ago so I’m worried about reliability. Do the .380s run well?

 

[Charlie98]

I considered getting one as well, as a backup pistol. Consensus has it that either you get a really good one, or a really bad one. I wound up buying another CW9 instead.

FWIW, and this is just based on my experience... I think the sweet spot with Kahr pistols is at 9mm. I've had 2 .45's... that had issues. Not a big fan of the .40, so I can't really comment on that. Much like the sub-compact CM/PM series, I think the .380 is too small given the action geometry. My CM9 and PM9 are fairly reliable, but they can get picky when they want to. Having said that, if you are looking for a true pocket pistol... it would probably be worth a try.

 

[Coyote3855]

I have the .380 and it has been reliable for me. The family also has a pair of P9s that have been good guns. I don't carry either of the Kahrs, preferring something with more capacity. Glock 19 most days. I am running reliability checks on a SA Hellcat Pro which may replace the Glock. I'm disappointed in the Hellcat trigger even after installing a Powder River Precision trigger kit. Seems to be smoothing out with rounds down range and lots of dry fire.

 

[BlankRow]

I considered getting one as well, as a backup pistol. Consensus has it that either you get a really good one, or a really bad one. I wound up buying another CW9 instead.

FWIW, and this is just based on my experience... I think the sweet spot with Kahr pistols is at 9mm. I've had 2 .45's... that had issues. Not a big fan of the .40, so I can't really comment on that. Much like the sub-compact CM/PM series, I think the .380 is too small given the action geometry. My CM9 and PM9 are fairly reliable, but they can get picky when they want to. Having said that, if you are looking for a true pocket pistol... it would probably be worth a try.

I had a poor experience with their .380, and even after several trips back, it never ran reliably.

Disappointed to hear the .45's also have issues. I have been looking at them for what seems like forever, but never bought because of my experience with the .380. My PM9 runs like a champ though.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Thanks for the replies, LCP here I come!

 

[Charlie98]

I'm disappointed in the Hellcat trigger even after installing a Powder River Precision trigger kit.

I would tend to agree... I shot a friend's Hellcat because he couldn't get it on paper. Shooting it, I thought it was one of the worst triggers I've ever used. I had to rest the pistol to get it on paper. What an awful pistol.

Disappointed to hear the .45's also have issues.

This was just my sample size of 2... a full-boat P45, which was a very nice pistol, and quite accurate... when it fired. I think it was short chambered, because I kept having misfires... the primer strike was 12 O'clock high. I had some short brass that I loaded up, and they fired 100% Dealing with Kahr CS was an exercise in futility. The other issue, which Kahr may have fixed by now, is the .45 magazines break at the rear weld, at the feed lips. The other was a CW45, that, again, just wasn't 100%. Very frustrating.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Decision made! I may post a range report tomorrow after shooting her.

 

[Charlie98]

Decision made! I may post a range report tomorrow after shooting her.

Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[someguy2800]

I had one. Now to preface this I have to say I am 6'4" tall, where are size XL glove, and I squeeze about 220 lbs on a grip strength meter. I could not rack the slide on the one I had. I the spring was so heavy and the slide serrations so small that I couldn't grip the slide enough to load it. It would just slip right out of my hand. I had to push the front of the slide against a table. I couldn't hit anything with it either. Hated it.

 

[d'zaster]

I had a P380. Had to go back to the factory couple times. Kahr replaced it and the replacement was a lemon. I really wanted it to work out because it's perfect for pocket carry but even with all the time I spent to "properly" breaking it in, it never cycled reliably. I would highly recommend steering clear.

 

[tactikel]

I really wanted a Kahr but kept reading how finicky they were about ammo, lacking rock solid reliability. I got a Shield 9mm and a LCP, both perfectly reliable.

 

[Dudedog]

Saw the OP decided on a Ruger but thought I would comment.
I have a P380 and it has been fine after I got a couple 100 rounds thru it.
When new it didn't want to cycle any of my handloads that were less than full power. (all the start charge stuff! and anything medium either)
After a couple 100 rounds it was much better.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I had one. Now to preface this I have to say I am 6'4" tall, where are size XL glove, and I squeeze about 220 lbs on a grip strength meter. I could not rack the slide on the one I had. I the spring was so heavy and the slide serrations so small that I couldn't grip the slide enough to load it. It would just slip right out of my hand. I had to push the front of the slide against a table. I couldn't hit anything with it either. Hated it.

This was my issue. The manual wanted the gun loaded from slide lock. I'm not so strong as someguy2800, and I was concerned that a malf would be impossible to clear.
The gun ran well when shooting, had a decent (long) trigger and sights, and was just enough heavier to be a milder shooter than an LCP. It also tended to drop rounds from the spare magazine.
So I sent it on its way, replaced with an LCP (still a rappy little stinker to shoot, but it works all the time) and a G42, which is just a baby doll to use.
Moon

 

[chickasaw_hunter]

I've had a CT 380 for several years. It has worked very well for me. I like the extra grip length of the CT model. The extra round capacity is nice but just the feel is worth it. It is a bugger to rack the slide. Factory instructions tell you to always load from an open slide. I'm not saying this too well. To load, rack the slide back to lock with the magazine out of the pistol. Insert the mag then push the slide release to load the pistol. They don't recommend racking the slide on a full inserted magazine. I don't know why but I've never had any problem when I do it the way they recommend. I've used a wide assortment of ammo. The Sheriff's office where I have to do my annual qualifications for my retired LEO permit requires me to shoot lead free ammo. Some of that stuff with the poly/copper bullets has almost no recoil. It's a pleasure to shoot really. The range master told me he'd had some guys have problems with some pistol functioning with it. I did not. As far as the racking the slide, I use a method I was taught years ago and don't even try with just my thumb and fingers. I pull the pistol in my right hand in against my chest, then I wrap my left hand over the top of the slide and push/pull the slide to lock it back. Then insert the mag and push the mag release. If you are on the range with shooters to your sides you have to turn slightly to keep you muzzle pointed down range. That becomes second nature to you after a few range sessions. I've had overall good luck with Kahrs. I got a K40 back when they first hit the market and carried it my last few years on the job. I gave it to my daughter when she graduated from the state police academy. I missed my Kahr and found a stainless K40 at a gun show for a good price and bought it. That's been more than 20 years ago. Those metal frame Khars are great. I thought I 'd save some weight and bought a poly frame CW model in 40. That pistol was a disaster, I burned up a lot of ammo trying to get it to work and it had a couple of trips back to the factory. Kahr customer service was great about it and even replaced it with a new pistol. I gave up on it and sold the new pistol unfired. But, given that experience I'd throw the dice on another Kahr if the notion struck me I needed another semi-auto. I'd like to have a T-40, but I don't think they are very available in today's world. At least they weren't the last I looked.
Oh yeah, one other little Kahr tidbit. If you're a reloader you need to throw in an extra step if any of the brass you're reloading has been fired in a Glock. The standard loading dies out there will not size the cases reliably to chamber in the Kahr if it's been fired in a Glock. I'm not a Glock guy so I don't know if they still create the "Glock bulge". But most of my brass I picked up after law enforcement qualification shoots and the issued pistol was a Glock. So I had to get a Lee device they call the Bulge Buster and run all my brass thru it before I do a standard resize. Not a great big deal, but it is a big deal if you load up a few hundred that won't chamber in your pistol. Since I'm not a Glock guy (never owned one even when they'd issue my one) I don't know if cases with the Glock bulge will rechamber in a Glock. They sure don't in the Kahr. IIRC you can safely run those loaded cases thru the bulge buster. But I much prefer to do that before I load the cases. I really haven't loaded much of anything in .380 to know if this is a problem. The few I have loaded were shot thru my CT Kahr. Word on the street is it's the same story with 9mm too.

 

[dweis]

I am not a fan of Kahr pistols. Considered buying a 9mm some years ago. Rented one and did not like it. Recently switched from 9mm to 380 due to decreasing hand strength. I selected the Ruger Security 380. The pistol runs like a Swiss watch. 10+1 or 15+1. The pistol gets excellent reviews. Ruger has great customer service. Unlike a Kahr you don’t have to get put a couple hundred rounds through a to break it in.

This is a screen shot from the Kahr manual. Out-of-the box they warn the user to Not rely in the pistol until firing 200 rounds. I never owned a pistol that took 200 rounds to assure reliability.

 

[someguy2800]

I thought I 'd save some weight and bought a poly frame CW model in 40. That pistol was a disaster, I burned up a lot of ammo trying to get it to work and it had a couple of trips back to the factory...

Similar experience making my P40 into a functional and reliable pistol but I stuck it out and fixed it myself which was no small undertaking. Kahr keeps beating me up and I keep coming back for more punishment like an idiot. There is just something about them that I really like though. I will say I have a CW45 that I bought a few months ago that has been flawless, which is 1 out of 4 for me with kahrs. Did I mention that I'm an idiot?

Oh yeah, one other little Kahr tidbit. If you're a reloader you need to throw in an extra step if any of the brass you're reloading has been fired in a Glock. The standard loading dies out there will not size the cases reliably to chamber in the Kahr if it's been fired in a Glock. I'm not a Glock guy so I don't know if they still create the "Glock bulge". But most of my brass I picked up after law enforcement qualification shoots and the issued pistol was a Glock. So I had to get a Lee device they call the Bulge Buster and run all my brass thru it before I do a standard resize. Not a great big deal, but it is a big deal if you load up a few hundred that won't chamber in your pistol. Since I'm not a Glock guy (never owned one even when they'd issue my one) I don't know if cases with the Glock bulge will rechamber in a Glock. They sure don't in the Kahr. IIRC you can safely run those loaded cases thru the bulge buster. But I much prefer to do that before I load the cases. I really haven't loaded much of anything in .380 to know if this is a problem. The few I have loaded were shot thru my CT Kahr. Word on the street is it's the same story with 9mm too.

I learned this the hard way also.

 

[foxmoor]

I have a CT380 that I really enjoy - accurate and a nice shooter. Yes, loading it takes a bit of practice, but I like Kahrs so I’m used to how they function. It’s light weight and easy to carry, but it shoots softly and accurately. It’s a little fussy on ammo, but once you find what it likes, no issues.

 

[Armybrat]

My CT380 ran great, fit my hand really well.
Slide was difficult to rack, so gave the gun to my son.

 

[KahrDriving]

Anyone have one? I’m tempted to get one but had a bad experience with a PM 40 years ago so I’m worried about reliability. Do the .380s run well?

Had mine for several years, no problems- I really like this little pistol- feeds everything I put thru it-build quality seems nicer than the LCP’s and other mouse guns. Kahr recommends 200 shot break in, mine was good from the start.

 

[Tallball]

I have three Kahrs, a 9 and two 40's. I bought all of them used, and they all run fine. The steel one is an extremely nice pistol.

 

[NMexJim]

Yep, I’ve bought one this year. I put a few hundred rounds through it before I was happy with break-in. Picky for ammo brand. None of this is new info on them.

I’ve had some problems running HST micro and just settled in with Hornady Critical Defense as they feed really well. I’ll try HST again after another few hundred rounds.

I have owned a Bersa 380 which ran great but for the size you might as well pack a 9mm. I had 3, count ‘em 3, LCPs and couldn’t keep the take-down pin in them. My daughter does carry a LCP and likes it ok. She runs fairly mild carry stuff. I try to carry as stiff as I can buy. For me, the Kahr is a lot better made and safer to carry.

It runs Berry 100 grain well at low to mid range with AA2, and likes some round nose lead. Flat points need not apply. The feed ramp is short due to limited real estate area which makes this understandable. It runs most carry ammo well, but the HST feels a bit hotter than the rest.

We’re not talking about a take-it-to-the-range-for-fun gun. What it does is to make hot weather carry a non-issue. I’ve got a Hume iswb clip on. It’s accurate, and I can run it pretty quickly. I’ve got a large mitt which could use a bit more thickness, but overall, I’m happy.

BTW, my main carry is a PM9.

 

[orionengnr]

Had a CW380 and really liked it. Gave it to the wife of a friend because she had just gotten her TX LTC and she shot it really well.
Might have to buy myself another, but for now I'm happy with my nearly 20-year-old PM9 and my nearly as old P45.

When my old wrists dictate me going to a .380, probably not too many year from now, another CW380 or P80 is in my future.

 

[NMexJim]

Had a CW380 and really liked it. Gave it to the wife of a friend because she had just gotten her TX LTC and she shot it really well.
Might have to buy myself another, but for now I'm happy with my nearly 20-year-old PM9 and my nearly as old P45.

When my old wrists dictate me going to a .380, probably not too many year from now, another CW380 or P80 is in my future.

Yes, I understand what you’re saying. I’ve carried a PM9 since they came out myself and absolutely trust it.

Re the part about old wrists, the P380 is not easy on old wrists or hands - or trigger fingers. What ran soft in a Bersa about torn my hand up in the Kahr. My PM9 is softer I think. Racking is easier I will say. I’ve brought my .380 practice reloads down to minimum loads.

Practice has made this pistol easier to handle. I struggled with getting a good grip. That’s smoothed out into a much more natural feel. I’m back sub 2-sec draw and fire with decent accuracy. Confidence is much better. I think I went through a pretty similar learning curve with the transition from a mid-frame semi to the PM. And to think I used to carry a Hi Power! Ah youth.

The P380 is a genuine joy to carry at my age.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Update:
Thanks for the responses. Based on the mixed Kahr reviews here (and previous personal experiences) I went with a plain Jane LCP. 130 rounds including God Dot without a jam and I shoot it pretty darn well for what it is. Also pleased with how soft shooting it is, fast follow up shots are easy.

 

[Tallball]

I like my Kahrs and haven't had trouble with any of them. That being said, I have zero inclination to replace my LCPII. Nice choice.