Kahr P380--good deal?

O

OhioGuy

New member
Someone at my range has posted a classified ad selling a "lightly used" P380. He's selling it with three magazines, pocket holster, five boxes of training ammo and one box of self defense ammo, all for $400. It seems like a ridiculously good deal, except that I don't really need a pocket pistol :)

Or maybe I do but just don't know it! I've held and dry fired the similar CW380 in a store. Very small, kind of a long trigger pull but very smooth.

Is this something with picking up? Can a gun this size really be carried other than in a pocket? Really enough grip to carry IWB and be able to get a good hold on the gun and draw effectively?
 
That certainly seems like a good deal! I sold my LCP's to go with the CW-380
and carry it some but now have a CT-380 and found it to be a better carry option when I carry 380.
 
...but now have a CT-380 and found it to be a better carry option when I carry 380.
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Is that just because of the larger size? The dimensions of the CT-380 look very similar to Glock G42, which I've held and found to be a very small gun, but also reasonable to hold.

The pocket guns are hard to even get a firm 2-finger grip on, it seems. I've never shot one. But it's a chore to hold it steady without even shooting it!

If this person is selling the gun and all his remaining ammo, I'm assuming he's leaving the .380 behind entirely, and maybe for those same reasons. I'd hate to buy something that ends up being unusable.
 
Yes it is the size. I can get my pinky on the CT-380 but not on the CW380/P380.
I carry the CT380 in a DeSantis pocket holster and it is the perfect combo for me. I have an ankle rig that I carry the CW-380 in as a back-up.

I did have a G42 and sold it in favor of the CT-380. Both are very similar but
for me I shot the CT better and was more comfortable with the grip.

The Kahr's do require a break-in period and I did have a few FTE/stovepipes around the 50 round mark with the CT but none since and no probs with the CW.
 
I bought a new P380 with the stainless top years ago. I also carried it in a DeSantis clip holster when I carried it. Worked like a Swiss watch, never seemed to need that 250 round break in period.

A few years later I was in my LGS and there was a lightly used P380 with the black slide. Well I wanted it and bought it. Sold the silver slide P380 to a co-worker who wanted one, and even though I lost a few bucks, I had what I wanted.

Damn thing couldn't go 2 magazines without FTF, not going back into full battery. Glitch after glitch. I sent it to Kahr and they did whatever they did, and said it was 'tested ok'. I shot it some more and it was 98%, but that ain't enough for a gun you want to have your life depend on.

I was going to put it up for sale, but decided to give it another chance. I do love the size, the portability. I have broken the gun in essentially as recommended, and it is now seemingly working fine.

Last trip to the range and 100 rounds had 1 stovepipe, that may have been my limp wristing it. One way or the other, I'd buy that used P380. That is a darn good deal, and AFAIC they are darn good pistols.
 
I'd also go for it.

I've had a P380 now for 4-5 years and it has been a reliable performer for me since Day 1. I've recently gifted it to my son for his wife to carry concealed - she is a very small woman and petite women's clothing doesn't allow for much in the way of concealed firearms. I'm currently looking to pick up another one.

The Kahr CT380 is, per my understanding, the same size upper, but on a lower that offers a longer grip and a magazine that holds 7 rounds instead of 6. You can purchase an extended 7 round magazine for the Kahr P380 - but in my experience, if your pinky finger grips the extended baseplate too tightly, it can cause malfunctions. The P380 was reliable except when using the 7 round magazine, and I quit using it, but carried the P380 often in trouser pockets.

Depending on how you carry it, the P380 actually is more concealable with the shorter grip. If you want a 7 round mag, or are more comfortable with that pinky on the grip, then go with the CT380. Either one is a good bargain at that price.

Just an opinion.
 
The few people I know that have the (higher priced) P380 have had issues with them, however the CT/CW series seems to run just fine.

I know because I own a CT 380 & it has been flawless. :)

Here it is with my NA WASP .22 micro carry gun.

166yq93.jpg
 
Thanks for the input!

As it is this $400 includes almost $100 of ammo I would have to buy anyway which puts me at $300 for the gun and extra mags.

Anyone know the likelihood I could recover that $300 later if I choose to resell it?
 
As it is this $400 includes almost $100 of ammo I would have to buy anyway which puts me at $300 for the gun and extra mags.

Anyone know the likelihood I could recover that $300 later if I choose to resell it?
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In south Florida a used P380, in good shape, might bring $450-550 just for the pistol, with no extras.
 
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