Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

All comers welcome to give opinion(s).

My criteria is it has to be pocketable. Put it in your pocket and forget about it.

Kel-Tek P3AT is ruled out by me (narrowly) in favor of the LCP.

If you read far enough into the internet you will find a bad story about every single gun ever produced. It is difficult to stop and actually buy one.

Lately I was reading that Kahr Arms produces very high quality weapons (for a price, for sure).

Assume that price doesn't matter for me. Sure, it does a little, but when we are talking an extra $300 vs. my life, then it doesn't.

Which would you buy or not buy, and why?

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_380_p.html

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAFami...ding&famlst=64

The Ruger is at least out and available (and had recalls). Maybe the recall is a good thing, as it shows they "care"? Kahr is just now shipping, so all reviews are good up to this point, the guns not being particularly available for failures.

I like the more rounded outline of the LCP. Kahr is spoken well of by the quality "in the know" crowd.

Thoughts? Remember, for me at least, the 2 top criteria are 1) pocketability and 2) reliability. Price in this quiz gets a back seat.

Thanks for any thoughts offered.

gpond

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I would buy the ruger because I have a few of them (10/22, 22/45, and used to have a p89).

They seem to be pretty well made. My wife's cousin bought a LCP right after they came out, and I really liked the fit and finish on it. I didnt get a chance to shoot it, but I have wanted one ever since, and will probably get one eventually.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

Would you consider this S&W 642
approx 15 oz and meet both of your criteria
this is my ccw for summer

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

All three are fine guns. If cost is not an issue go with the Kahr - it is the best built of the three. We have 2 of the Kahr compact 9mm and they are very well engineered and manufactured pistols.

None of the three will let you down....I would bet my life on any one of the three.

I suggest you shoot a few boxes of ammo through the gun you settle on...but that is enough. Do not turn it into a range toy....shoot it just enough to make sure it works well....then keep is just for protection. Any gun, if you shoot it enough....it will fail. I've had all kinds of failures....and the more you shoot them the higher tthe probability of a problem....and you do not want that happening at the wrong time.

The Kahr is 2X the price of the Kel-Tec or the Ruger.

I carry the Kel-Tec 3AT......have for several years.....prior to the introduction of that gun I carried the Kel-Tec P32. The Kel-Tec is a fine gun for it's puropse - it is not a fine high end Kimber....the Kel-Tec is a get the job done mid/low priced very compact pocket pistol. The 3AT costs about $275.

If $550 is not an issue....get the Kahr......or, put the $275 saved towards another gun or more ammo.

Neither the Kahr or Ruger were in production when I bought my Kel-Tec 3AT 380.....but i have no desire to switch now....I'm buying more other guns.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I also have one of these (S&W 442)......and it is no comparison to a 3AT or Ruger/Kahr 380. These little simiautos are much smaller at half as thick, half the weight empty (9 oz + 3 oz loaded magazine).

I love the S&W hammerless j-frame snubbies....but they are much larger....even a bit too large for most front pocket summer carry. The snubbie is perfect in a winter coat pocket.

This is my advice....I've carrier both....I've carried everyday for the past 22 years.

Any of these 3 make/models of 380 pocket pistols are the very best choice in everyday carry.....there is no reason to ever leave home without a pistol in pocket when they are this small, flat and light.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

Thanks, Andy. That was my last purchase, and I love it. VERY very happy with that purchase!

This next purchase I'm looking for something even lighter and thinner, else I wouldn't be plumbing the .380 side of things. My 642 is my favorite, still hard to slip in my front pocket and feel inconspicuous. Trying to go even lighter, is all. 642 is a great weapon and I love her.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

380 caliber is a little too small like for my taste-stopping power

.38 special is better in stopping power, small enough to conceal,
revolvers are very reliable and easier to sell if you have to

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

Thanks, ruprick.

I must say, however, that one of the issues is that the Kahr is untested. It is a brand new .380 that is just now shipping. I agree completely that Kahr is well thought of as a quality company, at least that is what I am reading. But the Kahr P380 is a brand new weapon and not very well field tested. Sure I like it from what I'm reading. Is it better to buy the LCP and let the field test the Kahr P380 for a while, or what? What is wise?

I like them all, btw.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I confess, I too am a revolver guy. The .380 is thinking out of the box for me.

[edit: Actually I'm a .357 guy, truth be told.]

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

What about a Bersa Thunder .380? I've never fired one, but my brother-in-law just bought one and it gripped nice. Just thought I'd throw that in for consideration.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I was looking at these this past weekend on the net. They appear to be pretty cool, but have a much much bigger footprint than the Kel-Tek, Ruger, Kahr alternatives that we are discussing in this thread. For the price, they seem hard to beat, but the size and weight are not in the micro sizes/weights that we are contemplating here.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

The 380 is just enough.....not as good as the 38 Spl or 9 mm.....but just enough for reasonable performance with multiple hits....try for a head shot in the mix....

In my experience on deer - nothing but a 357 Mag, 41 Mag, 44 Spl, 44 Mag, 10 MM or 45ACP+P will really put the hit on a man and knock hit down and out quickly with a solid torso shot. It is not like the movies......you need a serious round to end the fight quickly. I use the Miami FBI shootout as a perfect data point.

The problem is that any of the above powerful pistol rounds demand a belt holstered pistol. None will fit in your pocket. You could argue that you could get a 357 mag in a snubbie.....true....but you simply end up with a lot of noise and flash over a good 38 Spl round.....I do not like magnum rounds for night fighting because of the flash/noise levels impact on night vision and hearing.

The only pistol that will fit in your pocket well and is light and thin and flat....is the 380 by either Kel-Tec, Ruger or Kahr.

I hate to speek in absolutes....but those are the only 3 choices in my book for pocket everyday carry.

The 380 will get the job done in a high performance round .....you can get 200 to 250 ft-lbs from a nice hollow point that expands well. It helps if you can make a few hits and really helps to make one the central nervous system (brain/spine).

Also, you get 2 more rounds over the compact snubbies.....use those 2 rounds.

Why no Kel-Tec? They have been out there the longest.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I don't own either one, but my next door neighbor faced the same decision. He researched both handguns for a month before he settled on the Kahr and is extremely happy with it.
Take care,
Mod1

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

Thanks, ruprick. I considered PMing you this question directly, as I respect your opinion very much, but decided to let everyone have a shot at answering.

I like the fit-and-finish of the Ruger LCP which right-or-wrong gives me a little more confidence. Sure it is not completely rational. I also like the manual slide lock on the Ruger. The Kahr, BTW, has an actual last-round-fired automatic slide lock. Pretty cool for a weapon of this class.

The Kel-tek is light, the Ruger is a little heavier, and the Kahr is still a bit heavier. That is a consideration, too.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

How about Sig??
http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/Sho...0&productid=68
this would be high end price but they are very good

Specifications

Item Number232-380-B (Contrast) 232-380-BSS (SIGLITE� Night Sights) Caliber.380ACP Triger Pull DA/SA10.0 lbs/ 4.5 lbs Overall Length6.60" Overall Height4.70" Overall Width1.20" Barrel Length3.60" Sight Radius4.70" SightsContrast or SIGLITE� Night Sights Weight w/Mag17.6oz Mag Capacity7 Rounds GripsBlack Polymer Factory Grips FinishBlued MSRP$660.00 (Contrast) $720.00 (SIGLITE� Night Sights) CA CompiantNo



I'm hoping to buy 9mm in Sig

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I guess if I was starting out fresh today looking at these 380 pocket pistols.....I'd probably get the Ruger......as I respect the Reger name over that of the Kel-Tec.....not that i have any issue with the Kel-Tec....but Ruger makes outstanding products.....

Based on a little looking on Gunbroker.....looks like the Kel-Tec is about $275, the Ruger LCP is about $325-350, and the Kahr P380 looks to be $600+

In my mind...the Kel-Tec and Ruger are roughly equal in price......I'd have a tough time paying 2X for the Kahr....they are super nice...but that is a lot more....

They are all about equal in size and weight.

In the end all three would be fine...but probably the Ruger is the best value.

Go with the Ruger.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I don't think that Kahr is even shipping from the factory yet, and I have not seen a single review of one either.

Might want to hold out on too many opinions.

Taurus & Sig released .380's at the Shot Show too so all of this might stir things up a bit.

The Sig will likely be expensive like the Karh, but the Taurus model looks like t could very well compete with the p3at and the lcp. You can also buy a version with a Titanium slide.

If I had to go a whim I would choose the Karh over the Ruger Because so many people have had problems with the LCP before and after the recall. With the higher price tag on the Karh I'm sure the components are better. I'm really disappointed with the LCP. KelTec was just waiting to get smashed by someone with a better platform, and Ruger came to the plate and struck out. Now there are three more batters in line..... I'm betting on the Taurus to take the most market share because of the price, and the lessons learned by Kel-Tec & Ruger with their many failures.

The Karh and the Sig are designed completely different than the similar Kel-Tec/ Ruger/ Taurus pistols.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I like war tested guns myself. CZ-82 or Walther PPK.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

Look around online, Kel-tec has had some serious quality issues.

Sure they will fix it for free and most people say after having returned the gun to the factory for repairs it worked fine. But who needs the hassle and would you ever trust it again?

Kel-tec has certainly had more problems than the Ruger LCP.

I think the LCP is probably the lightest one you'll find at 9.x ounces empty.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I have an LPC and I forget it is even in my pocket after a short while. Very thin, very sound, lighter than the Beretta 21A in .22LR. I paid $295 plus $20 handling and overnight shipping.

There is a recall however on them to retrofit the hammer mechanism due to possible AD if dropped. Mine was one of the ones affected, but they paid shipping both ways -- gone about a week, first class service... Trust it even more now!

http://www.ruger.com/LCPRecall/

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

The Kahr PM9 will fit your bill for concealment and power a little better. No need to compromise on either. I used to own two of them (NY reload) and they both worked flawlessly! Bx3

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

LCP, its out there, available, and it's proven. The recall was for a fairly minor issue. It's slightly nicer than the Kel-tec, but the KT is also a fine pistol.

The Kahr was just unveiled at the SHOT show last week, who knows when they will ship.

Also, lots of pistols have some initial teething problems. The 1st Gen Kel-tec was a bit finicky (the 2nd gen ones are rock solid), the LCP had one recall, etc.

Why buy an unknown for $300 more than something you know works just fine?

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I can only speak to the LCP, as it's the only one I own and have shot. I love the small size; as others have said, it fits right in your pocket and you forget it's there. And I do think .380 is just large enough. Our local gun shop could not keep them in stock last fall, they were so popular. Had to get on a waiting list.

The down side: after cycling fewer than 200 rounds through it, my trigger mechanism broke and stuck in the pulled back position. This was at the same time I got the recall notice, so was sending it in anyhow. In Ruger's favor, the service reps I've spoken with have been extremely helpful and responsive. Really seem to care. And I believe these issues have been resolved on guns now shipping.

My one other complaint is with the sights. They are so low-profile, they're almost impossible to use. When I get mine back from the recall work, I'm definitely investing in a laser.

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

I always carry my LCP

Especialy if I go into a Wallmart

Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr Arms P380
 

Once again I would encourage you to wait on the Taurus. It is really the only firearm aimed at competeing in the specific niche of the Kel-Tec & LCP realm. And should be about the same price unless you order the titanium slide.

The more you hear about the LCP the less inclined you are to fork over $350 for one. I would say that with the LCP you have somewhere between 12.5%-25% chance recieving a lemon. Everywhere you see LCP mentioned at the least 1 of every 8 had SERIOUS issues.

Don't be fooled by the post recall hype. Go over to The High Road and read about all the people who ditched their LCP's after the recall or ditched their "manufactured after the recall pistols".

I actually want an LCP too, but more for testing than for PD. Honestly, right now if I were going to own a new, low cost .380, I would purchase the Bersa Thunder. They have a CCW version, and another with a 15 round mag. Highly reliable, proven, accurate, small (not as small as P3AT & LCP) . The choices go up with the price TAG and there are tons of options..... LOW COST = Bersa.