Kahr P380 or S&W Bodyguard 380?

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Mattole

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I carry a Kahr PM9 as my CCW but there are times when even that rather diminutive pistol is too large, so I am thinking of getting a 380 for those times that I need something really small.

I have narrowed the choices to the Kahr P380 and the SW Bodyguard 380. I really like the price of the SW as well as the built-in laser, but I know the Kahr is just a smidge smaller in its' dimensions.

So for those of you who are familiar with both of these pistols: is there any meaningful difference in conceal-ability between these two?

And for those of you who own the SW Bodyguard 380: how do you like it?
 
I checked both of them out at the store. The Kahr P380 felt a little smaller to me (though not by much,) but the trigger was the determining factor. The Kahr's is (as they say) smooth as glass. The Bodyguard left my finger hurting when I tried to dry-fire it. If I had to choose between those two, I'd go with the Kahr.

Have you checked out an LCP? The trigger on that is still a little too heavy for my tastes, but it's way better than the Bodyguard's, in my opinion.
 
I used to own a P380 until I was made an offer I could not refuse. It is the best of the polymer micro .380's. No one else comes close to the Kahr trigger.

I have shot the S&W BodyGuard 380 and had no problem until it came time to field strip......:cuss: I'll never buy one for myself.


MICHAEL T Kahr have saw lots of complaints about their dime store laser Kahr better pistol anyway.
The Kahr doesn't have a laser.:scrutiny:
 
After some research I am starting to consider the Ruger LCP with the Pearce grip extension. The extension apparently takes care of the one main complaint I have heard about the pistol, namely lack of comfort and control with hotter self defense ammunition.
 
kokapelli
Quote:
Originally Posted by dogtown tom
No one else comes close to the Kahr trigger.
I guess you haven't shot a P238!

Yes I have. The Sig 238 isn't a micro sized .380 like the Kahr or S&W Bodyguard. It's closer in size to the Kahr PM9, heavier and in a weaker caliber.

For a pocket gun there is no way I would carry a single action semi like the 238.
 
If the LCP trigger is better than that of the Bodyguard, how bad must the Bodyguard trigger be??? :)
 
I like kahr and carry cm9 or cw9 BUT I would never spend that kind of money on there 380. I would but a KT p3at or rugers 380 first . They work and are waaaaay cheaper. S&W ain't even an option for me.
 
Yes I have. The Sig 238 isn't a micro sized .380 like the Kahr or S&W Bodyguard. It's closer in size to the Kahr PM9, heavier and in a weaker caliber.

For a pocket gun there is no way I would carry a single action semi like the 238.
I have a P238 and a PM9 and the the P238 is significantly smaller than the PM9 and especially where it counts for pocket carry.

238-PM9.gif
 
There is nothing wrong with a Kel-Tec P-3AT.

I've never shot the S&W BG380, but a lot of people really love the gun. Personally, I'd rather have a pocket pistol sans the laser sight. It adds weight and bulk when it is really not needed.

The best .380 for the money is the Kel-Tec P-3AT. For a pocket pistol, I'd go with a DAO.
 
Mattole,probably not much diffrence between the concealibity of the two but I would think the Khar will have more holsters to choose from.
I too have a PM9 and there are plenty of times I carry my Diamondback .380 instead of the PM9 due to dress.
 
I bought a brand new kahr p380 and what a mistake that was and waist of money. Nothing but FTF and FTE, and very finiki with ammo. Not reliable enough to carry. Sold it and haven't looked back. I was very disapointed, when it worked it was a very nice shooter and good looking but that was about it. My LCP and Bodyguard 380 are less than half and they WORK flawlessly. Completely reliable. The Kahr p380 was my first kahr and left a sour taste in my mind knowing I spent that kind of money for nothing but looks and feel. I really like the kahr P9 and plan on purchasing it and giving a shot but ill probably buy it used. For now for a 380 bug ill stick with my LCP and bodyguard 380 because they WORK.
 
SpaceExplorer - I like that term '.. a sour taste in my mind..'! I'll have to remember that. Thanks for the input about the Kahr vs the Bodyguard.

I decided after a great deal of research to go with the Taurus 738. It has the best trigger next to the Kahr and people report it being very accurate and comfortable to shoot.

It seems that there are reports of unreliability on individual examples of all of the micro-380's, so if my 738 does not work as I want it to I will be sending it back to Taurus until it does.
 
Spaceexplorer31 you have to fire at least 200 rounds in a Kahr P380 during a required break in period. It's one of those type of firearms and after that reports indicate that the Kahr P380 works flawlessly.
My dealer brought that up and that information was matched by my research. It takes patience. The Kahr P380 is a fine pistol.
 
My complaint with the Body Guard is the awkward activation of the Laser and the magazine release, and since S&W doesn't give you an opt out on the Laser, go with the Kahr. I have a PM-9 and the feed ramp out of the box looks like it's already made a trip to the shop for a professional polishing.

LD45
 
When I purchased the kahr I put about 300 rounds through it and still had problems maybe I got a lemon? But my LCP and Bodyguard (newer versions) did not give me any problems and did not have to put over $100 dollars in ammo to work. I like the Taurus 380 also, nice choice.
 
I guess you haven't shot a P238!

He has a PM9 so the P238 is not very much smaller or lighter.

I posted some nice comparison photos in this thread but I don't have a Kahr 380 -- don't like the price.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=576986

I plan to redo the photos adding the Taurus TCP if I can find the time this evening. I fancy guns small for their caliber so its just a matter of finding the Kahr 380 at a price I can tolerate.

Only the LCP and Bodyguard 380 can function with Wolf steel cased ammo. All the others choke badly on it (but have not given me trouble with other ammo after initial problems were resolved). You may not care, but to me it says the others have small operating margins.

The P238 weighs more empty than the LCP does fully loaded.

IMHO people that criticize the S&W laser don't under stand point shooting where you use the middle finger on the trigger and the index finger along the side to "point" at the target -- the laser button is right there under it when you do this. Some of them had very hard to activate buttons, I've heard if you call S&W about it they will send you new switches.
 
The Kahr P380 by a long shot. There isn't a better trigger on the market in a true sub compact of that caliber. I carry their PM9 frequently and have not had a failure of any kind. You can get a cheaper .380 pocket pistol, but not a better one IMHO.
 
For what it's worth I wish I would have got the Kahr P380 over the Ruger LCP. The LCP is a great gun, but for a little more you can get one of the best. I still plan to get a Kahr eventually. I do like my PM9 very much, except for the fact that it scratches up cartridge cases really bad. But, I can get over that.
 
I have and it's not that impressive for a SA trigger. YMMV

Buy the Kahr.

It's a mediocre SA trigger. But a mediocre SA trigger is still a lot better than a great DA trigger in my book :D
 
Yes the Kahr has a nice trigger but a nice trigger. Ain't gonna save your butt if its not dependable. LCP,s trigger ain't better but at least it'll work when you need it. What's the point buying a $600ish pretty handgun if its finiky and not reliable? For that price for a bug it better work with common ammo like WWB and it better not be finiky. Now this is just the impression I got from my Kahr P380. I can't comment on the other Kahr pistols including the P9 I plan on buying. BTW with the sale from the P380 I was able to buy the bodyguard 380 and holster and about$150 worth of 380 ammo and could not be happier.
 
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