SSN Vet
Member
Just over 10 years I put in for my CCW permit and purchased a poly-framed 9 light enough for daily carry. When I told one gun counter sales clerk that I didn't want to look at mouse guns because I wasn't interested in pocket carry, I distinctly remember his reply.... "you will be".
Fast forward and that man is proven right. I don't carry in the summer months because for me IWB is a literal PITA and it's too hot for cover garments (I'm not one to to run around with my shirts untucked).
After doing my research and handling several pieces, I really thought the CW380 was the gun for me, with the LCP being a close second. So after saving my pennies I was happy to see that KTP had both in stock and I could finally compare them side by side. And I'm glad I did.
Objective comparison:
CW380:
+Trigger is lighter with a more uniform pull weight.
+The bar dot sights are better.
+The slide is 1/4" shorter.
+The grip is 0.3" longer and gave a decent purchase for my ring finger.
+Last round hold open.
+easier to take down.
-The trigger has a sharp corner just above the curved surface that isn't exposed until the trigger rotates. This corner bit me while dry firing.
-Trigger break seemed to be further back.
-The slide stop sticks out a lot.
-$348
LCP:
+ Gen 2 Trigger is much improved. It seems to break sooner and did not bite me.
+The grip is 0.3" shorter, making it print less in my pocket.
+An optional mag bottom plate is included if I want better purchase for my ring finger.
+The slide stop doesn't protrude.
+$199
+0.5 oz lighter
-Trigger pull is heavier
-Gen 2 sights are much improved, but still just adequate.
Subjective comparison:
*The way I see it, this is a point & shoot @ 7 yds or less gun, so I don't heavily weight the advantage the Kahr sights have.
*Though the Ruger slide is 1/16" wider, the Kahr feels wider due to the protruding slide stop and wider grip.
*The wider grip, stiffer recoil spring and extra 1/2 oz. are reported to make the Kahr shoot softer, but again, this isn't super important to me as I anticipate that I will shoot it enough to maintain proficiency, and not much more.
*I can rack the slide on either with no trouble.
*The shorter grip makes the LCP prints less in my pocket. This is more important to me than the better ring finger purchase the Kahr has.
*Baby Kahrs still have a nagging reputation for being a picky eaters.
*Ruger has a better reputation for no hassle CS.
*Last round hold open is not important to me, as I don't intend to carry a spare mag.
*The LCP costs $150 less, and given that to me, both guns will adequately fulfill my purpose, this is a big deal.
This was the first Gen 2 LCP that I've handled, and I was glad that I gave Ruger a second look, as I walked out the door with the LCP.
I recognize that other guys have made this comparison, and giving different priority to the pros and cons, prefer the CW380. At the end of the day, it's a free country and I'm not trying to imply that one is better than the other. For me personally, money is very tight and if I feel I need more than a 7 yd point and shooter with 6 rounds of marginal potency, I have other tools for that. The goal of this purchase is to have a weapon on my person more often than I do now.
I'll follow up with further observations after I shoot the LCP, but I won't be able to make first hand comparisons to the Kahr (unless someone wants to loan me there's )
I'm inserting this graphic form los over at TFL (though I believe he is showing a Gen 1 LCP).
Fast forward and that man is proven right. I don't carry in the summer months because for me IWB is a literal PITA and it's too hot for cover garments (I'm not one to to run around with my shirts untucked).
After doing my research and handling several pieces, I really thought the CW380 was the gun for me, with the LCP being a close second. So after saving my pennies I was happy to see that KTP had both in stock and I could finally compare them side by side. And I'm glad I did.
Objective comparison:
CW380:
+Trigger is lighter with a more uniform pull weight.
+The bar dot sights are better.
+The slide is 1/4" shorter.
+The grip is 0.3" longer and gave a decent purchase for my ring finger.
+Last round hold open.
+easier to take down.
-The trigger has a sharp corner just above the curved surface that isn't exposed until the trigger rotates. This corner bit me while dry firing.
-Trigger break seemed to be further back.
-The slide stop sticks out a lot.
-$348
LCP:
+ Gen 2 Trigger is much improved. It seems to break sooner and did not bite me.
+The grip is 0.3" shorter, making it print less in my pocket.
+An optional mag bottom plate is included if I want better purchase for my ring finger.
+The slide stop doesn't protrude.
+$199
+0.5 oz lighter
-Trigger pull is heavier
-Gen 2 sights are much improved, but still just adequate.
Subjective comparison:
*The way I see it, this is a point & shoot @ 7 yds or less gun, so I don't heavily weight the advantage the Kahr sights have.
*Though the Ruger slide is 1/16" wider, the Kahr feels wider due to the protruding slide stop and wider grip.
*The wider grip, stiffer recoil spring and extra 1/2 oz. are reported to make the Kahr shoot softer, but again, this isn't super important to me as I anticipate that I will shoot it enough to maintain proficiency, and not much more.
*I can rack the slide on either with no trouble.
*The shorter grip makes the LCP prints less in my pocket. This is more important to me than the better ring finger purchase the Kahr has.
*Baby Kahrs still have a nagging reputation for being a picky eaters.
*Ruger has a better reputation for no hassle CS.
*Last round hold open is not important to me, as I don't intend to carry a spare mag.
*The LCP costs $150 less, and given that to me, both guns will adequately fulfill my purpose, this is a big deal.
This was the first Gen 2 LCP that I've handled, and I was glad that I gave Ruger a second look, as I walked out the door with the LCP.
I recognize that other guys have made this comparison, and giving different priority to the pros and cons, prefer the CW380. At the end of the day, it's a free country and I'm not trying to imply that one is better than the other. For me personally, money is very tight and if I feel I need more than a 7 yd point and shooter with 6 rounds of marginal potency, I have other tools for that. The goal of this purchase is to have a weapon on my person more often than I do now.
I'll follow up with further observations after I shoot the LCP, but I won't be able to make first hand comparisons to the Kahr (unless someone wants to loan me there's )
I'm inserting this graphic form los over at TFL (though I believe he is showing a Gen 1 LCP).
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