My own micro 380 comparo (Ruger, Kahr, Diamondback, S&W) WITH PICS

[StrikeFire83]

Hello everyone. So, most of the time I pocket carry my Glock 26. I know some of you think that's crazy, but I have no problem concealing it in jeans and kakis. However, sometimes I have to wear dress slacks or a pair of light shorts, and to G26 is just fat and heavy. SO, I decided to head to my local range to shoot a few micro 380s, and here are the results.

Note: All targets were shot at 7 yards (21 feet).

Kahr P380



The Kahr P380 was by far my favorite. I fired 12 rounds through it. The trigger was extremely comfortable. Classic Kahr. Just like my old PM9. The group isn't wonderful, but they're all centered on the target, I just need to close the group up a bit. Some of the fliers are the result of trying to use the stupid laser. Open sites are the way to go. Felt recoil was very low, and I love how the slide locks back on the last round. There were no malfunctions. I can't WAIT until the CW380 comes out. This one is on the short list.

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380



After hearing how "terrible" the trigger is on this gun, I was expecting the worst. Well, call me crazy, but I thought the trigger was great. The pistol felt wonderful in my hand and the trigger had a long, double action pull but it was always clear when it was going to break. The group is tight, albeit a little up and to the left. I did not use the laser. I fired nine rounds. There were no malfunctions. The gun was light and flat. Second place to the Kahr.

Ruger LCP



I almost didn't shoot this gun. Why? Because I owned a Kel-Tec P3AT, and this is essentially the same gun. And I hated everything about my old P3AT. Everything except the reliability. Well, the trigger on this Ruger was slightly better than the one on my old kel-tec, but I still hated it. And I shot it terribly. Two shots went off the target; you can see them on the bottom of the Kahr target. I shot this gun terribly. The felt recoil was the worst of the bunch and the sights were crap. That said, it did not malfunction like the Diamondback.

Diamondback DB380

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the actual gun. The reason for that is that this gun had 3 malfunctions in 11 rounds. I wasn't limp-wristing. The gun was cleaned and oiled (I went to the range in the morning, was the first person to shoot it). Two failures to extract and one stovepipe on the 11th round that completely jammed the gun up. I walked the gun back to the rental counter after that and the range officer had to use a multi-tool to pull the round out. This, sadly, confirms everything I have read about the Diamondbacks on the internet. That's too bad, because the trigger was awesome, the best of the bunch. However, I would never own one. Ever.

 

[KYamateur]

Thanks for the review. I'm shopping 380s right now. I like the bodyguard but I'm waiting to at least get my hands on a beretta Pico before I buy. The kahr is a little more than my budget for a strictly pocket carry gun.

 

[StrikeFire83]

Thanks for the review. I'm shopping 380s right now. I like the bodyguard but I'm waiting to at least get my hands on a beretta Pico before I buy. The kahr is a little more than my budget for a strictly pocket carry gun.

Yeah, I'm really curious about the Beretta Pico as well. I feel like that's going to be a LOOOOOONG wait, though.

Don't count Kahr out, at some point they'll catch up with orders and start putting out CW380 models, which MSRP for right around $400.

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CW380.asp

 

[jigglyjames29]

The Kahr has everything I could want in a .380

I hear too many complaints and issues with them though

Also waiting on the Pico.

 

[MedWheeler]

Thanks for sharing. Might be a dumb question, but what are the zip-strips for? I assume to indicate a stored-loaded gun?

 

[StrikeFire83]

Yeah, the zip ties were to signify a rental gun to the range officer. I guess it's their way of keeping track of what's what.

 

[jrdolall]

Do you know the year model of the DB? I had the same problem with a DB back when they first came out and eventually they replaced mine with a newer model. According to the owner of the company they had over a 40% return rate on the first year's production due to poor quality control but after he got rid of about 80% of his employees they have apparently solved this problem. I now own two DBs, 380 and 9mm, and both shoot very well and are completely dependable.
I really like the Kahr as well but don't care much for the Bodyguard or the LCP. I much prefer the KelTec P3AT over those two guns. I don't ever recall having a single issue with the P3AT.

I also do not like a laser on a "pocket" gun. Adding size to a gun that is designed to be shot at under 10 yards makes little sense to me. I have a laser on a S&W revolver that I really like but can't understand the tiny guns with one. I guess if it is your only gun then having the laser is a good thing but I don't use these guns for anything but pocket carry.

 

[decoy562]

Was that a gen 2 LCP? The sights and trigger were improved. Serial number would not have a dash.

 

[hardluk1]

Now try a gen C or D tcp380.

 

[Gary A]

According to the owner of the company they had over a 40% return rate on the first year's production due to poor quality control but after he got rid of about 80% of his employees they have apparently solved this problem.

That raises some disturbing thoughts about the soundness of the thinking and planning that went into the startup of the company. I hope they have gotten things worked out but would need a lot more reassurance, personally.

 

[BP Hunter]

I personally don't like recoil on handguns. I hated the el Tec PF9 because it was too painful to shoot. But I honestly found my LCP as a soft shooter and was very accurate with it. I guess to each his own...

Nice review by the way...

 

[StrikeFire83]

jrdolall: I did not get the serial number on the Diamondback. When the range officer saw me having problems, he pried the jammed round out with a leatherman multitool and said that an earlier Diamondback "broke." He didn't volunteer any information and I didn't ask. And yeah, I've never had much use for lasers on handguns, just a personal preference. Given my experience and everything I have read, I will not own a Diamondback product.

decoy562: Honestly, I did not look at Ruger's serial number. I don't know which generation it was. The sites were minuscule. The trigger felt slightly better than my Kel-Tech P3AT I sold 3 or so years ago, but only slightly. It still sucked...to me. But the thing functioned for the few rounds that I fired through it.

I personally don't like recoil on handguns. I hated the Kel Tec PF9 because it was too painful to shoot. But I honestly found my LCP as a soft shooter and was very accurate with it. I guess to each his own...

Nice review by the way...

Thanks, BP Hunter. From what I understand the LCP WORKS, and that's a big plus, more than can be said for the Diamondback. I just personally don't care for the way it shoots. My Kel-Tec P-3AT always worked, I just hated everything else about it. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[jrdolall]

To me the PF9 kicks worse than the P3AT but neither is really uncomfortable to shoot a couple of mags. I ran 75 rounds of reloads through a PF9 last week without any problems. I have extinguished quite a few snakes with my P3aT but I do practice with it a lot. I took a swimming cottonmouth at 20 feet this weekend with it so it is pretty accurate.

The Kahr is still the best of the ones you talk about but the price is about double as well. I don't blame you for staying away from DB. I usually stay away from a brand once I have had a bad experience but I took my DB back to the manufacturer in Cocoa and handed it to the owner. Let's just say he wasn't surprised and "hooked me up". I now own multiple DB, pistols as well as ARs, and have been happy with them. Happy enough that I pocket carry the DB9 on a regular basis.

 

[MedWheeler]

Yeah, the zip ties were to signify a rental gun to the range officer. I guess it's their way of keeping track of what's what.

Oh, okay. Didn't realize they were rented. But, it got me thinking: might not be a bad idea as a method of tagging "hot" guns in the safe, for those who keep some that way, but not all. Could tell family members who might also need to arm which ones to go for.

 

[decoy562]

No worries, just curious. I have the gen 2 which improved the sights slightly and has a bit better trigger. I honestly got it because it was on sale for $269; couldn't bring myself to buy the Taurus, the Kel Tec felt rough, and I couldn't find the Kahr CW380.

I am surprised I liked the LCP and could shoot well with it from 15 feet.

Good write and and each one has their pluses and minuses. Each person should find 1) what is comfortable to them and 2) reliable.

 

[StrikeFire83]

Yeah, try before you buy is always the best policy, if possible.

Many thanks to Nardis Gun Club and Range in San Antonio, TX for renting out these small pocket 380s. Very few ranges do this. Finally, SA has a great indoor range.

 

[pinehtr]

No worries, just curious. I have the gen 2 which improved the sights slightly and has a bit better trigger. I honestly got it because it was on sale for $269; couldn't bring myself to buy the Taurus, the Kel Tec felt rough, and I couldn't find the Kahr CW380.

I am surprised I liked the LCP and could shoot well with it from 15 feet.

Good write and and each one has their pluses and minuses. Each person should find 1) what is comfortable to them and 2) reliable.

269.00 Is the great price I gave recently for one at Cherokee Guns in Canton.

 

[decoy562]

You're not far from me; I grew up in Canton. I live in Douglasville now; bought the LCP at Adventure Outdoors for $269 like I stated and a Beretta Nano same day for $339.

 

[SDGlock23]

I would like Kahr to go ahead and release their CW380, the price should be a lot more reasonable than their P380.

I have one of the newer LCP's with better sights and better trigger. I can honestly say that at apporx 7-8yds it will shoot very well, some holes even touching. The better trigger helps I'm sure, but even with the older LCP's I used to own they were not that inaccurate. I have $270 for my newer "updated" LCP and it's a very good shooter.

 

[Mohawk]

I would agree with all of the above post.

 

[DAdams]

Seecamp LWS .380, a bit pricey yes. High resale value. Stainless masterpiece. No break in.
Extremely concealable. Get one and get that .380 caliber out of your system.
My most carried pocket EDC.

 

[JERRY]

DAdams, your pic has me drooling.... mine is en route as we speak.....

 

[mdauben]

Seecamp LWS .380, a bit pricey yes. High resale value. Stainless masterpiece. No break in.
Extremely concealable. Get one and get that .380 caliber out of your system.

Oh! Shinny!!!

 

[stogiegila]

Nice review!

Two 380's to look at:

Walther PPK - just because...way cool!!! Dead on balls accurate.
Sig P238 - small light very mild recoil and accurate. It does have a safety though

 

[gym]

Shoot them all and see which one works best for you.