Ruger LCP vs. Kahr P380 - Page 2

Helix_FR · 07-08-2012, 03:37 PM

For the price I'd go with the ruger too. Kahr's are a nice design with a nice trigger but after 800 rounds or so they start to have issues. Broken slide stop is real common but also broken trigger bars is close behind. Kahr says they will warranty them but I have yet to get anything free from them, they always have an excuse why they won't cover it and the prices for parts is high compared to the life span of them. The trigger on the LCP is the real killer on the accuracy. Once the trigger is shortened and lightened, grouping drops significantly. Smiths bodyguard is a good little gun but don't be tempted to buy it bc it has a laser on it. The laser is useless bc of its external push button switch. there is no pressure switch so you would have too tell the perp to wait while you turn on your laser.

rogertc1 · 07-09-2012, 04:47 AM

Get the Hi-Point...great gun for the money.

Hammerslagger · 07-09-2012, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helix_FR

For the price I'd go with the ruger too. Kahr's are a nice design with a nice trigger but after 800 rounds or so they start to have issues. Broken slide stop is real common but also broken trigger bars is close behind. Kahr says they will warranty them but I have yet to get anything free from them, they always have an excuse why they won't cover it and the prices for parts is high compared to the life span of them. The trigger on the LCP is the real killer on the accuracy. Once the trigger is shortened and lightened, grouping drops significantly. Smiths bodyguard is a good little gun but don't be tempted to buy it bc it has a laser on it. The laser is useless bc of its external push button switch. there is no pressure switch so you would have too tell the perp to wait while you turn on your laser.

Listen to HelixFR (who is a working G-smith in a retail gunshop/range) relative to Kahr's durability problems and horrible warranty policies (their always finding "an excuse why they won't cover it"). {See other Kahr threads about their CS at TFF.}

I never recommend the purchase of any new Kahr; and do so for used Kahrs, only, if they are priced so low that one could buy it today and sell tomorrow for a significant profit.

Also, I agree with his remark about any laser unit that has to be manually "switched on". They will usually be useless in a violent confrontation. A Ruger LCP (or the Kel-Tec P3AT that the LCP is more expensively copied off of) fitted with a Crimson Trace (automatic "on" , when you grip the gun) laser unit makes an excellent, super compact, .380 ACP pocket pistol, tool of personal defense.

Helix is correct about the LCP trigger being excessively heavy and long for target shooting. However, is was not designed as a target pistol; and one can learn to use its less than desirable trigger; especially when used with the CT laser unit.

HTH

Charles Christensen · 07-09-2012, 01:40 PM

Well, if you do manage to get an LCP I would suggest you get a set of replacement recoil and firing pin springs from Wolff Gunsprings. I saw some article that told about them and said that a heavier recoil spring set helped with felt recoil. I got all the springs and have installed them but have not been out to test it yet. I have put about 50 rounds through it in out-of-the-box form without the slightest problem. I suppose it don't get no better than that.

3/2 STA SS · 07-09-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double D

I would move to another state and buy whatever I wanted.

EXACTLY...I spent a summer in Cali in 1986 with my Uncle outside of LA and I swear it was like living in a prison.

Mr_Shamrock · 07-09-2012, 03:07 PM

I have had Kahr's and currently carry an LCP. I was happy with the Kahr's, but for me the LCP is just an absolutely perfect carry weapon. I have 400 plus rounds through it without a single hiccup. I just got the Hogue grips today and can't wait to get back to the range...

RysingPhynix · 10-18-2012, 09:33 AM

I'm about to buy one of these two pistols and was targeting the Kahr because it welcomes P+ rounds. the LCP states boldly not to fire P+ and other hot loads. No?? With the .380 being so small for real world defense, it makes sense that one needs the most stopping power as possible. Even the 9mm is considered small in many cases.
I'll admit the Ruger is more comfortable in the hand, less expensive and good rep. And its definitely disappointing to hear Kahrs have longevity issues.
However, a pocket pistol is to save my life. I'll only consider .380's that can regularly handle hotter loads. Any other pocket pistols that fit the bill??

carver · 10-18-2012, 10:35 AM

Welcome to the forum! No matter which .380 you choose, look at the ammo you feed it for SD. Hornady makes a hollow point round called Critical Defence, it is guaranteed to mushroom every time. But it will give you only about 10" of penitration. Solids, or ball ammo, will give you about 14" of penitration. Jack404, one of our members from Australia, recomends staggering the HP rounds, with the solids. That's the way I load my .380's, and .38's.

RysingPhynix · 10-18-2012, 07:00 PM

Thx for reply. I'm familiar with different ammo, just not the two guns in this forum. LCP not ok with P+?? Kahr is? What I'm seeing from this chat is the kahr is better built for hotter loads, better trigger (which is huge); but its more $$ and isn't meant to be fired all the time. I doubt this size gun is meant for daily range days. I'm looking far and wide for another option to the Kahr.... Thx

hardluk1 · 10-21-2012, 10:58 AM

There is not saami rated 380 +P load so don't say kahr said is fine. There are some loads that use a different blend of powders to get a increase in performance and use a +p as advertizeing gimick.

I am a big kahr a carrier of kahr 9mm pistols but there 380 as of yet is not a fully dependable pistol. I went with the taurus tcp. Same weight as the kahr but with a better trigger by far than the rest of the micro pistols for price compairable or less than the ruger and kt depending on model . Also seems to care less what ammo is used.

07-08-2012, 03:37 PM	#26
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr P380 For the price I'd go with the ruger too. Kahr's are a nice design with a nice trigger but after 800 rounds or so they start to have issues. Broken slide stop is real common but also broken trigger bars is close behind. Kahr says they will warranty them but I have yet to get anything free from them, they always have an excuse why they won't cover it and the prices for parts is high compared to the life span of them. The trigger on the LCP is the real killer on the accuracy. Once the trigger is shortened and lightened, grouping drops significantly. Smiths bodyguard is a good little gun but don't be tempted to buy it bc it has a laser on it. The laser is useless bc of its external push button switch. there is no pressure switch so you would have too tell the perp to wait while you turn on your laser. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

07-09-2012, 04:47 AM	#27
rogertc1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Ioea Posts: 237	Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr P380 Get the Hi-Point...great gun for the money.

07-09-2012, 01:40 PM	#29
Charles Christensen V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 208	Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr P380 Well, if you do manage to get an LCP I would suggest you get a set of replacement recoil and firing pin springs from Wolff Gunsprings. I saw some article that told about them and said that a heavier recoil spring set helped with felt recoil. I got all the springs and have installed them but have not been out to test it yet. I have put about 50 rounds through it in out-of-the-box form without the slightest problem. I suppose it don't get no better than that.

07-09-2012, 03:07 PM	#31
Mr_Shamrock V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 138	Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr P380 I have had Kahr's and currently carry an LCP. I was happy with the Kahr's, but for me the LCP is just an absolutely perfect carry weapon. I have 400 plus rounds through it without a single hiccup. I just got the Hogue grips today and can't wait to get back to the range... Last edited by Mr_Shamrock; 07-09-2012 at 04:22 PM..

10-18-2012, 09:33 AM	#32
RysingPhynix Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 2	Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr P380 I'm about to buy one of these two pistols and was targeting the Kahr because it welcomes P+ rounds. the LCP states boldly not to fire P+ and other hot loads. No?? With the .380 being so small for real world defense, it makes sense that one needs the most stopping power as possible. Even the 9mm is considered small in many cases. I'll admit the Ruger is more comfortable in the hand, less expensive and good rep. And its definitely disappointing to hear Kahrs have longevity issues. However, a pocket pistol is to save my life. I'll only consider .380's that can regularly handle hotter loads. Any other pocket pistols that fit the bill??

10-18-2012, 10:35 AM	#33
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,219	Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr P380 Welcome to the forum! No matter which .380 you choose, look at the ammo you feed it for SD. Hornady makes a hollow point round called Critical Defence, it is guaranteed to mushroom every time. But it will give you only about 10" of penitration. Solids, or ball ammo, will give you about 14" of penitration. Jack404, one of our members from Australia, recomends staggering the HP rounds, with the solids. That's the way I load my .380's, and .38's. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

10-18-2012, 07:00 PM	#34
RysingPhynix Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 2	Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr P380 Thx for reply. I'm familiar with different ammo, just not the two guns in this forum. LCP not ok with P+?? Kahr is? What I'm seeing from this chat is the kahr is better built for hotter loads, better trigger (which is huge); but its more $$ and isn't meant to be fired all the time. I doubt this size gun is meant for daily range days. I'm looking far and wide for another option to the Kahr.... Thx

10-21-2012, 10:58 AM	#35
hardluk1 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nc mountains Posts: 293	Re: Ruger LCP vs. Kahr P380 There is not saami rated 380 +P load so don't say kahr said is fine. There are some loads that use a different blend of powders to get a increase in performance and use a +p as advertizeing gimick. I am a big kahr a carrier of kahr 9mm pistols but there 380 as of yet is not a fully dependable pistol. I went with the taurus tcp. Same weight as the kahr but with a better trigger by far than the rest of the micro pistols for price compairable or less than the ruger and kt depending on model . Also seems to care less what ammo is used.