[HowardCohodas]

Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

Guns & Ammo Magazine
Meet the Mini-Kahr
# By Patrick Sweeney
# Posted: 12-15-08

http://gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/Meet+the+Mini-Kahr

 

[AZ Outlaws]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

Thanks for the post.

At almost twice the price of a LCP, I don't think Ruger is going to loose all that much of a market share to the new little pocket canon.

 

[jocko]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

Thanks for the post.

At almost twice the price of a LCP, I don't think Ruger is going to loose all that much of a market share to the new little pocket canon.

Probably not , the lcp is a good gun, but for over all quality and design that P380 kahr is awsome. I don't put price as a factor in comparing guns. I love my lcp but I will retire it when I can get my hands on a P380 kahr. Kahr is not in the same league as ruger for mass producing in quantities, they will get their market share IF THE GUNS REVIEWS and works as good as it looked and feels..

 

[camper]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

I'm #1 on the list for the new Khar P380 at my local dealer, if it ever ships.

 

[jocko]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

I'm #1 on the list for the new Khar P380 at my local dealer, if it ever ships.

agree, I have my name on every dealer list I can get on. none shipped yet though..

 

[habanero]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

I think I'll wait a while and see what happens with this one, I jumped in too soon on the LCP, not going to make the same mistake twice.

 

[HowardCohodas]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

I think I'll wait a while and see what happens with this one, I jumped in too soon on the LCP, not going to make the same mistake twice.

And miss out on all the pleasure and pain of being an early adopter? What fun would that be?

 

[kraigster414]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

The driving force (given the proliferation of CCP's) is that folks want a pocketable, reasonably potent and lightweight handgun. Price is not the most important consideration in all cases. If the Kahr P380 proves to be a reliable, well-designed and aesthetically pleasing shooter that can take a heavy dose of practice rounds (what good is a gun if you can't shoot it a lot), I think it will do fine. People want choices, have varying levels of discretionary income, and in short; different needs and wants. An H&K 45 runs almost a grand by the time you walk out the door. A Glock 30 will set you back about half that. Both sell well. There is definitely room for the Kahr.

 

[kensteele]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

i will probably end up getting a kahr, too. doesn't mean i won't keep the lcp tho. but how can you pass-up the p380? ;D

 

[kraigster414]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

i will probably end up getting a kahr, too. doesn't mean i won't keep the lcp tho. but how can you pass-up the p380? ;D

Roger that Ken. I still have my P3AT. An LCP and a Kahr P380 could be a heckuva of a combo.

 

[argyle]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

I notice that it is designated as part of the P series - with an adjustbable front sight. If they add a .380 to the CW line, at that price point they will give the LCP a run for its money.

 

[AZ Outlaws]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

The driving force (given the proliferation of CCP's) is that folks want a pocketable, reasonably potent and lightweight handgun. Price is not the most important consideration in all cases. If the Kahr P380 proves to be a reliable, well-designed and aesthetically pleasing shooter that can take a heavy dose of practice rounds (what good is a gun if you can't shoot it a lot), I think it will do fine. People want choices, have varying levels of discretionary income, and in short; different needs and wants. An H&K 45 runs almost a grand by the time you walk out the door. A Glock 30 will set you back about half that. Both sell well. There is definitely room for the Kahr.

You may well be right, but I still don't think it will put a "big" dent in Ruger's sales of the LCP. There will always be the people who want the newest and best of anything while the masses carry on with what they have or what they precieve as a better value at a much lower cost. Me, I wouldn't spend that much on a little .380, especially when I already have a pistol of that size and caliber. But, as you said, people have different levels of income and as with anything else, there is always room for the higher priced models for those who want it and can afford it.

Are you saying the new Kahr is going to be a more comfortable shooter, able to send more rounds downrange and hold up better than either the LCP or P3AT? I could be wrong (LOL... I usually am), but after the initial newness wears off for the new owner, I think the P380 will not see anymore range time than other small pocket pistols... they're just not that target/plinking friendly.

Not to go off topic (if it is, feel free to edit this post), but does anyone know how the LCP has affected Kel-Tec's sales of their P3AT?

 

[argyle]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

Not to go off topic (if it is, feel free to edit this post), but does anyone know how the LCP has affected Kel-Tec's sales of their P3AT?

From personal experience I can tell you of at least 1 Kel Tec that didn't get bought because the LCP was out there. I can't see how it could do anything but cut into their sales - all 60,000 LCP buyers couldn't be people who bought it just because it said Ruger on it. They had to be at least somewhat in the market for a mouse gun and chose the Ruger over the Kel Tec because of how slick the LCP looks compared to the P3AT and the Ruger name.

 

[AZ Outlaws]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

Not to go off topic (if it is, feel free to edit this post), but does anyone know how the LCP has affected Kel-Tec's sales of their P3AT?

From personal experience I can tell you of at least 1 Kel Tec that didn't get bought because the LCP was out there. I can't see how it could do anything but cut into their sales - all 60,000 LCP buyers couldn't be people who bought it just because it said Ruger on it. They had to be at least somewhat in the market for a mouse gun and chose the Ruger over the Kel Tec because of how slick the LCP looks compared to the P3AT and the Ruger name.

Very true, it will put a dent in their sales, but not that big of a one. The P380 is almost double in price of the LCP. Many folks aren't going to spend that kind of money on a little mousegun. Now when you compare the P3AT with the LCP, they are both about the same price and maybe just as good, but I think the good looks and the Ruger name on the LCP did help take sales away from Kel-Tec and at a much higher rate than Kahr will do to Ruger.

I guess what I'm saying is, that there is room for all three out there. I belive the LCP is going to hold on to the largest share of that market, because it appears to be of better build quality over one model and sells at a more reasonable price over the higher end model. Time will tell....

 

[argyle]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

Very true, it will put a dent in their sales, but not that big of a one. The P380 is almost double in price of the LCP. Many folks aren't going to spend that kind of money on a little mousegun. Now when you compare the P3AT with the LCP, they are both about the same price and maybe just as good, but I think the good looks and the Ruger name on the LCP did help take sales away from Kel-Tec and at a much higher rate than Kahr will do to Ruger.

I guess what I'm saying is, that there is room for all three out there. I belive the LCP is going to hold on to the largest share of that market, because it appears to be of better build quality over one model and sells at a more reasonable price over the higher end model. Time will tell....

I don't see the Kahr hurting Ruger's sales much, if at all. Unless .380s become the next Pet Rock, there is only so much demand to fill. Ruger seems to have timed the introduction of the LCP perfectly and tapped into a lot of pent-up demand that many people weren't aware of. Once saturation point has been reached, however, I think that demand will taper off. Kahr may be the Lexus of the line, with the LCP as the Honda, and the Kel Tec as the '75 Datsun, but I am skeptical of the current sales rate holding through even the middle of next year.

Are you old enough to remember when almost everyone bought a CB radio within a couple years time? Have any idea what the sales numbers for CBs are these days?

In the long run I see Kahr slugging it out more with Seecamp and NAA than Ruger. I would not be surprised to see a P32, or even a new caliber - maybe the .40 Kurtz, or the .327 Sig, or the 8.5mm GAP.

 

[Snubbie K]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

Another consideration is the accessories available for the LCP and not for the P380.

I definitely want a laser on my LCP. I also like the idea of grip pads and magazine extensions. Holster options will be 10 to 1 in favor of the LCP for a long, long time IMO.

You can figure that the LCP is less than half the money as well from the get go.

The Kahr won't cut into the LCP market much at all IMO. You can bet, however, that the LCP has cut into the Kel-tec market big time.

I, for one, chose the LCP over the P3AT. I'll bet that 10's of thosands of others are in the boat with me and there will be many thousands more to come.

 

[jocko]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

Another consideration is the accessories available for the LCP and not for the P380.

I definitely want a laser on my LCP. I also like the idea of grip pads and magazine extensions. Holster options will be 10 to 1 in favor of the LCP for a long, long time IMO.

You can figure that the LCP is less than half the money as well from the get go.

The Kahr won't cut into the LCP market much at all IMO. You can bet, however, that the LCP has cut into the Kel-tec market big time.

I, for one, chose the LCP over the P3AT. I'll bet that 10's of thosands of others are in the boat with me and there will be many thousands more to come.

How many holsters do u need for your lcp or P380 kahr. Fear not they will be just as available from the pocket holster makers as the lcp and kt holsters are. As far as a laser, you dont know that there won't be one offered for the P380 either. Definiltey kahr will not cut into the lcp market, they are a cut or two above that for sure. If price is ur total criteria the lcp is the way to go. I like my lcp but will buy the P380 as soon as it is out (if it proves out as good as my PM9 has).

 

[jocko]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

I notice that it is designated as part of the P series - with an adjustbable front sight. If they add a .380 to the CW line, at that price point they will give the LCP a run for its money.

front and rear sites are dovetailed on the P380 and nite sites version is also being offered. My guess if there is a cw380 it will be a year or so down the road but certainly feasible to do and a $150 or so price reduction would sell like hot cakes. The CW series of kahrs sells better than the PM series, and mostly due to price, internals are all the same.

I have no doubt the new lcps can take the round count to as my friends lcp has 42,000 rounds on it before it went south, kinda har dto compare the lcp to any kt 380 for that type of round count. Not even close..

 

[jocko]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

every lcp sale was just one less kt sale, for before the lcp, they controlled the market as they were the only low priced and low quality also 380 out there. My bet is that they have cut into kt sales big time, 60,000+ lcp.s is going to cut into anybodys sales units. the seecamps and NAA are in a different league yet.
When Ruger gets this lcp recall behind them, they will crank out these little buggers again at a rate of one every 52 seconds and this recall thing will be a thing of the past, soon forgotten, just like the SR9 recall.

Sometimes when a company steps up to the plate and takes care of issues in the professional manner that Ruger did can also help sales down the road, for a consumer knows that this company will stand behind their product.

Recalls although we don't like them are an every day occurance in the mfg-ering industry..

 

[kraigster414]

Re: Review: Kahr P380 in Guns & Ammo Magazine

"Are you saying the new Kahr is going to be a more comfortable shooter, able to send more rounds downrange and hold up better than either the LCP or P3AT?" No. The gun has yet to be introduced so it's impossible to say at this point.

"I could be wrong (LOL... I usually am), but after the initial newness wears off for the new owner, I think the P380 will not see anymore range time than other small pocket pistols... they're just not that target/plinking friendly." Yes, you could be wrong since Kahr's sights would conceivably result in more precision shooting vice primarily point-and-shoot capability. This equates to more range time particularly for the handloaders. 'Conjecture on my part but certainly within the realm of possibility.

"Not to go off topic (if it is, feel free to edit this post), but does anyone know how the LCP has affected Kel-Tec's sales of their P3AT?" There is no available data but suffice to say, Ruger did pull significant market share away from Keltec with the intro of the LCP. Keltec certainly would not volunteer that information for obvious reasons.