For the past 4 years I've been carrying a Kimber ultra carry ll that is only 25 oz's empty. Even after you drop 6 & 1 its not overly heavy, but this thing covers some sq inches.

I'm looking at several so called pocket pistols in .380 and wondered if anyone had any advise.

Im thinking about the Kahr, the Colt pocket lite, the sig single action and maybe the Keltec.

Thanks.

I've not run the .380 Kahr, but have run them in other chamberings. They typically have smooth DA triggers similar to a revolver and are easy to carry. Sights are usable.

My parents both carry the Sig P238 and love them (but don't shoot them much). When I carried a 1911 primarily I considered these but wasnt overly impressed for my use. Nice trigger, but not like a good 1911. Sights were easily visible. Safety was stiff. Ultimately didn't like the idea of a safety in a pocket pistol for me. Found it also a bit larger than I prefer for its use.

Have used the Keltec and a couple of the Ruger LCP (essentially a copy). Significantly lighter and smaller and for me that made a difference for pocket carry. There is almost nowhere that one of these can't go with me. Sights are poor to nonexistant and the trigger is long and stiff (but that's OK by me for its intended use). I shoot my LCP pretty well but consider it a "last resort" piece to carry.

I'm no guru, but hopefully some of that will be helpful. Bottom line - find one you are comfortable with, practice a TON, and carry it ALWAYS.

I have never owned a Kahr but looked at some new ones last weekend w/ my Uncle. They had 4 left. 2 full stainless and 2 polymer frame models. 2 of them the slide stop was malfunctioning. Some times would not lock back at all or were very difficult to get slide released. The other 2 The mag release button would stay pushed in and would not come out. U had to "strip" the mags out they mess around to get them back out. I was not impressed with them at the price they were. I know others have had glowing reviews but I did not buy one.

Ruger LCP

I love mine

My advice is to stick with your Kimber. But your mileage may vary.

Best of luck with your decision.

That's a really odd story... Kahr pistols have been uniformly dead-nuts reliable for me for the past 10 years, and I've owned a bunch of 'em.

I wonder if the "malfunction" of the slide stop was not really a malf. The springs on Kahrs are very strong, and unless you engage the slide stop and hold it firmly the spring will override partial engagement. That's with administrative handling. I have NEVER had a Kahr slide-stop fail to function perfectly during live fire.

As for the mag release, I suspect a clean-and-oil would have solved that problem. Kahrs are manufactured to very tight tolerances and can be "sticky" for the first 200 rounds or so.

Every new Kahr I've had required some break-in... typically, I clean and lube the gun, then fire it til it starts to fail to go into battery, or fails to eject, then strip it down and clean it again. Usually one or two cleanings are all that's needed, and I do another one after I get the first 200 rounds through it just to be on the safe side.

My old K9 went through a good 10,000 rounds with only occasional cleaning and it was a flawless performer throughout that time. I sold it to a young lady who still carries it as her daily CCW gun, and she has also used it as her main gun in IDPA competition for 8 years or so without a malfunction of any kind.

Frankly, I am totally sold on Kahr pistols for reliability and durability, fit, function, and accuracy. There is simply no better small 9mm autopistol out there, and damn few subcompact 40's or 45's that are equal to the Kahrs.

Sig p-238 in 380 cal.

I've recently handled the Karh CW9 and it felt really good, simple and very nice fit and finish.

Last weekend also handled the Colt Mustang/pocketlite. That thing was small, but again fit and finish very nice. I've never shot a 380 but with the very short handle I could see it being snappy, but again no 1st hand experience.

Don't count out the J frame and similar size revolvers either.

Mike.

You might also want to consider the Ruger LC9. Pretty sweet little gun.

There is little reason to stoop to carrying a .380, when in the same size platform you can get at least a 9MM, if not a .45 acp pistol. My new Springfield XDS, with a full magazine and one up the spout, weighs only 25 ounces.

This is a ccw piece, and if the 1911 is muscle-memory automatic for you then vote the sig. The p238 is familiar, small, solid feeling, has excellent sights, and been pleasantly surprised how well it shoots. There are stainless trigger shoes avail aftermarket; that plus shooting and my trigger has come around nicely. Except for wanting to try the 938, don't foresee giving it up for work-environment carry.

i got the ruger lcp the trigger sucks but it goes bang all the time, shoots OK with the laser provided with it. Can't go wrong for $300 only thing wrong with pocket pistols is if your sitting down you cannot get the damn thing out of your pocket easily, big tactical disadvantage to my thinking. I have a Kahr PM9 that is really a pocket sized pistol, much better trigger pull, it has never let me down with a single misfire, misfeed or other mischief over the last 5 years or so. I suggest a PM9 and carry it on your hip over a pocket 380 gun.

...or you might look around for a used Star PD in .45acp.

The Springfield Armory XDs in 45 acp is almost pocketable for me and the Kahr CM9 definitely is, it is smaller than theCW9 and fits in my front pocket comfortably. A few years ago if you wanted a pocket pistol you had the choice of a .380 or smaller, today there are a handfull of 9mm's and the 45 acp XDs may even work for you.... it is pretty much the same size as the S&W M&P shield (that is chambered in 9mm and 40 shorty).

Jerry

I do an LCP 12 oz loaded sometimes I forget it there.

I gave my LCP to a daughter in order to retrieve my Colt's pocket .380. The Colt may be a little large and heavy by today's standards, but at least I can get hold of it. The LCP is just not large enough to hang on to with arthritic hands and the sights are tinny .

Ruger has recently introduced an LC9 look alike in .380. Some prefer that to a 9 in a small package. I basically stick with one of my J-frame .38s , air weight or steel depending.....

Lots of good stuff out there into pick from. Jack

Might be too big for you but I like the CZ 83.

I've got a Ruger LCP, that I installed a belt clip on.

This is my hot summer/backup gun.

I can carry it with shorts and an un-tucked tanktop.

My Wife has the Kal-Tec .380 also with the belt clip.

BOTH make GREAT summer carry guns.

Virgil B.

My vote would be for one on the 1911 pattern like the Colt Mustang or the Sig p238. I do not like long DAO triggers, though some guys really prefer them. If that's the case for you, the Kahr will have the best trigger.

My advice is don't do it. Never carry anything that you aren't willing to fight seriously with. Everyone I've ever talked to that got into a serious shooting with any of the little guns switched over to a full size and weight gun for carrying purposes.
Nobody wants to get into a gunfight. But, if you do, everybody wants to prevail. Much more likely to happen if you are seriously armed. E

Most of the time when I leave the house I have a Glock 27 or a Glock 30 with HST loads in a IWB holster.

However I also have the Keltec .380 with some grip tape on it that I will stuff in my pocket, especially when I'm wearing cargo pants, and the darn thing disappears.

Eremicus's advice above though does ring true. In my area there are spots where I would not go near without one of the Glocks but most areas are not like that at all and the Keltec is sufficient. Good for shooting dogs and a "get off me gun". I wouldn't try head shots at 35 yards with it but have been impressed by the 7-10 yard accuracy with it.

I carry the LCP, it is easy to carry and I can shoot it better than I would have ever guessed. I would love more firepower, but I wouldn't carry a bigger gun near as much. A carry gun won't help me if I don't carry it.

Pocket guns are fun to carry but if you ever need a gun you will wish you had a "better" gun.

Dink

Hoot
I play around with the fads as they come thru ( 380 etc. ) and my advice is stay with the commander size or larger. You will never have to say ...wish I had my old so and so..45 is best.

many times you cannot carry a bigger gun and the 380 is "it" I shoot mine OK, I agree its not optimal but with the 90 grain speer gold dots its better than nothing.

My problem was I would just leave the 45 at home if I was wearing shorts and a teeshirt because it was heavy and harder to conceal. I picked up the Kahr p-380 this weekend. It's like carrying another wallet. My range is open until 8 tonight. looking forward to running atleast 100 rounds throught it.

Rather have the 380 in my pocket than a 45 at home in the safe.

Thanks for all the input.

installing the "lip" for the other finger ..on the magazine bottom made the lcp fit my club like hand....02

the little .380 goes clean thur 5 sheets of "7/16ths obs" (placed 1 inch apart & shot at 15 feet) with a nice "dime like" mushroom to boot.......