UPDATE! April 15th, 2017
Jeff Quinn tests the CM9 9mm and CT380 380 ACP semi-auto pistols from Kahr, now available with Grip Glove in Tungsten Cerakote finish.
Check out the entire line of Kahr products at:
www.kahr.com
To find a dealer where you can buy this pistol, click on the DEALER FINDER at:
www.lipseys.com
To order online, go to the GUN GENIE at:
www.galleryofguns.com
Buy quality ammo at:
www.buffalobore.com
www.doubletapammo.com
www.remington.com
www.ruger.com
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
and
www.luckygunner.com.
Boge
Quinn
A little over five years ago, Kahr
introduced their excellent sub-compact 380 semi-automatic
pistol; the P380. Like all Kahr pistols up to that point,
the baby Kahr proved to be just as smooth and reliable as its
larger brethren. When Kahr introduced their value-priced CW and
CM line of pistols a couple of years ago, they
included the 380 in that series as the CW380. Both of these
are excellent pocket pistols, but some shooters want the quality
of a Kahr 380, but in a slightly-larger package, which brings us
to the newest Kahr 380 pistol; the CT380.
Weighing in at just over an ounce heavier, a
bit over half an inch taller, and a bit over an half an inch
longer, the CT380 is barely larger than the baby Kahr, but it is
just larger enough to make it much easier for many shooters to
control. The CT380 fills the hand better, allowing the little
finger to get a good grip on the weapon. The CT is the same
thickness as the CW, but the extra length also makes it easier
for most people to manipulate the slide, as there is a larger
area to grasp. The Kahr CT380 is constructed primarily of
stainless steel, with a black reinforced-polymer frame.
Critical
specifications for the CT380 are compared to the CW380 in the
chart below. Weights are listed in ounces. Linear dimensions are
listed in inches. Trigger pull is listed in pounds of
resistance, as measured with my Lyman digital trigger pull
scale. Height includes sights and magazine floor plate. Maximum
width is measured across the top of the frame, and includes the
slide lock.
|
CW380
|
CT380
|
Chambering |
380 ACP |
380 ACP |
Weight with Empty Magazine |
11.4 oz |
12.8 oz |
Trigger Pull |
3 lbs 12 oz |
4 lbs 2 oz |
Barrel Length |
2.58" |
3.02" |
Barrel Diameter |
0.469" |
0.469" |
Overall Height |
3.93" |
4.47" |
Overall Length |
4.88" |
5.42" |
Grip Width |
0.776" |
0.776" |
Slide Width |
0.756" |
0.756" |
Maximum Width |
0.9" |
0.9" |
Trigger Reach |
2.32" |
2.32" |
Magazine Capacity |
6 |
7 |
Magazines Supplied |
1 |
1 |
Sights |
White Dot, Rear Windage
Adjustable |
White Dot, Rear Windage
Adjustable |
Accessory Rail |
No |
No |
MSRP as of November 2014 |
$419.00 US |
$399.00 US |
I
fired the CT380 with every brand and type of 380 ACP ammunition
available to me to check for reliable function. On my ammo
shelves, I had only three different types of 380 ACP factory
ammunition available, which is unusual, but that's all I had, so
I decided to go with that. Then, when I began my chronograph
testing for velocity, I found my stash of 380 in the shooting
shack, so I was able to then do a thorough evaluation of the
reliability of the weapon with a variety of ammunition. I fired
several types of ammunition over the chronograph to check
velocities, with the results listed in the chart below.
Velocities are listed in feet-per-second (FPS), and were
recorded ten feet from the muzzle of the CT380. Bullet weights
are listed in grains. JHP is a jacketed hollowpoint bullet.
TAC-XP and DPX are Barnes hollowpoint homogenous copper bullets.
FMJ is a full metal jacket roundnose bullet. FP is a full metal
jacket flat-point bullet. PB is Cor-Bon Pow’RBall. HC is a
hard-cast flat-nose lead bullet. Velocities were taken at an
elevation of 541 feet above sea level, with an air temperature
around the fifty-four degree Fahrenheit mark, with forty-five
percent relative humidity.
Ammunition |
Bullet Weight |
Velocity |
Remington JHP |
88 |
843 |
Stryker FP |
95 |
892 |
Atomic JHP |
90 |
841 |
Cor-Bon JHP |
90 |
1002 |
Cor-Bon PB |
70 |
1231 |
Cor-Bon DPX |
80 |
952 |
Handload JHP |
88 |
844 |
Buffalo Bore JHP |
90 |
998 |
Buffalo Bore FMJ |
95 |
808 |
Buffalo Bore HC |
100 |
913 |
Buffalo Bore TAC-XP +P |
80 |
1177 |
Buffalo Bore JHP +P |
90 |
1120 |
Buffalo Bore +P |
95 |
1115 |
Buffalo Bore HC +P |
100 |
1062 |
Reliability was flawless with every type of
ammunition tested, except for one. For some reason, the
standard-pressure 95 grain Buffalo Bore load would not reliably
cycle the slide to chamber the next cartridge in the magazine.
The empty case would eject perfectly, but the slide did not go
fully rearward to pick up the next cartridge in the magazine.
This ammo has always worked perfectly in every other weapon in
which I have fired it, so I have no explanation for why it would
not work in this Kahr. However, this does emphasize the need to
always test any ammo that will be carried for serious purposes
thoroughly before entrusting that ammo to work well in any
particular weapon. Every other brand and type of ammunition fed,
fired, and ejected perfectly, every time.
I really like the CT380. For me, in my hand,
it feels better and is much more easily controlled than its baby
brother CW380. It is just larger enough to make it more "shootable",
for lack of a better term. It fills my hand better, yet is still
small enough to slip easily into my jeans pocket for concealed
carry. It holds one more round than does the CW, which is no big
deal, but that one cartridge could make the difference, if
needed. The main advantage to the slightly larger size is in the
shooting. I can fire the CT more accurately, quicker, than I can
the smaller pistol. While on the subject of accuracy, the little
CT380 delivers. Keeping every round on a life-size human
silhouette at twenty-five yards is not a problem. The CT380 has
much better sights that does some of its competitors. The CT380
is also priced right, with a suggested retail price of only $399
US, as of the date of this review.
The little Kahr CT380 is a great choice for a
pocket-sized 380 auto pistol. It is small enough and light
enough to always be within reach. It is reliable, accurate,
built right, and built in the USA.
Check out this and other Kahr firearms and
accessories online at www.kahr.com.
For the location of a Kahr dealer near you,
click on the DEALER FINDER at www.lipseys.com.
To order the CW380 online, click on the Gun
Genie at www.galleryofguns.com.
To
order quality 380 ACP ammunition, go to www.buffalobore.com,
www.midsouthshooters.com,
www.luckygunner.com,
www.doubletapammo.com,
and www.lehighdefense.com.
Jeff Quinn
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