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.