Going smaller than a 9mm without compromising durability
There was a time I avoided some of the smaller Kel-Tec firearms even though some really smart and good people I know were carrying them. When I saw some of the ballistics for .380, 22LR and 32acp, I wasn’t impressed and being on the “experienced” side of life, I know how big and drugged up some people are and going with firearms that punch tiny holes are have, in most situations, very poor penetration, I was not going to choose to go with something that needs recoil spring replacements after putting 500rds through it. Some fancy guns like the Rohrbaugh 9mm are nice but very expensive and high maintenance. I ended up with a Sig 239 considering its very reliable history and it’s 9mm ballistics.
Things have changed, changed for the .380, both gun designs and the ballistics of the round have improved by several hundred feet per second, as well as the durability of firearms chambered for this. Kahr Firearms have a very good reputation for both being reliable and small, Kahr magazines are not that uncommon and getting replacement parts or not burning a hole in your pocket are a good thing. Even Glock has jumped on the bandwagon this year with a .380 chambered Glock 42. I don’t like to be the first to buy guns made by manufacturers that are putting their first on the line, but Kahr has been a safe bet for a long time.