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Buy the package that fits your existing equipment
DCS387P1: a compact-kit option when you need the battery and charger
Consider the DCS387P1 when its compact format and four-position blade clamp suit your intended rough cuts, and you need the included 5.0Ah battery and charger. It remains a current manufacturer-listed kit with a verified new Amazon offer.
Already own suitable DeWalt power equipment? Compare the DCS387B bare tool. For a new compact kit, compare the brushless DCS367P1 at the same time. Choose from the complete package cost and features you will use rather than the P1 suffix alone.
The DeWalt DCS387P1 bundles the compact DCS387 reciprocating saw with a DCB205 5.0Ah battery and a charger. The saw’s appeal is access: its documented 14.5-inch overall length and four-position blade clamp make it a relevant option when a conventional long body is inconvenient.
This is a saw for appropriate rough cutting, not a substitute for every finish-cutting or demolition tool. Our review explains the package decision, blade positioning and practical limitations. Manufacturer details and exact Amazon US offers were checked in October 2026; we have not personally tested cutting speed, runtime or vibration.
Good reasons to consider it
- Four-position clamp offers useful access choices
- Compact documented length for suitable confined-space work
- Included battery and charger for a new kit
- Variable trigger, LED and pivoting shoe
What to weigh before buying
- Standard DCS387 rather than the brushless DCS367
- Kit may add equipment you already own
- Compact length does not guarantee loaded working clearance
- No measured runtime or vibration comparison here
DCS387P1 kit vs DCS387B vs DCS367P1
Swipe the table sideways on a phone.
| Product and buying link | Choose for | Key distinction | Check before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCS387P1 compact reciprocating saw kit | Starting a compact saw kit with battery and charger | DCS387 saw plus DCB205 5.0Ah battery and charger | Confirm exact charger and seller contents; compare brushless kit total |
| DeWalt DCS387B compact bare tool | An existing approved DeWalt battery-and-charger kit | The DCS387 saw without battery and charger | Include missing power equipment in the total if needed |
| DeWalt DCS367P1 brushless compact kit | A new compact-kit purchase where the brushless configuration matters | Brushless DCS367, 5.0Ah pack, charger and bag | Compare exact included equipment and complete current offer |
Compare what you receive and what you already own. The first two rows use the DCS387 saw; the third changes the saw as well as the package. Every row links to its exact Amazon offer.
DeWalt DCS387B compact bare tool: An existing approved DeWalt battery-and-charger kit
Choose this package to compare when you already have suitable power equipment. It provides the same model’s compact configuration without the P1 kit battery and charger. Check current condition and seller contents rather than assuming the lowest displayed price is a complete kit.
DeWalt DCS367P1 brushless compact kit: A new compact-kit purchase where the brushless configuration matters
Compare the DCS367P1 for its brushless configuration within the same broader DeWalt platform. The maker lists a DCB205 battery, DCB115 charger and kit bag. We do not claim an independently measured speed, runtime or comfort advantage over the DCS387P1.
The kit decision comes before a motor comparison
DCS387P1 and DCS387B refer to different packages around the same DCS387 saw. The kit includes power equipment; the B offer is bare tool. Neither suffix turns the DCS387 into the brushless DCS367.
If you already own an approved battery and charger in suitable condition, price the bare tool alongside the kit. An additional pack can still be useful, but buying it should be a deliberate decision rather than an accidental duplicate purchase.
Starting from scratch is different. Add an approved battery and charger to every bare-tool total before comparing prices. Inspect seller, condition, included items and warranty terms as well. A third-party bundle is not automatically identical to the manufacturer’s named kit.
What 14.5-inch compact length solves
The manufacturer’s length figure is useful for comparing tool bodies and storage. At the workpiece, the fitted blade, battery, required grip and full moving clearance are also part of the package. Do not judge suitability only from a stationary saw placed in an opening.
For a permitted renovation cut, check whether you can maintain the specified work contact and hand positions throughout the operation. A compact body can remove a positioning problem while a longer body may suit a different workload.
Inspect concealed services and the implications of removal before any cut. The onboard light helps you see the visible work area; it does not identify a wire, pipe or structural component hidden behind it. Access and permission to cut remain separate decisions.
Four blade positions are a practical access feature
The keyless four-position clamp offers blade orientation choices within the tool’s approved operation. That can be relevant when approaching a suitable rough cut from a restricted angle or when comparing a flush-cut setup.
Use the exact manual’s blade installation and orientation instructions. Isolate power as directed, seat the blade completely and verify it before reconnecting the battery. A quick clamp saves a blade-change tool, not the need for checking the fit.
Do not choose an orientation solely because it reaches the line. Check blade travel, workholding, the required grip and contact surfaces through the whole operation. The feature is useful when it supports a permitted setup; it is not a workaround for inadequate clearance or unsecured material.
Stroke, trigger and shoe need the correct blade
The DCS387 lists a 1-1/8-inch stroke and variable trigger rate up to 2,900 no-load strokes per minute. Those describe its configuration, not the speed of a loaded cut through a particular material.
Select a blade approved for the saw and the material’s thickness and condition. Clean wood, embedded fasteners and metal require different blade decisions. Tooth count alone does not establish that the blade is appropriate, and a slower trigger setting does not make an unsuitable blade safe.
The pivoting shoe provides a work-contact arrangement to use according to the instructions. Keep the piece supported and follow the prescribed technique. We have not run a timed head-to-head cut or measured finish quality across different blade sets.
20V MAX does not prove extra power over every 18V saw
DeWalt defines 20V MAX as maximum initial battery voltage without workload; nominal voltage is 18. It should not be read as a measured performance advantage over every tool branded 18V. Battery systems, motor design and the actual task all matter.
Likewise, a 5.0Ah capacity is not a universal runtime promise. Material, blade, operating method, pack condition and charging arrangement affect how the kit works through a project. We have not measured a standardized cut count for the included battery.
Use only the approved battery and charging arrangement for the exact model. Similar voltage labels do not establish interchangeability with older packs or another brand. Inspect existing equipment and follow its own charging instructions before relying on it for a new tool.
When to compare the brushless DCS367P1
The DCS367P1 is a separate compact kit built around a documented brushless DCS367 saw. It also lists a four-position clamp, 1-1/8-inch stroke and up-to-2,900-SPM variable trigger. The shared headline figures do not make the saws identical.
Compare the brushless configuration and actual package cost when buying new. DeWalt’s promotional runtime multiplier uses a named older-tool test baseline, so it is not a direct DCS387-versus-DCS367 result and is not repeated here as our own finding.
If a working DCS387 already meets your intended tasks, identify a real limitation before replacing it. Access, worn equipment or a changed workload can justify another tool; a different motor label alone is not a complete upgrade plan.
Blade setup and care for a compact rough-cutting kit
Before changing a blade
Follow the exact battery-removal and blade-change procedure. Inspect the blade and clamp, seat the shank completely and verify the permitted orientation. Check projection through the whole stroke, not only the stationary position.
Select the blade for the actual material and thickness. Resolve an unsuitable blade, damaged clamp or inadequate clearance before starting the cut.
Before the first project cut
Support and secure the work using the prescribed arrangement. Inspect the cutting area and concealed services where relevant. Use the required grip and protective equipment, and keep bystanders outside the work area.
Follow the operating method in the manual. Stop to investigate unusual behavior or loss of control rather than applying more force to an unresolved setup problem.
After use and before storage
Isolate the tool before cleaning. Remove debris using the approved method and inspect the clamp, shoe, blade and power connection for damage. Do not lubricate or modify parts using advice for another saw.
Store the blade protected and the tool dry. Keep the battery and charger in their prescribed environment. Carry an appropriate selection of labeled blades so the kit is ready for the next material.
DCS387P1 questions before buying
Is the DCS387P1 obsolete?
It remains on the manufacturer’s site, and our October 2026 check found a new Amazon offer. Recheck current stock and seller terms before purchase.
Is DCS387P1 the same saw as DCS387B?
Both packages use the DCS387 saw. P1 adds the named battery-and-charger package; the selected B offer is bare tool.
Is this the brushless DCS367?
No. DCS367P1 is a separate brushless compact kit and is included as a comparison.
Which charger is guaranteed in every offer?
The current DCS387P1 manufacturer page lists a charger without specifying its model. Confirm the exact seller contents rather than promising one charger across all packages.
Does 20V MAX mean it is more powerful than every 18V saw?
No. DeWalt lists 18V nominal for this platform. Compare the tool and task rather than a maximum-voltage label alone.
Will the kit make finish-quality straight cuts?
It is a reciprocating saw for suitable rough cuts. Choose a different cutting format when the project needs a guided finish cut.
Choose the compact kit for the access and equipment you need
Shortlist the DCS387P1 when its compact body and four-position clamp meet the work and you need the kit’s power equipment. Compare DCS387B when already equipped, and DCS367P1 before a new brushless-kit decision.
Match the blade, workholding and operating clearance first, then compare the complete current offer.
Research and editorial approach
DeWalt US product documentation and exact Amazon US offers were checked in October 2026. This is a researched editorial review; we have not personally tested cutting speed, runtime, vibration or durability. Stock, condition and seller packages can change.