What do you carry?

I'm looking for a true pocket pistol, not a compact or subcompact, but a pocket pistol.

Semi auto, 9mm is what I'm looking for.

I carry a Kahr CM9. The smaller pistols like the LC9, LCP or Kel-Tec just did not fit my hand and huge fingers. The Glock and XD subcompacts are too thick in the grip to be (for me) easily shoved in a pocket. I would prefer a single stack Glock 9mm or 40 but they no makey.

[This message has been edited by swampstander (edited 3/26/2012 8:58p).]

Agree with you on the glock, swamp.

Was planning on buying a g26, but it is too small to hold and too big for a 'pocket pistol'. I figure if I'm gonnna buy something that doesn't fit my hand nicely (too small), then I'd be better off getting something smaller and thinner than a g26.

Take a look at the CM9. Feels very Glock like. Not as easy to take down though.

[This message has been edited by swampstander (edited 3/26/2012 8:59p).]

I have a Kahr PM9

P238

LC9

Tauras 738 tcp, Bersa CC or beretta tomcat.

[This message has been edited by Signel (edited 3/26/2012 8:55p).]

I have a Kel Tec PF9 but it is just too small for me.

I have a Kimber solo (9mm) and love it (early reviews not so good but I have had no problems) - and my brother wanted to keep it after I let him shoot it.

Many of the guns listed above are a little too large for pocket carry in my opinion (unless you have very large pockets and loose fitting pants/jeans). The LC9 is too large, I think, and even though a lot of people make the PM9 work I found it to print badly when I tried it in my pocket. Still though, if you insist on 9mm then the Kahr PM9 is absolutely THE best choice in my opinion. Ruger, Keltec, etc don't hold a candle to it.

We have a Beretta Nano, a Sig P290, and a Kahr PM9. These are the smallest 9mm's that one can easily find, along with the Kahr CM9 which is the "de-contented" lower-priced twin to the PM9. Although I would not consider any of them to be a pocket pistol, I realize that your pockets may be larger than mine.

Here's a few comments on each, if you are intersted...

Kahr PM9: the smallest and lightest of the three, but also the most expensive. Had issues when purchased. Now worked out. It has the best trigger, but despite this is the least accurate. Perhaps this is due to having the loosest lockup. I don't like the small dot/vertical bar sights as the white parts are quite small. I do not think that the mag release button can be switched. Does not hit to point of aim.

P290: the heaviest of the three, but has a very solid feel. Comes close to a G26 in weight. Feels like a solid, high-quality piece. Like the sights and accuracy, but not much else. Trigger is by far the worst of the three. It has a mushy letoff and a verrrrry long travel. Also, the distance from backstrap to trigger face is shorter than the Nano. Mag release is not switchable. Hits to point of aim at "defense" distances. Comes with an extended mag and a regular one. Even with a laser, it is still less expensive than a PM9.

Nano: my favorite of the three. Like the Sig, it also feels like it has a very solid build, and feels like a more high-quality piece than does the Kahr. Trigger pull, although heavier in weight than the Kahr, is nonetheless crisper in action, and shorter in pull than the Sig. I prefer the sights over the Kahr, and about the same as the Sig. Mags lock in with authority, and the release button is reversible. No slide lock/release lever, so it is the thinnest. Hits at point of aim, and accuracy is excellent. Price is the least of the three, but does not include a laser.

That being said, you might consider the Kahr CM9 that someone has already mentioned. It will be the same small size as the PM9, but cost a lot less - even less than the Nano. Reliability has been reported to be excellent, so it is probably the best buy if money is the only concern. Because of my experiences with the PM9, I will not be adding a CM9 to our collection.

If you want a Nano and can't find one where you are located, the CDNN catalog lists them under $400.....



[This message has been edited by Caladan (edited 3/26/2012 9:27p).]

Ruger LCP

The OP wants a 9mm. The LCP is not a 9mm.

I have a Beretta Tomcat, but wish it was lighter and shot a larger caliber.

quote:

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The OP wants a 9mm. The LCP is not a 9mm.

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He asked what we carry and that is what I posted. Reading wasn't your strong suit was it?

Lcp

Interesting comments on the PM9 above. My Kahr P380 is super accurate. Surprisingly scary accurate. I shoot better groups with it than with any of my Glocks. I have a good friend with a PM9 and it is very accurate as well.

My friends dad sometimes carries a 22mag revolver that folds up and has a clip on it like a pocket knife. No idea about the maker, but it's a neat little gun and a true pocket pistol.

Kel-Tec PF9 with a DeSantis Superfly holster.

I have that pocket .22 mag if you want concealable it's impossible to beat. But obviously you are trading firepower and outside of 7-10 feet it is a crap shoot.

http://northamericanarms.com/firearms/magnums/mag/ms-hg.html

The new Sig Sauer P938 has my attention. Familiar 1911 controls, in a very small package with 9mm power. Can it knock off my venerable S&W 642 Crimson Trace as my preferred pocket carry weapon?

I also have a CM9. Can't carry yet though. Took the class but have not sent in documents.

P3AT or an LCR 38spl.

Want to upgrade the .38spl LCR to the .357 LCR.

Sig P238

LCP, looking to get a LC9

I am also looking closely at the sig 938 for pocket carry. I love my 226, and my 1911. Seems like a good fit, albeit a very expensive one...

I have been considering the Kahr CW 9mm. How does that figure into this debate?

P238 here. Love it.

The CW9 is gonna be a little big for pocket carry, but it is a great IWB carry piece.

I pocket carry a PM45 in DeSantis Nemesis daily. In slacks or khakis its fine, prints slightly if I really lift my leg high, but that's rare. In jeans, it's a but more snug, but I do it. I've never had anyone say something to me.

Consider a Ruger LCP loaded with Corbon DPX ammo. This load meets FBI guidelines for penetration in ballistic gellaton and tissue damage requirements. Other loads in the LCP just don't compare as a self defensive weapon. And it truly is a "pocket pistol".

[This message has been edited by BrazosBull (edited 3/28/2012 12:25p).]

Rohrbaugh 9MM, in almost anything, for years.

If I am wearing shorts/something else w. very large pockets, a 329NG, loaded w. 44 specials.

But, a Rohrbaugh will go into any pocket I have tried.

I spent some time working w. a timer, and pocket guns, and even if I could take a larger gun out of my pocket, fairly easily, I was faster, w. a better hit factor for the initial shot, with my Rohrbaugh.

When I was younger, and wore tight jeans, etc, I carried a P3AT as well - but its not the best choice, barring economic reasons.

The various "pocket" 45s (My father has both a PM45, and a Glock 36), are better used as very easy to carry IWB guns, IMO, unless you wear pants w. exceptionally large pockets.

The 22 Mag referred to above, is, most likely, made by North American Arms.

Good little snake guns/go absolutely anywhere guns. My sister-in-law has one, and a Seecamp 32 I gave her as a wedding present.

The Seecamp is a better choice than the Kel-Tec, or LCP, IMO - both those pistols have a conventional mag release, which is nice for competition, but can be bumped in a pocket. And, if you appreciate such things, the Seecamp is much more nicely made, for about the same price in 32.

(However, if you can swing the ~$900 for a used Rohrbaugh, I strongly suggest one over all other pocket guns. )