What do you prefer?

gjayf77 · March 29, 2011, 10:13 PM

Hello all im new to this forum, I am going to be purchasing a hand gun soon and want a compact 9mm for concealment. I have been looking at a few different brands like the Glock 26 , Ruger lc9, and the kahr. anyways what do yall recommend? I guess its all about preference but right now i'm leaning more towards the Glock 26. input is welcome... thanks!

BarryLee · March 29, 2011, 10:55 PM

Yes, it really is a personal choice. The Glock is one of the most popular manufacturers around, but it is really a Love/hate kind of thing with most folks. Although I have not seen them in person I believe both Sig Sauer and Kimber are coming out with new compact 9mm models.

Willie Lowman · March 29, 2011, 10:55 PM

Go with the Glock.

45Gunner · March 30, 2011, 12:16 AM

Lot of variables but the biggest one is your budget. To me, the most important thing about a carry gun is reliability. While Glock certainly fills that bill, H & K makes an outstanding gun. Is your gun going to double as a range gun and also serve as a Home Defense weapon? Is a 9mm what you really want? Ask yourself all the important questions, do your research, then ask pertinent questions and one day you will discover exactly what you are looking for.

Mosin44az · March 30, 2011, 12:25 AM

How do you plan to carry concealed? It sounds like you're not planning on pocket carry. If you were, a Kahr PM 9 or CM9 (the upcoming cheaper version of the PM9) would be substantially easier to carry than the Glock 26 or the LC9.

If you are thinking of IWB carry, the Kahr CW 9 would be slimmer than the chunky Glock 26, and would be much easier to shoot than the new Ruger, which seems to be based on the unpleasant-to-shoot Kel-tec PF 9.

For reliability, I would rank the Glock first, with both the Kahr and Ruger likely being OK. The Glock and any of the Kahrs would be easy and comfortable to shoot quickly, with good triggers. Dont' know about the Ruger trigger, and it doesn't sound like they've done anything to cut the recoil on the painful Kel-tec design.

If you are OK with something the size of the Glock, the Ruger SR9c is getting good reviews here, and wouldn't have the possible trigger or recoil issues of the LC9.

MrDontPlay · March 30, 2011, 12:58 AM

Those are all reputable brands, so decide if you want maximum concealablity( less capacity) or more shootablity and capacity and less concealablity. Personally I like rugers for reliability and value.

warpig602 · March 30, 2011, 07:19 AM

For a primary CCW weapon, Sig 239, HK P2000SK, Sig 228.........Glock 26 in that order. There is more to CCW than finding the smallest gun possible.

**Spats McGee** · March 30, 2011, 08:29 AM

I would also ask how much experience you have with handguns. Is this your first? Do you have experience with other guns?

Hog Hunter · March 30, 2011, 08:45 AM

Glocks are the most basic pistols on the planet and one of the most reliable. go with the glock. It might be ugly but it will grow on you!!

TailGator · March 30, 2011, 04:19 PM

I carry a Glock 26 IWB daily, but it is not much of a pocket gun to me. I chose it because it hit the balance that I wanted between capacity and concealability. You are going to have to choose your balancing point.

Historically, there has been a trend to go to semis over revolvers due to capacity, followed by a trend to reduce the size of semis until they have little if any advantage in capacity over revolvers. Kind of odd, methinks.

GatorFlash1 · March 30, 2011, 04:34 PM

Lots of good ones, I like the HK USP 45 compact model.

http://www.nazarian.no/images/wep/64_usp.pdf

http://policelink.monster.com/produc.../232-hk-usp-45

Has recoil reduction system and many other nice features.

gjayf77 · March 30, 2011, 04:45 PM

I plan to conceal this gun and carry it daily.. I have been shooting Rifles and pistols all my life and have some experience. I really like the glock 26 my father has one and he is happy with it. so to the people that have and carry a glock 26 daily how do you like it? does it conceal well? I have been doing research and it seems that people like the way it conceals. I will be carrying it in my waist with a holster most likely.

Onward Allusion · March 30, 2011, 05:16 PM

Gluck 26 if you're a believer.

Kel-Tec P-11 if you have less money but still need reliability and you're willing to workout to increase the muscles on your trigger finger.

Both can accept higher capacity mags.

vyse.04 · March 30, 2011, 05:40 PM

I have a Kahr K9 and I highly recommend them. They are large enough to get a good grip on, but still very slim and have an amazing trigger. The PM9 is nice as well, I just prefer metal frames and the larger grip. You can't go wrong with a Glock either if you like the way it feels/shoots. It holds more rounds than the Kahrs, but it is thicker too.

proxpilot · March 30, 2011, 05:44 PM

i carry a Kahr CW9 i think it's about the perfect size IWB carry. i put a Houge handall Jr. grip sleeve on it and it fits my hand perfect too. it feels like i have a cell phone on my side not a gun.

AustinTX · March 30, 2011, 06:10 PM

I'd strongly suggest taking a look at a Walther PPS.

BigJimP · March 30, 2011, 07:00 PM

You need to shoot a variety of guns -- and see what fits your hands the best, the width you like, the grip angle, the sights -- and probably most importantly the triggers ( how they break, and how they reset ) ....

going just by brand that someone else picks --isn't your best informed option.

A buddy and I went thru this a few months ago - we went to my local range - and we put 12 - 25 rds thru every rental 9mm in the rental case ....Glocks, Berette, XD, H&K, Sigs, 1911's .... and when it was all said and done, the gun he like the best was the Sig 239. Personally, I would pick a 1911 out of the mix ...but I like the Sig 239 as well....and I didn't really influence him / just challenged him to differentiate the guns, triggers, sights, etc ...

THORN74 · March 30, 2011, 07:02 PM

Kahr K series (k9 or k40) ... im not a fan of tactical tupperware :P

dean1818 · April 3, 2011, 08:16 AM

Just bought a K9 from Kahr on Friday

.9 inch width

Great trigger

Good for the range as well as IWB CCW

(Also look at the CW9)

I dont know how some of the folks IWB CCW the bigger guns

Go Kahr....Quality gun, made in America

BerettaBuckeye · April 3, 2011, 09:01 AM

Kahr CW9,P9,PM9,K9,MK9 or CM9. All good.

Glocks are a great choice if you want to get shot by your own jacket or holster

Pyzon · April 3, 2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

I guess its all about preference but right now i'm leaning more towards the Glock 26. input is welcome... thanks!

Personal preference is what makes for good forum discussions and chatter at the range, but like a million threads have suggested on this and other forums, the best way to decide what is good for you is to shoot as many candidate guns as you possibly can. A gun range that also has guns to rent and also a retail counter is usually all for letting you try out the rental guns they maintain that they also sell, mine will do it at no cost unless you want to shoot more than 6 or so rounds.

Also, when at a range I am always being asked what I am shooting and why I chose that pistol, and swapping pistols back and forth is very common.

I love the CZ line of autoloaders, but I hope you choose one you like instead of what I like based on criteria like how it fit your hand, how accurately you were, how much recoil it produced, and of course how concealable it will be. Last bit of advice is, until full summer heat is here and we prefer t-shirts and shorts, even a sizable pistol is very concealable with the right attire, gunbelt and holster.

Kermit · April 3, 2011, 07:07 PM

I have not been a fan of sub compact guns. Short grips usually means a modified grip with a dangling pinky, short sight radius means compromised accuracy and thick double stack designs mean they are bulky to carry. That said, of all the sub compacts I've shot, the flock 26 would be my first choice. Easy to find used ones at a good deal, lots of accessories and they are relatively easy to shoot well. Good luck

chasep255 · April 3, 2011, 07:34 PM

Well I would always go for the Glock. Also I think the 26 is a sub-compact. If you just want a normal compact I would go for the Glock 19.

peacefulgary · April 4, 2011, 10:43 AM

Glock 26

March 29, 2011, 10:13 PM	#1
gjayf77 Junior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Posts: 8	What do you prefer? Hello all im new to this forum, I am going to be purchasing a hand gun soon and want a compact 9mm for concealment. I have been looking at a few different brands like the Glock 26 , Ruger lc9, and the kahr. anyways what do yall recommend? I guess its all about preference but right now i'm leaning more towards the Glock 26. input is welcome... thanks!

March 29, 2011, 10:55 PM	#2
BarryLee Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2010 Location: The ATL (OTP) Posts: 3,946	Yes, it really is a personal choice. The Glock is one of the most popular manufacturers around, but it is really a Love/hate kind of thing with most folks. Although I have not seen them in person I believe both Sig Sauer and Kimber are coming out with new compact 9mm models. __________________ A major source of objection to a free economy is precisely that it ... gives people what they want instead of what a particular group thinks they ought to want. Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman

March 29, 2011, 10:55 PM	#3
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	For the haters Go with the Glock. __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

March 30, 2011, 12:16 AM	#4
45Gunner Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 1,902	Lot of variables but the biggest one is your budget. To me, the most important thing about a carry gun is reliability. While Glock certainly fills that bill, H & K makes an outstanding gun. Is your gun going to double as a range gun and also serve as a Home Defense weapon? Is a 9mm what you really want? Ask yourself all the important questions, do your research, then ask pertinent questions and one day you will discover exactly what you are looking for. __________________ 45Gunner May the Schwartz Be With You. NRA Instructor NRA Life Member

March 30, 2011, 12:25 AM	#5
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	How do you plan to carry concealed? It sounds like you're not planning on pocket carry. If you were, a Kahr PM 9 or CM9 (the upcoming cheaper version of the PM9) would be substantially easier to carry than the Glock 26 or the LC9. If you are thinking of IWB carry, the Kahr CW 9 would be slimmer than the chunky Glock 26, and would be much easier to shoot than the new Ruger, which seems to be based on the unpleasant-to-shoot Kel-tec PF 9. For reliability, I would rank the Glock first, with both the Kahr and Ruger likely being OK. The Glock and any of the Kahrs would be easy and comfortable to shoot quickly, with good triggers. Dont' know about the Ruger trigger, and it doesn't sound like they've done anything to cut the recoil on the painful Kel-tec design. If you are OK with something the size of the Glock, the Ruger SR9c is getting good reviews here, and wouldn't have the possible trigger or recoil issues of the LC9. Last edited by Mosin44az; March 30, 2011 at 12:35 AM.

March 30, 2011, 12:58 AM	#6
MrDontPlay Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2010 Posts: 587	Those are all reputable brands, so decide if you want maximum concealablity( less capacity) or more shootablity and capacity and less concealablity. Personally I like rugers for reliability and value. __________________ Someday I'll be good enough to know if a gun is accurate or not.

March 30, 2011, 07:19 AM	#7
warpig602 Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Phoenix, Az......now Iowa Posts: 191	For a primary CCW weapon, Sig 239, HK P2000SK, Sig 228.........Glock 26 in that order. There is more to CCW than finding the smallest gun possible.

March 30, 2011, 08:29 AM	#8
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	I would also ask how much experience you have with handguns. Is this your first? Do you have experience with other guns?

March 30, 2011, 08:45 AM	#9
Hog Hunter Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 386	Glocks are the most basic pistols on the planet and one of the most reliable. go with the glock. It might be ugly but it will grow on you!!

March 30, 2011, 04:19 PM	#10
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,787	I carry a Glock 26 IWB daily, but it is not much of a pocket gun to me. I chose it because it hit the balance that I wanted between capacity and concealability. You are going to have to choose your balancing point. Historically, there has been a trend to go to semis over revolvers due to capacity, followed by a trend to reduce the size of semis until they have little if any advantage in capacity over revolvers. Kind of odd, methinks.

March 30, 2011, 04:34 PM	#11
GatorFlash1 Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Posts: 26	Lots of good ones, I like the HK USP 45 compact model. http://www.nazarian.no/images/wep/64_usp.pdf http://policelink.monster.com/produc.../232-hk-usp-45 Has recoil reduction system and many other nice features.

March 30, 2011, 04:45 PM	#12
gjayf77 Junior Member Join Date: March 29, 2011 Posts: 8	I plan to conceal this gun and carry it daily.. I have been shooting Rifles and pistols all my life and have some experience. I really like the glock 26 my father has one and he is happy with it. so to the people that have and carry a glock 26 daily how do you like it? does it conceal well? I have been doing research and it seems that people like the way it conceals. I will be carrying it in my waist with a holster most likely.

March 30, 2011, 05:16 PM	#13
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	Gluck 26 if you're a believer. Kel-Tec P-11 if you have less money but still need reliability and you're willing to workout to increase the muscles on your trigger finger. Both can accept higher capacity mags. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

March 30, 2011, 05:40 PM	#14
vyse.04 Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 685	I have a Kahr K9 and I highly recommend them. They are large enough to get a good grip on, but still very slim and have an amazing trigger. The PM9 is nice as well, I just prefer metal frames and the larger grip. You can't go wrong with a Glock either if you like the way it feels/shoots. It holds more rounds than the Kahrs, but it is thicker too.

March 30, 2011, 05:44 PM	#15
proxpilot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2010 Location: High Point, NC Posts: 588	i carry a Kahr CW9 i think it's about the perfect size IWB carry. i put a Houge handall Jr. grip sleeve on it and it fits my hand perfect too. it feels like i have a cell phone on my side not a gun. __________________ W. German SIG Sauer p226 W. German SIG Sauer P6 Springfield Armory XD-S

March 30, 2011, 06:10 PM	#16
AustinTX Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2010 Posts: 2,145	I'd strongly suggest taking a look at a Walther PPS.

March 30, 2011, 07:00 PM	#17
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	You need to shoot a variety of guns -- and see what fits your hands the best, the width you like, the grip angle, the sights -- and probably most importantly the triggers ( how they break, and how they reset ) .... going just by brand that someone else picks --isn't your best informed option. A buddy and I went thru this a few months ago - we went to my local range - and we put 12 - 25 rds thru every rental 9mm in the rental case ....Glocks, Berette, XD, H&K, Sigs, 1911's .... and when it was all said and done, the gun he like the best was the Sig 239. Personally, I would pick a 1911 out of the mix ...but I like the Sig 239 as well....and I didn't really influence him / just challenged him to differentiate the guns, triggers, sights, etc ...

March 30, 2011, 07:02 PM	#18
THORN74 Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Chicago 'Burbs Posts: 543	Kahr K series (k9 or k40) ... im not a fan of tactical tupperware :P __________________ Sig P226 .40s&w/9mm -- Kimber Pro CDP .45ACP -- Radom P64 9X18mm Makarov -- Dan Wesson RZ-45 Heritage .45ACP -- Ruger SR22 .22LR -- M&P9c 9mm Springfield Armory Inc. M1A Scout 7.62X51mm NATO -- Kar 98AZ (1917 Erfurt) 8mm Mauser -- Marlin Model 60 Glenfield .22LR -- Marlin 795 .22LR -- Marlin 915y .22LR -- AR15 5.56x45mm NATO -- Springfield Armory M1 Garand 30-06

April 3, 2011, 08:16 AM	#19
dean1818 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 844	Just bought a K9 from Kahr on Friday .9 inch width Great trigger Good for the range as well as IWB CCW (Also look at the CW9) I dont know how some of the folks IWB CCW the bigger guns Go Kahr....Quality gun, made in America

April 3, 2011, 09:01 AM	#20
BerettaBuckeye Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Location: In The Heart Of The Buckeye Nation Posts: 558	Kahr CW9,P9,PM9,K9,MK9 or CM9. All good. Glocks are a great choice if you want to get shot by your own jacket or holster __________________ (\__/) "I would rather be your friend, but if you are (='.'=) not interested in that, I am prepared to be (")_(") a capable and efficient enemy." - Jeff Cooper

April 3, 2011, 07:07 PM	#22
Kermit Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2001 Location: California Posts: 3,020	I have not been a fan of sub compact guns. Short grips usually means a modified grip with a dangling pinky, short sight radius means compromised accuracy and thick double stack designs mean they are bulky to carry. That said, of all the sub compacts I've shot, the flock 26 would be my first choice. Easy to find used ones at a good deal, lots of accessories and they are relatively easy to shoot well. Good luck

April 3, 2011, 07:34 PM	#23
chasep255 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 727	Well I would always go for the Glock. Also I think the 26 is a sub-compact. If you just want a normal compact I would go for the Glock 19.

April 4, 2011, 10:43 AM	#24
peacefulgary Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2011 Location: USA Posts: 714	Glock 26