Which small 9mm?

Glockfan35 · May 7, 2011, 02:44 PM

I'm thinking (more like playing with the idea of) ordering a small 9mm pistol for occasional concealed carry. Which of the current crop of pocketable 9's would you guys go with for this style of carry? I gotta say, I like the LC9 & the PM9 the most. The majority of gun stores in my area don't carry either of these pistols AFAIK. That being said, I wanna make a decision I'll be ok with.

Microgunner · May 7, 2011, 02:50 PM

I have experience with the PM9 and find it to be a fine little pistol. A tad big for easy pocket carry but pocketable none the less.
I particularly like the trigger.
Not a big fan of Ruger although I've owned dozens over the years (but not a LC9).

mesinge2 · May 7, 2011, 03:00 PM

I like my PF9. It has been reliable with FMJs and HPs alike and its quite accurate for a pocket 9. My only complaint is the sharp recoil. However, I voted for the Ruger LC9; only because the LC9 didn't exist when I bought the PF9. If it did I would have prefered the Ruger.

9mm Kel-Tec pf9.jpg

WVsig · May 7, 2011, 03:05 PM

Kahr CM9 Cheaper than the PM9 and for the intended purpose more than enough gun.

That said unless you are in cargo pants none on the list are really pocketable.

towncarblue · May 7, 2011, 03:07 PM

there should not be a poll. the answer is
either a KAHR PM9 or a KAHR CM9.

known reliability , excellent trigger .

Glockfan35 · May 7, 2011, 03:23 PM

I had no idea the PF9 has a light rail, I might have to check that out! Accessory rails aren't something you normally on subcompact pistols, more like you RARELY see rails on pocket rockets! I'd also like to give the DB9 a try, whenever they become available; thinking it just might work for me. I like the Kahrs, except for two things:
1. Purchase price- if I'm going to drop $400 or more on a gun, I'd prefer higher capacity.
2. Grip size- it just doesn't seem particularly comfortable or appealing to me, kinda like the P3AT (which I sold because I absolutely hated the recoil and lack of grip space). JMVHO, YMMV!!!

Rjeezie · May 7, 2011, 03:37 PM

I'm in the same market as you. After asking around, I've narrowed my search down to LC9 or Kel-Tec PF9... Mainly because of cost. But if I can find a good deal on a used Kahr, I would probably settle there.

catnphx · May 7, 2011, 03:43 PM

I was in a couple of gun stores this morning and finally handled several single stack 9mm's. The best feel in MY HAND was the Kahr CW9. It felt great and could very well be my next gun!!

Also, Cabella's is having on a sale on this gun for $420 new for the entire month of May.

CWKahrFan · May 7, 2011, 03:57 PM

In your poll, you list Ruger CM9... ????... Do you mean Kahr CM9?

Glockfan35 · May 7, 2011, 04:02 PM

Why yes I DID MEAN the CM9; thanks for pointing that one out!

Uncle Malice · May 7, 2011, 04:09 PM

Walther PPS trumps all of these.

Superior quality, workmanship, accuracy, and felt recoil. It might be slightly larger than some of those mentioned, but is still very compact. It has long slide rails similar to a Sig. It has a very Glock-like trigger - only better with very, very little over travel. This gun just screams quality of a full-size service gun while being a very compact gun and an excellent choice for CCW.

Mine has been 100% reliable.

Coltman 77 · May 7, 2011, 04:47 PM

Walther PPS or HK P2000 SK.

I have both and have put several thousand rds. of a wide assortment of fmj and jhp ammo though them with ZERO failures.

Both are very accurate at 25 yds., require no break-in period and are easy to carry.

They are easy to take down for cleaning and that's important, IMO.

Do they cost more than the other pistols mentioned in this thread?

Yes.

And they are worth every penny. Especially when your life may depend on a pistol you can trust to be dead nuts reliable.

towncarblue · May 7, 2011, 05:04 PM

if you can get a ruger lc9 and a kahr cm9/pm9 side by side you will notice the difference in the triggers. i was first shopping for a lc9 before i got the cm9. the trigger on the lc9 reminded me of the trigger that my micro desert eagle has [ very long , and heavy ]

if you can find one , the kahr cm9 is what you should get

stormyone · May 7, 2011, 09:10 PM

I voted for the PM9 & LC9.

zombieslayer · May 7, 2011, 10:01 PM

I agree with Uncle Malice. The PPS is the cream of the crop of small concealable 9's.

BlayGlock · May 7, 2011, 10:10 PM

I've had good luck with both kahr pm9 & mk9

JBB · May 8, 2011, 07:15 AM

I have a Kahr CW9 that has been perfect out of the box. A little big for pocket carry, but a great value and a great shooter. I wouldn't want to be one of the first to buy an LC9, given the history of the recalls on the LCP, but I'm sure they will be nice carry guns at a reasonable price. I would not be afraid to buy a KelTec if cost was an issue. I believe they are good guns for the money. Ruger keeps copying them, after all.

Thespis · May 8, 2011, 09:40 AM

Another Kahr PM9 fan...

coop2564 · May 8, 2011, 11:44 AM

PF9 has better trigger than LC9 IMO.

DaveH · May 8, 2011, 12:20 PM

Glockfan35:

Quote:

of the current crop of pocketable 9's...

Coltman 77:

Quote:

Walther PPS or HK P2000 SK

How well do these carry in a pocket? The published specs seem a little large for a normal pocket carry. In fact, the Glock G19 is listed as beating the HK and I wouldn't pocket carry my 19. The Walther may be closer to "pocketable".

Marco Califo · May 8, 2011, 12:25 PM

Why no G26?
I refuse to vote.

Uncle Malice · May 8, 2011, 02:36 PM

I have no problem pocket carrying my pps with the flat, 6 round magazine in. The 7 round mag is doable, and the 8 round mag makes a nice reload.

In fact, I'm carrying my pps today in the front right pocket of my shorts. just went to the movies, now at the future in-laws for mother's day.

I don't think the specs really do justice to appreciate how small the pps is. The weight is just a hair under the glock 26, but it's significantly thinner and doesn't "feel" as heavy. The pps is much easier to conceal than my glock 27.

I've had Kahr and I've shot Keltec. In my opinion, the PPS is superior.

ak-kev · May 8, 2011, 02:36 PM

The boss at the gun store where I work part-time carries the Walthers, and they are fine pistols. However, they are not in the same league as the PM9 as far as concealed carry goes. As an experiment, I put the PM9 in a Nemisis and carried it my front pocket at the store for a few hours and soon forgot it was there as I was helping customers. I had extreme trouble even getting the Walther in my pocket and only carried for a few minutes as it looked ridiculous. If you want a 9mm in a 380 size gun the PM9 is the way to go. If you can tolerate the larger size and want a better grip and better control then its the PPS. Just my thoughts. Kevin.

BOBA FETT · May 8, 2011, 02:40 PM

RUGER SR9C

Glockfan35 · May 8, 2011, 03:12 PM

Because I already own the G26, and all the guns listed in the poll are one's I'm considering purchasing. While I'm sure the PPS and the SR9C are really good guns, I'm pretty sure they won't work in my situation of needing a pocketable 9mm for ccw. I've never shot or even handled either of those, but I have handled the full-size SR9, I really liked it, didn't buy it because it didn't fit my idea of ccw. Ruger and Walther have some of the best quality in the industry, IMVHO. But, I like the P11, LC9, PF9, & DB9 the most out of the current crop of pocket 9's out on the market right now. My only problem of late has been getting to a store within reasonable driving distance to look at 'em and compare first. With all that's been said, I think I'll go with the P11 as it's the only one I've had any experience with. Thanks for your replies!

View Poll Results: Which pocket 9mm do you prefer?
Ruger LC9	26	25.74%
Kahr PM9	52	51.49%
Ruger CM9	5	4.95%
KelTec PF9	13	12.87%
Kel-Tec P11	6	5.94%
Diamondback DB9	2	1.98%
Rohrbaugh R9	6	5.94%
SCCY CPX-1	0	0%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 101. You may not vote on this poll

May 7, 2011, 02:44 PM	#1
Glockfan35 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2011 Location: Kentucky Posts: 113	Which small 9mm? I'm thinking (more like playing with the idea of) ordering a small 9mm pistol for occasional concealed carry. Which of the current crop of pocketable 9's would you guys go with for this style of carry? I gotta say, I like the LC9 & the PM9 the most. The majority of gun stores in my area don't carry either of these pistols AFAIK. That being said, I wanna make a decision I'll be ok with. __________________ "The best revenge is not in violence, but simply living well".

May 7, 2011, 02:50 PM	#2
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	I have experience with the PM9 and find it to be a fine little pistol. A tad big for easy pocket carry but pocketable none the less. I particularly like the trigger. Not a big fan of Ruger although I've owned dozens over the years (but not a LC9). __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member* Last edited by Microgunner; May 7, 2011 at 03:29 PM.

May 7, 2011, 03:00 PM	#3
mesinge2 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2011 Posts: 121	I like my PF9. It has been reliable with FMJs and HPs alike and its quite accurate for a pocket 9. My only complaint is the sharp recoil. However, I voted for the Ruger LC9; only because the LC9 didn't exist when I bought the PF9. If it did I would have prefered the Ruger. 9mm Kel-Tec pf9.jpg __________________ "There are three and only three ways to reform our Congressional legislation, familiarly called, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box". - Stephen Decatur Miller (May 8, 1787 – March 8, 1838)

May 7, 2011, 03:05 PM	#4
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	Kahr CM9 Cheaper than the PM9 and for the intended purpose more than enough gun. That said unless you are in cargo pants none on the list are really pocketable. __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

May 7, 2011, 03:07 PM	#5
towncarblue Member Join Date: July 1, 2009 Posts: 71	there should not be a poll. the answer is either a KAHR PM9 or a KAHR CM9. known reliability , excellent trigger .

May 7, 2011, 03:23 PM	#6
Glockfan35 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2011 Location: Kentucky Posts: 113	A subcompact with a light rail?!?! I'm down wit that! I had no idea the PF9 has a light rail, I might have to check that out! Accessory rails aren't something you normally on subcompact pistols, more like you RARELY see rails on pocket rockets! I'd also like to give the DB9 a try, whenever they become available; thinking it just might work for me. I like the Kahrs, except for two things: 1. Purchase price- if I'm going to drop $400 or more on a gun, I'd prefer higher capacity. 2. Grip size- it just doesn't seem particularly comfortable or appealing to me, kinda like the P3AT (which I sold because I absolutely hated the recoil and lack of grip space). JMVHO, YMMV!!! __________________ "The best revenge is not in violence, but simply living well".

May 7, 2011, 03:37 PM	#7
Rjeezie Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 232	I'm in the same market as you. After asking around, I've narrowed my search down to LC9 or Kel-Tec PF9... Mainly because of cost. But if I can find a good deal on a used Kahr, I would probably settle there.

May 7, 2011, 03:43 PM	#8
catnphx Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Location: North Phoenix, AZ Posts: 168	I was in a couple of gun stores this morning and finally handled several single stack 9mm's. The best feel in MY HAND was the Kahr CW9. It felt great and could very well be my next gun!! Also, Cabella's is having on a sale on this gun for $420 new for the entire month of May.

May 7, 2011, 03:57 PM	#9
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	In your poll, you list Ruger CM9... ????... Do you mean Kahr CM9? __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

May 7, 2011, 04:02 PM	#10
Glockfan35 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2011 Location: Kentucky Posts: 113	Oops!!! Why yes I DID MEAN the CM9; thanks for pointing that one out! __________________ "The best revenge is not in violence, but simply living well".

May 7, 2011, 04:09 PM	#11
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	Walther PPS trumps all of these. Superior quality, workmanship, accuracy, and felt recoil. It might be slightly larger than some of those mentioned, but is still very compact. It has long slide rails similar to a Sig. It has a very Glock-like trigger - only better with very, very little over travel. This gun just screams quality of a full-size service gun while being a very compact gun and an excellent choice for CCW. Mine has been 100% reliable. __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave Last edited by Uncle Malice; May 7, 2011 at 04:29 PM.

May 7, 2011, 04:47 PM	#12
Coltman 77 Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2009 Location: NC Posts: 1,244	Walther PPS or HK P2000 SK. I have both and have put several thousand rds. of a wide assortment of fmj and jhp ammo though them with ZERO failures. Both are very accurate at 25 yds., require no break-in period and are easy to carry. They are easy to take down for cleaning and that's important, IMO. Do they cost more than the other pistols mentioned in this thread? Yes. And they are worth every penny. Especially when your life may depend on a pistol you can trust to be dead nuts reliable. __________________ "A man can be destroyed but not defeated". Ernest Hemingway Protect our 2nd Amendment Rights -- Join the NRA Last edited by Coltman 77; May 7, 2011 at 04:58 PM.

May 7, 2011, 05:04 PM	#13
towncarblue Member Join Date: July 1, 2009 Posts: 71	if you can get a ruger lc9 and a kahr cm9/pm9 side by side you will notice the difference in the triggers. i was first shopping for a lc9 before i got the cm9. the trigger on the lc9 reminded me of the trigger that my micro desert eagle has [ very long , and heavy ] if you can find one , the kahr cm9 is what you should get

May 7, 2011, 09:10 PM	#14
stormyone Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2005 Location: midwest Posts: 532	I voted for the PM9 & LC9.

May 7, 2011, 10:01 PM	#15
zombieslayer Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,198	I agree with Uncle Malice. The PPS is the cream of the crop of small concealable 9's. __________________ "An angry prophet, denouncing the hypocrisies of our time"

May 7, 2011, 10:10 PM	#16
BlayGlock Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 243	I've had good luck with both kahr pm9 & mk9 __________________ (Space for Rent.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txeGZoBW7vY The Double Glock TM.

May 8, 2011, 07:15 AM	#17
JBB Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: SW Florida Posts: 105	I have a Kahr CW9 that has been perfect out of the box. A little big for pocket carry, but a great value and a great shooter. I wouldn't want to be one of the first to buy an LC9, given the history of the recalls on the LCP, but I'm sure they will be nice carry guns at a reasonable price. I would not be afraid to buy a KelTec if cost was an issue. I believe they are good guns for the money. Ruger keeps copying them, after all.

May 8, 2011, 09:40 AM	#18
Thespis Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2010 Location: New England Posts: 125	Another Kahr PM9 fan...

May 8, 2011, 11:44 AM	#19
coop2564 Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2011 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 330	PF9 has better trigger than LC9 IMO.

May 8, 2011, 12:25 PM	#21
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	Why no G26? Why no G26? I refuse to vote. __________________ ............

May 8, 2011, 02:36 PM	#22
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	I have no problem pocket carrying my pps with the flat, 6 round magazine in. The 7 round mag is doable, and the 8 round mag makes a nice reload. In fact, I'm carrying my pps today in the front right pocket of my shorts. just went to the movies, now at the future in-laws for mother's day. I don't think the specs really do justice to appreciate how small the pps is. The weight is just a hair under the glock 26, but it's significantly thinner and doesn't "feel" as heavy. The pps is much easier to conceal than my glock 27. I've had Kahr and I've shot Keltec. In my opinion, the PPS is superior. __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

May 8, 2011, 02:36 PM	#23
ak-kev Member Join Date: March 10, 2009 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 73	The boss at the gun store where I work part-time carries the Walthers, and they are fine pistols. However, they are not in the same league as the PM9 as far as concealed carry goes. As an experiment, I put the PM9 in a Nemisis and carried it my front pocket at the store for a few hours and soon forgot it was there as I was helping customers. I had extreme trouble even getting the Walther in my pocket and only carried for a few minutes as it looked ridiculous. If you want a 9mm in a 380 size gun the PM9 is the way to go. If you can tolerate the larger size and want a better grip and better control then its the PPS. Just my thoughts. Kevin.

May 8, 2011, 02:40 PM	#24
BOBA FETT Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2006 Posts: 277	RUGER SR9C

May 8, 2011, 03:12 PM	#25
Glockfan35 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2011 Location: Kentucky Posts: 113	Why no G26? Here's why: Because I already own the G26, and all the guns listed in the poll are one's I'm considering purchasing. While I'm sure the PPS and the SR9C are really good guns, I'm pretty sure they won't work in my situation of needing a pocketable 9mm for ccw. I've never shot or even handled either of those, but I have handled the full-size SR9, I really liked it, didn't buy it because it didn't fit my idea of ccw. Ruger and Walther have some of the best quality in the industry, IMVHO. But, I like the P11, LC9, PF9, & DB9 the most out of the current crop of pocket 9's out on the market right now. My only problem of late has been getting to a store within reasonable driving distance to look at 'em and compare first. With all that's been said, I think I'll go with the P11 as it's the only one I've had any experience with. Thanks for your replies! __________________ "The best revenge is not in violence, but simply living well".