[Bill_P]

I'm looking into geting my CCW in Texas, and i'm looking to get a 9mm. The problem is that i'm a small guy, 5'7" and only about 110lbs. so gun size plays a big role in my decision. especialy with a waste like mine. i do wear baggy shirts and jeans 99% of the time. any suggestions for guns for me to go look at and test would be greatly appreciated. also how long have you been carrying?

TIA
Bill

[Al Thompson]

I think we need a bit more info. What's your budget? How do you plan to carry - IWB ?

Don't own one, but the Kahr series gets good reviews and several very gun-wise friends carry one.

I've carryed on and off for 20+ years.

And let me be the first to welcome you to The High Road! :D

[AK103K]

Hey Bill,
Dont let gun size sway you, you will be amazed at what you can carry if you dress right and have the proper attitude. I personally would rather carry a full sized pistol than the smaller ones as they are easier to shoot, for me anyways. I'm 5' 6" 170 and have carried a Colt Combat Commander pretty much every day for 20+ years and have never had any trouble hiding it. I've almost always used a good IWB type holster at 4 o'clock and a good gun belt. I wear a sweat shirt or fleece in the winter or a untucked shirt in the warmer months. I'm not bound by a dress code, so this can make it more difficult if you are, but baggy shirts and jeans would be no problem. The only 9mm's I have are High Powers. I'm not really into double action pistols. If I did get one, I'd probably get a SIG though, just because I have a little P230 and its got a good trigger and shoots well. If you dont know what you want or dont have experience with many, I'd find a range that rents pistols and try as many as I could to see what you personally like best. What ever you choose, get yourself a good holster and belt. They are an absolute must.

[1goodshot]

Check out the smaller Glocks, their easy to hide. I carry a Glock 22 and I'm not a big guy,been carrying for 8yrs and never had a problem.

[Akurat]

Look into the G26 / G27, Kel-tec P11/32/3AT, Kahr, NAA .380, Taurus PT series...good luck.

[dairycreek]

I'm a really large person (6'3" & 290) but tend to like to carry small, lightweight guns for concealed carry. I have a couple of friends who have physical dimensions not unlike yours. Both of them like to carry SIG P220's and 1911's. That's why I say that size is not necessarily a factor. If you have the opportunity experiment. I don't know of many of us who do not have a large sack/box of old belts and holsters that represent an "experiment". Of course, to carry concealed comfortably and effectively a very good belt is IMHO the basic starting place followed by a good carry holster. Good shooting;)

[boing]

These are probably the leading subcompact 9mms, more or less in order of least expensive to most:

Kel-Tec P11
Kahr series (K9/P9/MK9/PM9)
Glock 26
Sig 239

It's all good. :)

Been carrying for about 2½ years. I use the Kel-Tec for deep concealment/back-up, but I'd be happy with any of the above.

[pogo2]

It sounds like you need a compact 9mm. Unless you specifically want a subcompact like the Glock 26, I'd get something that allows a full hand grip for better control, such as the Glock 19. I don't think you'd have any trouble concealed a G19 if you like to wear oversized shirts, as you mentioned. You could also get a preban magazine and carry 15+1 rounds, if you liked.

Other compact 9mm's that would be similar to the G19 might include the Walther P-99, the S&W model 3913, the Sig P239, P225 or P228, and the H&K USP9c. Some of these might appeal to you more than the Glock 19 if you like decockers, external safeties or aluminum frames.

[sanchezero]

Try double stack and single stack guns. I carried a G23 for a long time (doublestack) with no problems. About a year ago I started to carry singlestack guns and now my Glocks feel like 2x4s stuffed in my pants :) .

Singlestack budget: Kahr K9 or P9
$$$ no object: H&K P7M8

Doublestack: Glock 19
Browning HiPower

Sig's are highly recommended and good guns. I just don't like the way they fit/shoot. Sig makes both singlestack and doublestack 9mms.

[Bill_P]

Thanks guys i appreciate all of the responses. sounds like the smaller glocks and kahrs are pretty good judging from the amount of times they popped up. i will be going to a range in dallas that rents and will try as many as possible.

[yankytrash]

I can picture it now - Man walks into the range office and lays down some cash for rental on a couple Glocks, a Khar, 2 Sigs, and an H&K. The man goes in the back and puts on his safety gear. The RO flashes the lights for the go-ahead, and this very strange man starts cramming the collection of guns down his pants... :D :D

[mini14jac]

Bill_P,

Welcome to the 'Road.

I've had my CCW for about 5 years.
I am slightly built, and usually wear a tucked in shirt.
It is an excellent idea to try as many guns as you can.

I liked a NAA mini .22. At <6oz loaded, it was easy to carry, but a really weak caliber.
I've owned several Glocks, and really like them, but they don't work for me for CCW.
The only thing that works every day for me is front pocket carry.
I had a Kahr MK9 that I loved, but it was too heavy for pocket carry.

The two guns I alternate with:
KelTec P32, about 8oz. loaded, (8rds) very flat.
Kahr PM9, about 20oz. loaded (7rds).

Both are relable, accurate, easy to shoot guns.

[Preacherman]

Bill_P, don't neglect the old, but tried and true, Browning Hi-Power, or the CZ-75. Both are full-size guns, but fairly thin, meaning that they conceal well: and the BHP in particular, when fitted with thin grips, is relatively easy to use, even with small hands. A good BHP is fairly expensive, but the CZ is relatively low-cost compared to a Glock.

[.45Ruger]

Try checking out the Springfield XD subcompact do out soon.

[hogan]

I think you will be very pleased to try out several options before you commit. I wanted a Kahr .40 and went to DFW Gun Range on Mockingbird near I-35 in Dallas to try the Kahr P40 Covert. DFW Gun Range has a really large selection of rental guns: Glocks, Kahrs, Sigs, Kimbers, H&Ks... I usually go to a smaller range in Fort Worth with a smaller supply of rental guns, but occaisionally make it over to Dallas when I am looking for something new.

The P40 Covert shot really well and looked very concealable, but found that the recoil of the .40 S&W made it unpleasant for me to shoot many rounds in such a small polymer gun.

I bought a stainless steel Kahr MK40 and have been very happy with it for both carry and practice.

I've found the 9mm to be much easier to control than the .40 in many guns, so you may find that the lighter Kahrs work well with the 9mm.

[rock jock]

All good suggestions. I personally recommend the following:

Kahr P9
Glock 26
XD9
Walther P99 (compact version due soon)

Kel-Tecs can be good also, but sometimes are a little more spotty on quality. I don't like Sigs, but they are a great gun. I don't care for S&W's semi-auto's either, but they are generally very good quality.

The fact is, just about any good quality 9mm will suit you. You need to handle several. BE SURE to dry fire anything you handle. If the dealer won't let you dry fire the gun, thank him and leave. Aside from ergonomics, the single most important consideration in a CCW handgun is the trigger. Ideally, you would shoot as many guns as you can. That is the real test.

[smooth operator]

The whole idea behind a CCW is always having a gun with you. Get something that you feel comfortable carring. If the gun is too heavy or large chances are you won't have it with you if you ever need it. Alot of people I've heard of are sold on carrying 1911's, but don't carry in the summer because the gun is too heavy or too hard to conceal. When I carry a 9mm I carry a Kel Tec P-11. I haven't found anything yet that conceals as well & gives a full 10 round capacity magazine. Usually though I carry a P-32. It's extremely easy to conceal. I carry it, holstered in my back pocket. I figure I'd rather have it & not need it than need it & not have it. In CCW the key word is "concealed".
Jerry

[AK103K]

Alot of people I've heard of are sold on carrying 1911's, but don't carry in the summer because the gun is too heavy or too hard to conceal.
I carry a 1911 IWB all year round and dont find it heavy or hard to conceal. It all depends on what you use to carry it and what you wear to conceal it. A good belt and holster are a necessity, any time of year. This also goes for pocket pistols. If you wear the right clothes, you can conceal anything. Attitude also has a lot to do with it, if you dont act like your carrying, most people wont ever notice, even if its just jammed in the front of your Speedo. I only carry an pistol smaller than my Commander usually due to dress, and thats not very often. Pistols, reguardless of caliber are inconsistant manstoppers, so I'd rather have the biggest and most likely to do it with me. The bigger guns are not that much harder to hide than the small ones, so why bother with them if you dont have to.

[smooth operator]

It's definitely personal preference. I prefer carrying something smaller & lighter. It fits my lifestyle better. A person should carry what works & what is comfortable. I tried to cary a heavier revolver but found myself leaving it in my truck or office- in the summertime, wouldn't do me any good if I needed it. Likewise I know of peolple who start out carrying a 1911 but don't carry after awhile due to weight & concealability. I'm not trying to say all 1911 CCW holders don't carry because of these issues-Hey whatever works.
Jerry