[Phaetos]

I know this has been hashed a million times. As stated before in a previous post, I have tried carrying my 40 SC and it is just too big for my frame. I have looked at the Thunder .380 and like it's size and think it will work for me. BUT, of course there is one, I am beginning to think I want a little more punch, so a 9mm is in order. What is out there that is about the same as a Bersa? It would be nice if the sidearm wasn't just a rebadged/chambered other model, like the XD's. All the same size in the SC, just chambered for whatever caliber you want. Therefore all the slides and grips, etc are the same, just a smaller exit hole :rolleyes: What should I look for?

[TOADMAN]

Kahr pm9
S&W 642

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Phaetos My Friend-

Size wise, look at the Keltec P-11, as its chambered in 9m/m and its
just a little more dough~!:D

[Phaetos]

Kahr pm9
S&W 642

Ok, maybe I shoulda excluded wheelguns from the original post. :)

[Phaetos]

Greeting's Phaetos My Friend-

Size wise, look at the Keltec P-11, as its chambered in 9m/m and its
just a little more dough~!:D

I'll look into it my friend. BTW: GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!!

[grimjaw]

A Makarov in 9x18 has a little more 'bark' but not necessarily more 'bite' than a Bersa in .380. A Kahr K9/P9 will be about the same size as the Bersa.

Gun/H/L/W
Bersa/6 5/8"/4 3/4"/1 7/16"
Kahr K9/6"/4.5"/0.90"

If you can afford it, the HK P7M8 would fit the bill. S&W 908 is close, as well as Sig 239.

jmm

[Phaetos]

A Makarov in 9x18 has a little more 'bark' but not necessarily more 'bite' than a Bersa in .380. A Kahr K9/P9 will be about the same size as the Bersa.

Gun/H/L/W
Bersa/6 5/8"/4 3/4"/1 7/16"
Kahr K9/6"/4.5"/0.90"

If you can afford it, the HK P7M8 would fit the bill. S&W 908 is close, as well as Sig 239.

jmm

By those measurements, the Kahr is actually smaller, but pics sure look larger.

[grimjaw]

Phaetos, it's been awhile since I've held either pistol, and never side by side, but the measurements were pulled from the respective websites of each manufacturer. I do remember the grip on the Kahr is very slim. Since I have small hands, that's a plus for me. I have a Kahr K9 inbound, and I'll probably post a range report once I've had it a few weeks.

jmm

[tgfang]

Bersa also makes a 9mm that is, I think, the same size as their .380.

Tom

[denfoote]

Have you considered the Kahr MK9???

It's smaller than the K9.

I've had one for years.

[Phaetos]

Have you considered the Kahr MK9???

It's smaller than the K9.

I've had one for years.

I'm looking into all the Kahr offerings now. I still really love the price point of the Bersa though, $199.

[poortrader]

I have tried carrying my 40 SC and it is just too big for my frame.


I'm 5'9" about 150. I switch between my xd-sub and Kimber Ultra Carry. What type of holster do you use?

[Phaetos]

I'm 5'9" about 150. I switch between my xd-sub and Kimber Ultra Carry. What type of holster do you use?

Uncle Mike's IWB. It just sits funky on me and it's comfortable unless I'm wearing some kind of gym pants, but then my pants won't stay up :)

[Boss Spearman]

I sometimes carry a Taurus 617. I can fit it in a jean pocket, and it has 7 rounds of .357 compared to 5 rounds of .38 special in a 642. And it has a ported barrel, which makes shooting those rounds fairly nice.

[NorthernExtreme]

Kahr (pm-9)or Kel-Tec (P-11). Don't buy anything without rying both. I have several friends (male and female) with the same problem and these 2 guns account for most of their answers. Both are dead reliable and won't break the Bank.

Regards,

[Mad Chemist]

I sometimes carry a Taurus 617. I can fit it in a jean pocket, and it has 7 rounds of .357 compared to 5 rounds of .38 special in a 642. And it has a ported barrel, which makes shooting those rounds fairly nice.

I wouldn't recomend a ported barrel .357 for SD. If you have to fire it from the "retention ready" (#3) position, you may get a nasty suprise.:eek:
Although they are nice for shooting hot ammo at the range.:)

I'd carry the 642 and reserve Taurus for targets that aren't within spittin' distance. Of course that depends on how far you can spit.:D

[BHPshooter]

I have looked at the Thunder .380 and like it's size and think it will work for me. BUT, of course there is one, I am beginning to think I want a little more punch, so a 9mm is in order.

Have you looked at one of the Bersa Thunder models in 9mm? ;)

Wes

[Car Knocker]

Uncle Mike's IWB. It just sits funky on me and it's comfortable unless I'm wearing some kind of gym pants, but then my pants won't stay up

A quality holster is usually imperative to maximize concealability and comfort, as is a high-quality belt. I highly recommend Eric Larsen at www.hbeleatherworks.com for reasonably priced high-quality leather.

[jehu]

Rohrbaugh R9S= 9mm, concealability,quality,accuracyand customer service. :eek: No Kel Junk.

[poortrader]

I would second the ideal of a good quality holster. I just bought a Mitch Rosen, IWB. The holster was a little pricey, but I know it will last a long time.

[Jiml3]

Go for the Kahr PM9! Great for concealed carry, with a decent holster, you won't even know you are carrying.

[Mad Chemist]

Phaetos, I'm not sure what a 40 SC is, but the Uncle Mike's holster is not very good for edc. Mine offered no retention. I was always afraid my gun would fall out of it. It also flared out from my body and caused the gun to print. The best use I found for the Uncle Mike's holster was sewing it into a pocket. I think a quality holster may solve your problem.

I owned a Bersa and loved it. It was very accurate, it never malfunctioned, and recoil was minimal. I could shoot tight rapid-fire groups with it. Mags for mine were expensive and I think they only come with one. If you're going to buy one, get the broker to cut you a deal on extra mags.

.380 is a little anemic, but so is .38spl. IMHO, both are viable for "deeper" concealment. A J frame in the pocket is much better than a 1911 in the safe.

Almost forgot, any holster that fits a PPK will fit a Bersa Thiunder. At least it worked for mine.

[camper]

Kahr PM9 with a Don Hume IWB holster.

[bulbboy]

a big + 1 on the Kahr MK9

[Phaetos]

Well, lotsa answers for Kahr, but it appears every 9mm from Kahr is being given a thumbs up :) If I can find any of these locally I will check into them, but it seems Kahr is a hard one to find for some reason. Either they are out or won't carry them anymore.

[Phaetos]

Have you looked at one of the Bersa Thunder models in 9mm? ;)

Wes

Yeh, I just saw a post somewhere that someone got a Firestorm 9mm real cheap, like $275 or something from an online site. I will be checking into those too since I like the size of Bersa offerings.

[Black Majik]

The slightly bigger P9 is also a good option, but the PM9 I feel is a perfect CCW weapon..

R9 also!

[rockstar.esq]

I see threads like this one frequently and I'm always curious as to why some folks have trouble with concealing a firearm. You said your frame wouldn't accomodate a larger gun. No joke intended but I'm 173lbs and 6'3" and I frequently pack a .44spl snubbie AND a Kel Tec P32. If I'll be wearing a loose overshirt, I carry a full size Taurus PT92. Packing everyday, I know that I am going undetected. One thing that I do differently than some is that I run my gun belt through the securing slots then OVER the outside face of the holster through the other slot then through my belt loops. This "pulls" the butt closer to my side when carrying strongside. Perhaps it's unacceptable to some but I won't wear pants without beltloops nor will I wear thin shirts. Someone on this forum once said, "packing a gun should be comforting not neccesarily comfortable".

[Mad Chemist]

That's creepy. I carry the same way .44spl/Bianchi Black Widow with the belt over the holster.

The belt orientation works for me. It keeps the revolver from sagging, if it sags the grip prints through my clothing.

[Phaetos]

Well, I haven't tried any OWB holsters yet. I am still awaiting my CCW to come thru before going that route.

[Super Trucker]

I think the Kahrs are nice also, I might recommend that cheap isn't always better. It is your life you are protecting so do what you want, but sometimes quality is worth the extra few dollars. I am not knocking Bersa or Kel-tec ( I have a p11 in the nightstand), I just think that price should not be the only deciding factor. Make sure you are comfortable with any gun you choose to carry. Also get a good belt and holster.

[Tim Currie]

I'll add one more vote for the Kahr. I have a P9 and it was the perfect carry gun for me. I also have a Bersa 380, actually took them both shooting today and what I love about the Kahrs is they are definitely thinner. And no external safety or hammer to get in the way of things either, very simple and smooth.

Tim