Looked at possible CCW guns today...

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Big_E

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I handled several handguns that my local Sportsman's Warehouse had in stock.

The first was the Walther PPS. I saw this gun recently and I liked the look of it. However, I hated how it felt in my hand and the trigger was awful. Unfortunate because it was the best looking pistol IMHO. It's price tag was also too high for my wallet. The mag release is also very unique on this gun that takes some getting used to.

The second one I looked at was the Ruger LC9. This gun was alright, didn't care a whole lot for the grip, but definitely manageable. The trigger was a little long and heavy for my tastes though.

The third was the Kahr CW9. Definitely my favorite. The trigger pull was still long but not as heavy as the Ruger. Plus I liked the sights on it, easier for me to pick up. The grip felt just about perfect too. A little more expensive than the Ruger but since I felt more comfortable with it and wold trust my life to it I think its just a small con.

I want to really try out the Kel-Tec PF9, but it has been hard to find.

I also tried out the Sig P238 Rainbow finish. Not my taste but I always liked the look of them and figured it would be a good gift for my mom if she gets her CCW.

I have no idea what other single stack, polymer framed, 9x19 pistols are out there (besides Rohrbaugh, etc..., I'm looking for something that is more mainstream). So far the Kahr CW9 is my favorite, and it was last on my list of guns to try. I still need to try the PF9 before I make a decision, but if I get the CW9 then I will get it cerakoted since I don't want stainless for carry (accidental attention reasons, I think black would be less eye-catching).

Hope this sort of helps people looking for a pocket nine. But get a feel for each yourselves, to each his own.
 
I carried a CW9 for a while, it's easy to conceal and does have one of the smoothest triggers out there.

I agree people need to try things out and see what works for them.

The PM9 is nice, too, if you need something smaller.

KahrPM9CW9.jpg
 
You won't like shooting the Kel-Tec PF-9 much, but it is reliable and very easily carried. It's too light a gun in too heavy a caliber for lots of "fun" range time. I carry one pretty much all my waking hours.
If you liked the PPK and don't mind .380 ACP ammo (the Sig 238 pistol you mentioned is in that caliber), you'll probably like the Bersa Thunder in .380. It's also available in 9x19, but that version is scarce on the ground. The Thunder 380 is a little bugger than the PPK/S, and is ten ounces heavier than the PF-9. That weight and the lighter load makes it one of the most enjoyable guns I own to shoot. Incredibly reliable with any and all ammo I've run through it, from 20+-year old stuff to aluminum-cased stuff (also from back then) to new loads in both HP and solid configurations. Even mixing them all up in the mags would not produce a malfunction.
I don't have any experience with the Kahr line, but they are heavily sworn by.
 
SIG P290, if you can find one, except for the P238 .380, none of the described pistols ( including the P290 ) are much fun to shoot or very accurate. I carry a P238 or a Beretta 950 when I am not actually carrying a firearm. You can carry a larger pistol in a holster, they shoot better ( more fun IMO ), draw the same everytime, an so on and so forth. I holster carry a CZ PCR, Glock G19, or SIG RCS 1911, all are fun to shoot so lots of practice, all are reliable and accurate. Mostly they offer me confidence that I will walk away from an armed confrontation. Except as a last resort I holster carry a compact service pistol.
 
Ya know Jed its guys like you that I could sit back and drink a cold one with! My god , I read your post and in particular , you have now made me on the hunt for a Sig RCS 1911 ! Stand tall and proud my friend , I may not get it right away , but after reading a review on this piece It has hit my bucket list (short term bucket list)!!!
 
Jed Carter said:
SIG P290, if you can find one, except for the P238 .380, none of the described pistols ( including the P290 ) are much fun to shoot or very accurate.
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I have to scratch my head at that statement, based on my experience. The CW9 is very easy to shoot well and is very accurate.

While the P238 is the easiest .380 to shoot well, and I don't dispute that it's accurate because mine is, the CW9 is at least as accurate inside 7 yards and far easier to keep accurate out to 25 yards.

The PM9, with it's smaller grip, is harder to shoot as well as the CW9 - but it is still as accurate as a P238 if you practice with it.

I have and like all three of the guns mentioned. I no longer carry any of the three, though, so I'm not trying to push what I use - just thought I'd share a different viewpoint on the accuracy thing.

Fun to shoot varies person to person and I won't argue that point. I consider my STI Shadow (3" .45ACP 1911) fun to shoot, but others would not. I have over 2,000 rounds through it and would have more than that if I could get to the range more often.
 
Oh yes I do know that small guns in larger calibers are not fun to shoot. That's why I have a CZ-75.

I was trying out other types of handguns as well. If Beretta made a PX4 that was single stack, shorter and thinner, then they might have a good CCW choice, but I know there is more to it then just scaling down parts, they have to work too.

How is Kahr's Customer Service? I also remember people on here saying they wouldn't buy a Kahr for some particular reason, but it escapes me right now.
 
Strange as it sounds, the CW9 is actually fun to shoot. It is accurate, and does not hurt your hand whatsoever. In other words, you could take it to the range.

I actually found it easier to control than CZ's P01. That absolutely boggles my mind, considering it is half the weight of the CZ.
 
I tried a bunch as well. Wound up with a Walther PPS in 9MM. After good cleaning AND 500 rounds, it became a real shooter!! The trigger became butter smooth. I put a Houge Handall Jr. grip on it and it's perfect. Couldn't ask for a better package. Get yourself some 147+P Federal HST and it will do wonders in your hand.
 
I carry a CZ 75D PCR in a leather IWB holster. It's a tad bulky for my frame and I like to have a button up shirt on over my T-Shirt. I have a thick Amish made gun belt. It's not super comfortable, but not too bad either. With a thick belt and the right holster you can carry pretty much anything. I prefer a compact service pistol (CZ 75D PCR, Glock 19, Sig P229) over a really small LC9/Keltec type. The Kahr's are a good compromise between compact and subcompact.
 
MedWheeler said:
You won't like shooting the Kel-Tec PF-9 much, but it is reliable and very easily carried. It's too light a gun in too heavy a caliber for lots of "fun" range time. I carry one pretty much all my waking hours.
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Speak for yourself, I find shooting my PF9 quite enjoyable! I do enjoy shooting it more with the little pinky extension on the mag, but found it a bit more concealable without the extension.

My advice would be to find a range that rents some of these guns and shoot them for yourself. If you can't find that, pick whichever you like best between the LC9, CW9 and PF9. Don't forget to consider which one points more naturally when quickly bringing the gun up from a "low ready" position before you have really acquired the sights. That is a big factor in a pistol purchase for me.
 
I have both a Glock 19 and the Kel Tec PF9, the KT is easy to carry, but hard to handle with rapid fire. The Glock is not bulky to me just heavy, and I'm using a competition belt. My honest compromise between the two is my S&W 642, but I don't have any speed reloads for it yet. Rent Rent Rent, if you can always rent or shot a gun before buying it if possible, if you lived closer to AZ I would take you out to shoot the PF9 no problem.
 
+1 on the CW9. Mines great. Super accurate, smoooooooth trigger, light, and conceals perfectly in a t-shirt. I dont have one bad thing to say about it. I also like my M&Pc but havent started to carry it yet. Just waiting on the holster to come :)
 
For a single stack 9mm, don't forget about the Taurus PT709. It's got a nice light trigger, comes with two mags, and soaks up recoil very well. It's a real contender, and you may be doing yourself a disservice by leaving it out.

I haven't tried out a LC9, but I used to own a PF-9. The PF-9 was not comfortable at all to shoot, whereas the PT709 is shoot all day comfortable.
 
I would pass on the Kahr polymer frames. I had a bad experience with one that burned me on them. The metal ones are fine.
 
except for the P238 .380, none of the described pistols ( including the P290 ) are much fun to shoot or very accurate.
Click to expand...

I'm with the others who disagree with this statement. I only fired one CW9, and it was unreasonably accurate for a small gun.
 
Ruger SR9c is pretty darn thin for a double stack. Versatile gun. Considering one myself.
 
I have a Kahr MK9 (steel frame) and have shot a friend's polymer CW9. The CW is a little snappier than the MK, but not by much, and is significantly lighter. Both are fine guns to shoot and worthy of your consideration. (The only disadvantage of the MK is the size of the handle, just as with the PM and the newly-released CM series.)
 
Just bought a used Kahr P9. It was fired very little, if ever. Went to the range and put 200 flawless rounds down range. Damn is it accurate. I put up a 2 inch shoot and see on my target a 7 yards. I put the first three rounds in the circle with two of them touching. Those were the first three rounds I fired from the gun. My wife is going to use it for her CCW. Looks like I will go get a CW9 for myself.

I'm impressed
 
I have to second harmon rabb. I also looked at, and fired, many of the pistols mentioned. Many of them were great, but the PT709 felt the best, had (in my opinion) the best trigger, and was plenty accurate for SD.

It's worth a look.

Jim
 

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