Light, slim 9MM not a Kahr or Keltec

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I'm in a pickle. Maybe I need a better holster, but my HK P7 PSP is heavy for its size and caliber. I love the gun, but find myself carrying my Beretta M85 in .380 more as its lighter and easier to conceal. The caliber bothers me, however and I'd rather carry a 9MM or a .45.

What is a light, non-polymer 9MM that can compete with a P7 in reliabilty and accuracy, but is lighter and easier to conceal and carry?
 
Why not a Kahr?


You might look at the SIG P239, or if you can find a S&W CS9, that might fit the bill.

There's also the little Bersa Thunder 9 (aka the Firestorm) and if money is no object the Rohrbaugh.

Regardless of what you get, good leather is a must (something like a Milt Sparks VM2 or HBE COM2 would probably make your P7 carry better).
 
S&W 908 or 3913 (pretty much the same gun but 908 is the "bargain level"). They're alloy framed, so they're fairly light. Slightly smaller than the PSP and about 4 oz lighter. Here's a link to the gun...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14726&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15712&isFirearm=Y

...and an archived THR post about a satisfied owner...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=138822

I had a 908 as my first carry gun, but traded (and kicked in some $) for a Khar K9. I had no real complaints, but I thought the size trade was worth gaining the "heavy for size" thing, and I liked the trigger. Plus I shoot it much better.

You could also look into a Sig 239. Or if you wanted .45 you could look at an alloy framed "officer" sized 1911.
 
"What is a light, non-polymer 9MM that can compete with a P7 in reliabilty and accuracy, but is lighter and easier to conceal and carry?"

Clearly the first and best choice would be a Kahr K-9. As you seem to want the second best, all I can do is name a few models you can look at. None will be as slim as the Kahr of course and none will be any lighter but maybe you will find one that will work for you.

S&W 3913. This is very reliable and can be very accurate as well. Alloy frame so it doesn't weigh any more than the Kahr but it is thicker and a little larger. It does hold one extra round so at least you get something for the extra size. Truely a fine and mostly over looked 9mm. There are variations on this model but I only own the 3913 at present. There is a 3914 and DOA version but I don't know the model number off hand. I think it might be a 3943 but don't quote me on that.

SIG 239. Nothing really special here but it is a good solid gun that should be reliable and can be accurate if it fits you well. The ergos on this gun are not great so you need to shoot before you buy or you may end up with a gun that is hard to shoot well for you. The same can be said of any gun but the SIG sits high in the hand and has a high bore axis which can do funny things to some shooters. I don't like it and think the Kahr K-9 is the better gun by far but SIGs are well made and high quality so they deserve a look for sure.

Star BM, BKM, Firestar. These are good guns and can be had for half the price of the other sometimes. Take a look and you might find a gun that you really like for a good price.
 
Is the Kahr K-9 alloy frame or steel. Hmmm, maybe I should reconsider Kahr.
 
Zundfolge said:
Why not a Kahr?


You might look at the SIG P239, or if you can find a S&W CS9, that might fit the bill.

There's also the little Bersa Thunder 9 (aka the Firestorm) and if money is no object the Rohrbaugh.

Regardless of what you get, good leather is a must (something like a Milt Sparks VM2 or HBE COM2 would probably make your P7 carry better).
Click to expand...

I see a lot of great posts on the Kahr, but have no personal experience with it. I wanted to see if there was anything else out there from mfg's I know, rather than one I don't.

I don't like to carry IWB. Can you or anyone suggest a good P7PSP holster that is OWB?

I'll take a look at the Kahr K-9. It seems to be THE choice in this class.
 
What holster do you have now?

OWB won't conceal as well as IWB, but any good quality molded leather pancake holster from a reputable manufacturer should do.

I always recommend HBE, but there are plenty of good manufacturers out there (only downside to HBE will be the wait, but you'll have that with any custom holster maker).

Here's an HBE Pancake for the P7

P1260005.jpg
 
I also don't like in waist holsters and after a lot of searching I found a straight drop high ride that really works great. It hugs the body to prevent printing.
It's called the Extreme High Ride and it is very thin as it is horside. It's produced by c-rusty sherrick.com. You can call Rusty and tell him about your needs and he can give you some excellent advice. Check it out!
 
PLEASE reconsider the Kahr! I have an MK9 that has turned out to be the nicest, easily concealalble 9mm handgun I have ever owned. Slim and easy to carry in a pocket it is also a favorite range gun in addition to an every day carry piece.

Shoots as well as my G26 and beautifully made.

NQ
 
I had a MK9, sold it, bought a Sig P239 - so far havent regretted it. P239 is relatively light, accurate, and reliable.

Joe
 
I have a Springfield Armory 1911 Ultra Compact in 9mm that I carry everywhere.
Alloy frame, ambi-safeties(I'm a lefty) Slim grips and Novak sights came from the factory. It did take a couple of hundred rounds to smooth out and become very reliable. It has a fully ramped barrel with a bull profile without a bushing.

Flush mags hold 8, and my reloads are full size that hold 9. Very easy to shoot.

I don't know if they still make them. I saw this one a few years ago at a show and bought it on the spot.
 
From the title I thought this thread would go
"Rohr-Rohr-Rohr-Rohr-baugh-baugh-baugh" -

but I'd nominate:

Firestar -

small enough for some pockets, but definitely not all.
It also comes in .40 and .45ACP.

(I like the Firestar Plus, which is double-stack, even better.)
 
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What is a light, non-polymer 9MM that can compete with a P7 in reliabilty and accuracy, but is lighter and easier to conceal and carry?
Click to expand...

Such a piece doesn't exist, IMHO, of course...
 
I'm overwhelmed. Thanks guys. I have so many guns, but most of them are just not practical or comfortable for carry. Great, accurate. range guns but nothing you forget you have on.

The STI's look interesting as do some of the other 1911 based compacts.

I am going to try:

Kahr PM9 and K9
HK Alloy Framed P7M8. (just kidding)
New holster for my HK P7's ( I have both the PSP and M8)
Some of the 1911 based compacts.

Thanks guys, great stuff.
 
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as others have mentioned, the first that comes to mind is Rohrbaugh.

I can't offer much help since you don't like IWB, but the guys over at the P7 cult rave about delfatti holsters. I hear the wait is about a year though . . .I carry mine in a Sparks VMII. If you find something you like more and want to get rid of the p7 let me know :D
 
waterhouse said:
. .I carry mine in a Sparks VMII. If you find something you like more and want to get rid of the p7 let me know :D
Click to expand...

I may try a VMII and see if I can deal with IWB. I'm not over weight, but I just never liked the tightness the IWB caused with pants that actually fit me.

I've never seen a Rohrbuagh, let alone shot one. Kahrs are much more common here and more failry priced.

Don't think I'll ever sell either of my P7's. The only downside to them is their weight. An alloy framed P7 with a lighter slide would be cool.
 
If you were to shoot and handle a Rohrbaugh R9S you would buy it. Its a pure joy to carry, accurate beyond 25ft, and dependable. Not a range gun but meant to be carried alot and shot alittle at the ready should you need it in a quaility Hedley pocket holster.:what:
 
Jeff Timm said:
How about a different Beretta?

The 9000S, yes it is polymer, but it is a Beretta.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, I completely forgot the 8000 Cougar ... the mini Cougar is real concealable (still a bit fat though ... especially when compared to the Kahr or a SIG P239, and the STI LS9 can't be beat for concealability)
 
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