Best Pocket Carry in 9MM ?

Depending on how you want to carry, holster, inside the waist, pocket carry (IMHO, not a good idea) and weight will help determine the pistol that best fits your needs.
The Kel Tec PF9 is a decent pistol, mine was very reliable, but I have a Walther PPS that I carry almost daily, my other carry is a Kahr CW380, depending on circumstances.
If you decide on a 'double stack', hard to beat a Glock. Since I own, carry or shoot all three mentioned, I can recommend them. I will not comment on weapons I haven't shot.

snooperman said:

COunt, Thanks for the excellent pictures and the info. This is more evidence that the R9 has it over the other so called "pocket guns" , that to me are just nothing more than shrunken models of much larger guns , with little thought about pocket carry. These companies did not do the necessary research and development that Rohrbaugh did too make a true pocket gun to begin with. Everything about the R9 design is evidence that Karl wanted a "pocket Nine" and designed it to be just that right from the beginning. Snoop

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Everything you say is correct, but there are negatives too, such as shoot ability and durability when a nine is reduced to the R9's size.

For me the PM9 is the bottom size limit for a nine, but it is also too large for constant pocket carry.

380 has become the gold standard for micro pocket guns when shoot ability and durability is important.

If I ever wear out my R9 I'll get another one. I've carried it daily since mid-2007 when I bought it used. I carry it in a front pocket - slacks or shorts - in a leather rear-pocket holster.

When it comes to their own safety people don't complain much about buying tires and brake pads and wiper blades and such. Why should a gun be different? I know, they're supposed to last forever and ever.

My R9 has cost me a hair less than 33 cents per day so far, not counting ammo.

Kokapelli, I can agree that the small .380 pistol is the Gold standard for shootability in pocket pistols. But, the OP is asking in this thread about the best "pocket nine". My posts has been directed towards that end alone. And in that regard, I see nothing to compare to the Rohrbaugh in design for "pocket carry in 9mm. Snoop

That said, the R9 , because of its diminutive size and weight is a handful to shoot for many people, and isn't for everyone. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to guns in general.

FWIW ...

I have been carrying my PF9 in the right-rear pocket of my 501s (in a DeSantis Nemesis holster) since I bought it in 2007.

I have always found it to be light, small, reliable and accurate ... and after I replaced the OEM trigger with a Northwood a couple of years ago, a pleasure to shoot.

Everything about the R9 design is evidence that Karl wanted a "pocket Nine" and designed it to be just that right from the beginning.

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Goal number one: design a true pocket 9mm
Goal number two: sell the company and design and live on the beach.

PM9, after all is said and done, it's the only one I trust after many if not all mentioned, or a glock 26 which is a bit too large. You can go with the Shield or others but the PM9 is very small and I haven't had a mechanical problem of any kind with it for 4 yrs.
Also is the XDS, a bit larger, but also reliable.

I wonder how many people don't take into account the need for a holster when they declare a gun to be a pocket gun.

Its not just if a gun will fit into your pocket, it is if a holstered gun can go in the pocket.

Not having a holster is a bad idea:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/0...ructor-shoots-self-in-foot/?intcmp=latestnews

I doubt it is a huge number.

E.g. I think a Taurus pt-145 can be pocket carried. I had a pocket holster for mine. It is also bigger and heavier than any gun I recall seeing in this thread (though fairly small by the standards of 10+1 .45ACP guns). Will it fit in any pocket? No, but it'll fit in most of mine.

C0untZer0 said:

I wonder how many people don't take into account the need for a holster when they declare a gun to be a pocket gun.

Its not just if a gun will fit into your pocket, it is if a holstered gun can go in the pocket.

Not having a holster is a bad idea:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/0...ructor-shoots-self-in-foot/?intcmp=latestnews

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Depends on the gun, depends on the pocket. First rule is: Don't carry anything else in the pocket with the gun.

Once upon a time, it was common to have pants and coats made with leather holster pockets for dedicated pocket carry. Or have leather linings sewn into the pockets. No reason it couldn't be done today.

(FWIW, nothing in the linked article says he didn't have a holster, but I'm guessing not because you do make a good point.)

A leather-lined pocket is basically a leather pocket, and I would be wary of carry a "loose" gun in it.

I had a Colt Mustang that I purchased for my wife. She had a purse with an inner pocket that fit the Mustang perfectly. So I thought "Wow - that's great, she can just keep it in this pocket."

She was going on a business trip, She watched me load the Mustang, and put it cocked and locked in the purse pocket.

When she came back, I opened the pocket and took the Mustang out, the safety was down. It was still cocked. My wife hadn't touched the pistol, hadn't even gone into that purse pocket at all. When I saw the safety off, a chill went down my spine.

I have no idea how long she was carrying the pistol around cocked with the safety off.

So no matter how well a purse pocket (or any pocket) fits a gun, it still needs a holster, IMO, a rigid holster that covers the trigger for sure. One that prevents the safety from being bumped is even better.

A leather-lined pocket is basically a leather pocket, and I would be wary of carry a "loose" gun in it.

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Again, it depends, this time on how it is stitched. It could easily stitched to conform to the shape of a particular gun as are many removable pocket holsters. Essentially the tailor would remove the pocket and sew in a holster to replace it.

The biggest problem I have carrying a pistol loose in a pocket is that it is likely to shift around and may even end up muzzle up. In a situation like your wife's purse, cocked and unlocked, it would be very easy to stick a hand in the pocket and trip the trigger. Something is definitely needed to hold the pistol in place, be it a removable holster or form stitched pocket. I'm just saying that a pocket can be made to function as a holster eliminating the need for a separate holster.

Separate holsters can create their own problems, if they are made of the wrong materials or in the wrong shape for the pocket they are in, the gun can still become misoriented and the holster can come out with the gun on the draw creating other problems.

But the right holster of the right material shaped properly for both the pocket and the gun is certainly more convenient if all of your pants have the same shaped pockets.

Count..That issue you mentioned on the Mustang is the sole reason I sold my Mustang and bought a PM9.
Was using a purpose made for the Mustang IWB leather holster and had it in cocked and locked position.
After getting home that evening and placing holstered gun on the dresser that's when I noticed I had been walking around for God knows how long with that thing off safety pointed down at my manhood.
No thanks!!

^^^ That is when you begin to appreciate a grip safety

CPX2 isn't for everyone. I have one and like it. I also like my J frames 38s for ccw. CPX2 has a lot of good features, but if you don't shoot DA a lot it could off putting.

I was interested in the SCCY CPX mainly because of the price, and I actually did stuff one into the front pocket of my Levis jeans - no holster. I could easily see the entire back of the pistol almost extending above the pocket.

There isn't any official definition of what a pocket pistol is but I can tell you that at 5.7" OAL and the CPX doesn't come out of your normal front jeans pocket easily or quickly, and this isn't even with a holster which would make things even tighter.

Here is a listing of "smaller" sized nines, most of them aren't what I consider to be pocket pistols, but for some reason a lot of these models do get brought up when people start talking about pocket pistols.

Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 3.7 in
Slide Width: .82 in
Width at thickest part of pistol: .95 in
Weight: 13.5 oz, magazine 1.6 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Boberg XR9-S (Shorty)
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.35 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 4.2 in
Width: .96 in
Weight: 17.5 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kahr MK9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.3 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 22.1 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 14 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Double Tap Defense Douple Tap
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.665 in
Weight: 15 oz Titanium, 13 0z Aluminum
Capacity: 2

Kimber Solo
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.7 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 1.2 in
Weight: 17 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P290
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.9 in - 1.1" w/slide catch (roughly the same width as MK9, Kahr lists the width of the slide only)
Weight: 20.5 oz w/magazine
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: 0.80 in
Weight: 11 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-11
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.6 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 14 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Beretta Nano
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.07 in
Length: 5.63 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 17.67 oz
Capacity: 6+1

SCCY CPX-2
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.7 in
Height: 4.0 in (without mag extensions)
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 15.0 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.87 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: .88 in
Weight: 12.7 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P938
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.9 in
Height: 3.9 in (not counting magazine w/extension)
Width: 1.1 in
Weight: 16.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Ruger LC9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.12 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Slide Width: .90in
Weight: 17.10 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Remington R-51
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.4 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Width: .96in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Smith & Wesson Shield
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 6.1 in
Height: 4.6 in
Width: .95in
Weight: 19.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Glock 26
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.46 in
Length: 6.29 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: 1.18 in
Weight: 19.75 oz w/o magazine
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Walther PPS
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.2 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Springfield Armory XDs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 23.0 oz w/empty 7rd magazine
Capacity: 7+1

Bersa BP9CC
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.35 in
Height: 4.8 in
Width: .94 in
Weight: 21.5 oz
Capacity: 8+1

Here is how it goes, someone will say "I carry the PM9 in my pocket, it is a pocket pistol" Then someone says "The Kimber Solo is only .08 inches longer than the PM9, not enough to make a difference", then someone says "The Sig Sauer P90 is the same size as the Kimber Solo, if the Kimber Solo is a pocket Pistol then the P290 is a pocket pistol too", then someone says "The Diamondback DB9 is only .1 inches longer than the Sig P290, not enough to make a difference." Then someone says "The Kel Tec PF-11 is only .01 inches longer than the Diamondback DB9, not enough to make a difference." Then someone says "The Beretta Nano is only .03 inches longer than the Kel Tec PF-11, not enough to make a difference." Then someone says "The SCCY CPX-2 is only .07 inches longer than the Beretta Nano, not enough to make a difference."

You also should be careful to define the terminology.

For example, I "pocket carry" my both my PF9 and my XDs45 in their DeSantis Nemesis holsters. They ride in my right-rear of my 501s ... with the grips protruding from the pocket.

Here's how it goes for me: I put the gun in my pocket. If it fits, then I'm equipped.

My R51 in a deSantis Pocket Tuck fits in the pocket of all my jeans, without exposure. Yes, with some jeans I can see it if I look down. But that's me. If someone else is close enough to see it, that is a good indication I've got bigger problems and it should already be out of my pocket.

But the R51 is a bit heavier than I like to have in my pocket so most of the time, I carry the LCP and put the R51 on my belt.

My PF9 Kel Tec often rides in my right front pocket in a Side Guard leather pocket holster...thin, flat, light and no doo-dads to fumble with...just squeeze the trigger.



I did fine that snaggle-tooth look rail annoying so removed it.





My S&W Shield feels too heavy and bulky in my pocket...even with the shorter 7-round mag in it.

LC9S is a very shootable small 9mm

While I'm not a pocket carry guy, Ruger says the LC9S is less than an inch taller/longer than the LCP. The lighter smoother trigger makes for a much better point and shoot IMHO. You should squeeze an LC9S trigger before you decide.

Many here have expressed how I feel about the Kahr CM9. I love mine and have no problem carrying in my pocket in a Sticky holster. The recoil is far less than my LCP. I have read that's because the feed ramp is slightly off to the side. I can tell you I can rapid fire shots much closer to the target with it than I can with my LCP.

To ME ME ME the best pocket 9 is my G26 - 11 rounds of 9mm in a very accurate and controllable package. Plus I can easily carry a G17 mag on my belt for 17 more rounds.

The G26 is 6.29" long and 4.14" high and 1.18" thick

I'm curious as to what kind of pocket that goes into.

A cargo pocket?

Do you wear Carhhartts or Dickies pants?