Buying a handgun today or tomorrow, need advice...

Okay I'll admit it, in my younger years I was all about gun shops and buying guns. Then I got married, had 2 babies and now I buy diapers by the truckload and enough formula to keep a small nation fed. In short I've become a penny pinching scrooge when it comes to spending money on non-necessity items...but it’s time. At first I carried a Sig 229 everywhere I went (since it was my duty weapon) but it just became too cumbersome, so I went to a Glock 26 which while better wasn’t a whole hoot better since it still required a holster. So off to the gun shop to buy a gun for the first time in what must be 4 years since I now find myself pretty much unarmed 99% of the time these days.

So my criteria for the gun:
1.) Had to be at least .380 or above.
2.) Easily popped into a pocket.
3.) Be of absolute reliability even if seldom fired or cleaned.
4.) I need to be able to actually hit something with it at 50 feet.
5.) Needs to be a platform (meaning auto instead of revolver).

Now I’m torn, I want the Kahr CM9 because of the caliber (9mm) and because I know and have owned at least 2 Kahrs before and though they have a spongy trigger, they are absolutely reliable. Also I can make a “hit” at 50 feet with it if I concentrate and stage the trigger, the sights are intuitive since I am so used to the “line and dot” sig style site. The drawback might be the size as it is slightly smaller than a Glock 26 but larger than a .380 Ruger LCP.

Second on the docket of considerations is a Ruger LCP. The pros? It’s small, lightweight and you can almost forget it’s in your pocket (very comfortable). The cons? It’s a .380, it would be difficult to hit anything at 50 feet with it and I have some concerns on the reliability…are my concerns unfounded?

Third consideration, Kel Tec PF9. Good caliber, big compared to the LCP but only slightly more than the Karh. Decent trigger, decent sites, and familiar feel. The cons, a break in period (common to Kel Tecs) and possible reliability issues. Plus I’m not 100% certain this will fit in my pocket.

Fourth and distant consideration is the Diamondback. I love the sights, the feel, the trigger, everything. I have concerns on reliability.

I know a lot of people recommend snubbies but I am just not that great with a wheel gun. Deadly at 21 feet but dangerous to the general public at 50 feet with one.

Any thoughts? Recommendation?

Thanks guys...
@wlewisiii, I might get a cheap, lightweight Taurus and practice with it. I don't want to invest too much in it just in case I stick with not liking wheel guns. I've owned several snubbies and even at one point in my life was pretty good with a revolver. The downside to the revolvers are that I do not practice as much as I should and they are just not as intuitive for me to shoot. I learned on an automatic, I went to academy and was issued an automatic, the government probably spent tens of thousands of dollars on my getting supplemental training using autos and autos are just what I’m most comfortable with. I’d have to spend a heck of a lot of money and time to get as proficient with a revolver as I am with an auto and at some point the tradeoff just isn’t worth it. When it comes to accurate shooting I have fairly high standards for myself and snubbies just do not lend themselves to that. But in all fairness, I’d probably be about as accurate with an LCP as I would any snubby, but that’s not saying much.

@22-rimfire, I had a S&W 442, it was okay but again I just was nowhere nearly as accurate of a shot with it as I could be with a similar sized and weight automatic. I have not yet seen a Ruger LC9 in person; I expect it would be a lot like the Kel Tec PF9 though. For me pocket carry is a tradeoff…but usually when waiting in line somewhere or talking to someone I tend to have my hands casually in my pockets anyway, so if needed in an emergency I’d be much more likely to access it there without “telegraphing” my intentions via body language that I would with a hip holster (either IWB or OWB).

As a side note I have seen and like the Ruger LCR but it’s comparable to a Glock 26 in size.

My reservation is that I’m not absolutely wild about Kahr, I’ve owned 2 and sold them both for a reason…they are not fun to shoot and have what I consider to be an almost unreadable trigger (difficult to stage a shot) because they are so spongy…but they aim true and are dead reliable.

@Rifleman173... I have a Glock 26. It is too big for pocket carry.

@hammerklavier, I'll check out the 380bg.

I'm going to have to see that Kahr P380... though I strongly prefer a 9mm for cost and availability of ammo and of course more powerful round but a P380 looks VERY interesting.

I'll check out the S&W too.

@ everyone, thanks for the advice I ended up with a S&W Bodyguard. For $350 I couldn't beat the price, it felt good in my hand, had real sights on it, had a laser and fit in my pocket. I couldn't ask for more. Range report soon.

@ Quoheleth, I'll let you know how she shoots at 50 feet. I'm betting I'll be alright.

@ Lawdawg, thanks for letting me know about the Kahr. Nobody had a CM9 in stock or I very likely would have bought that one. I'll wait to see if they get the kinks worked out first. I should have all I need with the .380 for now.

And for those worried about ballistics, mouse gun stuff, all that...I do plan on carrying FMJ rounds as I don't believe that the extra 1/16 of an inch in expansion would really amount to much but I do have concerns that penetration might be an issue if ever needed. FMJ worked in Europe for many years, I'm sure it'll do alright with adequate shot placement in the good old U.S. That said, my next project is a shotgun in the trunk