Line Rider
Member
The summer heat in Alabama will be with us until October. My summer carry gun is a Glock 19 with 125 gr. Cor-Bon. My hostler of choice is a Milt Sparks Summer Special 2.
3 choices or other for concealed carry
- Thread starter kingtim
- Start date
- Status
Mortech
Member
S&W 3913 , can handle +P , I have mine stoked with Ranger SXT 127gr +P+ during the summer months or when carrying my M&P40 would be a bit much .
For the last 3 years now, I have carried a Kel-tek P11 using the belt clip. I find it extremely easy to conceal and yet it carries 11 rds. of 9mm (10+1). The long DA trigger is reminesant of a DA revolver. It has just enough weight to make it controllable when firing. Mine has over 3000 rounds through it without a failure. Check into it.
From a personal standpoint, I cannot recommed a Keltec PF-9. Yes, I had one, brand new and found Keltec to "test by warranty" . They had put another model's barrel in mine that had shown problems, let it go out of the factory and it failed miserably. Sure, it was covered under warranty, but I should not have to test their products for them, cover the expense of shipping, have downtime on a gun that is suppose to defend my life and then cross my fingers everytime I shoot it. Sorry, no more Keltecs for me. I went and got a Kahr and have not had one problem with it. "Cheap ain't good, and good ain't cheap!"
BikerRN
member
Given your parameters I would choose a S&W 642 or 442.
Here's how I would rank my choices:
642
PM9
Glock 26 (it's really like carrying a brick)
All Others
Here's how I would rank my choices:
642
PM9
Glock 26 (it's really like carrying a brick)
All Others
TOADMAN
Member
Got to go with reliability for self defense.....S&W J-frame 642/442/637/36/638/649 will do just fine... Semi Autos, I find the 15oz or lighter pistols are not reliable enough for self defense.. The Glock 26/27 is very reliable and at 19oz unloaded would be my pick for all day every day conceal carry...
peacemaker45
Member
Out of your list, the Kel-Tec PF9 seems like the obvious choice. Slim as all get out. As with any gun, test it before you carry it. I've had several keltecs, and shot a buch more, and never really had any probs with them. Others have different results. Test it first, is all.
As far as kahr vs. kel-tec, I've heard just as much mixed about kahr.
~~~Mat
As far as kahr vs. kel-tec, I've heard just as much mixed about kahr.
~~~Mat
Michael_2112
Member
My always gun is a S&W 642. I know you didn't ask about revolvers, but it's a really nice package that fits so well in the pocket.
The CZ RAMI and the new Walther PPS might be worth looking into as well. I don't have a RAMI (yet) but love my 75b.
Mike
The CZ RAMI and the new Walther PPS might be worth looking into as well. I don't have a RAMI (yet) but love my 75b.
Mike
Kevin108
Member
The G26 would be my first choice. It will hold up a lot longer than the other two. Another consideration may be a Springfield XD Subcompact.
MPanova
Member
Taurus PT111 would be a better choice then the G26 IMO
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Rethink your dress code, as others have suggested. With that, add a KEL-TEC
PF-9; and you should be OK; provided of course that you do your part, if it
becomes necessary~!
PF-9; and you should be OK; provided of course that you do your part, if it
becomes necessary~!
Glock 26 gets near .357 ballistics with 125 grain bullets. 1200 fps.
I'd consider the 27 with 135 grain bullets, instead, or 155 grain bullets.
I think you can convert the 27 to 9mm with a barrel swap, but, don't think you can go the other way, might check.
Also, the Glock 33 in .357 Sig would be better, for heavier bullets. The 125's are marginal on penetration, as are most 9mm loads.
S esq.
PS A glock 30 would be my first choice. And, the 29 is nice. If you consider a snub, the Model 60 S&w with a 3" barrel is a good choice, except for the
lock.
I'd consider the 27 with 135 grain bullets, instead, or 155 grain bullets.
I think you can convert the 27 to 9mm with a barrel swap, but, don't think you can go the other way, might check.
Also, the Glock 33 in .357 Sig would be better, for heavier bullets. The 125's are marginal on penetration, as are most 9mm loads.
S esq.
PS A glock 30 would be my first choice. And, the 29 is nice. If you consider a snub, the Model 60 S&w with a 3" barrel is a good choice, except for the
lock.PX15
Member
Yeah I know....
But get one anyway as a "backup to your primary backup" and you'll wind up cc this little sucker more often than not.. 7rds of 32cal Speer Gold Dots at your service, almost anytime, anyplace..
Identical pistol in 380cal if you so desire.. (But pricy and difficult to obtain.)
Best Wishes,
J. Pomeroy
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
If you like the G26, go with it.
My wife has a G26 with Trijicons, and loves it. It is rated for +P and +P+, and it also works with 15-round G19 mags, 17-round G17 mags, etc., giving you the option of having 15+1 when the weather is cool enough to conceal the full-length magazines, and 10+1 when you need the stubby 10-rounder for better concealment. If you carry a magazine holder on the off side, they can be 15's.
Here's my wife's G26 with a 15-round G19 magazine:
You can see the G19 magazine protrudes a bit (same length as a G19 grip). The G26 10-rounder fits flush with the bottom of the grip.
My wife has a G26 with Trijicons, and loves it. It is rated for +P and +P+, and it also works with 15-round G19 mags, 17-round G17 mags, etc., giving you the option of having 15+1 when the weather is cool enough to conceal the full-length magazines, and 10+1 when you need the stubby 10-rounder for better concealment. If you carry a magazine holder on the off side, they can be 15's.
Here's my wife's G26 with a 15-round G19 magazine:
You can see the G19 magazine protrudes a bit (same length as a G19 grip). The G26 10-rounder fits flush with the bottom of the grip.
jdmb03
Member
G26 - great gun, my choice after the G19
Kel-Tec - terrible trigger
Kahr PM9 - not reliable
Just my opinion
Kel-Tec - terrible trigger
Kahr PM9 - not reliable
Just my opinion
col_tapiocca
Member
What about a Walter PPS?
It's perfect single stack carry gun. But it's quite expensive here in good old europe. It cost € 630 incl. tax approx. US$860
But maybe it's cheaper in the US.
Geronimo45
Member
Of your three, I'd probably pick the G26. Good manufacturer, a history of reliability.
As far as suggestions - changing your clothes selection's one possibility. Changing your holster setup might help. IWB would reduce problems with the gun hanging below the jacket line and such. Shoulder rigs are a possibility... but take a lot of adjustments to make 'em right.
As far as suggestions - changing your clothes selection's one possibility. Changing your holster setup might help. IWB would reduce problems with the gun hanging below the jacket line and such. Shoulder rigs are a possibility... but take a lot of adjustments to make 'em right.
Sir Aardvark
Member
Here is what I carry - In California I am allowed to carry only 3 listed and "approved" handguns:
SIG 229 .40S&W - I love SIGS!!! There is no reason why I would not carry one. I carry it in a Milt Spark Versa Max II.
Glock 30 .45ACP - It is difficult to argue with something that is about the size of my hand and holds 10 rounds of .45ACP, and the price was right, too.
S&W 340PD .38/.357MAG - everyone needs a "pocket-gun" for when a higher level of comfort or concealment is necessary. I think it is silly to not have one of these, or something similar, for those occasions when one is necessary.
SIG 229 .40S&W - I love SIGS!!! There is no reason why I would not carry one. I carry it in a Milt Spark Versa Max II.
Glock 30 .45ACP - It is difficult to argue with something that is about the size of my hand and holds 10 rounds of .45ACP, and the price was right, too.
S&W 340PD .38/.357MAG - everyone needs a "pocket-gun" for when a higher level of comfort or concealment is necessary. I think it is silly to not have one of these, or something similar, for those occasions when one is necessary.
sig228
Member
Kahr PM9
+1 on the Kahr. The only complaint I have about carrying one is that the slide release lever has some sharp edges. Nothing a Dremel can't fix though.
+1 on the Kahr. The only complaint I have about carrying one is that the slide release lever has some sharp edges. Nothing a Dremel can't fix though.
tnieto2004
Member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2007
- Messages
- 1,389
Sub-compact XD-9 or Glock 26 are in another league as the kel-tec and kahr..
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,709
Sub-compact XD-9 or Glock 26 are in another league as the kel-tec and kahr..
True. The XD and Glock are bricks.
For pocket carry, the Kahr or the Kel-Tec are workable, and IMHO, better than a j-frame. Can't speak as much to the PF9 (looked at it) but the PM9 (carry it every day) is smaller than a j-frame, holds two more rounds, reloads right now and is much easier to shoot well (again IME).
I've owned a couple Glocks but even the shorties are fat. "Concealable" and "double stack" are mutually exclusive in my experience. Do people do it? Sure they do. I cannot, either comfortably or effectively, conceal a double-stack anything, either IWB, pocket, SmartCarry, etc. I can conceal a Glock when I can wear a coat. Around here, that may be all of 30 days per year...
True. The XD and Glock are bricks.
For pocket carry, the Kahr or the Kel-Tec are workable, and IMHO, better than a j-frame. Can't speak as much to the PF9 (looked at it) but the PM9 (carry it every day) is smaller than a j-frame, holds two more rounds, reloads right now and is much easier to shoot well (again IME).
I've owned a couple Glocks but even the shorties are fat. "Concealable" and "double stack" are mutually exclusive in my experience. Do people do it? Sure they do. I cannot, either comfortably or effectively, conceal a double-stack anything, either IWB, pocket, SmartCarry, etc. I can conceal a Glock when I can wear a coat. Around here, that may be all of 30 days per year...
I find a J frame about ideal for pocket carry. I find that the J frame prints less than a semi-auto. The cylinder bulge seems to break up the outline, so while someone might see you have something in your pocket, they can't tell what. Many semi-autos are rather blocky, and print badly, even in a pocket holster.
Also, my S&W model 337 J frame will fire even when packed full of pocket lint, not something I can say about many compact semi-autos.
Also, my S&W model 337 J frame will fire even when packed full of pocket lint, not something I can say about many compact semi-autos.
jpwilly
Member
+1 Taurus PT111 Mil Pro or supersize it for $.99 and get the PT145!! Here's a video of me shooting one...I forgot that I already racked on in between telling my Father in law how to work the camera.
- Status