9mm carry/home defense gun
- Thread starter minirunner
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If you want slim the SR9 and SR9c are great choices, reliable and affordable and Ruger really backs up their products. The full size is what I personally own but the SR9c would suit your purpose better in reality. In most HD situations (unless you have a mansion) you're not going to need something with a barrel longer than 2-2.5 inches haha
frank c
Member
3rd Generation 9mm S&W 3913,3914 models.Perfect size and about $400-$500 used.
Nothing new here
You have been given some really good choices here and I can't disagree with any of them. My top choice is for the Glock 19, a Milt Sparks, VM-II and, maybe an untucked short sleeve shirt instead of or in addition to the tee shirt. Think Magnum PI. The Kahrs and the other guns mentioned,especially the 3913 are also gret choices should you decide to go single stack. The EMP or the Smith pro 1911 in 9mm should also be considered. The LC9 also feels real good in my hand and is quite small. I havenot had a chance to shoot it yet.
You have been given some really good choices here and I can't disagree with any of them. My top choice is for the Glock 19, a Milt Sparks, VM-II and, maybe an untucked short sleeve shirt instead of or in addition to the tee shirt. Think Magnum PI. The Kahrs and the other guns mentioned,especially the 3913 are also gret choices should you decide to go single stack. The EMP or the Smith pro 1911 in 9mm should also be considered. The LC9 also feels real good in my hand and is quite small. I havenot had a chance to shoot it yet.
They are really not, if you do it right. Meaning loose fitting shirt and pants, sturdy belt, and proper holster. My EDC is a Glock 26 IWB (kydex galco triton) and a fobus double mag paddle holder. The only mod to my G26 is finger extensions, because I just cannot abide a double stack with only a 2 finger grip. It just doesn't feel right to me.
If you find you don't like sharing your pants with a double stack stick with single. There are so many great, slim single stacks on the market. My favorite is the Kahr brand. There CW series is a great deal, and can do double duty for HD of course.
It is also true that the fewer guns you train with the higher skill level you can reach. I plan on doing the one gun thing as soon as I get a good holster for my G19. This is also a great gun for HD and CC.
I love the Kahr PM9 for carry (with 7 round extended clip for the pinky finger), you just have to put lots and lots of rounds through it to shoot it as well as a full sized gun. The Kahr PM9 is expensive, but that smooth trigger is worth the extra cost in my opinion. I applaud you for going dual purpose. One gun is a great strategy. Whatever you decide to purchase, buy lots of ammo and shoot often. Nothing replaces competence. I know people who can shoot a subcompact faster and more accurately then many shooters with match grade weapons who admire, rather then shoot their weapons.
AZ Five seveN
Member
The HK P30 is a perfect choice for both. I use it as both my primary concealed carry and primary home defense.
I have no issue with Glocks or M&Ps, as I own 2 M&Ps, but if you'd like to see what "perfect" ergonomics feel like, get your hands on a P30 and ask them to adjust the back and sides of the grip if necessary. I loved my M&P's ergos until I fired a P30 for the first time. Now, all of my other guns are sitting in the safe, unused. That's how much I think of the P30. Not to mention it's been torture tested to over 80,000 rounds with no serious issues.
You can't go wrong with a Glock or M&P either, however, just wanted to throw that option out there.
I have no issue with Glocks or M&Ps, as I own 2 M&Ps, but if you'd like to see what "perfect" ergonomics feel like, get your hands on a P30 and ask them to adjust the back and sides of the grip if necessary. I loved my M&P's ergos until I fired a P30 for the first time. Now, all of my other guns are sitting in the safe, unused. That's how much I think of the P30. Not to mention it's been torture tested to over 80,000 rounds with no serious issues.
You can't go wrong with a Glock or M&P either, however, just wanted to throw that option out there.
RichBMW
Member
Consider the new Ruger LC9. Very light and compact. Thinner than my S&W M&P 9c. Fits my hand better than my little Ruger LCP. It may be the perfect size for a carry gun.
tbutera2112
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+2 for p2000sk
9mm one is 10+1 capacity
mine is a .40 and is 9+1
you can get an x-grip and use the fullsize mags also for home defense giving you even more rounds
just bought a C5L for mine - green laser and light combo, its pretty slick
9mm one is 10+1 capacity
mine is a .40 and is 9+1
you can get an x-grip and use the fullsize mags also for home defense giving you even more rounds
just bought a C5L for mine - green laser and light combo, its pretty slick
minirunner
Member
I went to Cabela's and handled a couple guns yesterday. I liked the feel of a Kahr CW9. Nice and thin and the grip was just long enough to fill my hand. It was a good size for what I am looking for. I would like to find a K9 and check that out. I have also considered a Springfield EMP, but have heard the reliability of a short action 1911 isn't great. I don't know what the Kahr trigger is like as far as actually firing one. But can anyone tell me what the pull is like? In the store it felt much lighter than my 637.
wow6599
Member
SA built the EMP around the 9mm cartridge........they work.
minirunner
Member
In the store I didn't actually handle the gun, but there was a display set up with the 3 different grip size of the S&W M&P. The small grip actually felt really nice and thin in my hand. I might have to make another trip and take a look at one. Anybody have any bad to say about the M&P series. Are the mags steel or stainless steel?
Jim PHL
Member
Another vote for a S+W 3913/3914 or 3953/3954. I am a big fan of them for the reasons you are considering. They are big and heavy enough for a range or house gun but small, thin and light enough for easy carry.
catnphx
Member
minirunner - I own both a M&P 9 and 9c and I love the guns. They are great right out of the box (after a good cleaning) and I've had no FTF/FTE in 2,500 rounds. For the 9c, it would be a great idea to get the XGrip and a few 17 round mags for home defense but also have some 12 round mags for CCW (when you take off the XGrip).
Also, last week I bought the Kahr CW9. It needs a break-in period before I can comment on it but it does feel very good in the hand. In my 1st 100 rounds, I had no FTF/FTE and the accuracy was very good. Once I break the gun in and find out which ammo works best, it will be an addition to my CCW. Here's my line-up for carry (assuming the Kahr CW9 passes the test):
- M&P 9c in a Crossbreed Supertuck IWB holster
- S&W 640-1 .357 in a Galco Kingtuk IWB holster
- Kahr CW9 in a Kholster Crescent IWB holster
EDIT: My vote would be for the M&P 9c because with an XGrip, it can be both a HD and CCW gun. Plus, you can mount a light on it very easily and you can't on the Kahr CW9 (no rail). Good luck in your decision.
Also, last week I bought the Kahr CW9. It needs a break-in period before I can comment on it but it does feel very good in the hand. In my 1st 100 rounds, I had no FTF/FTE and the accuracy was very good. Once I break the gun in and find out which ammo works best, it will be an addition to my CCW. Here's my line-up for carry (assuming the Kahr CW9 passes the test):
- M&P 9c in a Crossbreed Supertuck IWB holster
- S&W 640-1 .357 in a Galco Kingtuk IWB holster
- Kahr CW9 in a Kholster Crescent IWB holster
EDIT: My vote would be for the M&P 9c because with an XGrip, it can be both a HD and CCW gun. Plus, you can mount a light on it very easily and you can't on the Kahr CW9 (no rail). Good luck in your decision.
The trigger is a little crunchy and gritty when you first get it. This is because of the friction between the trigger bar and the striker block. It goes away some after putting a few hundred rounds through it and keeping it lubed up. It can be remedied by getting a rounder striker block from apex tactical or rounding the thing out yourself (I did this for my M&P45). That really the only thing I don't like about them that is relevant. The magazines are stainless steel (ought to be they aren't cheap).
The kahr trigger is one the smoothest, best DOA triggers ever. I love it. It's so nice it feels custom. Honestly I wish my M&Ps had that trigger.
I'm voting for a Smith and Wesson M&PC.
gun has a great feel and fits well, IME. Its trigger is smooth and it has a nice profile, too.
I have a Glock and although it works, I do dislike its blocky design. It really does make you dress around the gun, and I consider that a very undesirable trait.
gun has a great feel and fits well, IME. Its trigger is smooth and it has a nice profile, too.
I have a Glock and although it works, I do dislike its blocky design. It really does make you dress around the gun, and I consider that a very undesirable trait.
dsb1829
Member
I went from a glock19 to an lc9. The g19 was just a bit large/heavy for me to carry daily. The size and weight of the lc9 is much more comfortable and easier to hide. That said the glock19 or similar sized guns are much better for dual duty and are more accurate with less effort/focus required to keep on center of mass.
carbuncle
Member
Another vote for the S&W 3913: slim and compact for carry, yet full powered for HD.
Guns and more
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Of all those listed, and if money was not the limiting factor, I'd go with the EMP.
In carry, I like small. In H/D I like solid, reliable.
I don't have an EMP, but I have the big brother, the Micro Compact in .45.
I wore it around the house, It lays flat, and I actually forgot I had it on.
In carry, I like small. In H/D I like solid, reliable.
I don't have an EMP, but I have the big brother, the Micro Compact in .45.
I wore it around the house, It lays flat, and I actually forgot I had it on.
joe_security
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3913/3914/3953 for all around use. Carry it IWB. PM9/CW9/LC9 if deep summertime concealment is a goal.
The Kahr CW9 would be at the top of my list if you want a single-stack 9mm for carry and HD. I have a CW40 and, as others have said, the trigger is very nice. My only complaint about the Kahr trigger is that the reset is virtually indistinguishable. You can overcome that by simply training yourself to run the trigger all the way back out after you fire. It's not going to be the fastest gun on the market, but the smoothness is amazing given the price point.
If you're open to double-stack, I have to agree with several who've suggested the G19. One item of note, if you go with the G19, be aware that the RTF grip texture is fairly uncomfortable when the gun is carried IWB against bare skin. You may want to consider a Gen 3 G19 with the "old" style texture on the grip.
You seem to have ruled out the XD's because you don't believe you can conceal them under a loose T-shirt. I can tell you for a fact that no one has ever mentioned mine while carrying it in my CrossBreed SuperTuck. The nice thing about the XDSC's (and similar weapons) is that you can carry them with the shorter magazine, carry the higher capacity magazine as your backup mag and keep them loaded up with the higher capacity magazine at home. Of course, you could make a similar argument for the G19 with a G17 mag as a backup ... or a G18 mag for that matter.
If you're open to double-stack, I have to agree with several who've suggested the G19. One item of note, if you go with the G19, be aware that the RTF grip texture is fairly uncomfortable when the gun is carried IWB against bare skin. You may want to consider a Gen 3 G19 with the "old" style texture on the grip.
You seem to have ruled out the XD's because you don't believe you can conceal them under a loose T-shirt. I can tell you for a fact that no one has ever mentioned mine while carrying it in my CrossBreed SuperTuck. The nice thing about the XDSC's (and similar weapons) is that you can carry them with the shorter magazine, carry the higher capacity magazine as your backup mag and keep them loaded up with the higher capacity magazine at home. Of course, you could make a similar argument for the G19 with a G17 mag as a backup ... or a G18 mag for that matter.
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