9mm suggestions ?

[benderx4]

I second the recommendation of the HK P30. Put a laser on the rails. Second place goes to the CZ SP-01 or P-01.
Both are ergonomic, soft-shooting, reliable, and very accurate. Good luck with your choice!

 

[j1979]

If you can find a P30 used thats what Id go with in the polymer frame category, hands down. I just traded my G22 for a LNIB P30 with only 200 rounds through it. New the HK's are a bit pricey, LNIB used they can be find quite reasonably. Ive handled almost all of the polymers out there and the HK really does feel better, I think anyways. There was also just one for sale over on Hk pro for 625 that was like new as well. Go to your local shop and put one in your hands if you havent yet, do the same with a CZ. The CZ feel very nice as well, very heavy, built like a tank, feel to them, and comfortable. This is all just my opinion though so take it as you wish.

 

[NCMom]

Kahr MK9 ?

Once again, many thanks for all the great suggestions. I was really leaning toward the S&W M&P 9C.
Should have stopped reading forums and my choice would have been made.
The more I read, the more I realized that my "purse carry" was just not the best idea. I made up my mind that I WOULD figure out a way to carry concealed on my person. Around the house it worked great putting the 3913LS in a bellyband holster and covering with a large sweatshirt. Time to dress up a bit more and tried and tried to find a way to position it so the butt of the gun would not stick out. Tried switching to an IWB holster and same problem. This was under a turtleneck and loose, cable knit sweater. Tried changing to the SP101 and same problem. Switched to the Taurus PT-22 and it disappeared completely. Wonderful size wise, but wrong caliber.
I have pretty much figured out that I need a shorter gun. Doing a bit of research has led me to the Kahr MK9. So far haven't found anyone around here that has one to be tried out. It is about the same weight as the LadySmith, slimmer and 5.3" overall length compared to the LadySmith's
6 7/8" length. It seems to be the only one that is significantly smaller than the 3913LS for easier concealing, but about the same weight.
My question is, has anyone here had any experience handling the Kahr MK9? Any problems I need to be aware of?
Along the way, I did come across these two links that I found helpful and thought were worth sharing:
http://www.genitron.com/HandgunDB/nfselector.asp
http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

 

[camsdaddy]

glad to know I am not the only one that finds issues with the butt of the gun. I also have a 3913 and it is wonderful and hard to find anything that suits as well. I have been considering an SP101 and am curious how you compare the two shooting, concelement etc. Feel free to send a message if you dont want to stray from this thread.

 

[camsdaddy]

What about a Keltec PF9.

 

[NCMom]

I have not shot the SP101 yet. Ordered Crimson Trace grips for it yesterday. When they arrive I will take the gun to try and let you know what I think.
The Keltec is the right size but lighter weight. I may be wrong, but have shot light weight larger calibers before and was not happy. That is why I am looking at the Kahr. Same weight as what I am used to but shorter.

 

[pogo2]

Kahr MK9 comments

NCMom said:

My question is, has anyone here had any experience handling the Kahr MK9? Any problems I need to be aware of?

I've had a Kahr MK9 for a little over one year, and have fired about 700 rounds through it with no problems. I have carried it inside the waist band at appendix position (2:00) and it conceals very well there because of its short, two finger grip. I like the smooth double action only trigger and good sights on the gun - you can actually be pretty accurate with the gun out to 20 or 30 feet. It weighs about 24 ounces so it handles 9mm recoil well. The capacity is 6+1 with the flush fitting magazine, or 7+1 with the extended magazine (one of each comes with the gun). I use it when concealment is paramount and I can't use a larger gun.

 

[sgtcauthon]

i got a 9mm suggestion for you. dont use it. go .40. best of both worlds.

 

[NG VI]

i got a 9mm suggestion for you. dont use it. go .40. best of both worlds.

Very helpful. She is looking for a smaller, lighter weight pistol in a caliber she shoots well and is comfortable with. A very good caliber at that. WHy would you reccomend .40, which makes many guns act lighter than they are?




Personally I love .40 though.

 

[PX15]

NCMom:

Funny, we are going in opposite directions.. I recently sold a Sig P239 w/Crimson Trace Lasergrips and bought a new 3913LS (and CS9).

My ONLY complaint with the Sig P239 over the years I owned it was that the trigger was just a tad too "long" for my liking... In hindsight I should just have had the trigger replaced with the "short version" (there is one) and I'd probably never have sold it.

I found the Sig P239 to be absolutely reliable, very accurate, and although I'm a traditional DA/SA kinda guy, I never had a problem with the decocker at all.

I think for a compact 9mm pistol, equipped w/Crimson Trace Lasergrips you will be hard pressed to find a better choice than the Sig P239, and if you find the standard length of the trigger a bit too long have it replaced with the shorter one and you'll be "good to go"..

I still have a Crimson Trace Lasergrip on my home defense S&W 5906, and also on my S&W Airweight Bodyguard.. I think CT makes a fantastic laser product and if (it won't happen) a set was ever made for MY 3913LS (or 3913, or 6906) I'll certainly buy one..

FWIW I had my P239 for years and it NEVER failed in any way. For my needs RELIABILITY is job one on a personal defense weapon and the Sig P239 provides that in spades.

Just personal opinion.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[NCMom]

PX15......Have you filled out the online request with Crimson Trace letting them know you would be interested in grips for the 3913LS? I have and am hoping enough others will that they might develop them. Enjoy your new gun! They are wonderful and the only reason I am looking for something else is the lack of laser grips which have become important to me with middle age eyesight issues. The Sig P239 really appealed to me until I realized that I needed something shorter for on body concealed carry. I looked at several Sigs back when I bought the 3913LS and don't remember now exactly what my reason was for going with the LS, but do recall it was one I seriously considered.

Sgtcauthon.....I have shot .40 and it was just a bit more than I was comfortable with. Could use one in a pinch but would not be likely to do much practicing with one, which would not be a good thing.

Pogo2....Thanks for the glowing report! The ability to conceal it on person and still have something that handles comfortably and accurately for me is exactly what I am looking for.

Camsdaddy....Still waiting on the grips but as far as concealment, for me, it does not conceal well for on person carry. It does fit nicely in my gun purse.

Again, many thanks for all the helpful information!

 

[PX15]

NCMOM:

No, I hadn't put in a request at CT for CT's for the S&W 3913LS, but I will be happy to do it.. In fact that's what I did before they came out with the CT's for the Sig P239.

FWIW, even tho there are 14 zillion 3913's of one description or another "out there" I don't see CT making a set of Lasergrips for them, but one can hope.

I am well pleased with the CT's I just put on my home defense weapon the 5906.

If you get to the point where you absolutely think you need a self defense firearm w/CT's on it you would be hard pressed to do much better than the Sig P239, (in 9mm or 40cal.). The P239 is a very good firearm, and the one I had never failed to go bang when I pulled the trigger, and honestly it was slightly more accurate (not enough to matter for self defense, but for target plinking made smaller groups) than any of my 5 3rd gen Smiths...

I'll just boogie on over to CT's and put in my request before my short term memory takes eff.... Uh, too late.. Well, I'm sure the idea will cycle back around sooner or later.

Best Wishes,

Jesse




P.S. Here's my little darlin's choice in a cc firearm.. Small caliber true, but I've taught her to just stick it in the bad guys nostril (either side) and pull the trigger 7 times.. Might not help, can't hurt, and she can cc it anyplace, anytime a thong bikini is not proper attire..

 

[zen pistol]

cz sp01 or cz sp01 phantom or cz sp01 shadow. proven reliability and accuracy. proven itself in competitions. current world shoot production division champion and third placer both used a cz sp01.

 

[NCMom]

PX15.....Love the little Seecamp and have had a LWS .32 for years. I prefer carrying a 9mm but sometimes the small size of the Seecamp wins. Any gun is better than no gun!