"CCW 9mm's -- Pros & Cons" ???

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David

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I am looking for a new CCW handgun for summer use, so I have learned a lot recently on THR about four 9mm CCW firearms that I had little or no previous knowledge of.

These four CCW 9mm's are:

1 -- Springfield XD Subcompact

2 -- S&W CS9

3 -- Sig P239

4 -- Kahr PM9

Can THR members who carry any of the above as their CCW give the pros and cons (and perhaps a new gun price check) of each factoring in quality, capacity, concealability, price, etc.?

I think this information would be useful to other THR members as well who may be looking for a compact 9mm for summer use.

:D :D :D

Thanks...
 
I had a SIG239 for a while and really liked it except for the feel of the grip. I let a friend of mine buy it from me. Now I see that Hogue has some new grips for it that look like they would make it a lot better. I'm trying to work on my friend to sell it back to me. (Used SIG239s sell in the $450 range.) I've been looking hard at the CS9 too. Most people give the CS9 good reviews.--Leigh
 
I have the XD sub that I sometimes carry. I mainly carry it in a fanny pack, as it seems to be a bit fat to carry inside the pants.

It is UTTERLY reliable, in over 2000 rounds now, I have had no misfeeds or failure to fires. It is also VERY accurate, I was shooting 2" groups at 10 yrds yesterday, no problem.

I have several very nice 45 sutos and prefer to shoot the Sub. I paid $440 for mine.

I simply can't say enough good things about this little gun-Rob
 
How is the xd to detail strip? I am planning on a G26 for a CCW because I already know how to detail strip it and everything. The XD seems to be at least as good and cheaper...
 
You'll love the CS9

I have it's big brother the CS45 and it's fantastic. I spent a lot of time searching gun sites reading about the CS series and have yet seen anyone who is not exceptionally happy with all sizes of that S&W weapon series.

You will love it.
 
I just returned from taking the wife out to supper. Inside my front right pocket of my "dockers" is a PM9 in an RJ Hedley pocket holster. The profile is like I had a palm pilot or wallet in that pocket. I did need to "break it in", but that is not uncommon on Kahrs. Shoots to POA at 7yds with seven rds of federal 9BP all in a hole that I can cover with a silver dollar, I can't ask for any better in a pocket gun.:)
 
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by detail strip but, to break it down for normal cleaning (remove slide, pull recoil spring, remove barrel) Takes all of about 30 seconds, here are the steps...Lock back slide, turn small take down lever, pull trigger and run slide forward.. Release the pieces you want out and that's it. It's about the easiest gun I've ever broken down.

I hear the Kahr is also a great gun, but in my experiance it is a bit more expensive. I believe that they one I saw the other day was $569 but that is in Cali. and might be cheaper elsewhere.

Good luck in your hunt!!--Rob
 

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If anyone is interested in doing a detail strip on an XD this is the site to go to. The man who did this did a fine job.

http://www.hs2000talk.com/

Go to general HS2000 & XD Talk and there is a sticky titled "Detail dissasembly instructions with pictures."


Again, the man did a fine job.
 
The XD is an excellent gun....check the link above to the HS/XD forums. There is a post with the breakdown and pics of everything you have to do, pretty simple really. You cant go wrong with the Sprinfield XD series. The subcomapact comes in 9mm only at this time, I carry (CCW) the 4 inch service model in 357sig and its a pleasure to shoot and hides under a tee shirt very well. Every one loves their XDs.
Heres the link again.... http://www.hs2000talk.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi ......there very well priced guns, you cant go wrong.
 
Don't overlook the S&W 3900 series. Especially, the 3914NL or "new line". This is a 3914 with a very tapered front end-nice looking. Also, these tend to have smaller controlls especially the slide stop, in effort to minimize thickness. The CS9 is great. I was frustrated in that the slide is super skinny, but the grips are a joke. The soft rubber is too sticky for clothes, and the grips are too fat! They measure 32mm-that is as wide as a Glock 30!. Others in the 3900 series are the TSW series. Oh, and try some of their DAO-double action only guns, some of them are very sweet. I have opened my mind to the S&W autos. An older M59 was my first gun, and to be honest, I have never had a problem with any smith auto-period! Good shootin and enjoy.:)
 
Kahr MK9

Rather than the PM9, which is experiencing some childhood ailments common to a new design, I recommend the tried and true MK9.

I carry the Elite 98. I'm not quite able to put all seven shots through the same hole at 10 yards. Almost, but not quite!! :D The weapon is specifically designed around the 115gr +P+ round loaded to 1300 fps, so regular civilian +P's are quite mild shooting.
Standard pressure 9mm have almost no recoil at all. (at least I think so)
It is a very concealable pistol. I carry mine in a DeSantis #2 Speed Scabbard, which disappears under a cotton t-shirt very easily. :)
 
Of the four, the CS9 and PM9 have both had some odd QC issues. I did like my MK9.

That leaves the 239 and XD. Sig Classics, with the recent exception of the 239, are usually $600 to $700 guns. The 239 is around $500.

The XD used to be the $250 HS2000. Now it's $450. See where I'm going on this?


I also really like the DA trigger on the Sig for carry. I would stuff a Sig in my waistband, NOT an XD.


In this league, you might want to read some of the recent threads about the RAP pistol.
 
IMO, you have 2 sizes of useful 9mm CCW's.
The Kahr K/MK size and a compact s/auto like the CZ PCR, S%W 6906, G19 etc.
9mm's have enough punch/energy/expansion to be a very viable caliber....so you get into size and capacity. Rarely can you have both. The little Kahrs are stellar shooters, accurate, reliable etc. bla bla bla...
The bigger PCR, 6906 etc etc are damn near perfect...
Small enough to really hide well, retain full grip, good sight radius, large capacity (PCR is 15 rnds with compact mag), light even fully loaded, run like Timex's....My logic says "hmmmmmm that's it!"
There are many other great CCW's...for size/weight/capacity
You all know my favorite....
Shoot well
 
The only one I have tried on your list is the PM9, and I give it a thumbs up.
Slim, light, 18oz. empty, accurate, and reliable.
Around here they cost $550 without night sights.
 
All good choices, but I would add the Sig P225 and either the CZ PCR or P-01, and then make your choice. Mine would be the P225, but YMMV!
 
I have a Kahr PM9 that I carry most every day. Mine has had problems but is now 100%. I carry mine in a Smartarry or an Alessi Talon Plus, it's so light and small that it's easy to carry and conceal. For it's size it is pretty accurate too.
 
If going for CCW . . .

Please look at overall height and weight of your choices. The RAP (not one of your choices but mentioned above) weighs in at 32.21 ounces, that is more than a loaded GLOCK 19 (w/ ten round clip and one in the barrel). The SIG is 5.1 inches in height and weighs in at 25.02 oz. The CS9 weighs only 20.9 oz unloaded, unfortunately I could not find a height measurement for it. Like the CS9 the sub-compact XD9 did not list a height (but I believe its height is not a factor as it is a pinky less hold much like the GLOCK 26/27/33 . . . hey, why no GLOCK in your sights?), yet, its weight is only 20.5 oz. That just leaves the Kahr PM9 4inches tall and 14 oz light.

As for thickness, well to me weight is the most important physical attribute of a carry gun. That said a good holster and gun belt, yada, yada, yada, will help with what ever you carry. The trick is to find one that feels good to you, buy it, and then put a few hundred rounds through it without a hiccup. At that point you’ve got YOUR carry gun. Good luck and happy hunting.
 
DF357,

I guess my statement was a bit out of hand, as I hadn't researched the issue first. The QC issues I've read about largely involved an oversized barrel tab on some early CS guns. I suppose that means that the problem has been resolved - but it's not such a common gun to really say one way or another.


I will restate that a nicely priced 239 (or 225 if you find one) is a terrific value compared to the other weapons listed (IMHO). These weapons have had a near perfect record since release, which means something to me. Sig does not seem to release products that aren't 100%.

The XD also has a very good record, but the pricing and carry issues make me much more fond of the compact Sig.
 
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