Compromise 9mm gun for both range and CCW or don't compromise?

[David007]

I live in VA and recently got my ccw. I currently own a Ruger Mark III for range plinking. I like shooting at the range. I find it fun and relieves stress.

I've been researching which gun to get for my CCW.

At first i thought of .38special revolver since i want 100% jam free. what good is a ccw gun if it jams when you need it? but revolvers are big compared to .380.
And there are automatics that have near revolver reliability.

but .380 ammo is scarce/expensive. What good is a CCW gun if it's empty? or seldomly shot because ammo is expensive.

in my mind 9mm is the best compromise. $9.50/box at walmart and it's plentiful. plus ccw 9mm guns are smaller than .38special revolvers.

Now the question is which 9mm for both the range and CCW?
Keltec P11 comes to mind. smaller and 1/2 the price of the Glock26. Plus it accepts Smith & Wesson M59-series (15-round) mags. So you can have a fun time at the range.

and with factory 12round flush mags (same size as the standard 10round mags) it's the most bullets per vertical inch for a 9mm CCW. (how is it possible to fit 12 rounds in the same size 10mag?!)

If i dont compromise with a gun that is both fun at the range and good for ccw, then i would get a keltec pf9. it's the thinnest mass production 9mm. thus best 9mm for pocket carry?


Your thoughts?

 

[19-3Ben]

If I had to have one gun for both purposes, I'd go for a Kahr CW9. You can get them for ~$400-450.
They fit my hand beautifully, are very accurate, great trigger, etc...

Biggest complaint you'll hear about the Kel-Tec is the trigger. One of the best about Kahrs are their triggers.

You are talking about losing a bit int he capacity department, but for a range gun, I want something I can get my whole hand around. I don't want my pinkie hanging off the bottom, or needing special mag extensions the way you would need with the P11.

Don't get me wrong, I plan to get the P11 as a carry gun because I love their size/firepower ratio. I think it's about as good as it gets. BUT I would not get it as my "all around" gun.

The Kahr CW9/K9/P9 sized guns handle and shoot like full sized guns, but carry like small guns.

BTW, I have a man-crush on my K40.

 

[jfrey]

I totally agree on the CW9. If you are only going to get one, get better than the Kel-Tec. If you can afford two pistols, get the CW9 for CC and a good Browning HP for range work. You can't go wrong either way. You can also CC the HP because it is slim as well and isn't that heavy. You didn't mention your budget but neither will totally break the bank.

 

[Sgt_R]

The Kahr PM9 is a great little pocket 9mm, is surprisingly pleasant and accurate to shoot for such a small pistol, and has better sights than you're ever going to find on a Kel-Tec.

I enjoy shooting it at least as much as my full size .40 cal. If I had to choose one 9mm for CCW and range work, it'd be a Kahr.

R

 

[Welding Rod]

I would get a 92FS, P226, or XMm.

 

[Boris bush]

For range AND carry a G19, XD9 sized gun is going to be hard to beat.

XD9 is more of a full sizeish gun, and if you get one of them mecgar mags that are very good quality, it will hold 18+1. Not bad for a gun still small enough to carry.

My wife has my old G19 and I got a XD9 to replace it when she took it from me. I love them both for plinking, hiking, camping, and neither can be beat for carry..

 

[wesessiah]

have you considered compact rather than sub-compact/pocket guns and carrying in your waistband? i just personally find a gun in my pocket more cumbersome. i thoroughly enjoy my cz p-01... but the beavertail isn't that great if you like carrying at 10, 11, 12, 1, or 2 o'clock. 1911's of course have an inherently slim profile, but i don't personally like them with less than a 4" barrel. seems like the shorter they get the less reliable they are.

 

[David007]

19-3Ben,
tried to quote your post, but dont see a quote option?

"but for a range gun, I want something I can get my whole hand around."
wont the 15round mag for p11 allow the pinky to wrap around?


Any extended mags for the Kahr CW9?
i see reloading often as a pain for a range gun.

 

[David007]

Boris bush,
"For range AND carry a G19, XD9 sized gun is going to be hard to beat. "

Why a G19 instead of G26?
G26 is smaller than the G19 thus better for ccw?
And for range, i could use a 17round mag in the G26 thus my pinky wont be dangling.


wesessiah,
my hands arent that big. and sub compact would give me more options in the way i dress in the summer.

 

[David007]

basically my idea of compromise ccw/range gun is a pocket gun that accepts larger mags for when you're at the range.
the extended mags should allow an enjoyable time at the range by more rounds/less reloading, and its extra weight should lessen the recoil of the small gun.

but it sounds like the keltec P11 is still harsh as a range gun because of its 9lb DOA trigger pull?


edit:
the kahr PM9 is almost 3x the cost of the P11?!
WOW! and Yikes!

 

[cmfireman]

I bought a G19 and decided the grip was a little too long to facilitate CCW for myself. I traded it on a G26 and added a Pearce Grip +1 extension, and although I can get all fingers on it comfortably, it is still easier to conceal than the 19.

For range duty, I use a G19 mag with a sleeve. Couldn't be happier with my little 26!


G19 behind a G26 with Pearce +1:

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

If you want a CCW gun that accepts larger mags, I would(and have) go for a G19, or maybe a G26. Either will accept magazines from the next size larger Glock. The 19 will accepted G17 mags, and a G26 will accept both 19 and 17 mags.

 

[chieftain]

I personally do not carry a Glock.

I recommend for most folks a Glock 19, HK P30, or S&W M&P 9mm. The all conceal and shoot well, have reasonable capacity.

Don't buy a cheap gun. I have had the Kel-Tec's etal. In the end Quality is always cheaper, unless you plan to "throw" your gun away regularly.

If you want something smaller, there is the Glock 26, HK P2000sk, S&W M&P 9mm, all close to the same size.

Many folks confuse hideout with Concealed. The key to good concealment is a quality belt, with a quality holster. I often forget I have my full size Springfield professional 1911 on with the Wilderness Products 5 stitch belt and Milt Sparks VM II.

Go figure.

Fred

 

[ForumSurfer]

For range AND carry a G19, XD9 sized gun is going to be hard to beat.

I agree. I am biased, though. I'm not a fan of "pocket" guns. With a good belt and a good IWB holster, most anyone can conceal a compact or subcompact in regular shorts and a t-shirt without wearing baggy clothes.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Why a G19 instead of G26?

Ever so slightly longer sight radius. Nothing against the g26 though. A good friend has a g19 and a g26. I borrowed both and carried each one for a week or so. I just didn't find the g26 to be any more comfortable. So I bought a g19. Once again, I am biased. I prefer 1911's. Carrying either of the glocks felt like there was this massive, thick brick just under my belt at first.

 

[tinygnat219]

Get the G19, it'll meet your needs for a "range gun" and for Concealed Carry. Glock got it right with this gun, and it's as close to the perfect gun that any one company has been able to produce. It's a good compromise of price, shootability, concealability, capacity, and it sets the standards for reliability.

It'll shoot rings around the Kel-Tec P-11 with its better trigger, it has more round capacity than any Kahr, it's magazines are cheaper and easier to find than both H&K, SIG, and S&W.

It's also easy to find a holster to fit your gun and your needs since it's so prolific. They're also inexpensive when compared to the Kahr, H&K, or SIG.

 

[Pilot]

The CZ-75D PCR is a perfect choice for both range and carry. It is accurate, reliable and relatively light and compact. For some reason, I find it just as accurate as my full size 75B. Others in this category that would serve you well are:

HK P7
CZ P-01
Sig P228
Glock G19

 

[Sgt_R]

The Glock 26 is a good choice too. Higher quality than a Kel-Tec, less expensive than a Kahr, higher magazine capacity than both, and the ability to throw a grip extension on there for range work. I have a G27 (the .40 cal version) and I love it.

You're not going to carry it in a pocket though, unless you have really big pockets. I have an IWB holster for mine.

R

 

[zebco]

I'll second the suggestion of a CZ PCR. And if not, the Glock 26. I once got pulled over while carrying the Glock 26 OWB. Cop wants me to get out of the car and check where the gun is. He did a cursory pat-down, and not a very good one at that. Ended up asking me just where is the gun. I pointed it out to him and he seemed surprised that he couldn't find it. It handles very well at the range too. But I still like the PCR better.

 

[Boris bush]

David007

Why a G19 instead of G26?
G26 is smaller than the G19 thus better for ccw?
And for range, i could use a 17round mag in the G26 thus my pinky wont be dangling.

I went from a G26 to a G19 for carry. I found that the G26 conceals no better for me, and I am slim and short. Like others said quality belts and holsters do wonders for carry. Now I carry a fullsize G37. For me I can conceal it just as good as the G19. I use a good belt and holster that fits me though, so it makes a difference.

You could always use the G17 mag in the G19 too. When you set a G26 ontop of a G19 you realize just how little difference there is. Then there is the 33% less ammo lost for such a small difference and the loss of sight radius and overall feel.

Not saying it might be best for you, but if you carry proper the slightly larger G19 will not be that much of a difference in feel while you carry. I am fine with the G37.

The XD9 is the same height as a full size Glock with a slightly shorter barrel. Mine fully loaded with 115s is the same weight as my G37 loaded with 185s. XDs are great pistols, I would not look them over.

Whatever you get, get what you know will work best for you!! When you do come back, come with pictures and a range report..

 

[wesessiah]

19-3Ben,
tried to quote your post, but dont see a quote option?

"but for a range gun, I want something I can get my whole hand around."
wont the 15round mag for p11 allow the pinky to wrap around?


Any extended mags for the Kahr CW9?
i see reloading often as a pain for a range gun.

i still haven't found a button for quoting here, but you can do it manually with a vbulletin server. copy and paste the post, type in [quote.=.David007.] paste the copied part in here [/.quote.] just take those periods out from inside the brackets for it to work.

 

[rich642z]

I will stick to Rugers 9mms. The arent as boxy looking as Glocks and they function even better than Glocks. Check out the Ruger SR9 or SR9c if you want a compact fiream for ccw. Pricing is between a Kel-tec and a Glock and it depends on where you get them from[ffl dealer]. rich642z

 

[Purgatory]

G19 and G26 are great for ccw. It may come down to which fits your hand better. Some people's thumb muscle in their palm fits one model better than the other due to the hump on the back of the grip being higher on the 26 than the 19.

I chose the G19 for many reasons Boris mentioned, yet, I do seem to carry my G36 (sub-compact with shorter grip) more often with lighter clothing.

i still haven't found a button for quoting here

To quote: First, left click mouse and hold to highlight the part of the post you wish to quote.
Then, right click on the highlighted area and choose copy.
Next, go to 'Post Reply' and click the image of what looks like a cartoon caption, right click on the blinking cursor and choose paste.
Note: You can also perform these steps after clicking 'Post Reply' by scrolling down to the different posts to choose from. -AND don't forget to 'Preview' your post before submitting to ensure that your quote appears as you would like it to.

Hope this helps.

 

[wesessiah]

thanks purgatory, that's a little quicker than my method. i always thought that was the align button like on another forum i'm on.

 

[Guns and more]

It's hard to compromise, because big heavy guns are better at the range, and to me, it's the other way around when carrying.
If I could only pick one, I'd get the Springfield EMP. Lays flat, not a bad shooter, smallish.