Deep conceal 9MM or 380?

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bimmerland

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I presently own a G26 and a P232. Both a very competent guns but do not offer a high level of conceal-ability.

I shoot both the 9MM and 380 with good accuracy and both guns have a felt recoil that my hands can handle. I have average size hands and need to have at least 2 fingers solidy wrapped around the handle.

If I were to look at a deep conceal (pocket) guns that had a similar felt recoil what would you recommend in either a 9MM or 380. I have looked at the KAHR 9MM and 380 but don't know if the recoil is acceptable for range use. I usually fire at least 100 rounds when I go to the range so I don't want a gun to tire me out.

I recently had the experience to shoot a BG380 and a P238. The BG380 was a hard kicker while the P238 was not but I would rather stick with a DA as a pocket gun. I have never shot a LCP but I hear it is a great gun but haven't found any review concerning felt recoil.

What would you recommend with price ceiling around $550 in either a 9MM or a 380.

Thanks in advance for all suggestions
 
One of the nice things about the Kahr P380 is that it's a soft shooter, therefore you can get range time and not feel punished. An additional benefit is that it is truly small enough to conceal, unlike a 1911 in your pocket. Good solid soft shooting gun. I don't know the price in different parts of the country but it's a good value.
 
I've got a Kahr CW9 that has about 500 rounds through it and it's working well. Conceals extremely well too with a IWB holster at about 4:30-5:00. My S&W 640-1 .357 conceals very well too in the same position. I shoot 38 spl +P through it.

Both work and conceal great.
 
Bigger/better 9mm bullets - simple

...

Without question, the choices of so many 9mm JHP's with the weight and velocity's that one can choose from in today's small 9mm gun market along with going closed breach action vs dirty, blow-back, action, type guns, it is clear which is the better choice and offers more forgiveness..

OMMV,


Ls
 
Kahr P380 is a good little pistol, but I did have reliability issues with mine at first. It seems okay now, and its flat profile makes it a true pocket gun. Sig P238 is another option, or maybe even the Kahr PM9, which is a really nice and concealable pistol. Then there's the Seecamp LSW380, which is supremely small but a tad pricey.
 
I have looked at the KAHR 9MM and 380 but don't know if the recoil is acceptable for range use. I usually fire at least 100 rounds when I go to the range so I don't want a gun to tire me out.
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The wife and I have both at home. The Kahr P380 is much lighter and slightly smaller than the PM9, and of the two, makes a better pocket gun. Both are good shooters; the first time the we them to the range, we put 200 rounds through each with no discomfort.

R
 
The PF9 is lighter and thinner than the Kahr PM9, and holds an extra round. It also costs half as much. If you want, you can attach a belt clip to the PF9 and wear it IWB without a holster, giving an extremely thin profile. I don't know if it would be a great option for pocket carry, but if the PF9 isn't then the PM9 definitely isn't.
 
I shot an LCP for the first time today, I enjoyed the guns size but there is a good amount of muzzle flip. I personally plan on going for the LC9 to carry IWB, but I wouldn't pocket carry an LC9. An LCP on the other hand would be a great compromise.
 
@Sgt_R... I think you are on to something. Since I have a G26 and a G19 I might look at a 380 for better concealment and less felt recoil. Now the only task is to find the best one for the money. At this point of my investigation the KAHR P380 takes the lead.

Thanks
 
Also check out Kahr MK9. Not as tiny or light as the P380, but very small and shootable -- I think the all-steel frame makes it a lot easier to shoot, too.
 
Since I have a G26 and a G19 I might look at a 380 for better concealment and less felt recoil. Now the only task is to find the best one for the money. At this point of my investigation the KAHR P380 takes the lead.
Click to expand...

I pocket carry the P380 as a BUG to my Glock 27, or occasionally as my only gun if I can't carry the G27 for some reason.

I shopped around and looked at the Ruger, Kel-Tec, and others, but in the end the Kahr just felt the best in my hand. If you're used to shooting Glocks, you'll know exactly what I mean when you pick up a Kahr - it's like the sub-subcompact that Glock never made. ;)

R
 
@Sgt_R Thanks that's good news. I am a die hard Glock fan (G19,G26) so the Kahr 380 will be the 380 that Glock couldn't get into the USA.
 
I normally carry a Glock 19 or 26. Couple of years ago I picked up a Ruger LCP for those stinking hot summer days when I can't carry a bigger gun.
So the question for me, is, how small is small enough?
I looked at the Kahr, P238, the little Kimber 9mm, and the little Ruger 9mm.
None of them are as small as the LCP, if I have to go bigger, I'd just as soon carry my Glock.
Recoil on the LCP is snappy, but not unpleasant. Not a range gun, though, usually 50r and I'm on to something else.
 
@Jed Carter ...good selection...not very comfortable with SA...like to carry with loaded chamber...feel better with a DA but will look a P238 as an option.
 
One more vote for the PF9. It's not fun to shoot, but the most fun to carry a 9mm can be, you hardly realize it's there. If you ever need a pocket gun, it'll likely be at 10 yards or less, and it's hard to miss at that range, so it doesn't matter how much snappy the PF9 is. Plus, you can shoot the same rounds as your G19, it's cheaper to buy and shoot than .380, you get more rounds, and more power.
 
I sold my PF9. It SUCKED to shoot, very snappy.
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I'm new to handguns and I've shot my PF9 just fine (@ about 300 rds already). I applied a handall grip jr and the baby feels so good.

Bimmerland the reason is this (I'm quoting someone elses response for PF9 as it is how I feel as well):

The PF9 is lighter and thinner than the Kahr PM9, and holds an extra round. It also costs half as much. If you want, you can attach a belt clip to the PF9 and wear it IWB without a holster, giving an extremely thin profile. I don't know if it would be a great option for pocket carry, but if the PF9 isn't then the PM9 definitely isn't.
Click to expand...

Also, you can add an AA .22LR conversion and plink away!
 
recently had the experience to shoot a BG380 and a P238. The BG380 was a hard kicker while the P238 was not but I would rather stick with a DA as a pocket gun. I have never shot a LCP but I hear it is a great gun but haven't found any review concerning felt recoil.
Click to expand...

If you think the BG380 is a hard kicker stay clear of the LCP. Pocket 380s do offer the greatest level of concealment while not being anemic. I'd go with the Kahr p380. The pm9 is a little too big for pocket carry IMO, if pocket carry is what you are going for.
 
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