Deep conceal 9MM or 380?

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If you're used to a Glock 26 and a Sig P232, I think you're going to find the "pocket rockets" like the Kel-Tec PF9 or the Ruger LCP to be a real handful to shoot -- very snappy. I have no experience with the Kahr P380 or Sig P238, so I can't comment on those.

My choice for a deep concealment pistol is the Kel-Tec P32. Felt recoil is similar to my Glock 26. Also, its standard magazine holds one more round than the LCP (7 rather than 6), and it locks open after the last round is fired, which is something I really appreciate. I know that a lot of people look down on the .32 round, but I can shoot it without the "ouch" factor, which makes for more and better practice. I use strictly FMJ ammo. I carry it in my right front pants pocket in a DeSantis Nemesis holster, and I carry a ten-round magazine for a reload.
 
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I have a Pm9 and its a great little 9 and yes you can put it in your pocket,
That said I feel its a little large for pocket carry and dont use it that way.
My G27 is not really any harder to conceal(IWB) so the pm9 gets little carry carry time.If you want true pocket carry The P3AT,LCP or the Kahr P380 is of
a better size.My P3AT is a great little pistol cheap and allways goes bang.
My P380 is an excellent pistol with noticeable less recoil,verry good accuracy
due to useable sights.Acttually I bought the P380 for the wife and she lets me shoot it.I have no problem hitting my my 6x11 hanging steel at 25 yards.I can do it with the P3AT if I slow way down and squeeeeeze the trigger.
 
I carry my PF-9 in a variety of ways. In the pocket with a pocket holster, in a carry vest, in a concealment t-shirt like the Confidential from Kramer, belly band, in an ankle holster, just all depends how I am dressed. I think it is one of the best deep concealment guns available today due to both size and just as importantly, it's weight.

In an actual shooting incident you most likely will not even register the recoil. These are not target guns for playing at the range. You should be able to shot enough to learn the gun easily then an occasionally refresher session should keep you proficient. Of course the 22 conversion for the PF-9 is fun to shoot and a cheap way to practice with the gun.
 
I purchased a Bersa Thunder .380 some years back for a "smaller summer gun." It has done well but I really was looking for something that would work better for ultra discreet carry. I ended up with a Ruger LCP. I was surprised that the recoil was rather manageable (no +P's) and felt better shooting than my Thunder .380. It rides in my pocket every day and the Thunder only goes out on special occasions.
 
I pocket carry a Ruger LCP. It's a back up gun and I haven't shot it at the range yet. I'm sure it won't be a whole lot of fun and probably won't see much range time, but I won't be thinking about that if I need it.

It's so small ,thin,and light I hardly notice it at all.
 
The LCP isn't bad if you get a Pearce Grip magazine base with the small extension. Lets you get two full fingers on there even if you have fat fingers. The hogue rubber sleeve is nice too but not necessary.

From there it's just practice, practice, practice. Unlike other guns, I've found you need to put extra tension using your ring finger while not milking it with your other fingers. If it's beating you up between your thumb and forefinger, you aren't holding it right.
 
Here is my pocket carry sojourn that started in 2005 and ended in 2009.

BERSA BT 380. Too heavy

Kahr PM9 Started out ok, but broke down...so I thought I would try..
S&W 642 I liked the form factor but a bit heavy.
642 broke down and went back to S&W for repair.

Kahr went through the 200 round break in so carried it for awhile found it too heavy though.

Was enamoured with lightweight snubs since I liked the form factor but not the weight and got a:

S&W M&P340 (13.3 ounces).
Now this one I really like. To this day.

Still wanted a really deep cover semi-auto. Researched...researched...
This was before the recent onslaught of small .380s.
Purchased a Seecamp LWS .380. Quest over.

Final Pair:
Revolver M&P 340 with CT Grips
Semi Seecamp LWS .380
 
Pocket carry?
1. Seecamp 380. Tiny, superbly made, no fun to shoot.
2. Sig 238. Not quite so tiny, fun to shoot, all the good stuff.
3. LCP. Reliable, inexpensive. Why not?

Rohrbach makes a .380. I don't have one. Expensive.

Tough to beat one of these four.
 
I love the keltec p3at for a pocket gun. Small, light, thin, reliable; what else could you ask for. Anything bigger or heavier and I want a belt holster.
 
You already have a G26 which is pretty small. My EDC is a M&P 9C. I also have a Ruger LCP for deeper concealment. I wasn't sold on the LCP until I fired a couple hundred rounds through it. Now I'm sold on it. It is much more capable than it has any right to be and it disappears in a pocket. The problem with many small 9mms is there isn't enough difference in size from you G26 to make you appreciate it. You'll wish you have the G26. The LCP goes places the G26 just wouldn't.

Here is a vid I posted when I got my LCP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_Ybql8mDbs
 
Saw an ad for the Sig 290... 9mm not much bigger than an LCP but about twice the weight.
 
As you're finding out it's going to be hard to find a small, light gun in 9mm or .380. When you get to the P3AT sized .380's or the PF9 sized 9mm the light weight and small size mean heavy recoil. some are better than others though. In .380 I've shot my P3AT, a couple of Diamondback .380's, Ruger LCP and couple I don't even remeber the name of. I don't know if it's the ergo's or what but out o this group the Diamondback had less felt recoil than all the others mentioned. Knowing Kahr I'll beat their little .380 is light on recoil. Although I've seen allot of the Diamondbacks having problems.
I've shot all manner of small 9mm's. If you can find one the LC9 seems to be very mild in recoil compared to some of the others. The little Kahr's are great in metal. Had some problems with their polymer guns. I would look at the Kahrs though. They've just come out with their "economy" version of their PM9. Kel Tec's PF9 which I have is a good gun but has heavy recoil. Kahr also makes a great small steel 9mm called the MK9. They are superb litltle guns. The thing is none of these guns are going to be very pleasant to shoot.
They aren't range guns. Like I said going with a Kahr in metal is a pretty safe bet. I have an older .40 caliber version of the MK9 and it is just a great little gun. Very good shooter. Only thing is it's a bit on the heavy side. Good for mild recoil, bad for concealed carry. All things considered I would look at either a Kahr (especially the economy versions) or the Ruger LC9. I've shot both and they will probably be your best bet for your stated goals. Good luck.
 
I carried a KT pf-9 for the last couple years. Sold it and bought a Kahr CM9. Great little shooter. Low recoil , good DA trigger at 6 lb but very smooth. Use's any other kahr 8mm mags. Did I say Low recoiling. And it is slightly smaller in size than the pf-9. Weight is just over 1oz heavier at 14oz. Very nice carry pistol .
 
hardluk1 said:
I carried a KT pf-9 for the last couple years. Sold it and bought a Kahr CM9. Great little shooter. Low recoil , good DA trigger at 6 lb but very smooth. Use's any other kahr 8mm mags. Did I say Low recoiling. And it is slightly smaller in size than the pf-9. Weight is just over 1oz heavier at 14oz. Very nice carry pistol .
Click to expand...
I also had and sold a PF9 after I purchased a PM9. I found the the PM9 so much nicer to shoot I just decided to dump the PF9.
 
For summertime, I now carry a Kahr CM9 (cousin to Kahr's PM9). Fall/winter/spring - Glock G19. 9mm is the way to go (over .380). Cheaper, more choices, and something you can shoot at the range to get proficient with.

Good luck with your choices.
 
Bimmerland, the safety on the P238 has a very positive engagement, add that to a rather stout SA trigger pull. I feel very confident it will only go bang when you want it to. I usually holster carry either a CZ PCR or a SIG RCS 1911, but the P238 is what I use when I cannot carry a gun.
 
using a Bianchi Belly Band rig could possibly change your mind about carrying your G26 or P232. it is not a fast draw setup by any means, but imo is a well thought out deep concealment rig for those times when more conventional means of carry is not feasible. you can wear it under a loose fitting tee shirt without printing.

Bianchi no longer offers the Belly Band, but it can be found on the secondary market; i've seen them sold via online auctions. there are other companies that currently make belly band type setups. i believe Galco makes a version.

finding an example of a Bianchi Belly Band is worth the effort imo.

being creative with method of carry can broaden your options of carry guns.
 
I would take your $550 dollars, put 350 back in the bank, buy 200 dollars worth of 9mm.And Practice. G-26 is the best of it right now. G26, G27s are known to be extremely accurate and generally more so than the 19 & 43. Has to do with the double spring configuration my 27 was a tack driver literally, I was shooting the thumb tacks on target at 15 yards. You can generally find 9mm anywhere. and always cheaper than 380. Why not shoot a full size service cartridge. If I have to shoot without earprotection, like selfdefense, I'll take 9mm every time.
Just my feeling but I hate the crack of 380! put a Pierce extension on 1 mag , not the other shoot both ways for a while until you decide which you like best.
I ended up taking them back off and shooting with little finger under. I have a feg 380 walther clone w/ alloy frame, that shoots good but only for plinking. It is my opinion that when you give up 9mm velocity you also give up reliable bullet expansion.
At that speed maybe a little faster I would sooner carry a russian makarov, it wont expand either but ball rounds have a blunter profile.
 
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I also have the Glock 26 (among other 9mm's). As far a the .380's go, I did not have a good experience with the Kahr. Pretty uncomfortable to shoot and many feeding/jamming issues after 400 rounds. I traded for the Sig P238 last week and have only shot 30-40 rounds. Cannot comment yet on reliability but it much more comfortable and by default more accurate in my hands. I think I could have gotten the Kahr to where I needed it but I have a personal policy of not sending guns back for repair. Would rather move on.
 
Recently bought bersa 380 cc (concealed carry). With pocket holster it fits in the khakis and jeans I wear, doesn't seem to show. Compared to a j-frame, I found it easy to shoot and hit with. Also it's 8+1.
 
Small guns are not fun to shoot, there's just no way around it. They are going to snap, it's just the nature of the beast.

I have a LCP and it's great. Fits perfectly in a pocket, and nobody will know you have it! Cheaper than the kahrs and sigs too, which is a nice perk.
 
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