Does it defeat the purpose?

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Mr. Tettnanger

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Does it defeat the purpose of a small handgun if you wear it OWB/IWB?

I have a Kahr CM9 that I love. It fits my hand great, I shoot it well, and has been 100% reliable. I thought that I would use it in pocket. But, I find that I don't like pocket carry. I have tried several handguns in the pocket and I am no longer a fan. Anything bigger than my Ruger LCP really annoys me.

I am thinking of getting a IWB holster for the Kahr, but I keep thinking that if I have to carry IWB, why not just carry my main gun=Glock 26?

So, am I defeating the purpose and being silly here?
 
Absolutely not! If you like that gun and shoot it well and it is reliable, carry it! Holsters are better for carry than pockets anyway. Pockets have the benefit of convenience and deeper concealment, but they are much harder to draw from and have other drawbacks. A Kahr CM9 is small enough that it would still be very discreet in an OWB pancake holster, which would be very comfortable to wear.

IWBs are generally a little less comfortable and may require slight wardrobe adjustments, but the concealment afforded is very good indeed.

Unless I HAD to go with pocket carry, I'd always choose a belt holster.

As to the Glock vs. the Khar? They're pretty close to the same size (from my perspective...I IWB or OWB carry a 1911 or a 629 most of the time). Carry whichever you shoot best.
 
If this goal is still deep/extra concealment, then it does not defeat the purpose. If you're not particularly worried about being seen with it, then it would probably make sense to carry a larger weapon, because a larger weapon would be more useful... Better range, better trigger, more comfortable grip, etc...

The Kahr CM9 is also much thinner than the Glock 26. When you look at the numbers or compare them side x side, it doesn't look like much at all. But when you're actually carrying them, the difference is noticeable. It's nothing you can't get used to easily enough, though.
 
Just my $.02 here:

I think you answered your own question. You said of your Kahr "It fits my hand great, I shoot it well, and has been 100% reliable." What else do you want a pistol to do? Having that pistol with you in any carry configuration should give you justified peace of mind.

If you want to you can always envision some scenario in which ANY firearm chosen won't be ideal. I recommend not driving oneself crazy over this by splitting hairs.

You've found a firearm that will be adequate or better in the vast majority of likely situations you might encounter. You trust it. Carry it anyway you like and enjoy your life.

Dan
 
No. I prefer pocket carry, but smaller is still easier to conceal and lighter in weight no matter what method you carry it. Obviously, IWB and OWB give the option to go larger if you are worried about trading off size for tactical advantage, but that is a compromise you have to decide for yourself. I personally lean in the small and lightweight direction.
 
I would not keep a Glock if I already owned a Kahr. Which I do. PM9 is my EDC IWB.
 
There are many holsters to carry the Kahr in a manner that is easily accessible, comfortable and reasonably priced. Perhaps once you select the holster that best meets your preferences you can then focus on a set-up to carry a spare mag or two. This would bridge the gap between the easy carry Kahr and your full size Glock.
 
I have to lose some weight before I could put a Glock IWB, however a J frame still fits.

We all have our reasons, yours are not mine.

If it works go with it.
 
Mr. Tettnanger said:
Does it defeat the purpose of a small handgun if you wear it OWB/IWB?

I have a Kahr CM9 that I love. It fits my hand great, I shoot it well, and has been 100% reliable. I thought that I would use it in pocket. But, I find that I don't like pocket carry. I have tried several handguns in the pocket and I am no longer a fan. Anything bigger than my Ruger LCP really annoys me.

I am thinking of getting a IWB holster for the Kahr, but I keep thinking that if I have to carry IWB, why not just carry my main gun=Glock 26?

So, am I defeating the purpose and being silly here?
Click to expand...


The important thing is that you have a gun when you need it and having a comfortable way to carry makes that easy to do.

If a certain carry method makes that happen for you, why not do it?
 
I would not replace the Kahr with the Glock unless you shot the G26 a lot better.

The CM9's major advantage over the G26 is it's thinness...a much larger factor if you carry IWB than if you go OWB. I personally find the Kahr trigger allows me to place my shots more accurately than the Glocks'

I consider pocket carry a major compromise to speed of presentation. This likely is influence by the pants I normally wear (fairly tight pockets) and that I have been carrying mid-sized pistols (SIG 220) for quite some time and only recently changed to compacts like the G19 and Kahr CW9
 
Sam1911 said:
Unless I HAD to go with pocket carry, I'd always choose a belt holster.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. I pocket carry a S&W 638 at times but it's the only gun I use for pocket carry. Everything else is worn on the belt. I find that 638 rides just fine OWB. I colder weather everything goes OWB because of jacket for cover. Warmer weather I may move to IWB depending on the size of the gun.
 
I carry my Ruger LCP IWB occasionally. Not bad at all. For me ANY double-stack is out of the question for IWB carry. Different people have different comfort standards, but I just can't do it. You have to understand though that I'm the type of person that as soon as I get to work I empty my pockets. Car keys, cell phone, wallet, etc - all get taken out and put on my desk because I can't deal with any of that in my pockets. You can imagine how much worse a double-stack feels IWB.

Personally to me the single-stack 9mm's are MEANT for IWB carry. IMHO they're too large for pocket carry.
 
I carry a cm9 in the pocket many times. Better at work, construction. But I have a nice iwb holster that allows the small kahrs to truely be concealed with a tucked in shirt if needed. I also have larger kahrs, a cw and tp that get iwb'd and there is a point that tucking in is not practical and some forum of cover is needed.
 
The purpose is to have a firearm should you need it. So no, it doesn't defeat the purpose.
I tend to IWB carry mostly (even 'pocket pistols') simply because that is more comfortable to me than pocket carry. Just my preference though, everyone is different.
.
 
I have a Kahr and a Glock, and I am keeping both. :D

Seriously, though, my Kahr K9 is a real peach for IWB carry. My Glock 19 is a better OWB pistol, in addition to being an excellent nightstand/car gun. If I want to pocket carry, that's why I have a S&W Chief's Special. All are great tools to have in the toolbox.
 
I IWB my Glock 27. Love it! Your 26 would be no different.
I use a Crossbreed.

In God and Glock we Trust
 
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