Why does everyone seem to carry a backup Mag In carry pistols? I know the answer is just in case but isn't 10-12 rounds sufficient in most conflicts that involve a shoot out?
Actually I'm not sure that is the answer. It is one answer, or part of the answer at least. Carrying an extra mag also has a lot to do with dealing with stoppages.
For a primary carry gun the 26 hands down. The PM9 is lighter and smaller but the 26 is a notably better fighting gun. I recently had the chance to run some drills and courses of fire with each on the clock. I consistently preformed better with the 26. To be fair, I have a lot more rounds through the G26 but I have also shot larger kahrs a fair amount. The real difference came from the fact the PM9 is small enough it is simply harder to shoot and run it well.
If you are someone that just wants a gun to stick in his pocket and feel better because he has it then a PM9 will probably be good for that. If you are going to invest the time to really learn to not only shoot your gun well but to run it well the 26 is a better choice. The PM9 is a great BUG or deep concealment gun but is not really a gun I would consider as a primary.
I know some will say that a PM9 is better than a larger gun you can't carry. That is true. However, there is a world of difference between
can't carry and simply, a bit easier to carry and conceal.
If I were going for belt carry anyways I think I'd get a P9 over a PM9. The P9 is easier to conceal than the 26 and still large enough to be able to shoot it and manipulate it fairly well.
If you can find someone that has one or both go out and shoot them. However, don't simply shoot calmly standing in a shooting range. Draw from concealment, run a few drills, set up some stoppages and preform clearance drills. Do the same one handed (both strong and support hand). I think you will see what I mean about one being better suited as a primary carry gun.
If I already had an LCP to serve as a BUG/deep concealment gun I'd get the G26.
