Glock 26 or Kahr PM9 for IWB CCW.. already own a Glock 19

[lithnights]

G19. Walking around the house, probably unloaded, is one thing.

Load her up, stick it in your pants, go drive around in your car for a couple of hours and get in and out of your car 10-20 times. If you can't wait to take it off when you're done, you've answered your question.

Own both brands, like them both very much. But the Glock was designed to be carried around in a holster, outside and on a belt, for all the world to see, or on a nightstand. The Kahrs, completely different deal.

You don't see any carpenters sticking hammers in their pockets or pants....

I've been carrying the 19, fully loaded (no chamber in round), all around, in and out of car (not 20 times but many) and I honestly look forward to taking it off. This is with my cheapy holster as well as mexican carry. Maybe it's just me not being used to CCW but it's not totally comfortable either way. Would a quality holster make a difference? Probably. A huge difference? Not sure, and I'm scared to bet $70 on it. : )

ALSO, I think what makes my situation different is that I legally can NOT carry as often as you all probably do. I work in a federal building which means 3 days a week, I can't CCW until I am home from work. Thus, I can't just go out and get all my pants an extra inch wide b/c I'll only be carrying half the time, and I'll be stuck with pants that are too big half the time. Know what I mean? Thus why I think the thinness and comfort of a CCW is so important to me.

Thus the reason for thinking of another option for CCW.

 

[lithnights]

I've been carrying a G19 off-and-on for years (Gen 2) and tried a G26 for a while. I could see the point of the G26, because it shared the same thickness as the G19 and had less to hold onto...plus, for me, it wasn't as accurate

I look at the Kahr line, I carry a CW9, as the gun Glock should have offered as a true sub-compact. Mine has been just as reliable and more accurate than the G26, but the thinness is what sets it apart from everything else.

There are two big things you'll have to decide on this purchase:
1. does the short frame bother you for your intended use (the only reason I'd go with the shorter PM9 is for pocket carry)
2. should you wait for the budget model (CM9) to come out later this year

1. Does the short frame bother me? Not really. This is not my range gun or fun gun. I want to be comfortable with it (and will find out when testing it) but to me, I guess I'm thinking that everyday comfort (lighter, shorter, narrower etc.) is more important than if I can only hit 3" grouping instead of a 2" grouping.

2. That is a great comment. I only recently heard about the CM9 and it is very tempting to wait for that, considering the big price difference.

 

[smince]

As the owner of two G19's and a G26, I just went through this.

I had a PM9, but ended up selling it. The 26 was more accurate and easier to shoot, and the 26 can (in reality) be carried in any location that I would carry the PM9 (I don't do 'pocket carry'). Using the bigger brother magazines for spares was also a plus.

About the only time I used either is in covert carry (i.e. bellyband or tuckable holster) and to me the pluses of the G26 outweighed the PM9.

 

[Mayo]

Go with the Kahr over the Glock any day-----Kahr is much thinner and better quality IMO.

 

[Quiet]

For IWB = Glock 26
For pocket carry = Kahr PM9

 

[sloman]

I had a PM9 and many other polymer framed kahrs. Each was problematic. I swore off all polymer kahrs after my pm9's trigger broke after just 800 rounds ( and my pm45's trigger broke after just 100 rounds) and when I sent it back to kahr, it came back with another problem. This happened with both the pm9 and pm45. Kahr seemed to not care and so I went with a g26. Say what you want about kars, but after numerous attempts to find a relaible one, I have given up my attempts. I'm sticking with Glock.

 

[Ben86]

I've been carrying the 19, fully loaded (no chamber in round), all around, in and out of car (not 20 times but many) and I honestly look forward to taking it off. This is with my cheapy holster as well as mexican carry. Maybe it's just me not being used to CCW but it's not totally comfortable either way.

You might want to just try getting a real quality holster before you run off and buy another gun. It would be a lot cheaper and might make the G19 adequately comfortable.

 

[lithnights]

You might want to just try getting a real quality holster before you run off and buy another gun. It would be a lot cheaper and might make the G19 adequately comfortable.

I see what you are saying. I do believe a quality holster is worth it. I guess I keep coming back to the fact that no matter what holster I get, it's still an extra (at minimum, without holster), an extra 1.2" of area that is now being taken up on my waist. I'd think that would be uncomfortable for anyone. And as I explained in post 26, I can only CCW half the week, so I can't go out and buy all new pants with an extra inch (as some have suggested).

Maybe IWB (as opposed to OWB) is my problem, not the gun! ; )

And I was going to run off and get another gun anyway. This is just a better excuse to do it sooner. lol

 

[sloman]

Get the Comptac Speed Paddle holster! Very comfortable and easy to conceal.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Maybe IWB (as opposed to OWB) is my problem, not the gun! ; )

Nope, your pants are the problem.

I carry IWB with the regular pants I wear, which are far from baggy or loose. With my khaki's or slacks (what I wear most days to work), I buy haggar. Plain old dress clothes...nothing tqactical, but they do have an elastic band that adds 2 inches without being seen. Really nice! It helps when I'm carrying or when I eat too much!

 

[Ledgehammer]

After reading a few of your post, I think pocket carry is what will best suit your needs. Out of the 3 guns - that leaves one option. I feel your pain though I have a glock 19 that I love shooting, I just don't enjoy carrying it. I bought the cw9. It's thinner frame carries much easier. I can't really pocket carry it except for a couple pairs of my pants, but I wish I could.

Now I'm going to buy a 642 for pocket carry.

 

[AJChenMPH]

I see you're in Philadelphia -- if you want, come up to Classic Pistol and you're welcome to shoot my G26. They've also got Kahrs for sale, though I don't know if they have any for rent.

As always, it's a tradeoff -- wider and more rounds vs. thinner and fewer rounds.

I'm actually going through this exercise right now -- whether to also get a Kahr PM-9 (or even a MK-9) for everyday carry. I have a pocket holster for two single-stack mags, so I could conceivably carry a total of 23 rounds (6-round mag + 1 in the gun, two 8-round mags in my pocket).

Still haven't made my final decision yet either, especially with the Ruger LC9 and SIG P290 also coming out on the market.

 

[lithnights]

AJChenMPH,
You're kidding me right? That's exactly where I was going to head up to over the next couple weeks, if not on Sunday. This is too crazy.

Anyway, I'll shoot you a PM.

Thanks,

 

[Alex23]

Both are fine guns. The G26 is thick in the biscuit but if you can dress around it why not. The Kahr is far easier to conceal.

Or you could step outside the 9mm box and get a G36, probably the least popular glock ever made but a goody IMO. Single stack mag makes it reasonably slim (we are talking fractions of an inch less than the G26 but they do matter) and its a .45! You should try one. I love mine, other people say its a little gun with a big bullet and is unpleasant. Well, I didn't buy it for plinking...

A decent holster and strong belt are a must though. The MTAC and Supertuck are the best IWB ones I have - both run about $85.

 

[lithnights]

Nope, your pants are the problem.

I carry IWB with the regular pants I wear, which are far from baggy or loose. With my khaki's or slacks (what I wear most days to work), I buy haggar. Plain old dress clothes...nothing tqactical, but they do have an elastic band that adds 2 inches without being seen. Really nice! It helps when I'm carrying or when I eat too much!

I was really trying to avoid having to replace my whole wardrobe. It's hard enough to find pants that fit me well!

Anyway, I wanted to add that today I carried my 19 all day in more or a 4 o'clock position (not 3). It seems to be a lot more comfortable. I think it's b/c it doesn't squeeze directly against my right hip bone, but rather (at 4) against a soft part of my back. It's a huge difference. Is that typical or is it different for everyone?

 

[AJChenMPH]

Yep, I tend to carry at about 3:30 or so myself.

Got your PM and replied.

One alibi: you'll find shooting my G26 just a bit different than the average G26 only because I have the GAP mag floorplate:

www.concealablecontrol.com

I think they make a huge difference.

 

[tomwalshco]

For IWB, the holster thing? I don't get it. More weight, added thickness, something to soak up sweat and get nasty.

You're right on about the pants and waist size, etc. Same issue with me. Stick a gun in your pants and you need another inch of waist size. I buy the slightly larger and use the military style web belts that have infinite adjustment. Add a holster, you may need 2" and they'll be around your knees without one.

Too tight is much more uncomfortable. Medium tension between your pants and waist will keep it in place just fine. I do construction type work and am up, down, twisting, squatting, reaching, etc all the time and mine never slips with the web belts.



and for Glock fans, a G36, 45ACP:

 

[JQP]

I've been carrying a G19 off-and-on for years (Gen 2) and tried a G26 for a while. I could see the point of the G26, because it shared the same thickness as the G19 and had less to hold onto...plus, for me, it wasn't as accurate

I look at the Kahr line, I carry a CW9, as the gun Glock should have offered as a true sub-compact. Mine has been just as reliable and more accurate than the G26, but the thinness is what sets it apart from everything else.

There are two big things you'll have to decide on this purchase:
1. does the short frame bother you for your intended use (the only reason I'd go with the shorter PM9 is for pocket carry)
2. should you wait for the budget model (CM9) to come out later this year

Everything he said, and not because he's a mod, either.

The CW9 literally feels like half the weight and width of the 26 for me, even though it's not. The difference can't truly be fully appreciated unless you get a good holster for each (to make things fair), and try them out, IMO.

As far as reliability, the Kahr has been everything any Glock has been for me, also, which is to say flawless.

Now that I've CCW'd the Kahr, I can't fathom the thought of going back to the subcompact Glocks due to the chunky factor, and this is especially true of IWB carry in warm/hot weather.

I chose the CW9 over the PM9 because I just couldn't get a comfortable, firm handed hold on the very short PM9 grip, but this is relative to the size of one's hands and their hold and preferences, I suppose. It doesn't hurt that the CW9 has a +2 round advantage with the Kahr factory 8 round magazine.

And I was a big skeptic of Kahr, too, for a long time.

No more...

 

[smince]

I'll still take 11 rounds in a gun I can shoot better vs the 'comfort' of carrying a smaller size and capacity pistol.

But, like I said earlier, I carry my G19 (Appendix-IWB) more than anything else.

 

[tomwalshco]

^^ Again - agree with all the above about the Kahrs.

They are soon to be out with their CM line which is the CW series in the PM size.

I've got both, but personally can't really justify the extra cost now of the PM series except for size. Poly barrel? Few more fps, maybe. accuracy? doubt it. Extra finishing on the slide? I don't care. Adjustible, fancy sights? on a 20' self defense gun? nope. Extra mag is the only value for me.

I carry the CW9 a lot and find it to be almost as comfortable as the PM. More controllable and accurate on follow-ups. I've got Glocks, too, but not for IWB carry except the 36 in the winter.

 

[psp7304]

I voted Glock 26.

I had a Kahr PM9 which I thought was the perfect size for a concealed carry pistol, especially during the summer months. I could not get the pistol to run through a full magazine without a malfunction. I ended up selling it and purchased a Glock 26. I have 1000 rounds through it with no malfuntions of any kind. Yes, it is thicker than the PM9, but it is completely reliable.

 

[cwp3420]

I personally would vote for the Glock 26 over the Kahr. Before I retired, we were issued G19's for duty use and G-26's for backup. The combination worked really well. I finally decided I wanted a BUG for the ballistic panel pocket on my body armor. I bought a Kahr PM9 with all the bells and whistles. It turned out that I would have a failure to feed at least once per magazine. Kahr said to shoot it about 300 rounds and that would stop it. Did that, and it kept jamming. Sent it to Kahr twice, and they never did get it to stop failing to feed. Sold it and would never have another. Kahrs are supposed to be good, but mine was junk. I never had a problem with the Glocks, but now I carry an HK45C Tactical pistol as my carry weapon. It's large and heavy but I trust it. Good luck with your decision!

 

[gbelleh]

For me, it's the PM9 hands down. The G26 is thick, chunky and blocky under a shirt. But the PM9 is thin and comfortable, and disappears even under the lightest t-shirt. With the included 7-round Kahr mag, the difference in capacity is only 3 rounds.

I know my experience is not normal, but I've had better reliability from my Kahrs too, YMMV. Plus, the PM9 points better for me, and I like the smooth DAO trigger.

 

[dogtown tom]

I own both and regularly carry either my G26 or my PM9.

Both are fine firearms and I vote GET BOTH.

To me the advantages of my PM9 are all concealment related- I can wear it anywhere the G26 would be too bulky......and the G26 is a fat cow compared to the PM9. It is much easier to conceal the PM9 with just a Tshirt....but for me the G26 hides better when I'm wearing heavier clothing.

The advantages of my G26 are purely capacity related- I can carry with a ten round mag. Getting ten rounds out of my PM9 requires a reload.


To those who say you just need to choose a better holster........there isn't a holster on this planet that makes the G26 any skinnier. It is what it is... a double stack Glock.

 

[lithnights]

I own both and regularly carry either my G26 or my PM9.

Both are fine firearms and I vote GET BOTH.

To me the advantages of my PM9 are all concealment related- I can wear it anywhere the G26 would be too bulky......and the G26 is a fat cow compared to the PM9. It is much easier to conceal the PM9 with just a Tshirt....but for me the G26 hides better when I'm wearing heavier clothing.

The advantages of my G26 are purely capacity related- I can carry with a ten round mag. Getting ten rounds out of my PM9 requires a reload.


To those who say you just need to choose a better holster........there isn't a holster on this planet that makes the G26 any skinnier. It is what it is... a double stack Glock.

Get both? You had to make it more difficult huh? Don't think I wasn't thinking of that as an option! lol

I do find it reassuring to hear what you say about "there isn't a holster on this planet that makes the G26 any skinnier". That's what I keep thinking, but I'm so surprised that I don't see that more often in replies. As I said before, even just carrying the 19 without a holster (which makes it even skinnier than if I carry using a good holster), it's still not comfortable.

Heading out to shoot both next week so that should solidify my decision making process.