Got the itch: CM9, P238, LCP, BG380

[joepa150]

I got the itch for a new handgun but I don't know what to buy. Right now I carry a Glock 19, 1911 and pocket carry a Jframe 642. I want something that is noticably easier to conceal than the 642 even though I rarely have a problem concealing it.

If I were mesh shorts, tighter fitting jeans, or baggy sweatpants, the 642 is to big and heavy for these applications.

I know the LCP would fit the bill. I like the price but the sights are crappy, most people do not like the trigger, and recoil I heard is a bit harsh.

Sig 238. Looks and feels awesome. Low recoil. Night sights. A bit pricy though and I probably would prefer DOA for pocket carry but SA is not unfamiliar to me since I am familiar with the 1911.

S&W BG380. Like the look and feel. Price is right. Do not like have a built in laser.

Kahr CM9: Looks nice. DAO with great trigger. Would it really be noticebly lighter or easier to conceal than my S&W 642. 9mm cheaper and a bit more stopping power.

 

[GojuBrian]

The LCP.

VERY light
VERY affordable
VERY reliable

Mine goes everywhere with me. It's also pretty accurate at 7-10yards.

 

[mongo4567]

I would vote for the used cm9. That said the lcp is great too. I have a pm40, p3at, and pf9 for similar overlap.

 

[deputy tom]

While not on your list I handled a Taurus .380 the other day and think that it might be my next CCW purchase.Blackened stainless slide and black poly frame.Much like the Ruger LCP but slightly ahead of it IMHO. Give it a look.tom.

 

[joepa150]

I looked at the Taurus TCP and I know that many like it but I just always was hesitant on buying Taurus for some reason.

 

[Psa1m144]

what about the ruger lc9?

 

[yeahbuddy]

I really like the LCP. The recoil is not bad at all (not what I had heard on the forums). It was strange at first because the gun feels like a little toy in hand, but it seems well made and the tiny sights were actually pretty accurate at 30 ft. I see the gun as a very close situation type gun so I am not too worried about the sights. My hand did get very tired after about 35 rounds with the guns small size and long heavy trigger.

 

[joepa150]

I am accurate with my 642 but it does kick more than I would like it to.

Anyone know if the LCP would kick more or less.

Guy at the store said about the same.

 

[tjbeck]

On the list I like the CM9 or the P238. I have a P238 and love it. Mine has not had any reliability issues and though a larger 380 it is very concealable. I also own a Kahr P9 and am considering getting another Kahr. I love the trigger and the recoil is soft especially when you consider the weight. The CM is also very small and would work great but, if you are alright with a .380 why not the P380.
The LCP is a big favorite of a lot of people but, I have fired several and just cannot shoot it well.

 

[click clack]

I voted P238.. It may just be because I really want it myself

 

[helitack32f1]

I own the LCP. However, out of that list, I would pick the S&W. It is an amazing feeling gun and feels better to me in the hand than the LCP. I also love the Sig but it is so expensive and may be a bit heavy for pocket carry. Amazing little gun though.

 

[Dr_2_B]

I voted used CM9. I have had the itch for a PM9 for a couple years now, and that itch has turned into a full-blown infection in the last year. After handling it and the CM9 at the same time, I've come to favor the CM9 because the quality seems great for the savings. And at $350... well, I'd have already bought it.

 

[MikePaiN]

I bought my CM9 used($365) last summer and its been fantastic. The CM9 has been my primary carry it goes everywhere with me. I have a Don Hume ItW that it disappears in. In the warm weather I loaded up Federal LE 115g +P Barns XPB but recently switched to Hornady 115g Critical Defense which the CM is even more accurate with. As for practice FMJ rounds I have not had one issue with anything WWB, NATO, PMC, CCI Blaz., Federal Champ. etc all run no problem.
Kahr has a free mag offer going if you buy new and there is a NIB CM9 for sale in our classified section.

 

[cfullgraf]

I am accurate with my 642 but it does kick more than I would like it to.

Anyone know if the LCP would kick more or less.

Guy at the store said about the same.

In my opinion, the 642 with +P loads kicks more than a Kel-Tec P3-AT with self defence 380 loads.

I have both handguns.

The Kel-Tec is virtually the same as the Ruger.

 

[ugaarguy]

I believe you've answered your own question. You prefer DAO, which doesn't favor the P238. You don't want a built in laser, which doesn't favor the BG380. You want something noticeably smaller & lighter than your current 642, and not sure the CM9 fully fits that description.

That leaves (from your list) the LCP. It's DAO, doesn't have a built in laser, and is noticeably smaller & lighter than a 642.

 

[joepa150]

Been wanting an LCP for awhile but I hear many stories of customers buying one and then not liking the way it shoots. I don't have any place to rent one in my area so I cannot test it out. I hear many saying that it hurts their hands or their hands go numb. I know it will not be a range gun but I don't want it to be so punishing that after 50 rounds I would be done (kind of like my 642)

 

[Johannes_Paulsen]

If you're considering a Kahr, why not look at a Kahr P380? Much easier to pocket than the CM9.

 

[2wheels]

P238 all the way!

 

[Sulaco]

I owned an LCP but traded it. I never felt truly comfortable with such a small gun chambered for such a small caliber. YMMV.

As far as the gun is concerned, I like it other than the really long, stiff trigger and the lack of sights. I think the Kahr sights are much nicer and I have no clue about the trigger.

I can pocket carry a baby Glock so it's a non-issue for me.

 

[Sulaco]

If the 642 hurts your hands *snicker*, you won't like any of these pocket autos in .380ACP on up.

 

[joepa150]

Well I wouldn't say it hurts my hand but is just not a pleasure to shoot. I can shoot my Glock 19,23 XD40c, 45 1911, etc all day if I had the money for ammo. 642 50-100 rounds tops for me. Everyone that shot my 642 was surprised with the recoil and didn't seem to care to shoot it much more.

I shot a p238 a few years ago and remember it not being hard to shoot at all. No where near my 642 (even with "cowboy" rounds)

 

[PX15]

FWIW:

Haven't tried the others, but I have an LCP (well, actually I have two, and my wife has one), and all three have been absolutely reliable and surprisingly accurate right out of the cheap white cardboard box they come in.

You didn't ask, but I am so pleased with our LCP's that I bought an LC9 when they hit the market, and it's basically an LCP on steroids.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[JustSomeDude]

Get the new CM9. $70 less is not enough to make up for the fact that the warranty is not transferrable. Not that you're likely to need it, but it's one of those things where it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. I love mine and wholeheartedly endorse it.

I must say,though, that I clicked the poll before I read your whole post, and I'm not sure how much more concealable it will be than the revolver. As I am thinking it through, probably the Bodyguard will fit your concealability concerns better. I know two guys that have them and carry them regularly. They're both very impressed by the accuracy of such a small gun, and one of them has quite large hands. Neither of them use the laser, BTW.

 

[Old John]

Well, you left out the Keltec PF9 and the Keltec P11, as well as the Ruger LC9.

My DSW has a Keltec PF9, 9mm, 7+1, that she slips in her jeans pocket for an easy carry. It only costs $269, +tax. I like it but, I carry a Ruger LCR, .357 magnum. in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster.

 

[AJChenMPH]

I have a PM9, but don't carry it anymore (it's listed for sale in the classifieds). It was simply too big/thick for me to pocket carry without printing (I'm 6'0", 175 lbs, 33" waist).

I've shot a 442, and recoil is a touch snappier in the LCP -- I make sure to wear a glove when shooting the LCP.

I had a Taurus TCP in the past, but it developed the notorious "light strike" problem (Taurus fixed it), and after I sold it to someone here on the forums, Taurus wound up replacing the gun outright when it completely failed on him. It does have a nicer trigger out of the box than an LCP, though.

I bought a used LCP and couldn't be happier -- reliable, and the trigger has lightened up and smoothed out vs. the new one I handled a while back. I've put the NiteSiters dots on mine (in a "dot the i" configuration) and it makes picking up the sights much easier. PX15 above shows his with the Innovative Arms sight conversion.

Just my $0.02...