If you were me

[jwalker497]

I have a Kahr PM9 and a Keltec P3AT.
I am in the market for a new carry gun and wanted to assess the popularity of the models I am considering.

My first stipultation is I am looking for a compact carry gun. Given that I already have the PM9, I am looking at either a .40 or .45. The Walther is in there becuase I have always thought they were the coolest. I am very attracted to the Glock reputation of reliability but worried about the size as I have handled them and they seem chunky to carry. If I carried any of them above, I would use an IWB holster and not pocket carry, as I have other stuff in my pockets.

My concer with the 40 calibers is that is really THAT much more powerful than my 9mm?? I naturally figuered a .45 is a significant setup up in knockdown power over the 9mm, but maybe I am not correct in that assumption.

Given what I have, which gun would you buy next if you had what I currently have (PM9, P3AT)??

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'm not here.

 

[gbelleh]

You already have 2 good carry guns, so I'd say get the Walther PPK and have a gun you've always liked.

 

[Jim PHL]

I agree with Gbelleh. Another point, even the compact Glocks will feel pretty chunky compared to the two you currently own.

 

[usp9]

If you were me

If you were me. you'd be better looking... and thinking about buying a Kahr PM45, since you're already familiar with the brand.

 

[PPGMD]

I assume you are looking for a smaller carry gun? I'm in the market for one also, I will get the Walther PPS when holsters and night sights become more available. I've shot one and like it a lot.

 

[jpwilly]

I carry a PT145 the 10rnd version of the PT745. It always works and gets range time every other month. No trouble so far (1200rnds and it can hit the 5" shoot NC at 15yrds no problem every time.

 

[txgolfer45]

I also own a Kahr PM9 and a G27. The PM9 is my summer carry gun mostly in pocket but some IWB. The G27 gets carried when I have good cover garment options in Fall, Winter and Summer.

 

[Fumbler]

Honestly if I had a PM9 I wouldn't be looking for another carry piece.
I'd probably buy a full sized 1911 or revolver just for fun.
Since you're fond of the PPK then that's probably what I'd pick off that list.

Whats wrong with your PM9?
9mm is a perfectly good self defense cartridge.

 

[jwalker497]

Fubmler - You hit the nail on the head. This biggest issue I am having is just that. Do I go for a fun gun, so to speak, and get the Walther becuase its just beatiful and classic and I've always thought they were cool??. OR do I get a more powerful carry piece even though there is absolutley nothing wrong with the Kahr??

I guess I still have the caliber debate going on in my head and am wondering if I am under-gunned by having a 9mm as my most powerful ccw piece.

 

[Rayden]

HK P2000sk

 

[Fumbler]

You definately aren't undergunned.
Bigger holes are nice, but the two most important things in self defense are:
1- being able to penetrate deep enough. A 9mm can definately do that.
2- putting those holes where they count.

Don't get caught up in the whole "knock down" debate.
If you look at the ballistic gelatin tests of popular self defense ammo then you'll see that the 9mm expands almost as much as 40S&W and 45ACP and 9mm penetrates just as well.
If you want to impress someone then empty a mag full of 9mm into a small hole on a target under rapid fire. The guys with the 45s who can barely get all of their bullets onto the target under rapid fire are a joke.

If you want a bigger caliber just to have then go for it.
I personally own a pretty full range of pistols including 22LR, 380ACP, 9x19mm, 357Mag, 45ACP, and 480 Ruger.
Variety is the spice of life

BUT, it's just my opinion that the 9mm being "too small" is poor justification for getting another carry gun.

Get a gun that you want to shoot, that you like to fondle, or that you just think looks cool.
.
.
.
.
Of course...the real solution is to get the fun gun AND another carry gun. You can't have too many pistols

 

[cookekdjr]

I voted G27, but honestly, the G19 is a great choice. Its almost as easy to carry, and you can share ammo with the PM9.
If it were me, I'd sell the khar and Ketec, and get an airweight or scandium j-frame and G19.
Just my two cents.

 

[Green Lantern]

There is MUCH to be said for "CALIBER CONSOLIDATION!" Especially the way ammo prices are going. It's much cheaper and easier to stock as few calibers as possible, and easier on space as well.

IE, If *I* were you, I'd probably be looking for another 9mm or .380.

On the Glocks - a medium-frame Glock is, IMO, PERFECT. You CAN carry it concealed year-round (I do), good grip, good capacity....

I've never tried to pocket carry a subcompact Glock, don't think I want to. I own a P3AT too, and it's spoiled me.

Now...honestly. I have a G19, P3AT, and Bersa Thunder .380. I'm going against my own advice when I buy my next gun - it's gonna be either a .45 1911, or a .357 snub or SAA.

It's not because I feel I NEED a bigger round than the 9mm. It's because I WANT to try more things, and I feel my collection is lacking without a revolver, and some people say that every American ought to own at least one 1911 or SAA - and I find it hard to argue!

As for the PPK - yeah, it is beautiful. But my first autoloader was a "poor man's PPK," that Bersa Thunder .380. An excellent gun, IMO, and I'm not alone in that opinion. Despite the fact that it's a good deal less expensive than the PPK.

OTOH...with the PPK, presumably you'll have the aforementioned 'caliber consolidation' with the P3AT going for you, unless you go old school and get a .32.

But, OTOH again...with the P3AT I own, I really don't NEED my Bersa anymore. I love it though, and ain't getting rid of it. But to me it makes more sense to carry 7 rounds of .380 in an insanely lightweight, compact and thin package - than 8 rounds of it in a heaver, bigger, and fatter package that's harder to conceal...

 

[Eightball]

The Walther is in there becuase I have always thought they were the coolest.

That would seem to be the answer, right there.

 

[esq_stu]

consider a wheelgun

 

[wyocarp]

The new Ruger LCP is an interesting gun, one that I will buy when it is out. The G19 is a nice reliable 9mm although I don't buy that it has the same penetration and knockdown capabilities as the .40, 10 mm, or the .45. But, it isn't always needed either. It is good to bring a gun to a gun fight, but I think having something is always better than nothing. I recently read about a guy that killed a grizzly in his house with his .40 and I would never even consider that to be enough gun.

That is very similar to a guy that told me I didn't need a 1 ton pickup to pull my 30 foot trailer, he said his Toyota would do it just as well and get better gas mileage. Well, I'll let him think so.

 

[toopercentmlk]

Id recommend a H&K P2000 9mm if you could afford it, otherwise Id say glock 26/27 or the PPK or P23[0/2] the last two since they're ultra slim.