M&P Compact -vs- Kahr CW9 -vs- Kel-Tec P11

[soonerboomer]

I've narrowed down my concealed carry options to only these three. Please let me know you thoughts on just these three guns (even if you think other's are superior). Thank you!

Situation: For occasional concealed carry in a normally low threat environment. Gun would be holstered on my right hip in an outside the waistband leather holster.

The options with my perceived pros and cons:

Smith & Wesson M&P Compact 9mm (w/o thumb safety)
Pros: Excellent grip and ergonomics, nice trigger pull, good capacity (12+1), good reputation, free mags rebate
Cons: Higher price ($570 in my area), hard to find, heaviest of the three, lighter trigger is possibly not as "safe" as the Kel-Tec's (no, I don't care for the thumb safety version)

Kahr CW9
Pros: small dimensions, nice trigger pull, lower price than S&W ($430 in my area)
Cons: Limited capacity (7+1), reputation slightly more varied, lighter trigger is possibly not as "safe" as the Kel-Tec's, girl from the Kahr website not included

Kel-Tec P11
Pros: smallest dimensions (except Kahr is thinner), lowest weight, nice low price ($260 in my area), good customer service, trigger is possibly "safer" than S&W or Kahr
Cons: Very long and heavy trigger pull, more difficult to shoot accurately, reputation more varied

 

[Anna's Dad]

I'm a big fan of the M&P for all of the reasons that you list. I also shoot it very well (relative to others) which I suspect is a result of the ergonomics.

I actually carry a Kel-Tec product, but only because I pocket carry.

I'm really surprised about the price of the M&P. I think I paid $400 although that was a while ago. Have you considered an online purchase?

 

[jocko]

cw9

advertised all the time on ar15 forum for $400.

The M & P is a nice gun but still bigger and heavier than the cw9double stack vs single stack..... both should serve u well, both more than likely will be worn on the side to. The Kahr PM9 can be pocket carried but is more money..

I own the big M & P and it shoots like a dream, but is just a range gun, also own a PM9 which rides in my front pocket 24/7..

also two different trigger systems. the M & P could really be called a Single action, as it is 90%, precocked where as the kahr is DAO in that it is at best 10% pre cocked which required a 3/8" trigger pull, although smoother than anything out there , for some just to long of a trigger pull compared to the M & P. You willshoot the M & P better due to the trigger system, IMO.

 

[LancerMW]

i think you forgot the Keltek PF9

 

[midiwall]

i think you forgot the Keltek PF9

Agreed.. I thought you had the P11 up there 'cause you wanted more rounds on-board, but then I saw the CW9, so it wasn't about mag size.

You should have a look at the Kel-Tec PF-9.

 

[gotime242]

Yup, id pick the pf9 over all of those.

 

[jocko]

not me

no pf9 for me--period

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I voted for the M&P because it's my guess it will be more reliable.

 

[soonerboomer]

No, I didn't forget the PF9. As I said in my post...

"I've narrowed down my concealed carry options to only these three. Please let me know you thoughts on just these three guns (even if you think other's are superior). Thank you!"

 

[SouthronBoy]

I carry a P-11 with a belt clip. It's easy to carry and comfortable.

I haven't tried any distance shooting, but I'm well satisfied with its accuracy out to about 10 yards. It's been completely reliable after the first 10-15 rounds, where it didn't want to go back into battery. A little tap/push on the back of the slide put things back in order, but I haven't had that, or any, malfunction in a few hundred rounds.

Don't take this thing to the range thinking you're going to shoot a couple of hundred rounds out of it in one afternoon. Fifty's about the most that I could handle at once.

I carry mine everywhere I can. It hides well, and I feel like I'm well enough armed to handle anything that's likely to come my way.

 

[Philip Marlowe]

I own the PM9 and it's been extremely reliable and very accurate.

You would not be dissapointed with the Kahr.

That said - I believe any of those options would suit you well, although likely in order - Kahr, M&P, Keltec. Just my .02.

Good luck!

 

[DesmoDucRob]

Kahr gets my vote. Slim and reliable are qualities that I personally think favor the Kahr. However, the others mentioned are not unreliable or enormous by any means.

 

[Cloudpeak]

I owned a M&P 9mm full size and own a CW9. The M&P was a fine gun and accurate but a bit "thick" for carry. Because it was full size, the grip printed for me. The Compact's grip won't print as much as the full size M&P but the CW9 disappears. My CW9 has been 100% though the trigger has taken some getting used to as I mainly shoot 1911's.

Cloudpeak

 

[skoro]

Here's my mixed up reply...

Last year, I chose a M&P9c over the Kahr CW9. And I haven't been disappointed. The 9c is reliable, accurate, handles well, does it all. I've carried a few times, but find heavy for its size.

So, my carry piece is a Kel-Tec PF-9.

 

[skoro]

Here's my mixed up reply...

Last year, I chose a M&P9c over the Kahr CW9. And I haven't been disappointed. The 9c is reliable, accurate, handles well, does it all. I've carried a few times, but find heavy for its size.

So, my carry piece is a Kel-Tec PF-9.

 

[jocko]

PM9

PM9 any day, every day.

MY M & P 9 is for sale.

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

M&P 9c, you couldn't give me a Kel-Tec.

 

[Kleanbore]

M&P higher price?

Well, both Kahr and Kel-Tec call for breaking their guns in with a couple hundred rounds; nothing in the Smith manual on that. Might want to factor that in to the price. With luck you will find the ammunition.

Maybe I'm wrong, but the specification of a break-in requirement says something to me about the manufacturing and acceptance process, if not the design itself.

No thanks.

To tell the truth I am "new" to the new semi-automatics. Many years ago I bought the latest, a Smith and Wesson Model 39, an all-metal pistol with the Colt/Browning locking system that had been on the market for ten years and that had previously been tested by the Army. I never heard anything about a break-in requirement. Nor did friends who bought Brownings and Colts.

The break-in requirement is new to me and frankly, the idea is bothersome.

I don't know why anyone would even consider buying a pistol with a reputation that is "varied" unless it is to be used only at the range, and not for personal protection.

I recently bought a Smith M&P9c, and I'm sold on it.