PM9 or 38 Snubbie

[RH Factor]

Have a Sig 239 .40 and a Kel-Tec P32....want something inbetween....

.38 Snubbie or the Kahr PM9

Something to put in a pocket, or on a belt, or inside a belt....these two seem to fit the bill...any suggestions?

 

[boohsdad]

Have both, Either will do fine but the Kahr will conceal a little better.
Roy

 

[tbeb]

I carry a snub .38 in a Mika pocket holster. (Robert Mika makes a very good one, and holster plus shipping was only $14.95. Do an internet search on Mika pocket holsters...)

For what a PM9 costs, I could buy two used snubbies. That gives me 10-12 shots without a reload.

 

[DeltaElite]

I would go with the revolver.

 

[denfoote]

I too would go with both. My two pocket guns are a Taurus M85UL and a Kahr MK9 MK9 Elite.

 

[Greybeard]

A similar question at http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144564. About 3 days old and still active. My thoughts there about 1/2 way down first page.

New PM-9 with night sights supposed to hit my FFL Tueday a.m.

 

[Coltdriver]

You pose an interesting question because I arrived exactly at the cross road you describe in your question.

I had been in a long search for the most power in the smallest package that I could get into my pocket.

I started with a Walther PPKS. Too much weight, too much recoil and not enough punch.

Then I tried a Colt Mustang. Too much weight and not enough punch. Although I did buy a Colt Pony which carries RBCD and resides in my wifes purse.

I kept one Pony and got a Kahr P9. Great pistol, one I regret selling. Small, but not small enough. 9mm very nice and mine was both accurate and reliable.

I sold the P9 and got a Colt Pocket Nine. Slightly smaller, weighed slightly less, packed a 9mm punch. But you can not buy replacement parts for them and they will wear out if you shoot them much.

I bought a Kahr MK40. Awesome power, far too much weight for me to carry in my pocket.

I had been salivating over the coming release of the PM9 but then I began reading of some complaints from others regarding the plastic molds and for the first several months they were selling at typical first release prices.

So I began looking at j frames. I bought a 9mm S&W J frame which has great punch, is a wee bit heavy but works great in winter clothing. Added a S&W Model 38 Bodyguard that weighs 15 oz and rides in any pocket without effort.

I might get a PM9 someday, but you would have a heck of a time shooting it from inside your pocket. Not that I target practice that way, but it a pinch it would add an element of surprise.

 

[MikeJ]

I recommend the S&W 642 Centennial. It has an internal hammer, will take .38+P, weighs 15 oz. and ultra reliable. I find the Kahr PM and MK series to be just a bit too large for pocket carry and so that relegates them to other carry modes. Since you have the Sig 239 and KelTec P32 I think the 642 would be a nice addition/supplement to your current assotrtment. Mike

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

I've been going back to wheel guns lately...

I purchased a 638 Bodyguard a few weeks ago and I've been keeping a 331 AirLite Ti on me just about all the time. I like that 642, but I just need that hammer.
I could have bought the Kahr but I've been in contact with CR Sam. He called me "boy" and told me to get the revolver because, "Wheelguns rule". So, I did.

KR

 

[ChristopherG]

I handled both of these (various airweights & airlites, and the PM) last summer when I was making this same decision. I actually put both of them in my pocket (after asking the proprietors) and knew pretty quickly that the 340 was the one I would actually carry; and it is. It's easy, easy to carry in a front pocket (though it works fine, of course, in other spots), but still has the power and controllability to make me confident I'm not going to rue my choice if it ever comes down to it (as I had decided [like you, apparently] was all too possible with a P32).

Went to shoot at an open range with steel lying around yesterday. After shooting .22s and an L-frame for a while, I thought I'd take out my little pocket gun for a few fun pops--see if I could actually knock over any of those 6"-8" sq. plates from 12 yards or so. Bang, bing, Bang, bing, Bang, bing, Bang (darnit!) Bang, bing. With practice, you can get perfectly useful levels of control and accuracy out of the little Smiths; and whatever the real world statistics on reliability, the hammerless revolver gives me a warm glow of confidence that I know EXACTLY what's going to happen every time I pull the trigger, no matter what. YM, naturally, MV.
cg

 

[10-Ring]

I prefer the snubbie. I've tried a couple of compacts & sub compacts in the last year and I keep going back to my j-frame.

 

[XLMiguel]

To each their own. I found my S&W 60 (w/125 gr. .357's) to be a PITA, my P-9 (w/115 Corbon +P's) to be better (for me) though not quite small enough, vis a vis the S&W. The PM-9 really fills the bill for me - flatter, easier to conceal, more manageable (better trigger). I think I can hit better with the Kahr, FWIW, and that's what it's worth to me. YMMV.

 

[Zundfolge]

I say neither.

Get a Kahr MK9, not the PM. Weight wise it should be about the same as the snubbie but holds one more round of a more potent cartridge.

I'm still not 100% convinced about the quality of the poly Kahrs, but I love my MK40.

 

[Dingo]

Ive carried J-frame snubbies for over 40 years so you know where my sympathies lie. I have found only one "small" auto that I trust to go bang every time and thats a Glock 26/27.

Seriously considered the PM9 but I'm not convinced of the quality of the Kahr polymer frame. The all steel MK9 really does tempt me but not enough to retire my snubbies from pocket duty.

 

[22luvr]

I've carried both snubs and small autoloaders

I've tried about four different snubbies (Taurus mod 85, 605, Smith mod 638, 340SC, Kel-Tec P32, Beretta mod 21) and although I prefer the no-brainer simplicity and reliability of a revolver, I have never been completely comfortable carrying one. It feels like I have a potato in my pocket! I just recently "fondled" a PM9 for the first time and I'm going to have to give this little jewel some serious consideration for full-time pocket carry. While the empty weight of the PM9 is about 14 oz, adding the 1.5 oz mag loaded with 9mm pushes the carry weight to about 20 oz. You'd be surprised at how heavy a 20 oz handgun can get in the pocket after all-day carry. Then, there's the price issue and the PM9 doesn't come cheap. I'm also looking at Kel-Tec's brand-new P-3AT (.380 auto) but I really-really like that 9mm over the .380 round. Having tried about a dozen handguns for full-time pocket carry, I have come to the following conclusions: If you think it is either too large or too heavy, I assure you it is indeed TOO large or TOO heavy. Trust me on this one. Best wishes..........

 

[Onslaught]

I'm a HUGE semi-auto fan, and not really crazy about revolvers at all. But when it came down to the same choice you're trying to make now... I chose the S&W 642.

Believe it or not, the curves on the revolver make it easier (for me) to conceal than the slightly smaller but blocky PM9. When the J-frame "prints", it's only the cylinder, which looks like a wad of keys.

Plus, I was mad at Kahr for some problems I had with both a P9 and P40, so I swore off polymer Kahrs for a while. I do IWB a K40 quite frequently though.

I also just ordered a Renegade "Cozy Partner" Ankle holster last week for my 642. I can't wait for it to come in.

 

[Watch-Six]

After trying about every small handgun made over many years I am now carrying a PM9. Works for me. Watch-Six

 

[ruger357]

.38 snub.

 

[22luvr]

Hey Christopher G:

What sort of pocket holster do you carry your 340 in?? I'd still like to find a quality pocket holster that hides the J-frame a little better.

I find the 340SC fairly accurate and controllable from short distances (5-7 yards). I'm now carrying Pro-load .357 mag 158 gr JHP's in mine.

 

[concerned citizen]

22luvr...I have found the pocket holster that works best for me with a revolver is the safariland mod. 25. Its kydex with a soft leather like outer.

Its works reall well at breaking up the shape you talking about.

Check it out at www.holsters.com

 

[glockgazda]

If PM-9 proves reliable and at least semi-durable that's the gun for the niche. Also the prices need to come down, which is still away for about a year. Nothing on the market like it.

In the meantime I'll stick to Taurus UL SS, works fine, but prints more.

The gun to have in the future will be Kel-Tec 3AT, if it proves reliable.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Both choices are good ,but what about an NAA 380 Guardian.

 

[mini14jac]

Tried the following:
Taurus Ultralight .38, Glock 26, S&W 9c (discontinued), KelTec P11, KelTec P32, Guardian .32, Kahr MK9, Kahr PM9....

As one poster said, if you suspect it is too heavy or to large, it will be both.
Of those guns, I still have the P32 and the PM9.
Only carry the P32 when I absolutely can't get away with the PM9.

Will probably upgrade the P32 to a P3AT when they are debugged.

 

[22luvr]

Hey Mini14jac...............

It's no stretch to wish/hope/pray for Kel-Tec to develop and manufacture a single-stack 9mm, based on the successful P32 platform. Mind you, not that light or small but in the Kahr PM9 range with about half the pricetag. I frankly think once they get the P-3AT up and running successfully, Kel-Tec will set their sights on a lighter, narrower 9mm autoloader to supplant their P11.

Oh, and I'll lay claim to the quote "If you think it will be too heavy or too large for pocket carry, it WILL be indeed."

 

[mini14jac]

Jeff,
I hope you are right.
I've called KelTec and asked them about this before, but they said they weren't interested.
I think "No plans at this time." was the exact phrase.

Here is what I think is going on:
1. They have a very successful .32, and a similar .380 will probably "canabalize" some of those profits.
(That's a term we use in the industry I'm employed in, to describe a new product, cutting into the sales of an existing product.)
However, I think P32 sales have probably levelled out, and they feel it is a good time to introduce the P3AT.

2. Same deal with the P11. For years, KelTec was the only game in town if you wanted a "pocket sized" 9mm.
If they had come out with a single stack 9 before, it would certainly have cut into P11 sales.
Then Kahr came on the scene, then the baby Glocks, the Mini Kahrs, and finally the P9 and PM9.
Now, KelTec is not the "lead dog" and P11 sales may have slumped. -I'm just guessing here.-
(Too big for pocket carry, awful trigger, fluff and buff, etc. Word gets around on the internet.)
If you want a "pocket" 9 now, there are a lot of guns to look at.
The mini CZ looks really promising too.

Now might be an ideal time for KelTec to come out with a single stack 9. If they keep the excellent trigger of the P32, I think it would be a hit.
I would check one out.

I am already thinking about passing my P32 on to my son, and picking up a P3AT someday.

I sure hope KelTec is thinking along those lines.