PM9 vs J-frame for pocket carry ? Why ?

[R.H. Lee]

I like the J frame, specifically the 642. No safeties to worry about, no chance of AD, it's so light you don't know it's there. Pull it out of your pocket and it's ready to go.

 

[gbelleh]

Last summer I either carried a PM9 or a Taurus 85UL in a front pocket. I found them very similar and equally easy to conceal. The PM9 came out the winner for me because of the extra 2 rounds it holds. But, I would have no problem carrying the .38.

This year I'm still carrying the PM9, but in an IWB holster. It conceals just as well, and frees up my pocket for other stuff.

 

[jason10mm]

My 642 prints pretty badly in most shorts or pants I wear (ie, you can easily tell that SOMETHING is in my pocket), but the outline isn't a GUN outline. The Disanti nemesis holster has a fairly large waddle of material under the barrel to keep the gun oriented in the pocket, that helps distort an obviouls "L" shape in the pocket. I suspect that the small fraction of the people that even notice that I have a full pocket think it is a phone/PDA/wallet/PSP/GBA/whatever with gun being far down on their list.

I'd like to try a small auto with a low profile IWB. I can carry a 1911 in a milt sparks VM-2 without trouble, but I'm always paranoid with nothing but a t-shirt over it. I think a PM9 or PPK held tight against the side with the grip just above the pants line would carry well, be all but invisible, and still be quick to deploy. Any holster recommendations?

 

[fiVe]

J-Frame

I've had no experience with the Kahr. My 642 conceals well in my pocket, it carries well(light), and it can be brought to bear in a quick & snag-free motion.

R/fiVe

 

[Clocktower]

J frame guy here as well... I used to go with a 340 but I revently switched back to my 442. Its only a few ounces heavier but I shoot it better.

 

[rWt]

Give the Rohrbaugh R9S a look. It may change the way you evaluate the pistol vs revolver for pocket carry.http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com/

Dick

 

[1911.45]

Sold my 340PD and kept the Kahr PM9. The Kahr shoots better for me, is only two ounces heavier than the Scandium J-frame, carries six or seven rounds rather than five rounds, reloads quicker, and 9mm +P is more potent ammunition than .38 spl +P. While .357 magnum is more powerful than 9mm, the recoil in a 340PD with .357 magnum is so intense that S&W warned about bullets moving forward in the cartridges, rendering the pistols temporarily inoperable.

Some folks can competently shoot .357 magnum in a 12 ounce J-frame, but I could not get off meaningful subsequent shots. The PM9 was better for me, but the J-frames are fine guns and might be better for you.