Pocket 9mm substitute for .38 snubby?

[MCgunner]

You could do what I did combine a 940 cylinder with a 642. It hits like a baseball from a hot fast baller. the lightweight and the moonclips make for a great combo. If S&W can make a scandium 357 they could make one in 9mm.

355sigfan
I never had a problem with extraction with my old 940 or with this one.

I call it a 942.

Oh, THAT'S NICE!

 

[ShelbyV8]

From my own experience and reading a lot of fourms the problems with light weight sub compacts is not the guns but the shooter. Light weight weapons shooting high velocity ammo requires a good grip and hand strength. They do not have enough frame mass to remain in place while the slide functions. To make these weapons work the shooter must keep the frame/grip from moving while the slide functions. If you want to shoot any weapon,even a revolver with any level of expertice, condition yourself. Get a Gripmaster, a tennis ball, or something to build grip. A few pushups is good for upper body strength. I taught LE firearms in the academy for years and had new officers both male and female that just didn't have the strength to shoot a firearm. I am 63 yoa and still use a Gripmaster several times a week in both hands.

 

[Autolycus]

Have you considered the HK P2000sk? They make a real nice CCW piece?

 

[Byron Quick]

I'll definitely be taking a look at the new Kel-tec.

I've been carrying the Kel-tec P3AT as a BUG for a couple of years now.

It's the same one I wrote an article about for SWAT magazine in April 2004. Let me put in a voice for the other side on Kel-tec. I've shot a variety of different factory ammunition in this firearm. About six hundred rounds so far. No malfunctions of any nature at any time. Not one. I take it out of my pocket after three or four weeks of carry, full of pocket lint, and it fires straight through the magazine.

One thing, though, after two years of pocket carry, the finish is spotty here and there. My next one will definitely be hard chromed.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Let me put in a voice for the other side on Kel-tec. I've shot a variety of different factory ammunition in this firearm. About six hundred rounds so far. No malfunctions of any nature at any time. Not one. I take it out of my pocket after three or four weeks of carry, full of pocket lint, and it fires straight through the magazine.

That's what drives me nuts about researching the P3AT. There are lots of stories like yours, and alot of people *do* trust their lives to the little pistol, but it seems equally as many have problems out of the box or not long after.

On the bright side, KT customer service is said to be terrific, and it sounds like they make things right given a chance.

 

[Byron Quick]

The P3AT is not my primary carry weapon. It's backup when I can wear my 1911 and my always gun when I'm dressed so that the 1911 is not concealable. The new Kel-tec will fit the same functions. Have you compared the specs? Only 4.4 ounces heavier than the P3AT unloaded. Height is .8 inch more. Length is .65 inch more and width is a whopping .11 inch more.

 

[orionengnr]

PM9

 

[GEM]

I have a 642 and a PM9. I carry the former when dress requires but I'm breaking in the latter to feel confident with it. The first 200 rounds had several jams. The second 200 had 1 jam.

I can carry either in a pocket holster.

The problem with pocket guns is that we don't practice enough.

It was mentioned in the IDPA journal that we carry small guns and practice with biggies. I think going to try to rectify this in the near future.

 

[CougarRed]

Another vote for Kahr. But I pocket carry the P9 Covert. It's got a 1" longer slide and barrel than the PM9, but the same grip butt and thickness, err thinness. I found the extra length is not a problem in concealment.

The Covert differs from the PM9 in another respect: recoil systems. P9 Covert has the traditional guide rod, single spring, while PM9 has double spring Seecamp set up.

Never fired a PM9, but I can say that my P9 Covert is a pleasure to shoot. I put an A-Grip on it, and perhaps that helps, but recoil is mild. MUCH more pleasant to shoot and practice with than my scandium Smith revolver.

 

[3rdpig]

I've owned just about every gun mentioned here but the Rorbaugh. In my experience the P11 is too big for pocket carry in anything tighter than cargo pants, and while it's more contoured than the Glock 26 (and I've got both of these guns in front of me right now) they're really about the same size, but the KT is 5 ounces lighter when loaded than the Glock.

The P3AT (sold mine but still have a P32) is, in my experience a hard gun for some to shoot, and while it's not as reliable as the P32's I've shot it does work well once broken in and fluffed and buffed. The P32 is a real pussycat to shoot.

The polymer Kahr's are nice and flat, light and well made, but the one I owned was unreliable, even after a trip back to the factory. The metal framed Kahr's I've seen have been excellent, but the polymer models seem to have some teething problems. And no, I wasn't limp wristing the gun, I can shoot my KT P40 with no problems. For the price Kahr wants I want it reliable out of the box.

The new KT PF9 is certainly interesting, but it's going to be 3 months before it becomes available and based on KT's track record it will be at least 6 months before they get them working right. I hope they prove me wrong, but so far it's the way they've been.

Your best bet, IMHO, is a KT P32 or P3AT as a BUG with a Glock 26 IWB and for spare mags carry the 17 round mags. Put a Concealable Control baseplate on the 10 round mag. Get a good IWB holster and a good gun belt. For the BUG get the Desantis Sting pocket holster and a spare mag.

 

[GunAdmirer]

I carry a Glock 26 every day in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. Carries well in pleated Dockers type pants or shorts. Also carries well in a belt slide, IWB or SOB holster. A waist pack is also an option. You just have to find out what works for you and plan accordingly. Sure you can't carry an affordable, slightly bigger and extremely reliable Glock 26?

I have had two G26s over the years. Both have been 100% reliable and very accurate. Eleven rounds of 9mm+P! I won't consider anything else or less.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

Right now my pocket gun is a Taurus 605C (.357 snubby), but I'm going to check out the new PF9 when it becomes available. I'll probably get one.

 

[pstmstr]

snubby vs auto

I'd tend to agree, for most of us, 5 rds is 5 more than we'll ever fire. The always there dependable snubby is a good fit. Practice with it often, carry it all the time, and hope you never have to use it.