Looking to get a smaller carry weapon for summertime here in Florida. I have the SR9c in my truck but it can be a bit much to carry wearing light shorts. Any suggestions? I don't want to go over $600 and would like a 9mm that can shoot +p ammo. The Lc9 is pretty cheap but I don't know if it can handle the hotter rounds. Thanks for any input.
Pocket carry auto
- Thread starter wetley49
- Start date
- Status
Kahr CW9 or P380 work for me. I picked up the P380 used so the price was right and CW9 is just a nice shooting pistol that can easily be pocket carried. I've shot +p ammo through it and it handles it, but it's not something one would enjoy shooting a lot.
W L Johnson
Member
Just checked and the LC9 only has a 3.12" barrel. Doubt you would see any benefit from using +p in a gun with a barrel that short anyway, other than more flash and noise. This would be true for anything small enough for pocket carry.
A "9mm Short" .380 would fit the bill, it's what I regularly carry in a pocket holster here in Fla. in the summer. I use a Kel-Tec P3AT, which runs 100% reliably with CCI Blazer 95gr. ammo, but the Ruger version is almost identical, if a few dollars more expensive. These little guns are very lightweight, and just disappear in a pocket. They DO require some practice getting used to the long double-action-only trigger pull, but once you get used to it, are plenty accurate enough for defensive use at 7 to 10 yards.
GreyCoupe
Member
Walther P5. You'll love it.
Speer makes a "short barrel" +p round for 9mm. Not sure of the exact difference between it and their regular +p. I use regular 124 grain +p in my CM9 and the felt recoil is definately more snappy than with standard pressure rounds but not unpleasent or unmanagable. Not sure of the actual increased energy on the receiving end but the gun is rated for +p so thats what I carry in it.
Esoxchaser
Member
Kahr makes about the best pocket pistols on the market.
Cocked & Locked
Member
Don't forget the Kel Tec PF9...light weight, small, thin, ugly, and inexpensive. Works good for me. Not as nice as some of the higher dollar pistols and not a "range gun"...carries easily.
Posing with 147 grain Winchester Silver Tip
Posing with 147 grain Winchester Silver Tip
Checkout the new S&W/M&P Shield. Comes in .40S&W and 9mm MSRP $449. Being the new hot item I've seen um for $450. to $500. at local gun shows heard of um going for $375. and up. Give it a while and it will be around $375. to $400. soon. Their just about the same size as a PF9 but a tad heaver side=by=side.
I have two pocket carry autos that I've used for the past four years. One is a KelTec PF-9, the other is a KelTec P3at. The PF-9 works well in jeans. But for summertime carry in the heat when I'm wearing shorts, it's the P3at, hands down.
WRGADog
Member
I own several pocket pistols that work well
Kahr P380, Kahr PM9, Beretta Nano, Kimber Solo. I purchased the Solo this week and haven't had the opportunity to go to the range. Of the others, my favorite is the Nano. The Beretta fits my hand better and I shoot it more accurately than the Kahrs. That said, the Kahrs are great pocket pistols. If you decide on the Kahr make sure you shoot the requisite number of rounds (200) before carrying for personal protection.
Kahr P380, Kahr PM9, Beretta Nano, Kimber Solo. I purchased the Solo this week and haven't had the opportunity to go to the range. Of the others, my favorite is the Nano. The Beretta fits my hand better and I shoot it more accurately than the Kahrs. That said, the Kahrs are great pocket pistols. If you decide on the Kahr make sure you shoot the requisite number of rounds (200) before carrying for personal protection.
hardluk1
member
For a 9mm KT pf-9 and Kahr cm/pm9 series work well. CW9 and shield can push the limit to pockett carry. I have or had a pf-9 and now cm cw9 .
The CM9 is a fantastic choice. I got mine a few months ago on sale from Palmetto State Armory for $337 out the door.
Mine has been 100% reliable with all types/brands of ammo straight out of the box. It's also surprisingly soft-shooting for such a small 9mm.
W L Johnson
Member
There's always the Rohrbaugh R9, it's pricey I know. It's my daily carry gun.
Here it is compared to my (now sold) Kel-Tec P3AT 380
Here it is compared to my (now sold) Kel-Tec P3AT 380
ForumSurfer
Member
I LOVE the Kahr cm9. It shoots like a glock/xd/m&p sub compact (no harsh kick like some guns it's size) but with a trigger pull that is long, smooth and light (feels like a ruger LCR trigger). They make smaller ones, but the cm9 is a real shooter and something you can run hard for 500 round sessions without leaving your hands reeling.
S&W M&P Shield. I got one about 5 weeks ago after renting it. Sold my Kahr PM9 within a week.
I now have 1045 rounds thru my Shield. I am looking to get a 2nd one now.
I have owned many sub compacts over the years. This is the First one that I actually ENJOY shooting at the range. The recoil is less than expected (less than the PM9 I had). And, the gun is accurate. I even shoot it well all the way to 15 yards (the furthest my indoor range goes).
I pocket carry mine:
Here is a pic with the PM9 for comparison:
I now have 1045 rounds thru my Shield. I am looking to get a 2nd one now.
I have owned many sub compacts over the years. This is the First one that I actually ENJOY shooting at the range. The recoil is less than expected (less than the PM9 I had). And, the gun is accurate. I even shoot it well all the way to 15 yards (the furthest my indoor range goes).
I pocket carry mine:
Here is a pic with the PM9 for comparison:
ForumSurfer
Member
Excellent pics, shipwreck. Would you mind posting pics of the side by side against each other from the back and top views?
I wish I could - but as stated, I sold the PM9 within the first week of buying the Shield (after my first range trip). So, I can't take anymore pics. Those pics were taken before I sold the Kahr.
With the Slide stop sticking out on the kahr... If you include that, I think the Shield is actually thinner.
moxie
Member
Another alternative is the Ruger LCR. I'm not a big guy but I carry the LCR in shorts or jeans front pockets all the time. I use an Uncle Mike's or a Nemesis pocket holster. Never been "made." The trigger and sights are excellent. The .38+P round is very respectable.
contender
Member
still am a revolver man with an airweight in the pocket.
But I did get to try out a S&W BG380 on an extended range session. Very small, snag-free, minimal felt recoil and easy to control with quick follow-up shots. Point shooting is good, doing some acceptable work out to 20 yards was easy as it has excellent sights for a pocket auto. Down right enjoyable experience. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57892_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
Who knows, this bottom feeder just might replace my J frame as it is certainly smaller and lighter and has more capacity and easier carry of reloads.
Then again, maybe not. Still trust the revolver above all else especially when comparing sub-compacts to J frames. But this BG380---very nice!
as for a 9mm, still have not had to chance to try a Beretta NANO. Sure want to.
But I did get to try out a S&W BG380 on an extended range session. Very small, snag-free, minimal felt recoil and easy to control with quick follow-up shots. Point shooting is good, doing some acceptable work out to 20 yards was easy as it has excellent sights for a pocket auto. Down right enjoyable experience. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57892_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
Who knows, this bottom feeder just might replace my J frame as it is certainly smaller and lighter and has more capacity and easier carry of reloads.
Then again, maybe not. Still trust the revolver above all else especially when comparing sub-compacts to J frames. But this BG380---very nice!
as for a 9mm, still have not had to chance to try a Beretta NANO. Sure want to.
I have 3 pocket carry pistols:
Ruger LCR 5 rounds 38+P
Sig Sauer P238 7+1, Buffalo Bore 90 grain +P
Sig Sauer P938 6+1 Hornady +P
Because of faster reloads with Semiautos and the flatter profile, I prefer the Sig Sauers. For now, I've been doing a two gun carry. It's comfortable and I prefer having a NY reload rather than reload with a magazine.
For your price point, though, I have read good things about the Shield. It may be worth a try.
Ruger LCR 5 rounds 38+P
Sig Sauer P238 7+1, Buffalo Bore 90 grain +P
Sig Sauer P938 6+1 Hornady +P
Because of faster reloads with Semiautos and the flatter profile, I prefer the Sig Sauers. For now, I've been doing a two gun carry. It's comfortable and I prefer having a NY reload rather than reload with a magazine.
For your price point, though, I have read good things about the Shield. It may be worth a try.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
On 100 degree days I stick a Bersa 380 or a Smith 649 in my pocket.
needmorecowbell
Member
I too wanted a 9mm that was a bit smaller and lighter than my SR9c and went with the CW9. Thin and light enough to carry IWB without noticing and fits in some larger pockets like cargo shorts. If you want it to fit in all pockets I'd get the CM9 or a 380. I liked the CW9 because you can get a full grip on it and I already had a P3AT and 642 for pocket.
- Status