I agree. The other 9mms out there might be small..but they aren't really pocket guns. Some people can get away with carrying something like a PF9 in their pocket...but while I would consider that to be a very compact gun, it really isn't designed to be a pocket gun. A pocket gun to me is something that goes in any pants pocket. You don't dress around a pocket gun. You dress around carrying a full size pistol. What good is a pocket gun if it only rides ok in one of your pairs of pants? What happens when you wear something else? Heck, at that point I'd rather have something in a holster. It's really either a Rohrbaugh or you'll probably have to go .380.
Pocket pistol Concealed carry suggestions
- Thread starter coppermouse
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I agree. The other 9mms out there might be small..but they aren't really pocket guns. Some people can get away with carrying something like a PF9 in their pocket...but while I would consider that to be a very compact gun, it really isn't designed to be a pocket gun. A pocket gun to me is something that goes in any pants pocket. You don't dress around a pocket gun. You dress around carrying a full size pistol. What good is a pocket gun if it only rides ok in one of your pairs of pants? What happens when you wear something else? Heck, at that point I'd rather have something in a holster. It's really either a Rohrbaugh or you'll probably have to go .380.
Guns and more
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And there's a lot of reasons to NOT get a Rohrbaugh.
1. cost.
2. recoil spring needs replacing after 200 rounds.
3. painful to shoot.
4. you won't practice with it. (see #3)
5. Very finicky about ammo.
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Yep. I wouldn't buy one, but it is small. I think 9mm might just be too problematic for real pocket-size pistols. It's powerful enough where it causes issues in guns that small and light. Issues such as the spring you mentioned and discomfort while practicing. The recoil can make follow up shots difficult too. Some people complain about the .380 guns like the P3AT/LCP being uncomfortable to shoot. A lot of people also say the same thing about airweight J frames in .38 loaded with +p ammo. Granted, they aren't range guns....but you still should be able to practice with it regularly if it's something you carry with you for self defense. If you want a more powerful round, I think you just need a bigger gun (and bigger pockets
).benderx4
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I lug around my Seecamp LWS380 with me inside a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster and I couldn't be happier than with this arrangement.
I don't live in a war zone, I don't live in the inner city, I don't frequent deserted warehouse districts in the middle of the night, and I have a sweet little 9mm with 16 rounds sitting in my car everywhere I go.
FOR ME, and only FOR ME, the 9mm Kurz suits me just fine for pocket carry, and the Seecamp is the smallest, most reliable little BUG on the market. Just my 02 cents.
I don't live in a war zone, I don't live in the inner city, I don't frequent deserted warehouse districts in the middle of the night, and I have a sweet little 9mm with 16 rounds sitting in my car everywhere I go.
FOR ME, and only FOR ME, the 9mm Kurz suits me just fine for pocket carry, and the Seecamp is the smallest, most reliable little BUG on the market. Just my 02 cents.
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We're kinda getting away from the author's question, but I agree on the .380.
(all the reasons to question the Rohrbach are the same for the Seecamp)
I'm a fan of the Sig 238 right now. I think when the shooting starts, the perp ain't gonna say, "Man, is that only a .380? You're kidding, right?"
I'm curious. Since the 9mm is 9x19 and the .380 is 9x17, I would think the only difference is the velocity of the bullet. The hole is the same size. I agree the force of the impact is greater in the 9mm because of the greater bullet weight.
Okay I got some results:
1. Ruger LCP. Winchester White Box, 95 grain FMJ: Avg. 859 fps.
2. Kahr PM-9 PM-9 (2 3/4") 991fps.
I would have liked it better if the same ammo was used in both guns, but it was not. I stayed away from +P results.
No doubt a difference, but is it worth the size difference to carry?
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I've got friends with Kel-Tecs and I understand that they've performed wonderfully over a long time even after a lot of abuse.
Whatever you decide on, just make sure you practice drawing and firing your empty pistol at home to make sure your pistol/holster/pants pocket combo actually works. Drawing from inside a pocket is much different than from an IWB or OWB holster.
Whatever you decide on, just make sure you practice drawing and firing your empty pistol at home to make sure your pistol/holster/pants pocket combo actually works. Drawing from inside a pocket is much different than from an IWB or OWB holster.
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dondavis3
Member
I have carried a Glock 26 9mm for years - it is too big for pocket carry though:
I've carried .45's & 9mm and several different brands of each -
I know you don't want a .380, but this gun I carry absolutely all the time.
Ruger LCP
As I got older - I found that "heavy" got old real quick.
I've carried .45's & 9mm and several different brands of each -
I know you don't want a .380, but this gun I carry absolutely all the time.
Ruger LCP
As I got older - I found that "heavy" got old real quick.
Shadow 7D
Member
They sky cpx1 is a knock of keltek with a safety, but then so is a ruger lcp...
I don't know where you heard that Kel-Tec are unreliable.
It is a very popular choice among LEOs as backup gun.
I trust my life to my P-11....and many others I know with the same or different Kel-Tec models...I never had any problems, only couple of jams during the first two magazines....nothing after that and I fed anything through it, inclusding +p loads.
One of the best warranty in the industry...and +P rated
Finishing is good, not excellent but perfectly adequate...hey it's a pocket piece not a safe queen.
The P-11 and PF-9 are the best pockeatable pistol in a full power handgun caliber for the money...you cannot beat it....the P-11 can have 12+1 doublestack capacity in magazines flush with the grip....unbelievable capacity for that small of a pistol.
The P-11 can fit in every pocket unless you have some special pants with extremely reduced ones, I use it in every attire from casual to formal. ...with an Uncle Mike's pocket holster or a Desantis Nemesis, it prints no more than a smartphone.
Hands down the best handguns for the money in that segment.
My trusty P-11...
It is a very popular choice among LEOs as backup gun.
I trust my life to my P-11....and many others I know with the same or different Kel-Tec models...I never had any problems, only couple of jams during the first two magazines....nothing after that and I fed anything through it, inclusding +p loads.
One of the best warranty in the industry...and +P rated
Finishing is good, not excellent but perfectly adequate...hey it's a pocket piece not a safe queen.
The P-11 and PF-9 are the best pockeatable pistol in a full power handgun caliber for the money...you cannot beat it....the P-11 can have 12+1 doublestack capacity in magazines flush with the grip....unbelievable capacity for that small of a pistol.
The P-11 can fit in every pocket unless you have some special pants with extremely reduced ones, I use it in every attire from casual to formal. ...with an Uncle Mike's pocket holster or a Desantis Nemesis, it prints no more than a smartphone.
Hands down the best handguns for the money in that segment.
My trusty P-11...
I dress perfectly normal as many other people with my Kel-Tec P-11....no need for suspenders at all....
Ahh, the Rohrbaugh R9...designed for people that have more money than common sense...
Let's see a technical comparison with the Kel Tec P-11 or PF-9
Length 5,2 versus 5,6 for the P-11 and PF-9
Height 3.7" vs. 4.3 for the P-11 and PF-9
Width 0.82" Vs. 1" for the P-11 and 0.88" for the PF-9
Weight 12.8 oz Vs. 14 oz for the P-11 and 12.7 oz for the PF-9
Capacity (magazine flush with grip) 6+1 Vs. 12 + 1 for the P-11 and 7 + 1 for the PF-9
Not +P rated Vs. P-11 and PF-9 which are +P rated
The slide does not lock open after the last round on the R9, it does on the P-11 and PF-9
Price: Over $1000 for the R9 Vs. $250-300 for the P-11 and PF-9...yes the R9 ships with 2 magazines instead of only one....
I guess someone has to pay for that fancy web site...
I do not think there is anything else to add....
Sauceweed
Member
I know that you said 9mm but in my opinion the best pocket carry pistol is a J-frame S&W....either a 442 or 642. You owe it to yourself to check these out.
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