Pocket pistol! Reliabilty is my first choice!!

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grayhambone

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Fellas, I want a new pocket pistol. I also want a pocket pistol that isn't going to jam if the magazine is fully loaded and one is in the chamber. Being able to function properly even if it's a little dirty is something else to consider. I've handled and shot and had problems with kahr, kel-tec and rugers. I had a glock 26 (bc i'm a glock guy) and love it. If nothing else just stands out, i will get another one. Is the M&P shield pretty flawless?
I will be purchasing it in 9mm also.
Help!
 
The Shield is not exactly a pocket pistol.

The Sig P938 is, though.

The Diamondback DB9 is a pocket pistol. I wouldn't trust it, though, so I sold it.
 
Depends on how small you want to go and if mag capacity is important for you. G26 is the best in size and mag capacity IMO. Going smaller than that it's single stacks and 6-7 rnds mag capacity; which I would rather give up slight difference in size to mag capacity.
 
+2 for the CM9. Well over 1000 rounds with no issues and I often run it with a full mag and 1 in the chamber.
 
I have a P238, a TCP, a Micro Desert Eagle and all have been flawless. My P3AT was pretty near flawless for over 3000 rounds before it gave out. My P32 had rimlock twice, otherwise it was reliable. My Berretta Tomcat was never reliable.

I had an NAA in 32 cal that in addition to feeling like a brick in my pocket was unreliable and punishing to shoot.
 
Love the Shield. Sold my Kahr PM9 the same week I got the first one.

After 2 months of searching, I found a 2nd one.

I have 1700 rounds thru the two combined. Love the gun(s)!

Better trigger and less felt recoil than the Kahr. Very accurate. Like shooting a much larger gun. This is the first subcompact I have owned and actually liked. I do not feel undergunned... And, its smaller than the subcompacts I previously owned...

doubleshield.gif
 
Love the Shield. Sold my Kahr PM9 the same week I got the first one.

After 2 months of searching, I found a 2nd one.

I have 1700 rounds thru the two combined. Love the gun(s)!

Better trigger and less felt recoil than the Kahr. Very accurate. Like shooting a much larger gun. This is the first subcompact I have owned and actually liked. I do not feel undergunned... And, its smaller than the subcompacts I previously owned...

doubleshield.gif
You said you owned a PM9 and then say the Shield is smaller than the subcompacts I previously owned!

The PM9 is smaller in every dimension and weighs less than the Shield as well, so makes me wonder if you actually did own a PM9.
IMG_0020.jpg
 
I have a PM9 and use it as my pocket pistol. Anything bigger than that would be too big to be a pocket pistol IMO. I want a Diamondback DB9 because it's even thinner, but I hear such negative things about it so frequently I'm not sure if that's a good idea.

I used to have a Ruger LCP, it's size is ideal. But, it was a challenge to shoot and the price and lower power level of .380 make that caliber undesirable to me.
 
Shipwreck

I would also have to question you on your comments about the Shield being smaller than a comparable Kahr. When I looked at the Shield at my LGS when they first came out, I did compare it the Kahr PM9 and the Shield was noticebly larger in just about every aspect. Nice gun but definitely not smaller.
 
Love the Shield. Sold my Kahr PM9 the same week I got the first one.

After 2 months of searching, I found a 2nd one.

I have 1700 rounds thru the two combined. Love the gun(s)!

Better trigger and less felt recoil than the Kahr. Very accurate. Like shooting a much larger gun. This is the first subcompact I have owned and actually liked. I do not feel undergunned... And, its smaller than the subcompacts I previously owned...

doubleshield.gif
I like the innertube grip sleeves. I use them on my CM9. They give a nice tacky feel and I think really improve the grip.
 
I handled a Shield at the gun show yesterday and although nice it is not in anyway smaller and lighter than my PM9.
 
You said you owned a PM9 and then say the Shield is smaller than the subcompacts I previously owned!

The PM9 is smaller in every dimension and weighs less than the Shield as well, so makes me wonder if you actually did own a PM9.

Yes, you are correct, I made one mistake. I have owned several subcompact doublestacks. That is what I was considering.

I never really liked the Kahr PM9, and it pretty much sat in my safe the 2.5 years I owned it. It just wasn't a fun gun for me to shoot at the range. And, I was no where as accurate with it as the Shield (I do a fair amount of shooting with my shield at 15 yards)

I had other subcompacts that I actually carried with regularity - 9mm doublestacks subcompacts. My point was that this smaller gun was actually more accurate and enjoyable for me to shoot than the doublestacks...

And yea, I have comparison pics of the Kahr and SHield - not that much difference... If I were wearing jeans, even the Kahr wouldn't be easily accessible out of a front pocket (I'd need a tiny 380). So for me, in actual real world use, the slight size difference bwteen the Shield and Kahr is a non issue. I pocket carry the SHield everywhere in my cargo pants.

kahrshield1.gif
kahrshield2.gif
 
I like the innertube grip sleeves. I use them on my CM9. They give a nice tacky feel and I think really improve the grip.

Yes. I have always hated the lack of rubber grips for polymer guns (why can't they come up with rubber side panels and rear backstrap for the HK P30). I've always tried the Hogue slip ons, but I hate the palm swells and finger grooves.

I've tried some others too - even ones without the finger grooves. But the rubber on those were still too thick. It was too obvious where the rubber grip stopped and started.

The innertubes are ugly as hell, but they work the best. Thinnest rubber grip, and cheap. I really wish some gun grip company would come out with something similar - but with a nice looking texture (instead of the ugly innertube style finish). I've been using innertube pieces on polymer guns for years...

so makes me wonder if you actually did own a PM9.

I addressed this in the post above... As I wrote my post, I was considering how the gun is smaller than all the other doublestack subcompacts I have previously owned, and strangely enough, I shoot the smaller Shield better and prefer the Shield over them... At that point, I forgot about the Pm9 I previously had - as I never liked the gun and it always sat in the safe...

I can assure you, I did actually own the PM9, and I have photos to prove it.
 
Like shooting a much larger gun.

Probably because the M&P Sheild is a much larger gun than the PM9 or CM9. ;)

That said, I find the CM9 to be an incredibly soft-shooting pistol for its size and weight.
 
I think there is a concensus on what constitutes a pocket - but it's not carved in stone.

The front pocket of a common pair of jeans, or business slacks (Dockers) - is a pocket.

These threads always have someone who throws a Glock 26 or Nano (now it's also the Shield) in their cargo pockets and declare the pistol a "Pocket Pistol"
 
Lots of positive comments here on the pm9/cm9 Kahr's. I would advise a slow approach to those. I have a CM9 that had troubles and had to go back to the factory. It is running great now (500 rounds after it came back, no issues of any kind).

Lots of chatter indicative of many guns either going back to the factory or being sold because they don't run. There doesn't seem to be many who have tried them that have a middle of the road opinion...they either love the things, or they hate 'em.

If asked for a recommendation on the CM9, I'd would say it's up to the prospective buyer: if you don't mind taking a little time, going through a little expense and possibly some trouble sending it back, then carry on. It will probably be worth the trouble. If you get frustrated, if you're not willing to buy 300 or 400 rounds to break in and proof the gun, if you don't like recoil or double action triggers, the Kahr is probably not for you. I might even go one step further, and say that sub compact autos in general may not be for you. The little guns are all a little cranky, and the LCR and little J frames are excellent alternatives.

I will say, it works well for me in my front pocket, and it goes out more and more as I get more confident it will go bang each and every time I pull the trigger.
 
I havent read all of the posts, but if the Sig P938 is anything like a P238 I would go with it. I currently have a P238 and am looking to switch over to the P938.
 
Right now, my pocket pistol is the S&W BG380.

Very solid little number. It's my "shorts and flip-flops" carry piece. Otherwise, I'd use a G26.
 
If reliability is your major concern get a S&W lightweight snubbie revolver. Otherwise I will join the crowd with a Kahr PM9. IMHO the Shield is a little too big for pocket carry.
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KahrShield-1.gif
 
I think there is a concensus on what constitutes a pocket - but it's not carved in stone.

The front pocket of a common pair of jeans, or business slacks (Dockers) - is a pocket.

These threads always have someone who throws a Glock 26 or Nano (now it's also the Shield) in their cargo pockets and declare the pistol a "Pocket Pistol"

Seems to be more of a Regional or Stereotypical thing than anything else. Personally, I haven't worn a pair of blue jeans in over a decade. Where I live, they are too hot, making them flat out uncomfortable, and they give you absolutely no storage options for the many things that a modern man carries; like a wallet, cell phone, keys, pocket knife, and a reload. Most men in my area are dressed in some sort of Cargo shorts/pants or other outdoor style clothing because they are comfortable and much more accommodating to how we live. It doesn't matter the age, they are a standard dress staple for the masses down here, which is something that I'll gladly embrace.

Cargo pants, shorts work well to hide a larger gun in pocket carry b/c the side pocket interferes with the lines of the gun and helps to break it up. Wear a good gun belt to support the weight (as you should when carrying anything lighter than a pea-shooter) and stick your hands into the pockets of any pants/shorts you intend to buy.

Personally, I've been carrying a G26 in my front pocket for 8 years now. Never been made, no one looks at me strange for wearing cargo shorts/pants, and given the pistol's firing traits (trigger, grip, dual recoil spring/ recoil management, and accuracy out to 25 yards), it is much more worthy of being a primary sidearm than many of the tiny wonderguns that have become popular as of late.

When I absolutely have to wear dress slacks, I bust out the Seecamp. For everything else, the G26 is it.

To the OP, if the Glock 26 works for you, then I think you will be hard pressed to find a 9mm pistol that displaces it. The Baby Glock gives you a lot of versatility (sights, mags, holsters, aftermarket support) that you likely won't find in any other small sized 9mm. When it comes to pocket carry, most companies are missing one major point; it's the overall height of the pistol that makes or breaks it as a pocket carry option. That's yet another reason why the G26 remains as the sub-compact 9mm to beat. Frankly, I've just about given up on expecting a better option to hit the market.
 
Out of curiosity, does the weight of a loaded G26 wear out your pockets quickly? Do you re-enforce them?
 
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