Searching for a new CC 9mm for owb carry. Need advice.

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JBrady555

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Hello folks I have been carrying for about a year now with a glock 26 in a glock sport/combat holster. It's the only setup I found that I can comfortably sit down in although I haven't tried many different combos. I like my current setup but I would like to find something that doesn't create as much buldge under my shirt. I have to wear a unbuttoned Hawaii style shirt for total concealment. I would like to find a setup that I can wear with just a regular t shirt without too much buldge, I know total elimination of printing is probably unattainable but I would like to be close.

So downsizing from the 26 leaves me looking at single stacks like the xds and shield but I'm not sure I'll obtain the level of t shirt carry I'm looking for. The p938 looks like it may be the ticket, right now I'm leaning heavily towards purchasing one of these. Do you think I'll get the level of concealment owb that I'm looking for with the 938? I've heard of thumb break 1911 holsters swiping the safety off, anyone have it happen with a 938?

I would love to hear from the owb guys on suggestions. I'm just not comfortable enough with a Iwb holster although I just bought a alien gear iwb for my glock 26 to try. Thanks for any info guys.
 
What I've found that minimizes printing the most (for me) is an IWB holster worn between the belt and pants, instead of inside the pants.
This is known as "inside-the-belt" carry (ITB.) It is an excellent compromise between OWB and IWB methods. The belt smoothes the profile and pulls the gun/holster in nice and tight, but you still need the same-length cover garment as you would for OWB-carry.
Works great with T-shirts, as long as they're long enough. I've done this with my Ruger P95 and my Police Service Six. If those guns can tuck in enough using this method, I have no doubt your G26 can as well.
 
Thanks for the reply. I also have a p95, that's the gun that I tried in the waistband. It didn't work out for me, I couldn't even sit down lol. I was new to pistols then and didn't realize that the p95 isn't really a iwb gun. Haven't tried a iwb holster since.
 
if it must be OWB try a single stack poly gun like a PM9 or a Nano.
 
+1 for the p938

The p938 is the most concealable 9mm that I have owned or fired, a list that includes the PM9, PF9, PPS, and Shield. Because of my build and my attempts not to dress like a 1990s hood rat, I have a tough time concealing a lot of pistols. But the p938 is just about perfect in that regard

The safety is very, very firm. I carry in a Kydex holster and have never come close to accidentally switching off the safety, even when I throw it in a backpack or carry in a pocket.
 
I've looked pretty hard at the Bersa BP9cc. It's a single stack 9mm that's about an inch thick. About the size of a Shield, it should pack nicely OWB. I'm not a big IWB guy either. I prefer a little pocket pistol or carrying OWB or ITB.

The price is right at about $400, but the thing keeping me from getting it is the lightness of the trigger. It's got a really light and smooth trigger, no external safety, and no little Glock-Dongle on the trigger. It's a fantastically simple carry piece, but I am just more comfortable with an external safety or a revolver-like DAO pull.

That said, great gun for those looking for something slim. Seems really well built too.
 
At least take a glance at the Sig P290RS (not the earlier version, the P290). The revamped pistol has a lot to offer.
 
I would say something like a PM9, Shield, or P938 would be your best bet for the CCW set-up you're contemplating. I have quite a few 1911s, including a P238, and the safety has never come off on any of them while carrying. In a 9mm. I like to go with a PM9 and I carry IWB while wearing fairly loose fitting button down shirts.
 
I like the single stack 9mm guns in a Pancake type holster at about 4 O'clock with a little forward cant. There are some very thin 9mm guns that are great for conceal carry OWB. Such as the Kahrs, Walther PPS, Ruger LC9, SIG P290 and P239, older S&W 3913-3914 and 908, and Bersa guns too. Have fun and good luck on your search. Snoop
 
Here is a size listing of 9mm pistols from pocket to compact:

Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 3.7 in
Slide Width: .82 in
Width at thickest part of pistol: .95 in
Weight: 13.5 oz, magazine 1.6 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Boberg XR9-S (Shorty)
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.35 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 4.2 in
Width: .96 in
Weight: 17.5 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

Kahr MK9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.3 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 22.1 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Kahr PM9 / CM9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.42 in
Height: 4.0 in
Slide Width: .90 in
Width at slide stop: 1.0 in
Weight: Pistol 14 oz, Magazine 1.9 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Double Tap Defense Douple Tap
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.665 in
Weight: 15 oz Titanium, 13 0z Aluminum
Capacity: 2

Kimber Solo
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.7 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 1.2 in
Weight: 17 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P290
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.5 in
Height: 3.9 in
Width: 0.9 in - 1.1" w/slide catch (roughly the same width as MK9, Kahr lists the width of the slide only)
Weight: 20.5 oz w/magazine
Capacity: 6+1

Diamondback DB9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.60 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: 0.80 in
Weight: 11 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-11
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.6 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 14 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Beretta Nano
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.07 in
Length: 5.63 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 17.67 oz
Capacity: 6+1

SCCY CPX-2
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.7 in
Height: 4.0 in (without mag extensions)
Width: 1.0 in
Weight: 15.0 oz
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Kel Tec PF-9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 5.87 in
Height: 4.3 in
Width: .88 in
Weight: 12.7 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

SIG SAUER P938
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.0 in
Length: 5.9 in
Height: 3.9 in (not counting magazine w/extension)
Width: 1.1 in
Weight: 16.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Ruger LC9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.12 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Slide Width: .90in
Weight: 17.10 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Remington R-51
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.4 in
Length: 6.0 in
Height: 4.5 in
Width: .96in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Smith & Wesson Shield
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.1 in
Length: 6.1 in
Height: 4.6 in
Width: .95in
Weight: 19.0 oz
Capacity: 7+1

Glock 26
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.46 in
Length: 6.29 in
Height: 4.17 in
Width: 1.18 in
Weight: 19.75 oz w/o magazine
Capacity: 10+1 Rounds

Walther PPS
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.2 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 20.0 oz
Capacity: 6+1

Springfield Armory XDs
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.3 in
Height: 4.4 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 23.0 oz w/empty 7rd magazine
Capacity: 7+1

Bersa BP9CC
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.3 in
Length: 6.35 in
Height: 4.8 in
Width: .94 in
Weight: 21.5 oz
Capacity: 8+1
 
I have the Rohrbaugh R9 and love it for pocket carry but it is hard for me to recommend it right now since the company was sold to Remington, they are moving the factory, and they're really not responding to customers at all. Maybe that will change when the transition is complete - I don't know.

I have the CM9 which has been reliable as far as shooting, but the gun has broken two magazine followers because the feed ramp slams into the follower. But the way the followers broke, they still work - it's like a semi-circle was punched out of the front of them.
 
What to buy

Bewteen my wife and I we own a few smaller 9mm. I also work at gun swaps at the range to try other brands I will never own some you can typically rent.

The smallest class of 9mm pistols can be a handful for season shooters but they do work well for my. I have a cm9 that's my pocket pistol for work- construction- And a much larger tp40 kahr. The shield , cw9 ,pps and a few others are in the size range that's easy to carry and short enough most any one can front side carry them and wear a button down shirt tucked in .

My wife picked up a pistol I never saw before. Taurus PT111G2. Note the G2 part . That's the game changer. Weight is about the same as your g26 but its the physical size of a shield just heavier. Double stack 12 round mags will use a P226 mag as back up. We have a meg-gar 18 round p226 mag for it. Thin .96 slide and 1.1 across the grip , short upper height and gives a full grip for mid sized hands. Accurate for a 3.25" barrel and +P rated and has a great trigger . Also has most edges rounded off . Sort of a melt. Blue or matt stainless steel finsh and best of all !! A low cost . LGS here was $ 343 plus tax. Check Bud's gun shop for lower prices. They also make a 40sw version , PT140G2.

If I did not have these kahrs ?? Might have a 40 cal version.

Photos with my cw9-
Rear- th_102_0012_zps423a16cb.gif
Side- th_102_0011_zps1cb86616.gif
 
I usually carry full size. I am looking into the new Walther CCP. With the reduced recoil and single stack, this might end up as my wife's CCW.
 
jdbrady555 writes:

Thanks for the reply. I also have a p95, that's the gun that I tried in the waistband. It didn't work out for me, I couldn't even sit down lol. I was new to pistols then and didn't realize that the p95 isn't really a iwb gun. Haven't tried a iwb holster since.
Click to expand...

That's why I was suggesting you try it outside the waistband, between the belt and pants. Far more comfortable. I can't do IWB-carry either; tried it with a Bersa Thunder, and never tried it with anything else after that.

Give it a try with your G26, if you can try out a IWB holster somewhere.

Of course, if you're looking for an excuse to buy another gun... :p
 
Many of the heights in your table are deceptive as they do not include the magazine, most of which hang down 1/4-1/2" below the bottom of the grip.

The Shield "flat bottom" magazine is flush with the nub on the bottom of the grip. The Kahr PM/CM has some flat metal bottom mags that only hang down ~3/16". Most others grow even more in height with the magazine inserted.
 
GunsAmerica has SIG P239 LEO trade-ins with three magazines and night sights. The guns are 10 years old and only shot less than 200 rounds a year. The night sights will need to be real per in couple of years which runs $ 57.00.

Compare that to new gun with one extra mag@ $ 860.00 (regular sights), extra mag about $ 44.00 plus sales tax and you are looking close to $ 925.00 +.

Saving at least $ 350.00 or more for night sights is a heck of a deal.
 
Last edited:
Glock 36?....

Have you looked at any Glock 36 .45acp pistols?
If you want a simple, slim semi auto pistol & know how to use the Glock format safe-action, the sub compact 36 could meet your needs.
It's more powerful than the new Glock 42 .380acp model but thin unlike the Glock 30/30SF/30S.
If you prefer the 9x19mm, the SIG SAS P239, the P250 sub compact, or the P290RS can work well. You can add Trijicon night sights(3 dot) for low light events.
The new S-A XDs 4.0 in .45acp or 9x19mm may be worth checking. It has a thin, light polymer frame with a 4" barrel/slide.

I'm not a big fan of fiber optic systems on duty/carry guns but night sights are worth the $ or looking for a decent factory model.
 
Thank you for all the replies. To the folks recommending the sig 290, does it have the p250 trigger? I own a 250 and I'm not a fan of the one inch of travel to fire and then another one inch of travel to reset. It's probably the smoothest double action of all time but the pull and reset are horrible.
 
I went with the P938 and bought a Remora OWB/IWB holster and absolutely love this set-up. Can now CCW no matter what I'm wearing and the P938 itself is awesome.
 
I am not familiar with the Sig P250 but from my experience with the 290 and what I have read of the the 250, if you do not like the 250 trigger, you are not likely going to like the 290 trigger. It is worth taking a look at one, though, I think.
 
When I'm not carrying a J-frame, I carry the Shield.

It rides in a Raven Concealment Phantom OWB and the belt is a Beltman.
The T-shirt is a Duluth long-tail and it's one size larger than normal.

The Shield disappears with this arrangement.
 
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