Thin guns for ccw
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The Lone Haranguer
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1911-style pistols are also quite slender and flat, although full-size steel-framed ones are a bit long and heavy.
The Burnside Ninja
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I've owned/shot all three. (1911, Kahr P9, Walther P99)
1911s are great for stopping power- but heavy as hell. Most hold 7-8 +1 rounds (depending on the mag) >preferred carry is IWB
Kahr P9s are wonderful for concealed carry if you like the shoulder holster. They hold about the same as a 1911, but it's 9mm or 40 cal. P9s are light (which most people prefer for CCW) Fits wonderful if you wear a suit.
Walther P99 can hold anywhere from 10-17 rounds. Walther makes a 10 round mag for Californians and you can even find a 16 rounder some places. The Walther is VERY compact for a higher capacity CCW. The grips were made by some italian designer who perfected the comfort.
In all reality, any of those pistols can be a 9mm (there are 9mm 1911s). I prefer the Walther P99 for IWB every day carry. - you need more rounds in case the zombies come.
1911s are great for stopping power- but heavy as hell. Most hold 7-8 +1 rounds (depending on the mag) >preferred carry is IWB
Kahr P9s are wonderful for concealed carry if you like the shoulder holster. They hold about the same as a 1911, but it's 9mm or 40 cal. P9s are light (which most people prefer for CCW) Fits wonderful if you wear a suit.
Walther P99 can hold anywhere from 10-17 rounds. Walther makes a 10 round mag for Californians and you can even find a 16 rounder some places. The Walther is VERY compact for a higher capacity CCW. The grips were made by some italian designer who perfected the comfort.
In all reality, any of those pistols can be a 9mm (there are 9mm 1911s). I prefer the Walther P99 for IWB every day carry. - you need more rounds in case the zombies come.
JPP
Member
One vote for the Sig P239!
JP
JP
tegemu
Member
A lightweight 1911. Easy to carry and conceal and lots of firepower.
i have been convinced to get a new kel tec pf9. they're a little smaller than the p11, but also a helluva lot more limiting on mag capacity.
http://kel-tec.com/pf9.html
http://kel-tec.com/pf9.html
About a week ago I picked up an AMT Backup in 45 Auto. Stainless Steel, 1" thick, 5 rounds in the single stack magazine. It's thinner than a KT P11 (check out the Bobo's gun size chart, a sticky at the top of the forum list). The P11 is listed as 1.3 inches thick, which is as thick as my Glock 23. And it it really is, I've owned both a P11 and a P40 and made the direct comparison with the Glock. It's more rounded, but it's just as thick.
The AMT's only drawback is it's weight, it's 31 ounces loaded. It's also got a long and stiff DAO trigger, it's manageable, but it is stiff. Be aware that these guns have a somewhat bad reputation, but so do some of the others mentioned in this thread. I've shot 50 rounds of 230 grain FMJ though mine without a single failure. That's not enough to prove it as a carry gun, but it's a good sign. The AMT's were also made in 9mm, .40, 38 Super, and .400 Corbon. Rumor has it that High Standard is making the AMT Backup again. There's also an AMT Backup in .380 that's even smaller.
The AMT's only drawback is it's weight, it's 31 ounces loaded. It's also got a long and stiff DAO trigger, it's manageable, but it is stiff. Be aware that these guns have a somewhat bad reputation, but so do some of the others mentioned in this thread. I've shot 50 rounds of 230 grain FMJ though mine without a single failure. That's not enough to prove it as a carry gun, but it's a good sign. The AMT's were also made in 9mm, .40, 38 Super, and .400 Corbon. Rumor has it that High Standard is making the AMT Backup again. There's also an AMT Backup in .380 that's even smaller.
Kahr K9. Now, I've read lots of opinions about the lack of QC on Kahr's but mine has just about been flawless after the 200 rnd break in. At about the 500 rnd count I had 2 FTF with UMC FMJ. It's been 100% since then and I'm at around 1.5k rnds. I've shot WWB FMJ and JHP, Hornady XTP, Black Hills 115 +P, Federal Hi Shok, even shot some Blazer for the heck of it.
My Kahr E9 is probably the easiest to conceal in my collection. If not that, you want to get something with a very durable finish, since you will be working hard. I probably wouldn't want to get anything much bigger than the Kahr though.
ZeSpectre
Member
Taurus Millennium Pro (I have a .40 S&W, a friend has the .45ACP version). I like it a lot.
The Kahr (P9, P40, PM9, PM40) are notably smaller/thinner but at the expense of several less rounds and they are considerably more expensive. I may eventually get a PM40 anyway, time will tell.
Kel-Tec P-3AT (.380, my minimum SD caliber) is pretty popular and REALLY small. I agree with EVERYTHING in this review. Especially...
Firing one is unpleasant, but so is using a jackhammer and they both are good tools.
The Kahr (P9, P40, PM9, PM40) are notably smaller/thinner but at the expense of several less rounds and they are considerably more expensive. I may eventually get a PM40 anyway, time will tell.
Kel-Tec P-3AT (.380, my minimum SD caliber) is pretty popular and REALLY small. I agree with EVERYTHING in this review. Especially...
Firing one is unpleasant, but so is using a jackhammer and they both are good tools.
tinygnat219
Member
Stay away from Revolvers if you want a thin gun, with the exception of J-Frames from S&W, they tend to bulge out a bit and only offer 5 shots. If you want slim, stay with an auto.
There are some nice autos out there:
S&W M&P compact in 9MM
Springfield XD 45ACP Compact, has 10 or 13 round magazines.
CZ 83, 12 rounds of 9MM Makarov. It's also steel, affordable, and reliably comfortable.
Kahr, pretty much got going on the 9MMcompacts, they have a nice Single Stack version available in 9MM. Zespectre gave a good listing of their models.
Kel-Tec, makes the thinnest smallest, most compact pistols on the market. However, there are somethings you should know about them. Most Kel-Tecs require some TLC right out of the box to make them reliable. You have to do a "Fluff and Buff" on the feedramp to ensure that ammo will feed reliably that's detailed on this site: www.ktog.org (Kel-Tec Owner's Group). KT is great in design and ideas, but not the best in execution. However, I do own a P3AT and love the little gun it's less than 3/4 of an inch thick all the way around the handle. If the PF-9 comes out nicely, I am going to buy one.
Taurus: Millenium Pro series, they have versions in 9MM, 40 S&W, and 45ACP.
Anyone else got any ideas? I am kind of fried right now.
There are some nice autos out there:
S&W M&P compact in 9MM
Springfield XD 45ACP Compact, has 10 or 13 round magazines.
CZ 83, 12 rounds of 9MM Makarov. It's also steel, affordable, and reliably comfortable.
Kahr, pretty much got going on the 9MMcompacts, they have a nice Single Stack version available in 9MM. Zespectre gave a good listing of their models.
Kel-Tec, makes the thinnest smallest, most compact pistols on the market. However, there are somethings you should know about them. Most Kel-Tecs require some TLC right out of the box to make them reliable. You have to do a "Fluff and Buff" on the feedramp to ensure that ammo will feed reliably that's detailed on this site: www.ktog.org (Kel-Tec Owner's Group). KT is great in design and ideas, but not the best in execution. However, I do own a P3AT and love the little gun it's less than 3/4 of an inch thick all the way around the handle. If the PF-9 comes out nicely, I am going to buy one.
Taurus: Millenium Pro series, they have versions in 9MM, 40 S&W, and 45ACP.
Anyone else got any ideas? I am kind of fried right now.
Ranger61
Member
I vote for the S&W 3953. Its DAO so there no safety or decock to make it thicker. Its a very good size for full size hands unlike the super small guns like the Keltec P11. I find shooting it very nice. Which I wouldn't say about the Keltec. The Keltec P11 is the very thin but its hard to get a really good grip on one with my smallish hands and it really takes a fair amount of practice to shoot it well. Just my opinion!
busy_squirrel
Member
EEKK! I'm giving out false information? Well, thanks for the correction. Chock one up to the guys that've been around awhile...
XNavyflyer
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HK P7PSP is about as thin as they come. Wish they were a little lighter though.
Thin Suggestions
I think it really depends on what you want to spend, for me having worked construction for a few years I would go with something on the less expensive side, I own and love my Mil Pro PT111, but you could look at the Kel Tecs, or for slightly more money but still on the cheaper side the Kahr CW9 or CW40. The biggest down fall with the Kahr's are the capacity, all single stacks, thus their thinness. Regardless go stainless on the Mil Pro or Kel Tec. or PT111Ti?
If you don't mind spending more money you have more options with the other Kahr's, 1911's or Sigs. The Walther is also a good way to go but as your capacity goes up so does the weight. The PT745 may be just the ticket, light and slim with 7 rounds of .45 ACP, it is 2 oz. lighter than the Kahr P45 same capacity.
I hope that helps, Good Luck and be Safe!
I think it really depends on what you want to spend, for me having worked construction for a few years I would go with something on the less expensive side, I own and love my Mil Pro PT111, but you could look at the Kel Tecs, or for slightly more money but still on the cheaper side the Kahr CW9 or CW40. The biggest down fall with the Kahr's are the capacity, all single stacks, thus their thinness. Regardless go stainless on the Mil Pro or Kel Tec. or PT111Ti?
If you don't mind spending more money you have more options with the other Kahr's, 1911's or Sigs. The Walther is also a good way to go but as your capacity goes up so does the weight. The PT745 may be just the ticket, light and slim with 7 rounds of .45 ACP, it is 2 oz. lighter than the Kahr P45 same capacity.
I hope that helps, Good Luck and be Safe!
You may want to consider a Makarov. Not uber powerful by some standards, but it is built like a tank and cheap. Both would be important to me if I was in the trades. Carpentry is a tough job and tough on all "tools". While you wouldn't skimp on your hammer I wouldn't skimp here either, but if a $30 Estwing does the job well and is easily replaced then the Mak is a winner in my book.
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