What is the best pocket auto 9mm/40

[MCgunner]

I want to say the Kel-Tec P-11 but if I had to be honest the PF-9 is a lot better for true pocket carry.

Well, I like my P11, have no problem carrying it, been doing it for 14 years, mostly in a front pocket. I've adapted and don't wanna change just for .2" of width and 2 ounces of weight. It prints very little more than a PF9 being only 0.2" thicker and for that you get up to 13 rounds. When you think about it, 13 rounds of 9mm +P in a pocket is truely amazing, especially considering the reliability and accuracy of the gun. It's like carrying a service gun in your pocket, but pocket sized. I just have the 10 round mags, though, plenty IMHO. I also prefer a LONG DAO for pocket duty. Glocks need not apply. I'd carry a Glock condition three and I'd really prefer to carry condition one with the KT. The PF9s trigger is acceptable to me, though. I've not tried the Kahr. The original K9 was awfully short and light for my liking, but I hear the little Kahrs are better for pocket use, being designed for such.

If the gun don't fit your wardrobe, you need to go clothes shopping. There's more'n one brand of pants out there, ya know.

 

[DAdams]

I have a PM9 but would rather pocket carry my Seecamp .380.
If my pocket carry quest weren't over I wouldn't mind trying out a Rohrbaugh...but 3 pocket items, one revolver and two semi-autos have the bases covered.

 

[TonyT]

I opted for the Kahr PM-9 - it is about as slim and pocketable a 9mm semi auto as you can find. As a bonus the PM-9 is readillly controllable and remakably accurate for such a small pistol.

 

[EdLaver]

I like my Taurus PT 709 Slim. Been totally reliable and easy to shoot. Has adjustable sights and is accurate for a pocket gun.

 

[trekgod3]

+1 on the Kel-Tec P11. With the 12 round mags plus one in the chamber, it makes a great choice.

 

[JohnBT]

Best for me turned out to be a Rohrbaugh 9.

 

[engineer88]

If I am being lazy and only pocket carrying, and only carrying one gun, my P11 with the 12 round mag is it. That is seldom however so usually my PF9 is in the front pocket accompanied by a larger pistol iwb. Both of my Keltec pocket nines have been flawless through hundreds of rounds out of each and I paid a whopping $460 for both of them combined. I bought them both used and they have served me well. To be fair my P11 shoots a smidge low and I generally shoot the PF9 extremely accurately. Considering that for both pistols I only came out ten bucks more expensive than my used glock 26, that is not to shabby. Do I wish I had not bought the glock? HECK NO! That g26 is my favorite gun I have ever owned. It s not a pocket gun however. If I can carry iwb, it is on tye hip. That said I do have a couple of pairs of cargo shorts that the glock works in. Happy hunting!

 

[WRGADog]

Two suggestions Kahr PM9 or Walther PPS. Both are fine guns and easy to conceal. The Kahr is somewhat lighter than the PPS, but the PPS si very thin and has 6, 7, or 8 shot mags. I carry the PM9 in my front pocket daily.

 

[ET]

I carry a Taurus TCP. If I wanted to upgrade & still carry in my pocket then I just might go with the Taurus 709 slim as others have recommended. Looks like a lot of happy owners. Of course some have had problems, but I can handle that. All 3 Taurus handguns that I own have been 100% reliable.

 

[RonDeer10mm]

Glock 27

 

[IMTHDUKE]

 

[PingTheServer]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I youtube'd many of the models listed here to help educate myself.

The Kahr is just too expensive.

The KelTec PF9 and P11 actually fit the bill the best, and I will have to consider them. I just hope I can find a local store with one available so I can see how they feel and get an understanding of how they'll carry.

Glad I found this forum, its a great resource.

 

[harmon rabb]

The Kahr is just too expensive.

The KelTec PF9 and P11 actually fit the bill the best, and I will have to consider them. I just hope I can find a local store with one available so I can see how they feel and get an understanding of how they'll carry.

Glad I found this forum, its a great resource.

Ok, if you're going to look at the kel-tecs, you have to look at the taurus pt709 at the same time. I had a pf-9 and a taurus pt709. I no longer own the pf-9, and carry the pt709 a lot. What's that tell you?

The pt709 flat out outclasses the pf9. It's pretty much the same size, although it does weigh a few oz's more. The trigger is so much better that the difference is almost laughable. It actually comes with 2 magazines. And, perhaps most importantly, it is a MUCH nicer shooter. The pf9 is pretty snappy, and no fun at all at the range, whereas the pt709 is as comfortable as a full size to shoot.

As far as how it carries, it fits in most larger pant pockets without issue. I pocket carry it in cargo shorts / pants, and in dress slacks. With jeans, I carry it IWB, where it disappears because it's thin, and because all the edges are rounded.

One caveat, though. Kel-tec has great customer service. Taurus is known for NOT having great customer service. I'd much rather have an issue with a kel-tec than a taurus. That said, my pt709 has been 100% since day 1, and my pf9 needed a new extractor before it ran right.

If what you really want is a pocket 9mm or 40 though, as in the gun that can be pocket carried in a wider variety of pants, you should save up for the kahr, because it's flat out smaller. There are pockets that will take a pm9 but not a pf9, for sure.

 

[PingTheServer]

Thanks. The Taurus slim 709 fits the bill, and it has an external safety as well...which will settle my nerves. I looked at the reviews and i'll have to see where I can find one to try it on for size.

 

[Ben86]

If you get one with crooked sights, as I did, it's probably just a plastic burr beneath the sights. Mine were lopsided because of this, but promptly fixed for free (about 1 minute) by the smith at the shop I bought it from. That's about the only issue I've had.

 

[harmon rabb]

Thanks. The Taurus slim 709 fits the bill, and it has an external safety as well...which will settle my nerves. I looked at the reviews and i'll have to see where I can find one to try it on for size.

What's nice is that you don't have to use the thumb safety, as it's drop safe without it. I don't carry mine with the thumb safety engaged.

 

[PingTheServer]

Im looking hard at the slim 709, and I think the crimson trace will go nicely on it. Im weighing whether it is worth the extra 1 inch in length (granted 6 inches is fine)...and extra weight...would be close to 2 lbs with an extra mag...over the size of an LCP.

I also couldnt find the dimensions on width. Does anyone know?

Do any of you that own this know of any problems with it? What is the break in period?

 

[Ben86]

According to Mr. Quinn it is .961 in frame width and .95 inches in slide width.

http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus-PT709.htm

 

[MrWesson]

harmon rabb
Member


Join Date: March 14, 2009
Posts: 997
Quote:
What's nice is that you don't have to use the thumb safety, as it's drop safe without it. I don't carry mine with the thumb safety engaged.

How does the trigger feel is it typical taurus auto trigger and is it still 7/8ths of creep 1/8 break? I wanted to buy a taurus but the trigger is horrible can they be modified?

 

[Ben86]

I love the trigger on my 709, it's one of my favorites. In single action its mostly light creep and the break is clean and predictable, and not too heavy. The double action, which you probably will never use for an practical purpose, is a little heavy all the way through like a revolver trigger.

Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions about the gun that I might be able to answer.