Which 9mm would you choose?

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All three that you mentioned are fine handguns. I think either one would serve you well.

The kahr is usually nice and thin for something you could easily carry. I do not think there is great aftermarket support though.

Personally I would lean toward the Glock. They simply run, which is exactly what I like in a handgun. If you pick it up and it feels good in your hand, then I think you would be set. They are simple to run and take apart. There are also TONS of aftermarket parts. Simply based on that fact there could be a good reason to lean toward the Glock.

That ruger is nice as well. Feels good in my hand at least, but I have not gotten to run rounds through one. FWIW their revolvers run well (also shot a lot of rounds through one of their older steel model autos, and it was nice).

If you run a good holster and belt, I see no reason why you would not be able to carry any of these. Pocket carry? probably not, but then again I do not think these pistols are designed for that. I usually carry a full size XD (when I am not taking the revolvers) and I am pretty skinny... yet it disappears just fine at 4:00 strongside. I have had good luck with crossbread and AKJ concealco holsters.

If you are going for something for pocket, I have pretty good luck with the Ruger LCR. The LCP should not be over looked either.

good luck!
 
Fisherdave said:
I would pick the SR9c.

Keep in mind the dimensions listed for the SR9c are a bit misleading. The 1.27" in slide width is measured at the widest points, from safety lever to safety lever. I believe the actual slide width is under an inch.
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Well the safety levers sticking out does add width in the area they're located.



You don't have to worry about safety levers sticking out on the Glock or the Kahr.;)
 
I have the SR9C and love it, its my primary carry gun. I dont personally use the safety levers but there are lots of things I have that I dont use every option they come with. I would suggest at the very least holding the guns your interested in and seeing how they feel and fit your hand, try shooting them if you can. I can tell you the SR9C has a fine trigger better than most specially after the first 100 rounds or so and is the most accurate carry gun I have ever had.
 
Notice that most guns are compared to glock at some point? Ever wonder why?

Dead nuts reliable. Bulletproof. Indestructible. Legendary.

I, too, have searched the world over for the perfect concealed weapon, and now I've come full circle. Go glock first and save yourself a lot of money.

I've had a lot of guns. I've now sold off most of them except for my glocks. HK, sig, walther, Kahr, S&W, you name it.

There are thinner guns, there are lighter guns, there are prettier guns, but there are no better guns.
 
Of the ones you mentioned, I'd go Ruger. It is the only one that has ALL of these features:

  • American made
  • American company
  • Reliable

That said, I think the Walthers mentioned earlier are better all-around pistols. The PPS is thinner, so it is pocket-friendly. The P99C has the most ergonomic overall package.

The Glock is the old standby, and for good reason, but I don't really think they're any better than the Ruger, except if you plan to modify it. They're not as good as Ruger or Walther from a grip comfort standpoint.

The Kahrs are kind of hit or miss, reliability-wise. I don't know how many threads I've read that start with: "I got a new Kahr, and I love it, but [insert reliability issues]" FAIL.
 
glock 26 is the best choice , the ruger is only an 1/8" thinner. Kahr are questionable, had one of their early 380's that jammed and failed to exract all the time , even after sending it back for repair.

The best way would be to compare the ruger to the glock side by side
 
I'm partial to the Ruger SRC9, though it's not really a pocket carry pistol. It does carry iwb very well. It's shoots as well as my Sig p226 or XD9. I'm sure you can't really go wrong, though.
 
I was in a similar situation. I ended up getting a Glock 26 for my EDC and a Kel-Tec PF9 for deep concealment. I would have gotten the CW9 instead of the PF9 but couldn't fund that purchase. I actually carry the PF9 more b/c I can just pocket the gun b/c of it's small size and weight.
 
I have much to think about. You guys are great and once again thank you for the suggestions. It's making a tough choice a little harder with all the great pistols that were not even on my radar.
 
A Ruger SR9 is kind of ugly in my opinion, but it is flat and lightweight. I've handled, but not shot or carried, one. I'll bet it is reliable and easy to carry though.
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I actually think it's a nice-looking gun, especially with a stainless slide. It's no Walther P99 or anything, but definitely nicer looking than a Glock or it's older brother, the Ruger P95.

The SR9's a very good shooter too. The trigger's a bit "hard" (not as bad as a Glock, not as good as a P99), but it's a VERY accurate gun with EXCELLENT sights.
 
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Walther has the best mag release out there.

Strictly opinion. There is no "best ___" of them all, there is only what we get accustomed to and train on.
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Yeah - I hate to say something is the "best," but in this case, it's really hard to argue against. The P99's mag release (as least the extended on on the recent production versions) is definitely the most versatile of any autoloader I've come across. No matter your hand size (small or large), it's easy to flick your index finger across to operate. And if you are bound and determined to use your thumb - well you can do that too. Don't confuse it with the stubby HK mag releases.

You can't say the same about the thumb-actuated behind-the-trigger guard release buttons on most handguns. I have medium-sized hands (but fairly long fingers), and I almost always have to reposition my grip to operate a thumb release.
 
I can't believe it took to post #48 for somebody to suggest the Glock 19. If you will make a total effort to go IWB or OWB and forget the pocket carry, the Glock 19 can be hidden with a good choice in holsters. I have larger hands and tend to prefer the full-sized pistols over the compacts but the 19 is just a fantastic weapon. If it were just for pocket carry, the 3 you mentioned are too large for that, the LC9 would probably be a better choice but with IWB AND range fun being on the table some of the smaller guns like the 26 can be a bit of a handful for extended range trips.

I'd recommend looking into a Crossbreed Supertuck for the 19; don't be put off by their $80 price tag. You just paid $550 for a gun, don't go cheap on a belt and holster!

The SR9C is a great gun with a good trigger and I like the ability to change out to the larger magazine with the grip sleeve. Overall a good gun but the holster, mag pouch, extra mag, whatever else you may want or need for your gun aftermarket parts nod goes to Glock. You can find a holster of mag pouch or extra mags at just about any gun store or online merchant without having too much trouble. In fact, you may be overwhelmed by the number of choices and options when you start shooting the Glock. On a side note, I keep all of mine stock and have never felt the need to change anything.
 
Prorock said:
This question has opened a can of worms just as I thought it would.
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Oh, you have no idea. :eek: If you haven't figured it out by now, most gun guys are strongly opinionated.

Okay, my disclaimers:
- my almost EDC is a Kahr PM9
- yes, I own a G26
- no, I'm not a Glock fanboy (the G19 and the G17 just plain feel weird in my hand)

Of your original three choices, my personal pick would be a G26 -- if you can only have one, and you don't have a preference for any over the other from an ergos/shooting perspective.

Some of the reasons have already been covered (availability of accessories and parts, reputation for reliability, etc.). My additional reasons are:
- for concealed carry, it carries very well with the 10-round mag (I have GAP floorplates on mine, which I like better than the pinky extensions from Pearce or Scherer)
- for range use, pop in a G19 or a G17 mag with the collar grip extenders

The Glock is sort of like the Toyota or Honda of guns...it'll just about always go bang, but it doesn't have the tempestuous personality of a gun that has a true soul. :evil:

DustyDawg48 said:
I can't believe it took to post #48 for somebody to suggest the Glock 19.
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Maybe, but I'm one of those (I think) rare people where the G19's grip and I don't agree, whereas the G26's grip and I get along just fine (as I alluded to above). (Although in fairness, I've never held a Gen4 G19.)

As usual, YMMV, etc.
 
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The good news is as a shooter you are spoiled for choice when it comes to 9mm pistols!

The one thing I don't know if anyone has mentioned as a possible selling point for a particular platform/make is the synergy some manufacturers have within their own pistol line. The Glock line is one of two frame sizes so a holster for a 9 will fit the .40 and the .357SIG and so will the mag pouches. The mags from a 17/34 will work in the 19 and 26 and it is the same for their .40 cal, .357, .45 GAP and 10mm Glock, too. There are 2 sizes of .45 ACP mags but the 21 mags will work in the 30. I believe the M&P line, XDm line and the Ruger SR-series are all similar in that respect where you are buying into a family of pistols. You'd get that wide variety but your accessories all interchange with their different caliber pistols. Just a bit of food for thought so if you DO end up with a sub-compact like the 26 you could always look towards the 17 or 34 even for a larger range and competition gun and essentially get extra mags to use with your 26. I recently purchased an M&P Pro 9 and if I like it as much as I think I will the next purchase will be a compact to complement it...and I can use my 17-round mags for some range play in the compact.
 
(Although in fairness, I've never held a Gen4 G19.)
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The measured difference is minuscule. The felt difference is fairly large. I have a 3rd and a 4th gen.

Don't buy into the hype about gen4 19's being jam-o-matics. I'll hit the 2k round mark with mine this weekend without incident. Everything from georgia arms reloads, tula steel cased, winchester white box, hornady ftp and lots of other stuff.
 
Of the three mentioned I went with the CW9. Mine has only malfunction once in 800 rounds. Because it so light and thin, I barely know its there. For everyday carry, all day long I like the CW9. 7 +1 and an extra mag is plenty for me.
 
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