Subcompact 9mm for Pocket Carry?

[cc426]

So I know there's a lot of what should i buy threads out because of the new Peruta ruling, but i'm adding one of my own.

Here's the deal. I have a full size alloy framed 1911 i'm planning on carrying in the winter. I've got a Springfield EMP i'm planning to carry in warmer weather. However, i'm looking for something i can pocket carry for when it's really hot or when i need to wear a tucked in shirt etc. I'm a fairly big guy 6'3 250lbs, not "fat" but not super trim, think defensive end. I've carried my EMP quite a bit when i'm in Arizona during the winter and it conceals very well with anything more than a t-shirt, but doesn't seem to work for me with t-shirt and shorts.

I'm looking at either a S&W Shield, a Springfield XDs, or a Sig P938. Feel free to make any recommendations if I've missed a good option, i prefer SAO, DA/SA, or Striker. I'd like to stay away from DAO if possible. Price is not really an issue.

I know, the answer is to try them out and see which one fits me best, but they are off list or impossible to find. I've done a ton of online research and here's what I've come up with

The P938 is the smallest and lightest of the 3 which is good for pocket carry but has a terrible trigger pull, especially for a SAO, and also may have some reliability issues.

The Shield and XDs seem to be very similar and it's a coin toss between the two. However based on what i've found online, they're not really any smaller than my EMP, especially with the extended mag. Maybe an inch or so shorter in the grip with the flush mags, but i don't know if that really makes a big difference or not in how well it carries?

I'd like to hear from anybody that has experience with these guns and get some input. Thanks!

[FUBAR]

The Kahr PM9 is probably the best option for a 9mm pocket pistol.

[Mstnpete]

I just picked this up today!

Very good and reliable Pocket pistol- good for walking the dog and working in the garage!

[Mstnpete]

The Kahr PM9 is probably the best option for a 9mm pocket pistol.

For $699.00 you can get 2 Ruger LC9......LOL

[StuckInTheP.R.O.Ca]

The Kahr PM9 is probably the best option for a 9mm pocket pistol.

^This. I also have one. Its pricey but IMO it is one of the best.

[Munny$hot]

The Kahr CW9 is a great gun and is exactly the same as the PM9 except without the polygon barrel and its a lot cheaper. A MK9 is and all stainless version of the PM9 which is nice for less muzzle rise than then the lighter polymer frames. For even greater stopping power the Kahr CW45 or PM45 which are just about as thin and almost the same size as the 9mm versions.

[ScottJames]

I'd say Kahr or P938.

I don't own either but I hear good things about the little sig. Kahr's seem to be very polarizing. Some swear by them and others knock them for being unreliable.

[mag360]

I really despise pocket carry. Id do an xds iwb and deal with having to use a tuckable holster. Or even a pm9 or xds on the ankle.

[StuckInTheP.R.O.Ca]

For $699.00 you can get 2 Ruger LC9......LOL

Who would want one LC9 much less two. LOL.

[Mstnpete]

Great review on Kahr PM9 & Ruger LC9

[FUBAR]

Who would want one LC9 much less two. LOL.

Ohhhhh....that's gotta hurt.

[SloChicken]

Who would wantt one LC9 much less two. LOL.

I recently got a PM9 used, mostly as a matter of circumstance. Otherwise, I probably would have ended up with a Beretta or a PPK, If the deal on the Kahr hadn't come my way.

I didn't know much about them, but was looking for a subcompact semi-auto. I was pretty okay with getting a .380 - My search started after I came into a FN1900 in .32acp - admittedly, quite a weak round. However, that little pistol is so nice I would carry it over anything I have as far as concealed carry goes. It just fits the hand so nicely and has a great history to it. Problem is that it needs a barrel, and finding a barrel for a 100 year old pistol can be a challenge ...

So, that said, I was pretty open minded on what I would get.
My criteria was that it was small enough for pocket carry, that it was dead reliable to fire, and that it was not an uncomfortable lunk to handle. The rest I was pretty much open to.

In other words, matters less which I carry, so long as I carry ...

Back to my experiences with a couple of them

The PM9 had been a fine pistol in the short time I have owned it. It has had zero failures of any kind.
I have only 200 rounds through it, but it is good for consistent 1"-2" 5 shot groups at 7yds and I hardly know this little thing yet -I am a weekly shooter, but no phenomenon by any means.
The PM9 has windage adjustable front and rear sights set up as a single post white painted rear sight and front dot which work quite well.
The DAO trigger is longish, but smooth and progressive with a good solid break. It isn't a perfect fit for me as far as how I rest on the trigger, but it seems to work pretty well now that I have shot it some.
I am confident I would be accurate with it under duress, and it is comfortable enough for inside the waistband or front or rear pocket carry

Regarding the LC9,
Man, I don't mean to knock it, but I got to say, that I didn't like it.
I shot some 50 rounds through a friends new LC9. It had a trigger pull about a mile long, less than smooth, and way too heavy for my liking. I was anything but accurate with it. Usually for me it is because a heavy long trigger has led me to pull my shot in a effort to bring the trigger through its throw to the break.
Nonetheless, it is kind of spacy looking, had an awful trigger by my estimation, and was 100% reliable to feed and fire - sadly, for me, I couldn't hit the broad side of the planet with it (like 6"-8" at 7 yards)

Last, I am a fan of single action, and really like the SAO design of the Sig. That and the uber cool 1911 design of it.
Furthermore, every other pistol I own is either SAO or DA/SA, and prefer single action (read: short) trigger pull, but if I want single action first shot fired, along with that comes cocked and locked ...
Call me squeamish, but I don't really like a cocked and locked pistol ridin' inside my waistband next to my keester, so that kind of limited the idea of the P938/238 for me.
There has been some talk of the Sigs having reliability issues (feeding), but that is said about everything.

Well, I hope that confused things some for you,

Whichever one you get, let us know.

Good huntin'!

[digdug74]

I picked up a Kahr CM9 not long ago specifically for pocket carry here in Phoenix for the brutal summers. I had it's more expensive variant, the PM9, back in the day as well so I have some experience with the basic design. Long story short, they will certainly fit the bill in terms of a "pocket 9mm", however, you do need to really break these guns in before considering them reliable. They are extremely tight from the factory and prone to feed issues when new.

Only other "true" pocket nines that come immediately to mind are the Beretta Nano, the Diamondback DB9, and the Rohrbaugh R9 series. I've never shot any of them so know only what I've read about them which seems to be that both the Nano and the Diamondback are a little "spotty" in terms of reliability and the Rohrbaugh is much better but will basically cost you a fortune to own (over 1k) and you'll probably have to get on some kind of waiting list to boot.

[Mstnpete]

Who would want one LC9 much less two. LOL.

Ohhhhh....that's gotta hurt.

Why would it hurt? As I stated it's only for walking the dog and working in the garage reloading.... I have 16 Glocks 5 1911's and 4 sti 2011's and won 6 of them from IPSC AND gssf competitions. Just a toy. No need to spend $700.00 for a pocket pistol in my honest opinion. As long as it shoots and depends how accurate and fast you are and how fast you can reload- change mag. Just my 2 cents! a $700 pistol will not make you a better shooter...lol

[bsumoba]

XDs...DROSing one tomorrow. I would get a Shield also