Subcompact 9mm for Pocket Carry?

[Mstnpete]

If only the Glock 42 was a 9mm. I would pick one up as well.

[drifter2be]

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

+ 1

I just bought a CM9, used to have one, stupidly sold it. 9mm pistol that is the same size as Glock's new 380 (actually slightly smaller in length and height).

Some people complain about the triggers, but I think they feel like a nice DAO revolver trigger. Some people complain about some of the pistols really needing a proper break in, I've never owned a Kahr (I've owned 4) that needed to go through it's break in, just a good clean and lube before the first range trip, which I do with all my new guns.

My next planned purchase is a Kahr CM45 as soon as I find an LGS with one in stock.

I'll also add, regarding the Ruger LC9...I agree with StuckInTheP.R.O.Ca. I made the mistake of purchasing the Ruger LC9...twice. I forgot how much my first one sucked and thought I would give it another try, big mistake. Horrible trigger, terrible quality, LCI, mag disconnect, manual safety, none of which I would want on a gun I am trusting my life to.

[akmanraa]

Agree on the Kahr PM9. Awesome trigger and shootability for such a small gun. Might as well get a gun that you know you can carry all of the time. I love mine.


sent from space.

[ROM1]

I own the Sig P938 and do pocket carry it. It's not polymer so it's got some wait to it. Held a G42 (380) today which I found the grip to be very small. Given the size of my hands the little G42 would certainly leave some slide marks on the web of my meat hocks. The Sig feels good and shoots well. I can not speak to the LC9, though I do know several law men that ankle carry them daily.

[WilliamAnderson]

Kel-Tec PF-9. Done, next!

[Gottmituns]

P64.

It is a very nice and very concealable 9mm

[knucklehead0202]

every Kahr I've shot or handled had a wretched trigger so the disproportionate comparison to the LC9 should be taken with a grain of salt. The LC9 does have a LONG pull but it's very smooth and consistent, which I imagine it was designed to be, mostly as a safety feature which is sensible for a tiny carry pistol. Like Pete said, you can get 2 for the price of the Kahr, which would be well worth it. Kel-tecs are like a poorly-built Kahr, which is like a poorly-built glock. Rugers, while never terribly glamorous are well-priced, reliable and tough pistols, and always have been. Those who can't appreciate that can buy all the other junk they want and leave the good guns for the rest of us. I bought an lc9 2 months ago and might buy another just for kicks. Feg is also a nice pistol, as is a PPK or a Bersa, which unfortunately dropped off the list a while ago. that's why I bought the LC9, tired of missing the boat on good stuff. YMMV but don't buy what anyone tells you, form your own opinion on what you want and go feel them out!

[Arkangel]

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 small correction is in order.

The CW9 is the budget friendly version of the P9.

The CM9 is the budget friendly version of the PM9.

[DriftinG Z32]

At first thought, I would be against the LC9, XDs and Shield as a sole pocket gun. IMO, they're just a bit too big/bulky for a true comfortable pocket carry gun. However, per your measurements, you're a big dude. With that being said, those mentioned guns may work out for you and your big frame/large sized clothes. I'm 5'9" - 165, so they definitely don't work as a true pocket gun for me. I can get away with it, but not to my satisfaction.

The CM9 fits the bill perfectly as a true 9mm pocket carry gun IMO. I carried one for about a year when I did pocket carry. I've since switched philosophies and no longer pocket carry. Only complaint I had about the CM9 was the DAO pull. I'm not a DAO fan, but that's just me. The CM9 I had was very reliable once broken in.

There's also the Beretta Nano. I personally do not own one, but I have access to one and have **** it on multiple occasions. I don't like the grip angle, but its also smaller than the 3 mentioned above.

On a side note, How big are your hands? If they match your frame then you might find that the mentioned guns feel small in your hands... I have small hands and find the Shield and LC9 to be a bit too narrow on the grip. The XDs' grip feels just right to me.

[Munny$hot]

A small correction is in order.

The CW9 is the budget friendly version of the P9.

The CM9 is the budget friendly version of the PM9.

Thanks, I was reading everyone posting CM9 and was thinking WTF they got it all wrong its a W not a M LOL....

[HPGunner]

If the PM9 was half the price I'd try one out. The CM9 is the more affordable version but it's off roster and buy the time you spend the money on SSEing it into CA, you might as well just get the PM9.

The LC9 has an attractive price point, but the money you save goes to the case of ammo you need to shoot to get good with the trigger.

[thehunted777]

Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380 could be a good choice.

[ijustdontknow]

every Kahr I've shot or handled had a wretched trigger so the disproportionate comparison to the LC9 should be taken with a grain of salt. The LC9 does have a LONG pull but it's very smooth and consistent, which I imagine it was designed to be, mostly as a safety feature which is sensible for a tiny carry pistol. Like Pete said, you can get 2 for the price of the Kahr, which would be well worth it. Kel-tecs are like a poorly-built Kahr, which is like a poorly-built glock. Rugers, while never terribly glamorous are well-priced, reliable and tough pistols, and always have been. Those who can't appreciate that can buy all the other junk they want and leave the good guns for the rest of us. I bought an lc9 2 months ago and might buy another just for kicks. Feg is also a nice pistol, as is a PPK or a Bersa, which unfortunately dropped off the list a while ago. that's why I bought the LC9, tired of missing the boat on good stuff. YMMV but don't buy what anyone tells you, form your own opinion on what you want and go feel them out!

My own personal experience is that every time I forget why I don't like the Ruger LC9 and get excited about it, I handle it in the store and remember how much I dislike the trigger. Doesn't matter because I can't DROS an LC9 before it falls off the roster.

I posted on another thread that I lucked upon a used PM9 in near new condition that had the full cylinder and slide tune up. The trigger felt more like my Ruger LCR357 than the LC9. This was after I did a lot of research and handled both guns plus the Glock 42, Sig 238, and the 380 version of the Kahr. My conclusion was that the only pocket gun for me was the PM9. The only downside is that the PM9 is a consignment/ppt and I don't get my hands on it for over a month as it sits in 30 day jail and then my 10 day jail. It is well worth the wait.

[Synergy]

I am 6'4" 230 and I can carry my XD9 Sub in a cargo pocket, with that being said I am adding a XDS to my carry choices.

[mrblah]

I have a pm9 and a p938. I like the kahr more mainly because you have more magazine options, 6, 7, or 8 round magazines. The p938 has only 6 or 7 rounds.

Both guns have been extremely reliable and accurate, it just comes down whether you want a striker fire (pm9) or SAO (p938).

I carry my kahr most of the time, whereas my p938 gets zero carry time, mainly because I don't feel comfortable with a SAO, cocked and locked pistol in my pocket, and I feel that there are more things that the p938 can get hung up on in the pocket.

Now if you are going to carry IWB, either will do fine.

People complain about the trigger of both guns. The Kahr has a fine trigger, but it has a long smooth trigger pull and equally long reset. Very similar to a revolver. I find that its easy for me to pull the gun to the left or right b/c its so small. IT definitely takes some practice.

The p938 has a very good SAO trigger, its not a hair trigger and its not suppose to be. Its has a distinct wall you hit before the trigger breaks. Its designed that way. If you compare it to a 1911 of course its going to suck.

In terms of construction, the PM9 has no MIM parts, the p938 has alot of MIM parts. Does that matter to most people? To me it just means a little better quality of material went into the Kahr. Also, the finish of the p938 sucks, the finish on my barrel hood started to deteriorate after 1 range session, it wasn't enough for me to complain to sig, but I did take notice. Whereas, the pm9 is just a stainless steel bead blasted finish, and a nickel plated barrel (if you polish it up, you will see the distinct shine).

For me, I Love my Kahr, and I just like my p938.

YMMV