Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Pocket 9mm - Options, Pros and Cons

I have been looking for a true pocket carry pistol in 9mm.

Looked at the Kimber Solo but have heard lots of bad things about reliability

Sig P938 - Lots to like
Sig P290 - starting to get a bit large for pocket carry

Ruger LC9 - also starting to get big

Anything I am missing that I need to check out? Any input on the above mentioned?

Thank you

Although they are butt-ugly, the Ruger LC-9 would probably be pretty hard to beat. Ruger's newer version that is available now has a great trigger, is striker fired, and does way with the magazine di-connect saftey.
It's probably just as small and thinner than the new Glock that's about to hit the market. And cheaper, too.

As far as the Kimber Solo goes, I've considered purchasing one many times. But I've yet to find someone who actually owns a Solo, that has anything good to say about them.
I did own one of the first Sig 239's when they were first released. Never was reliable enough, to suite me, for personal carry. Although Sig has probably worked out all the bugs by now.
I did carry a Kahr CM-9 for quite a while. It was very accurate, and uber reliable, I just never liked the factory trigger.

I have not had one of the CM9s but have shot several and they shoot well. I do have two CW9s and two P380s and they have been excellent. I carry one of the P380s when I just can't carry the Commander which has been my daily carry gun for 35 years...

The P380 isn't much smaller than the CM9 but is more pockeable...

Unlike chl...who I seem to agree with on most things...I like the trigger pull on the Kahrs...

Bob

there are pockets, and there are pockets. I have an alterations place in Gainesville, that is pretty adept at making my clothes fit my weapons.

YMMV but I consider the S&W M&P Shield in either 9x19mm or 40 S&W fits the pocket pistol/BUG role well enough for me. I'd choose the no safety model and slide it into one of the pocket holsters available from your favorite maker.

The new Glock 43 may be a consideration.

Agreed. I'm waiting to see the actual size and have one in my hand before I make that decision.
I just noticed on Bud's Gunshop web sight that they are taking Pre-Orders on the new Glock 43 for $475. Bucks.

I have written a lot about the Sig P938, if you have the time to search "P938" and my username over about a 3 year period. My current one (a replacement gun from 2/13) has been 100% since I got it. It does not get shot a lot. But, when it does, it gets shot with carry ammo exactly as it has been carried since the last time it was shot, without having the pocket lint or ankle carry grime removed. I chronographed Speer standard velocity 124 grain Gold Dots out of it at a 5 shot average of 1067 FPS, compared to 1116 out of a Glock 19. With the great night sights, it shoots like a much larger pistol.

I like the mechanical safety for pocket carry. It does not draw from the pocket as smoothly as a S&W Centennial model, and care has to be taken to make sure the safety gets flipped off during the presentation, preferably after clearing the pocket.

I have no experience with the mini-Kahrs. Aside from those, I do not know of anything else that compares size-wise in a 9mm. The new Glock 43 is much larger, plus I don't like the Glock trigger in a pocket even if carried in a holster.

Size wise? The K-T PF9 is a bit smaller and lighter than the micro Kahrs. Similar trigger, but not as smooth. Not an heirloom or target piece by any means, but mine has been 100% reliable.

I like the CM9.

I came down between the Beretta Nano and Sig 290-RS, 9MM sub-compact pistols.
I chose the Sig 290-RS Extreme after researching information and reviews on-line,
and I feel good about this choice for it's features, quality, and performance.

As you noted, this pistol is not small for a pocket pistol and you may need a bigger pocket - or at least an IWB holster.
But that's OK with me, because outside of my pocket, I still want a gun that feels like a gun in my hand.
Also this pistol in 9MM, is comfortable to shoot with little recoil, and shoots accurately.

This is my first ever SIG handgun.

I like my Ruger LCR 9mm only 5 shot tho!

Shield 9mm with safety

I've had a Kahr MK9 for several years and it's been 100% reliable and a good shooter. The size is about right, however its steel frame makes it a bit heavy for the pocket although easier to control.

Kahr.

Kahr PM9 works for me.

Thank you all for your input.

As dumb as it sounds I never even considered altering the size of my pockets.

I will check out the Kahrs. I held a G43 yesterday. It is a little bit larger than the G42 and getting pretty big to actually be in a pocket.

When I can use an IWB holster I carry a 3" 1911. This leans me toward the Sig. I will look up some of the other threads

Thank you all again

All post are spot on.
There are pocket guns and then. I have a Beretta Nano and a Taurus Poly Protector 357 mag both are kind off small. In the pocket of my Filson Mackinaw coat sure. Here are some of mine and you can see that they are not that much different in size. Beretta Nano middle top, Glock 19 left top, Kahr CW45 top right, Taurus Poly Protector bottom left, XD 40 and Ruger SR9C. Just food for thought.
Erich
http://s1215.photobucket.com/user/45north/media/pocket%20not%20guns/IMGP1570.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3

PM9

I discussed the Nano in this thread.

I don't think so. Check out this link. The Kahr is noticeably smaller but does weigh about 1.3 ounces more.

Although I don't own any of these, they both hold an interest for me in the 9mm caliber for a truer pocket rocket. Ruger LC9S Pro and the Sig 938 with an eye on a Glock 43.

When I start to think of pocket rockets my thoughts are more on the .380 caliber and I use a KelTec P3AT with Corban ammo. It's not my EDC but I will sometimes use it as such when going on a walk. I refer to it as my dog shooter.

For EDC I use IWB holsters and a Glock 27 and a Glock 30.

I've owned both the Kel Tec PF9 and the Kahr PM9. I sold the Kel Tec and still carry the Kahr.

It would be tough for me to leave the house with a KelTec as my only firearm for self defense.

I've owned the grand sum total of one Kahr, and it, not for long, but between these two offerings, I'd go with the Mooney gun.

Kahr CM9, vs. PM9. The cheaper model has actually proven to be totally reliable for me. The pricier model, not so much. YMMV.

There are 72 of the new model Glock 43's listed on GunBroker right now. Prices are ridiculous!

http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=Glock+43

I've been window shopping for a pocket 9 for a little while now, and had basically given up and decided to stick with my S&W 642. Ran across a good deal on a used Sig 290RS the other day and wound up buying it, seems to be the best compromise among the ones I'd been looking at. Just wish it was 5 oz. lighter.

So it would seem. I was going by memory having handled and fired both guns in the same range session. The PF9 is slimmer though, for sure.

Anyway - The PF9 works. Surely not for as long as any Kahr though (even K-T tacitly admits that), and it's harder to shoot well. The Kahr is clearly the better of the two.

I carry a PM9 in my pocket, I am not a big guy and it goes into front pants pockets with a cheap holster no problem.

I have had a Keltec, Keltec is an old Krygzstanian word synonymous with "inadequate pot metal POS", but then some do relish polishing a turd. The Kahr PM9 has never failed to fire in the 5 years I owned it, Slip2000 EWL seems to make AR15's, 1911's, and PM9's run flawlessly but again not the Keltec's. Many will run a well fit, well made gun without a drop of oil and bitch because it jams. If you get a Glock I think even in a pocket holster fishing it out in a hurry the odds of AD would be greater with the short trigger pull. Same with any single action exposed hammer cocked and locked in your pocket, asking for getting it snagged or an AD.

(sigh)
Have you ever even held a piece of pot metal? You don't seem to know what that is - or you never held a K-T gun.

I know it's popular to trash K-T on this site, but you might at least keep it real. I am a fan of the Kahr guns. (at one time, it was popular to trash them too) I agree that there's little comparison. The PF9 isn't really accurate, isn't built to last several lifetimes (maybe not even one, if it gets shot a lot - but no one does that), isn't tightly fitted, doesn't have the best trigger (but also not the worst), and certainly isn't much to look at. But it does shoot reliably and hits the target at distances it is intended for - and it is priced accordingly.

For some people it makes sense, at least some of the time. It's not useless pot-metal junk, and you do no one favors by supporting that bit of misinformation.

Yes I know pot metal zinc.

Guess there's my answer.

I own two pocket pistols.

A S&W 340PD which I care in a leather pocket holder. Easy to carry. Difficult to shoot.

A SIG P938 9mm carried in a SIG plastic pocket. Accurate and the recoil is no worse than shooting a M1911 .45ACP. I choose to carry it without a round in the chamber. Although I could do that with the frame safety engaged.

YMMV, good luck!

carry what you want, my life means more to me than an extra couple hundred for a decent pistol.


Pot metal—also known as monkey metal, white metal, or die-cast zinc—is a colloquial term that refers to alloys of low-melting point metals that manufacturers use to make fast, inexpensive castings. The term "pot metal" came about due to the practice at automobile factories in the early 20th century of gathering up non-ferrous metal scraps from the manufacturing processes and melting them in one pot to form into cast products. A small amount of iron usually made it into the castings, but too much iron raised

I have a Solo and it runs fine. It's functioned perfectly for me but I've always used hot self defense ammo in it. I like it a lot and carry it often. The Solo is smaller than the Glock 43 but the Glock will likely handle a variety of ammo better. I compared these two guns at my LGS this morning. I liked the 43 but left with my Solo.

I mostly carry a PM9, MK9, and/or a S&W 642.
Not to say I've not stuffed an M9 inside my belt in my back when I'm inspecting an empty house in the 'hood, or carried a .45 cocked and locked.
Trying real hard to be more socially conscious these days.

Hell, there's usually not an AK in the back seat these days. *Usually*.