Summer carry

[VietVet68]

With summer coming soon I think this is the year to buy a true pocket gun in 9MM unless I can find a .380 with a muzzle velocity that's acceptable. I know that the proper ammo is needed also so if anybody is aware of a good combo please let me know. I already own a Walther PPK/S in .380 but believe me, it's not even close to being a pocket gun.
So far I've been investigating the following:
Kahr PM9
Kahr CM9
Ruger LC9
Sig P290
Ruger SR9

The overall length of these is close to 5" max. and mags are either 6 or 7 rounds.

I've seen many more but when I see a gun selling for $150 I just have to close my eyes and keep going.
Are there any more candidates I should consider before I try to make a decision? the parameters I have are:
1. 9mm
2. Close to 5" overall length
3. 6-7 round mags with pinky extensions as an option.
4. Plastic frame and steel slide
5. No Glocks--they all look the same to me.
6. I'd like to keep the price below $650

Any suggestions?

[anchor44]

Buy yourself a Sig P238 and never look back. I like them so much I bought two of them. Can be had for about $475, with night sights, if you catch one on GB just right. VERY concealable in pocket, reliable, 6 rd. mags, great sights, looks like a small 1911, very accurate. Carry cocked and locked.

[VietVet68]

What is your choice of target and PP ammo?

[oak1971]

Why bother with .380 when you can get the same size package in a 9mm Kahr MK9?



Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1, 7+1 (magazine with grip extension)
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0", polygonal rifling; 1 - 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.3"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 22.1 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Wraparound, textured hard nylon
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Polished stainless steel
Magazines: 1 each: 6 rd flush floorplate & 7 rd extended grip

Mine is the Elite model with night sights and a polished finish.

[Lane]

For lightweight carry, I've been very happy with a KelTec PF9. Granted, it is on the less expensive side, and they tend to be a bit fussy, but mine is accurate, light weight, and easy to carry. It'll hold 7+1, plus I carry with an extra magazine:



Just my humble $0.02 worth...

Lane

[Grizzman]

I'm also a fan of the Sig P238, but reliability with them seem to be hit or miss. Mine occasionally (like once every couple hundred rounds) fails to eject, but I should receive the 3rd generation extended magazines with room for my pinky on Monday or Tuesday.

I developed a handload for it with Hornady's 90 grain XTP that I think chrono'd at a little over 1125 fps. For factory self defense ammo, I use Cor Bon's 90 grain JHP, and they clocked at a hair under 1050 fps.

The best part about the P238 is that it's really easy to shoot well (not I hit the target well, but easy 2" group at 10 yards well) and recoil is very mild.

[herefordman1]

P238 is a good choice too

[VietVet68]

Originally Posted by Grizzman

I'm also a fan of the Sig P238, but reliability with them seem to be hit or miss. Mine occasionally (like once every couple hundred rounds) fails to eject, but I should receive the 3rd generation extended magazines with room for my pinky on Monday or Tuesday.

I developed a handload for it with Hornady's 90 grain XTP that I think chrono'd at a little over 1125 fps. For factory self defense ammo, I use Cor Bon's 90 grain JHP, and they clocked at a hair under 1050 fps.

The best part about the P238 is that it's really easy to shoot well (not I hit the target well, but easy 2" group at 10 yards well) and recoil is very mild.

Thanks everybody for your thoughtful replies, you've given me a lot to think about and I really like the chart from "Bad Oscar".
, your data suggests that the .380 can perform acceptably with the proper ammo so I guess I need to reconsider the P238.
It looks like I've got a bit more homework to do before I make my final decision and when I do I'll report back which one I chose and why.

[allrockabilly]

Originally Posted by oak1971

Why bother with .380 when you can get the same size package in a 9mm Kahr MK9?



Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1, 7+1 (magazine with grip extension)
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0", polygonal rifling; 1 - 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.3"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 22.1 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Wraparound, textured hard nylon
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Polished stainless steel
Magazines: 1 each: 6 rd flush floorplate & 7 rd extended grip

Mine is the Elite model with night sights and a polished finish.

Very nice pistol

Man I wish I could find one of those MK9's in a LGS around me, I know I could order one but I have to see one in person. My PM9 is quality all the way. I would love to see how they made the receiver on the MK9. Obviously the PM9 is probably a lot lighter than the MK9 just because The PM has the Polymer frame and the MK is SS...blah, blah.

Thanks for the pic, now I want to find an MK9.

-Ryan S

[allrockabilly]

I do have to say that Kahr Arms makes some quality products. But you do have to pay for them, definitely shop around if you go with a Kahr. The MSRP price will scare most people away but you can find some good deals out there if you shop around. IMO they are excellent pistols.

My Kahr PM9 and P380 have been 100 percent.



Just incase anyone is interested in the Kahr pistols here are a few specs. Obviously you can go to Kahr's website and search through everything and see all there other models, calibers and options but this is just to show the differences between these pistols. DON'T let the MSRP scare you away!

Kahr PM9 =

PM9 (Basic model "no night sights")
PM9093 (3.0" Barrel)
Black polymer frame, matte stainless slide
MSRP: $786.00 - (if you shop around you can probably find one for a little over $600 or maybe better)
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1, 7+1 (magazine with grip extension)
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0", polygonal rifling; 1 - 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.42"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 14 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Textured polymer
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Black polymer frame, matte stainless steel slide*
Magazines: 1 each: 6 rd flush floorplate & 7 rd extended grip


NEW Kahr CM9 (almost identical to the PM9 but without some of the bells & whistles so they where able to cut the price down) =

CM9
CM9093 (3.0" Barrel)
Black polymer frame, matte stainless slide
MSRP: $565.00
Now Shipping!!
Ships with one magazine only!!!
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0", conventional rifling; 1 - 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.42"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 14 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Textured polymer
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Black polymer frame, matte stainless steel slide*
Magazine: 1 - 6 rd flush floor plate.


Kahr MK9 =

MK9 (basic not elite)
M9093 (3" Barrel)
Matte stainless steel
MSRP: $855.00
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1, 7+1 (magazine with grip extension)
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0", polygonal rifling; 1 - 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.3"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 22.1 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Wraparound, textured hard nylon
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Matte stainless steel
Magazines: 1 each: 6 rd flush floorplate & 7 rd extended grip


Just to throw it in to compare - the Kahr P380 =

P380 (Basic model)
KP3833 (2.5" Barrel)
Black polymer frame, matte stainless slide
MSRP: $649.00
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 2.5", Premium Lothar Walther Match Grade Barrel (very nice barrels)
Length O/A: 4.9"
Height: 3.9"
Slide Width: .75"
Weight: Pistol 9.97 ounces (w/o magazine)
Grips: Textured polymer
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Black polymer frame, matte stainless steel slide
Magazines: 2 - 6 rd, Stainless


-Ryan S