I am looking at small 9mm for concealed carry in America. I looked at the Rugar LC9 but I don’t like the small safety as I don’t think I could work it when someone is attacking me. I also looked at the Sig P290 but I could not work the trigger without shifting my grip. I am now looking at the Kel-Tek PF-9 Link - PF-9 and the Kahr PM9 Link - PM9. I have not found any place that rents them and I am looking for a gun shop that has them in stock so I can at least hold them.

What are your opinions? Are there other compact 9mm in this size range I should also look at?

Thanks

Tommy T

P239 is a bit bigger then some you listed but very comfortable to shoot. Glock 26? M&P compact? XD/M Compact?

 

There are also a bunch of 1911 like compact 9mm, Kimber makes one that is a safe action type trigger, STI makes the LS, Springfield makes the EMP, etc.

I tried the Kimber but did not like the manual thumb safety. The Glock 26 was what I started with but found it and the Sig P239, M&P and the XD too big. The 1911 compacts also are a little big as well.

I have a Walther PPS 9mm. It's slim, has adjustable backstrap and would make a great CCW piece. I have about 1500 failure free rounds through it and it's a great shooter. The trigger was a little gritty when new, but smoothed out after a couple hundred rounds. I saw a used one in Meltzer's the other week and they should have some new ones in Bullet Hole. I brought a couple guys shooting the other week and they both liked it a lot. Check one out - I highly recommend it.

I originally wanted the PPS myself, but couldn't justify the price tag. I went with the Taurus 7098 slim and it is the absolute perfect size for me. I am still breaking her in, but so far, so good.

 

You are more then welcome to shoot mine.

I shot the Kahr PM-9 and had mixed feelings. It definitely was small and slim, because it's a single stack, but I found it almost too small to shoot well. I shot it best with a grip extender, which to me negates the reasons for going with such a small pistol in the first place. I'd really like to shoot the next size up from Kahr, P9 or K9. These seem better size, at least for my hand, and I think they'd be a much better balance of conceal-ability and and shoot-ability. Reliability wise, my experience with the Kahr I've shot, has been 100% over multiple range sessions (with about 200 rounds that I put through it).

A couple options:

Walther P99/P99c

Ruger SR9C

Steyr SA1

Sig compacts

 

As always, don't forget about CZ's vast line of compacts, including the PO1/PO6, 75B compact, and the 2075 RAMI.

I second the Taurus PT709 "Slim"

Thanks for all the great ideas. I m going to head to a few gun stores today to get a better look at some of the pistols that might fit me.

CZ P01 (great gun)

Keltec (great price)

Sig 239 (hard to find and pricey)

Walther PPS (much to pricey unless preowned)

 

I would not buy a Kahr for reasons of ownership.

 

The Keltec is from an American company that is trying very hard to be imaginitive and cutting edge. Their pocket pistols have improved remarkably in the last few years. They are not "range guns" but defensive guns.

 

I will acquire one of their guns shortly.

I am looking at small 9mm for concealed carry in America. I looked at the Rugar LC9 but I don’t like the small safety as I don’t think I could work it when someone is attacking me. I also looked at the Sig P290 but I could not work the trigger without shifting my grip. I am now looking at the Kel-Tek PF-9 Link - PF-9 and the Kahr PM9 Link - PM9. I have not found any place that rents them and I am looking for a gun shop that has them in stock so I can at least hold them.

What are your opinions? Are there other compact 9mm in this size range I should also look at?

Thanks

Tommy T

 

I like the Glock G19 which is the compact version of the G17. The G26 is a sub-compact and I did not like the short handgrip that I couldn't seem to grab with the pinky finger. The G19 is also not very expensive relative to others. Shore Shot in Lakewood has these available as rental guns you can try.

9mm:

Beretta 92FS

Glock 26 - Sub Compact

Glock 17 gen 4 - Full Size

Glock 19 - Compact

Glock 19rtf - Compact Rough Texture Frame

Glock 34 - Competition edition

Sig Sauer P226

Sig Sauer P239

Smith & Wesson MP9

Springfield Armory XD9

I would not buy a Kahr for reasons of ownership.

 

I had to look it up... Learn something new every day.

Beretta Px4 Storm Compact?

G19 is always first choice but from the op I was thonking he wanted a more compact gun. If your size is up to medium frames.... No discussion g19.

Beretta Px4 Storm Compact?

 

or sub-compact?

I like the lc9 a lot. I would choose it over the sig p290 and I love sigs.

 

 

hickok45 on you tube has a review of the keltec and the lc9.

pocket 9?

double stack 9?

If your size is up to medium frames.... No discussion g19.

 

The 19 is the best all around Glock 9mm.

I had to look it up... Learn something new every day.

 

You made me Google. Kahr is basically owned or associated with Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon.

Thanks for the suggestions on the “compact” 9mm. It seems I have misused the term. I mean something in the size of the Ruger LC9 or smaller. I guess the term “pocket” might me more appropriate.

 

My short list is the sig 290, PPS, PM9 and I still have not held the Kel-Tek PF9. I will not buy a Taurus again.

The Sig is kinda wide for pocket use

The PPS is kinda long for pocket use

The Kel-Tec, wait you'll never find one

The Kahr is probably your best choice, although I wouldn't count out Taurus. But that's up to you.

 

Walther P99/P99c

 

 

Like (the updated) James Bond

might want to also look at the Kimber Solo. Its a single stack 9 but it has a high price tag.

Edit: Link to Kimber Solo at Buds

might want to also look at the Kimber Solo. Its a single stack 9 but it has a high price tag.

Edit: Link to Kimber Solo at Buds

This has the thumb safety. Nice gun but I have a hard time with small things and my fat fingers.