I am looking for a nice CCW "Pocket" Gun. I keep going back and forth between a few. I have spoke to a few of you, but I thought I'd start a thread to get some opinions. I want a 9mm, something that can be shot on a normal basis as well. Here is what I have seen that I liked and their pros and cons. If you have any you can add, please chime in.

 

Ruger LC9: I have seen nothing but good reviews on this gun. Most people hate the thumb safety, which to me is not that big of a deal, I'll just leave it "hot". Doesn't have much recoil, and has a little weight to it. I held it and is comfortable in my hands.The one thing I hate about it is the top tab that sticks up when loaded that reads "loaded when up". My XD has it, but is a lot smaller, and doesn't say what it is. It just looks like "loaded for dummies" on the LC9.

 

Diamondback DB: I've heard this gun...like it a lot. BUT, I have seen a lot of good reviews, and a lot of bad reviews. I see a lot that say the earlier models do nothing but jam. Some say they have since fixed it, but I am still seeing reports as recent as 2 months ago with the issues. If it didn't jam, I'd be more to go for it. The other issue is "no slide lock". It has no lock at all. after the 6 shots, you have to know it's empty. Plus you can't lock it open for safety, which to me is an issue, that's how you usually hand it over to someone else at a range, or lay it down to show it's safe.

 

Kal Tec PF9: I do like this gun. The one issue I seen is the trigger guard. I read that people with larger hands like myself have issues. The trigger is very close to the front, and after shooting, they have trouble getting the trigger forward enough to reset. Being light, it has a lot of kick back and louder than most pocket guns.

 

 

A few others I was looking at and don't know much about:

 

Kahr PM9

Walther PPS

Bersa Thunder 9

Baby Desert Eagle

I have the Kahr PM9. It is a really nice little gun, easily fits in the pocket of cargo pants or similar. I have not seen any 9mm that will fit easily in jeans, well they fit ok but, presentation could be an issue. When I was looking I narrowed it down to the PM9 and the PPS. The PPS is sweet but a good bit larger. The fit and finish on the PM9 is excellent. Kahr also makes the CM9 which is a cheaper version of the PM9. The PM9 is also pretty comfortable to shoot. Not as soft as my 5" barreled M&P but not bad either.

I just got a cm9 and love it. Great size, good price

I just got a cm9 and love it. Great size, good price

 

CM9 would have been my choice too, if they offered it in all black.

If you care to look at .380ACP I have a BG380 and I like it, small enough to just about forget you are even carrying it, well when i outside the PR of NJ that is.

Beretta Nano.............. IF you could find one...

Beretta Nano.............. IF you could find one...

 

RTSP has one in stock. I just checked it out the other day.

WHAAAAAAAAAT? Oh snap.

If you care to look at .380ACP I have a BG380 and I like it, small enough to just about forget you are even carrying it, well when i outside the PR of NJ that is.

 

I agree. S&W BG380. All those single stack 9mm you mentioned are not true pocket guns, unless you have huge pockets, like a Carhart Jacket pocket. They are on the large side. True "pocket" guns are usually found in 380 and smaller, 32's, 25's, Bobcats, Tomcats, LCP, etc. .380 Hornady Critical Defense ammo is pretty impressive, look up their ballistic gel test ontheir website. I would not hesitate to carry a .380 caliber.

 

On another note. I have a S&W 642 Airweight J-frame that is 5-shot 38sp +p. You could probably pocket carry one of these in dress pants and/or light jacket pocket, loose jeans too, just not skinny jeans.

Thats the exact same ammo I use in my BG380, shoots well and from the tests I feel comfortable if I (hope I never need to) us it.

I might still get a BG380 for pocket carry too... heh.

I was looking at .380s then I started looking at the smaller 9s, just because it would be another size ammo i need to stock...already have 12g, 22, and 9m..

My kahr is pretty tiny. In a small pocket holster it fits in a cargo pocket even with my ct laser guard. That's exactly what I was looking for. A true pocket gun. Loaded with my 147 grain Winchester ranger JHP. Other mag is in a weak hand pocket.

Walther PPS would be a great option. 3 different magazine sizes to fit your need. Sigman has one and everyone loves it.

You already know where I stand! PF9!

pros / cons between 9mm and .380?

someone was pimpin' this: http://rohrbaughfirearms.com/products

don't know much about it though.

for $1200, i rather buy a Kimber 1911 and say screw the CCW...LOL

where will you be carrying.. are you LEO? holster? or actually IN your pocket?

someone was pimpin' this: http://rohrbaughfirearms.com/products

don't know much about it though.

 

Over the past several years, I went through the following from past to current:

Glock 33

Kel-Tec P-32

Kahr Arms PM40

Kel-Tec P-3AT

Kahr Arms MK40

Diamondback DB9

Rohrbaugh R9

Im not a LEO.....Most likely IWB or Inside jacket pocket (far reach is a shoulder holster if Im on the bike)

 

Not a fan of Glocks anymore. What's your opinion on the DB9, my turnoff was the no slide lock.

 

Im not looking for cheap, but $550 is my max....can't see spending more than my XD on a smaller gun Im going to use less.

Unless you're looking at the Rohrbaugh, none of the 9mm guns are true pocket guns, period. I have an LC9 - I MIGHT be able to get it in a suit jacket pocket with a pocket holster - or into a cargo pants pocket. It will not go in jeans either in the front or rear pocket. You could put a clipdraw on all of them and carry them IWB which would be quite discreet.

Unless you're looking at the Rohrbaugh, none of the 9mm guns are true pocket guns, period. I have an LC9 - I MIGHT be able to get it in a suit jacket pocket with a pocket holster - or into a cargo pants pocket. It will not go in jeans either in the front or rear pocket. You could put a clipdraw on all of them and carry them IWB which would be quite discreet.

 

IWB is the way I'd probably go

 

 

IWB is the way I'd probably go

 

Well that changes everything. Any of those single stack 9mm will work then. I vote for the Beretta Nano. Even though its a striker fired pistol, the trigger feels like it is a DA hammer fired pistol.

 

As far as .380 vs 9mm, either will suffice with the right ammo. I don't want to say too much because this will only start a caliber war.

I have a don theis iwb holster for my kahr. It is almost identical to. Crossbreed mini tuck

Unless you're looking at the Rohrbaugh, none of the 9mm guns are true pocket guns, period. I have an LC9 - I MIGHT be able to get it in a suit jacket pocket with a pocket holster - or into a cargo pants pocket. It will not go in jeans either in the front or rear pocket. You could put a clipdraw on all of them and carry them IWB which would be quite discreet.

 

 

Like I said earlier. I can get my kahr in my cargo pockets very easily. Maybe my pockets are bigger...lol

I have a review post about my CM9. Great little gun. I honestly love the PPS as well, and am actually thinking about selling the CM9 for a PPS. The CM9 was a few hundred less tho and i dont really care for the placement of the mag release on the PPS. Thats the only thing that im hung up on...

"Pocket" guns.

 

The only gun I could actually fit in a jeans pocket and be able to pull out is an LCP. Anything bigger is not doable for me. The following are guns i either own or have used extensively and would trust my life to.

 

 

 

 

Kahr CM/PM9

Smith 642/442 (J-Frames in general, hammerless preferred)

LCP (if you would rock a .380)

Glock 26/27 (kind of fat for pocket carry)

I actually have 2 pocket guns right now, and 1 is my favorite carry gun. Ruger LCR and a NAA 32acp. I have a 3rd coming (permits) and that's a Taurus 22 auto pocket pistol. You'd be hard pressed to pass on the Ruger LCR though, it's as good as it gets. Light, slick, accurate enough, reliable and inexpensive.

P238?