CCW 9mm choices

B

Brutus

New member
Friend of mine, not a gun buff, has asked my opinion on his potential purchase of a concealed carry 9.
My two recommendations are a CZ PCR for when heavier clothing is the norm and a Kahr P9 for hotter weather conditions. These are my personnel preferences.
Do you think I provided good advice?
What would you recommend?
 
I've owned many CZ pistols, and I'd actually recommend the 2075 RAMI. It's nice to have the option of the 14 round mag or the short 10 round magazine. The 14 round mag works well in a coat under a shoulder holster, the 10 round mag is great for inside the waist band. Decocker model is probably best for a non-gun person.

It locks through the ejection port, which also makes it shorter than the CZ-75B. I picked one up one up because it was a good deal and was surprised how well it carried.

Standardizing on one caliber is challenging. For pocket carry, I like a airweight J-frame, but the Kahr is a good choice. Although, it's tough to beat the portability of the smaller .380s out there, these are popular for a reason...

Very few people shoot the smaller pistols recreational, maybe I'm crazy, I like shooting my J-frame, but I reload. Anyway, buying 3 or 4 boxes of a different caliber a year for familiarization shouldn't break the bank.
 
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Id carry him around to the local shops, and let him feel some things up, and then try and find one of what he seems to like best, so he could shoot it.

Better yet, if theres a range that has rentals, carry him there and let him try a bunch out.
 
What AK103K said. There's a lot of personal preference involved so his best bet is to try as many different pistols as he can before buying. The S&W Shield is a good starting point.
Smaller pistols are lighter & easier to conceal but have more perceived recoil , fewer shots and are harder to shoot accurately.
Conversely, larger pistols have more shots, less perceived recoil, are easier to shoot accurately but are larger, heavier and more difficult to conceal.
Tomac
 
I really don't like either of those guns mentioned one bit. I recommend the S&W Shield as well. Best 9mm CCW in my opinion for everyone is the Glock 19.

The P229 and P30 are great. But they're a pretty penny.
 
I agree with AK103 & Tomac . I would either take him in a gun store or gun range and have him at least dryfire the potential pistols . The Kahr and PCR triggers are so different than a S&W Shield or XDs . Those would be on my short list with a PPS .
 
Of course a very personal choice but I think that the new Ruger LC9s is a very good value in a carry pistol. I once preferred to carry my PPS but my LC9 is gaining in popularity for me due to the weight difference.
 
I figured the Glocksters would chime right in, I've got nothing against them just don't care for any handgun with a springy thingy in the trigger.;)
To each his own and if you like them more power to you.
Of course keep in mind I'm of the 1911 persuasion and to old to change now.
 
I think it depends a lot on your friend's size and build and whether or not he's comfortable with IWB carry. I'm a tall person with a slight build who finds IWB just too uncomfortable 99% of the time. So for me I would only consider a single stack pocket 9mm for an EDC.

So I think it would depend a lot upon your friends personal preferences. FWIW I originally tried IWBing a USP40c before deciding that IWB was just not for me. Now I pocket carry an LC9s which is the perfect size for my front pants pocket.
 
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Well I agree, just don't like that springy thingy which is why I've gone to CZ's and Sig's instead. Always wanted to try an HK just never have.
 
I have the CZ PCR and wouldn't sell it for anything else on the market today. Steel slide and alloy frame make it reasonable for many carry options, although it's still too heavy and wide for pocket carry clothing. Shooting wise, the 75c is rock solid, eats anything loaded into it and deadly accurate. Cajun Gun Works spring kit made a great trigger fantastic!

I have the Kahr PM9, fine gun but not cheap to purchase. I have several Theis and Crossbreed holsters, but I generally just pocket carry it. The P9 is slightly longer and taller than a PM9, and that little bit of difference can be significant. Frankly, the Kahr's trigger creates issues for me as I have large hands and the small grip and long trigger pull and reset. I'll keep the gun, but I will be looking for another option for pocket carry.
 
The PCR is also my top choice, excellent ergonomics fits my hand like a glove, 100% reliable never had a single failure no matter what ammo I stick in it and at 25 feet it's almost as accurate as my 85 combat. Another reason is I've come to appreciate the decoker and while a 1911 will always be my favorite I came to the conclusion that the double action first shot is desirable in a high stress situation. As for the Kahr, not so much and I find myself carrying it the same as a 1911, loaded magazine empty chamber but hey that's just me. Not saying I'm right and your wrong, just saying.
 
Does your friend have experience with ANY firearms?

Is he willing to put in the time/money /effort to master shooting of a light weight carry gun?

Are you willing to help him with the drills of firing gun under stressful conditions ?

If not, maybe he should start out with a full size.
 
I love my Kahr CM9 in a leather pocket holster. It's been 100% reliable, very accurate and very small. The recoil isn't bad for something so small either, my gf has no problem running a box of ammo through it at a time. Lots of great choices out there, add this one to the list :D
 
It all depends on a lot of factors.

Does your friend have a preference for striker fired or hammer fired DA/SA?

Is there a budget he needs to adhere to??

There are a LOT of good choices in CCW but what one considers a CCW another may not.

Myself I don't like the really small pistols. I can comfortably CCW an HK P30LS, an HK VP9, and a Walther PPQ. I have holsters for all three. Most of the time I am CCW my Walther PPQ in a Raven Concealment Phantom OWB holser. My P30LS conceals comfortably IWB in either my Aliengear 2.0 or my Garrett Silent Thunder Fustion hybrid.

Best bet is to get your friend to a range that has a large variety of pistols to rent. Then he can narrow his choices down from there. A Glock 19 and 26 would be good to have on the list of potentials to try for double stack and the M&P Shield for single stack. LOTs of holsters available for these also.

I LOVE my SIGs but for CCW my preference is poly frame for weight savings. My Walther PPQ fully loaded weighs less than my SIG P229 empty.
 
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Let's see, you recomended he buy the guns that work for you. Probably not great advice, since you asked for opinions. Better advice would be to recommend he handle and shoot as many different guns as he can, to see what fits him best. Chances are the best gun(s) for him aren't the same as the best ones for you.
 
Now the world don't move to the beat of just one drum. What might be right for you might not be right for some. Everybody's got a special story, everyone finds a different way to shine.
 
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