Conceal carry pistol for a small guy

Thanks for the input Austin, but I don't think I'll be getting a Kahr after reading that.
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No problem! However, while I try to have informed opinions, I'm still just one dude with one opinion/set of experiences. Don't take it as gospel.
 
but OMG that video was hard to listen to....
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Really? I mean, he's definitely not as entertaining as Hickok45, but I'd much rather listen to him than some chucklehead like nutnfancy. He just sounds like a normal guy conveying information in a considered, articulate fashion without all the tired handwaving, exhibitionist BS I'm used to seeing.

But I suppose I have a lower resistance to irritation toward these sorts of things than most people. I can hardly stand to even watch a football game with the volume high enough to actually hear what the announcers are blabbering about most of the time. Different strokes.
 
>Really? I mean, he's definitely not as entertaining as Hickok45, but I'd much rather listen to him than some chucklehead like nutnfancy. He just sounds like a normal guy conveying information in a considered, articulate fashion without all the tired handwaving, exhibitionist BS I'm used to seeing.

But I suppose I have a lower resistance to irritation toward these sorts of things than most people. I can hardly stand to even watch a football game with the volume high enough to actually hear what the announcers are blabbering about most of the time. Different strokes.<

I agree with just about every word of that. And, I only turn the volume on during the last 10 minutes of NFL games where the score is tight.
 
I am also 5 foot 8 inches tall and weigh around 145. So we are apparently of similar builds.

I mostly carry a Sig P238 or an S&W Shield 9mm. Both shown here:

 
I've got a Kahr MK9, 22oz, so no weight savings but function and reliability have been 100%.

A different holster/belt combo may help, I'm 5' 9" × 170# and have carried a CZ75B all day with a N82 Tactical.

I trained for 2 days in 90+ degree weather and it never sweated through.
 
+1 for the Kahr CM9. Small, thin, light weight yet full power 9mm. You do yield capacity for size but it is very easy to carry. I also have a Glock 19/23 an the weight got to my back. Happy with the Kahr.
 
>that bullet looks promising, but OMG that video was hard to listen to....<

OK, I hadn't seen it for a few months, I get what you mean, but I don't think he in any way qualifies for NPR or NBC.... :D
 
Really? I mean, he's definitely not as entertaining as Hickok45, but I'd much rather listen to him than some chucklehead like nutnfancy. He just sounds like a normal guy conveying information in a considered, articulate fashion without all the tired handwaving, exhibitionist BS I'm used to seeing.
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I agree on all counts - he's easily my favorite gun channel on YouTube. He's very matter-of-fact, and backs everything up with evidence instead of just pontificating.
 
OK, I hadn't seen it for a few months, I get what you mean, but I don't think he in any way qualifies for NPR or NBC....
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what I meant was his rambling. if you're going to ramble it must be entertaining and non-drone sounding. he puts out good info and does good work for sure. just not entertaining to me. that said, I don't want him to stop his work. ;)
 
BTW the new Kahr facility in PA is coming along nicely.
The very small pistols are too small for me with my large hands . You have to hit with it .
S&W Shield is not much smaller than the M&P compact .
Look carefully try them for size.
 
Thanks for the input Austin, but I don't think I'll be getting a Kahr after reading that.
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Don't let one person's opinion on the internet steer you away. Kahr has a pretty good reputation and everybody I know who has one speak very highly of them.
 
Captains1911 said:
Don't let one person's opinion on the internet steer you away. Kahr has a pretty good reputation and everybody I know who has one speak very highly of them.
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So you haven't heard of any of the problems that were mentioned earlier, like the slide burrs? I've never even heard of Kahr until this post
 
So you haven't heard of any of the problems that were mentioned earlier, like the slide burrs? I've never even heard of Kahr until this post
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I don't know what to tell you, they are pretty well known, and have a good reputation.

Something else to be aware of is the fact that "problems" with guns tend to appear much worse on the Internet than they actually are, because for every single person who might experience a problem and then post about it on every Internet forum he can find, there are hundreds of satisfied customers you never hear from.
 
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So you haven't heard of any of the problems that were mentioned earlier, like the slide burrs? I've never even heard of Kahr until this post
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Like I said, I wouldn't take what I say as gospel, but I wouldn't dismiss it on account of some vague notion of the company having a good reputation either. Problems with quality control and with specific models in Kahr's lineup through the years are well-known. What I don't know is if Kahr has improved in some significant way since I bought my P380 (2010). I don't follow developments with the company much, and I haven't broken down one of its guns in quite a while.

A quick Google search of the terms "kahr slide burr" with any result containing "austintx" removed returns a pretty good amount of reading on gun forums:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=kahr+slide+burr+-austintx

A visit to kahrtalk.com can be illuminating. The site has some blind fanboys like any brand-specific site, but I found a number of people willing to discuss different issues with the company and its guns in a frank manner when I visited before.

It's worth remembering, of course, that with almost any brand (not sure if I'd include Taurus in this), the majority of buyers will end up with a gun that works just fine for a long time. We're talking about a minority of buyers who have problems with any brand. That said, it's the size of that minority that matters (along with the company's reputation for customer service). Is it 0.5%, or is it 5%? The vast majority of buyers may be satisfied with their purchases from the latter brand, but the differences between these figures are stark all the same.
 
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I like my Ruger LC9. It is only 9mm, but it is small, light, and easy to carry. The trigger is good and I am reasonably accurate with it. It has given me no problems.
 
I'm late to this thread but I advise going to a range that rents guns and try several of those recommended. What is right for one person may not be right for you. I'm shorter than you and heavier, and I was carrying a 40 (a Ruger sr40c) and I found it got heavier and bulkier as the day went on. I have an LCP but I will admit that the 380 round feels a bit puny to me. I carry one of two guns every day. My favorite carry right now is my Ruger LC9s. The "s" model has a much improved trigger over the older LC9, is not much larger than an LCP, and carries 8 rounds of 9mm in a single stack configuration that is extremely easy to carry concealed. I carry mostly in my pocket with a DeSantis Nemesis holster or a Bianchi OWB (the same holster I bought for my sr40c works perfectly for the LC9s despite being significantly smaller). My other carry gun is a S&W 642, which is small, light and carries 5 rounds of 38 Special +p (which is a round that has plenty of stopping power).

I think the biggest challenge you will face trying to find the best gun for you is choosing among so many well made and well functioning firearms from many reputable manufacturers.
 
I think the biggest challenge you will face trying to find the best gun for you is choosing among so many well made and well functioning firearms from many reputable manufacturers.
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Bingo, I couldn't agree more. There really are very few bad gun makers out there. There are just different guns with different features, feel, etc. The challenge is matching the gun to the shooter.
 
I would recommend a .380 pocket gun. My preference is a Walther PPK, but they are quite expensive. I have a PPK & PPK/S in .380. There is a good S&W alternative, as well as a Ruger. The .380 caliber is a 9mm short, and is comparable to a .38 special. A lot of bad guys bit the dust from a .38 special and that is what we carried when I first started in law enforcement. Our duty gun was a 4" barrel, off duty most guys carried a 2" barrel, I carried a 3" barrel. Now, I carry a .45, and sometimes the .380 for backup. When I retired the issue weapon was a S&W model 4506. They now issue Glock .40 caliber. They have hired a lot of female deputies, which I am in favor of, but few could handle a full size model 4506. My 45 is an alloy frame CS45, it holds 7 rounds, 6 in the magazine. I carry in a Bianchi fanny pack with secret holster ( no longer made so I treat it with great care ). There is room for 2 extra loaded magazines, badge, lightweight cuffs, flashlight, and soon a Pepper Blaster for non-lethal response.
 
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