I need a 9mm for my briefcase

M

maze51

New member
I am looking to buy a 9mm for my briefcase and was asking for some recommendations for a smaller and lighter auto that is available. I was thinking of a Glock 27. I have a Walther P99 in 40cal, but I would like to get a slightly smaller frame. I also have a AMT pocket gun in 380cal, but anything farther than 3 feet worries me, plus it only holds 5 rounds. If I ever have to use it, I want the bad guy DEAD!

Thanks for your imput
 
If you are looking for a 9mm, that would be the Glock 26, the 27 is .40SW. I have never been a fan of Glock pistols but the 26 really deserves a look. I rented one at the local range and really liked it. Very controllable. I looked at the Glock, Kahr, Kel-Tec, Taurus, etc. and I chose a SW CS9. I really like DA/SA triggers and positive manual safety's and this one has it. They also come in .40 and .45. They are single stack mags so the pistol is very thin. It is not the most accurate pistol in the world but perfectly acceptable for self defense ranges. See my writeup at www.maoutdoors.com/guns

Hope that helps!
 
When I carry in my briefcase, I carry my USPc 9. :) I don't like the G26 or G27 because I don't like my pinky dangling off the grip, I'd go w/ a G19 if you really want a Glock. Really, depending on the size of your case, you could carry most anything.
I've transitioned to a messenger bag style bag. It carries more and my firearm is easier access.
 
Generally a gun for a briefcase can be something large, like an Uzi or H&K MP5K. Since you are looking for something smaller the Glock 26 or Glock 19 is a good choice. If you prefer SIG a P228 or P229 might be worth looking into as well, though I doubt that either is much smaller than the P99.
 
Kermit made a good suggestion. If you can handle the size and weight of the USPc it is a sweet pistol. I have one in .357SIG and it is incredible. The size and weight make it unpleasant for me to carry on a daily basis but many do carry it. The fit is perfect for me and I love the features of the Variant 1. It does come down to personal preference and what fits you. The Glock does have pinky extensions available and in 9mm my pinky not being on the pistol didn't have any adverse effects anyway. The G27 in .40 would be a different story. The pinky would take some getting used to, but wouldn't bother me in 9mm. Have you shot any of these? There's nothing like trying before buying to help make an informed decision. I rented a bunch at the range and borrowed others from friends to see what I liked.
 
In a briefcase solely for carry,without a holsgter? If you might expect to have anything else in the briefcase at any time I strongly recommend a gun with a manual safety. That would definetely rule out the glocks and kahrs. Also look out for the potential to hit the mag release. HKP7 for example is prone to this. Any other gun, in the right condition might fall prey to this unfortunate circumstance so I would avoid guns with a magazine disconnects like S&W or HIgh power. At least you will have the first round!

Small and light weight but not too thin - Taurus PT111 if on a budget, HK USP if not.
 
If I was keeping a pistol in a breafcase I would defeinitely want it in a holster. I don't see any reason not to and it would certainly help make some types of pistols (Glocks) safer. To better explain, If I had a Glock, or anyother pistol actually, to carry, it would be in a holster. period. No matter where it was carried. I would find a way to secure the holster in the briefcase so that it wouldn't shift and bang around. It would also keep the holster in the same spot so if you ever had to draw the pistol it would be in the place it's supposed to be...

Of course I like this possibiliy:

mp5kbriefcase.jpg

mp5kunnath.jpg

mp5kbrieffire.jpg

mp5kcase.jpg


Throw out everything I've said (save the 9mm part) and get the above product. You have to let me shoot it to ensure we have come up with the best product available for your needs though.

Edited because I couldn't spell last night.
 
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I would go for the Glock 19. Lightweight, reliable and you can't beat it for standing up to the elements. For briefcase carry I personally wouldn't chamber a round though.
 
An HK P7M8 is a good choice. Thin, compact, utterly reliable and accurate. Then you don't have to worry about an accidental discharge like a Glock.
 
Mike Irwin is on the beam. He's sometimes a man of too few words, however.

The Kahr 9s and the Kel-Tec P11 all hold 10+1 rounds (sic - see edit below), they easily handle +P loads, and they're small. The P9 and P11 are also very light for 9s.

Briefcase carry is a special category of concealed carry. I presume you want to have a small 9 tucked away there along with all the other stuff (papers, books, etc., which comprise the reasons you need a briefcase in the first place) instead of carrying a briefcase just so you can carry your gun.

That being the case, you're going to want a means to secure it from migrating around inside as your briefcase gets tossed, turned, and (gasp!) dropped. Think of the comedy routines where women are fishing around in their handbags for something or other. It wouldn't be funny if you had to fish around for your 9 if it was needed. It also wouldn't be funny if it appeared in plain sight of some client or nosy stranger.

The compact polymer 9s Mike recommended lend themselves very well to being secured in their own special places in briefcases via some imaginative methods. They're small enough and light enough that they'll stay put.

They're also DAO with industrial strength triggers that don't need extra safety mechanisms. That's also why I'd avoid Glocks for this purpose. A Glock cannot, IMO, be safely carried without a trigger guarded holster.

Think about how you're going to be able to access your BC gun if needed. Time wise, you don't need to be messing with safeties, racking, or cocking. If you have the time, you might just as well want to slip the gun into your pocket. You might need to fire from within the BC. There are many scenarios, and after thinking about a few of them, I'd rather have a DAO ready to go or fit any stealthy rearrangement that seems appropriate.

I'll be curious about what you settle on and your reasoning! :)

==============

Edit added:

I KNOW Kahrs are NOT 10+1. The plastic fantastic 10+1 9mm compact class includes the Kel-Tec P11 and the Taurus PT-111, but Kahrs are still worthy candidates for BC carry.
 
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Blackhawk,
Out of curiousity which Kahr has a 10 round capacity? The P9 which you reference has a capacity of 7+1 per the Kahr website. I didn't see any that had a 10+1 capacity. Are there extensions available or something? Also, are the Kahr mags single stack or double? I've never shot a Kahr and they seem to get very good reviews. I have always been interested in them but have never found one to shoot before I buy. May have to 'bite the bullet' so to speak at some point, I can't recall ever reading a bad review. What is the difference in the Kahr trigger from the Glock trigger? The PM9 and the KT9 look really sweet.
 
If you don't want Glock's model 26 or 19, then I would search
the world over for a LNIB Smith & Wesson model 39-2. About
the same size as the G-19; but a lot slimmer in design. The
price should run about the same as the G's.:) :cool: :D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Glock 26 is a good choice

There are obviously other choices as well. As far as the pinky finger hanging off - I added a Pearce bottom to one of my mags and it works great. But, after a lot of concern about that short grip I found out after I bought it and shot it some - it really wasn't a big deal after all. I could live with mine without the Pearce bottom just as well and I have large hands.

I would consider the Kahr too, but I'm still not confident in their polymer frames.

I picked up a S&W 9M some time ago from a friend. Its a little different (blowback), but it shoots great and has fed flawlessly. Makes a nice carry gun in a pinch. It has become my wife's gun.
 
I'm surprised no one has gone off on the briefcase carry rant. Well, here goes:

If you're going to be attacked, the first thing they'd probably go for is the briefcase, either to get what's inside or to prevent you from using it as a weapon (aside from whether they think a weapon might be inside).

Also, if you're carrying a briefcase, I assume you're also wearing long pants and probably a jacket. If so, you certainly have places on your person for an ankle holster, a belt holster, or even a shoulder holster. All of which, are in my very humble opinion, favorable to a gun in a briefcase.

Aside from the fact that the briefcase can be dropped or taken from you, getting a gun out of the briefcase (unless it's the HK PDW, above) takes some time and effort. Even getting a gun from an ankle holster would be faster.

Finally, I'm not sure what you do for a living, but my briefcase usually goes with me to court. Imagine my chagrin if I was stopped going through the metal detector in court with a gun in my briefcase. That is why a gun never goes in any of my luggage or briefcases.

Since you already have a P99, an excellent firearm, I'd spend 50-100 bucks on a good holster and try carrying it on your person.
 
My briefcase has an extra pocket made expressly for concealed carry, although how good an idea this is I'm not sure. Anyway, even though the G26 is my preferred sidearm for holster carry (belt or pocket holster), I hesitate to use it in this briefcase. I guess my concern is about getting a zipper pull, tab, strap, or bit of loose fabric caught in the trigger guard. So, I carry a DAO revolver (S&W Model 296) instead. For a 9mm, I think the suggestion of a Model 3913 is good.
 
I carry a Kahr K-40 in an Uncle Mike's internal holster briefcase. So far it's a pretty good combination. The briefcase has a separate compartment (outside accessable, held shut with velcro) for the gun. The internal holster is adjustable to fit the gun and also holds a spare magazine. One entire side of the gun compartment is velcro "loop" and one side of the holster is velcro "hook" so the gun is always exactly where you put it. The holster compartment is very well camoflaged and the gun is never visible for normal briefcase type operations. The Kahr works well in this nylon briefcase since it's thin enough that it doesn't print. However I've also carried a Beretta 96 in it and have never had a problem.

The other great thing about it is that it's a pretty well designed briefcase to boot! Compartments are well thought out, the main one is expandable, and the obligatory pen, calculator, etc. compartments are flexible and secure.

Finally the briefcase is only about $35! I'm not really a fan of Uncle Mike's "one size fits many" holsters but I've been very happy with this product.

BTW, briefcase carry is pretty much last resort for me despite the rather cool briefcase. Since I'm a federal employee, most of my work is done in federal buildings where carry is a major no-no. I have different cases for different purposes and when I'm working, I carry my papers in the very nice, very expensive leather briefcase my ex-wife got for me when I got my PhD. In fact I've never carried any nylon case for work. But I always seem to have some sort of papers with me. Sometimes it might just be a (gun, airplane, boat) magazine I want to read if I get a few minutes free or maybe drawings for a new idea I've had. The Uncle Mike's is a great case to throw in behind the passenger seat. (Hard to reach behind the driver's seat.) And I think it's gone along on every camping trip I've taken in the last year. Nobody gives it a second thought when it's leaning up against my camp chair while I read. :D Briefcase carry isn't the ultimate solution but I'm a big fan of selecting the solution that fits the situation.

Tom
 
Kahr Capacity

Nashgill said:
Out of curiousity which Kahr has a 10 round capacity? The P9 which you reference has a capacity of 7+1 per the Kahr website. I didn't see any that had a 10+1 capacity. Are there
Click to expand...

Since the original poster hasn't responded yet, I'll take this one. None of the Kahrs come with a 10+1 capacity. You *can* get 8+1 with new factory mags, or go with a 10-round magazine made by ProMag.

The 10-rd ProMags have gotten pretty mixed reviews, but I ordered a couple anyway for use as backups (they stick out of the gun, so it wouldn't be the primary mag). I will test them thoroughly before using them, but I'd do that with factory mags too.

I think maybe he was talking about Glocks? (Can't recall the capacity of a G26, but I *thought* it was 10+1.)
 
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