hey guys brand new to this site, but I am loving it already. I am a fairly new gun owner. I currently own a 9mm Springfield XD. It works like a champ and I love taking it to the range, but it seems a bit big for concealed carry. I am looking a buying a Luger LCP or P3AT (but thats a whole other discussion). But my question is I would like something compact with a little more kick than a 380. I have been researching and found a few that caught my eye, the Walther PPS, Kahr PM9 or a Kel-Tec PM9. I am looking for something compact, light weight and easily concealable. Any input would be great guys. I really do appreciate it. And if you know of another gun that maybe good to have that meets that criteria let me know. I would like to have as many options available. Thanks
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need your input
- Thread starter esco_6781
- Start date
This is going to be a hard one. It really is going to be with what YOU feel comfortable shooting. While there are a lot of good sub-compacts in .380 I personally feel it is too light a load to stop an attacker with any real success unless you shoot for the head. With heavy winter clothing and pumping adrenilin in their veins, I don't think I want to trust my life or my family's on a 380. I do own one, a Bersa Thunder and it is a good little gun (also inexpensive) made in Brazil. Very accurate with a 95 grain bullet. But would only be used as a backup in an emergency.
My favorite is a Kimber 1911 in 45 ACP in 4 inches. A bit heavy to carry around all day. So I picked up a Ruger SP101 in 357 mag. they are also made in 327 mag. While it is only a 5 shot it does sport a CT laser and is DA only with out a hammer spur. Hides out well and gives me the ability to shoot 38 spl +P's or light 357 mag loads. (it does have a heavy kick in 357 but it is easyer to carry in 2 1/4 inch that a 6 1/2 inch Tauras or a 4 inch Ruger GP100). Also a lot smaller.
My second small gun is a Tauras PT140 Milleninum Pro in 40 S&W with 3 1/4 inch barrel and holds 10 rounds. Easy to use and has second strike capability. And a 180 grain 40 S&W bullet can be loaded up to 1050 fps.
It's just my opinion but I would stay away from the 380 or 9 mm from a short barrel. Min would be a 38 spl +P loaded to 1200 fps or a light 110 grain 357 mag loaded to 1500 fps. Stay away from the Air-Lights in 38 spl they are too hard to shoot accurately due to their light weight and will not handle the hot 38 spl +P's.
There you have it - it's your choice with what you feel will give you a feeling of confidence if you (god forbid) find your self needing a self defense gun. (usually 3 to 15 feet max) I would recommend a short barreled 357 mag.
Good shooting and stay safe.
Jim
My favorite is a Kimber 1911 in 45 ACP in 4 inches. A bit heavy to carry around all day. So I picked up a Ruger SP101 in 357 mag. they are also made in 327 mag. While it is only a 5 shot it does sport a CT laser and is DA only with out a hammer spur. Hides out well and gives me the ability to shoot 38 spl +P's or light 357 mag loads. (it does have a heavy kick in 357 but it is easyer to carry in 2 1/4 inch that a 6 1/2 inch Tauras or a 4 inch Ruger GP100). Also a lot smaller.
My second small gun is a Tauras PT140 Milleninum Pro in 40 S&W with 3 1/4 inch barrel and holds 10 rounds. Easy to use and has second strike capability. And a 180 grain 40 S&W bullet can be loaded up to 1050 fps.
It's just my opinion but I would stay away from the 380 or 9 mm from a short barrel. Min would be a 38 spl +P loaded to 1200 fps or a light 110 grain 357 mag loaded to 1500 fps. Stay away from the Air-Lights in 38 spl they are too hard to shoot accurately due to their light weight and will not handle the hot 38 spl +P's.
There you have it - it's your choice with what you feel will give you a feeling of confidence if you (god forbid) find your self needing a self defense gun. (usually 3 to 15 feet max) I would recommend a short barreled 357 mag.
Good shooting and stay safe.
Jim
Kahr PM9 is, for me, the ideal size, weight and caliber for a pocket carry piece. Unfortunately, you might end up with a lemon. There's a recent poll on another site asking how many PM9 owners had reliability issues and almost 30% indicated that they had. I am one of those.
Ruger's LCP practically disappears in a pocket, but it is a .380. Mine has been 100% reliable so far.
Ruger's LCP practically disappears in a pocket, but it is a .380. Mine has been 100% reliable so far.
ElectricHellfire
New member
Well, you could get a Bersa Thunder in .380. They are a great value and very nice for the price.
Since you are already familiar with the XD, why not just get one of the Sub Compact Models? My own problems with the 3 you mentioned are that the Walther PPS has not received rave reviews. I think Playboypenguin owns one and perhaps you could search for his review. The Kahr PM9 is over priced IMO. All the Kahr pistols are overpriced IMO. With the Kel-Tec PM9 Ive heard good and Ive heard bad. I think you roll the dice with that one.
Personally I carry a Glock 26 for the reasons you mentioned. Ease of carry, light and plenty of capacity. Plus, its a Glock and it works. However there is nothing wrong with the subcompact XDs either.
How are you planning on carrying? Inside the waistband or outside?
Since you are already familiar with the XD, why not just get one of the Sub Compact Models? My own problems with the 3 you mentioned are that the Walther PPS has not received rave reviews. I think Playboypenguin owns one and perhaps you could search for his review. The Kahr PM9 is over priced IMO. All the Kahr pistols are overpriced IMO. With the Kel-Tec PM9 Ive heard good and Ive heard bad. I think you roll the dice with that one.
Personally I carry a Glock 26 for the reasons you mentioned. Ease of carry, light and plenty of capacity. Plus, its a Glock and it works. However there is nothing wrong with the subcompact XDs either.
How are you planning on carrying? Inside the waistband or outside?
or a Kel-Tec PM9.
That's a Keltec PF-9, or a P-11.
I love my PF-9, and it's my main alternate carry gun. It's been totally reliable with about 3000 rounds through it. The only modifications I've made is I use the magazine extender, and I've attached the wide trigger pad. I also put a piece of shrink tube on the grip. The watchword on any of these little guns is: KEEP IT CLEAN!
I shoot range ammo in it for practice and carry Corbon DPX 115 gr. +p JHP for defense. It has a little bit of a kick, but is completely manageable with a tight hold on it. Double taps are no problem.
It's small, light, and easily concealable almost anywhere on you body, even an ankle holster. I prefer carrying mine in a yaqui belt slide.
The P-11 is only slightly wider (1" vs .88") and heavier (14 oz. vs 12.7 oz) and carries 10+1 in a double stack mag vs 7+1 in the single stack of the PF-9.
Both pack a lot of punch in a small package.