Please help me choose my first 9mm CCW.

L

lawndoctor1

New member
I didn't like the long trigger,and the small size of the Ruger LCP Custom because it's uncomfortable to target shoot. I will be selling my 380 to get a 9mm that's small enough to conceal with an IWB holster. The pistols I have been looking at that are the following. Please help me with this decision!

Kahr CM9

Glock 43

Springfield XDS 9mm

Walther PPS 9mm

I would be grateful to get as much feedback as possible.
 
The Glock 43 is a good reliable pistol, if concealment is you biggest problem.

Six and one, is one more than a 6 shot revolver, and much less bulky.
I have seen it carried in a rear right pocket, my own carry option is its bigger brother, the Glock 19, 15 + 1. To each his own.
 
I carry a Shield.

If you haven't considered one, you probably should. It's a great single-stack, little 9mm.
 
Hard for someone else to pick your gun. For me it would be the Glock 43. Fit my hand and I shoot it well.I bought it for summer carry but has become my everyday carry.

Try to shoot and handle as many as possible. It all about what works for you.
 
Just a little bit is a set of terms you will hear throne around a lot the further you dive into this topic, so let's just get it out the way here.... "just a little bit":)

Ok, that said, I run a pm9 in the bug role of my carry rotation and whole heartedly recommend the cm9 for those buying now as the differences are for the most part unappreciable to the average shooter.

It boils down to this for me, the Kahr series are designed from the ground up to be as small as possible, witness the the trigger/feed ramp offset and lower slide rails. I can and have carried them in pocket and ankle holsters. The other guns on your list do not excel in these roles.

All of the other small 9s that are "just a little bit bigger" come across to me as flattened service pistols. For instance, the xds weight in the hand is so similar to that of the xdm compact as to require a scale to differentiate. This quickly led me to desire the capacity of a double stack if they have the same footprint. They are also longer in the grip and barrel than the Kahr series and as mentioned earlier are not generally considered true "pocket guns".

Now your thread, does not specifically say that you want a pocket 9mm however you do state that you are coming from an lcp. Please consider the role that your new gun will fill. If it is the convenience of carry afforded by the lcp, please consider the Kahr line. If you want the durability of the service pistols and are willing to put up with the weight of such (ie belt and holster) I have to wonder why not a double stack?
 
Really like that Kahr. I have two PM9s and a PF9 from KelTec and the CM9 kind of falls in between those. Would probably be a toss up for me between the CM9 and the Glock, and the CM9 would win because of price.

I'd rather have two $330 pistols than one $600 pistol in this segment.
 
You have a good list for IWB carry. I carry the CM9.
Pros, for me anyway: I like stainless steel for my carry firearms, like Mark said, the price is right. It is a pretty accurate gun for its size and enjoyable enough for range sessions, has good sights, the trigger is smooth. It has been reliable, I have not had a failure of any kind in 400 rounds.
Cons: Very tight when new and you should follow Kahr's recommendation of putting a couple of hundred rounds through it to break it in, not a big deal, you really should do this with anything you are going to use for defense anyway. Back to the trigger, it is smooth but the pull is long and the reset is basically when you release the trigger. It only comes with one six round magazine and they are a bit pricey.
 
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If you can afford to, keep your LCP for pocket carry for times when IBW is difficult due to your attire etc.

I have a XDS and a G43. The G43 is light at 17 oz., thin and reliable. It is a jewel to carry and I often do. Ammo cap. is 6 plus 1 in the barrel. The XDS is just slightly heavier and thicker but has 1, 2 or 3 rounds more capacity, per your choice of mags. I carry my XDS with the 7 round mag. with a couple of the 9 round mags as backup. Both hsve trigger safeties but the XDS also has a grip safety similar to a 1911. They both IBW carry very well.

When holstering any handgun you must keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard prevent an accidential discharge. Things like a holster safety straps, jacket zippers, or maybe a shirt tail could get caught and cause a discharge. With the XDS's grip safety you can enter the gun in the holster and press it on into the holster with only your thumb on the back of the slide.

As previously stated the S&W Shield is also an excellent choice and can be bought either with or without a slide safety. I would handle as many of the ones you mentioned, plus a Shield and try to discover which one feels best to you. In these size guns, your choice 9mm is probably the best. Also consider holster style and availability and mag availability and cost. The kydex holsters mounted on a leather backing as developed by Crossbreed Holsters Inc. are to me the most comfortable IBW made.
 
Just for some additional info about me. I live in Florida,and I never ever wear jeans. I wear cargo shorts 100% of the time. My main concern is printing. Shorts and t-shirts is all i wear.
 
The PPS would prob be easier to shoot because it's a little larger than the other pistols already mentioned,but my concern is buying one and it be a little bigger than I actually am comfortable carrying in this Florida heat.
 
If you can conceal a 43 then you can a 26. Go with the 26
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True and the 26 is a great gun. I got rid of mine and went with the Kahr simply because even though I could IWB carry the 26, it did print more and it was less comfortable than the single stack.
 
I own the Kahr, and if you like the DA trigger, it is a great thin pistol. I did add a slip-on neoprene grip for added traction when shooting - seems to help me a lot with the little guns where you don't typically get a three finger purchase.
 
lawndoctor1: Cargo Shorts a T-shirt and a KAHR CW-9 are all just made for each other. And a good pocket holster. This is the way I dress in warm weather. In the winter I CC in a cargo pocket of one of my coats. I have been carrying like this for several years now. And never had a problem with the gun or with printing. My Wife and I both CC a Kahr CW-9, it's the best choice for us.
 
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