Recommendations for 9mm Pocket Pistol DA/SA

L

lwestatbus

New member
I am wrestling with a CC issue and trying to solve it with the right pistol. I'm old and set in my ways so "right pistol" has some particulars to it that are limiting my choices.

My ideal pistol would be a 9mm version of a Walther PPKS. There is no such thing, of course, but am looking for something as close as possible. I have a PPKS and love it but would really like some more oomph in my pocket. I've been doing as much research as I can on modern offerings and coming up short and so am hoping that someone can point me to a new pistol I've overlooked but am definitely willing to buy used.

Essential Features:
  • 9mm
  • Exposed hammer capable of manual cocking if possible
  • DA first shot, SA afterward
  • Single stack w min 6+1 rounds, 7+1 better
  • Small enough to fit in a pocket
  • Reliable

Deal Breakers
  • Striker fired
  • SA only (e.g., 1911 style)

I realize that some of my limitations fly in the face of widely accepted preferences and limit my options. But I also believe that I have to be comfortable with a firearm and trust it and some of these features fulfill that need. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
 
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Well, the way I see it, you either need to compromise on your essential features/deal breakers or go all out and insist it come with a free baby unicorn too.

The best matches to your criteria are the SIG P239 and the old S&W 3913LS. Both of those are going to be a tad bigger than a PPK/S; but they can be pocket carried and meet your remaining criteria.

Allowing double-stack mags would open a lot of other options like the CZ subcompacts and HK subcompacts.
 
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The closest pistol I have in my rack is an older Norinco 213. They can still be found on GunBroker and other places; although they were banned from importation back in the Clinton years. It is on the lighter side for a steel pistol but it will fit in my rear pocket. It is not something I use as a carry. It is fun gun and for what it is, I really like mine.

The only other alternative I can add is a revolver. I think there are some 9mm out there.
 
A truly "pocketable" pistol chambered in 9mm might be impossible to find (or make) but, as Bartholomew Roberts noted, the discontinued yet still widely available Smith & Wesson Model 3913, "Third Generation" series pistols come close to meeting your requirements. For instance, the Model CS9 ("Chief's Special") 9mm, traditional double-action pistol, has a seven shot capacity magazine, comes with a bobbed hammer that can be manually cocked, weighs only twenty ounces and has an overall length of just over six inches. All Third Generation Smith pistols were nicely made and are known for their extreme reliability and robust construction. They are still modestly priced in good condition but I suspect they will grow in value as time goes on and will be even harder to find.
 
You won't find one that can be easily fit into a pocket. My LC9 is about as small as any 9mm, and I don't feel that I can realistically carry it in a normal pants pocket.
 
What your describing size wise is a mouse gun, small and easily concealed in the pocket. But I don't think you're going to get 9mm in what you want.

I would suggest you take a look at SIGs micro-compact P290RS in 9mm. This gun is DAO (deal breaker?) and carries 6+1. The closest thing to revolver-like reliability I've ever found. And shoots like a service size auto with little felt recoil and accuracy that is remarkable up to 21'. Conceals very nicely and on a good day could be slipped into your pocket.

Check it out.
 
I've pocket carried a Glock 26 in shorts, khakis and slacks. It isn't subtle by any means; but it is concealed well enough to avoid attention by your typical fellow citizen. I think people overestimate what other people notice. I've often thought I could duct-tape a Glock across my forehead and about 1/3 of the public would still be unaware I was armed. With a good pocket holster, the outline is broken up so it looks like you have a paperback stuffed in your pocket.

Having said that, there are 9mm pistols that are smaller and more shootable than a PPK; but the OP's list of criteria pretty much limits him to older, bigger pistols where even the smallest is still going to be pushing it for pocket carry.
 
I wear trousers with pockets big enough to carry my Walther PPS M2, with the 6rd mag it's not at all hard to do. My own criteria for an EDC puts shootability way ahead of carryability. I think the OP's exclusion of strikers is going to make it difficult to meet all of his criteria, but I'd be interested to see these responses anyway.
 
9mm
Exposed hammer capable of manual cocking if possible
DA first shot, SA afterward
Single stack w min 6+1 rounds, 7+1 better
Small enough to fit in a pocket
Reliable
Click to expand...

I'm not sure a gun exists that meets all of these requirements.

My first thought was the CZ RAMI. But its not singlestack.

My preference is the sig P938. But its SAO only.

The Sig P239 has already been suggested, but its too large for pocket carry.

Hate to say it, but you might have to modify your criteria.
 
I have to agree with mandolin man, you will be hard pressed to fill all of your boxes. However my CC pistol of choice in 9mm is a Sig P 938, single action only and carried in a kydex IWB holster, accurate, small and very easy recoil to control.
 
Essential Features:

9mm
Exposed hammer capable of manual cocking if possible
DA first shot, SA afterward
Single stack w min 6+1 rounds, 7+1 better
Small enough to fit in a pocket
Reliable
Click to expand...

You're going to have a hard time finding what you want.

Star Ultrastar looks like it would fit the bill, if it's pocketable.
 
If you do a search for smallest pocket carry DA/SA 9mm, this is what you come up with. But they don't have all your criteria but you may want to consider them. I have the Sig P239 and I can tell it is NOT a pocket carry but its a wonderful gun.

Sig 224
Beretta PX4
CZ Rami
H&K P30sk
Bersa Thunder Pro
Sphinx SDP

Note: get pants with big packets.

If you want smaller, you have to get a striker fired 9mm and forget the DA/SA.
 
Would you consider changing your carry method? I have a Kangaroo Carry, and can easily carry a larger pistol that meets the requirements of the pistol you are looking for. The Kangaroo Carry is a fabric band that goes around your middle, under your shirt, and carries a pistol at your armpit or a little bit in front of. I have carried my Ruger P345 comfortably all day long. Its large and heavy, but it disappears under a loose shirt. I also have carried a heavy snub and never felt uncomfortable.
 
I would suggest that the OP put his criteria in order from most important to least and start working up from the bottom of that list. I have a G26 and am 6'3 and wear baggy cargo shorts all the time. I'm not pocket carrying anything that big. For pocket carry, anything much bigger than the basic Kahr CM-9 is going to be either too heavy or too bulky for most pockets to carry comfortably AND be able to access quickly.
 
dgludwig said:
...the [S&W] Model CS9 ("Chief's Special") 9mm, traditional double-action pistol, has a seven shot capacity magazine, comes with a bobbed hammer that can be manually cocked...
Click to expand...
FWIW the hammers of standard-production Models 3913, 3914*, and CS9 are recessed to the point that they're very difficult to hand-cock without partially drawing back the trigger first, which kinda defeats the purpose. :rolleyes:

That said, IMHO the CS9 come closer to meeting the OP's requirements than any other pistol I can think of. FWIW the CS9 will accept 7/8rd magazines from the 391x/394x/908* series AND 8/9rd magazines made for the 390x and 909; these longer magazines will protrude from the grip but the pistol will still function, giving you the option of higher-capacity reloads.

However, the CS9 does stretch the definition of "pocketable," pun intended. :)

*The 3914 is a 3913 with matte blue finish rather than stainless. The 908 and 908S are stripped-down and lower-priced "Value Series" versions of the 3914 and 3913 respectively. The 3943 and 3944 are DAO versions of the 3913 and 3914 respectively.
lee n. field said:
Star Ultrastar looks like it would fit the bill, if it's pocketable.
Click to expand...
Not really; it's a bit bulky, about S&W M&P9c size based on handling one.
 
Essential Features:
9mm
Exposed hammer capable of manual cocking if possible
DA first shot, SA afterward
Single stack w min 6+1 rounds, 7+1 better
Small enough to fit in a pocket
Reliable
Click to expand...

You have the same wish list I do so I'll tag along and see what the forum comes up with.
 
Many Thanks

Many thanks for all of the responses. Unfortunately there has been no magic bullet suggestion but I was a little worried that might be the case. I am going to investigate the S&W 3913 for size. I have a 6906 and the exterior appearance is quite similar. Plus the 3913 is the same length as my PPKS but an inch taller which means bigger pockets.

Let me clarify why I am looking for this particular configuration and also address those who suggested modifying my carry method.

I live in Florida where temps can be really hot and humid. I am a university professor and am able to work from home about half the time but when I travel to campus I am in dressier clothes with slacks or a suit. I can have my firearm on campus but only locked in my car. The issue for me is the transition maneuver if I want to make a stop between campus and home. In the absence of a pistol meeting my original requirements my options are, 1) carry my .380 PPKS in my pocket, 2) carry my Kimber 4" 1911 in either of three holsters but that requires putting on a jacket, or 3) going unarmed.

Now, if you are in Florida in most months of the year and somebody is stopping in the parking lot to fumble around their belt and then put on a jacket in 90 degree weather it is screaming "gun". And the dorkiness factor gets pretty high when you're wandering through Home Depot in a suit with jacket. Shirt and tie says this guy's stopping by on the way home from work. Jacket says something else. So this particular and frequent situation would benefit a LOT from something that I can unobtrusively slip into my pocket while getting out of my car.

I am fully equipped for any other kind of carry situation I may be in. When not going to campus I am in shorts and Cabellas has some great ones that take my S&W Model 60 3" barrel with adjustable sights or the PPKS. I have shoulder holsters for everything, IWB holsters, etc. My exercise program anymore is a 2 mile round trip walk to Starbucks (S&W Mod 60 5" barrel in a shoulder holster).

I am a competent shot with any of my handguns and I have been shot at (Iraq) and kept my cool. But I would like more confidence that it won't take three or more hits to put someone on the ground. I like my two S&W revolvers but neither fits in slacks pockets and I would really like more than 5 shots before reloading.

I am 62 now and grew up with 1911s in the Army and transitioned to the current issue 9mm. I want to be able to see the state of my firearm and I really want the light trigger of a semi auto after it is cocked and ready to go.

Again, many thanks for all of the ideas.

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