The thread has the word POCKET. So it is meant front pocket carry. Budget is not an issue

I used Remington 147 grain "Golden Saber" and Federal 147 grain "Hydra-Shok" ammo. You must use either 124 grain or 147 grain ammo as stated in all of Kimber's literature. If you go to YouTube and look for the Kimber representative being interviewed at the 2012 shot show. He talks about the gun and why USA made and high power ammo is needed. I have the CDP model and I believe the CDP model that comes through Kimber's custom shop is made slightly different from the regular Solo model. In the custom shop at Kimber gunsmiths make the gun much tighter and machine the parts better than just the regular production process. I believe this is why the CDP model is better. I don't want to sound like a Kimber rep or a know it all, I'm just an everyday concealed carry gun person. Sure the Solo CDP is more expensive and all Solos require expensive ammo. But that's the way is is if you want to carry this gun. I think it is such a cool gun that I go the extra dollar for that. I have carried a Beretta Tomcat, a S & W 642 revolver, a Ruger LCP and a Ruger LC9 and have enjoyed all of them. The last thing I want to say that the Solo is slightly more difficult to properly field strip, properly lube to Kimber's specs and properly reassemble. The key word here is properly. I think that you can't go wrong with a new Solo if you are the one who has it from new and you take care of it. Good Luck with any gun you decide to carry. There are several other good reliable guns and they don't cost as much to buy or to shoot at the range. Have fun and be safe.

The S&W Shield offers the best value of those slim 9s, IMO. The trigger is a thing of beauty. But unlike the Sig, you don't pay and arm and leg for it.

I've been looking into the Sig P290 or a Kimber Solo when they get all the bugs worked out.

Glad to see there are a few options out there as I've always been intrigued by pocket pistols.

I agree with Shipwreck. The M&P Shield is an impressive weapon... Highly reccommended

I want a shield to try.

The LC9 is a great pistol for CC, i have carried one in warm weather since May of 2011. It is not a target pistol, but it is comfortable to carry and pleasant to shoot. It has always been completely reliable with any type of ammo, it has a long trigger pull but that is easy to get used to and the magazine disconnect safety is easy to remove if so desired. I have been completely happy with the LC9. I sometimes carry the LCR-357, it is vary compact and lite, usually with .38 +P, it is loud and abusive with 357 mag rounds.

I carry the LC9 also and agree that it's a great pistol for CC. True, it's not a target pistol, but I take it to the range every couple of weeks to run a box of ammo through it just to see how it's holding up. I can honestly say I've never had any misfire or other malfunction from day one. It's probably the only semi-auto that I've owned that has not stove piped at least once.

I've heard great things about the Shield, and they must be true considering the current waiting list to purchase one at my local dealer is over 350 people deep.

Beretta Nano all the way.Im very happy with mine.never misses a beat.

Smith Shield...the only one on the list that I don't have yet.

My vote goes to S&W Shield in 9mm. After I got mine, I sold my LC9 & my CW9. Carry it 95% of the time and a Ruger SP101 the other 5%.

LC9 because I just bought one and it is a great little carry gun. Carried it concealed in a belly band for the last few days, almost forgot I had it on. Had a PF9, not a reliable handgun in my opinion.

The Shield was my choice for many of the reasons stated, I am a new shooter so I can't speak from experience other than I have no problems with mine.

I waited a while before I made my choice on a pocket 9 mm. I did my best to keep an open mind and I concerned other calibers, such as 40 S&W and 45 ACP.

At the end, I went with the Kahr PM9 with the black slide. I have heard great things about it from others but after buying a Kahr P380, I was not sure. Eventually, I went with the PM9.

The things I like about the PM9 is its very small size, it's ability to handle heavier +P ammo, the polygonal rifling, reports from users, the use of top quality materials, the lack of a manual safety, the ability to fire with the magazine removed, the dovetailed front and rear sights allowing options, the simplicity of field striping, that it is Glock-like, that it is very accurate, feels right in my hands, etc.

Going to the range with the Kahr PM9 was a very good experience. It worked very well with the cheap white box ammo and was very controllable with the hot Corbon +P 115 grain loads. Yes it has a stout recoil with the hot ammo, but it is very controllable.

I have a Sig 938 and I love it!

I researched all of them. Pound for pound, the Taurus PT709 was my pick. The trigger is unique, it shoots well, has no "harsh" recoil, and is very concealable. I love my Ruger SR9c, but it was heavier and thicker than the PT709. The slim version for Ruger is the LC9 but I just couldn't justify getting it.

I have owned- M&P Shield, LCP, SR9C, Kimber Solo CDP and Sig P938. I sold them all except for the P938 and Kimber. Yes, I sold the Shield because I felt the Kimber and P938 were the ones that fit my criteria the best. Both have performed with ZERO issues. I have nothing bad to say about the Shield....it was just not as nice as the Sig and Kimber. The Shield is a great value for its price and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

I went old school and got the S&W 3913 although not a true pocket pistol is the same size as many CC firearms. It is accurate and you can buy one for under $325 from CDNN.

Great choice. I own a 3953TSW - both excellent pistols! Good luck with it.

Does anyone have a picture of the Shield in their pocket?

I'm looking for a pocket 9 now. I had the P3AT which was great in the front right pocket but just didn't trust the caliber. I switched to a 38 revolver for now but really like the look of the Nano, CM9, and Shield. Originally was looking at the DB9 but too many bad reviews.

From the research I have done, without a doubt the shield.

I agree with GFM914 on the Ruger LC9. I have one, and it is a great little pistol, except for the laser that came with it (Now you see the red dot, now you don't). Very slim, low-profile, very reliable.

I pocket carry a Kahr PM9 (new style). It has been flawless with the the cheap target white box ammo as well as with +P carry ammo. It carries easier than any other capable caliber pistol I have seen.

My other capable pocket carry guns are a Ruger LCR 38 SPL +P and a Springfield Armory XDs 45 ACP, including +P.

There are many 9mm options out there and there are other options in 38 SPL, 357 Mag, 40 S&W and 45 ACP.

The 9mm is the easiest to shoot and very capable if it can handle +P ammo, as the Kahr PM9 does.

For pocket carry I use the S&W Air Weight 442 Revolver and a DiSantis pocket holster. But I voted for the M&P Shield 9mm which is the small compact I own. Many of the handguns mentioned above like the P938 I really like. For the price and quality I decided on the Shield. I normally don't carry my Shield in my pocket but I can if I want to. I own a Bucksholster.com IWB which is a lot like the Cross Breed brand. Very happy with the Shield even though I need a lot of practice seeing I seem to hit lower then where I'm aiming. I also own a Sig Pro 40 cal which I like and a small Bursa .380 which I gave to my son.