Which would you buy and why?
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Which would you buy and why?
S&W Shield....numerous reviews from actual owners are solid, lifetime warranty and excellent customer service, hard to find but seems worth it
My 9mm Shield, very concealable and easy to carry. Not much bigger than many of the 380 pistols
lets keep the votes rolling in
Kahr PM9
Why a Pocket Pistol? Won't 'small' do? I thought I wanted this type of pistol a few months ago and went looking. Many of these had not yet come on the market. I tried the 709 Slim and hated it. Couldn't hit anything with it. Its slim size made it difficult to grasp well so my shots were off due to the effects of bad grip and recoil. I tried an M&P9c but it wasn't as smooth as I expected. Recently I considered the Nano but rejected it after hearing reports that "limp wristing" was a common problem due to difficulty in gripping it.
The best 9 mm I found was the Ruger SR9c which did indeed fit in my pocket and was easy to grip firmly and shoot accurately. But when I went in to buy it, they had a SR40c (identical size and shape, more power) and only about $20 more. I bought the Ruger SR40C instead. But I use an IWB rather than just stuffing it in my pocket. I have stuffed it in my pocket for a short time as when walking the dog late at night on a weekend when there is commotion in the neighborhood.
I am considering a small gun again for use in an ankle holster in the car. Maybe a Glock 26 or 27. I shot the 26 well and liked its feel, just not as much as I liked the feel of the SR9C. Can I shoot the 26 (9mm) more accurately than the 27 (.40)? Maybe they are about the same for a Center of Mass shot. I feel if there are no other factors in a trade-off, a 40 is preferable than a 9 for defense.
I had to go with the Nano! I do not own one, but I did shoot one and fell in love. Now, to come up with the cash to be able to add it to my other Berettas! Damn, that's hard to do these days.
I went S&W due to the fact that I own an LC9. the LC9 is a very good pistol and I shoot it well. I think I would prefer the S&W or that could just be a grass is greener on the other side thing. I do not like the P938, my wife has one and the ambi safety gets in my way.
I just bought one. A Kahr PM9.
I vote ... Kahr..
PM9 is my primary carry ..
Have not shot any of these. The kel tec is cheap and I"ve heard good things about it. I have an MP full size so the shield is tempting and it doesnt' seem too small to me. Guna and Ammo this month reviews them and the taurus did well.
I got to hold, but not yet shoot, a LCR and wow, it weighed nothing. Only 5 rounds and I'd wonder how 357 would feel coming out of it but it's very tempting to toss in a pocket.
I'm kind of doing the same thing but I'm trying to decide between the Sig p938 or the nano. I like both but looks go to the Sig, just makes me smile looking at it.
S&W SHield 9mm.
In fact, I liked it so much, I spent 2.5 months looking for a second one!
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...ubleshield.jpg
Shield is very nice shooter, very concealable and has a sweet trigger for the price. If you can afford a bit more the Kahr CW9 has an even better trigger... Spend significantly more and you can have the Kahr P9...nicer finish, match barrel, and the sweet Kahr trigger which I believe is the best trigger of all CC pistols on the market.
I voted CM9 but I'd suggest a CW9 instead. Virtually same size as a PF9, a 3.6" barrel, and no safety which is why I prefer it over the Shield.
The Shield is not really a pocket pistol. It is an accurate, reliable compact handgun that fits the hand well. It is also very hard to find in 9mm and the 40 has a biting recoil. The Walther PPS is basically the same size, but the Walther is thinner and the factory trigger on the Walther is not as light as the Shield. Both these handguns can be carried in a large, cargo pants style pocket, but are better suited to a holster.
As far as pocket handguns the Sig P-238 in 380 and the Sig P-938 in 9mm are the ultimate. Both are small reliable and capable of putting all round in a 4 inch circle at 15 yards. Most of the other pocket handguns fall way short on accuracy and reliability. I personally prefer the 9mm because of the additional power and bullet selection of the 9mm.
Of those I have personally tried I think the Walther PPS is the best sub-compact slim 9mm but it is not a pocket gun mostly due to it's shape. Squared off rear of slide is not real user friendly easing out of a pants pocket. Excels as a very discrete IWB option. Kind of in a niche by it's self. Lot of exciting new offerings in pocket nines out there but I think the PM9/CW9 still reins supreme taking into account all the variables such as weight, size, shape, thickness, smooth edges, capacity, trigger, safety, sights, etc. Two biggest weaknesses of the CM/PM are the mags like to ditch rounds into your pocket if not in a mag carrier and the slide release can be a little sharp. Easily fixed at home with a little dehorning. Nano and Shield are both intriguing but I have no trigger time with either. For some reason the Nano really appeals to me but I have no rational reason for it. I found the PF9 too much to handle but loved the Ruger LCP so the LC9 may be just enough heavier than the PF9 to be a good option if one can look beyond the safety on a heavy DAO trigger coupled with a mag disconnect. I'm rambling but my votes goes to the Kahr.
I owned 3 of the slim 9mm in your poll. (Kahr CM9, Beretta Nano & S&W Shield)Quote:
Originally Posted by hideit
Shield is the most reliable with all ammo and after 8 months pocket packing there is no wear marks. The Nano showed excessive wear especially the hood of the barrel after 200 rounds.
I also shot the Kimber Solo and it was a disaster from the first round.
Russ
Dragonheart:Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragonheart
I have been pocket packing my Shield 9mm for the last 8 months 10 hours per day in 34 x 32 pleated slacks.
I did change out the stock sights for XS Big Dot Night Sights partly because the stock rear sight is angled such that it would catch on my pocket when I did quick practice draw.
The rear XS sight is low profile making a quick pocket draw A-OK
I owned and pocket packed the Kahr CM9 and Beretta Nano and there really was not much difference except the Kahr was 3 oz lighter which I noticed at first but now I am use to the added weight now which is due to the extra round for the Shield (7+1) and better quality rails and poly.
There is a reason you can't find a Shield but when you do it is worth it. Dollar for dollar you can't beat the Shield.
After shooting most of the slim 9mm on this poll the biggest disappointment and ripoff in my opinion is the Kimber Solo. Beauty is skin deep for this gun because as soon as I shot her the ugliness in the over priced $600 gun came out. Very disappointing.
The Beretta Nano is the runner up for disappointment. I shot over a case of assorted rounds through my Nano and it never was reliable enough to call her a ccw and several others posted similar comments on the Beretta forum.
I also shot the Sig 238. Very nice 380 but she was not 100% reliable and not as accurate as the Nano or Shield.
For me it comes down to reliability and after shooting more than 2 cases of ammo through the Kahr CM9, Beretta Nano and Shield no one can talk me out of voting for the Shield.
Russ
Russ: I have read many posts on this and other forums and reviews VERY similiar to your post
Russ: I forgot to mention about the p238 and p938 - how many rounds have you put thru the pistol?
I have read that these require about 500 to 600 rounds before they are 100% reliable
hideit:Quote:
Originally Posted by hideit
I shot my friend's Sig 238 and I have no idea how many shells he had shot through his weapon. I shot just under a box and experienced maybe 2 jams. (My guess he had shot less than the 500 rounds. I believe the gun was fairly new.)
The Sig is a very well made firearm and is smaller than my Shield and would be a good choice if looking for a 380 firearm.
Back to the slim 9mm. I had such a frustrating road leading up to my Shield. I was honestly about ready to buy a revolver because my Kahr CM9 and Beretta Nano failed just enough to cause me some concern packing as a CCW. (About 2 FTE per 100 even after both went back to the shop and yes I gripped both hard to avoid limp wrist)
Honestly, with my Shield 9mm I have tried limp wrist to the point the gun nearly flew out of my hand, shot weak and cheap ammo, rapid fire, gang bang shooting sideways, weak hand upside down etc. and every time my Shield would kick every spent round out with authority.
I would be nuts to vote for any other slim 9mm but the Shield. I know in a crunch she will go bang and that is really all I want in a ccw.
Russ
P.S. After pocket packing for nearly 8 months and 500 rounds there is zero wear. Couldn't say that with my Beretta Nano. She showed wear marks after 200 rounds.
Not which pocket pistol would you buy, but I just brought a Kimber Solo CDP. Timing is everything. Called my local Gander Mountain asking if they had the gun in. Been in the store at least a dozen times looking for it. They just got it in, and now I have it! Shot ninety rounds through it. It is sweet. Just follow all directions for field stripping, lubricating, and reassembly, and it performs flawlessly. It beats all other concealed handguns that I own or I have shot, hands down.
I voted Shield 9mm because I love mine.
StevestQuote:
Originally Posted by stevesf
I am pleased you enjoy your Kimber. I fell in love with the beauty of the Kimber Solo when it first came out and put down a deposit. While waiting I tested one at Impact Guns in Olden Utah and every round failed to eject.
What type of ammo are you shooting? I tried 115 grain Remington with 100% failure rate. I read you must shoot $1 per round defense ammo through the Kimber Solo.
Too bad I really liked the feel and quality. However I enjoy shooting my ccw so I opted for the Shield which can shoot cheap Walmart ammo
Russ